The Word Does the Work

Sunday, October 25, 2026
Jojo Ma

13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that 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, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved --- so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

I. How to receive the Word of God [v13]
II. How the Word of God works in us [v13]
III. How opposing the Word of God displeases God [vv14-16]

I. How to receive the Word of God [v13]
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that 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…

We hold to what’s called a high view of Scripture. It’s the view that Jesus and the apostles had because when we view the Scriptures highly, we honor our God highly --- for the Scriptures are His words.

II. How the Word of God works in us [v13]
13…you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

Without God’s Word in us, we won’t be changed. Your mind must be renewed by God’s Word if your life will be changed for God’s glory.

2:2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

2:8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

2:9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

You never outgrow the gospel; we never move on from the good news of Jesus.

The “If/Then” [Works] vs. “Because/So” [Grace] Mindset

The good news is not law, it is not demand, it is not your obedience, it is not “if/then” thinking, it is not what God asks of you…it is all the work of Christ and grace to us. Make sure you understand the difference between law and gospel.

1 Pet 2:23 When he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Phil 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

2 Cor 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

The New Testament is very clear about how we grow --- through the grace of Christ.

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

III. How opposing the Word of God displeases God [vv14-16]
14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved --- so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

I. How to receive the Word of God [v13]
II. How the Word of God works in us [v13]
III. How opposing the Word of God displeases God [vv14-16]