We Have No Good Reason to Be Afraid — Bold Witnessing in the Last Days

Changing Times and Christian Identity

Times are changing fast in our world today. During Sunday School, we talked about how different things are now.

Times are just different… this is not the America we used to know.

The America we grew up in looks very different now. But change is nothing new – the Bible shows us that times have always been changing. As we get closer to the end times, more changes will come.

Finding Joy in Our Faith

Sometimes people use words to make fun of Christians. Back in Paul’s time, even the word “Christian” was meant to mock believers. Today, some folks call Christians “holy rollers” as a put-down.

But here’s the good news – we can embrace these labels with joy! If being a “holy roller” means we’re filled with God’s Spirit, then that’s exactly what we want to be. We’re happy to be known as people who are close to God.

The world may change, but we don’t need to be afraid. Our faith gives us strength for whatever comes next. When we stay focused on God’s presence, those words meant to hurt us become badges of honor instead.

The Word and the Call to Proclaim It

In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was made flesh and brought among us.

The Bible tells us something amazing – Jesus is God’s Word made into a person. He came to live with us, full of grace and truth. This simple truth changes everything about how we share our faith.

Our Important Task

God gives us a clear job: tell others about Jesus. Paul wrote to Timothy about this duty. He said we should preach God’s Word:

• When it’s easy
• When it’s hard
• All the time

The Power of God’s Word

The Bible shows us how powerful God’s Word is. It created our whole world! Hebrews tells us that everything we see came from things we can’t see – through God’s Word.

The Word in Our Hearts

Paul tells us something wonderful in Romans – God’s Word isn’t far away. It’s right here with us, in our mouths and hearts. When we believe in Jesus, His Word lives in us.

Why We Can Be Brave

We don’t need to be scared to share our faith. After all, we’re sharing Jesus – God’s own Word who came to earth for us. This truth gives us courage to tell others about Him.

The message is simple: Jesus, who is God’s Word, came to save us. Now it’s our turn to share this good news with everyone we meet.

End Times, Ungodliness, and the Duty to Contend

Signs of the Last Days

We can see clear signs that we’re living in the last days. Just open your eyes and look around. Things are changing fast in our churches and world.

The Challenge of False Teaching

Social media shows us what’s happening in churches everywhere. Sadly, many places teach things that aren’t true to God’s Word. Some even do wrong things while using Jesus’s name.

We are to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to us.

Our Important Role

If you love God, you have a special job to do. You need to:

• Stand up for what’s true
• Share the real gospel
• Keep false teaching from spreading

Where False Teaching Spreads

Wrong messages about God show up in many places:

• Church pulpits
• Street corners
• Universities
• Social media

God’s Truth Stands Forever

Even when people mock Jesus or try to turn others away from faith, remember:

• God’s Word will last forever
• It won’t change with time
• Those who stay faithful will be with Him forever

Our Response

Though God doesn’t need our help, He asks us to stand firm. We must speak up for the truth He gave us. When we stay strong in our faith, we’ll be with Him for all time.

Confession, Testimony, and Salvation

How to Share Your Faith with Confidence

Want to share your faith but not sure how? Let’s look at what the Bible teaches us about telling others about Jesus.

Understanding Jesus as the Living Word

Jesus tells us something amazing – His words will last forever. Even when heaven and earth pass away, His words stay true. He calls himself the “Alpha and Omega” – that means He’s the first and last of everything.

How to Give Your Testimony

Your testimony is simply telling others about your faith in Jesus. Here’s what makes it powerful:

1. It’s based on God’s eternal Word
2. It shows your trust in Jesus
3. It helps others find salvation

With the heart, man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Steps to Salvation

The Bible gives us clear steps in Romans 10:9-10:

1. Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead
2. Say out loud that Jesus is Lord
3. Trust that this leads to salvation

Tips for Sharing Your Faith

1. Don’t be ashamed – Jesus said He’ll be ashamed of those who are ashamed of Him
2. Be brave – We overcome through our testimony
3. Put God first – Those who give up their life for Jesus will find true life
4. Stay strong – We’re called to live in victory

Remember This

Your testimony has power. When you tell others about Jesus, you’re sharing the most important message in the world. The same words that created everything can change lives today through your witness.

Purity of Motive in Witnessing

If a person isn’t born again, it is impossible for that heart to be pure.

The True Heart of Witnessing

When we share our faith, having pure motives matters most. It’s not just about what we say – it’s about why we say it. God looks at our hearts when we speak for Him.

The Call to Pure Witness

God wants us to be holy when we share His message. This means:

• Speaking from a clean heart
• Having right motives
• Letting His Spirit guide us

The Power of True Confession

Real witnessing starts with our own faith. The Bible shows us that:

• Every knee will bow to Jesus
• Every tongue will say He is Lord
• We all must give account to God

Living What We Preach

Many people talk about Jesus, but not all know Him truly. To be a real witness, we must:

• Bow our own knee to Jesus first
• Make Him Lord of our whole life
• Share from genuine experience

God’s Authority in Witnessing

Remember these key truths:

• God alone is in charge
• He answers to no one
• He calls us to be holy
• Pure hearts make true witnesses

True witnessing comes from a heart changed by God. When we speak with pure motives, His power works through our words to help others find Him.

Worship in Spirit and Truth

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience.

True Worship Comes from Pure Hearts

God wants us to worship Him in the right way. Jesus tells us that true worshippers pray to God in spirit and in truth. This means our hearts must be pure when we come to Him.

