Scripture
‘You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. ‘
1 Corinthians 16:15-16  

Observation
The newly planted church in Achaia was young, but healthy. Paul is excitedly sharing the news about them with the church in Corinth, and he specifically mentions the very first converts at Achaia–those of the household of Stephanas.  The interesting thing is that Paul is not just writing to tell about a new convert that he won…rather, he is excited to share the news about the very first convert in Achaia…and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. They have ‘joined in the work’, and were ‘laboring at it’.  This tells me something about Paul’s approach in sharing the gospel. He wasn’t presenting the gospel in a begging, pleading way, hoping that someone would finally accept Jesus into their heart. Rather, he was sharing the gospel as the life-changing, transformative, earth-shaking, ‘big-deal’ that it truly is, in such a way that those who received it were also inspired to get in the game and share it with others. Paul was not just making new fans for ‘Team God’: he was training teammates.

Application
How do I present the gospel? Do I share God with people in a way that leaves them comfortably sitting on the sidelines, watching the game happen on the field in front of them? Do I share Christ in such a way that people stand and cheer at the right moments, then sit down with a plate of nachos to watch the action unfold?  Or do I instead share Christ in such a way that draws people off the sidelines and onto the field where we can dump a jug of Gatorade over their head in celebration, and then link arms together with them for the next play? Do I present our Lord as the life-altering, awesome Savior, who has transformed my life, will transform your life too, and deserves to be shared with those in your circle also?
I want to share God that second way, with urgency and with energy. 


Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder of the power of your gospel. Not just power to get people to grudgingly admit to your existence, but rather power to radically transform lives and set people on fire for you. Help me to not just be a marketing manager who creates new fans for your team, but instead that I would be a recruiter who draws people into the team to join forces with us in sharing your Good News with the world!  Help me this week to share your gospel with the urgency that it deserves. Help me to be watchful for opportunities and conversations where you are giving me an open door to share your good news with others.

-Trenton Johnson