18-04-29 1 Thes 2 13 Effectual Words of God CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

According to 1 Thes 2:13, for the words of God to work effectually in you, there are three things that you must do.  And these things work in connection with each other.  In other words, if you leave one of them out, then the word of God isn’t going to work as effectually in you.

For the words of God to work effectually in you, you must:

Believe them – to believe is to accept as authoritative, true and accurate.  These are the words of God; not the words of men.  These are the words of King Jesus, [Ecc 8:4; Lk 4:32, 36]. These words have the power to create [Heb 11:3], the power to uphold [Heb 1:3], the power to save [1 Pet 1:23].  These words have the power to last forever Matt 24:35.

Perceive them – to perceive is to hear; to attain the understanding of.  Contrast perceiving the words of God with Matt 13:14-17.  Jesus said, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”  When you come to church for the preaching and teaching of the words of God, you are coming to hear from the Lord.  When you open your Bible at home and pray, God Almighty is speaking to you directly out of his words [Ps 119:18].  Pay attention to him.  

Receive them – to receive is to come into the possession of; to assimilate (to take into the mind and thoroughly understand; to take in and utilize as nourishment).  Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”  Obey these words, live by these words, do these words and they will effectually work in you.  They give you peace, comfort, direction, hope, assurance, strength, courage, confidence, and joy.

Conclusion: God intends for his words to work in you.  But for them to be effectual, you must believe them, perceive them, and receive them.  That can’t happen if you leave your Bible on the coffee table to gather dust.