The Gospel Makes A Difference!

1Thess. 1:5

Subject: Witnessing

Theme: Christians must proclaim the Gospel with the conviction that it will make a difference in the life of anyone who will repent and believe on Christ.  

Introduction:

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and ^pin the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. (1Thess. 1:5)

Have you ever looked at someone and wondered if it was even possible for them to be saved?  Perhaps you have thought, “I can not imagine God saving that person.”  Or maybe you can recall driving through a certain part of town and thinking, “These people REALLY NEED GOD!” The truth is the Gospel will make a difference in the lives of any repentant sinner who turns to Christ. The Gospel can have a glorious impact on any decadent society or country!   

In Paul’s day, the city of Thessalonica was the chief seaport of Macedonia near the northwest corner of the Aegean Sea. Thessalonica ranked with Corinth and Ephesus as a great shipping center.

First Thessalonians reflects the moral climate of the city. The pagan Greek religion of the largest segment of the population produced many forms of immorality but whetted the appetites of some for spiritual reality. Evidently the higher standards of Judaism attracted disillusioned Greeks, Romans, and Orientals to the synagogue. –The Bible Knowledge Commentary

No matter how hideous and wicked a society may be, the miracle of regeneration will still be manifested where the gospel is preached in power.  Even though the most disgusting behavior may dominate a culture, there are still those who long for a different life, some real hope, and a sense of morality. The Gospel can still make a difference even amidst filthy and smut driven societies. I know this to be true!

Let’s take insight from Paul’s effective evangelism ministry. What happen to the Thessalonians? They Heard the Gospel Preached! What can we do to make a difference in our sin infested culture?

Lesson:

           I.                  PRESENT THE GOSPEL. 1Thes 1:5, For our gospel came not unto you in word only… 

A.     Use the Gospel in Witnessing to Sinners.

       1.       While it is good to emphasize heaven when witnessing, it is better to actually share the gospel.

       2.       The Gospel is still the death, burial and RESURRECTION!

               a.                          Paul defines the gospel, 1Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 10:8-15

               b.                          1Thes 2:13, 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.

               c.                          The Gospel actually does the work in the sinner’s heart. Trust it to do so!

               d.                          The Ten Commandments could also be used to define sin, and to present God’s clear perspective of sin in contrast to humanity’s often unclear and cloudy perception of morality. Remember the Law was given to bring the sinner to Christ for salvation.

B.     Use words of explanation to clarify. 

       1.       Specify, and “teach” as you witness (Matt. 28:19).

              a.                          “Word” (1Thess. 1:5) is referring to explanations of Scripture in witnessing.

                    i.                          When Paul brought the gospel message, God used those words to help the Thessalonians understand and believe.   

                   ii.                         This is exactly what the Ethiopian Eunuch needed in Acts 8:26-39.  Philip took the time and effort to patiently explain and teach the gospel.

                  iii.                       The New Age Movement has confused and integrated many Christian terms—it’s important to explain meaning.

              b.                          Caution, sinners don’t need a theological discourse, but do take the time to explain what you mean when you tell them they are a sinner, or about salvation, forgiveness, sin, guilt, substitution, and believe.

              c.                          Do not permit yourself to feel you must rush through a witnessing episode; it is with patience that we will effectively present Christ in most instances. It may take several visits, encounters, and conversations before we win them.

        2.       Make a careful, precise, and persuasive use of the Scriptures in your preaching and witnessing (Acts 17:2-4).

               a.                          Always remember that man’s eloquence and charisma are grossly inferior to the Word of God! Also bear in mind that our purpose is not to entertain or amuse, but to effectively communicate the gospel.

               b.                          Give people the message of God in clear terms free of deception and confusion (2Cor. 4:2).

Illustration:  I remember attending a revival meeting at my first church in South Carolina at the age of twelve.  I had experienced serious conviction during the first four nights of the meeting and desperately felt my need to be born again.  I had answered the altar call in the previous year’s revival desiring to be saved, but my mother examined me and encouraged me to wait until I understood better what salvation was all about.  This time upon going forward a deacon of the church dealt with me in the altar.  Among other things, he asked me if I had been “converted.”  Honestly, I did not even know what the word meant and I was too embarrassed to confess my ignorance.  So my answer to him was, “Yes, I have been converted.”  Perhaps I reasoned I was converted since I was under conviction and had come forward…. Truthfully I mislead that deacon. He had me fill out a card and told me I would be baptized the following Sunday morning.  Admittedly, I should have honestly told the man, I did not even understand his question. However, it is also true that as an altar worker, he was obligated to deal with a child thoroughly before rushing through an altar procedure.  It would be another ten years and a world of sin later before I actually trusted Christ as my Savior. For too many, they did not get another chance to hear the gospel. We need to slow down and help people understand the terms we are using while witnessing. This is especially true with children.

