1 Thessalonians 1:5
“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”
The need of the world is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As wicked as the world is, and as troubled as our days may be, the answer for every problem this world faces is the Gospel. It’s the Gospel that changes lives. It’s the Gospel that changes churches. It’s the Gospel that turned the world upside down. Certainly, the greatest need of today is the Gospel.
Yet, as I look at the verse above, I realize that the Gospel can become more effective. In other words, the Gospel can have a greater impact on those who hear it if we follow God’s advice on how to administer it.
If the Gospel is going to be effective, then you must first tell it to people. God says, “For our gospel came not unto you in word only…” In other words, they had to tell the Gospel to others. The Gospel does no one any good if they don’t hear it. Certainly, the answer for those who are lost is the Gospel of Christ, but the Gospel cannot do its work unless it is heard. That means you must be the deliverer of the Gospel. You need to tell others the Gospel if it is going to do its work in the heart of the sinner. A silent Gospel is powerless. A hushed Gospel is ineffective. A quiet Gospel is useless. Someone must be the mouthpiece for the Gospel, and that someone is you. The Gospel of Christ cannot affect those whom you pass on a daily basis unless you share It with them. You must determine to be the mouthpiece who delivers the Gospel in word.
If the Gospel is going to be effective, then you must deliver it with power. In other words, when delivering the Gospel to people, don’t just repeat the Gospel, but add energy to your words. Be excited about giving the Gospel to people. People can see when what you are talking about is robotic or if it is coming from your heart. When it comes from your heart, there will be a passion and energy in your delivery. The Gospel becomes more effective when you deliver it with a power or passion because of what it has done in your life.
If the Gospel is going to be effective, then you must deliver it with the help of the Holy Ghost. Who better to help explain the Gospel than the Holy Ghost? All you can do is speak to the ears, but the Holy Ghost will speak to the heart. Before you give out the Gospel, ask the Holy Ghost to help you deliver It. Ask Him to be the mouthpiece to the heart of the individual to whom you are speaking.
Finally, if the Gospel is going to be effective, then you must deliver it with authority. God says that the Gospel needs to be delivered in “much assurance.” In other words, don’t deliver it with a question in the tone of your voice, but deliver it with authority. Understand that you have the truth, and you know the truth, and deliver it with the authority that what you have is absolutely true.
The Gospel is powerful, but it becomes more effective when you add these things to its delivery. I challenge you to take these things and add them to your delivery the next time you talk to someone about their soul.