Devotional Gems by Jolene
Created for Bible Study for Kids
Personal Megaphone Gospel
Romans 10:13-17, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
By J.D. Griffith
We see much emotion from the apostles in the Bible. St. Paul’s exuberance
almost dances off the pages in 1 Thessalonians when he rejoices in the young
congregation’s passion for telling the world about Christ. We’re all
familiar with exuberant sports fans yelling their spirit through megaphones.
Often, cheerleaders use them so the crowd can get involved with cheering
along.
If Paul had a megaphone, I am quite sure he would have blasted his praise
for the people of Thessalonica:
“1,2,3,4—Who do we adore?”
And the crowd yells its response, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus Christ!”
Paul would ask through his megaphone, “Who Is Jesus Christ?”
Their response would be, “My Lord, my Savior!”
Can you hear the exchange?
In John 3:16 in the Bible, we study the words that need to be shouted
through a megaphone, because it’s our personal gospel.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whosoever believes in Him shall not die, but have everlasting life.”
This promise is specifically for me and for you. We are “the world”. When
you hear this passage, substitute the words, “For God so loved ME…”
Now that’s the spirit. Don’t you feel like yelling that through a
megaphone?
Yet many believers don’t feel passion and intensity of God’s love by the
emotion of their faith. Paul said the word of the Lord had “sounded
forth” from the church of Thessalonica.
This powerful word picture gives us a clear impression of their passion.
Thessalonica was a busy seaport, and these people had the ear of the
whole world—at that time. Travelers would hear the gospel from the folks
there and spread it to others when they got back home.
Do you see how this great gospel news spread like wildfire throughout
the world?
You and I must also take this great gospel message to our world. We are
commissioned by Jesus Christ Himself to go into the world. (Matthew
28:19-20). Our world is our neighbors. We don’t have to go anywhere,
we’re already there.
Take Home Nugget
It’s not beyond our abilities to proclaim this fantastic gospel to our
playmates, our teammates, our schoolmates. We can embrace this small
world through earnest prayer, as we consider lost individuals we know.
Then, as we seek to live the good news, we expect God to harvest the
fruit we’ve sown—just by our actions.
As a fan of Jesus, we have this great opportunity to shout the gospel
from the rooftops!
Jesus died to bring salvation
For the rich and for the poor;
Those of every tribe and nation—
He includes the ones next door.—Anon.
J.D. Griffith
