Outreach 3

Romans 1:16

During a bad spell in my employment history I had to take a job as a bagger at a local grocery store. For good or for bad I must confess I was a bit ashamed of my job. Here I was in my thirties with a college degree and years of professional work experience and I was bagging groceries alongside teenagers at their first job.

Although we may not use the words “I am ashamed” when we talk about our faith, often our actions seem to indicate that shame. So many Christians will not speak of their belief in God or discuss the salvation they know through Christ. They claim that it is a private matter and there is no need to discuss it. But the truth is just the opposite.

In Paul’s letter to the church at Rome he explains a great deal about his own ministry and his bold ability to share the message of Jesus. How does he feel about the gospel? What value does it hold?

These words from Paul are words that are meant for more than just the emerging church in Rome. His words are meant for every believer in the world. None of us should be ashamed of the gospel.

If we are loved by God, valued by the Almighty Creator of the universe, if the Lord loves us so much that He gave His Son Jesus Christ to suffer and die on the cross for our salvation, shouldn’t we be jubilant in that knowledge? Shouldn’t we be shouting this news from the rooftops?

And yet we do not. And when given the opportunity to share our story and our faith with others, those who NEED to hear this story, we shrink away from the chance. We act as if we are ashamed of what God has done for us.

It may be fear that keeps us mute. It may be a mistaken belief that faith is strictly a private affair. But it can be interpreted as a sense of shame over what God has done.

If we value God and our faith, we should be willing to go into all the world to proclaim our faith and tell the good news of Jesus.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you be certain that your attitude and actions do not convey a sense of shame about he gospel?

Recipe for Life 4

2 Timothy 4:1-3

I really hate to be caught short when preparing for meals. I don’t like putting water on to boil just to find out there are no spaghetti noodles. I don’t like getting out lunchmeat only to find out I am out of bread. It is important to be prepared. This is the idea behind the kitchen tip “Keep an extra package of chocolate chips hidden where only the cook knows.”

That same type of preparedness applies to our faith life as well. In this letter to Timothy what things are commanded? What warning is suggested in verse 3?

When I am preparing for a Sunday service I have all week to gather my Scriptures, choose the hymns, plan the activities and so on. I am rarely caught off guard on Sundays. But there are times when someone is need and I must respond in a moment’s notice.

In these cases I can’t afford to be caught lacking. When I am confronted with someone who has a spiritual or emotional need I must be ready to respond.

But that same requirement extends to all of us. It is not just pastors who should be ready to respond to the needs of others.

Each one of us should obey what is commanded to Timothy. We must be prepared at all times to share the Gospel message, to offer guidance and correction, and to offer assistance.

We already live in such times as those refereed to in verse 3. So many people have turned to messages of false hope. They have begun listening to teachers who offer pleasing advice and encouragement, words that are not truly based on Biblical teaching.

It is up to each one of us as followers of Christ to be equipped with the truth. We need to be prepared for unexpected opportunities to offer the message of Christ and the correction of Godly instruction.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Do you have spiritual “chocolate chips” of faith ready to be shared?