Bad News

Although many churches are worried about offending people by sharing the gospel, less than 1% of the population complained that Christians are too aggressive in their evangelistic efforts. (Barna Group www.barna.org)

“All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

The Great commission is surrounded by two great truths. 1.) All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. 2.) I am with you always. Jesus (in my opinion) has set this thing up extremely well. He has the authority needed to change hearts and he is with you. Let me say it again, HE IS WITH YOU. The God who spoke the world into being is with you. The scriptures say “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” And we usually stop there with Hebrews 13:5, but in Hebrews 13:6 we read this, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”  It appears that nothing should stop us in sharing the gospel. Jesus has all the authority, he is with us, he is not going to leave us and he is our helper. But, we still do not share.

Maybe you are afraid of sharing, "Do not be afraid...for the Lord will be your confidence" (Prov. 3:25-26). 

Maybe you are afraid to speak up, "do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour" (Matt. 10:19)

Maybe you have forgotten what the gospel did for you, "You have forgotten the love you had at first" (Rev. 2:4). 

Maybe the consequences are too much, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21).

We are told to GO and to MAKE DISCIPLES, not to save. God is the one who saves, "it is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh is no help at all" (John 6:63).

The Barna quote mentioned at the beginning of this post needs to change. The best news in the world is not too aggressive? Crappy news about Snooki and Brett Favre  is spreading like wild fire, but the God who came on a rescue mission for the lost and dying is being kept a secret? Following Jesus is personal, but not private. Salvation and Discipleship happen with others in the public square. Get to stepping and get to talking. God is all around this thing, even our fears.

Fight On