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Tuesday, September 1, 2009, Bible Study Time, Brother Ross Tolbert
Recently many of you returned to school. Let me ask you a question. How many people at school know you are a Christian? Okay let me ask another question. When you are at school do you ever feel ashamed that you are a Christian? Consider what Paul is saying in this scripture:
Romans 1:16
1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Paul is encouraging Christians in the Roman church to share the “good news” of what Jesus has done for them. Usually when someone gets “good news” the first thing he or she wants to do is share it with someone else. But some young Christians are worried about being different or not being accepted. So they do things to hide their Christianity. Like not being careful about the way they talk or not bowing their head to pray before their lunch.
Sharing the "good news" about the gospel is not just putting a Bible under your arm and telling everyone you see "I am going to church".
Mathew 5:14-16
5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
These scriptures are Jesus words, and here Jesus draws a parallel between our testimony for him and a light, then he further commands us to let our light for him shine to others so he may be glorified. To let our light shine for Jesus does not always require us to witness to others. We let others know there is something different about us and that Jesus has changed our lives by the way we behave. It can be as simple as not telling or listening to dirty jokes, not arguing on the basketball court, or taking time out to help others study. Teachers will see your light for Jesus when you complete all your homework assignments on time and if you are a good example of respect in the class room.
If we let our light shine at school people might recognize there is something different and ask about it. This will give us an opportunity to talk about being a Christian. If someone asks you about Jesus do you think you could explain what it means to be a Christian? Take another look at Romans 1:16. The "good news" of Jesus has a power of its own, the power to save those who believe. This means that another person’s salvation doesn’t depend on how perfectly you might or might not explain the gospel.
Acts 1:8
1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Here Jesus tells his disciples first they will receive power and next they will be a witness. Judea was where the disciples lived, Samaria was the next nearest region, and “the ends of the earth” goes even further. So Jesus told his followers to start telling others about him right where they are. That’s why we’re talking about school. It’s where you spend a lot of your time right now. So as a follower of Jesus, you can be his witness in your “Judea.”
Jesus gave us another promise. The Holy Ghost or spirit is Gods personal gift of himself to each believer. If you’ve accepted Jesus as your savior, and also received sanctification, then you have God’s power with you all the time. God goes right to school with you and he’ll be there to give you strength and courage to stand up for him. In the Old Testament God gave his servant Joshua this promise:
Joshua 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Remember when you let your light shine at school you’re not alone. Knowing God is with us there is no reason to be ashamed of the gospel. So let the Holy spirits power help you to stand up for Christ at your school!
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