The Gospel in 30 Seconds (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
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What method should we use when we share the gospel? Many methods have been used over the years. The Romans Road, FAITH, Evangelism Explosion, Share Jesus Without Fear, and many tracts have all been useful. Then there’s always the old Relational versus Confrontational Evangelism discussion. Methods can and should vary, but the message of the gospel must always remain the same. Our specific words matter far less than the power of God working in and through us.
“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1Co 2:1-5 NIV)
Even Paul was fearful when he shared the gospel (v. 3). It’s perfectly normal. It’s expected. After all, these are eternal matters! We ought to be sober-minded regarding the eternal home for those we seek to reach. Never use the phrase, “Turn or burn.” It makes light of such a weighty issue.
What does it mean that Paul resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (v. 2)? First, it meant that he would not attempt to manipulate people with emotionalism. Businesses attempt to get us to buy their products using emotional advertisements. As much as we may be tempted to trick people into trusting in Christ, that’s not the kind of faith that we want to produce.
It also meant that Paul would not complicate the message. There are many details of the Bible that are be important and exciting. But the main thing that unbelievers need is the gospel. We are sinful, but God is perfect. We have no hope of eternal life, but God sent His Son. The perfect Lamb of God died in behalf of our sin on the cross. He was buried, and He rose again, being victorious over death and the grave. Whoever trusts in Jesus Christ will be saved and experience that same triumph over death through Christ. All of this can be shared in 30 seconds, or over the course of several years.
Don’t feel like you have to stick to one particular method of presenting the gospel. They’re good to know. They give you a starting point. They give a systematic presentation of the gospel. But they’re very restrictive. Don’t feel like you have to cram the whole gospel into 5 minutes Don’t feel like you have to stretch it out over a period of three years. Be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading. People should not come to Christ because we have convinced them by our wisdom. If we do that, where does their faith lie? It is in your wisdom, rather than in God. We want people come to Christ because of the Spirit’s power (v. 4-5).
Pastor Chris Huff has been with us since July 2009. He and his wife, Abby, have four children. Chris is originally from St. Louis, MO and even though he was raised as a city boy, he has a small town heart. Chris is all over the internet, so you can find him on Facebook, Twitter,… (read more)
