FOUR INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE THE GOSPEL EFFECTIVE

FIRST THESSALONIANS SERIES
PASTOR/TEACHER CHARLES E. WHISNANT
FOUR INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE THE GOSPEL EFFECTIVE
1THESSALONIANS 1:5B 52.8

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; 1 Thess 1:5 (KJV)

for our Gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. (new american standard version)

THE SETTING FORTH OF THE GOSPEL MESSSAGE MUST HAVE FOUR INGREDIENTS TO OPEN THE DOOR TO SAVING FAITH.

1A “THE GOSPEL CAME: NOT UNTO YOU IN WORD ONLY”

• The GOSPEL must be preached IN WORD.
  Romans 10:17, Mark 16:15-16, 1Corinthians 9:16-17, Acts 11:14, Titus 1:2-3, I Corinthians 1:21, Romans 10:13-15.


• BUT NOT IN WORD ONLY: Not merely a dramatic speech (a hollow and heartless rhetoric.) But with right content and meaning.

2A BUT ALSO IN POWER: <1411> Divine Energy. Truth announced in divine energy. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4. Matthew 22:29, 1 Corinthians 4:20 Luke 1:35.

“POWER” our word is dynamo, or dynamic.

The dynamic of the Gospel: Phil 3:10, Act 1:8, Eph. 1:18-19. Power of the resurrection.
The dynamic of the Gospel that works inside believers: Romans 1:16, 15:13, 2 Corin. 12:9.
The dynamic of the Gospel must come into your heart.
The dynamic of the Gospel came into their life and changed them. Galatians 2:20.

3A IN WORD, IN POWER, IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Paul preached with conscious power and the Spirit was with them, and they experienced an overwhelming conviction of the truth of their message. 2 Corinthians 2:1-5. Acts 1:8

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO EXPERIENCE THIS POWER:

• An unusual energy in your heart.


• An unusual clarity in your mind.


• An unusual facility with words.

“A sense God is pulling all the factures, all the dynamic of communications together and something is happening which transcends you.” Quote. Isaiah 55:7.

4A IN WORD, IN POWER, IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, IN MUCH ASSURANCE <4136>

In full conviction, full assurance, and confidence. Colossians 2:2, Hebrews 10:22, Acts 17:31, Hebrews 6:11.

When they preached, they knew in that experience God was working and God was working through them to affect something in those to whom the powerful message came.
Paul, Timothy, and Silas believed the message that he preached. They were powerful, Holy Spirit driven, confident, and assured of the message they preached.

And they knew by their experience, in these four areas that those in this church were elected by God.

WHEN someone has sat under the powerful, Holy Spirit anointed, convicting preaching/teaching of the true Gospel, and they really understood it and came to them in the energy of the Spirit of God, that is a good indication that they were dealing with the reality of salvation.