The Power Of The Gospel Series

THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL

Written by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije Misigaro Joel. August 1, 2024

Romans 10:13–15 (ESV) “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 How then will they call on him, whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him, whom they have never heard?[a] And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!

INTRO.

Here is a unique perspective on God's plan for saving souls, presented in reverse order. From the very end, it becomes clear that spreading the gospel is crucial for individuals to hear, believe, and ultimately find salvation by calling upon the name of the Lord. The significance of spreading the good news to others cannot be overstated, as it provides them with the chance to encounter salvation through their faith in Jesus Christ.

Anyone who invokes the name of the Lord will undoubtedly find salvation. Paul asks, "How will they call on Him, whom they have not believed?" And how can they have faith in someone they've never even heard of? Part Three highlights the crucial role of the preacher who must be sent, emphasizing their importance and involvement. Ending note: I am curious about the feet of those who spread the good news. How do they look? Their feet are beautiful.

The power of the gospel, by definition, is the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, which can transform lives and bring hope to those who believe. It is a message of love, forgiveness, and redemption that has the power to change hearts and bring about lasting change in individuals and communities.

Here, I will provide three examples of how three different individuals were saved during the early times of the New Testament.

1. THE SALVATION OF A WOMAN NAMED LYDIA

The verse example that could be used to illustrate the salvation of Lydia is Acts 16:14, which states that "The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul." This shows that it was ultimately God who worked in Lydia's heart to bring about her salvation. Additionally, Lydia's immediate response to being baptized and showing hospitality to Paul and his companions further demonstrates her genuine faith and transformation.

Lydia was a woman into business, and she was a leader of the women's group of prayer as they worshipped God but never knew of the gospel of Christ. The Bible says that she was a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira.

It's important to note that Lydia's wealth was evident, as very few people had the means to wear purple during that era. Remember the story of the rich man who wore purple in Luke 16?

Paul preached the message of the gospel, and he had no other issues in kind with regards to people there; he confessed, "For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified!" (1 Corinthians 2:2)

The power of the gospel is in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1–5). Paul preached the gospel to Lydia and to other ladies at the prayer meeting. Lydia believed, and she was saved. She heard only one short sermon at the prayer meeting.

The same gospel is to be preached to the rich, educated people who must be born again through the same powerful gospel message that saves the drunk and fornicators by grace through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

The power of the gospel opens the sinner's heart, bringing a new rebirth.

2. THE SALVATION OF THE FORTUNE TELLER

The second convert mentioned is the fortune teller, who faithfully followed the same preacher for several days. She had listened to numerous sermons, but it was not until the preacher addressed her personal need for salvation that she finally found redemption. She had a profound realization and embraced Jesus as her savior, which brought about a significant change in her life. The gospel's power deeply touched her heart. As she continued to trail behind Paul and Silas, she listened intently to their message. Eventually, she mustered up the courage to openly confess and share with others that they were devoted servants of the Almighty God. However, she never showed any signs of repentance or salvation, which highlights a common issue in our church today. Many people hear the gospel and even acknowledge the powerful service and presence of the Holy Spirit, yet they remain unsaved despite attending church regularly.

Paul commanded the devil to come out of her, and she was immediately set free from the spirit of divination. This powerful demonstration of the gospel's transformative power led to her conversion and baptism, showing that true repentance and salvation are possible for all who truly believe. Acts 16:18-19 "She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, 'In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her!' At that moment, the spirit left her."