The Power of the Gospel

Introduction

Paul has taken the time to introduce himself as the author of the letter and has appealed to his authority as an apostle in the introductory portion.

He then thanked God for the faith, love, and hope which he had heard was evident in the lives of the Colossian believers.

These virtues were the direct result of their reception of the truth of the gospel.

The power of the gospel was evident in their lives. The truth of the gospel was a uniquely powerful force in the world and this same truth is still powerfully active in our world today.

“If the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end.” Daniel Webster

The Power of the Gospel is seen in its:

Reach (Vs. 6a)

The gospel had come to Colosse and even at this early stage the gospel had been proclaimed throughout the known world.

In just a short time (most believe around 60 years) after Christ’s death the gospel has extended from Jerusalem throughout the known world.

Those who had received the gospel initially had now carried the gospel to far reaching lands and nations.

The reach of the gospel is even more amazing today. There are those who have heard and believed the gospel in nearly every country around the world.

There are somewhere around 2.2 billion people in the world who identify themselves as Christians.

There is literally no region in the world that has not been touched by the message of the gospel. Even in countries where Christianity is outlawed and Christians are severely persecuted there are thousands who meet together in underground churches.

The gospel has been declared the world over. This does not however mean that every person has had the opportunity to hear the gospel.

The gospel is the answer for all the woes of our world and its reach is not limited to any culture or people group but is for every people.

One day as we stand before God in heaven we will see the true scope of the reach of the gospel as declared in Revelation 7:9- people of all nations, kindreds, people, and tongues.

There is no one who is beyond the reach of the gospel’s power to save. Take a moment and consider how miraculous it is that the gospel has come to each of us!

The gospel began in Jerusalem, was proclaimed throughout the Roman Empire, ultimately many generations later the gospel was still active in Europe and was then brought to America by early colonists and has been passed down through generations until someone delivered it to you and me.

The reach of the gospel is nothing short of miraculous and we ought to be eternally grateful that it reached you and me.

Results (Vs. 6b)

The gospel had produced fruit in the lives of the believers in Colosse as is shown by the report Paul received of their faith, their love, and their hope.

The gospel always produces fruit in the lives of those who sincerely believe it. Those who believe on Christ will exhibit a life that has been transformed by Him.

Wherever the gospel has been preached and men have believed there is a transformation that follows which is the evidence of the power of Christ.

There have been many examples of people groups, nations, and regions which have been transformed by the influence of the gospel.

One great example of the fruit that the gospel produces is seen in the Hourani tribe in the jungle of Ecuador- these people were a savagely violent group who were known for their propensity to spear one another and any outsider to death with little or no provocation. After the gospel many lived to old age and the spearing almost completely stopped and the population had peaceful contact with outsiders.

There is no question that one of the reasons that America quickly rose to such prominence and was so prosperous is because of the Christian foundation upon which it was established.

The gospel should produce fruit in our lives. The outside observer should be able to see a distinct difference in our lives since the time that we received Christ.

If we desire to see positive change in our nation and our world the greatest agent for change is the gospel!

Economic, social, and legal solutions can certainly bring about some change in a society but the most effective means for positive change in any society is the propagation of the gospel.

The gospel’s impact has been witnessed in America before and it could be seen again. America’s greatest need at this moment is not new political leaders, not more social justice, not a better economy. America’s greatest need is Jesus Christ and this need can only be met by the proclamation of the gospel.

The gospel has the power to completely transform individuals, cultures, and entire nations.

It is the gospel that brings to us the ultimate revelation of God’s grace. It is in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for unworthy sinners that we recognize the unfathomable favor God has shown to us to provide for our redemption.

The power of the gospel is dependent upon our fulfilment of our:

Responsibility (Vs. 7)

It is supposed that Epaphras had received the gospel under the Apostle Paul’s ministry at Ephesus , but now he has faithfully delivered the gospel to the people of Colosse fulfilling the responsibility that God has given to every believer.

The only limitation on the power of the gospel is the unwillingness of believers to proclaim it to a lost world.

Imagine if Epaphras had been like the majority of believers in the world today who never even attempt to share the gospel with the unsaved.

There would likely be no church in Colosse and the lives of the believers in Colosse would never have been transformed.

We are all thankful that someone delivered the gospel to us but what is it that is preventing us from delivering the gospel to someone else?

Epaphras was considered a fellowservant of the Apostle Paul and was a faithful minister of Christ to the people of Colosse.

We too can be fellowservants and faithful ministers through our faithful proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

At this hour and in truth at every moment throughout history there stands a great need for more believers who will be faithful ministers of Christ carrying the gospel to a lost world.

The impact the gospel has had upon our lives ought to provoke and motivate us to share it with others.

The most powerful thing you and I can do to bring about change in our community and in our nation is to go out and tell someone that Christ died, was buried, and rose again to save them from sin and to give them eternal life!

II Corinthians 5:18-20- ambassadors for Christ

Conclusion

The power of the gospel has not dwindled or decreased. The gospel still has the power to change the world today!

The real power of the gospel is not in the message itself but in the savior it brings us into relationship with! The power of the gospel is in truth the power of Jesus Christ!

Will you yield yourself to God to be used as an instrument for the delivery of the gospel to the lost?

The gospel’s reach is not limited, it will still produce fruit wherever it is proclaimed, but we must fulfil our responsibility to declare it!