"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" (1 Thess 2:13) Church people are not always God's people. Going to church does not always mean worshipping God. Belonging to a church is not a guarantee that one belongs to the kingdom of God. It has to be so or there is no other explanation for what I am about to say next. It often bafflles me when I ask people if they have ever heard from God, and they say no. These are people who possibly goes to church every Sunday, and each of those Sunday the Pastor or Bishop or Reverend will preach the word of God, and that is not even all. The most shocking thing is that before the sermon, a short prayer will be made which usually goes like this, "Father we are about to hear your word. Speak to your people ... in Jesus name". And everyone will chorus Amen. yet, some people will go home from the service and say they didn't hear from God. And how pathetic that this scenario didn't just happen once or twice; for some people this has been happening all their lives. What is the problem. Is it that God didn't speak or they didn't hear? Is it that God didn't answer the prayer said before the sermon or was it just a mere liturgical formality? Does God actually speak to us as people declare His word?.
Paul said of the Thessalonians that they received the word of God as exactly what it is, the word of God. Even though it has been spoken through the oracle of men, it didn't diminish its effectiveness (it worketh effectually). We must learn to receive the word of God as the word of God. Without it coming to church will be no different from attending a social gathering. What makes the church different is the word of God. Every Sunday God gives out His word through His ministers. This word carries the solution to your problems. Receive God's word even today.