Young People's Group

RECEIVING THE WORD OF GOD WELL

by Pastor Mitch
December 04, 2005

Looking Forward To Learning God’s Word At Youth Conference

The moment that many of us have been waiting for is finally here. Youth Conference 2005 will commence this Sunday evening. Yahoo! The theme for this year’s conference is the topic of joy. It is our hope that everyone will learn much about finding joy in the Lord. Are you looking forward to a good time of learning from God’s word? Let’s seek to have a heart of readiness to receive the teachings from the Scriptures.

Our Regard For God’s Word Matters Much

How we receive the word of God affects the way we will learn.

“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…”
1 Thessalonians 2:13

Paul and his friends were happy about the exemplary way that the Thessalonians received the word of God. They heartily welcomed the messages preached by Paul. This was because they had the highest regard for the Scriptures. They considered the Scriptures as divinely inspired by the Lord. They recognized the Scriptures as the truths of God. If we do not have the highest opinion of the Bible, we will end up not listening well to the teachings from it. When we have the highest regard for God’s word, we will hear and receive it well.

Receiving The Word Of God With Faith

“… which also effectively works in you who believe.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13

The Thessalonian Church also received the word of God with much faith. After they heard the gospel, they exercised faith in the truths that they heard. The word of God had a profound effect on them because they welcomed the word of God with faith. The truths of the Scriptures worked effectively in their lives. They were able to practice the many things that they had learnt.

“For you, brethren, became imitators of the Churches of God, which are in Judea in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 2:14

They imitated the example of the Judean Churches in the way they lived and served. God’s word worked in their lives.

Receiving The Word Of God With Joy

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

Even though the Thessalonians were going through a most difficult time, yet they received the word of God with joy. It was the Spirit of God working through the Scriptures to bring about this joy. As we study the word of God during the Youth conference, may we be able to receive the word of God with a great sense of joy, too. Let’s pray that the Spirit of God will illumine us to deep truths. Let’s pray that at the end of the Youth Conference, we will be able to shout for joy.

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