How to Get the Gospel Across
A Sermon on 1 Thessalonians 1:5
Scripture
5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
Sermon Description
We live in a world where the Church is losing influence and people are moving farther and farther from the truth. To confront these negative trends people have put forth solutions to how we can “sell” the gospel better and communicate more as a global church. However, in Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ sermon on 1 Thessalonians 1:5, he reveals the true way we should spread the gospel. Many Christians believe that a new message is needed to attract the masses, while others say that huge, concert-like gatherings are the key to spreading the gospel. Many say that the same old message just isn’t working and must be altered. However, Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that the message is not the problem. No, the message was powerful enough to convert the entire Roman Empire, and the Romans had a society of sin and lust, similar to ours. No, the message is not the problem. The problem is the way we present it. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points to how the early church spread the gospel by apostolic teaching and by the testimony of their lives. Likewise, Dr. Lloyd-Jones urges us to do the same. We must live out the message of the gospel so that others can see the power of God in us. This was the original way that the gospel was spread, and it is the best method for evangelism, even today. With this said, Dr. Lloyd-Jones confronts another problem that is plaguing the spread of the gospel. He states that churches simply aren’t telling the true message of the gospel. Modern evangelists pride themselves in telling the good news of Jesus Christ, but forget to tell people why Jesus came. Without knowledge of their sin, unbelievers may live life thinking they are Christians, while they continue sinning freely. Like Paul, we should not focus on flattering audiences, cracking jokes, or hosting large events, but instead tell unbelievers that they are sinners in the presence of a holy God. Only when we know we are sinners, do we turn to Christ for redemption.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is writing to the Thessalonians, reminding them of how they became Christians.
- Paul says there were two factors in the spread of the Gospel: apostolic preaching and the lives of the converts.
- The problem today is how to communicate the Gospel in a way people will understand and believe. Some propose new messages, methods, Bible translations but we must return to the apostolic method.
- Paul's message: Our Gospel came not in word only but in power, the Holy Spirit, and assurance. The Gospel is good news about Jesus, who delivers us from wrath.
- Paul confronted the Thessalonians about their idol worship and called them to serve the living God. We must all give account to God.
- Jesus, the Son of God, came to save us. We await His return to judge the world. This is the Christian message.
- The world needs to hear about God's law and judgment. The Gospel starts with God, not man.
- Paul's method: His preaching was in the power of the Spirit, not with flattery. The Thessalonians received his message as God's word, with conviction and affliction but joy.
- The Thessalonians turned from idols to God, with a work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope. Their faith spread everywhere.
- We need the Spirit's power and assurance. We must turn from idols, work and labor for the faith, and spread the Gospel by our lives.
Sermon Q&A
Lloyd-Jones Sermon Questions from Hawthorne Gospel Church
What is the main problem confronting the church today according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the main problem confronting the church is how to effectively communicate the Gospel to people in the modern world. He states: "This is the problem of how we can get this great message of the Gospel which we believe over to other men and women with our world as it is tonight." Many today refer to it as "the problem of communication" - how to present the Gospel in a way that modern people can understand and embrace.
What were the two main factors that led to the success of the early Christian church?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies two main factors that led to the success of the early Christian church:
- The apostolic preaching - "in word and in power" - the message itself delivered with spiritual power
- The life, witness, and testimony of the converts - "The second factor was the life, the witness and the testimony of the people who were converted by the apostolic preaching and who became members of the Christian Church."
He emphasizes that both factors are equally important and necessary for the spread of Christianity.
What does Lloyd-Jones mean by "our gospel came not unto you in word only"?
When Lloyd-Jones references this verse (1 Thessalonians 1:5), he's explaining that while the gospel definitely came "in word" (through clear verbal proclamation and doctrinal statements), it didn't come merely as words alone. He emphasizes that true gospel preaching involves:
- The word - clear verbal articulation of doctrine
- Power - divine energy accompanying the message
- The Holy Ghost - the Spirit's presence and activity
- Much assurance - deep certainty both in the preacher and the hearers
He stresses that preaching lacks effectiveness when it's merely words without spiritual power.
How does Lloyd-Jones challenge modern approaches to evangelism?
Lloyd-Jones challenges several modern approaches to evangelism:
- The idea that we need a "new message" that's more relevant to modern people
- The focus on "new methods" borrowed from business and marketing techniques
- The emphasis on new Bible translations as the solution
- The tendency to start with human needs rather than with God
- The neglect of preaching about God's law and judgment as preparation for the gospel
- The use of entertainment, jokes, and flattery to attract people
- The failure to rely on the Holy Spirit's power rather than human persuasion
He argues that returning to the apostolic pattern is the only effective approach.
What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the core elements of the gospel message?
Lloyd-Jones identifies the core elements of the gospel message from 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10:
- There is one true and living God who created everything and to whom we are responsible
- Humanity has turned from God to idols (false gods and objects of worship)
- Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came from heaven
- Jesus died and rose again to deliver us from the coming judgment ("the wrath to come")
- Jesus will return from heaven to establish His kingdom
- We must turn from our idols to serve the living God
He emphasizes that this message is non-negotiable and must be preserved in its entirety.
What does Lloyd-Jones say is the evidence of true conversion?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the evidence of true conversion includes:
- Turning from idols to serve the living God - abandoning former objects of devotion
- Continuing steadfastly in the faith - not merely a temporary decision
- A "work of faith" - active commitment showing genuine belief
- A "labor of love" - sacrificial service motivated by love
- "Patience of hope" - endurance through trials and persecutions
- A testimony that impacts others - "from you sounded out the word of the Lord"
True converts become examples to others and their transformed lives become powerful witnesses to the gospel's truth.
Why does Lloyd-Jones believe we must start with God rather than with human needs?
Lloyd-Jones believes we must start with God rather than human needs because:
- The apostolic pattern always began with God, not with human problems
- Starting with human needs makes faith self-centered rather than God-centered
- People won't see their true need for Christ until they understand who God is
- Understanding ourselves as God's creatures responsible to Him is foundational
- Only by starting with God's holiness can we properly understand sin and judgment
- The good news makes no sense without first understanding the bad news of our condition before God
He states: "The modern man starts with himself, puts himself at the center... But that isn't how the apostle preached. The apostle didn't start with the people. He started with God."
How does Lloyd-Jones describe what it means to be a true missionary?
Lloyd-Jones describes being a true missionary as:
- Being a witness wherever you are - "in your own district, in your own shop, in your own office"
- Demonstrating the reality of your faith through your life - "by just being what you are by showing it in your life"
- Actively working and laboring for the gospel - not leaving it to ministers or official evangelists
- Being reliable and patient - consistent in faith over time
- Creating curiosity in others by your changed life - making people ask "What is this thing?"
He emphasizes that every Christian should be a missionary in their own context, not merely supporting foreign missions financially.
Itinerant Preaching
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.