          II.                WITNESS IN POWER. 1Thes 1:5, For our gospel came … also in power…   

A.     Trust God to Empower Your Gospel Presentation.

            1.      The response of his converts was a supernatural work of God, not a natural response to a clearly delivered sermon. When Paul preached to them, he did not just share human opinion and philosophy (1 Cor. 2:1-5). Rather, his message was marked by the power of God (Rom. 1:16). –Walvoord, John F.

            2.      The message worked in their lives with supernatural energy, producing conviction of sin, repentance, and conversion. –MacDonald, William

B.     Expect the Gospel to work powerfully in the hearts of sinners.

             1.      Rom 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

             2.      1Co 1:18, For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

             3.      1 Cor 2:4-5, And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5, That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

             4.      There was great power manifested in the gospel in its leading them to break off from their sins, to abandon their idols, and to give their hearts to God … 1Cor 2:4. –Barnes' Notes

C.     Trust the Bible to Convict and Convince the Sinner.

             1.      Heb 4:12, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

             2.      Jer 23:29, Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

             3.      Paul trusted the might of the Scriptures! He did not explain them away.

Illustration:  After being saved in Plattsburgh, NY in 1990, I immediately attempted to witness to my best friend. We both had been stationed at the air base for over three years, and we did everything together.  On this occasion we were lifting weights at the base gym, and he invited me to take in a certain movie with him that night.  I told him I would not be able to because Christ had saved me and was changing my heart about those kinds of movies. While I could not fully explain what God was doing in my heart, I knew that particular movie was not a good option. My friend was somewhat irritated by my answer and reasoning. It became apparent in his body language and gestures. Abruptly he barked at me asking, “Who has brainwashed you, Wayne?”  I told him what I had experienced in my conversion, and with my best efforts, I encouraged him to trust Christ also.  As I witnessed of God’s grace in my own life, I watched my friend literally tremble with conviction.  He had been witnessed to by others apparently and on this occasion all six feet four and 220 pounds trembled and quaked as the Spirit of God dealt with him and drove home His need to be saved.  The Gospel message is still a powerful message today!

III.             WITNESS IN THE SPIRIT. 1Thes 1:5…and in the Holy Ghost….

A.     Expect the Spirit to Enlighten and Illuminate. 

           1.      The Word combined with the power of the Holy Spirit will convince, and enlighten the listeners to help them believe on Christ for salvation. The sinner understanding the gospel is largely dependent upon the Spirit helping him understand it.

           2.      Apart from the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, no one could or would turn to Christ (see John 16:8). But with God’s blessing, the preaching and witnessing can persuade sinners to cling to the Savior.

           3.      “The Gospel was not only preached under the influence, and by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, and attended with his extraordinary gifts for the confirmation of it, … but it came by the power of the Holy Spirit to their souls, working and implanting his graces in them, as faith, hope, and love, and every other; and he himself was received along with it, as a spirit of illumination and conviction, of regeneration, conversion …”—John Gill

B.     Depend on the Spirit to Work in Concert With the Witnessing Effort.

            1.      Yielded and witnessing believers will know the power of the Spirit as they serve.

            2.      Mark 16:20, And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

            3.      Rom 15:19, 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.

            4.      The sweetest times during soul winning events are when I can sense the Spirit’s work, and am confident that He is leading me and working in the heart of the sinner I am talking to.

C.     Look to the Spirit to Convince and Convict the Sinner. 

            1.      Our message must be marked by the power of God (Rom. 1:16). The Holy Spirit brings it home to the hearts with deep conviction (John 16:8). God will work in the deep recesses of the soul convicting, persuading, refuting, and laboring like a highly skilled prosecuting attorney seeking a conviction. Without the Holy Spirit our presentation is merely a sales talk. When we witness in concert with His powerful convicting ministry, there is real potential for a genuine conversion. We must be yielded and submitted to the Holy Spirit; like the tool in the hand of a carpenter we must be pliable.

