Rock and roll

I had lunch today with a friend who serves a local church as missions and evangelism pastor. Part of our conversation had to do with his frustration with people who seem to have no inclination to share their faith - in the workplace, the neighborhood, or wherever.

My reply was to remind him of the scenario we find in Acts. It begins with Jesus' promise of the power of the Holy Spirit and with his instructions to be witnesses wherever we may be. (Acts 1:8) It continues with the coming of the Holy Spirit in power on the day of Pentecost and with Peter's sermons, following which thousands came to faith in Christ. Then, in Acts 3 and 4 Luke tells of the work of the Holy Spirit to bring healing to a lame man, and to empower the church again following the threats of the religious leaders.

Here's the point I tried to make. We can preach evangelism, teach evangelism, even practice evangelism, 'til the cows come home. But if we're not empowered and directed (i.e.) filled by the Spirit of God, we labor in vain. Conversely, if we are Spirit-filled, then we will both live and share our faith with conviction and boldness.

Toward the end of Acts 4, the church prayed for boldness, and the house shook. It states that "While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God's Word with fearless confidence." (The Message) Could it be that we need to pray for the same thing and expect the same results? Are we outside of God's will if we're not asking him to empower us to witness?