THE LEAP OF FAITH. CONFESSING MY CONFIDENCE IN

JESUS--ROMANS 1:16

Romans 1:16

Message Bible: It's news I'm most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else!

Living Translation: For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—Jews first and also Gentiles.

New Revised Standard: For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

TAKE HOME

• I am eager to tell others about my favorite: Sports Team, Political Affiliation, Movies, Doctor, Pizza and Friends. Why am I sometimes hesitant to speak of my belief in God?

• One day I'll stand before God. If I don't admit here-and-now that I know Jesus he will not admit that he knows me in the then-and-there.

• I'll have to face up to my real fears so God can help me become an over-comer.

Jesus, I love you. Jesus, I love you. Help me to get over Help me to get over the fear of rejection the fear of rejection when I have the when I have the opportunity to put in opportunity to put in a good word for you.a good word for you.

Commitment:

ANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTS

Worship in SongWorship in Song

IF YOU FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BE UPFRONT AND CONFIDENT ABOUT

YOUR FAITH, TAKE HEART, YOU ARE IN GOOD COMPANY.

• "Now Joseph of Arimathea, was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. --John 18:38

• Peter lost all courage when asked outright if he was a disciple of Jesus. --John 18:25ff

THE STARTING POINT IS DECIDING WHAT I REALLY BELIEVE

•"Where there is no Expression there is no Impression"

•(Until I can verbalize what I really believe I may not really know what I believe.)

• Practice my testimony in front of the mirror.• Tell my story to a friend.• Be ready to tell others when asked. (Peter?)

ROADBLOCKS TO BEING AN EAGER WITNESS FOR JESUS

• I'm here by default rather than having personally concluded that the Jesus Story is true.

• I'm afraid of fracturing relationships by talking about my faith.

• My own life contradicts the faith I want to share with others.

PEOPLE WHO TOOK THE LEAP OF FAITH, AND PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE

• Polycarp. "Martyr" has its roots in "Confess" (Marturios)

• Paul. Paid for his insistence on the Resurrection Story

• John. Exiled to Patmos

• The List Goes On and On

COMMUNION!“Seek the Kingdom of God

above all else”

Confession:I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus is my Lord Jesus is my Lord and Savoir.and Savoir.

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SO WHY STICK TO A STORY THAT MIGHT GET YOU KILLED, OR WORSE?

• Jesus: "Blessed are you, for great is your reward in heaven.”

• Sounds like Paul: "He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward." Hebrews 11:24-27

• Count the Cost: "Is the promised reward enough to warrant my immediate suffering, rejection and discomfort?"

REHEARSE, REHEARSE, REHEARSE!

• Identifying with Jesus Christ when under pressure will only happen if I determine in advance what price I'm willing to pay for my faith.

• Even then I'll need to remind myself of the help God will give me in times of trial. "Lo, I am with you always!”

REHEARSE, REHEARSE, REHEARSE!

• I'll need to remember that Jesus promises to reward my faithfulness to him.

• If you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. --Revelation 2:10

• Let's remember that great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12)

IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT ME!

• The greatest reason for sharing my faith is the needs of others. • I'm not ashamed of the Gospel because it is the power of God unto salvation to Jews and Greeks.

• God's only method of rescuing the world is through the telling of the Jesus Story.

SO DRIVE A STAKE IN THE GROUND. TODAY IS THE BEGINNING OF MY NEW

LIFE OF STORY-TELLING

• My Story

• The Jesus Story

• The untold Story of what happens when I am a faithful witness, well God will have to write that. I'm putting my future in his hands.

PRAYER & PRAISE

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Your Offering:“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” --Jesus

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Points to Ponder

• I am eager to tell others about my belief in God!

• Because I admit here-and-now that I know Jesus, one day when I stand before God he will admit that he knows me in the then-and-there.

• I am facing my real fears with the help of God as I take my Leap of Faith.

Jesus, I love you. Jesus, I love you. Help me to get over Help me to get over the fear of rejection the fear of rejection when I have the when I have the opportunity to put in opportunity to put in a good word for you.a good word for you.

Commitment:

Go and Take the Leap.