Real Life Community Church Richmond, KY
Real Life Community Church, is a church located in Richmond, Kentucky. Our fellowship is comprised of authentic followers of Jesus Christ who aim to glorify God in all that we do. We have a desire to reach our community, meeting both the physical and spiritual needs of those who are hurting.What to Expect in a Service Our Sunday Morning services include a time of dynamic, blended worship. We have a full praise band, consisting of real Christ-followers who are committed to worshiping God, not just through song, but in every area of their lives. Each service will include a relevant, Bible-based message, that will inspire and challenge those who hear it. Come casually or formally dressed… however you are most comfortable. We hope to see you soon!
Real Life Community Church Richmond, KY
Acts | Part 24 | Overcoming the Fear of Rejection
Have you ever let the fear of rejection hold you back from sharing your faith? You're not alone. In this powerful exploration of Acts 14:8-20, we confront one of the biggest obstacles Christians face when it comes to evangelism: the paralyzing fear of being rejected. This message aims at helping you overcome that fear.
If you would stand, amy's going to read our scripture for us Acts, chapter 14, verses 8 to 20.
Speaker 1:Now at light show there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice Stand upright on your feet. And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowd saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices saying in Myconian the gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.
Speaker 1:Barnabas, they called Zeus, and Paul Hermes, because he was the chief speaker and the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice to the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd crying out Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like nature with you and we bring you good news that you should turn from these vain things for a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations, he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways, yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons satisfying your hearts with food and gladness. Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
Speaker 1:And then check and verse 19. But jews came from antioch and iconium and, having persuaded the crowds, they stoned paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.
Speaker 2:The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. Let's try that again. Thanks be to God, everybody. Thanks be to God, all right?
Speaker 2:Well, I want you to take just a moment and think back to a time where you experienced rejection. Maybe you, growing up, were not picked for a particular sports team team, or maybe were excluded from a group of friends. Maybe you pursued a boy or girl and they rejected you. Maybe in your adult years, you went for a job and they rejected you there. Or you went for a job and they rejected you there. Or you went for a promotion and you were overlooked. Or perhaps you shared some big and outrageous idea that was in your heart that you were excited about, but you were rejected. I think we could all think of an instance where we've experienced rejection. And let me ask you, as you think back to that time, what kind of emotions are conjured up? Perhaps anxiety, sadness, anger, hurt? My guess is is that it doesn't make you feel happy? Sorry about that, by the way, but that's for good reason, because, do you know? Neuroscientists tell us that rejection activates the same areas of the brain, regions that respond to physical pain. Okay, nod at me if you agree, rejection hurts, doesn't it? At me? If you agree, rejection hurts, doesn't it? And consequently, people who have experienced rejection often have this fear of rejection, which can be quite paralyzing, like if you've been really rejected in the past. You might not ever go for a job that stretches you again, or you might not share an idea that's in your heart, or you may not pursue relationships because of the fear of being rejected.
Speaker 2:There's a Chinese man by the name of Zhang Zhang, and when he was about six years old, zhang was. He was a precocious kid, very, very intelligent, and he had big dreams. Like at six years old, he wanted to one day own a tech company that would eventually buy out Bill Gates and Microsoft. Like he was shooting for the stars, and he thought about this throughout his childhood. But something changed at the age of 14. At the age of 14, zha Zhang was rejected in a humiliating way in front of his entire classroom of his peers, and he decided at that moment I never want to take the risk of being rejected like that again. So he all but abandoned the dreams that he had in his heart Again.
Speaker 2:Very smart kid, graduated very well from high school, was able to move to the United States and attend the University of Texas and after graduating, he's still afraid of rejection, said you know what? Not going to start that business I dreamed about? I'm just going to take a job. And he got a job as a marketing director. And sometime later, sitting at his desk, he realized this is not what's in my heart, this is not fulfilling my purpose. And so he said I've got to figure out how to get over this fear of rejection. And so he said I've got to figure out how to get over this fear of rejection. So he went online and he found out that most psychologists would agree that the way to overcome a phobia is to intentionally expose yourself to whatever it is that you're afraid of. So I expect some of you to go home and play with snakes right, we're not a snake handling church, but you can do that at home, all right, just joking. So he took this challenge or this remedy, let's say to the extreme. This is a great story.
