With courage and boldness

This week I’m in Michigan with a team from NC and Indiana. We all came here from various backgrounds to engage Jesus through intensive training. Each morning we’ll be absorbing teaching and in the afternoons we’ll be heading out to parks to use what we learn to share Jesus with people of other faiths.

Many of us have never attended a seminary, Bible college (Bridal college, great nickname Lauren) served as missionaries or taken courses in persuasion and evangelism. Neither did the disciples.

Imagine this scene. For three years the disciples followed Jesus, eating, sleeping and moving from one town/village to another. Then in a whirlwind, Jesus is suddenly arrested and days later crucified. The followers scatter like leaves in the wind. Then just as suddenly news is spread by witnesses that Jesus is alive, risen from the dead! Soon after he appears before the very men who he spent three years of his life with. After an all too short time, Jesus then ascends into heaven, leaving them with the great commission to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

The greatest task entrusted to humans was first entrusted to fishermen, and a tax collector, among a few other vocations. No charismatic political leaders, or men of brute strength and size here. Just ordinary every day folk.

The church then exploded, three thousand joining their number in a single day, another two thousand join days later after the healing of a lame man. The disciples quickly gained the attention of everyone in Jerusalem, even the very people who crucified Jesus.

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

Peter and John were certainly not of the same caliber as say Abraham Lincoln, but became the instruments the Holy Spirit used to spearhead the greatest revolution on the face of the earth.

How in the world did this happen?

“…they took note that these men had been with Jesus”

The disciples lived and breathed Jesus for three years of their lives, then beyond that as well.

Brothers and Sisters, for us to also share the Good News, we don’t need to be a minister, to have studied public speaking at a college, or any skill for that matter. We simply need an intimate walk with Jesus himself. Not once a week, but every day. Jesus isn’t some wise old timer sitting on top of a mountain waiting for those who climb up to impart bits of wisdom. Jesus is mobile, only by following him closely daily can you remain by his side.

Spend time with Jesus today. Now.