We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. [1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 NASB]
It's easy to repeat the words of the gospel. Paul gives us a synopsis of the gospel;
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, [1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NASB]
Even a lot of non-believers can tell you the basics of the gospel. But without faith, it is meaningless. We need to understand that the gospel is not just a story that someone told. Nor is it a simple recounting of history. It is the revelation of God's truth. Paul said, concerning the gospel;
For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. [Galatians 1:11-12 NASB]
It is the power of the Holy Spirit working in the heart that produces faith;
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. [Romans 1:16 NASB]
It is not a well-reasoned argument that produces faith, but the working of the Holy Spirit. Paul said;
For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. [1 Corinthians 4:20 NASB]
and
For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. [Romans 15:18-19 NASB]
For Paul, preaching the gospel was not just a matter of standing up and presenting a well-reasoned argument, or an emotional appeal. It was presenting the gospel accompanied by signs and wonder - the power of the Holy Spirit.
There is no reason to think that God has changed since the time of the apostles. He demonstrated power then, and He will demonstrate power now. The only thing lacking is our faith. Step out in faith and pray for people to be healed. Expect miraculous sign and wonders from God, and for His glory.
When you pray for healing, don't pray some wimpy prayer like, "God, I don't know if you will do it or not, but if you will, please heal my brother in Christ." The book of Acts has a few examples of how the early disciples prayed for healing.
Peter came upon a lame man at the gate of the temple;
But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!” And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. [Acts 3:6-8 NASB]
Peter met a paralyzed man in Lydda;
Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed.” Immediately he got up. And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. [Acts 9:34-35 NASB]
Paul was preaching in Lystra;
At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well, said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk. [Acts 14:8-10 NASB]
Paul was stranded on an island on his way to Rome;
Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured. [Acts 28:7-9 NASB]
In each case, they spoke and acted with authority; not meekly, but with boldness; having faith God would heal. It's true that there is power in the word of God. But God also uses miraculous signs to build faith. This power and this authority is for all believers, by faith, and for the glory of God. Jesus said;
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” [Mark 16:15-18 NASB]
and;
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. [John 14:12 NASB]
It is not by our own power, but because we have the Holy Spirit within us. Jesus said;
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” [Acts 1:8 NASB]
I challenge you to step out in faith. Be bold for Jesus. Speak the truth of the Gospel, but don't just stop there. Speak healing into peoples bodies. Speak miracles into their lives. Do it all for the glory of God.
Father, I thank You that You have given me Your Spirit, and that You have filled me with Your power. Thank You that You have given me authority to perform signs and wonders in Your name, and for Your glory. I pray that you will increase my faith and give me the boldness to speak out in Your name.
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