Speaker 2:Zhang Yang decided he was going to do 100 days of rejection therapy, for 100 straight days. Listen to this, it's a while. He decided I'm going to go up to a complete stranger and ask them some outrageous request that they are likely to reject. And he said I'm going to record the whole thing. So he did it. Day one, he approached a security guard and asked him if he could borrow $100. And the guy says no. And then the man asked him well, what do you need it for? And Jean-Jean was so humiliated and anxious because of the rejection he literally a grown man now he turned the other way and ran out the building.
Speaker 2:Day two, he walked into a burger joint. He finished his meal and he went to the counter and asked for a quote unquote burger refill. The young cashier looked at him a bit confused and said sir, I've never heard of a burger refill. What is it? He said well, you know, when you drink your soda and you run out, you guys give free refills because you know, if you're still thirsty, you get more drink. He said well, I ate your burger and it was delicious. By the way, I'm still hungry and I'd like a burger refill. And this kid's, like you know, I don't think we do that. I could talk to my manager, but he's not going to be until tomorrow. So sorry, it's not going to happen today.
Speaker 2:So, anyways, this went on and on for a hundred days, another days later, it was Super Bowl Sunday and he went into a random house and said hey, listen, I don't have anywhere to go for a Super Bowl party. Could I join yours? The guy looked at him and kind of thought, man, this guy's a bit cringy. And said you know what? This is just a small gathering of you know friends and family. I'd send him on his way. But you know, by the end of a hundred days of doing this, zhaozheng had almost completely overcome that fear of rejection. You know he went on to be a successful business owner, entrepreneur. He actually ended up authoring a book about overcoming rejection and he gives lectures now all over the place. He even you can find online. I highly suggest you watch it. He did a TED talk. So, anyways, that's Zha Zhang.
Speaker 2:And you know the fear of rejection can have a very negative impact on our lives. And I say all that to say that the most consequential area that the fear of rejection can hinder is us sharing the gospel. I hope you know by now, if you've been at this church any time, that it is incumbent upon every one of us, not just pastors, to share the gospel with friends and family and co-workers and neighbors who do not know God. Shake your head if you agree. We've got a lot of people out today, so I need you guys to there you go, thanks. So do you know that?
Speaker 2:The number one reason generally there are a few top reasons, but this is one of the top reasons that people don't share their faith is this fear faith, is this fear of rejection. What if they say no? What if they get mad at me? So I've got some bad news for you all. Right, there is no way to overcome the possibility of rejection when preaching the gospel. I mean, jesus said as much. He said listen, the world hated me and they're going to hate you. In other words, they're going to reject you. They're not all going to accept your message. But I've got really good news today. That we're going to see in our text is that you and I can overcome the fear of rejection and preach the gospel faithfully.
Speaker 2:So we've been going through the book of Acts and we've seen Jesus' mission for the church, for the apostles and the church as a whole, is to go unto all the world and do what Preach the gospel. And the apostles do this and the early church gets on board. Christians are going from place to place and sharing the good news of Jesus. But what we've seen is that as they go from city to city, there are many who receive the word and are brought into salvation with the Lord Jesus Christ. That's reason to celebrate. But on the other hand, there are also continually there's this persecution, this rejection, and actually, paul and Barnabas we've seen already they keep getting run out of towns. I mean that's rejection. Barnabas, we've seen already they keep getting run out of towns. I mean that's rejection, violent rejection. See, I really don't think you're going to be run out of Richmond for sharing the gospel, to be fair. So in today's text, paul and Barnabas they're still on their first missionary journey.
