Ye Received The Word

The point: If you find that the description of receiving the Word is true of you, direct your praise to God, just as Paul did.

The analogy of 'coughing continually' is used to explain that 'without ceasing' does not mean every single moment, but rather a regularly recurring and persistent action, applying it to Paul's continuous praise.

Now, by way of introduction to the verse, notice first of all the nature of his praise. For this cause thank we God without ceasing. It was continuous praise. The word, for without ceasing, does not mean that from the moment he got up in the morning, he said like a string of Hail Marys all day long, thank you Lord for the Thessalonians, thank you Lord for the Thessalonians, thank you, no, no, it doesn't mean that at all.

5:06 - 5:28 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The first aspect of true hearing is the initial reception of the Word, meaning to 'take to one's side' and seriously consider the message, regardless of the human instrument's…

The word 'receive' (λαμβάνω) is illustrated by Joseph taking Mary as his wife, signifying a close, personal taking to oneself, to explain the Thessalonians' initial reception of the Word.

It's the word used when it says in Matthew that after the angel visited Joseph, he, he took unto him Mary his wife. Same word. He took her to his side. He took her to live with her in his home.

8:14 - 8:26 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The first aspect of true hearing is the initial reception of the Word, meaning to 'take to one's side' and seriously consider the message, regardless of the human instrument's…

The word 'receive' (λαμβάνω) is further illustrated by Christ's promise to 'receive' believers to Himself, emphasizing a deep, personal welcome, to explain the Thessalonians' initial reception of the Word.

Though of course he knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn, but they were living together under the same roof. It's a word that speaks of this kind of close identity. It's the word our Lord used in John 14.3, that tremendous promise that has brought much comfort to the people of God through the centuries.

8:26 - 8:43 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not reject the Word of God because you dislike the human instrument through which it comes; see beyond the vessel to the Word itself.

Martin imagines various criticisms people might have had of Paul's preaching style (too fast, too loud, too logical, too many illustrations) to show how personal preferences can become a 'smokescreen' for rejecting the Word itself.

Well, what was true, what is true now was true then. I'm sure that there were people who naturally didn't jive, didn't get along well with Paul as a personality, who felt, you know, he's just not my kind of preacher. And I'm sure there were people there in the synagogue when Paul began to open up the Scriptures who said, well, you know, this fellow talks altogether too fast. And there are probably others who said, well, you know, he just talks too loud.

11:10 - 11:31 Read in full sermon

The point: Examine your heart to see if you are internally stopping your ears to the Word when it touches sensitive points, and be honest about your reception.

The account of the Jews stopping their ears when Stephen preached is used as a vivid example of rejecting the Word because its truth was too devastating and humbling, contrasting with true reception.

And it says, they did the form of the latter. They gnashed on him with their teeth, but he being full of the Holy Ghost looked up steadfastly to heaven, saw the glory of God, etc. And now notice verse 57. Then they cried out with a loud voice and they stopped their ears.

14:12 - 14:28 Read in full sermon

The point: Examine your heart to see if you are internally stopping your ears to the Word when it touches sensitive points, and be honest about your reception.

Martin humorously suggests that if people were as honest as the Jews who stopped their ears, many in the congregation would be doing 'calisthenics' (putting fingers in ears) when the Word touches their sore points, highlighting internal rejection.

Now, at least I admire their honesty. They did with their fingers externally what they were doing in their hearts internally. I wonder, I wonder how many of us would have calisthenics at different points Sunday after Sunday if we were as honest as these Jews, huh? When the Word begins to come close and searching and God begins to touch us at our sore points, I wonder how many of us in our hearts have stopped our ears.

14:43 - 15:10 Read in full sermon

Driving home: But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at my word.

God's statement 'the heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool' is explained with the metaphor of the earth being God's 'hassock' (footrest), emphasizing His immense majesty and the foolishness of human pride in building temples.

See what God is saying? He says, what I speak, I speak as the God creator of heaven and earth. The heaven is my throne and your little earth is just my hassock. I rest my feet.

24:20 - 24:30 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Through an anecdote about Ebenezer Erskine, Martin warns hearers against placing their confidence or expectation in the human instrument rather than in God, lest God be forced to…

The story of a woman who was blessed by Ebenezer Erskine's preaching at one service but disappointed at his own church is used to illustrate the danger of placing confidence in the human instrument rather than in Christ and the Spirit's work.

And then there's a word for you as hearers as well. This is a true story. A certain woman went to a church where they were having a inter-church gathering. A communion service.

42:44 - 42:55 Read in full sermon