For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is Godʼs power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
“Stomp ‘em boys. Go win today because of what’s in here, in your heart. Do this for your team and your school. Shoot, do it for the whole town.”
I’m bored with those sports movies where the underdogs make their big comeback. They’re so predictable. At halftime, the coach delivers a pivotal locker room speech, then the players storm the field to victory. But no matter how impassioned the coach is, the pep talk sounds hollow.
“Spill your blood for this sport and this game.”
That’s pretty thin compared to the truly inspiring message in the gospel.
To tell someone God loves you so much he died for you is by far the best possible news to deliver. Christ’s resurrection is a message of ultimate love demonstrated with power. No other faith, empowerment seminar, or locker room rally is even in the same league.
When people are enabled by the Holy Spirit to grasp the truth of the salvation offer, they beg to be told what to do. That’s what happened on the day of Pentecost, and it still happens today, when the gospel is explained.
In my business days, I traveled annually to Washington DC to lobby for our industry. I dreaded it when I was called on to speak to congressmen and their aides. My voice trembled and I could barely get the facts out.
Then I stood on a festival stage in India before seven thousand skeptical Hindus, and I was on fire to tell them about my Lord. What makes the difference is the message. There is soul rending, heart exploding power in the message of the gospel. And the delivery can come from any fumbler such as me.
Prayer: Holy Lord, allow my voice to spread your beautiful message.