The Power of Pure Motives

When we share God’s message, our hearts matter just as much as our words. Here’s why:

• Only a heart changed by God can be truly pure
• Pure hearts lead to pure motives
• God looks at why we speak, not just what we say

Speaking God’s Word

The Bible shows us something important about sharing God’s message:

• Even people who don’t know Jesus can speak His words
• God’s Word has power on its own
• But those who speak without knowing Him face trouble later

Warning About False Teachers

Jesus warns us about people who:

• Use His name without knowing Him
• Do good things for wrong reasons
• Speak truth but live in pretense

Drawing Near to God

To worship God the right way:

• Come with a true heart
• Trust Him fully
• Let His Spirit guide you
• Be honest in all you do

Remember: True worship isn’t about what we do on the outside. It’s about having a pure heart that loves God and wants to serve Him.

Courage, God’s Provision, and Walking by Faith Not Sight

Whenever God gives us a command, he also gives us the ability.

How to Find Courage in God’s Presence

Want to be brave in sharing your faith? Here’s what you need to know about God’s help:

1. Remember who’s with you

• The God who made heaven and earth is by your side
• He goes before and behind you
• He works through you and protects you

2. Know that being brave is God’s command

• God told Joshua to be strong and courageous
• This same command applies to us today
• When God commands, He also gives the power to obey

How to Deal with Fear

When you feel scared:

• Focus on God’s presence, not your fears
• Trust that He gives you strength
• Remember He’s all-powerful and all-knowing

Practical Steps for Bold Witnessing

1. Start with prayer

• Ask God for courage
• Trust His protection
• Seek His guidance

2. Handle tough moments

• Expect some hard questions
• Don’t get discouraged
• Use challenges to learn more
• Keep growing in wisdom

3. Stay confident because:

• God equips you to obey
• He gives you strength
• His presence goes with you always

Remember These Truths

• You’re doing vital work – saving lives
• God’s power is greater than any opposition
• He promises to be with you wherever you go
• Your job is to share; God handles the results

When you feel weak, remember Genesis 1:1 – the God who created everything is the same God who sends you out. He won’t leave you alone in your task.

Sheep Among Wolves: Spiritual Strategy and Faith in Action

Sheep without the power of God in the midst of wolves is nothing but a meal.

Step 1: Understand the Challenge

When Jesus sends us out, He says we’re like sheep among wolves. He tells us to be:

• Wise as serpents
• Harmless as doves

Step 2: Change Your Thinking

Many people fear sharing their faith because they:

• Think about it the wrong way
• Use their natural mind instead of spiritual wisdom
• Picture themselves alone and weak

Step 3: Know Your Enemy’s Ways

Remember these facts about wolves:

• They hunt in packs
• They’re top predators
• They look for easy prey
• They want you to run in fear

Step 4: Avoid Common Mistakes

Don’t make these errors:

• Walking by sight instead of faith
• Trying to work in your own strength
• Running away when faced with opposition
• Seeing yourself as weak or small

Step 5: Follow the Right Example

Learn from Joshua and Caleb who:

• Walked by faith, not sight
• Trusted God’s promises
• Saw victory ahead
• Ignored negative reports

Step 6: Use Your Spiritual Power

Remember these truths:

• You have God’s Holy Spirit
• You’re not a regular sheep
• You’re on God’s mission
• Signs will follow your witness

Step 7: Take Action with Confidence

When you share your faith:

• Trust in God’s power
• Look through spiritual eyes
• Expect God to work
• Stand firm in faith

Remember: Don’t focus on how things look in the natural. See yourself as God sees you – equipped and empowered for His work.

Pray for Boldness — Acts 4 as Model

Grant to thy servants that with all boldness they may speak thy word… and they were filled with the Holy Ghost.

How to Pray for Bold Witness

Want to share your faith with courage? Let’s learn from Acts 4. Here’s what happened when the early church faced trouble:

1. Peter and John got in trouble for preaching about Jesus
2. Leaders told them to stop using Jesus’ name
3. They went back to tell other believers
4. Everyone prayed together for boldness

What They Prayed For

The early church asked God for:

• Boldness to speak His Word
• His hand to heal people
• Signs and wonders in Jesus’ name
• Power to keep witnessing

What Happened Next

God answered in an amazing way:

• The building shook
• Everyone got filled with the Holy Spirit
• They spoke God’s Word with boldness
• The church grew stronger

Keys to Powerful Prayer

Learn from their example:

• Pray together with other believers
• Ask for courage, not comfort
• Focus on sharing God’s Word
• Trust God’s power, not your own

Remember These Truths

• You can be filled with the Spirit many times
• God gives more power when you need it
• Praying together brings greater results
• Boldness comes from the Holy Spirit

Taking Action

Before you go out to witness:

1. Gather with other believers
2. Pray for boldness together
3. Ask for God’s power
4. Trust Him to work through you

When times get tough, remember Acts 4. The same God who shook that building still gives power to His people today. He’ll give you the courage you need to share His Word.

Fruitfulness, Encouragement, and Benediction

As much as it takes to do what God has called us to do, he will equip us to do it.

The Power of Working Together

When believers come together, amazing things happen. God’s power grows stronger when we:

• Pray as one group
• Share the same goal
• Support each other
• Trust God together

Growing God’s Family

The best fruit we can bear is helping others find Jesus. When we share our faith:

• The church grows bigger
• More people meet Jesus
• God’s family gets stronger
• Lives change forever

You Are Not Alone

Remember these important truths:

• God walks with you always
• Other believers support you
• The Creator of heaven and earth leads you
• His power works through you

Final Prayer and Blessing

Let’s pray for:

• Strength in God’s power
• The Holy Spirit’s help
• Unity among believers
• Protection as we serve

Take heart! The same God who made the universe stands with you. He gives you everything you need to do His work. Go forth with courage, knowing He goes before you.

Remember – when we work together and trust God, His church grows. He adds new believers through our faithful witness. You’re part of His amazing plan to reach the world with His love.