Thursday, September 30, 2010
Acts 1:8b You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
PUT YOUR MOUTH WHERE YOUR MONEY IS
If you are talking big, you might have been told to "put your money where your mouth is." If you really believe what you're saying, put something on the line that really matters to you.
I'd like to reverse that thought for a moment, because all too often we can put our offerings in the collection plate and think that our role in mission work is complete. While it can be difficult to give up our money and possessions for the work of God's Kingdom, that is far easier than the nitty-gritty of mission work and personal evangelism.
What I'd like you to think about is rather than just putting in your offerings for mission work, put your mouth where your money is. Be ready to testify of what you know of your Lord, and not only be ready, but also do it. Open your mouth and be a witness to the wonderful works of God. Difficult? Yes, it can be. Necessary? Absolutely. The word of Jesus in our text goes beyond the apostles. You also are witnesses of Christ.
There is nothing more important than what you have learned about your Lord through faith. You have learned that He demands righteousness and perfection through His Law, but that we are unable to produce that righteousness and satisfy Him. You have learned that through the work of Jesus, believers have been given His righteousness and stand innocent before God. It is life-changing news.
You can equip others to be witness of Christ through your offerings, but don't forget to equip yourself and testify of what you know to people in your life.
