In a world where the term “preachy” has taken on negative connotations, it’s easy to shy away from sharing our faith. We might prefer to let our actions speak for themselves, hoping others will notice our good deeds and ask about the source of our inspiration. But is this approach truly in line with the example set by Jesus and his early followers?

The gospels paint a clear picture: Jesus came to preach. His mission wasn’t just to perform miracles or live a perfect life, but to proclaim the good news of God’s kingdom. In Luke 4:43, Jesus states plainly, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God in other towns too because that is why I was sent.” This wasn’t a side project or an afterthought – it was His primary purpose.

What’s striking about Jesus’ preaching is that it wasn’t the dry, judgmental monologuing we might associate with the term “preachy” today. Instead, people were astonished by His teaching because His words carried genuine authority. When Jesus spoke, things happened. Demons fled, storms calmed, and lives were transformed.

This power of the spoken word isn’t limited to Jesus alone. Throughout scripture, we see how God’s word creates reality. In Genesis, God speaks the world into existence. In the book of Acts, the early church grows exponentially as the apostles boldly proclaim the message of Christ’s death and resurrection.

Words have an incredible ability to shape our world, for better or worse. We’ve all experienced the pain of harsh words from loved ones, or the healing balm of forgiveness and affirmation. The book of James likens the tongue to a small rudder steering a large ship or a tiny spark that can set a whole forest ablaze. Our words matter, and when combined with the power of the Holy Spirit, they can change lives.

So why are we often hesitant to share our faith verbally? In our current cultural climate, tolerance is highly valued (and rightly so in many contexts). But has our desire to avoid offense led us to keep silent about the most important truth we know?

A fascinating study by the Barna Research Group revealed some intriguing statistics about Millennial Christians:

• 74% feel prepared to answer questions about their faith
• 96% believe witnessing is a key part of their faith
• 94% think accepting Christ is the best thing that could happen to someone

Yet, despite these encouraging numbers, 47% of Millennial Christians believe it’s wrong to share their faith with someone of a different religion in hopes they might convert. This disconnect is striking and prompts us to examine our own attitudes about evangelism.

If we truly believe that Jesus offers hope, healing, and the only way to a relationship with God, shouldn’t we want to share that good news with everyone? The early apostles certainly thought so. Even when threatened and beaten for preaching about Jesus, they left “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (Acts 5:41). They couldn’t stop talking about what they had seen and experienced.

The reality is, we’re all preaching something. When friends come to us stressed or anxious, what solutions do we offer? Do we point them to the latest self-help techniques, wellness trends, or our favorite hobbies? While these things aren’t inherently bad, are we missing opportunities to share the deeper peace and purpose found in a relationship with Jesus?

It’s worth examining our own hearts. Has our faith become stagnant? Have we lost sight of how good God has been to us? When was the last time we experienced God moving in a tangible way in our lives? If our relationship with Jesus isn’t exciting and life-changing for us, it’s no wonder we struggle to share it with others.

Remember the disciples in the aftermath of the crucifixion? They were terrified, hiding behind locked doors. But after encountering the risen Christ, they were transformed. No threat could stop them from proclaiming what they had seen and experienced. Their entire world had been turned upside down by the reality of the resurrection, and they couldn’t help but share that good news.

So how do we recapture that boldness and excitement about our faith? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Reflect on God’s goodness in your life. Take time to remember specific ways He has blessed you, guided you, or answered prayers.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit for courage and wisdom. We don’t have to have all the answers, but we can trust God to give us the words we need in the moment.
3. Start small. Look for natural opportunities to mention your faith in everyday conversations. You don’t have to launch into a full sermon!
4. Be authentic. Share your own struggles and how your faith has helped you through them. People are drawn to genuine experiences, not polished performances.
5. Listen well. Show genuine interest in others’ beliefs and experiences. This opens the door for meaningful dialogue.
6. Pray for those around you. Ask God to soften hearts and create opportunities for spiritual conversations.

Remember, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in believers today. When we combine our words with the working of the Holy Spirit, amazing things can happen. Lives can be transformed, hope can be restored, and the kingdom of God can advance.

Let’s not allow fear or cultural pressure to silence us. The world is hungry for good news, even if they don’t realize it. As followers of Jesus, we have the incredible privilege and responsibility of sharing the most important message of all – that God loves them and offers new life through Christ.

May we, like the early disciples, be so captivated by the reality of Jesus that we can’t help but speak about what we have seen and heard. The gospel is still good news, and it’s still changing lives today.

Sermon Recaps are based on my original messages delivered at Grace Christian Church. 
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AI used for Recap only, NOT the original message.