Last week, we began discussing a Biblical approach to reaching the current generation. Each generation of God’s people has been challenged to change the world around it for good; each generation of God’s people has faced various difficulties in so doing.
Fortunately, God has blessed us with countless recorded examples of men and women who successfully reached their surrounding generations with the good news of God’s blessings. As we reach out to our 21st century audience, we will do well to follow in their steps.
Paul’s sermon in Athens—found in Acts 17—is an excellent example for us to observe. We should be inspired by Paul’s actions, not only because of what he said, but because of the result of his preaching: “But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them” (Acts 17:34).
Before Paul did anything to reach out to the corruption of the 1st century, his spirit was provoked by their sin. We too must be touched by the sinful choices of the people living around us. Jesus died for the sins of the whole world (John 3:16), we must have a spirit that aches for the whole world to repent.
The second thing Paul had was the courage to engage his contemporaries. The series of events began in the Jewish synagogues—a familiar place for Paul to start his preaching. In addition to the Jewish audience, Paul eventually began teaching Christ to the Epicureans and Stoics—some of the leading intellectuals in 1st century Rome. Paul was in the intellectual center of the Roman empire and began discussing the gospel with the brightest minds in the empire. Although this in itself required Paul to courageously engage the 1st century culture, the transpiring events increased the need for godly bravery.
After hearing Paul’s message, the Epicureans and Stoics then grabbed him and took him to the Areopagus to further explain himself. Now Paul and the gospel of Jesus Christ were on trial before these many 1st century scholars. Paul exemplified courage by preaching God’s message boldly in this daunting scenario. Without his mighty valor on that day, certain men and women may have never come to know Jesus.
We too should have great courage to teach the lost about Jesus. First and foremost, we should be courageous because God is with us as we go. Joshua was reminded of this inspiring thought as he began leading the children of Israel. God said that just as He was with Moses, He would be with Joshua. He then said, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go ” (Joshua 1:9). We should have the courage to engage our 21st century contemporaries because God is with us as we do His will. His power and comfort should encourage us to teach His truth to those who need it the most.
As we go with God, we must remember that our level of confidence and courage is reflective of our personal confidence in our God. If our faith is not strong enough to actively reach out to those who need the gospel, our faith isn’t strong enough. We have been left in the world to bear fruit in the world (John 15:1-8), therefore we must fulfill this purpose by taking courage and taking the gospel. Relative to this idea, we must understand that the world does not want to hear a message from a weak, insecure, and discouraged messenger. If we are going to bring others to Jesus, we must do so with confidence, courage, and boldness. It will try us from time to time—as it did Paul—but we must use every opportunity for Him.
May God bless us with courage to reach out to this generation.
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