The Immediacy of Ministry!
When should a new believer start to tell others about Jesus? When should a new believer begin to serve within the context of a local church? I know some Christians that get right involved in ministry (maybe not church service, as much as a ministry mindset) right off the bat. They start to tell others about Jesus and start sharing Scripture just as soon as they can! But, i also know some believers who don't. For some it seems to take a longer time to get to where they are comfortable telling others about Jesus or sharing the Word or praying with others. But, is there a pattern to follow? Well, while there may be a place for both, i am challenged by what is written here concerning the Apostle Paul's life (as a new believer in Christ)..."Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues..."
It seems that for the Apostle Paul, there was to be no gap period between salvation and proclamation. Maybe Paul was a special case? Maybe he had such a firm foundation in the Scriptures and such a good understanding of God that once he came to know that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, it all clicked and he was ready to go! That's possible. But, maybe his life should be more of a pattern for us to follow, too. Maybe new believers don't grow like they could or aren't used like they could be because they aren't encouraged to "get in the game"? Maybe guys like me should seek to encourage new converts to share their story, share the Word, or share God's love more than i currently do?
I think it's interesting that v.22 says that "Paul increased all the more in strength and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus!" How did Paul grow spiritually? He grew spiritually, in confidence and effectiveness, through doing ministry! "Immediately he preached..." and then "He increased all the more in strength..."!
Recently i spoke with a guy from our church who was part of a team that spent two weeks in Zimbabwe. He is a newer believer. This trip was his first experience in publicly sharing his testimony, doing a short teaching, a gospel drama and praying for people publicly! He came back FULL! He was so excited! He experienced God in a whole new way through being involved in ministry! To say it like v. 22 says it, he increased all the more in strength! But one thing he said caught me...he said, "Erik, i think that we should have a New Believers Boot Camp! Something for new believers to do right away in their walk so that they grow and don't get stagnant! They need to be challenged and encouraged that they can be used by God right now and don't need to wait! Can we do something like that?"
I said, "Mike, you should do it! :)" He smiled and said, "Sure, whatever it takes!"
I Love it! And, maybe he's right?!
It seems that for the Apostle Paul, there was to be no gap period between salvation and proclamation. Maybe Paul was a special case? Maybe he had such a firm foundation in the Scriptures and such a good understanding of God that once he came to know that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, it all clicked and he was ready to go! That's possible. But, maybe his life should be more of a pattern for us to follow, too. Maybe new believers don't grow like they could or aren't used like they could be because they aren't encouraged to "get in the game"? Maybe guys like me should seek to encourage new converts to share their story, share the Word, or share God's love more than i currently do?
I think it's interesting that v.22 says that "Paul increased all the more in strength and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus!" How did Paul grow spiritually? He grew spiritually, in confidence and effectiveness, through doing ministry! "Immediately he preached..." and then "He increased all the more in strength..."!
Recently i spoke with a guy from our church who was part of a team that spent two weeks in Zimbabwe. He is a newer believer. This trip was his first experience in publicly sharing his testimony, doing a short teaching, a gospel drama and praying for people publicly! He came back FULL! He was so excited! He experienced God in a whole new way through being involved in ministry! To say it like v. 22 says it, he increased all the more in strength! But one thing he said caught me...he said, "Erik, i think that we should have a New Believers Boot Camp! Something for new believers to do right away in their walk so that they grow and don't get stagnant! They need to be challenged and encouraged that they can be used by God right now and don't need to wait! Can we do something like that?"
I said, "Mike, you should do it! :)" He smiled and said, "Sure, whatever it takes!"
I Love it! And, maybe he's right?!
