Unashamed: Boldly Sharing Faith This Easter

 

Summary

In my recent sermon, I focused on the theme of being unashamed in sharing our faith, particularly as we approach Easter. I emphasized the importance of personal invitations to church, as statistics show that 83% of people attend church because someone personally invited them. I also addressed the cultural opposition to the gospel, encouraging the congregation not to live in fear but in the victory of Jesus Christ. I reminded everyone that Jesus warned against being ashamed of Him and the necessity of sharing our faith boldly.

I recounted biblical stories of faith and courage, starting with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who stood firm in the face of death and were delivered by God. Then, I spoke of David, who faced Goliath and, by embracing God's calling, defeated ungodliness. We also looked at the man born blind, whose healing by Jesus gave him a powerful testimony. I stressed that our testimonies are irrefutable and cannot be taken from us, as they are evidence of God's work in our lives.

The core of the sermon was the story from Mark 2 of four friends who brought a paralyzed man to Jesus. Unable to enter the crowded house, they removed the roof and lowered their friend down to Jesus. Their extraordinary efforts demonstrate the lengths we should go to bring others to Christ. I pointed out that many people are 'crippled' by various life issues and may need our help to reach Jesus.

I made three applications for sharing our faith: our job is to tell people about Jesus and bring them to Him; it may require extra effort, like 'tearing off roofs', to bring people to church; and the goal is salvation, not just addressing temporal needs. I emphasized that while Jesus can improve marriages and help overcome addictions, the primary mission is to lead people to faith in Him for the forgiveness of sins.

I concluded by challenging the congregation to identify who they need to bring to Jesus, what 'roofs' they need to tear off to get them to church, and to reflect on whether they have experienced the salvation power of Jesus themselves.

Key Takeaways:

- The act of inviting someone to church is not merely a social gesture; it is a spiritual mission rooted in the belief that personal invitations can lead to transformative encounters with Jesus. As we approach Easter, it is a prime opportunity to extend such invitations, knowing that the risen Christ has the power to change lives. [02:21]

- Our culture may seem to be increasingly resistant to the gospel, but as followers of Christ, we are called to rise above fear and societal pressures. We must remember that our allegiance is to a higher authority, and our witness should reflect a boldness that comes from knowing we serve a victorious God. [03:19]

- The story of the four friends who brought the paralytic to Jesus teaches us about the sacrificial nature of love and the lengths we should be willing to go to help others encounter Christ. It is a reminder that faith in action often requires creativity, persistence, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to bring someone to the Savior. [15:37]

- When we focus on bringing people to church, our ultimate goal is not to solve their immediate problems but to introduce them to Jesus, who offers eternal salvation. While Jesus can and does provide healing and help with life's struggles, the most important gift we can offer is the message of forgiveness and reconciliation with God. [27:11]

- As we consider our own faith journey, it is crucial to examine whether we have truly experienced the transformative power of Jesus. If we have, it should compel us to share that experience with others, not out of obligation but out of a genuine desire to see them receive the same grace and forgiveness we have found. [33:38]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 2:1-12 - The story of the four friends who brought a paralyzed man to Jesus by removing the roof of a house.
2. Daniel 3:16-18 - The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego standing firm in their faith.
3. 1 Samuel 17:45-47 - David's confrontation with Goliath, emphasizing his faith in God's deliverance.

