Having the Boldness to Share Our Faith

Sometimes we are afraid to share our faith with people. We say “it’s not my ministry” or “I’m no good at it” or “I don’t know what to say.” We often complicate things so much that we then end up doing nothing for fear of getting it wrong. Ever felt that you ought to tell people the good news but don’t know how to start?

In 2 Kings 7 we see Israel at a time of extreme famine in the land where the people were starving to death fearing to leave the boundaries of Samaria.  Four leprous men who felt they had nothing to lose decided to go to the Syrian camp.  As they went, the Lord caused the army to hear the sound of chariots and horses and they thought there was a great army against them and fled. The four outcasts found the camp deserted and the Syrians had left all their food, silver and gold, behind them. The four men ate and drank and took some treasure and hid it. (v9) They then said to one another, we are not doing right.  This day is a day of good news and we remain silent...

As Christians we can experience wonderful salvation, deliverance, healing and provision and know that there is abundance for a starving desperate generation.  Wonderful news; but we remain silent. This is wrong.

We stand at a time of great importance in our Nation: Economic uncertainty and Swine Flu pandemic all have caused people to re-evaluate their lives. Many are ripe for the harvest. Multitudes are in the valley of decision.

The Lord gave me several visions this year all connected with evangelism and winning the lost. I saw in my vision fields being opened that had not been harvested for years. I saw many people coming together to harvest, for there wasn’t a shortage of harvest but of harvesters. I saw the harvest being so great that the fisherman weren’t arguing over who the fish belonged to but rather freely divided them up so the boat didn’t sink. Just as fish are caught in shoals, I felt the Lord say that He was going to catch people according to their kind, in groups. Just as in the ark, He would bring them in; according to their culture, music, styles and religion.  In essence you would see, for example, 50 punks get saved, 50 skateboarders, 50 Goth’s, whole subcultures would get caught together. I heard the Lord say if I would abandon my favourite kinds (of people) He would bring them in with my favourite kind.

Not many people go to church, in fact most people don’t.  So church on the street started to basically bring church and Jesus to the street and to the people. The basic vision is to bring the presence of Jesus to where the people are. We sing, preach, testify and invite people to get prayer. We pray for people to be healed, delivered or for specific needs. When we pray for people we expect the presence of God to touch them and then we witness to them, giving them the Gospel. Many people when asked if they would allow us to pray for them agree not knowing that the Lord is setting them up for an encounter. I have seen people shake, cry and be amazed by the fact that Jesus can touch them there and then. After prayer we can then tell them the Gospel and then, like many, lead them to Salvation. There is just nothing like leading people to Jesus. It is the most wonderful thing ever.

You know it’s so easy just to stay and have a ‘bless me’ club and believe it’s all about us. We want God to touch us and fill us and set us on fire but for what?  The purpose of Pentecost was to make us witnesses. Nathan Morris often says we need to “move from the floor to the door”. If we truly have the real deal then it will work on the streets. If we truly love Jesus we will have a love for the lost. We can be so carnal as Christians that we become more concerned with who’s staying in the X factor competition than who's going to hell.

We are only just beginning Church On The Street; we don’t have all the answers or a secret formula, we are just crazy enough to believe that revival can break out on the streets and that people can get saved, healed and delivered and that signs can follow us, if we will just dare to go.
Jeremiah 8:20 is I believe one of the most tragic verses in the bible: The Harvest has past. The summer is ended. And we are not saved!
People need the Lord and it’s our job to tell them. You know it doesn’t have to be difficult. There are so many people ready to be saved. This year I have led people to the Lord on the street, in my car, in my house, in other people’s houses, sitting on a wall, in a field and of course in the church. The place doesn’t matter. When a baby is ready to be born sometimes it can’t wait to be delivered in the hospital.  Sometimes, as spiritual midwives, we have to lead souls to be born again there and then where they are.  We have to think outside of the walls of a building.

Not many people go to church, but in a Tear Fund survey, 3 million people in the United Kingdom said they would come to church if they were asked.  3 million people!! You say I can’t pray for someone or give them a word of knowledge, in fact I’ve never led anyone to Jesus. The disciples said when witnessing simply “come and see.”  You can do that; you can invite someone to church. (Yes you)

I had someone come and fix my central heating in November and change the pump. I said to this man “why don’t you come to church with me on Sunday?” And he did and he got saved. 3 weeks later his partner came and she got saved. It’s not difficult when the Lord leads you and you are obedient.  (Praise The Lord).  This man had been searching all his life but no one had told him or invited him to “come and see.”  How many people do you mix with who need Jesus, who are ready to be saved, who would come to church if invited?

Church On the Street goes out from Noak Bridge once a month. Why not come and join us? You may never have done it before but why not come and have a go? We will look after you. Break out of your comfort-zone and let the Lord use you. He has need of you. Why not invite someone to church this week?  You never know they may just get saved.