Acts 20:24 NLT – “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the good news about the wonderful grace of God.”
The Apostle Paul was very clear on communicating what his assignment was and how important it was to him as a servant and follower of Christ.
When you go and tell, you may be the only bible someone will ever hear. Make sure you are a good translation. Be grace-filled. Be humble. Be truthful. Be led by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was also pretty clear in the Bible when He said in Matthew 10:32-33, “Everyone who acknowledges Me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven.
But everyone who denies Me here on earth, I will also deny before My Father in heaven.”
Jesus’ ministry and death were public.
He died for all the world to see. He wants your faith to also be public. He wants you to go and tell others about the hope you now have.
Ephesians 2:10 – We are God’s workmanship – His masterpiece. You were created to go public with the gifts that God gave you and the mission God planned for you thousands of years ago.
Whether you realize it or not, you are a walking translation for the hope that you have. You are giving answers to a world that has questions.
The manner in which you live communicates the hope for which you live. People around you are watching and they are asking.
Are you emulating a life that has hope, a life that loves and lives like Jesus, a life that is led by the Holy Spirit?
People don’t care so much about what you know. They want to see if you are willing to live out your beliefs and convictions.
They want to see if you are willing to live out what you know when the pressure is on, when the heat is turned up, when the storm is raging and the battle and struggle is real for you.
People want to see how you handle adversities, setbacks and disappointments. They want to see what your answers are for the hope you now have.
What kind of answers are you giving? Are you communicating well, and accurately, the hope that now lives within you?
At Encounter, the goal is that you would get better, despite what happens in the world around you and despite what happens in your life.
The goal is to help you be an overcomer. Overcomers invite others to come and see and share the hope they now have.
I can't wait to wrap up our 12 Anchors of Hope study and series this Friday night at Encounter!
I hope to see you all there for an epic night of worship. community, and teaching.
Be Blessed and Encouraged
Bill Rieser
Encounter Pastor
Bill@thehopeencounter.org