#### Observation Questions
1. What extraordinary actions did the four friends take to bring the paralyzed man to Jesus in Mark 2:1-12?
2. How did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrate their faith in Daniel 3:16-18?
3. What was David's declaration to Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:45-47, and how did it reflect his faith in God?
4. According to the sermon, what percentage of people attend church because they were personally invited? [02:52]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the four friends in Mark 2:1-12 were willing to go to such great lengths to bring the paralyzed man to Jesus? What does this say about their faith and determination?
2. How does the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:16-18 inspire believers to stand firm in their faith despite cultural opposition?
3. In 1 Samuel 17:45-47, David's confidence in facing Goliath was rooted in his faith in God. How can this story encourage believers to confront challenges in their own lives?
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of not being ashamed of sharing our faith. How does Jesus' warning about being ashamed of Him (Mark 8:38) impact your understanding of evangelism? [03:49]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the people in your life who might be 'crippled' by various life issues. Who do you feel called to bring to Jesus, and what specific steps can you take to help them? [21:56]
2. The sermon mentioned that bringing people to Jesus might require 'tearing off roofs.' What are some practical 'roofs' you might need to tear off to help someone encounter Christ? [23:46]
3. Think about a time when you felt cultural opposition to sharing your faith. How did you respond, and what can you do differently in the future to share your faith more boldly? [03:19]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of personal invitations to church. Who are three people you can pray for and invite to church this Easter? How will you approach them? [02:52]
5. Consider your own faith journey. Have you experienced the transformative power of Jesus? If so, how can you share your testimony with others to encourage them in their faith? [33:38]
6. The ultimate goal of bringing people to church is their salvation. How can you ensure that your efforts to help others focus on leading them to a relationship with Jesus rather than just addressing their immediate needs? [27:11]
7. Reflect on the story of the paralyzed man in Mark 2:1-12. How can you apply the friends' determination and creativity in your own efforts to bring others to Jesus? What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate this? [23:46]

Devotional

Day 1: Invitations as Spiritual Missions
Inviting someone to church is not a mere social activity; it is an act of spiritual significance. As Easter approaches, the opportunity to invite others to church becomes even more meaningful. The belief that a personal invitation can lead to a life-changing encounter with the risen Christ is a powerful motivator. It is through these invitations that individuals may come to experience the transformative power of Jesus, which can alter the course of their lives forever. The act of extending an invitation is an expression of faith and a demonstration of the love that Christians are called to show towards others, hoping that they too will come to know the joy and peace found in Christ.

The statistics are compelling; a vast majority of people attend church because someone took the time to invite them. This simple, yet profound, action can be the catalyst for someone's spiritual awakening. It is a reminder that each person has a role to play in the Great Commission, to spread the good news and make disciples of all nations. By inviting someone to church, one participates in the mission field that begins in their own backyard. [07:40]

Bible passage: "And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15)

Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can invite to church this Easter, and how can you pray for the courage to extend that invitation today?

Day 2: Boldness in Cultural Opposition
In a culture that may seem increasingly resistant to the gospel, Christians are called to stand firm and witness with boldness. This boldness stems from the victory that is found in Jesus Christ, a victory that overcomes fear and societal pressures. As believers, the allegiance to a higher authority should embolden one to live out their faith without shame. The call to rise above fear is not just about personal courage; it is about the conviction that the message of Christ is the hope for the world, regardless of cultural opposition.

The challenge is to live out one's faith authentically and courageously, knowing that the truth of the gospel has the power to transform lives. This may mean facing uncomfortable situations or conversations, but the call to be unashamed of the gospel is clear. It is a call to be a light in the darkness, to be an ambassador for Christ in a world that desperately needs His love and truth. [03:19]

Bible passage: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate boldness in your faith this week, especially in environments that may not be receptive to the gospel?

Day 3: Sacrificial Love in Action
The story of the four friends who brought the paralytic to Jesus exemplifies the sacrificial nature of love and the lengths to which we should go to help others encounter Christ. This narrative teaches that faith in action is often marked by creativity, persistence, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to bring someone to the Savior. It is a powerful illustration of the love and determination that should characterize the efforts to help those who are spiritually 'paralyzed' and in need of Jesus.

The friends' actions demonstrate that barriers are not an excuse for inaction but rather an opportunity for innovative expressions of faith. Their refusal to be deterred by the crowded house led them to remove the roof to ensure their friend met Jesus. This kind of sacrificial love is a call to all believers to consider how they might go above and beyond to assist others in their spiritual journey. [15:37]

Bible passage: "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4)

Reflection: What 'roof' might you need to remove to help someone you know have an encounter with Jesus, and what practical step can you take to do that this week?