             2.      With the Holy Spirit the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. This is exactly what the Lord Jesus said the Holy Spirit would do as we labor in the gospel ministry (John 16:7–11).

D.     Trust the Spirit of the Living God to work in their hearts.

            1.      He will work in those with whom you share the Good News.

            2.      He will work in his own way and in his timing. Be a willing instrument in His hand.

Illustration: Spurgeon’s Worse Sermon

Mr. Spurgeon once preached what in his judgment was one of his poorest sermons. He stammered and floundered, and when he got through he felt that it had been a complete failure. He was greatly humiliated, and when he got home he fell on his knees and said, “Lord, God, Thou canst do something with nothing. Bless that poor sermon.”

And all through the week he uttered that prayer. He woke up in the night and prayed about it. He determined that the next Sunday he would redeem himself by preaching a great sermon. Sure enough, the next Sunday the sermon went off beautifully. At the close the people crowded about him and covered him with praise. Spurgeon went home pleased with himself, and that night he slept like a baby. But he said to himself, “I’ll watch the results of those two sermons.” What were they?

From the one that has seemed a failure he was able to trace forty-one conversions. And from that magnificent sermon he was unable to discover that a single soul was saved. The Spirit of God used the one and did not use the other. We can do nothing without the Spirit who helps our infirmities. —Christian Digest

IV.            WITNESS WITH ASSURANCE. 1Thes 1:5… and in much assurance….

A.     Have Personal Assurance in Your Own Heart When Sharing the Gospel.

            1.      If you are uncertain of the value of the Gospel, your listener will detect that also.

            2.      But, Paul witnessed with boldness and complete confidence in the message.

            3.      We need to have an inner certainty that Christ will change them as He has radically renovated you deep within.

            4.      Paul preached with a great and profound conviction of the truth. He was entirely convinced of the solution he offered humanity!

             5.      We must actually and truly believe what we proclaim to others—regarding heaven, hell, forgiveness, grace, repentance, mercy, and Jesus Christ.

B.     Promote Assurance in Others as you Share the Gospel.

             1.      Your witness should produce assurance and confidence in the lives of those who listen.

             2.      The Thessalonians accepted the Gospel with much assurance as the word of God. The result in their lives was full assurance of faith.

                 a.       The thought in “assurance” is (Col. 2:2, full persuasion), hope (Heb. 6:11), resting in faith (Heb. 10:22). Absolute confidence in Christ, (2 Tim. 1:12).

                 b.       Our Witnessing is not done when we lead someone to Christ, we must take the next step and afford them verses of assurance (Jn. 3:16, 36; 5:24; 6:35, 39, 40; 1John 3:9, 14; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 10-15).

               3.      Do not neglect your converts and allow them to struggle with doubts about their salvation.  Lead them to assurance in the Lord with the Scriptures. Remember it is the Spirit of God who affords this assurance and we only aid His work by sharing appropriate passages from the Word. Ultimately the assurance comes from God and we are simply catalysts.  

Illustration: Moody’s Favorite Verse

Dwight L. Moody’s favorite verse was Isaiah 12:2: “I will trust, and not be afraid.” He used to say: “You can travel first-class or second-class to heaven. Second class is, “What time I am afraid, I will trust.” First class is, “I will trust, and not be afraid.”” That is the better way. Why not buy a first-class ticket? (Ps 56:3). –Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations

Illustration: Faraday Rested On Certainties

When that great Christian and scientist, Sir Michael Faraday, was dying, some journalists questioned him as to his speculations for a life after death. “Speculations!” said he, “I know nothing about speculations. I’m resting on certainties. “I know that my redeemer liveth,” and because He lives, I shall live also.” —Gospel Trumpet

V.               WITNESS WITH CONSISTENCY. 1Thes 1:5…ye know what manner of men we were among you....

A.     His Manner of Witnessing was Consistent with Right Living. “what manner of men”

           1.      Lifestyle must be consistent with the message.

              a.       Not only did Paul and his ministry team preach a convincing message, but they also lived lives consistent with that message.

              b.       Paul understood how his own conduct must preach the gospel, by living a consistent life. The best sermon is a holy life.

