Wednesday, 7 June 2023
COMMUNICATING THE GOSPEL EFFECTIVELY
For a true servant of our Lord Jesus will not be argumentative but gentle toward all and skilled in helping others see the truth (2 Timothy 2:24 TPT).
I remember years ago, I was preaching to a class of little children less than ten years old. A trained child evangelist had invited me, and he stood at the back as I preached to the children. While sharing the Word with them, I turned over to the evangelist and saw him weeping profusely.
As I wondered why he was crying, he walked up to me and said, "You just preached Jesus, not only to these children in here, but also to me." My speech and my preaching to those kids weren't with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power (1 Corinthians 2:4).
As you grow in your Christian walk, it's important for you to know how to articulately and effectually communicate the Gospel. As a young preacher, that was one of my biggest concerns; I knew if I didn't communicate right, people wouldn't hear me right. If they didn't hear me right, they wouldn't believe right. And if they didn't believe right, their faith would be in jeopardy.
To communicate the Gospel effectively, you have to first give yourself to the study of God's Word: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). When you study the Word and it gets into your spirit, it inspires, transforms, informs, educates, and cultures you.
Also, you have to trust the power of the Holy Spirit to help you convey the message in a way that'll transform lives. The Lord Jesus said, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38). This refers to the Holy Spirit pouring out through you.
As the Word enjoins us to be filled with the Spirit, do accordingly. Ephesians 5:18-20 says, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
PRAYER: Dear Father, your righteousness is revealed in and through me always. My words are conveyed in the power and wisdom of the Spirit, inspiring faith, hope and love in the hearts of my hearers, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 20:19-31 & 1 Chronicles 23-25
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Mark 15:25-32 & Deuteronomy 5