Are You Ready?

 

"It is the whole business of the whole church

to preach the whole gospel to the whole world."

Charles Spurgeon, preacher

Ever stayed quiet when you could have seized an opportunity to tell someone else about your belief and hope in Jesus?  Yep, me too- to my shame.

I listened to a well known pastor of a large church in Texas express to another well known pastor in his podcast of his anxiety about preaching.  The other pastor agreed that he, too, had the same.  I am talking very passionate, biblically sound, well-educated in all apologetics and cultural happenings, in- person/online influential pastors!  But they went out there every opportunity they could anyway to do it because they knew it was literally life or death for people.

Why do we hesitate or get anxiety?  Well, I'm convinced it's one of Satan's easiest tools to hinder us.  It seems like we should be thrilled to tell someone about the God that has rescued us from the pits of darkness; that saved us from ourselves, from loneliness, from a destiny of being separated from God forever.  

And God honors our obedience when we don't feel like we can do it but we do it anyway.

The Apostle Peter, the man who walked with Jesus on earth, witnessing his miracles and teachings but also living with the shame of having denied knowing Him three times, is telling us-

"...but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect..."  1 Peter 3:15

Just out of sheer gratitude we should share with anyone within hearing distance.  Is it that we don't feel prepared, or we just haven't tried?  I find that things are easier if I've gone through them in my head first.  So maybe let's do that...

This is one version of a quick summary of the 4 Spiritual Laws first developed by Campus Crusade for Christ as a way to share the gospel.  Just look at each concept & the Scriptures-

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Ask the Holy Spirit to guide us about where and when to share. This technique is not intended to dilute, lessen or fastfood the gospel - it's just one method to defend our faith in a way that opens in conversation.  Sharing about our own journey with God is another way. 

Every single day the news tells us our world is breaking more drastically; people are desperate to know the Truth, the Way and the Life.  

They need hope.  

We have hope.  

Let's share our hope.

Let's be ready.

✙ Dear Lord, You know our frailties and weaknesses.  We confess them to You and gladly ask You for help from Your Holy Spirit, that You freely give.  Please use it to make us courageous and bold and sensitive to Your leading as we approach Your throne with confidence because of your Son.  Help us to reach out of our comfort zone and share Your Love for others to this hurting world.  Amen.