In Matthew 5:13-15, Jesus says His followers are to be “salt” and “light” in the world. Just as salt makes one thirsty, the testimony of Christ followers is to create a thirst in the hearts of those who do not know Him. And, just as light helps us see things clearly, the testimony of Christ followers should help those who do not know Him to see their need of Christ. The committed Christian has answered Christ’s call to be “salt” and “light” to those who do not yet know Jesus. The early believers were this kind of Christian. And, as a result, were used to draw people to Christ.
“The believers praised God and were respected by all the people. More and more people were being saved every day, and the Lord was adding them to their group.” - Acts 2:47 (Easy to Read)
In Acts 5:42, we are told why they were used to draw others to Christ. In seeking to be “salt” and “light,” they sought to witness to others . . .
1. Consciously – “day after day”
Paul said that we must consciously be looking for opportunities to share Christ with an unbelieving world.
“Be wise when you engage with those outside the faith community; make the most of every moment and every encounter.” - Colossians 4:5 (The Voice)
Effectively engaging unbelievers with a witness and testimony that will draw them to Christ is one of our primary purposes for living. If
reaching others for Jesus is not one of our main purposes in life as a Christian, then we are simply “going through the motions.”
In his book, Real Evangelism, Bailey Smith tells this story: “At my home in Dallas, Texas, I remember one year while attending the state fair there, a most interesting exhibit in the science building. When I approached the crowd gathered around this particular exhibit, I noticed that as each one was leaving, having gazed long enough, he had a strange smile on his face. When I got to where I could really see, I understood why. There was a machine that seemed to have everything - pistons, gas jet with a ball bouncing up and down, a chain, locomotive arms going back and forth and it was beautifully chromed.
Every part was moving, and it was so well engineered that it did not make one sound. Where did the strange smiles come from? They came because of a little sign at the base of the machine, ‘It doesn't do anything, but my, doesn’t it work well!’”
Too many Christians today are “going through the motions” of the Christian life - they seem to be working well, but because they are not consciously focused on drawing others to Christ, their lives are not lived for any purpose of eternal significance.
The early believers lived lives that counted for the eternal purpose of seeing others come to Christ, because they consciously sought to be a witness to others daily. But they also sought to witness to others . . .
2. Conspicuously – “in the temple courts”
These Christians were not afraid to boldly, publicly, give their testimony concerning Christ. Neither should we.
“God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.” - 2 Timothy 1:7-8a (NLT)
The following was found in a book by Dr. Bob Moorehead, entitled, “Words Aptly Spoken.” According to Dr. Moorehead’s son, a copy of this prayer was found in the possession of a man in Africa who was murdered for his faith after he had been martyred.
“I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit Power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my
mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I’ve preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.
And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear for “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes . . .” (Romans 1:16).
“If a man has truth on his side, he is both a fool and a coward if he does not declare it.” - Daniel Defoe
Let’s not be foolish or cowardly, but let’s commit ourselves, as did the early believers, as have other believers around to world today, to being part of the “fellowship of the unashamed.”
A committed Christian will also seek to witness . . .
3. Consistently – “from house to house”
It is well documented that the early church met in homes. Thee is no record of churches owning property or buildings until the 3rd century. Now, there is nothing wrong with church’s owning buildings, but I am afraid it has led to the notion that Christianity is something to be lived out at the church building, rather than at home. It is important that we live for Christ both privately as well as publicly. We must love Jesus and live for Him as at our house as well as the church house.
Less than 2% of Great Britain’s people enter their beautiful cathedrals to worship the Lord on Sundays. Some of the most magnificent structures ever built by men were constructed by earlier generations in Great Britain to honor God and to provide suitable places for people to worship Him in beauty and holiness. But today, where thousands could assemble to sing the praises of Christ, there are twenty or thirty people gathered to worship service. This should tell us something: Great and beautiful buildings dedicated to worship will not guarantee that the next generation will be attending these beautiful buildings to worship and preach the Word.
In the SBC, if we were to lead to Christ and baptize each child of member families who has reached the age of accountability, and no one else, we would baptize an estimated 400,000 persons every year. The most our churches has ever baptized in a single year was 429,000 in 1959.
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” - Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV)
4. Continuously – “they never stopped”
A sales man wrote a letter to his boss which said - “DEAR BOS: I seen this outfit which they aint never bot a dims wurth of nothin from us and I sole them a cuple hundred thowsand dollaws wurth of guds. Im gwine to Chawgo.” Two days later, a second letter arrived at the home office - “DEAR BOS: I cum hear and I sole them haf a milyon.” Both letters were posted on the bulletin board with a note from the company president - “We ben spendin to much time hear tryin to spel insted of tryin to sel! Lets watch these leters frurn Gooch who is on the rode doin a grate job for us, and you go out and do like he dun!”
The problem today is not only that some believers have stopped sharing their faith; but that some have never even started!
Conclusion: What resources did the early church have to use in sharing Christ with others? Nothing but their relationship with Jesus. And that is all we need, too.
“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” - Philemon 6 (NIV)
