Hearing, Receiving and Accepting the Word

When it comes to preaching, there is much that takes place that falls far short of the name. I am certainly far from the kind of preacher I desire to be and am continuing to work with the Lord’s help to be a more faithful expositor of His Word. I have written previously here about the task of preaching and could and probably should say more about that. However, I want to say a few words about being on the other side of the preaching event – hearing the Word preached.

While I am concerned about the state of preaching God’s Word, I am equally concerned about the state of hearing God’s Word in the church today. Are there unfaithful preachers and shepherds of the flock of God? Yes. Are there churches who are satisfied with these unfaithful preachers and shepherds? Yes. Many preachers have turned away from the proclamation of Scripture and it seems that many churches are quite happy about it. Many in the pews have turned their ears away from the truth and have turned to fables (2 Tim. 4:4).

The sad and tragic reality is that many people will go to church this Sunday simply because they are in the habit of doing so. It is just the thing to do for some people, but they do not really profit from the preaching. People go to church for a lot of reasons but why should they be going? Let’s make it a bit more personal. Why will you gather with your church this Lord’s Day? I hope that you will go in anticipation of hearing the Word of God. I hope you will go expecting to hear a clear message from God.

In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he expressed gratitude for the way in which the Thessalonians heard God’s word. He wrote, “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 Thess. 2:13). The Thessalonians heard, received and accepted the Word of God which Paul proclaimed. His message was not the message or words of men but the word of God and the Thessalonians received it as such.

I ask again, why will you gather with your church this Lord’s Day? I hope that in the manner of the Thessalonians you will go expecting to hear your pastor preach God’s Word and that you will receive and accept it.