March 17th 2024
You Have Been Authorized To Tell Jesus’ Story Because You Are A Member Of His Family!
1 Peter 3:13-14 (NIV)
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
Have you ever tried to do something nice for someone, and they did not believe your good intentions? They became angry with you and walked away briskly leaving you shocked and wondering what went wrong? Or maybe even worse than a misunderstanding, have you ever shared your faith in Jesus with someone and they were not interested in hearing your witness? Some people have been turned off to hearing God’s Word and they cannot believe that you really believe and trust in Jesus! Today, in many places in this world a person may be imprisoned or even killed for admitting that they are a follower of Jesus Christ.
Many people fear the truth about this world and thus they are willing to accept any explanation that in some ways refutes the Biblical accounts, so they do not have to believe there is a God who created them and therefore He is worthy of their worship and honor. They choose to believe the evolutionary stories that put them in the position at the top of the food chain, and therefore, they are free to live however they feel is right for them. There is no guilt experienced for any of their actions, and there is no reason to show respect for other human beings, since we are all just a product of random chance processes!
Non-believers have little to no hope because what they believe means that when they die, that is the end, there is no afterlife that offers a better life than they had on this earth. Jesus of course knew that there will always be such people in this cursed world. That is why He gave us the Great Commission when He was leaving this earth and returning to heaven. Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:16-20).
If you have friends or family members who are non-believers, it is worth your effort to try and tell them that having Jesus in your life has made you happier as you have the hope of heaven in your future. Peter wrote about how we should try to convey the hope we have through Jesus to anyone we know and love who may need to know. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:15-16).
Paul wrote letters to Timothy encouraging him about the power believers have though our connection with the Holy Spirit, which gives us power to overcome our excuses to not tell someone about Jesus. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2 Timothy 1:7-10).
I believe that my belief in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, has assured me that my immortal soul will end up serving Jesus Christ in heaven forever! This is the great hope that causes me to smile and be happy in Jesus. Do you have that wonderful hope in your heart? Believe it because it is true! It is an absolute truth given to us in our Bible, AKA God’s Word!
The writer of Hebrews teaches us about when we feel weak and struggling to believe, Jesus will have mercy on us and boost our confidence. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16). Jesus wants you to tell others about His love for them, and if they believe it, their immortal soul will end up in heaven with Jesus forever!
You have been authorized to tell Jesus’ story because you are a member of His family! You were born again into Jesus Family immediately when you came to believe He is who He said He is! Jesus is the Savior of this world!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
1 Peter 3:13-14 (NIV)
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
Have you ever tried to do something nice for someone, and they did not believe your good intentions? They became angry with you and walked away briskly leaving you shocked and wondering what went wrong? Or maybe even worse than a misunderstanding, have you ever shared your faith in Jesus with someone and they were not interested in hearing your witness? Some people have been turned off to hearing God’s Word and they cannot believe that you really believe and trust in Jesus! Today, in many places in this world a person may be imprisoned or even killed for admitting that they are a follower of Jesus Christ.
Many people fear the truth about this world and thus they are willing to accept any explanation that in some ways refutes the Biblical accounts, so they do not have to believe there is a God who created them and therefore He is worthy of their worship and honor. They choose to believe the evolutionary stories that put them in the position at the top of the food chain, and therefore, they are free to live however they feel is right for them. There is no guilt experienced for any of their actions, and there is no reason to show respect for other human beings, since we are all just a product of random chance processes!
Non-believers have little to no hope because what they believe means that when they die, that is the end, there is no afterlife that offers a better life than they had on this earth. Jesus of course knew that there will always be such people in this cursed world. That is why He gave us the Great Commission when He was leaving this earth and returning to heaven. Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:16-20).
If you have friends or family members who are non-believers, it is worth your effort to try and tell them that having Jesus in your life has made you happier as you have the hope of heaven in your future. Peter wrote about how we should try to convey the hope we have through Jesus to anyone we know and love who may need to know. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:15-16).
Paul wrote letters to Timothy encouraging him about the power believers have though our connection with the Holy Spirit, which gives us power to overcome our excuses to not tell someone about Jesus. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2 Timothy 1:7-10).
I believe that my belief in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, has assured me that my immortal soul will end up serving Jesus Christ in heaven forever! This is the great hope that causes me to smile and be happy in Jesus. Do you have that wonderful hope in your heart? Believe it because it is true! It is an absolute truth given to us in our Bible, AKA God’s Word!
The writer of Hebrews teaches us about when we feel weak and struggling to believe, Jesus will have mercy on us and boost our confidence. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16). Jesus wants you to tell others about His love for them, and if they believe it, their immortal soul will end up in heaven with Jesus forever!
You have been authorized to tell Jesus’ story because you are a member of His family! You were born again into Jesus Family immediately when you came to believe He is who He said He is! Jesus is the Savior of this world!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak