Focus Leads to Miracles

.... In our previous postings, we discussed how teachings and miracles go together in preaching the gospel: "the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs." (Mark 16:20). They are designed to correlate in a direct cause-and-effect relationship, so let's think about this correlation carefully:

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.... If God supplies signs and wonders as a confirmation to the gospel, then our own role must include an initial, clear presentation of the gospel in order to lay the groundwork so a match-up can follow (Mark 16:15-20). If we actively set the stage in this way, then God will find the stage set to act upon. Therefore an evangelist must anticipate the Lord in all he is sharing to insure that his message stays on track:

.... "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

(1 Corinthians 2:2)

.... In this passage, Paul kept his preaching of the gospel very focused. He tried to exclude all other topics from the same discussion if possible, which kept his message pure. Thus, when God responded with miracles, it was perfectly clear what testimony He was responding to. With such a clear correlation to God's glory, the result was a flood of miracles as He confirmed the gospel of Jesus Christ through the matching signs:

.... "And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

(1 Corinthians 2:4-5)

.... Through these miracles, God quickly drew the listener’s attention beyond the evangelist and directly to Himself, to establish a very personal relationship at the heart of their salvation – which is the greatest miracle of them all.

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.... Yet sharing the gospel is not inflexible, so we don’t need to become robots about it. For example, it’s only fair to answer any questions your listener may have, especially in response to the immediate situation. Or we can discuss associated topics such as righteousness, self-control, or judgment to come (See Acts 24:25). There is a fair degree of flexibility, just try not to overdo it. Remember that if you discuss too many other things along the way, the gospel may become lost in the clutter and it may no longer be clear, in the mind of the listener, what God is responding to. So if you do have an opportunity to share the gospel and your listener starts to wander too far off subject, please do them a favor and try to gently steer the conversation back on course again.

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Daily Bible Reading: Mark 11