August 13 2026

Thursday August 13

The Gospel in Power

1 Thessalonians 1:5

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Yesterday, as we looked at verse 4, Paul reminded these Thessalonian believers that they were “beloved brethren” and spoke of their “election of God.” We asked the question: How could Paul know that God had genuinely worked in their lives? Verse 5 gives us the answer. Paul writes, “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.” I love that statement: “Our gospel came not unto you in word only.”

Now, the Gospel certainly must come to us in words. Romans 10:17 tells us, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Someone must tell us the wonderful story that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into this world, lived a perfect and sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. The Gospel has a message, and that message must be proclaimed.

But Paul says that when the Gospel came to Thessalonica, it did not come “in word only.” Remember the circumstances surrounding Paul’s arrival there. Acts 17 tells us that Paul went into the synagogue and reasoned with them out of the Scriptures. He was “opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead.” Paul preached the Word. But something happened that human words alone could never accomplish. Lives were changed. That is why Paul says the Gospel came “also in power.” The word “power” reminds us that the Gospel is not merely information to be considered; it is the power of God that transforms those who believe. Paul said in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes.”

Think about that. The Gospel can take a sinner and make him a saint. It can take someone who is spiritually dead and give him spiritual life. It can break the chains of sin, give hope to the hopeless, peace to the troubled heart, and completely change the direction of a person’s life. I have seen that power over and over again through the years. Programs can help people. Education can inform people. Good advice can encourage people. But only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can give a person a new heart and make him a new creation. Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

But notice where this power comes from. Paul says the Gospel came “in the Holy Ghost.” Paul understood that he could preach the truth, but only the Holy Spirit could take that truth and apply it to the human heart. Jesus said in John 16 that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. That should be a great encouragement to those of us who want to share Christ with others. Sometimes we become concerned that we do not know exactly what to say. We worry that we will not have the right words or be able to answer every question. But remember, we are not the ones who save people. God does. Our responsibility is to faithfully share the Gospel. The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and works in the heart. That is why prayer is so important when we witness. We should pray, “Lord, give me the words to say, and Holy Spirit, take those words and use them to touch this person’s heart.”

Then Paul adds another phrase. The Gospel came “in much assurance.” Paul did not preach a message that he merely hoped might be true. He was convinced! He had met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. His entire life had been transformed. He knew Whom he had believed. There is a tremendous difference between speaking about something we merely know intellectually and speaking about something that has become a reality in our own lives. Paul could preach Christ with assurance because Paul knew Christ personally. And the Thessalonians could see that conviction in him.

Notice the final part of the verse: “As you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” Paul is reminding them, “You not only heard our message—you watched our lives.” That is so important. The Gospel should not only be heard from our lips; it should be seen in our lives. People are watching us. Our family watches us. Our neighbors watch us. The people we work with watch us. The people we go to church with watch us. They want to know whether the Gospel we talk about on Sunday makes a difference in the way we live on Monday. Paul could say, “You know what manner of men we were among you.” What a testimony! He was not saying that he and Silas were perfect. But their conduct was consistent with the message they proclaimed.

And I believe this verse gives us a wonderful pattern for effective Christian witness. We need the Word of God— “not in word only.” We need the power of God— “but also in power.” We need the Spirit of God— “and in the Holy Ghost.” We need the assurance of God— “and in much assurance.” And we need a life that demonstrates the reality of the Gospel— “what manner of men we were among you.” My friend, the world does not simply need more religious talk. The world needs to see the Gospel demonstrated by lives that have been transformed by Jesus Christ.

Maybe that is a good question for us to ask ourselves today: Can the people around me see the power of the Gospel in my life? Do they see Christ in the way I respond when things go wrong? Do they see Christ in the way I treat others? Do they see Christ in my attitude, my words, my priorities, and my relationships? The Gospel that changed the Thessalonians almost two thousand years ago is still changing lives today. It is still the power of God unto salvation.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank You that it is not merely words on a page or a religious message, but it is Your power unto salvation to everyone who believes. Thank You for the Holy Spirit Who takes Your Word and brings conviction, understanding, and transformation to our hearts. Lord, give us confidence and assurance as we share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. And Father, help us not only to speak the Gospel with our lips, but to demonstrate its power through our lives. May our families, our friends, our neighbors, and everyone we meet be able to see that Jesus Christ has truly made a difference in us. Use us today to point someone to Jesus. In His precious name we pray, Amen

God bless, and you have a wonderful, wonderful day.