Four Things that Make the Gospel Effective

Four Things To Make The Gospel Effective - 1 Thess. 1:5

Wednesday, March 08, 2017

3:50 PM

4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. note

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.

6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

"This is the most poorly designed house ever" The article headline screamed at me. The article presented the picture of a house in a newly constructed neighborhood. The house was a beautiful brick front with a nice porch and attached garage. It really looked like a realtor's dream home to sell until you look again and notice that the garage door is not connected to the driveway. The driveway enters from the side and to get to the garage you would need to jump a curb drive through the lawn, over a sidewalk and finally into the garage. One realtor said, " I would tear it down." Although the house looks nice, and you could get by I suppose and only use the garage for storage, it is ineffective as a car garage. The looks of the house doesn't matter, if that was in Kansas come a good hail storm like we had a few years ago your car would be a goner.

We are surrounded by a gospel message that sounds nice, looks pretty, is easy to take in, but I'm afraid is often ineffective and powerless because it is built on the latest marketing techniques and fads of the church attenders.

Paul gives us four things that alone makes the Gospel and preaching effective. I want us to take note of these and focus and emphasize them in the coming days with each other, with our young people, and in our own lives.

Words - You have to use words - It contains the power according to Romans 1:16 where Paul declares, 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.In Power - from the same word that Jesus used when he told the Disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they be endued with "power" from on high. It is also the same word that Paul uses in Romans 15:19 when he says, "Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ."Now this scripture convicts me, Paul is saying that the Gospel (the in words) became more effective by seeing, "mighty signs and wonders." by the Power of the Holy Spirit." Are we having those "Mighty signs and wonders today?" God help us. Yes I have seen some, I have read some, I have heard some. I believe God still works mighty wonders and miracles. Lets pray that our young people will see some they need it. I appreciated Sunday how God dealt with them, we need so much more of that. Let us earnestly contend that these young people will not grow up without seeing the same power and Holy Ghost moving's that we saw as children, or heard tell of if you did not grow up around it. Bro. Broadway was in Foley back in the later 80's Counterman's came Mary was sanctified & healed of radiation burns, Sis. Counterman was healed of burns on her hands not a scar is left - no skin grafts or anything. In the Holy Ghost - His leadership, his anointing, his unction, his POWER, not our might, wisdom, understanding, counsel, opinions or ideas. Hide me behind the cross they used to pray. Let's get out of the way and let the Holy Ghost work.In much assurance - Conviction - there was no changing their mind. I was talking with someone recently about the issue of lining people up. You can dress them all you want, but you will only win them to you, when you leave or something different or new comes along they will follow that - You let God show someone let it get real and real deep it will stick.