Young People's Group

RECEIVING THE WORD WELL

by Pastor Mitch
March 20, 2011

Thanking God For The Preaching Of His Word

At every Bethany family camp, the preaching of the Lord’s word is most central. We thank God for the faithful preaching of His word once again this year at the Le Grandeur Palm resort. May our hearts continue to be thankful for the lessons taught from the Scriptures concerning the gift of the Holy Spirit. May we be challenged to respond to His word well.

Receiving The Preached Word With Joy Of The Spirit

“And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.” 
1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

The Church at Thessalonica was an example of what it meant to receive the preaching of God’s word well. Despite going through many afflictions, they still received His word with great joy of the Holy Spirit. This was a good tell-tale sign that they had the Spirit of God working in them. After hearing the mighty preaching of God’s word by Paul, they became followers of him and especially the Lord. They became examples to others in Macedonia and Achaia. The Spirit of God worked in their hearts in a most wonderful way. They were going through afflictions and yet in the midst of difficulties, they still found joy in the receiving of the word. The Holy Spirit would also give us joy when we take heed to God’s word. Young people, let’s also seek to receive the word of God preached to us with the joy of the Spirit. Let’s review the many lessons that we have learnt and let’s rejoice in them, with the Spirit of God working in our hearts

Receiving The Word Of God With Faith

“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” 
1 Thessalonians 2:13

Paul rejoiced and gave thanks to God when he saw the example of the Thessalonians in receiving the word well. He explained further of how they had the highest regard for the teaching of God’s word. They were truly interested in hearing the word taught by Paul. They did not see the word of God expounded by him as the mere words of men. They heard the word and took hold of it as truths from the Scriptures. They saw it as the actual word of God. Furthermore, the Thessalonians exercised faith in the word of God. When they did this, the truths of the word worked effectively in them. The word of God energised them and it did a special work in their heart and life. The power of the word of God works through faith. So much so, the Thessalonians became imitators of the Churches that were in Judea. Young people, we have heard much from the word of God about the gift of the Holy Spirit this week during the family camp. Let’s seek to respond well to the word of God preached to us. Let’s exercise faith in His word and continue to do so that it can work in our lives most effectively.

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