(Romans 1:16)
One of the things that has puzzled me for so
long is, why so many who know Christ as their Savior seem to be ashamed of
Him. I ask that question because there really could be no other explanation
why we, the people of God, His church, are so afraid of telling this world
that Jesus Christ really is the ONLY way, the ONLY truth, the ONLY life. I
watch this world promote itself each and every day...slick Madison Avenue ad
campaigns, incredible marketing efforts, and a blatant boldness about things
that have no redeeming qualities to them at all. The world is not ashamed
of the things they believe in and go to extraordinary measures to get its message
to the masses. Yet those of us who know Jesus Christ in the pardon of our
sins, seem to be content to sit back and keep this life-transforming
information to ourselves. The only conclusion I come to is that we either
don't really believe what we say we believe in, or we are ashamed to be
identified as followers of Christ.
Let me say here, that there have been many, many bold servants of the Lord
who have gone out to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in a very visible
way. Many people have a personal relationship with Christ today because of
their boldness. Which is exactly the point I am making. The Kingdom needs more
people to get serious about promoting Jesus in a bold and visible way to the
world at large. A popular beer company has created a fad with their ad
campaign of friends greeting each other in a special way....what's
up. That is an example of a marketing campaign to promote their
product to the public at large, and trust me, it has worked. I am not
suggesting that the church needs to do anything off base or gross to promote
the Gospel, but we need to be sensitive to the culture we live in and be
able to get our message to the masses in an effective way. Listen, this is not a
test run, we get one very short opportunity here in this lifetime. When it
is over it is over. Why should we be holding back? Why should we be
hanging onto the absolute TRUTH of God's Word like some classified government secret
that we leak out in drips and drabs. It is time to get bold, creative, and
fearless in sharing our faith with this lost and dying world.
One of the things that has upset me more than anything over the last 7-8
years has been the psychic hotlines. Here is something the Bible clearly
says is rooted in the pits of hell itself. The companies promote these
services as an "answer to your problems". There are so many people out
there hurting and going through difficult times, people in many cases the
church has totally missed, and they become sitting ducks. Not only do they get
into bondage to this garbage, but, of course, end up in financial troubles from all
of the money they pay for these "answers." The church of Jesus Christ has
the one TRUE answer and we sit passively and watch this happen. This is
wrong, and we are going to be held accountable by God for possessing the
truth and not sharing it with this world that is hurting and in search for
answers in their life.
I want this message today to really make you think personally about what
you can do to be a bold witness for Christ. God has blessed so many of you
with great talents and gifts to be able to reach the lost. We do a fair job of
internal maintenance, but the job of the church is not to just maintain the
saints, but to go out and bring people to Christ. God is looking for
boldness among His people. He is looking for creativity among His people.
It is time to quit hiding our candle under the bushel, but hold it proudly
for all the world to see. I pray today that you will be challenged and
encouraged, since we each have a responsibility for getting His message out
to the world. Let's not be ashamed of the Gospel, but proud of it. We need
to be boldly visible in every facet of society. Next to the slick ad campaign
for the newest snack food needs to be a slick ad for people to know more
about this guy called Jesus. In the magazine promoting the newest make-up
needs to be an ad for helping others like Jesus did. We need to be creative
and bold to proclaim to this lost and dying world, that Jesus is THE answer.
I pray today that the Lord will inspire you, open your heart and mind, and
use you to help bring forth the love and hope we know
in His son Jesus Christ to this lost and hurting world.
I love you and care about you so much. Never forget that I am here for you
in your time of need. Don't ever hesitate to contact me so that I can be in
prayer for you and your situation. Many of you have issues and questions
you need answered, and I will do my best to get you sound, Biblical
direction to help. The Bible tells us to bear each others burdens, so always know
that I am here to help share yours. Jesus loves you and wants to bless you
in ways you cannot begin to imagine.