Speaker 2:Okay, they started in Cyprus, they went from there to north, to Antioch, pisidia, they went to Iconium and in Iconium they were booted out of the town. They were the guys were looking to kill them and so they fled. And now they find themselves in this place called Lystra, and this is probably the might be the funniest story in Acts. I mean, it's serious and there's some great truths, but this bout with, you know, zeus and Hermes, these Greek gods. It's pretty, pretty hilarious when we get into that. But anyways, here it is again Paul and Barnabas are.
Speaker 2:Many receive the gospel in this story, but they're again rejected by others, which, in its violent rejection this ends, culminates with the stoning of the apostle Paul. But here's what I love. Do you know? Here they've been rejected time after time for preaching the gospel. And yet Paul and Barnabas, what are they doing? Lystra, again, they preaching the gospel. And yet Paul and Barnabas, what are they doing? In Lystra, again, they preach the gospel. And after Paul is stoned, guess what they do in the next town? They preach the gospel.
Speaker 2:So here's what I want you to know If the apostle Paul and Barnabas can do it. He says in this text we're ordinary men. You and I can overcome this fear of rejection by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. And I want you to listen today. Hear my voice, please, online or if you're here, listen because this message is worth listening to, because your lost family members and friends and neighbors and co-workers, their spiritual lives, their eternal salvation depends in part on you getting over this fear of rejection and sharing the gospel. What would it look like this week if you put this fear aside and you shared the good news of Jesus with everybody in your life. How amazing would it be if they responded to that. Let me say this from the start Rejection, when it comes to the gospel, it is not personal.
Speaker 2:How many tend to take things personal when you're rejected, right, not personal. How many tend to take things personal when you're rejected, right? Rejection is not personal when it comes to this. Jesus said again they remember, if they hate you, they hated me first. You know they're not these people who reject the gospel when you share it. They're not ultimately rejecting you. Who are they rejecting? The Lord, jesus Christ. So I'll quickly want to point out in this text two reasons why people often reject the gospel, and, by the way, there are many reasons. I'm going to show you two today and then I hope, by the end of this, I have encouraged you and compelled you to get over that fear of rejection and to share Jesus with somebody this week. Amen. Number one people reject the gospel because of the problem of evil and suffering. Look with me at verses 8 through 10.
Speaker 2:Now, at Lystra, there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and he never walked. He listened to Paul speaking and Paul looking intently at him, seeing that he had faith to be made. Well, said in a loud voice stand upright on your feet and I love this and he sprang up and began walking.
Speaker 2:Now, in the first century, being crippled from birth would have more than physical consequences. It would affect you economically, socially and even religiously. So if you were in the first century and you could not use your legs, if you were lame, then you couldn't do the typical man's job. There were no desk jobs for men, okay, and so that meant you couldn't support yourself and there was no disability pay. There was no welfare, so you were sometimes dependent on your family. If they couldn't help you, you were left to beg. You would be taken on a mat and dropped at the town square and all day long you just have to beg people for money. How does that sound? There would be social ramifications because as somebody that was crippled, you would have a very low status in the Greco-Roman world because they valued very highly beauty and strength and usefulness. In the religious world, you would have been an outcast, because even in the pagan religion and even amongst some of the Jews, you know, they believed in this retribution principle, where everything that happens to you is basically your fault. They saw. You know, in the Roman world they saw disabilities like this as divine disfavor.
Speaker 2:Suffice to say, my point is this this man's life, for all intents and purposes, is a tragedy. Right, he's had a traumatic life. We don't know how old he is here, but he's had a traumatic life. But I love this. How does he respond to Paul? See, he could have been bitter when he hears Paul talking about this good God and a Lord, jesus Christ, who loves him so much. That's not what he does. Look what it says. It says that he listens to Paul. You know, a lot of times people, when they're hurt, they don't want to listen. And then he has faith, faith so great that he's able to be healed and he springs up and he's immediately able to walk. Now, why do I point this out?
