How can we ensure our message is accompanied by "power" as in 1 Thessalonians 1:5? Setting the Scene: Word and Power Paul reminds the Thessalonians that the gospel reached them “not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with great conviction.” Words alone are never enough; God’s own power must ride on the message so hearts are pierced and lives are changed. The Gospel That Arrives in Power (1 Thessalonians 1:5) “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.” The Holy Spirit—Indispensable Source • Acts 1:8: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” • 1 Corinthians 2:4: “My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.” • Romans 15:18-19: Paul fully proclaimed the gospel “by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God.” Essentials for Ensuring Power Accompanies the Message • Live a Spirit-Filled Life – Ephesians 5:18: “Be filled with the Spirit.” – Continuous surrender keeps the channel unclogged so His power can flow. • Center Everything on Christ’s Finished Work – 1 Corinthians 1:18: “The message of the cross is the power of God.” – Stay cross-focused; that is where God has vested His saving power. • Saturate Yourself with Scripture – Hebrews 4:12: “The word of God is living and active… it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” – Memorize, meditate, and quote Scripture; God empowers His own word. • Pray Earnestly – Colossians 4:3-4: Paul asks for prayer “that God may open a door for our message… that I may proclaim it clearly.” – Private intercession precedes public power. • Walk in Holiness and Love – 2 Timothy 2:21: “If anyone cleanses himself… he will be a vessel for honor, useful to the Master.” – Moral integrity lends credibility; sin quenches the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). • Serve with Humility – 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8: Paul was “gentle… like a nursing mother,” sharing not only the gospel, “but our own lives as well.” – Power is magnified when compassion is evident. • Step Out in Bold Faith – Acts 4:29-31: Early believers prayed for boldness; God shook the place and filled them with the Spirit to speak the word “with boldness.” – Faith acts on God’s promises and expects Him to confirm His word (Mark 16:20). • Testify to Changed Lives – Revelation 12:11: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” – Personal stories of redemption showcase God’s active power. Fruit That Follows Powerful Proclamation • Deep conviction (John 16:8) • Repentance and faith (Acts 2:37-41) • Transformation of character (Galatians 5:22-23) • Multiplication of disciples (Acts 6:7) Staying Plugged In: Ongoing Dependence The power that began our witness must keep fueling it. Continual reliance on the Spirit, habitual prayer, Scriptural nourishment, and a life that mirrors the message ensure that every proclamation of the gospel remains charged with the same divine power Paul celebrated among the Thessalonians. |
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