The other day my wife and I got to talking about witnessing to
people. We were going to have a guest in our home who we were not sure if he
was saved or not. It was no doubt that the Lord was bringing him to us. The
events of his arrival were nothing short of a God-thing. During our
conversation I was reminded of something I felt like the Lord showed me months
back. Though I never took the time to write it out. Today I would like to share
those thoughts with you.
What is it about witnessing that is so frightening? I mean we can
get a new app on our iphone that "changes" our life, and we cannot
wait to share it with others. Some of us try a diet program and when we lose
weight we are convinced that this is the only way, and off we go telling
everyone we know about "new way." So why on earth is it so terribly
hard to share our faith in Christ Jesus? I mean in Him we are no longer the
same man. We have become something new! We are a new creation in Christ Jesus 2Co_5:17. A life changed like that would be something to talk
about! Though for us it always seems to be one of the most fearful things,
doesn’t it? Why is it like that? Well let’s take a short look at maybe the
reason.
In Ephesians 6 we all know that is where we see the armor of God.
We know that in verse 12 we are shown that we do not wrestle with flesh and
blood, but with things of the spirit. let us quickly look at that verse just
for fun:
Eph 6:12 NKJV
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against
spiritual hosts of wickedness in the
heavenly places.
That is quite a list of enemies. My focus today is not to glean on
this verse but to show the enemy that is against us. Through the verse 13-17 we
are given our defenses, armor, and weapon. Though there is much to say on these
things they are not our focus today. Our focus comes in at Eph_6:18-20 let us look now:
Eph 6:18-20 NKJV
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful
to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— (19) and for me, that utterance may be given to
me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the
gospel, (20) for which I am an
ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
What is Paul asking prayer for? (v.19 & 20)
He is asking that the church continue to pray for him as he
spreads the good news of Jesus. That he may boldly speak about the gospel of
Christ, and that he may speak as he ought to speak.
Why is it that just a few verse above Paul spoke about the enemy,
armor, and weapons? Because he too felt the war over witnessing! You see when
we set out to speak about Christ and Him crucified we come into direct
opposition. Those lists of enemies come against you. Not to step off into weird
spiritual things, but depending on who you are trying to witness to will depend
on the level of warfare you come against.
In 2Ti_1:7-8 Paul wrote to Timothy, telling him this:
2Ti 1:7-8 NKJV
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a
sound mind. (8) Therefore do not be
ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me
in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
Paul knows the fear we face when we speak about Jesus. Paul knew
the fear that Timothy faced. hence the encouraging word that he gave. We should
put these verse to memory. why? because we know in Eph_6:17 & Heb_4:12 that the word of the Lord is the sword in
which we cut down those enemies of ours. Putting these verses to memory will
only sharpen our sword for the day of battle, the day of witnessing of the
gospel of Christ! For God did not give us those thoughts or feelings of fear!
NO!!! He gave us the power, love, and mind of Christ 1Co_2:16 to make boldly known the gospel of Jesus Christ! This was
power was done and paid for when Jesus died and rose again! It is in death and
resurrection that the boldness comes. Why do you think that Jesus preached that
we too must take up our cross daily and follow Him Luk_9:23? Because that death is the death of our flesh, the
foothold of the enemy, and the resurrection, is the resurrection of authority
of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit!
So next time you come to sharing your faith in Christ Jesus and
fear comes to you, quote some of the verse you see here. Use that sword that
you have been given. Trust in, have faith in the power of Jesus. For He says
this:
Mat 10:28 NKJV
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot
kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in
hell.
In closing, below my signature block I have attached all the
verses that I used today. please take a look at them, and if any minister to
you please share your thoughts.
Your
Brother in Christ
Grace
and Peace be with you
Nate
Cook, Setting Captives Free Team Member
And Jesus said to me:
Eze 3:10b-11a "...Receive into your heart
all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears, and go, get
to the captives..."
2Ti 1:7-8 NKJV
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a
sound mind. (8) Therefore do not be
ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me
in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
2Co 5:17 NKJV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed
away; behold, all things have become new.
1Co 2:16 NKJV
For "WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD THAT HE MAY INSTRUCT HIM?"
But we have the mind of Christ.
Heb 4:12 NKJV
For the word of God is living and
powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division
of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart.
Luk 9:23 NKJV
Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Eph 6:12-20 NKJV
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against
spiritual hosts of wickedness in the
heavenly places. (13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand. (14) Stand therefore, having
girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of
righteousness, (15) and having shod
your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) above all, taking the shield of faith with
which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (18)
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful
to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— (19) and for me, that utterance may be given to
me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the
gospel, (20) for which I am an
ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