Speaker 2:Well, in our culture, do you know that there are many people when they go through tragedy. Some it pushes them towards God, but for many it sends them away from God, because they can't imagine a God who would allow them to suffer tragedy, or even if it's not just personal tragedy. A lot of people look at the world and how ubiquitous suffering is and they think you know what? I can't believe in a God who would allow all of this evil and suffering and malevolence to occur. You've probably met somebody like that, and here's the argument behind it. People think if God is good, then he wouldn't allow evil and suffering, which means that he must not be powerful enough to stop it. And who wants to serve a wimpy God? On the other hand, if God is powerful enough to stop it, then he can't be good because he wouldn't. Then if he were good, he wouldn't let this happen. And this is a big problem.
Speaker 2:But here's what's interesting. I'd really never thought about this until this week. So I did some research and really discovered what I thought to be true is actually correct. That doesn't happen often. To be true is actually correct. That doesn't happen often.
Speaker 2:Here's the thing this problem with believing in God or turning to Jesus because of evil and suffering. It's uniquely almost unique to our culture. I couldn't find one example in the New Testament. I couldn't find one example in the New Testament where somebody didn't turn to Jesus because they're angry about the suffering in their life or in the world. So in a traditional shame and honor culture which is where you know that was the Greco-Roman world suffering in that kind of a culture is accepted as just part of life, and it can even be used as a test of honor or character In communal worldviews where community is the highest value. They're not focused on individualistic happiness, but they derive meaning from helping one another through suffering. So it doesn't seem to be a problem in other cultures, but let me say this to you In the Western culture it's a big problem. Why? Because we are individualistic in like one of the highest, if not the highest, value is personal happiness and comfort. Right, this is why so many Christians in the West this is pretty unique to the West believe that God would not let us go through a tribulation. So this even exists in the church because we value the most personal comfort.
Speaker 2:In 2015, an avowed atheist who explicitly rejects christianity because of this problem of evil and suffering, he was asked what he would say to god if he were confronted by him at the gates of heaven. And here's his response. This is frightening. He said I would look at God and ask bone cancer in children. What is that about? How dare you? How dare you? He's talking to God here how dare you create a world in which there is such misery? That is not our fault. It's not right, it's utterly, utterly evil. So his whole basis of rejecting Christianity is because he can't imagine and wouldn't want to serve a God who would allow this evil. And by the way, let me just say this when somebody makes this argument with you, can I just say you don't have to defend God. God doesn't need you to defend him. He's God. That other person is not. Let's just let him be God.
Speaker 2:And I know that we've tried to argue. Why is there sin and suffering? And we could say well, it's a fallen world, it's not how God originally designed it, and that's true. But I think Tim Keller has the best answer when somebody brings this before him. Here's what he says. He says I don't know why God allows evil and suffering. But he said just because I can't think of a reason doesn't mean there actually isn't a reason, because God is a little bit smarter than me, he knows a little bit more than me, isn't that good? So and here's what he goes on to say this I don't know why God would allow this. But I know what the reason is not. It is not that God is aloof to our pain, unconcerned about it. How do we know that? Because Jesus left glory, took on flesh and dwelt with us, entered into our suffering and, I would argue, suffered more than any person on this earth, because not only did he suffer physically, not only was he rejected, maligned, hung on a cross, experienced an excruciating death, but he bore the wrath of God for all sinners. Is that not unbelievable? So people reject the gospel because of this problem of evil and suffering, but secondly, they reject it because of the difficulty of overcoming tradition.
Speaker 2:Now, this is the part I say is a little bit funny. Okay, I love this story. So look at verse 11. So when the crowd saw what Paul had done, this great miracle, they lifted up their voices saying in Lyconian the gods have come down to us in the likeness of men. In Barnabas, they called Zeus and Paul Hermes because he was the chief speaker and the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and they rushed out into the crowd crying out men, why are you doing these things? We're just men of like nature with you. Here's why we've come. We bring you good news that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that's in them. In past generations, he allowed all nations to walk in their own ways, and then he talks about what we call common grace. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness. So, by the power of the Holy Spirit, paul heals this man.
