1 THESSALONIANS 1:4-5.

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

TO PONDER

There was an American Funk Metal Band in the late ‘80’s to the early 90’s called Extreme, who released an acoustic rock ballad, breaking away from their regular musical genre, called “More Than Words”.

If you’re old enough, I suspect it would be the only song you would know by Extreme as it became a world wide hit song, The band had to fight with their record company to even have the song included on the album as it was so different, their lead guitarist even quit the band (temporarily) in protest to get the song included. The band wanted the song included because they felt it had a message which needed to be heard, as the lyrics emphasized that actions spoke louder than words in expressing love.

Today’s verses (I added verse 4 without asking, sorry Pastor Mat) express an important truth about the gospel, an often neglected/forgotten reality of the good news message of Jesus and the cross. The truth of the gospel is that it is more than words, the message of the gospel is powerful, Holy Spirit power, expressed through actions, through God inspired good works (Ephesians 2:10).

Going to church worship isn’t the gospel, reading the Bible isn’t the gospel, being baptised isn’t the gospel, words are not the gospel, good works are not the gospel. I guess they are part of the gospel, related to the gospel, as the gospel is communicated through how we live with the Holy Spirit.

Words alone are not enough to communicate the gospel, our lives and our love, empowered by the Holy Spirit and together with God's word become the gospel, and that's the message the world need to hear, see, and experience.

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, I commit my life again, to living out your gospel daily; to listening to you, hearing your inspiration, and walking with you. Amen.

Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside.