Wednesday June 5, 2013

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5. Romans 1:16-17

Jerry (not his real name) was a drug and alcohol addicted young man. Covered in tattoos, freakishly masculine, skin-headed and dangerously violent, Jerry would oppose anyone who stood before him. He thought nothing of beating another person to a pulp for almost any reason. For many years he had engaged in wizardry, witchcraft, and satan worship. Let’s imagine for a moment that you are in a coffee shop queue about to order a coffee and Jerry walks in and stands right behind you in the queue. Would you turn to Jerry and share the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, with him? Think about that seriously!  Would you share the gospel with Jerry?

 

In Thessalonica there were many satan worshippers and witches and warlocks and many evil people. Bowing down to statues and icons was common place. Yet Paul knew the power of the Gospel. He was not afraid of mankind. He was not afraid of potential persecution. He would willingly endure a beating for the sake of the gospel.

 

So Paul stepped into the synagogue that fateful Sabbath and shared the truth of Christ Jesus. Praise the Lord. The gospel came to the Thessalonians with power. Chains were broken. Sin was defeated. Bad habits were undone. The power of the evil one was undone. The Holy Spirit worked powerfully among them. He brought deep conviction to them and transformed them as many turned to the gospel in repentance and faith. By the power of the Holy Spirit they were convicted of the sinfulness of their former ways. They could see the error of bowing down to statues and icons. They could now see the evil in witchcraft and the other ungodly activities they may have indulged in.  This is the power of the Gospel. This power is greater than any man, woman or child living on this planet.

 

Jerry did actually go into a café one day. And God in His sovereignty had already called another man, a man of small insignificant stature, to open the Gospel to Jerry. Nervously he turned around and spoke the truth to Jerry. Praise God. That powerful Gospel message changed Jerry’s life and caused him to bow the knee and to confess Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour. Jerry now attends a local church and often shares his testimony with others.

 

You and I should praise God for the power of the Gospel. But more so, we should praise God for the way the Gospel has worked in the lives of other believers.

 

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

 

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

V Choose 5 people or 5 families in your congregation and praise God for the way that you have seen the gospel powerfully at work in their respective lives.

V Pray that the Gospel would work powerfully in the lives of 5 different people or families that don’t yet confess Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

V Pray that both Uni Impact in NZ and Student Life in Australia will see the gospel powerfully changing the lives of students in various campuses. Ask God to bless the work of both of these institutions.

 

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. List 3 people you know personally that need to hear the gospel.

V Spend time praying for these people to respond positively to the gospel when you share it with them.

V Pray that God would open avenues for you to share the gospel with them.