             2.      Lifestyle should confirm the message. Paul’s entire conduct confirmed his preaching. If we have a good testimony it commends Christ to others!

Illustration: Amazing Grace

On one occasion John Vassar, the great soulwinner, was going from house to house distributing tracts and talking with people about their souls. One woman who heard about this strange man and what he was doing said: “If he comes to my house, he will get the door slammed in his face.”

Without knowing that this woman had made such a statement, Mr. Vassar rang her doorbell the next day. When she saw that he was the man who had been described to her, she slammed the door in his face. John Vassar sat down on her doorstep and sang:

But drops of grief can ne’er repay

The debt of love I owe,

Here, Lord, I give myself away;

’Tis all that I can do.

The woman heard the earnest verse as he sang and was convicted a sinner. She opened the door and called Mr. Vassar in, who led her to Jesus Christ. —Covenant Weekly

B.     His Motive for Witnessing was Consistent with Right Living. “for your sake”

            1.      The Thessalonians were fully aware that their preachers’ motive was to benefit them. Paul was not in evangelism for himself, the numbers, the prestige, a larger church, the possible income, the distinction, nor the recognition—pride.

             2.      This was for them—“for your sake”—‘in order to win you.’ This is a strong, motive for holy living—to win those who are non-Christians (Col 4:5; 1Co 9:19–23).

             3.      I believe God will use one who is entirely surrendered to evangelism!  We look in the Bible for the greatest heroes of the faith, but in essence the best evangelists should be serving today!  We have the Indwelling Spirit, more understanding, the complete Scriptures, and many other technological advantages. Clearly we can live like we really mean business with God regarding evangelism!

              4.      Paul preached the gospel of the grace of God and these Macedonians were saved. From their belief beautiful lives had begun to blossom.

               5.      The new converts had been firmly grounded in core truth. A new view of reality, penetrating beyond the mists of illusion and empty human reasoning to the Person who made the universe for His own good and loving purposes, literally revolutionized the lives of first-century people.—Richards, Larry ; Richards, Lawrence O.: The Teacher's Commentary

Conclusion:

If we will preach the Gospel in power, in the Spirit, with much assurance coupled with a consistent lifestyle; it will make a difference in our culture. Make no mistake about this…this is what our country and every country on the planet needs. We need Jesus Christ. He is the singular answer! We may employ every strategy known to man to deliver a crystal clear message of the hope available in Jesus Christ in our decadent society. Beloved, do all you can to share Christ’s hope in as many ways as you can with others.  

Illustration: Wesley And The Robber

As John Wesley rode across Hounslow Heath late one night, singing a favorite hymn, he was startled by a fierce voice shouting, “Halt,” while a firm hand seized the horse’s bridle. Then the man demanded, “Your money or your life.”

Wesley obediently emptied his pockets of the few coins they contained and invited the robber to examine his saddlebags which were filled with books. Disappointed at the result, the robber was turning away when Mr. Wesley cried, “Stop! I have something more to give you.”

The robber, wondering at this strange call, turned back. Then Mr. Wesley, bending down toward him, said in solemn tones, “My friend, you may live to regret this sort of a life in which you are engaged. If you ever do, I beseech you to remember this, “The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin.””

The robber hurried silently away, and the man of God rode along, praying in his heart that the word spoken might be fixed in the robber’s conscience.

Years later, at the close of a Sunday evening service, the people streamed from the large building with many lingering around the doors to see the aged preacher, who was John Wesley.

A stranger stepped forward and earnestly begged to speak with Mr. Wesley. What a surprise to find that this was the robber of Hounslow Heath, now a well-to-do tradesman in the city, but better still, a child of God! The words spoken that night long ago had been used of God in his conversion.

Raising the hand of Mr. Wesley to his lips, he affectionately kissed it and said in tones of deep emotion, “To you, dear sir, I owe it all.”

“Nay, nay, my friend,” replied Mr. Wesley softly, “not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ which cleanseth us from all sin.” –Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations

Be not discouraged, the gospel still works, keep sharing it in faith! Concentrate on the sowing and leave the results with God.  He must give the increase!  Remember God still saves the hard cases, the difficult sinners to reach, even people involved with other religions and cultic practices.  Beloved, accept this truth: the gospel still makes a difference.