For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.
(1 Thessalonians 1:8-10, NASB)
Some are called specifically to be pastors and teachers (Eph. 4:11). God has gifted them uniquely to preach the gospel and teach from His word.
But that doesn’t mean they’re the only people who should be sharing the good news of salvation. Paul commended the church at Thessalonica for its “sound[ing] forth” the gospel. In fact, the church members had been so good about letting their “faith in God [go] forth” that Paul and his comrades had “no need to say anything.”
Each of us who has accepted the gift of salvation through belief in the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, should be sharing the gospel. While we might not be standing at a pulpit, we can preach and teach wherever we are. We can share the “hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7).
In fact, many people have been won to Christ, not because they heard a preacher, but because they saw the evidence of changed lives. They saw the light of Jesus shine through sincere believers. They saw anger turn to compassion. Addiction replaced by hope. Despair overcome by peace.
They saw walking, talking illustrations of Jesus.
As you go through your day, look for opportunities to preach and teach. Share what God has done in your life. Give the reason for your joy through sorrow. Be Jesus to someone today.
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