What’s Your Title?
Acts 22 gives us the account of Paul preaching to the Jewish mob that had just tried to kill him. While reading this passage recently, a descriptive title caught my attention. As Paul shares his personal testimony, he mentions the stoning of Stephen and says, And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him (22:20). Did you note the descriptive term for Stephen? He called him your witness; God’s witness. What a title to be known by! A witness or also translated, “martyr.” Are you a witness for Christ? Would you be known as a “martyr” who dies to self and proclaims the message of Christ at any cost, any time, to anybody?
The past days have been an emotional roller coaster ride for us. God in His grace spared the lives of our daughter and her fiancé in an auto accident Sunday night at 8:55. A drunk driver was going the wrong way on the interstate and hit them almost head-on at 65 mph. Andrew’s quick reaction to swerve to the left saved their lives. We are most certainly rejoicing in God’s protection. Both cars were totaled, destroyed. There are many things about this event that stand out to me, but one of them is Andrew’s genuine concern for the souls of all who were around him. He asked the state trooper, firemen, witnesses, other authorities, ER doctor and nurses, and folks at the towing company if they were sure of a home in Heaven. While lying on the bed in the ER, he shared the gospel with the doctor, and she patiently listened. Andrew was not driven by some adrenaline rush, although he was still under the trauma of it all. This is Andrew, a man with a passion for lost souls. The thought that occurred to me, “What would come out of my mouth if I were in a traumatic circumstance such as Andrew?” Now, I’m not setting Andrew up on a pedestal or making him out to be hero because he is my future son-in-law, but the truth is, I watched and heard him compassionately care for lost people in a time of near disaster. So much so, he is already praying about an opportunity to meet the drunken man who almost killed them. Hence, I find myself saying what Paul said of Stephen, “Andrew, Your witness.”
Why do we need revival? Because my title and your title needs to be,”(Fill in your name), Your witness.” Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God! To act as the people of God is to be His witness (Matthew 28:18-20)!!
Scripture Passage: Acts 22
- Note the boldness of Paul.
- How will you turn conversations today to the Theme of themes?
- What are your main fears about witnessing? Talk to the Lord about them and trust 2 Cor. 9:8.
Let’s be the people of God today for His glory!!
From A Pastor's Heart 