Testify Loudly

Bible Passage: Psalm 40:9-10; 1 Peter 3:15; Acts 16:25-34

Introduction

Think with me for a moment about what it means to live quietly and testify loudly? To live quietly like we’ve been talking about for the last 5 weeks, is to internalize your faith in Jesus and to practice humility and mercy. That means we don’t go around bragging about all the great things we’ve done for Jesus. We don’t toot our own horns and put on parades for all the kind things we do for others. It means we allow the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us and to change the way we interact with other people, but we don’t make a big deal about it. Perhaps you know someone who cannot help but tell others about all the great things they’ve done. Our current president epitomizes what I’m talking about (except that he doesn’t really be claiming to do a lot for the Lord). His parade was the greatest parade ever, etc. You know what I mean. I’m confident you know people who are their own greatest cheerleaders. It’s common place and almost expected in our society today. We nationally, idolize fame and fortune, and we put people who do it well on a pedestal, often of their own making. It’s a big part of what it takes to be successful in our culture today. It is expected.

It is not what is expected of us as believers though. One of the people I often think of that seemed to me to balance this quite well was Billy Graham. The world knew who Billy Graham was, but it wasn’t because he went around tooting his own horn. He didn’t live in a million dollar mansion on a hill. It was approximately 2500 sqft in size. It’s not what anyone would consider grand or lavish, just a modest country home. It appears most of the wealth he generated went into the non-profit foundations that he built and ran. At the peak of his popularity, he reportedly lived on a salary of about $150,000. There is no question between the crusades that he led, the books he wrote, all the things that he did generated considerable income. But in our country today, most leaders of organizations of that size have salaries in the millions. He is definitely someone who could have led his own parade. But that wasn’t the impression he gave to the world around him. Though famous, he didn’t go around declaring his own greatness, he proclaimed the message that Jesus was the only way to salvation. Billy Graham’s core message centered on God’s love, the need for personal repentance and faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, the reality of judgement and eternal life, and finding hope and purpose through a personal relationship with God, emphasizing that everyone must make a choice for Christ and follow His teachings daily.

1. Tell the Glad News

Psalm 40:9–10 “I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord. I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.”

Jesus is the path to deliverance

Everyone must individually choose Christ

We have a responsibility to proclaim it

It is our responsibility to speak it

Preaching the Good News without words

We are called to bear God’s fruit

Live a life of love, joy, peace, patience and kindness

Allow your behavior to speak on your behalf

Don’t hide His love for Others

Demonstrate His love through action

Be merciful whenever you can

Show by your actions you are full of goodness, gentleness and self-control

Someone famously said, “Preach the gospel at all times and when absolutely necessary use words (or something to that effect).” In other words, don’t just tell people that Jesus loves them, but do tell them. Show them how much Jesus loves them by treating them with kindness and grace and forgiveness. Nothing speaks louder than integrity and kindness to people who don’t deserve it. When you’re kind to someone who’s unkind to you, when you’re generous with someone who is stingy and rude, when you’re gracious with someone who’s nasty and rude, it demonstrates you are filled with a source of love and forgiveness that is not of human origin. Forgiveness, does not come naturally to anyone. Granted some of us find and easier time of giving it, but it’s not because we naturally want to forgive. Vengeance is a natural and human response. When we show kindness instead, it demonstrates God’s presence in our lives. But don’t forget, you have to tell people where it comes from when you’re given the opportunity. And trust me the opportunity will come. Maybe not from the recipient of your kindness, but someone will notice and ask you about it.

2. Always Be Ready

1 Peter 3:15 “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”

In your hearts honor Christ

Look at context (1 Peter 3:14 “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,” )

Even when it hurts … honor Christ

Do not fear … honor Christ

Be prepared

To anyone who asks, hostile and curious alike

Share what Christ has done for you … your hope

Doesn’t require debate skills (really not helpful)

With gentleness and respect

Not trying to convince

Not selling them on Jesus

Sharing your story with respect for theirs

Boy Scout motto is “Be Prepared”, Scouts should be ready in mind and body to do their duty, face danger, and help others. It’s really about being mentally disciplined, thoughtful and ready for whatever might happen. While simultaneously being physically strong, active and able to help. One or the other is not enough. If you’re mentally prepared, but physically incapable, you won’t be of much help to anyone. Likewise, if you’re physically strong, but to caught up with yourself, you won’t even recognize that someone around is in need of help. People are not always willing to admit they even need your help. But if all you can say is good luck without because you can’t physically do anything then you’re not really ready. But we’re not talking about Boy Scouts. The principles are quite similar though. Often times people will come to a point where they are ready to listen to God’s call on their heart when their in the midst of some form of crisis. If all you have to offer is “good luck with that”, how effective will you be as an ambassador for Christ. We do not have to be ready in all circumstances to solve every problem that a person might have. But we are called to be willing and ready when we see someone who is in need, to open our mouth and at least ask “how can I help you?” When the response is “I see you and the hope you have and the courage you have to stand in the face of opposition … where do you get that strength?” Then we have to be ready and willing to point someone to our Savior.

3. Share the Savior

Acts 16:25–34 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.”

Be praying and praising God

Whether in prison or free … honor God

Seek God’s favor for those around you

Especially the lost … who need Jesus

Proclaim the Gospel Boldly

Point directly at Jesus

Don’t take credit

Point people to the Savior

Watch the transformation

Opportunity to see lives changed

Privilege to have a part in God’s plan

Be ready to rejoice

If you are living a quiet and peaceful life, it will not go unnoticed. Look around you. People’s lives are a mess. You don’t have to go to the other side of the planet. The devastation and havoc that sin can wreak is present in our midst. Look at your own family. I’m willing to hazard a guess, that someone in your immediate surroundings is in desperate need of a relationship with Jesus. You be busy praying for them and praising God for what He’s willing to do in their lives. Sin is rampant in our world and with it comes devastation and loneliness and pain. If you ask God to help the people you know. And you diligently pray for an opportunity to be a part of His work in their lives, I can assure you that is a prayer that He will answer. It may not come in the form you expect. It maybe someone else that’s connected to the person you’re praying for reaches out to you for help. It may come initially in an opportunity to just show them kindness and mercy in a way they haven’t experienced in a very long time. If you are ready, God is willing and able to use you. I promise you. He will make opportunities for you to share the Glad News if you’re willing to do your part.