Sharing is Caring
One of the things that I think is a pretty universal, early foundation that parents teach their kids is the idea that sharing is caring! At least for me, when I was a kid, I remember being told the phrase “sharing is caring” in the moments where I wasn’t looking to share what I had. In thinking about this more, how interesting it is that as we grow older, we are still willing to share (some things), but for the most part, we are conditioned to keep for ourselves.
Sometimes, we have no problem sharing (usually when we have gossip to share). Other times we are extremely hesitant to share (usually around sharing our faith – I battle with this regularly).
I think that what happens is we get into the comfortable posture of thinking that sharing the good news of the gospel is simply a suggestion. Reality has it that sharing the good news of the gospel is a command that Jesus set out for us!
“Then he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” – Mark 16:15
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20
Now, back to the idea that sharing is caring. Knowing that sharing the good news of the gospel is a command directly from Jesus, we really have no excuses! I love using the excuse that I’m an introvert and therefore I don’t like talking to people, and I’m off the hook from sharing the gospel. NOOOO! I must obey what is commanded of me, and sharing the gospel is on par with shouting at someone crossing the street about to be hit by a car!
If we saw someone walking in the street and a car barreling towards them, we would shout to get out of the way, warn them and try to share with them the information we have so that they would not get hurt! Sharing the gospel is of the same importance, if not more important!
I love how csbible.com explains this: “God could have found many conduits to deliver his message, but he chooses to allow us to join him in the work. It is an honor to be able to share the story of God’s grace and mercy that has been revealed to us in the Bible. May we love God’s Word so much that we cannot keep the good news to ourselves: this is one message we can share that never grows stale!”
“The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever” – Isaiah 40:8
As we work through different evangelism challenges throughout our current message series on Acts, I want to encourage you to be bold in your sharing! Share the gospel message as if you are spreading seeds in a field! Let the gospel message flow out of you in all of your interactions, but most importantly, pray for opportunities to share the good news with people!
God gives us a promise, that when we obey and share, His Spirit will do the rest.
“It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” – Isaiah 55:11