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I. THE RIGHT RECEPTION OF THE GOSPEL (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

1. They listened to it not as the word of men, but as the Word of God. Paul refers to the danger of listening to the gospel as if it were the word of men. How many treat it as merely the preacher's message.

(1) Man's word is mixed with error and should be sifted; but in God's Word there is no error.

(2) Man's message may not concern us, but God's Word is of momentous importance. When its infallibility and worth are realized, you will —

(a)  Listen to it with reverence.

(b)  Feel its authority.

(c)  Rejoice in its preciousness.

(d)  Be impressed with a due sense of responsibility.

2. They received it in faith, "Also in you that believe." This is the only way in which it can be received. Hearing is not receiving it, nor an intelligent comprehension of its nature and relationships. Not until a man accepts Christ as his Redeemer and Righteousness is the gospel received. It should be thus received because of —

(1)  Its inexpressible importance to us.

(2)  The infinite love of God in the Word of His grace.

3. It follows that in thus receiving the gospel as the Word of God —

(1)  They dismissed from their minds all prejudices and preoccupations (Acts 17:5).

(2)  They heard with personal application.

II. THE EFFICACY OF THE WORD WHEN RIGHTLY RECEIVED. It will have an effect, but what each must choose.

1. The mighty power which the Word had on those who believed, "Which effectually worked." By means of it they were —

(1)  Convinced of sin.

(2)  Made new creatures in Christ Jesus (James 1:18).

(3)  Sanctified (John 17:17).

2. The explanation of this effectual working — because they believed (Hebrews 4:2). In proportion to our faith will be our profit from the Word.

III. THE THANKFULNESS. INSPIRED BY THIS RIGHT RECEPTION AND EFFECTUAL WORKING OF THE WORD. Paul felt, thankful because of —

1. His sympathy with the Lord Jesus in His work and triumphs "He shall see of the travail of His soul," etc.

2. The blessings realized by those who received the Word. The liberator feels joy in freeing the slave; the physician in making the diseased healthy.

(G. W. Humphreys, M. A.)

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KJV: For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

WEB: For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.