In continuing our Questions of the Faith series, today and tomorrow we will examine what Jesus teaches about sharing our faith.  Elton Trueblood, the great Christian philosopher, said that every successful organization must have a passion, a philosophy, and a program.  What are to be ours?

Jesus began his public ministry by issuing this proclamation: "The time has come.  The kingdom of God is near.  Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15; cf. Matthew 4:17).  He ended his ministry with the same theme and priority: "He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3).  The kingdom of God was Jesus' focus and passion.  So, what is the "kingdom of God"?

Our Lord gave us its best definition when he taught us to pray: "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10).  God's Kingdom comes whenever and wherever his will is done.  When we make God our King and ourselves his subjects, we enter his Kingdom.  When we lead others to do the same, we build his Kingdom.

Our purpose on earth is to serve this King and lead others into his Kingdom.  This is why the church exists, and why you and I are here.  Jesus had a passion for the Kingdom of God—for bringing the light of the gospel to all the world, to make as many subjects of the King as possible.  Do you?

A passion by itself is not enough.  We must also have a philosophy—a strategy and a plan; and then a program for carrying it out.  What was Jesus' philosophy?  His last words before returning to heaven disclose his answer: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Here we find our power to make disciples in the Holy Spirit.  We cannot convict of sin or save souls.  We must work in the strength and power of the Spirit.  Here are the people to be empowered: "you will be my witnesses."  The word is plural, engaging every one of us.  We are to refuse the clergy/laity division, to become a mighty movement together.

Here is the purpose which empowered people fulfill: "you will be my witnesses."  A witness tells the truth to those who need to hear it.  In the same way, we take Christ's love to people wherever we find them, and wait for our chance to help them to Jesus.

And here is the priority by which the empowered people fulfill their purpose: "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  They were standing outside Jerusalem when they received these words.  You are living in your Jerusalem today.  Start there, with the people you know who do not know Jesus.

Tomorrow, we will look at what the Bible says about how we are to share our faith.

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