The Powers in the Message - Not the Messenger

In my latest door-to-door evangelism I was so inspired by those who have no hope in this world. I was also edified by Christians praying for me that an open door of the gospel would provided. I take heart in the fact that God uses the least regarded and less significant people sometimes to proclaim the gospel because He is more glorified in it. For many years I was ashamed of the gospel but today I have a heart for the lost and a passion to spread the hope that is only in Christ alone. The power is in the message and not the messenger. God adds to the body of Christ - I do not. It is not your responsibility whether they respond or not - it is their response to His ability but it is your responsibility to tell others. If the message depended upon me, then I would be going in vain. That is comforting. Consider these edifying Scriptures:

Romans 1:16 "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."

I Corinthians 2:4-5 "And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

I Corinthians 4:19-20 "But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the Kingdom of God is not in word but in power."

I Thessalonians 1:5 "For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

I Corinthians 1:17-18 "For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning. The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

I Corinthians 2:1-5 "When I came to you, brothers, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive (words of) wisdom, but with a demonstration of spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God."

Isaiah 55:11 "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Acts 5:39 "But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

We have the great privilege of turning the world upside down. In actuality, we could really say that we can turn the world right side up because the world may not recognize that it is now upside down. We can show them which side is truly the right way up - or as the Scripture says, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too" (Acts 17:6b).

For more on evangelism, read Jonah and the Great Fish: A Bible Study and Commentary

Originally published on Jack Wellman Blogspot