Don’t Wait

GETTING STARTED

I wish this were not true, but I am a procrastinator. Somewhere along the way, I’ve managed to convince myself that I do my best work under pressure, so I might as well wait until the last minute to do things. The truth is, when I procrastinate, it is usually because I feel uncertain about how to start a task or unsure of what it should look like when the task is completed. Unfortunately, this can also be true in my spiritual life, especially when it comes to sharing my faith with others.

  • What rationale do you use for not sharing your faith more often?

READ THE WORD: ACTS 21:37-22:22 (ESV)

37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.” 40 And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:

22:1 “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:

3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.”

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. Paul did not want to miss any opportunity to tell his story, but he did so respectfully and with great winsomeness. How is this evident in the first paragraph (Acts 21:37-40)?
  2. In addition, Paul knew his audience: his fellow Jews. How did Paul honor his audience as he attempted to win them to the Way of Christ (vss. 1, 3, 12, 14)?
  3. Why do you think being amiable and knowing his audience were so important for Paul? Are they important for us today? Why or why not?
  4. Another component of his testimony was its emphasis on Paul’s life-change being God’s doing and not his own. How do verses 6-11 and verses 14-16 speak to Paul’s changed heart being a work of God and not of man?
  5. What one or two things can you learn and apply from Paul’s testimony that will help you share your faith story with more confidence and effectiveness?

RESPOND TO GOD

Sharing our testimony—our faith story—can sometimes feel a little intimidating, maybe even a little scary. But as Paul demonstrated on his way to the barracks in today’s passage, there is never a wrong time for us to share how Jesus has changed our lives. As a matter of fact, in Acts 22:16, Ananias asked Paul a very important question about being a witness for the gospel. He said to Paul, “And now why do you wait?” I would venture to say that Jesus whispers those same six words to our hearts more often than we would like to admit. Our testimonies should be shared with respect, with grace, and with God as the key figure. And when approached that way, there is never a wrong time. Don’t wait.

  • Pray that God would give you a chance to share your story with someone today. Then pray that he’ll grant you the courage to share as Paul did.