Acts 5:17-42
Focused, undeterred and committed--that's how I'd describe the apostles in Acts 5. They were arrested, thrown in public prison (we're not talking a clean, modern day jail cell by the way) and beaten because they were telling people about Christ. Yikes!
Imagine being in their place. Would you be tempted to throw in the towel? Be afraid to keep going? Maybe start questioning what you're doing and why? We don't see any of that with the apostles. They don't let what's happening pull them off course. They are committed to fully representing the Lord regardless of the cost. Now I've never gone through anything like the apostles--not even close. And, yet, I'm not nearly as bold as they were for Christ. So what's up with that?
So what is it that holds us back from being a bold witness (speech, actions, lifestyle)? What can we do to break out of our comfort zone when it comes to showing and telling more people about Christ? Tami W.
i get very nervous when i talk to anybody.never mind talking about JESUS.this is what my biggest and most painful part of trying to be a christian is
Fear has held me back. Fear of not knowing what to say, how to say it, when....
This past weekend I realized that I have been depending on me for the what,how, when.... When I do this I get scared because I,on my own am inadequate.
Now, I am excited to see what, when and how Jesus and I will be up to.
I'm just starting to walk in this but am excited to have Him through the Holy Spirit lead me.
I also have to be reminded that the outcome what ever it is ...it's His too.
Most people who call themselves Christians take their "Christianity" about as seriously as a hobby they occasionally indulge in. It's not anything overly important to them because any little thing can potentially pull them away from church or fellowship with other believers. They think that by attending most Sunday morning services and putting some money into the offering plate is enough. Yes, they have asked Christ into their hearts but that's about all they do. They may even read their Bible on occasion, like Easter or Christmas or even Sunday morning, but other than that, they may feel they have more important things to do like checking out the news on the television or on the internet.
What would their business be like if they put as much importance there as they do their Christianity? How long would they last?
Christianity MUST be considered as a business in our hearts because otherwise our Christian example will be worthless. One person in our church said that he "hoped" we would live a life in such a way that he "hoped" that people would notice. That's like Charlie Brown, wishy-washy. We have to be on the attack, ready to defend our faith at any opportunity, and that isn't happenstance, if it happens to be there, and if the sun is shining and the birds are singing and it's not raining and your favorite hockey, baseball, football, golf, chef, renovator, salesman, relative three times removed, dog, cat, service job on the car doesn't get in the way. If a business was run that haphazardly it would be run into the ground in a week.
No, we have to take the bull by the horns and look for and make opportunities to share the Gospel with other people. That will mean that we have to be ready to speak out for truth when necessary, or, we have to be ready willing and able to build relationships with people, to find out what their needs are, and then, after that has been done, to offer a solution to their problems. It's salesmanship. When the snake met Eve in the garden of Eden, he "sold" Eve on the idea that the fruit was good for her, so she took it and ate and then did the first person to person advertising of a product by introducing Adam to it and he trusted her and took it.
Christianity isn't about sitting back in the church, waiting for people to come in. That may have worked to some degree at one point when it was fashionable to attend church, but that isn't the case these days. One pastor compared the church to a big box store where there are departments for everything and the doors are open and we invite people to come. That kind of Christianity doesn't touch people where they live except in their pocketbook. That doesn't challenge unbelievers to do anything, to consider anything, to look at the world the God's eyes.
No! We have to get in contact with people, find out where they are and what they need and what their "pain" is, and then show them how God and His Gospel can help them with their pain and problems. We have to live it.
I'm a pianist and a pretty good one, but I didn't get that way overnight. It was many hours of steady, relentless practice. Learning how to connect with people, learning how to ask quesitons, learning how to get people to trust you, those can all be learned, but they cannot be learned by attending church on Sunday morning with no other contact with believers who will challenge you daily.
Grandma Mavis, Colonel Potter's beloved Grandma (MASH), said it this way, "Just do it!" It's as simple as that. Just do it!
I am at where Cliff is. I allow fear to get in the way. I wish I wouldn't allow the fear to control me. I do agree with Jason, we need to just get out there and DO it. I know my problem is me. I need to stop looking at myself and what scares me and I need to look to God. If I depend and look at myself I can talk myself right out of the very thing I ought to do. I have allowed other peoples opinions to pull me away from what I know. The things that people have said to me has really affected the way I do and say things. I have gotten weak in my faith by what others have said. I know I am wrong in letting that get to me. I have learned I am more frustrated by not standing up for the truth. People will ridiculed you, they may even say oh, you are so holy. We need to over look those things. It is so much easier said than done. I know I need to hold on to what God's Word say's about those who do ridicule you. I think about my children, my advise to them would be to stand up for the truth. I would tell them to do what is right no matter what. I would encourage them to do what is right reguardless what their friends my say or do.
We do need to take our Christianity serious. I believe we get lathargic in what Christ has done for us, and we don't grasp the importance in our walk with Christ. If any one has comment please share.
As a person that just put his full faith in the Lord just a few short weeks ago I have been hesitant in making it too obvious because i know that most people will take a too forward approach as negative. I have been more subtle just the other night I just mentioned that I have a Nook and mentioned that I just started reading the bible and I grabbed someones attention. It ended up being a fellow Brother and we talked all evening about what we have been reading. I had also been looking for a church that was a good fit for me and just being open that I was reading the bible turned into an invitation to his church and it was an amazing experience. So, do not be afraid to put it out there in a subtle way that you are a Christian and you will be surprised how people become interested and then you can let your love pour out.
I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
I am 56 years old, and have been a Christian for over 30 years, and to my dismay, continue to struggle and fight with fear of what others think. In every workplace that I have worked at, I have openly let others know that I am a Christian. I guess for many, it makes them feel uncomfortable, because they enjoy their sinful lifestyles, and do not want to live in Christ. I have experienced rejection and ridicule on many occasions, but never to the extent of the Apostles by being thrown in jail. The only remedy I have is to never compromise my beliefs, and to stay in constant fellowship with my Savior. I don't come across as being holier than thou, and try to love each person that I associate with. I can't take things personally, or dwell on the negativity of rejection. That's where the Armor comes into play. Satan would love for me to feel like a failure, and to compare myself with all those around me. This type of thinking has to be stopped, and replaced with faith, hope, and love. I would like to get to the point like these apostles, and have the boldness to speak the truth in love, no matter what man says. Their attitude was, "obey God rather than man." Pride gets in the way so many times, but I guess their is so much more growth that needs to take place. In the meantime, I can have God's mercy, and assurance that He who has begun a good work in me will complete it.
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for your candid thoughts and comments today. What holds me back all too often is fear. But with that said, here's what I can tell you. Every time I don't give in to fear, God comes through mightily for me.
A few months ago a man sitting next to me on a plane saw me blogging for P4 with my Bible open. He started asking me all kinds of questions and even told me that he was interested in Christ and seeking. My first thought (which was fearful, by the way) was "What am I going to say?" I shot up a quick prayer asking the Lord to give me the right words and help me. I ended up talking with this man for the entire flight (which was over an hour) about tons of spiritual things, including the plan of salvation, and I was never at a loss for what to tell him. (Thank you, Lord!!) When I walked off the plane, I knew that from that point forward I had to be bolder for Christ--and I now look forward to it. Now don't get me wrong, that fearful reaction is still there, but I know that I can push past it and be bold for Christ with God's help.