How To Communicate The Gospel Effectively Series

“How to Communicate the Gospel Effectively” (Part III)

For the past 3 weeks the lord has given me a word for us on Effectively Communicating the Gospel. This week I came across another story about effective communication.

A woman from Kentucky tells this story. After directory assistance gave

me my boyfriend’s new telephone number, I dialed him and got a woman.

"Is Mike there?" I asked.

"He’s in the shower," she responded.

"Please tell him his girlfriend phoned," I said and hung up.

When he didn’t call back, I dialed again.

This time a man answered. "This is Mike."

"You’re not my boyfriend!" I exclaimed.

"I know" he replied, "That’s what I’ve been trying to tell my wife for the past

half-hour."

Let’s go to our text this morning:

Eph 6:19-20

19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (NIV)

Paul was an effective communicator of the gospel because he:

· Power Passion

· Engaged People on Common Ground

· Kept it Simple

The Early Church was effective in communicating the gospel because:

· They Expected His Soon Return

· They Expected His Providence

In this final message in this series the Holy Spirit wants us to know that to be effective in Communicating the Good News we must be fearless! Look at the text again and note the repetition of that word.

Eph 6:19-20

19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (NIV)

It doesn’t take a great deal of reading in the New Testament to see that the reason

The church grew because they Fearless! Acts the 3rd & 4th chapters illustrates this.

Acts 3:1-7

1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer-- at three in the afternoon.

2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.

3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.

4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!"

5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. (NIV)

The Early Church grew because …

I. They had fearless faith

A. They simple took God at his Word

Mark 16:17-18

17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." (NIV)

The point is faith is not needed for the possible and the seen it is needed for the unseen and the impossible!

Heb 11:1

1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (NIV)

B. A few years ago at St. Joes going down the hallway and past a waiting area where they did blood work as I past it I saw one of the Wesleyan Pastor’s and his wife sitting there. I thought to myself, “I need to turn around and go back.” I went back after some pleasantries asked “what are you two doing here?” Her eyes suddenly filled with tears and she said, “I have cancer and they are doing some blood work.” I said, I’ll pray for you and started to turn and walk away. I hesitated and thought should I pray for them here and now, what will the hospital staff think, what will the other patients think, do these Wesleyans even believe that Jesus still heals. All these questions in microseconds are flood my mind. I thought want does it matter! I simple asked her do you might if I pray for you NOW. I prayed a simple pray of faith boldly asking God to heal her. Several weeks later I received a phone call. Mary said, “I’m healed there is not a trace of cancer!”