Talent show, fear of public speaking.
Has been a top ten fear for years.
The problem is what to show during show n tell?
Part of who we are as followers of Jesus is a witness. (Acts 1:8) How do I live as a witness?
Show and tell.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to be everything we need to be.
1. We show the gospel by walking the walk.
The original idea of a hypocrite was one who wears a mask as an actor - one who plays multiple roles.
Roman actors were called hypocrites as they acted out roles during ancient times.
Integrity, integer. A number that is not a fraction, but complete. A whole.
The utter opposite of hypocrisy. The opposite of coming into to church and to agree and but go out and live out a different way.
We have not been living out a Christian life as we say we should.
Integrity is conducting our lives in a Christian way. It doesn't mean I'm perfect and have it all together.
If we are "working out our salvation," it means we are growing. If we're growing, we haven't arrived and don't have it all together - but we are growing. (Phil 2:12)
People appreciate - people admire - those who are willing to strive to live like they say they believe.
And people are sure more willing to listen to what we might tell them when we have already shown them the joys of the gospel through our own lives.
2. We show the gospel by deeply loving each other.
The people were amazed by what they saw.
John 13:35
Meet together in homes, live together, ate together. Loved each other. Acts 2:46
Spirit empowered generosity, Acts 2:44
As a result of the radical love in the early church they were "enjoying the favor of all people." How did all the people - meaning those who were part of the community of faith as well as those who weren't - how did they know all this was happening?
Those early followers of Jesus were always inviting people to join them.
When people did join them, they saw imperfec messed up people honestly asking God to help them grow. They saw people give to - pray for - love each other.
People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
But one they see how much we care, they might care to know why we care so much. And we can tell them about what we know. Or, more accurately, we can tell them about why we know.
Believe it or not, the simple invititation to come and see - come and join me in worship on Sunday, come and join me at my LifeGroup - a low pressure invitation to come and see is likely the most common first step in being a witness.
3. We show the gospel by encountering the presence of God .
Christianity isn't merely a philosophy of life of doctrines to be believed or principles to be followed.
It is all those things, but at the core Christianity is vibrant relationship with a loving Father who is working powerfully among His people today.
Awe inspiring things still are happening. Miracles still happen today.
Jesus said we should expect the Father to work in powerful, awe inspiring ways to confirm to people the message we have regarding Jesus. (Mark 16:16-18)
Live out our lives, so that people can see that this guy is something else.
What if we started asking God to show us opportunities where we can pray for people?
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