“In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his listeners they are like a “city on a hill” that cannot be hidden. Jesus said these words near the Sea of Galilee, which rests at the base of a valley. When the sun went behind the hills, the towns and villages dotting the hillside around the Sea of Galilee were plainly visible.

Followers of Jesus are to let their light shine. They are to act in Jesus’ name. When people notice, Christians are to explain humbly the reasons for their service, and invite others to give thanks to the God who sends his people forth to love, serve, and sacrifice for their community.

The things we do are of critical importance. The Christian life does not consist only in what we believe, but in what we do. It is in generosity, in serving, in caring for the poor and the outcast that we reveal to others who God is. Through these actions, a space is opened where we can extend an invitation for others to encounter God and to praise him.

Lord Jesus, help me to act in this world in a way that lets my light shine. Let my good deeds point people to you, so that they might give you thanks. Amen.

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In preparation for Easter, our entire church family is in a season of decision and commitment toward the goal of becoming fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. We invite you to join us for Committed to Christ: Six Steps to a Generous Life.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

More of us may qualify as evangelists than we realize. We not only witness to Christ by pointing others to him, but by teaching his ways. We announce Jesus as Lord, inviting others to live under his reign. We can live obediently in accordance with the passage above, words Matthew records as Jesus’ last before ascending to heaven.

William J. Abraham has written, “We can best improve our thinking on evangelism by conceiving it as that set of intentional activities which is governed by the goal of initiating people into the kingdom of God for the first time.”

In other words, the task of evangelism should not only be concerned with telling people about Jesus, but also equipping them to live as citizens of God’s kingdom. Faithful witness includes not only an invitation to believe, but to follow.

Ask others to join you on the journey. Walk with others. Follow after Jesus. See where he leads.

Lord, help me to invite others to follow after you, to trust you, and to learn from you. Amen.

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In preparation for Easter, our entire church family is in a season of decision and commitment toward the goal of becoming fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. We invite you to join us for Committed to Christ: Six Steps to a Generous Life.

So, my child, draw your strength from the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Take the things you heard me say in front of many other witnesses and pass them on to faithful people who are also capable of teaching others. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Disciples of Jesus are called to a great task. We are to take those things we have learned from faithful pastors and teachers and pass them along to others. We are to witness to Christ and the trustworthiness of his way of life, and to instruct others how they too can follow as his disciples. It may be that the primary setting for the witnessing task may be at home. You may have a spouse who does not believe. If your children are young, you are called to instruct them patiently in the ways of the Lord. If your children are older, do not despair, but love them as Christ loved you. Pray for them. Serve them. Speak to them of your hope when you have opportunity.

Others may have the gift of evangelism and may be naturally inclined to steer conversations with new friends and old acquaintances toward faith. Even if you don’t have that gift, you can be an evangelist. Whether it be to our close connections or loose ties, we are called to witness.

Father in Heaven, give me the skills to faithfully witness to Christ through word and deed. Amen.

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In preparation for Easter, our entire church family is in a season of decision and commitment toward the goal of becoming fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. We invite you to join us for Committed to Christ: Six Steps to a Generous Life.

Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, “As you go, make this announcement: ‘The Kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, and throw out demons.” (Matthew 10:5-8a)

We have been called on an adventure. We have been caught up in God’s salvific work. We are not spectators, but participants. The task of the witness is to give testimony to that which we have seen and heard. God has been at work, and we are invited to take part. Our reading provides us with excellent instruction for the two-fold nature of witness. Jesus’ command encompasses physical and spiritual needs. Jesus does not just say, “Announce the Kingdom.” Nor does he only say, “Heal the sick.” Witnessing to the Kingdom in a faithful manner includes calling people to conversion and new birth, as well as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and protecting the needy.

There is not a single dimension of human existence that the gospel of Jesus Christ leaves untouched. If you have been caught up in the story of Scripture, God through you can heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the leper, cast out demons, and give evidence of God’s reign. You have been invited to take part in a grand adventure.

God Almighty, may your reign take hold in my life, so that I might give evidence to your Kingdom. Amen.

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In preparation for Easter, our entire church family is in a season of decision and commitment toward the goal of becoming fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. We invite you to join us for Committed to Christ: Six Steps to a Generous Life.

Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it. (1 Peter 3:15b)

Witnessing to Jesus is a two-fold task and includes inviting others to the life of discipleship and answering the doubts, questions, and difficulties that those inside and outside the church have concerning Christianity. As Alister McGrath writes, “Evangelism could be said to be like offering someone bread. Apologetics would then be about persuading people there is bread to be had and it is good to eat.”

When we are asked concerning our hope, First Peter instructs us to “be ready to defend it.” We are to seek answers actively that address the questions our world is asking, and to respond in thoughtful, reasonable ways. You may feel ill-equipped to witness to others. But let me encourage you: If you desire to grow in knowledge of the Christian faith, there are resources to help you, foremost among them the presence of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to guide you into the presence of others who can train you to articulate what Christians believe and why, so that when you are asked concerning your hope in Christ, you can provide an answer that gives him glory and honor.

Lord Jesus, my hope rests in you. Equip me to answer questions in a reasonable and intelligent manner. Amen.

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In preparation for Easter, our entire church family is in a season of decision and commitment toward the goal of becoming fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. We invite you to join us for Committed to Christ: Six Steps to a Generous Life.

Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Your speech should always be gracious and sprinkled with insight so that you may know how to respond to every person. (Colossians 4:5-6)

Each day, we are presented with countless opportunities to witness to Jesus. Our text from Colossians instructs us that our words “should always be gracious and sprinkled with insight.”

Our witness can take many forms. We may be given the opportunity to tell someone the story of Christ. We might have the chance to share wisdom from Scripture or from a church service or Sunday school class. We might simply share some bit of knowledge we have gained along life’s way in a kind and helpful manner.

We often imagine the task of witness as wrought with difficulty. It need not be that way. Your interactions with your friends, co-workers, family members, spouse, ex-spouse—all these can be seasoned with grace and undertaken in the spirit of the Lord. They can all give witness to another reality, to the hope that you have, to the deep transformation that has taken place in your life by the grace of Jesus Christ.

Every interaction we have is an opportunity to provide a glimpse of God’s grace. Welcome each person today—every stranger and outsider, even those close to you—as you would welcome Christ.

Glorious and Blessed God, give me wisdom to speak to others in a way that welcomes them in the name of Christ. Amen.

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In preparation for Easter, our entire church family is in a season of decision and commitment toward the goal of becoming fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. We invite you to join us for Committed to Christ: Six Steps to a Generous Life.

“Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

The book of Acts makes it clear that by the power of the Holy Spirit, followers of Jesus are to point to his person and his deeds. We are to witness to who God is and what God has done. And by witnessing to God’s person and God’s accomplishments, we are to announce the gospel of Jesus Christ. By virtue of God’s character revealed in Christ and his atoning death on the cross, all people can be reconciled to God and to one another.

Like the first disciples in the book of Acts, we too are to witness. We are to point others to Christ. And we are given power to accomplish this task by virtue of the Holy Spirit. We are not alone in the work; therefore, “fear not.” As you tell others about Jesus, be confident that the Holy Spirit is with you, helping you to speak and to act in a way that directs others to Christ.

Lord Jesus, by your grace may I lead others to you. Amen.

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In preparation for Easter, our entire church family is in a season of decision and commitment toward the goal of becoming fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. We invite you to join us for Committed to Christ: Six Steps to a Generous Life.