Not in Word Only
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
There is a great problem of communication and this sermon focuses on how the state of both the church and the world demands that all pay attention to the presentation of the gospel. This gospel is the only hope for the world and the answer for every need. In this sermon on 1 Thessalonians 1:5 titled “Not in Word Only,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses this same problem that people have faced for centuries. He preaches of the proposals for new translations, how the gospel spread, and what the true Christian message is. There is no need for something new. People need the same old gospel and old apostolic way of preaching that is found in the New Testament. What is Christianity? Can it be defined? The gospel is the proclamation of the greatest good news humanity has ever heard. Is Christianity something that is caught or taught? Apostolic preaching never started with people, but with God. There is great need for people to see their need for Jesus in order to come to Him. Jesus did not merely come to tell how people could be delivered, but He came to be the one to deliver them. Christians cannot entertain people in flippancy. God will judge both message and method. Preach and receive this gospel with assurance.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is writing to the Thessalonians and reminding them of how the gospel first came to them.
- There are two main factors in the spread of the gospel: apostolic preaching and the testimony of believers.
- The message being preached is the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. This good news is proclaimed in words and propositions.
- The content of the apostolic message was:
- God: The one true and living God, not idols.
- Man's need for God and his responsibility to God. Man will face judgment.
- The incarnation: Jesus is the Son of God, fully God and fully man.
- The atonement: Jesus died to deliver us from the wrath of God. He took our place and bore our punishment.
- The resurrection: Jesus was physically raised from the dead. Without this, there is no gospel.
- The ascension and second coming: Jesus is seated at the right hand of God and will return to judge the world.
- The message came not in word only, but also in power, the Holy Spirit, and much assurance. The apostles preached in the power of the Spirit, not to please men.
- The Thessalonians received the message not as the word of men, but as the word of God. The Holy Spirit worked powerfully in them, enabling them to believe and receive the gospel.
- Though they faced much affliction, they were filled with joy from the Holy Spirit. They turned from idols to serve the living God.
- Their faith and change spread throughout the region, demonstrating the power of the gospel.
Sermon Q&A
What Were the Essential Factors in the Apostolic Spread of the Gospel According to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in this sermon, there were two main factors that contributed to the spread of the gospel in the early church:
- The preaching of the apostles with a clearly defined message in both word and power
- The life and witness of those who believed the gospel
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that these two historical factors are still the key to effective evangelism today, not new methods of communication.
How Did Lloyd-Jones Define True Christian Preaching?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones defined true Christian preaching as:
"Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance." He emphasized that Christian preaching:
- Must begin with God, not with man or even Jesus
- Contains specific doctrinal content that can be defined and articulated
- Includes the nature of God, sin, judgment, incarnation, atonement, resurrection, and Christ's return
- Must be delivered in the power of the Holy Spirit, not merely with human eloquence
- Results in genuine transformation of the hearers
What Is the Problem with Modern Communication in the Church According to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the modern church's obsession with "the problem of communication" is misguided because:
- It assumes our situation is completely unique and unprecedented
- It focuses on modernizing methods rather than the timeless message
- It often avoids clear doctrinal definitions in favor of vague spirituality
- It frequently starts with man's needs rather than God's truth
- It substitutes human techniques for dependence on the Holy Spirit
- It fails to recognize that the world remains fundamentally unchanged in its opposition to God
How Did the Early Church Demonstrate the Power of the Gospel?
Lloyd-Jones describes how the Thessalonian believers demonstrated the power of the gospel:
- They "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God"
- They endured persecution with "joy of the Holy Ghost"
- They showed "work of faith," "labor of love," and "patience of hope"
- Their transformed lives became a witness that "sounded out" to surrounding regions
- People recognized the remarkable change in their character and behavior
- Their testimonies opened doors for further evangelism
- They remained steadfast, showing their conversion wasn't merely emotional but genuine
What Is the Greatest Need in the Church Today According to Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes that the greatest need in the church today is:
"A mighty outpouring of the Spirit of God to authenticate, to prove the truth of this one and only message. Let us go on preaching the truth. But let us at the same time pray unto God to open the windows of heaven and to baptize us anew and afresh with the power of the Holy Ghost."
He believes the church must return to the apostolic pattern of clear doctrinal preaching combined with dependence on the Holy Spirit's power, rather than seeking new methods or avoiding definite theological statements.
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.