Abundant Grace Fellowship
Communicate Your Faith - Parts 1 - 4
Communicate Your Faith - Parts 1 - 4
By Pastor J.D. Link
abundantgracefellowship-blanco.com
1Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” This verse is addressed to every Christian, not just preachers. All of us need to always be ready to answer someone’s questions about our faith. However, in order to do this, we must study. We must spend time in God’s Word. 2Ti 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” It will take effort and time, but anything worth having always does. I’m not saying we all have to become Greek & Hebrew scholars and have theology degrees. I’m only saying that we need to know why we are Christians, and be able to communicate that to others.
Mar 1:21-22 says, “And they went into
Today’s ignorance of the Bible among Christians - and their lack of communicating their faith - has lead us into this downward spiral we are in as a society. When Christians have no impact on their society, what’s left but for godlessness to prevail? The Barna Group, a reputable polling organization, recently gave the grim statistic that less than one half of one percent of adults in the
Now Barna defines a Biblical world view as: 1. Absolute moral truth exists. 2. The Bible is completely accurate in all the principles it teaches. 3. Satan is a real being or force - not just symbolic. 4. A person cannot earn their way into heaven by good works. 5. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth. 6. God is the all-powerful, all-knowing creator of the world, Who still rules the universe today. This is a very basic and simple definition of a Biblical world view - yet less than 10% of adults believe it. This is what is even more frightening: almost 80% of adults in the
Why does less than one percent of 18-23 year olds have a Biblical world view? Because often times their so-called Christian parents don’t have one, either. So they aren’t taught the things of God or faith in God’s Word. And since their parents claim to be Christians, but live and act just like the world - they assume Christianity is just a title, and not a way of life. And so they grow up the same way - being a professor - and not a possessor - of Jesus Christ.
Unsaved pastors don’t help matters any. After all, when the so-called “Man of God” says that we all serve the same God, and we’re all going to heaven on different paths - what is the Biblically ignorant Christian going to do? They’re going to swallow the lie - hook, line, and sinker. If you don’t know the truth, then you can never identify a lie. If your pastor says there are many ways to heaven, show him John 14:6, and then flee that place.
The Bible - Holy Scripture - is to be our source of instruction, correction, reproof, and instruction. It is what we are to live by. It is what we are to stand for. It is what we are to unashamedly communicate. “But what if someone calls me a narrow-minded, hateful, dark -ages bigot - who is the cause of all the problems in our nation?” Then rejoice! It means you’re in good company (Isa 5:20, Mt 5:11-12, Act 5:40-41). It’s going to cost you something to stand for what’s right - it always has. The Bible has always spoken of the “Remnant”, the “Little Flock”, the “Few”, the “Faithful Brethren”, the “Narrow Path”. If you want to stand for righteousness, you are going to be in the minority. Just get that through your head, accept it, and go forward with Jesus Christ. I have much more to share, so, Lord willing, we will continue this next week. Until next time, rejoice - IN THE LORD!
Communicate Your Faith, Part 2
By Pastor J.D. Link
abundantgracefellowship-blanco.com
Acts 18:24-28 says, “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at
From these verses of Scripture, we will find how to effectively communicate our faith. We want to influence people with God’s Word. Everyone is being influenced by something or someone; and everyone is influencing something or someone. The only question is - what is your influence? As Christians, we should want to influence mankind with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After all, it is the great commission (Mt 28:18-20, Mk 16:15-18). This includes every area of our life - including government. A lot of Christians have believed the lie that they shouldn’t be involved in government. It’s that kind of ignorance that has brought us to where we are in our nation. We were one of the greatest nations in history (and may still be, if we’ll get our act together), because a group of freedom-loving Christians decided to get involved in government. You don’t believe me? Go to wallbuilders.com and get some truth about history.
