God uses humans to deliver his word—And he delivers it to humans. Human minds and hearts hear and understand the word from God, and they share it and the process repeats over and over again. Paul calls this communication the “word of God.” This is not merely the word of man—God has spoken and is now speaking through Paul. We believe that God has spoken throughout history, and that by inspiration, the Bible is the authoritative record of that word for all time.
What God did was enable humankind to receive Paul’s words as the word of God. Verse 13b: “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.” [1 Thessalonians 2:13b] That’s what God did. He opened their mind and heart to know that Paul was speaking the words of God, and he gave them the inclination to receive it for what it is—Not mere human words, but God’s word.
How do we know if the ‘word’ is at work within us? Paul and Timothy say, it will be manifested by works that are expressions of our faith—a labor of love. Just as God’s power is manifested in life-giving ways so, too, the ‘word’ generates in us both the desire and willingness to engage in life-giving activity. This activity includes not only proclamation of the word, but by sharing of ourselves and working on behalf of and for the good of the community so that it, too, might incarnate the word of God with us, in power.
Join us this week at Sedona United Methodist Church as Rev. Dick Snider offers an important Message entitled “Is God’s Word Trustworthy”. Sunday mornings we enter the spirit of worship at 9:30 a.m. featuring meaningful times of prayer, joyous music, and life messages that will help move you closer in your relationship with Christ. Our worship is upbeat and lively, and spirit filled! Immediately following worship, you are encouraged and invited to stay and join us in our Fellowship Hall for the friendliest and best fellowship time anywhere featuring delicious snacks and great coffee and always friendship.
We offer several weekly book and bible studies: Wednesday’s our Men’s Bible Study at 9am; and Thursday’s our Women’s Bible Study at 9:45am. So many great missions, ministries and events happening at Sedona UMC—Visit our website at us on www.sedonaumc.org and “Like” us on Facebook. We would love to pray for you! —Prayer requests may be submitted online or by calling us at 928-282-1780. We are conveniently located at 110 Indian Cliffs Road off the Back O’Beyond roundabout on Route 179 in Sedona. All are welcome at Sedona UMC—Come and grow with us!
