Not Ashamed
We were so excited to have Rich Vreeland join us today to bring us the morning message. Rich brought an amazing energy… and gave us marching orders.
Rich started off with two profound quotes:
"Jesus defeated death, so you can live." ~ Charlie Kirk
"I know that love is ultimately the only answer to mankind's problems." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
God is not republican or democrat... but He wants EVERYONE to turn to Him.
A quick joke from Rich: There were sadducees and pharisees… why were they called sadducees? Because they didn't believe in eternal life, and that is sad.
We have a promise for the eternal life. God made a way when we didn’t deserve it.
We need to be bold and fearless for our faith.
The Vreelands owned a Harley shop (which they are not riding into retirement - congratulations!). They had signs hanging and everything. Over the years, they have been bold in their faith at the Harley shop. God used this. They never once had any issues with opposition in their shop.
Be bold!
The Holy Spirit is the key. We read in Acts 4:8-12:
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Did you see how this is prefaced? …With Peter being filled the Holy Spirit.
When Moses was speaking with God, he couldn't see God's face. Then Jesus was sent to earth for a relationship and face-to-face encounter. Finally, the Holy Spirit is here to live within us every single day.
While we harness this power, we need to make sure we are not ashamed.
“As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” ~ Acts 4:20
We need give God our yes. The world needs to hear the message of Jesus, and the message of Jesus is love.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Store your trophies in Heaven.” ~ Matthew 6:19-21
Leading others to Salvation are our treasures or our trophies.
When you are teaching someone about Christ, do it like Charlie Kirk did. Do it with love and compassion. You can't scream someone into Heaven... love them into Heaven.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. ~ Romans 1:16
Not some… Not just the people who do good… Not just certain people who dress a particular way…. EVERYONE! The Son of Man came to save the lost - everyone
We aren't called to go to church to preach the Gospel.... we are called to take it out and share it with the world.
Plant seeds.
Don’t be afraid to fail. It's OK to fail. It is not OK to be caught just sitting in our seats.
It is not hard. Jesus made it easy.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” ~ John 3:16-17
No judgement.
Be bold. Don't be ashamed. Tell the world that Jesus loves them.
Go and make disciples.
Bible verses we read/referenced today included:
Philippians 1:1-21
Romans 5:8
Acts 4:1-31
Matthew 6:19-21
Romans 1:14-16
John 3:16-17
