What is my Message?

So, here it is. My first post. I really have no idea what I'm hoping to accomplish here, but I do know I want to do something that it's possible someone might read and could in some way mean something to them.

The first, and most important thing is for me to state exactly who I am. I am a Christian. Everything else is irrelevant. I am here to try to figure out the best way for me to share that faith with other people in a meaningful way. I know we've all heard these kind of things before, and I don't propose I'm breaking any new ground here. What I am trying to figure out is how to do what God wants me to be doing. As we proceed, it will become quite clear I feel a heavy burden about that.

So, the first question is what is my message? I know I need to be talking about Jesus...but what about Him? He died for our sins, came back from the dead. Is that all there is to say? Why would He do that? I know all about His love. I've felt it, but how can I possibly relate that?

In Jonah, God tells Jonah to go to Nineveh...for their "wickedness has come up before me." (Jonah 1:2) Jonah's message was one of judgment. Nineveh was to be destroyed. They were spared, however, when they believed Jonah's message and turned from their wicked ways. (Jonah 3:10) Clearly, God's mercy was in place long before Jesus was even born.

So then do I bring a message of condemnation? Is judgment the message I bear? Perhaps in part. I cannot afford to shy away from the truth of the eternal fate that awaits anyone who is not willing to accept the grace of Jesus Christ. I bear ill will for none, and even further wish with all my heart to prevent anyone from suffering a judgment that is so easily forestalled.

Upon reading Jonah again, (something you should do right now, it's interesting, and short at only 4 chapters with a total of 48 verses) I'm left with a single burning question. Why did the Ninevites so quickly believe Jonah? What about his message was so compelling that it could NOT be ignored? Crazy people roam the city streets declaring the end all the time, but no one listens. What makes Jonah so different? What in his ONE LINE MESSAGE ("Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown") makes everyone from the King down repent for their sins and seek forgiveness?

Why do they believe him?

The only answer I can possibly come to is that he was specifically sent by God. that was something of a rarity at a time when the true message of God was being carried by the priests of Israel for Israelites. Jonah's foray into the Gentile world, while not completely unique, was uncommon.

The question then, is am I sent by God?

In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus, as He has the authority to do, sends His follower out, commanding them to make disciples of all nations. Sounds like, if I am going to call myself a follower of Jesus, I am sent. This is a mandate. Essentially this the task to which I, or any Christian, am truly called to dedicate myself.

Ok, so I have the calling. I was specifically sent. Wonderful, what does that do for me? I guess I now need the Holy Spirit to do for me what I cannot do for myself. I am not charismatic enough to make people believe what I tell them.

Acts 11:20 & 21 has the answer for me. My responsibility is to preach the good news of Jesus Christ and to be in prayer. Verse 21 should follow. "And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord."

This is why Jonah succeeded, even though he didn't want to. Jonah was not speaking out of compassion, but because he was more afraid of God than he was willing to disobey God. Yet God was with him and his message had weight. His words could not be ignored because he was, in those moments, speaking God's words. So how do I get God to make my message heard?

I need to be called by Him, which according to Matthew, I am. Though I must confess, I would like a little more specific leading in this area of my life. (Who to speak to and when for greatest effect)
My message, also from Matthew, is actually a mission to make all people disciples of Jesus Christ. Salvation is just the beginning. The new Christians will need ongoing, growing relationship with Him.

While judgment is a potential element of my message, the mercy of Christ so far supercedes it as to make it relatively unimportant in light of the hope for a future with Him.

So, what do I need?

1) A message (covered already - and easily handled)
2) A calling (covered already - and already handled)
3) The boldness to speak (we'll talk about this one next)
4) Power from the Holy Spirit (we'll get back to this)
5) An audience to listen (we'll get back to this too)

The message and calling are already handled. Boldness. Now there's a tough one, but manageable. I've gotten to the point in my life where it is becoming more difficult not to speak that to speak. I am often prodded to speak up, and care little for the inevitible mockery or whatever may come. I just don't care anymore. Or perhaps to put it better, I care to much about what will happen to people after this life is through to just sit quietly and let them march unaware into oblivion. Boldnes - handled.

Now POWER. That's a different matter. If the success or failure of any endeavor of evangelism (sharing my faith) is built upon the power of God and His making my words to be believed, then I must ALWAYS be in communion with Him so I can be ready at a moment's notice. This brings up the question of miracles. I say I believe in them, but where are they? Thoughout scripture, the messages of God are punctuated with God showing up and authenticating his messages with His prescence and His power.

Am I truly to believe that any form of evangelism will be truly fruitful if we cannot share the power of God with those we are trying to reach? How much more effective will we be when we heal the sick and restore sight to the blind? God is unchanging (Hebrews 13:8) Jesus still offers all forms of deliverance, does He not? I cannot be so arrogant as to assume I'm smart enough to figure out a new way to spread His message without calling on His power.

I'll end my first rant here. I am really kind of rambling right now, but I am definitely going somewhere with this. If you read this and it says anything at all to you, I hope you will continue to join me as I forge onward in this journey. I hope to hear from you. Feel free to chime in.