Day 4: Eternal Salvation as the Ultimate Goal
When bringing people to church, the ultimate goal is to introduce them to Jesus and the eternal salvation He offers. While addressing immediate problems and providing help with life's struggles is important, the most significant gift one can offer is the message of forgiveness and reconciliation with God. This focus on eternal salvation underscores the primary mission of the church and the heart of the Christian faith.

The transformative power of Jesus goes beyond improving marriages or helping to overcome addictions; it offers a new life in Christ. This new life is marked by forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternity with God. As believers share their faith, they must keep this ultimate goal in mind, ensuring that the message of salvation remains central to their witness. [27:11]

Bible passage: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10)

Reflection: How can you more intentionally focus on the eternal significance of salvation when engaging in conversations about faith with others?

Day 5: Personal Experience of Salvation's Power
Reflecting on one's own faith journey is essential to understanding the transformative power of Jesus. Those who have truly experienced His grace and forgiveness are compelled to share that experience with others. It is not out of obligation but out of a genuine desire to see others receive the same grace. This reflection is a call to examine whether one's life bears the marks of a genuine encounter with Jesus and to consider how that encounter can motivate them to live out their faith more fully.

The power of a personal testimony cannot be underestimated. It is the irrefutable evidence of God's work in an individual's life and can be a powerful tool in sharing the gospel. When one's life has been changed by Jesus, sharing that change with others becomes a natural outflow of gratitude and love for what He has done. [33:38]

Bible passage: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Reflection: Reflect on your personal experience of salvation. How has it changed you, and how can you share this change with someone this week?

Quotes

"Most of the people that you're praying about inviting to church, they're crippled too. They're crippled in their marriages, their finances, their depression, worry, and fear... they may need for you to take them to Jesus because their circumstances hold them back." [21:56] ( | | )

"When you invite somebody to church and they say, 'I would love to come but I don't have a vehicle,' guess what? Extra effort. You can't walk away and say, 'Well, I hope you can make it.' Now it's your job to go the extra mile. 'I'll come pick you up.'" [24:14] ( | | )

"Our church tends to be a place that Jesus hangs out at, guys. Amen? This isn't my house, this isn't your house, this isn't my building, this isn't your building. This is His house. So why wouldn't we want to bring people to His house where we know He's going to be?" [26:36] ( | | )

"We bring people to church so they can experience the presence and power of a loving God, the conviction of a Holy Spirit that would cause them to repent and turn their heart towards Jesus, so that they can have the forgiveness of their sins through a relationship with Him." [28:24] (Download clip | Download cropped clip | )

"When you give your life to Jesus and you make Him Lord, your marriage is automatically going to get better... when we bring people to church, it's not to heal some felt need, it's to bring them to faith in Jesus to heal the eternal problem that they don't have a relationship with a God who loves them." [29:26] ( | | )

"Who do you need to bring to Jesus? Who is it you're praying for right now?... You need to start praying for three people, three families that you are going to invite to church... and then maybe I don't know who that would be, you then ask the Lord to show you." [31:02] ( | | )

"What roofs are you going to tear off to get them here? Because I'm going to tell you right now, the enemy is going to put up blocks all over the place... It's going to require some extra time, some extra effort, some extra resource to get them here." [31:59] ( | | )

"I invited two families to come... both when I invited them were very thankful and very kind, but kind of gave me kind of like 'ah, just not sure that's going to work out' kind of verbage... I realized that these two families know each other... that's just me getting a little creative, you know, taking a little extra effort." [32:35] ( | | )

"If you haven't experienced the healing salvation power of Jesus, I invite you to do that today. To put your hope and faith in Him because if you're willing to do that, here's His words to you today: 'Son, daughter, your sins are forgiven.' Question is, are you willing to put that kind of faith in Jesus?" [36:20] ( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?