February 19, 2008

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

--Acts 2:38-40

Is it easy for you to share your faith in Christ with others? Or are you hesitant and fearful to talk about the Lord?

The apostle Peter was a man well acquainted with fear. The night before Christ was crucified, he had been scared to even be associated with Jesus… and he ended up denying he knew Christ three times!

Yet in Peter’s first sermon in Acts chapter 2, we see a completely different side of him! We see a courageous Peter. We see an empowered Peter. We see a bold Peter.

And that same courage, empowerment, and boldness we see in Peter is the same courage, empowerment, and boldness you can have as you share Christ with others. It’s true!

First, when Peter shared the Good News of Jesus Christ, he relied on the power of the Holy Spirit… not on his own oratory skills or powers of persuasion. And he aimed primarily at the heart… not at the head.

Secondly, it’s important to remember that when Peter shared with people, he was practical. He was down to earth. He proclaimed the facts, and with the force of the gospel, delivered the goods!

Thirdly, when Peter preached, he was personal. He met people where they were and he professed that Jesus was Lord.

Lastly, when Peter spoke about the Lord Jesus, he was persuasive. With passion he proclaimed that everyone, all people, must repent and receive Christ. And many, many people were moved by the Spirit working through Peter, and they were saved!

It’s my prayer… as you look at the example of Peter today… that you will realize the tremendous potential you have to impact more and more people around you through the power of the Holy Spirit working through you!

THE SAME COURAGE, EMPOWERMENT, AND BOLDNESS WE SEE IN PETER IS THE SAME COURAGE, EMPOWERMENT, AND BOLDNESS YOU CAN HAVE AS YOU SHARE CHRIST WITH OTHERS!