Introduction
For us, the Bible is God’s word
The message Paul spoke to the Thessalonians was the word of God, not the word of man
In the same way, the Bible is God’s word for us
We must resist the temptation to look for God’s word outside of Scripture
Our response to God’s word must be in accordance with its true nature
Despite the temptation to view Paul as a mere babbler, the Thessalonian Christians received his message as the word of God, not the word of men
We need to welcome God’s word into our lives, responding to its message with faith, in the full conviction that it comes from him
God’s word is powerfully at work in those who believe
The Thessalonians experienced a powerful transformation through the power of God’s word
We too may experience that transformation as we receive God’s word in faith
Conclusion
Comments
Although this sermon outline deals only with a single verse, I have deliberately dwelt on it because it addresses an issue over which there is much confusion in our day. Many popular Christian leaders promote the idea that God’s word can be found through dreams, prophecies,
subjective impressions, and various other means. As you prepare to preach this passage, you will need to take stock of your own circumstances, and the different ways in which people in your own context seek to hear God speaking to them.
It is a common view that the Bible is a dead letter, whereas prophecies, dreams, tongues,
etc. represent the living voice of God. So-called messages from God derived from these latter sources are therefore seen as superior to and more exciting than the Bible. It is important, therefore, to show that the Bible is not merely a historical record of God’s actions and words, but a book in which God continues to speak today (see especially the Application section on this verse). Help people to understand how they can hear God speaking to them in Scripture.
When referring to the Bible as God's word to us in the suggested sermon outline, you will probably need to give some sort of explanation of why we regard Scripture (the Bible) as the word of God. You will also need to show how the oral teaching of Paul and the apostles relates to our written Scripture. (These issues are explained in the Application section on this verse.) Your level of detail will depend on the congregation’s prior knowledge and understanding, and it may well be necessary to offer a Bible study where people can ask questions and these matters can be discussed in greater depth. Packer’s book God has spoken is particularly helpful on this topic.1
It will be important to emphasize that our faith is not in the Bible itself, but in God. The Bible must not be turned into a book of sayings that are thought to have some sort of magical power; it is God’s revelation of himself, and we must come to him through Christ in order to receive that power (see John 5:39).
Do not neglect to show how a diligent attention to God’s word leads to real transformation in our lives (section before conclusion).
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.