1. Receiving the Word “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48). “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). Receive Word = Receive Jesus Reject Word = Reject Jesus

2. THE WORD - Authoritative “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: "I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me.” (Isa. 1:2). “Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.” (Lev. 10:1-2). “For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’” (Acts 3:22-23).

3. “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet. 1:20-21). THE WORD – God-breathed

4. “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” (1 Thess. 2:13). THE WORD – Effective

5. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isa. 55:8-11). THE WORD – Effective

6. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12). “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16). THE WORD – Living, Powerful

7. Shows the Way to Heaven “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psa. 119:105). “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” (Jer. 10:23). IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD

8. Keeps Us From Sin “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!” (Psa. 119:11). “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” (John 15:3) IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD

9. Nourishes the Spiritual Man “But He answered and said, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” (Matt. 4:4). IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD Words of Eternal Life “…The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63). “But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68).

10. Contains All That Is Needed “…His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” (2 Pet. 1:3). “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD

11. Receiving the Word  Some receive “a” word, but not “the” Word.  Some who have the Word—Do not keep it!  Some who receive the Word—Let it go! Needs to be received:  As it is, the Word of God (1 Thess. 2:13).  Gladly (Acts 2:41)  With a ready mind (Acts 17:11) Acts 8:12-14; Acts 11:1; 1 Cor. 15:1; Acts 18:8

12. How Do I Receive the Word?  When it comes to worship?  Concerning the work of the church?  About Christian living?  The Plan of Salvation?