1. I Thessalonians 2:13.

I. Heard of us. Word of God is spread by man (II Timothy 2:2 – "And the things thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also). Consider the accounts of:

A. Samaritans (Acts 8:12).

1. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

B. Ethiopian (Acts 8:26).

1. And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

C. Paul (Acts 9:6).

1. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

D. Cornelius (Acts 10:5-6).

1. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughest to do.

E. Lydia (Acts 16:14).

1. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

II. Word of God. Inspired – Wayne Jackson has said, "The word implies an influence from without producing effects that are beyond natural powers." Jackson has quoted B. C. Goodpasture as saying, "The book that is in this sense inspired is one into which something of another spirit or mind has been breathed, in other words its author has been overshadowed by a power outside of himself."

A. Inspired (II Timothy 3:16-17).

1. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

B. Holy men spake as moved by Holy Ghost (II Peter 1:20-21).

1. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

C. Apostles spoke with words of the Holy Ghost (I Corinthians 2:12-13).

1. Not we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

D. Writings of Paul are the commandments of the Lord (I Corinthians 14:37).

1. If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

E. God’s word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89).

1. For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.

III. Effectually worketh.

A. Not a "dead letter" (Hebrews 4:12).

1. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

B. Produces faith (Romans 10:17).

1. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

C. Able to save (James 1:21).

1. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

D. Necessary for godly sorrow to occur (Acts 2:37).

1. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

E. Necessary for growth (I Peter 2:1-2).

1. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

F. Gives comfort (I Thessalonians 4:18).

1. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

G. Gives hope (Romans 15:4).

1. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

H. Keeps us from sinning (Psalm 119:11).

1. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

1. I Thessalonians 2:13:

a) Word of God is made known to others by man.

b) Word of God is inspired (God is its source).

c) Word of God is effective.