because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 1 Thessalonians 1:5
The gospel is powerful. The power of the Bible comes from the Holy Spirit. The apostles that were commissioned by Christ to share the gospel.
First, the apostles proclaimed “the gospel of God, and Christ, and to others. They not only were changed in the mind, but they were changed for the heart. The apostles were convinced of its truth. The Holy Spirit is accompanied by God, the word of God, by His power, it would be a dead letter. It is the Holy Spirit that gives it life.
Second, they preached the Word in the power of the Holy Spirit. This power exposed sins. It convicts them of their sin. When we ask God for forgiveness, God gives it. When people accept the message of Christ, they are then rescued and freed from the power of sin and Satan.
Third, the message was proclaimed in full conviction. This means that since their faith in Jesus and the Holy Spirit in them, working through them; Jesus’ message they were soberly aware and fully confident of the truth and power. Their faith was the evidence of things not seen. The lived by their convictions.
Last, For those who believed the message responded in faith by obeying God’s word and practicing it daily. How do we do that? Well, for starters, we take an area that God is showing us that we need to change this area of our lives. For example, gossip. God will either speak to us through his word. Then we read and study the word and seek what we need to know and understand. God will use other people to speak truth into our lives. He will also use the ways of going through a hard time and teaching us that way. We will have little ah huh moments that won’t leave us alone until we are obeying God’s word.
The gospel is Powerful. It had a powerful effect on the Thessalonians. When the bible is heard and obeyed, people’s lives are changed. The bible is more than facts and stories; it is the power of God to those who believe.
Have you seen the Bible come alive in your own life?
Do you take the time to apply God’s word to your life?
Do you believe that with the Holy Spirit, the bible has power?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your word. Thank you that the Holy Spirit gives its power. I pray that we will read and study it. I pray that we will apply the word to not only our minds but to our hearts also. I pray that your word penetrates through our lives.
In Jesus Name
Amen
