The Word of His Power Part VII - Receive

Last week we saw that even though God reveals His word to man, not everyone will listen.  And it is equally true that not everyone who listens, will receive what they hear.  It is entirely possible for the message of God’s word to get through loud and clear, and still for the message to be rejected.

Jonah listened to the word of the Lord to him, and yet he went in the exact opposite direction.  Balaam clearly heard God’s word, and yet he was bent on pursuing his own plans rather than God’s.  Samson had heard God’s word over his life, and yet he received it only when it was convenient to his own passions.  An entire generation of Hebrews, newly delivered from 400 years of slavery in Egypt, heard God’s word for their destiny in the Promised Land, yet they would not receive it - settling instead for dying-off in the wilderness.  As Hebrews 4:2 says, “the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.”

In John 12:47-48, Jesus issues a warning to those who hear His words but will not receive them:

"If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.  He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.”

In this statement Jesus equates receiving His “sayings” (rhema) with “keeping” them (“to guard, keep watch, follow closely, observe”).  He also links “not receiving His sayings” with rejecting Him (“to regard as nothing, declare invalid, render null and void”).  Those who will not “receive” His word, He says, will be judged by the very word they refused to receive.  The God-initiated, created, sustaining, revealed, living thing that springs forth from the mouth of the Lord will be, in the end, the very thing that judges all who hear it but will not receive it.

Years ago, the Holy Spirit shared with me a very simple principle: “You get what you receive.”  If you hear the Word of the Lord, but you will not receive it, then you will not get it.  Hearing the word does not guarantee that you get the word.  If, however, you will receive it, then you will get it and more!  "So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him." (Luke 8:18 emphasis added)

This principle incorporates the idea of “the lesser to the greater.”  To receive God’s word, effectively means we are receiving the One from whose mouth it proceeds.  If we receive Jesus’ word, then we are receiving Him who spoke it.  And if we are receiving Jesus, we are receiving the Father who spoke and sent Jesus, the Living Word.  But the principle extends even further to include others whom God sends and through whom He speaks.

"He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.  And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." (Matt 10:41-42 emphasis added)

Receiving a prophet, a righteous man or a disciple of Jesus is always done “in the name of,” which is an acknowledgment of the calling, appointing and anointing of God upon that person’s life.  Receiving individuals as appointed and anointed messengers of God is receiving His word through them and receiving Him who sent them.  "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” (Matt. 10:40)

So often the word of God is missed and not received, all because people will not receive the messenger.  The messenger may be a bit rough and gruff around the edges (e.g. John the Baptist).  The messenger may appear too young and somewhat timid (e.g. Timothy).  The messenger may appear too old and out of touch (e.g. Elisha).  The messenger may come across as a dreamer and a “goody-goody” (e.g. Joseph).  The messenger may be a former persecutor and destroyer of the Church (e.g. the Apostle Paul).  The messenger may be perceived as a “Troubler” of God’s people (e.g. Elijah).  The messenger may be accused as blasphemous, offensive, demonic, and not in their right mind (all these charges were leveled against Jesus Christ!!!).  The point is, don’t refuse to receive the word of the Lord because you can’t get past the messenger.  Receive it so, you too, will get it!

Pastor Scott   

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all." (2 Cor 13:14)