…and beyond!             JESUS CHRIST

The day you heard the Gospel and responded by following Jesus – you didn’t respond to a moment in time or to a person presenting the message.  But rather the power of the Holy Spirit working through the surrendered life of another person.  Paul states,

I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God’s Spirit and God’s power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God’s power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else. (1 Corinthians 2:3-5, The Message).

Now that you know Jesus – what steps do you take to share the hope you have been given?  Is it easy for you to share with others?  Do you fear having a conversation with someone else about your life in Jesus?  What are you relying on when you teach or lead your small group?  Do you rely on the Holy Spirit or do you rely on something you have taught in the past or some other experience you have had?

…as you give your explanation make sure that you are relying on the Holy Spirit. Rely on the certainty of God’s redemptive power, and He will create His own life in people.

Once you are rooted in reality, nothing can shake you. If your faith is in experiences, anything that happens is likely to upset that faith. But nothing can ever change God or the reality of redemption. Base your faith on that, and you are as eternally secure as God Himself. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, December 3).