Passages Devotional: Sound Barriers
“We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.”1 Thessalonians 2:2
Natural sound barriers must be broken to move deeper into spiritual conversations that lead to Jesus:
- The first barrier is at the beginning of the conversation. It is easier not to speak at all than to initiate a conversation.
- Once a conversation has comfortably begun, a second barrier keeps us from bringing up spiritual matters in the conversation.
- Once that barrier is broken, a new sound barrier emerges. It is easy to stay in general spiritual dialogue and often difficult to bring up the gospel.
- Finally, when explaining the gospel, we often experience a sound barrier that keeps us from asking for a response from the other person.
Paul experienced fears like ours (1 Corinthians 2:1-5), but he did not allow them to hinder him from communicating the gospel. He loved people too much to keep him from sharing the most important message (1 Thessalonians 2:8).
Thought
Breaking sound barriers enable spiritual conversations to go deep.
Take a Step
Reflect on your conversations with the people on your 10+ Prayer List. What level of conversation do you have with them? Plan on breaking the next sound barrier in an upcoming conversation.
Bonus
1 Thessalonians 2:1-9 >>
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.← Previous
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