And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom… but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
--1 Corinthians 2:1-5
I once heard Billy Graham speak to a group of about 100 very affluent men and women at a dinner party. These were some of the smartest, wealthiest, and most successful people in America. Yet Billy Graham spoke to them like they were children: lovingly, tenderly, and simply.
Many people may have doubted there would much of a response that night from such a dignified crowd. But I saw about half of those men and women come to Christ with a simple presentation of the Gospel. It wasn’t clever words; it was the truth and the power of God that provoked a response.
One excuse I constantly hear for not sharing the Gospel is that people don’t know what to say. They don’t think they have just the right words or can explain everything perfectly. But the truth is that clever speech shouldn’t be what attracts people; the simple Gospel should.
Don’t let your uncertainty turn you away from sharing God’s truth. Tell others that Jesus died for their sins so that they can be saved through faith. That’s all it takes. And when you do, people will be attracted to that truth and will come to know Christ through your message!
KEEP THE GOSPEL SIMPLE WHEN YOU SHARE AND LET GOD ATTRACT PEOPLE THROUGH THE TRUTH, NOT CLEVER WORDS.
Monday, October 28, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.”
Psalm 68:17–19
I read the story of a poor family from Europe that had saved all of their money to purchase passage on a boat to America hoping for freedom and opportunity. Because they had spent nearly all of their money on the tickets, they packed bread and cheese to eat on the way. After several days of that, the son complained, and his father gave him a nickel to get ice cream for a treat. He was gone for a long time, and his family began to worry. He finally showed up with a huge smile on his face, and said excitedly, “I had three ice cream cones and a steak dinner!” “All that for a nickel?” his father asked. “No,” the boy replied. “The food is free. It comes with the ticket.”
David said that God loads us up with benefits, and it is true. Every day we are richly blessed by the good things He provides for us, yet too often we miss out on even more that He could do for us. We lose battles that could have been won, we do without things we could have; and we work in our own strength when His power is available to us. We miss out on the benefits God is ready, willing, and able to provide for us. “Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries” (Psalm 81:13-14).
Today's Growth Principle:
Do not miss out on the blessings God has in store for you by rebelling against His direction.
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