Speaker 2:The people are excited, but instead of attributing the miracle to Jesus, they attribute it to Paul and Barnabas, who they think are gods in disguise. Zeus and Hermes, all right. And when they start to try to worship Paul and Barnabas and they're like no, don't sacrifice us, this is insane. They tear their clothes a sign of distress. They say, guys, this is not about us, this is about Jesus. And they talk about the God who created all things and I'm sure also about the Jesus who came to save them. And Paul says here's why we've come. We don't want your worship. We want you to turn from your vain worship, worship of false gods, and we want to tell you about the true and living God who just undeniably healed this man. And you think they go, okay. Like, do you understand? This man was not only made well, like his feet and legs were not only fixed, but he could walk right away, like if you never walked and you were immediately somehow. You know, you had some surgery and your legs worked. You still have to learn to walk. This is a double America. And it says I think it sprang up, like he didn't get up. You know he sprang up. And yet, after all this and after hearing Paul's sermon, guess what? The people still don't believe what Paul's saying At the end of this text. It says, even after Paul said all that, what are they doing? They're still trying to sacrifice to him. Why? Because they are so steeped in their tradition. And when you're steeped in tradition, it becomes blinding. Now, here's why they're steeped in tradition. It becomes blinding. Now, here's why they're steeped in tradition. This is the connect.
Speaker 2:So there is an extremely influential Roman poet named Ovid. He lived from 43 BC to AD 17. Okay, so his name is Ovid, ad 17. Okay, so his name is Ovid. So Ovid wrote his most famous work was a 15 book epic called Metamorphosis, which included a story about Zeus and Hermes. All right, in Latin they were called Jupiter and Mercury.
Speaker 2:Okay, so Zeus and Hermes? In the story, they come down to earth and they disguise themselves as poor travelers Alright? Well, they go from door to door disguised as travelers. These gods are disguised as travelers. They go from door to door disguised as travelers. These gods are disguised as travelers. They go from door to door asking for food and shelter, and time and time again they are turned down until they get to this final place and there's an elderly couple in this home named Bacchus and Philemon, and this elderly couple welcomes Zeus and Hermes into their home, feed them, clothe them, give them a place to stay, and so Zeus and Hermes lead this couple up a mountain to keep them safe while they proceed then to flood the rest of the town in judgment, and then he gives this couple this wonderful, beautiful palace to live in all of their lives. Now, that happened, that story took place, that legend, in a town called Phrygia, which is right by Lystra.
Speaker 2:So these people are steeped in this tradition so much that they're like man, we're not going to get flooded out, no matter what they saw, what evidence was before them. No matter what they heard, their tradition blinded them. And tradition can be blinded Like this still happens in the church today. So I'm on my third time preaching through Revelation right now, and when I was in graduate school, I realized that maybe all my life I'd missed what the end times really looked like and what the book of Revelation was about. So I talked to this, you know, two times already in the church, and when people came up to me and they said well, pastor, you know, I don't know that I agree with this I said, oh, that's fine, I could be wrong. I'm probably not, but I could be I said they would never almost never, give me a scripture to back it up. You know what they'd always say. Well, this is what I've always been taught. This is what I've always been taught Tradition can be blinding. And here's the thing about tradition Abandoning tradition for some people can be very costly, even if they believe what you're saying.
Speaker 2:One of my sons, dylan, he, read a book titled Seeking Allah, finding Jesus. It's written by a former Muslim who tells the story of his conversion to Christianity, and here's what he says about that conversion. He said the decision to convert was the most painful thing I ever did. I lost my family, my closest relationships and my cultural identity. Like if you grew up in a Christian home or a Christian culture and you decided to follow Jesus. That might be simple for you, but you know, in most parts of the world where it's not a Christian culture it can be life or death. That's not simple. So for many people they can't get past this tradition. This is what my culture believes, this is what my family believes, and for them it literally means life or death. It means to be excommunicated from my family if I follow Jesus. So breaking from tradition can be costly, but it can also be humbling.
Speaker 2:There's a historian and author I'll butcher his name Yavah Noah Harari, and he's an avowed atheist who explicitly rejects Christianity because it conflicts with his long-held naturalistic and secular humanist worldview. So he's an atheist and he resists Christianity, not because of ignorance, but because accepting it would dismantle his entire intellectual framebook. And so here's what he said. He says we cannot go back to the Middle Ages. We cannot believe that the Bible is literally true. He says if you do that, you have to reject everything you know from science and modern scholarship, which is hypothesis, by the way, do you get what he's saying?
Speaker 2:For me to believe this Christian message would be to admit that I've been wrong my entire life, about God, about creation, about the purpose and the meaning of life, about history, everything. And you know, a lot of people just aren't willing. I mean, maybe you've talked to an atheist who's, you know, championed the fact that there's no God and has called Christians, you know, ignorant and they don't understand this or that, and then, all of a sudden, their eyes are open to the gospel. Do you know how hard that is for some people to say man, I got it all wrong, I got it all wrong. I, wonderfully, was able to lead somebody to the Lord last year who was an avowed atheist, who would make atheistic arguments online, and I was so proud of him when he came up here unashamed and said I've gotten it all wrong, but I know the truth now.
Speaker 2:But see, tradition can be blinding and here's what I want you to see. It's not personal when people reject the gospel. It might be the problem of evil and suffering that they reject the message, it might be they're blinded by tradition or a host of other reasons, but it's just part of the territory If you preach the gospel enough, you're going to be rejected. Which begs the question why preach it? If rejection is so painful, why preach the gospel? Well, let me just summarize verses 19 through 22, because Brother Jack's going to preach you don't want to miss next week, by the way, brother Jack's going to preach on this passage.
Speaker 2:But essentially, there are these unbelieving Jews in Antioch and they're furious at Paul and Barnabas. They hear the gospel spreading, so they travel by foot. They're such miserable people that they travel a hundred miles 90 to a hundred miles by foot and they poison the minds again of the people against Paul and Barnabas. And it works. And the people decide we don't want to let these people go quietly and they stone the apostle Paul and it says it was so bad that they thought he was dead.
Speaker 2:Now let me just give you a little tidbit of interesting information here. How many remember when Paul I think it's in 2 Corinthians he talks about going to the third heaven, the place where the dead would go and be with Christ? Right, and he didn't write a book about it. He wrote the letter. He said I can't speak about what I heard. That's worth thinking about.
Speaker 2:Okay, there are scholars who think that Paul actually died from the stoning and that this is when he experienced heaven. But God isn't that interesting. But God raised him from the dead. He and here's the beautiful thing I mean, you've probably never seen a stoning, right, these are not. This is intended to kill him. I mean, he is battered and might have even died, and yet he gets up. Bobby doesn't have to go to the ER, he just goes on to the next town. No broken bones, no scars, no scratches. I believe he just because when God does something, he does it well. Amen. He does it wholly and completely.
Speaker 2:And here's all I want you to gain from this. Paul's just been stoned, run out of town again and he and Barnabas go to two more cities and what do they do? They preach the gospel. And then you know where they finish their missionary journey. They start making their way back and guess where. They stop for food and drink on the way back To disciple people, and they spend some time right back in Lystra where Paul was stoned. Are they insane? I don't think so. Why would they do that? Everybody, listen to me.
Speaker 2:This is the same reason you should share the gospel, even in the face of the possibility of rejection. Paul and Barnabas kept preaching the gospel because the reward of people being saved infinitely outweighs the risk of the possibility of rejection. Did you get that? Why should you overcome this fear? Because the reward of one person being saved infinitely outweighs the fact that you might be rejected. Paul and Barnabas know that. So you've got to love people more than you love your ego if you're going to share Jesus.
Speaker 2:So here's what I want to leave you with. I want to challenge you with this today. I want you, this week, everybody, shake your head if you're listening, because I don't want you to miss this. I want you to, this week, share Jesus. If you don't know how to do this, come see one of our pastors after church. I want you to share Jesus with at least one person who needs Jesus in your family, at your work, in your neighborhood this week. Shake your head, okay, did you hear me? In your neighborhood this week, shake your head, okay that you hear me. How do you do that? It's like pastor.
