(The following is the May 23 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Acts 13 and pay close attention to verses 26-44.)
When invited to speak at a synagogue, Paul’s message included important Old Testament events and the crucified and risen Christ. He wasn’t eloquent and didn’t draw attention to himself. He preached the gospel and let its power speak. Was his sermon effective? Absolutely. “As they were leaving, the people urged them to speak about these matters the following Sabbath. After the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and urging them to continue in the grace of God. The following Sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of the Lord” (vv. 42-44).
God’s Word contains the most remarkable story and truth ever told. God blesses some people with extraordinary speaking skills to tell that story, but average Christians don’t have years of formal theological education or speech training. However, every believer has God’s Word, a testimony of coming to Christ and growing in him, and the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide. These qualify all believers to proclaim the same message as Paul. “The apostle has solid facts here which he drives home to the heart and conscience of his hearers. He does not forget that the weight and forge of a sermon must be in the distinct truth of God it teaches.” *
Most of us are more likely to share the gospel with individuals rather than with large crowds like Paul. Such sharing is at the heart of fulfilling the Great Commission to make disciples. As we share, we should stick with the basics of the gospel message and not make ourselves the focus. Even when sharing our personal stories, the glory should go to God for what he has done and continues to do.
Next Step:
Try summarizing the gospel aloud within specific timeframes. For example, what would you say if you only had 30 seconds, one minute, three minutes, five minutes, etc., to share your faith? Rehearsing aloud will help prepare you for future gospel conversations.
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* CSB Spurgeon Study Bible, ed. Alistair Begg (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1485.