Many Christians had rather stand on the sidelines and gripe about the way things are going, instead of getting in the game doing something. We don’t need to huddle in our churches and pray the Rapture comes before things get too bad. Jesus said we are to occupy until He comes (Lk 19:12-27)! If Christians go AWOL, then who is left to run the nation? Who is left to make the laws? Is it people who fear Almighty God? No. Is it people who believe in Biblical truth, righteousness, and morality? No. Is it people who will make decisions based on the commandments of God? No. Are you starting to understand? The Bible says the laws of God are made for the unrighteous man (1Tim 1:8-10). Well, if Godly people are not in positions to keep and uphold the laws of God in our nation, what do you think is going to prevail? Unrighteousness - and don’t we have a heap of it today.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it is high time - actually, past time - for us to stand up and make our voices heard. We need to get involved in the decisions being made in our government. We don’t need to be “Freedom Moochers” anymore (mooching off the freedoms our forefathers fought and died to preserve). If the godly do not make their voices heard, then the godless will. All it takes for evil to reign supreme, is for the godly and righteous to say and do nothing. If every person who gave an hour to The Lord on Sunday, would give at least an hour to being salt and light on Monday - by the grace of God, we could win this nation back. What is salt that has no flavor? Worthless. What is light that is covered up? Worthless. I know that sounds harsh, but talk to Jesus about it (Mt 5:13-16, Lk 14:34-35).
Jesus said His disciples would be brought before kings and governors, and that The Spirit of God would speak through them (Mt 10:18-20). We see this happen with Paul in Acts 26. What did The Spirit of God speak through him? Was it, “Sorry king. I’m a Christian, and your in government, so I can’t talk to you. I shouldn’t even be here!” No. God, through Paul, tried to persuade King Agrippa to become a Christian. Do you think becoming a Christian would have influenced the way Agrippa governed? You better believe it. Yet God still did it.
Jesus said to whom much is given, much is required. We’ve been given much as a nation, and it requires much of us to keep it. Our Brothers and Sisters in many other nations don’t have any opportunity to affect their government - so they’re not required to. We, on the other hand, do have the opportunity - and we are required to use it for good.
We are blessed! We are children of Almighty God! We are more than conquerors! We are always caused to triumph! We can do all thing through Christ Who strengthens us! Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world! Be encouraged! We don’t have the spirit of fear! Stand for what’s good and Godly and right! We believe, therefore we speak! So let’s speak!
Next week we will look closely into Acts 18, and learn how to effectively communicate our faith. Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday, and until next time, rejoice in The Lord!
Communicate Your Faith Part 3
By Pastor J.D. Link
abundantgracefellowship-blanco.com
Acts 18:24-28 says, “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.”
There are several traits we see in Apollos that we are going to look into. Some of these characteristics could be considered gifts; but in reality, all them could be acquired through study, prayer, and practice. That being said, I pray there is not a person reading this who has already disqualified themselves in their own minds from communicating their faith. All of us can learn from The Scriptures.
Notice, first of all, that Apollos was an eloquent man. Webster’s 1828 Dict. defines eloquence as “Having the power of oratory; speaking with fluency, propriety, elegance and animation; as an eloquent orator or preacher. Composed with elegance and spirit; …adapted to please, affect and persuade; as an eloquent address; an eloquent petition…” Eloquence can be practiced. If your like me, you certainly were not born eloquent - but you don’t have to stay that way. Practice, practice, practice! I bet I preached a hundred or more sermons driving back and forth to work in Austin before I went to Bible College. This was before “Blue Tooth“, so I’m sure people just thought I was beside myself. Practice speaking; practice pronouncing words; practice grouping certain words and phrases together that will communicate your point. Remember most of all, we do it to the glory of God - not so we can be puffed up. I’m certainly not as eloquent as I would like to be, but I’m getting better as time goes by.
Next, we notice he was mighty in The Scriptures and instructed in the way of the Lord. This is where study comes in. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” - 2Ti 2:15. You can’t effectively communicate the Scriptures, if you don’t know the Scriptures! Part of what made Apollos a great speaker, was that he knew his subject. Now, it’s true, you could become a great speechmaker without really knowing your subject, especially if your reading flash cards or teleprompters. However, I believe there is a noticeable difference, when someone speaks from the depth of their heart. When they truly know and understand what they are speaking on - and are passionate about it. This leads us to our next point.
Apollos was fervent in spirit. Fervent means “boiling over, hot, zealous”. God’s Word should not put people to sleep! We need to speak with some fire! Some passion! Some conviction! Like Jeremiah 20:9! I’m not saying we have to do cart wheels, or put on some kind of show. However, I do believe there needs to be some life when we’re preaching the living Word of God. No doubt, the burning passion in Apollos helped make him to be a great speaker.
