The Significance Of The Gospel (Part 2) Series

The Significance of the Gospel (Part 2)

1 Thessalonians 1: 5-10

Last week we began our study in these verses dealing with the significance of the gospel. Clearly Paul was aware of its significance; he had been transformed by the gospel and he had witnessed the transformation of countless others through the power of the gospel.

We are in the midst of some dark and difficult days, but we have a resource this world can’t match or destroy. We have the truth of God’s Word, and in particular, the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Word has not lost its power to convict. It is not a book that is outdated and obsolete. It is current and relevant to everyone. The Bible is more up to date and accurate than this morning’s newspaper. God’s Word will stand will all else is gone.

I want to continue to consider the unchanging truths regarding: The Significance of the Gospel. Let’s take a moment to refresh on what we discovered last week. First of all, we noticed:

I. The Authority of the Gospel (5)

A. The Presentation – For our gospel came not unto you in word only.

B. The Power – not in word only, but also in power.

C. The Person – and in the Holy Ghost.

D. The Persuasion – and in much assurance.

E. The Preparation – as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

II. The Acceptance of the Gospel (6-7)

A. Their Conversion – And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord.

B. Their Commitment – having received the word in much affliction.

C. Their Consolation – with joy of the Holy Ghost.

D. Their Communication (7) – So that ye were ensamples to all that believe.

III. The Advancement of the Gospel (8) – For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. The gospel advanced through the efforts at Thessalonica. Notice:

A. It was Shared (8a) – The church there sounded out the gospel of Jesus Christ. This has the idea of “sounding forth intensely; blasting forth.” It doesn’t appear they were ashamed of the gospel or shy about sharing it. It was not spoken of quietly or in secret. They literally shouted out the gospel message. I believe they talked of it wherever they went.

Would you not agree that we are lacking in sounding out the gospel? We have the solution to the varied problems of our day, but the world doesn’t know because we often keep it quiet. May I challenge each of us to proclaim the gospel with great confidence and boldness? Lest us share the Truth with the world!

B. It was Spread (8b) – Paul speaks of the gospel being proclaimed in Macedonia and Achaia. This is no small feat. When the Romans conquered Greece, the country was divided into two provinces, Macedonia to the North and Achaia to the South. It was clear that the Thessalonian church had shared the gospel with all of Greece. They had proclaimed Christ to the entire nation. There was not a corner of the country where the gospel had not been shared.

That in and of itself is miraculous, but Paul goes on about their commitment to the gospel. The message was not confined to Greece, but also in every place where their faith in God was spread abroad. Quite literally the gospel influence of Thessalonica was not confined to Greece, but it was reaching the world for Christ!

Is that not challenging to us? It would be great if it could be said that we were reaching our community for Christ. It would be ever greater if we were impacting North Carolina. Our church would be very diligent and committed if we could honestly say that we were reaching the USA, but what about reaching the world? We can do it! By faith and a determined resolve, we can reach our Jerusalem and the utter most parts of the earth!

C. It was Sufficient (8c) – This is a very profound statement by Paul. He declared that he and the others need not speak anything! That is not to say they didn’t need preaching, but the groundwork had already been laid in many of the places Paul went. When he arrived in a new city, evangelists sent out from Thessalonica had already been there! They were reaching the world for Christ and Paul could focus on helping them mature in their faith because they had already been saved.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could leave that kind of legacy? There will always be those who need to hear the gospel, but wouldn’t it be great if we could lay the groundwork for future generations. Wouldn’t it be great if the next pastor and our children could feel confident building upon the work that is already here rather than feeling as if nothing had been accomplished?