Subject: Power of God's Word - 1 Thessalonians 1-3

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NASBStr)
For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

Subject:  Power of God's Word

There are many books written and many books, through the ages, have been read and digested by man.   Prior to Paul's day, during the silent years of the Bible (400 b.c. to 40 A.D.) Socrates, Aristotle and Plato were published authors.  Confucius lived during that time, as well.  All of their words were setting the Greek culture on its head.   These three men were revered by their followers and nation.  Each word they penned was quoted and re-quoated.   Most of Paul's discussion on Mars Hill recorded in Acts 17 would have been centered around their teaching.   During Paul's day there were actual schools of philosophy that each philosopher would have attached themselves to as a loyal follower.   The words of philosophy (the words means "love of wisdom") were bantered about in the common markets daily.  In the city of Thessalonica this would have been a daily occurrence the church was familiar with.   They would have been both participants in the past and observes of the present practice.  Yet, Paul comes thundering in with the above statement.   When he preached among them in and around 40-45 A.D. they did not receive his words like the words of Plato or Aristotle.   They received them as though they were the very Words of God ... because they were!!   In the debate between this worlds philosophy and God's Word, there is no debate.    God's Word is authoritative.  God's Word is transformative.   God's Word is active (Hebrews 4:12).  Man's words are opinions, dull and dormant.   Yet, even though the Bible is the book that is sold the most, it is probably the book that is read the least.   More homes have the Bible than any other book.   More people neglect to read the Bible than any other book ... even believers.   Paul commended the city for taking the Word of God for what it was.   It was transformative and powerful and performed a work within them.