This will also help you to speak boldly. When you know your subject, and you are passionate about it - you will speak it with boldness and assurance. If you don’t really believe in what you’re saying, a discerning person will pick up on it. Paul prayed in Ephesians six, “Help me to speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” We ought to speak boldly. If we believe the Word of God is truth - then we should act like it. Notice Paul prayed to God for boldness. Sometimes, even if you’re a good communicator; and know your subject; and have passion about it - it can be hard to stand for what is right. Jesus said the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. The flesh doesn’t like to be disliked. The flesh cares more about it’s own comfort, than standing for what is right. So get strength from God, for when you are weak - He is strong. Courage is not the absence of fear. It’s pressing beyond your fear of man, and pressing into your fear of God. Paul said in Galatians 1:10, “If I seek to please man, I should not be the servant of Christ”.
You can do it! You can work on these things! You can work on eloquence! You can study God’s Word! You can stir up your spirit! Get passionate! You can press through your fear, and with God’s help speak boldly! Lord willing, we will finish up this series with part 4 next week. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord! (Phip 4:4)
Communicate Your Faith, Part 4
By Pastor J.D. Link
abundantgracefellowship-blanco.com
Acts 18:24-28 says, “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.”
While some of the qualities of Apollos were surely gifts of God, there is no doubt that many came by determination and dedication to serving God. Let’s call it spiritual elbow grease. Also, there was much more to Apollos than just being a great speaker of The Word. Let’s finish our series this week by looking into the remainder of these qualities.
First, it says Apollos spoke and taught diligently the things of The Lord. Diligently means thoroughly, or with steady application and care. Stick with communicating the truth. Be faithful in communicating the truth. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing, and hearing - The Word of God (Rom 10:17). Don’t give up. Don’t quit. That’s what the propagators of evil want you to do. They want you to give out and give in. They want you to despair, and believe that it’s hopeless for you to try and change or influence anything in society. Don’t buy it. If the ungodly can be diligent about pushing their godless agenda - year in and year out - then certainly the Godly can be diligent in proclaiming the truth with even greater conviction and endurance.
Another great quality of Apollos was his humility. Aquila & Priscilla were blue collar laymen. Apollos was a highly educated orator. However, Apollos remained humble, and was able to receive the further teaching he needed from the Godly couple. While he was a great preacher, he didn’t have all of his Theology worked out. He only knew John’s baptism - not the baptism of the Holy Ghost seen in the following chapter. We need to always stay teachable. We need to always be wanting to grow in wisdom and knowledge. It would have been foolish and prideful for him to reject this wise counsel - but to receive it would only make him stronger, which it did. May we all imitate Apollos in humility and being teachable.
Apollos eventually went to Corinth, to minister to the church Paul had established there. It says that Apollos “helped them much”. The Corinthian church was a pretty carnal group. They had put faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, but they had still retained many of their pagan ways. They needed further teaching and discipleship, and Apollos came to give it to them. We want to emulate him in this. We need to be willing to help out. We need to grow up ourselves, so that we can disciple others in the ways of God. A lot of depressed people would probably stop being depressed , if they would give themselves over to helping someone else out. Instead of complaining about your church or pastor, maybe you should go and say, “I’m here to serve in whatever way I can. I want to be an asset - not a burden - to this body.”
Verse 28 says Apollos mightily convinced the Jews by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. Apollos knew that all of his authority came from the Word of God. We need to understand the same thing. When the Scriptures are the basis of all that we do and say, then we don’t have to fuss with defending ourselves. If someone wants to argue with God - then that’s between them and God (however, I wouldn’t recommend it). We simply state what God states. We simply proclaim what God’s Word says. It’s mightily convincing all on it’s own.
I pray this series on communicating your faith has helped you, blessed you, and challenged you. Don’t be a forgetful hearer, but a doer of God’s Word. Let’s make our voice known. Let’s effectively communicate our faith when we have the opportunity to do it. All things are possible with God. We can do all things through Christ, which strengthens us. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord (Phip 4:4).