How to Boldly Proclaim the Power of the Gospel to Others
“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
As much as I hate to admit this, many things have hindered me from sharing the Gospel with those around me over the years. The fear of being rejected by others caused me to hesitate and walk away on many occasions. The feeling that I was inadequate and was not equipped for such an important task caused me to sink under the weight of my insecurities. The belief that this task was better suited for someone more experienced often clouded my judgment. I was overwhelmed with the worry that I would use the wrong words or say the wrong things and because of this, more often than not I just closed my mouth. The million possible outcomes swirled through my brain, none of which were positive.
What if they walked away before I ever finished?
What if they rejected the truth that had brought such Joy to my life?
What if I was a disappointment to the One who saved my soul?
Plus, a whirlwind of others echoed in my head louder than fireworks on the Fourth of July.
Praise God if this hasn’t been you, but if it is and you can relate to some degree, let’s look at an impeccably clear example of the Apostle Paul reminding the Church of Corinth of the truth of the Gospel they had previously been taught.
As I began reading 1 Corinthians 2, the first 5 verses spoke to me so clearly that I read them multiple times before moving on. Paul’s words brought truth and clarity to many, if not all, of the fears and worries that I shared above. In these verses, Paul’s example convicted me of the underlying reasons I had often refrained from sharing the Gospel with those I had encountered.
FEAR #1:
I was overwhelmed with the worry that I would use the wrong words or say the wrong things.
“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 1 Corinthians 2:1
ELIMINATING THE FEAR WITH TRUTH:
The enemy’s goal is to hinder us from doing anything that honors God. He’s cunning and crafty. He is deceitfully tricky, and most importantly –he is a liar. He creates confusion and uncertainty where there is none. “The testimony of God” doesn’t need big words and fancy talk. While it is filled with power, the message of Christ is perfectly simple on its own. This message does NOT need to be decorated or prettied up to change lives. It is completely sufficient and lacking in nothing, just as it is. The power isn’t in our imperfect vocabulary. The power is in the Gospel.
PRACTICAL STEPS TO TAKE
Know the truth of “the testimony of God” given to us in the Bible.
Write the verses down on a piece of paper.
Spend time memorizing these verses so that when you are given the opportunity to share Christ with others, it is safely and accurately held in your heart.
FEAR #2
I felt inadequate and unequipped for such an important task as sharing the Gospel.
“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:1
ELIMINATING THE FEAR WITH TRUTH
The Gospel is not about me, or my feelings. It’s about Jesus' life, death, burial, and resurrection. The message of” Jesus Christ and him crucified” is what changes and impacts the lives of people for all of eternity, not the vessel that is sharing it.
PRACTICAL STEPS TO TAKE
Praise God for the honor of sharing the message of “Jesus Christ and him crucified” with the lost.
Focus on the miraculous power of this message and thank Him for His undeserved sacrifice.
FEAR #3
I believed this task was better suited for someone more experienced who could better explain the meanings of the verses with deeper knowledge and theological understanding.
“And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” 1 Corinthians 2:3-4
ELIMINATING THE FEAR
It is Christians' duty, honor, and privilege to share the Gospel. But we are not the ones responsible for converting unbelievers. The Holy Spirit ministers to the heart and opens the eyes of the lost so they may see and understand the message of Jesus Christ. I don’t have to coax or convince; instead, I share the same life-changing truth that was revealed to me by the Holy Spirit.
PRACTICAL STEPS TO TAKE
Take some time to write out your personal testimony about how God brought you from death to life through hearing the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Reflect on the goodness of the One True God.
FEAR #4
I feared being rejected by others, which caused me to hesitate and walk away on many occasions.
“So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
ELIMINATING THE FEAR
Whether I am rejected or accepted by others is far from what is at stake. What matters is the eternal destiny of others. My focus should be solely on elevating God and not myself. If my concern is based on what others think of me instead of the sacrifice of the risen King, then quite possibly, my motive for sharing in the first place is wrong. My boasting should always be about the Lord's work and God’s grace.
PRACTICAL STEPS TO TAKE
Examine your hearts.
Pray for opportunities to share with others.
Trust in the simplicity and power of the Gospel message.
Remember that it's not about us; it's about Him.
Ask God to remove any pride you are currently struggling with.