Maybe they will ask me something, and I won't know the answer . . .
I won't know what to say.
They know I'm not perfect -- well, not even close!
I've been told it is the number one thing not to talk about.
I don't want to look stupid.
All of these are reasons people give for not talking about their faith with other people. But the interesting thing is that so many people in today's post-Christian world want to know more about God; they want to know more about Jesus and the Bible, but they are just unsure how to go about it. Yet, we who know Jesus, stay silent.
We just looked at Acts chapter five, where those early believers in Christ (before the Bible actually refers to them as 'Christians') would not stop talking about the new relationship they had with Jesus--even as the pressure was being turned up in Jerusalem: being thrown in jail, floggings, etc. [last briefing: Shut Up, Will You? https://conta.cc/4fat4QF]. Every day, Peter, John and the apostles proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ, and as a result, many hundreds of people were coming to faith daily.
What did those passionate, sold-out followers of Christ know that we have forgotten?
A sincere relationship with Jesus changes everything--
from our daily disposition to our eternal one.
For that reason, I often turn and ask a stranger, 'Are you a woman/man of faith?'
Oh how rich these exchanges have been! Can't help but smile as I recall talks I've had: -with a restaurant owner in Tiberias, Israel, one night, while I was writing…
-in retail stores, like with a boat owner in a market on the Sea of Galilee
-with a sales associate at Anthropology in Chelsea Market in New York City
-in a Lucky Brand store in Brooklyn
-and of course, in taxicabs and Lyfts in Chicago, Boston and Nazareth …
Without doubt, the greatest conversations I have are about faith in God!
As I prayed this morning about moving on to Acts chapter six, I felt the nudge to encourage you to take a risk, and open. your. mouth. Think of it--you and I have the opportunity to change the world, one person at a time.
If you took a minute to ask God about this, what might He say or ask of you?
“Will you tell them about Me? So many are hurting--some struggling with fear, others looking for meaning and purpose, many walking in darkness, and everyone looking for elusive peace.
Because you know me, you can offer them my peace, my hope.
I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life1
Somehow many of you just keep your faith to yourselves . . . is it because you think everyone around you already knows, and if they don’t, they don’t care? Or yes, perhaps you are afraid they will ask you something about Me or the Bible, and you will not have answers. Remember, the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.2
Keep it simple. Don't try to be anyone else, just be you. Maybe you could start by telling them how much comfort prayer has brought you, or reading the Psalms has meant to you. Tell them the difference I have made in your life - just tell them what you have experienced--things like having hope, peace or freedom from shame
Ask Me...I will bring you opportunities every single day. Remember, I said, I came that they may have life.3Go ahead, Child...give them life!
Anything else you would say to us now, Lord?
“Well yes - do you know how many times people have prayed and asked Me to show them My will for their lives? But I made this desire of mine crystal clear: Be my witnesses.4
Be ready to extend the hope that you have in Me to those you encounter.5 And always remember, Because I live, you also will live.6
Tell them, tell them about the peace you know… tell them about Me.
I love you.
You are My beloved,
your Father in Heaven. ”
Friends, there is nothing like the privilege of leading someone to faith in Christ, knowing their eternal destiny is now Heaven, and that no matter what life holds for them, they will never face it alone. Yeah, that changes the world.
Change the World!
by Christine
yesterday
Listen along here: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/1a9d0ad0/change-the-world-one-person-at-a-time-acts-no-20
I'm afraid they will reject me.
Maybe they will ask me something, and I won't know the answer . . .
I won't know what to say.
They know I'm not perfect -- well, not even close!
I've been told it is the number one thing not to talk about.
I don't want to look stupid.
All of these are reasons people give for not talking about their faith with other people. But the interesting thing is that so many people in today's post-Christian world want to know more about God; they want to know more about Jesus and the Bible, but they are just unsure how to go about it. Yet, we who know Jesus, stay silent.
We just looked at Acts chapter five, where those early believers in Christ (before the Bible actually refers to them as 'Christians') would not stop talking about the new relationship they had with Jesus--even as the pressure was being turned up in Jerusalem: being thrown in jail, floggings, etc. [last briefing: Shut Up, Will You? https://conta.cc/4fat4QF]. Every day, Peter, John and the apostles proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ, and as a result, many hundreds of people were coming to faith daily.
What did those passionate, sold-out followers of Christ know that we have forgotten?
A sincere relationship with Jesus changes everything--
from our daily disposition to our eternal one.
For that reason, I often turn and ask a stranger, 'Are you a woman/man of faith?'
Oh how rich these exchanges have been! Can't help but smile as I recall talks I've had: -with a restaurant owner in Tiberias, Israel, one night, while I was writing…
-in retail stores, like with a boat owner in a market on the Sea of Galilee
-with a sales associate at Anthropology in Chelsea Market in New York City
-in a Lucky Brand store in Brooklyn
-and of course, in taxicabs and Lyfts in Chicago, Boston and Nazareth …
Without doubt, the greatest conversations I have are about faith in God!
As I prayed this morning about moving on to Acts chapter six, I felt the nudge to encourage you to take a risk, and open. your. mouth. Think of it--you and I have the opportunity to change the world, one person at a time.
If you took a minute to ask God about this, what might He say or ask of you?
“Will you tell them about Me? So many are hurting--some struggling with fear, others looking for meaning and purpose, many walking in darkness, and everyone looking for elusive peace.
Because you know me, you can offer them my peace, my hope.
I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life 1
Somehow many of you just keep your faith to yourselves . . . is it because you think everyone around you already knows, and if they don’t, they don’t care? Or yes, perhaps you are afraid they will ask you something about Me or the Bible, and you will not have answers. Remember, the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.2
Keep it simple. Don't try to be anyone else, just be you. Maybe you could start by telling them how much comfort prayer has brought you, or reading the Psalms has meant to you. Tell them the difference I have made in your life - just tell them what you have experienced--things like having hope, peace or freedom from shame
Ask Me...I will bring you opportunities every single day. Remember, I said, I came that they may have life.3 Go ahead, Child...give them life!
Anything else you would say to us now, Lord?
“Well yes - do you know how many times people have prayed and asked Me to show them My will for their lives? But I made this desire of mine crystal clear: Be my witnesses.4
Be ready to extend the hope that you have in Me to those you encounter.5 And always remember, Because I live, you also will live.6
Tell them, tell them about the peace you know… tell them about Me.
I love you.
You are My beloved,
your Father in Heaven. ”
Friends, there is nothing like the privilege of leading someone to faith in Christ, knowing their eternal destiny is now Heaven, and that no matter what life holds for them, they will never face it alone. Yeah, that changes the world.
The Commission: please listen -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkJniP87XdQ&list=RDXkJniP87XdQ&start_radio=1
Christine - PastorWoman.net
Acts, no.20
1 - John 8.12, ESV
2 - Luke 12.12
3 - John 10.10b
4 - Acts 1.8
5 - 1 Peter 3.15
6 - John 14.19