How Jesus Changes A Life

Published date: 01-27-12

In Acts 18:1-11 is the story of when Paul first came to Corinth. It’s interesting the way Luke the author describes Paul’s ministry. It gets at the heart of one activity a true church is called to do. Verses 4-5 say, “Every Sabbath in the synagogue he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying…that Jesus was the Christ.” Then verse 11: “So Paul stayed…teaching them the Word of God.” Did you catch the various words Luke used that referenced Paul’s speaking? It would appear that you and I have been given a fairly clear assignment from God. We are to open our mouths and speak about the Lord we love.

Reason   Persuade   Preach   Testify   Teach     

Why do we have to speak to others about Jesus? Because the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to bring to birth more children of God. Only God’s Spirit can change a heart, but the astounding truth is that the Spirit waits to use the word of God that comes from our lips as his tool. So if we don’t speak about Jesus, then the Spirit has nothing to work with and that heart likely won’t be changed.

Why do you think Luke mentions these various types of speaking? Because as communicators for Christ, we must learn to share God’s word in a variety of ways. Humans are all different. We all listen differently. We all learn differently. We’re all at different places in our lives. If my problem is ignorance, I may need reasoning or teaching. If my problem is stubbornness, I might need preaching. If my problem is doubt, your testimony might help me out. The same approach just doesn’t work for every person because every person’s heart and mind is in a different condition when it comes to what they think or feel about God.

And this is why we need to throw ourselves at God’s feet and ask for the help of His Spirit when it comes to being a witness for Jesus. For starters, just to summon the courage to speak. (Let’s face it, if ever there was a ‘leave it to the professionals’ part of Christianity, evangelism is usually it.) But assuming we have the desire to speak, to then have the right words to say, and then to say those words in the right way – yowsir, this is not for the faint of heart.

Nonetheless, be bold, be prayerful, be attentive, and be willing today, dear one, to find opportunities to plant a seed in someone’s heart. Reason, persuade, preach, testify, teach. And try not to see it as a burden, but as a joy, a privilege, an opportunity. And for every word you speak out loud, send another word heavenward, asking the Holy Spirit to help you to be his messenger.