Several students were walking across the campus of a large university just as the bell tower chimed five o'clock in the afternoon. At that precise moment a fellow student on the sidewalk dropped full length on the ground to the amazement of those who had been walking behind him. After the initial shock, the students realized that he had not stumbled or fallen, but was a Muslim going through his ritual of prayer.
Whatever you may think about Islam, that man was not ashamed of his religion. How many of us are not ashamed to let the world know we are Christians? How many of us play it "close to the vest" when it comes to expressing our faith? When we "clam up;" when we leave the name of Jesus unspoken, we essentially join Peter in denying our Savior. Although we may feel inadequate in our witnessing; although we may fear other's opinions of us, Jesus can remove our fear and replace it with boldness and commitment.
The Word of God is clear; Deny Christ in your life with the explicit rejection of Peter, and Christ will say on the last day, "I never knew you." Or, deny Christ by keeping a zipper on your lip about your faith, and on the last day Christ will say, "I have nothing to say for you, either!"
In Jerusalem, there are certain places of worship where the incense is very heavy. As worshippers return to their homes or meet friends on the street, other people can tell where they've been, just by the scent.
Can other people tell where you have been, where you are coming from, and where you are going? Does your life give off the scent of a holy God?
A truck driver once came to a pastor and told him about a man who went to his church who lived in the same apartment complex as the truck driver. Because of the example of that man's faith, the truck driver wanted to join the Lutheran church. "That man has a faith to live by," the driver said. "I want that faith." Could people say that about you?
When we examine ourselves, we must admit that we can be like Peter. We live lives that say, "I don't know the man." We need to repent and get back on solid ground with God. Fear makes us quiet Christians, but Jesus can replace our fear with boldness and commitment. If Jesus really means "good news" to us, we are going to share Him. It's just that simple.
Many preachers and their listeners never get beyond talking about the need to share the good news. Everyone nods their heads and says, "Yeah, I should witness more." Then they go home and nothing happens. Now don't misunderstand; I'm not saying that we need to imitate other religious groups that go door to door, up and down the streets of our town. I'm not saying you have to go to a class and learn the quote-unquote "right way" to witness. What I am saying is this: if Jesus is good news to you; more than that; if you have been led by Word and Spirit to the conclusion that you owe your life to Jesus, how in the world are you going to hide that? How could you? I'm not saying that we all need to become the next Billy Graham; but I am saying that if you truly believe Jesus rescued you from the jaws of hell, then your life is going to give off the scent of your Savior. In other words, people will see Jesus in you. Your faith will show naturally in your everyday life. And you won't have a problem talking about the person who did all this for you, namely, Jesus, the Son of God.
In a book called Why People Join the Church, Edward Rauff lists the reasons people find a place in a Christian congregation: the search for community; a personal crisis; the journey toward truth; a church program or special event; the influence of a pastor; but the number one reason people come to church and stay there is that a friend or family member invited them. Other polls and studies have come to the very same conclusion: churches grow and people come to saving faith when Christians are inviting their family and friends to "come and see." Your witness can be renewed when you begin to see yourself as an "inviter." Maybe that describes who you already are. The invitation to come and see God at work is a great gift. Can you think of someone, anyone, right now that you would like to give this gift to?
The ability to do this comes from the Holy Spirit. If you're going to invite others to come to Jesus, you're going to have to tap into the Holy Spirit. The good news there is that it isn't complicated. It's like putting a plug into a wall socket. Plug into the Word of God. Plug into Jesus' body and blood given in His holy supper. Tap into these things and the Holy Spirit will give you what you need to be an inviter.
Dr. Howard Kelly, a famed surgeon in Baltimore, was seldom seen without a beautiful rosebud on the lapel of his coat. The flower remained fresh for a long time, and there was a reason. When people asked him the secret, he turned his lapel and showed them a little glass vial containing water. The stem of the rose went through the buttonhole into the water, keeping it fresh for a longer time. Dr. Kelly would then tell those who asked that the secret of living a fragrant Christian life lies in drawing refreshment from the water of life, Jesus Christ.
That water of life is yours—and always has been—in your baptism. Now invite someone you know to that same refreshment, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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