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:
- It’s based on God’s eternal Word
- It shows your trust in Jesus
- 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:
- Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead
- Say out loud that Jesus is Lord
- Trust that this leads to salvation
Tips for Sharing Your Faith
- Don’t be ashamed – Jesus said He’ll be ashamed of those who are ashamed of Him
- Be brave – We overcome through our testimony
- Put God first – Those who give up their life for Jesus will find true life
- 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:
- 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
- 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
- Start with prayer
- Ask God for courage
- Trust His protection
- Seek His guidance
- Handle tough moments
- Expect some hard questions
- Don’t get discouraged
- Use challenges to learn more
- Keep growing in wisdom
- 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:
- Peter and John got in trouble for preaching about Jesus
- Leaders told them to stop using Jesus’ name
- They went back to tell other believers
- 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:
- Gather with other believers
- Pray for boldness together
- Ask for God’s power
- 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.