Speaker 2:I'm scared. I don't know if I can say the right things. I don't know. I'm kind of scared of rejection. How do you get over it? One you got to have a compassion for lost people. And so I ask God, think about the reality. What happens if you don't do it? They might experience eternal judgment, the eternal wrath of God. So you've got to grow in this love and empathy for those who are lost. But here's the great news this, ultimately, is not dependent on you, is it, brother Jack? If you want to preach the gospel and overcome this fear, what do you need? The Holy Spirit.
Speaker 2:In Acts 1, when Jesus is about to ascend and he sends his disciples out, here's what he says you wait why? Because there's a promise of the Father that's coming, the baptism with the Holy Spirit. And Jesus knows these regular men, these apostles. They will not make it, they will quit the first day if they do not have the Holy Spirit. But with the Holy Spirit, with the Holy Spirit, paul could go from town to town to town to town and even be beheaded for the gospel, and not care. Peter could go from town to town, run off rejected and end up being crucified upside down. And he does it with joy because he loves people, he loves the lost, he loves Jesus more than anything else. And how does he stick with that? He's full of the Holy Spirit. I think by chapter 6, peter has been quote unquote filled with the Spirit three times. So when you are saved, you receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who guides you, who converts you, who sanctifies you, who makes you more like Jesus. But then, throughout Acts, we see that there is this second work of the Spirit that we call the baptism in the Spirit, and the purpose of that work go to Acts 1a. Jesus says when the Holy Spirit comes upon you here's what he says you'll be my witnesses.
Speaker 2:In Acts 4, after the apostles Peter and John have been threatened, they get together. They're a little scared for their lives and they don't know if they continue. So they get together and they pray. And what happens? How does God answer? He fills them with the Holy Spirit and there's a great earthquake. You're right. The place is shaken, and here's all it says. After that, and they continue to speak the word of God boldly Beloved, you are not alone in this, you can do it.
Speaker 2:So in closing, let me go back to Zha Zhang, the man who embarked, remember, on the 100 day challenge. Throughout that 100 days he got a lot of no's, a lot of rejection, but do you know that there were some yeses On day three, remember he had asked for $100, rejected, asked for a burger refill. I love that one Rejected. Right On day three he walks into a Krispy Kreme donut. Some of you looked up. You're like, oh, krispy Kreme, jesus, krispy Kreme. You know it's like watching a Krispy Kreme donut and he calls for the baker to come up front. He says, hey, I would like you to make me some donuts in the shape of an Olympic logo. And he's scared to death that this lady's going to say you're out of your mind. And she looks at him and she goes why not? And she gets on her computer and she looks at the colors and tries to get them as close as possible and she goes to the back and she works on this masterpiece and he could not believe it.
Speaker 2:He put the video online. Do you know that? It went viral very quickly. It got over 5 million views and this helped propel him into some of the stuff he's doing now. And there are several of those requests where people actually said yes. When it was all done, he said this he asked the people watching this. He said is your dream bigger than your rejections? If it is, maybe it's time to keep going instead of giving up. And that might apply to you at work, at home, in a relationship, but I want you to think of it today in the context of the gospel. Is your dream your love for your lost loved ones? Is it bigger than your rejections? If so, don't give up.
Speaker 2:We had a young girl from our youth group teenager who was on a cruise a couple of weeks ago. Her name's Allie. Did I get that right? Jasmine Allie. Allie was on a cruise a couple of weeks ago. Her name's Allie, did I get that right? Jasmine Allie.
Speaker 2:Allie was on a cruise and you know, on cruises, if you've ever been, they gather often. They have like activities for teenagers. Do you know that she was on that activity? One of the activities? She went from teen to teen and said, hey, who would like to join me for a Bible study? A cruise full of teenagers. You know what a risk that was for her. They could have laughed at her. You can't leave the ship unless you want to drown, right? Do you know that? That first Bible study, 25 young people showed up and listened to her. So I'll leave you with this. When I'm asking you to share the gospel and you're nervous about it this week, don't know how it's going to go. You may ask me what if they say no? But I've got a better question for you. What if they say yes?