now at iconium they entered together into the jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both jews and greeks believed. [acts 14:1]
spoke
the gospel
evangelio (greek) – good news proclaimed or spoken
the gospel is the message of God reconciling hopeless sinners to himself through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
this gospel message in its very nature is a spoken message.
the gospel message is not how you act.
the gospel message is not how you respond to evil.
the gospel message is not how you love others.
the gospel message is not how kind you are to orphans, widows, or immigrants.
all these can be a response or fruit of the gospel at work in your life. but these acts – are not the gospel. they are works. works done by people.
the gospel is a work done by God the Father, through God the Son, and birthed in us through God the Spirit. it is God’s work.
it is a message you and i speak.
it is the message of God’s love and God’s work.
and,
you and i are called to share this, the greatest news ever, to those around us.
always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, [1 peter 3:15]
and how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? [romans 10:14]
go therefore and make disciples [matthew 28:19]
let’s go!
– john ryan