The Apostle Paul constantly gave thanks to God for the spiritual health of the young church in Thessalonica. In this text it’s clear that one of the reasons they were so healthy is because of the way in which they received the gospel and the work it was doing in them.

Paul gave them a model for ministry in 2:1-16. He was a steward, a mother, and a father, but he’s also a herald for the gospel in verse 9. And in verses 13-16, Paul points out that when you do gospel ministry, some people receive the word as God’s word and it does its life-giving, life-transforming work in them. But others will reject it, and may even oppose it. When they do, God is displeased and His wrath hangs over them.

How do we receive God’s word? In this sermon, we wrestle with three questions: Is the Bible the word of Humans? How do we come to believe the Bible is the Word of God? And, What happens when we receive the Bible as the Word of God?

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16; 2 Peter 3:15-16; Mark 15:21