Putting the Word to Work

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

I Thessalonians 2:13

This verse tells us why reading God's word is important. It tells us why Christians have been willing to live and die for this book. It even tells us why we shouldn't be too concerned at the statistics that say most people can't tell me what my sermon was about two hours after they leave church.

It does all that and more when it says that the word of God is at work in those who believe. When you read God's word or when you hear a good sermon explaining the word, it doesn't just increase your knowledge. If you believe, then the word goes to work on you and begins to change you.

It may sound a little odd for me to say that I don't care (too much) if my congregation can't remember what I preached last Sunday, but I really don't. Sure, I want my sermons to make an impact, and I would love for them to remember what I say, but I know that my people can't remember every sermon I preach. So, I strive to preach biblical sermons full of God's word because if I succeed at that I know that even if they don't remember the sermon, they will be changed by it! If I am faithful to preach the word, then God is faithful to make the word work on those who believe. 

This is why so many have been willing to live and die for God's word, because it was far more than just a book for them. It was the source of their spiritual life change. It can be the same for you. I want to challenge you to read your Bible every day...even when you don't feel like it... even when it seems like it isn't accomplishing anything. Read the Bible. Listen to the Bible. Sing the Bible. And believe the Bible. As you do these things, you can trust that God's powerful word, the same word that spoke creation into being, is at work in you transforming your heart and mind by its truth. Let God's word work on you today. 

Encourage Somebody Already

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

A recent study found that 85% of people hate being encouraged. Wait. No, that's not true. It turns out pretty much everyone likes being encouraged, and we all need people to nudge us in the right direction every now and again. So it makes sense that this is something we do for one another in the church.

In context this verse means something like: Because of the certainty of Jesus' return and because of our solid hope in the salvation that awaits us when He returns, we ought to do two things:

1. Give encouragement to one another as a means to urge fellow believers to continue walking rightly with God.
2. Promote Christian growth in one another.

But do we actually do this? When was the last time you gave some encouragement to an adult friend at church because of what you saw God doing in their life? One of the best ways to do this is to share with them how something they did or said touched you. Or when was the last time you did something to help develop an adult friend further in their faith? Maybe you invited them to join you in some spiritual discipline or suggested a book to them. 

There are hundreds of ways to do this. Only you know what is right for your particular friend or family member in the context of your friendship, but here are some ideas to help you get started. 

• Commit to pray for them and ask if there is anything you can pray specifically about.
• Have you read a Scripture, article or book that ministered to you? Suggest it to them.
• Tell them how God has ministered to you or others through them.
• Ask them how they are doing in their personal walk with the Lord right now.
• Ask them to be your prayer partner, Bible study partner, Accountability partner, etc...
• Send a sermon to them either via email, CD or DVD. 
• Start theological and biblical discussions with them.
• If you are farther along in the faith than them, offer to disciple or mentor them.
• Write them an encouraging card, text or email. 
• Write a song about them and all they mean to you. (Ha! Just kidding! I had to make sure you were still paying attention.)

Look, it isn't that hard to do. I know it can seem unnatural at first, but this is an important role that all of us are called to play in the family of God. Remember, there is an enemy who is actively scheming to deceive your friends and bring them to ruin. Satan wants to destroy and devour them. You can't just sit by and silently hope they survive his attacks. There are people in your church who need you. So suck it up! Get out there and encourage somebody already. Choose at least one person and encourage or build them up today.