Show and Tell

Do you remember “Show and Tell” when you were in school? When I was in school, we had “Show and Tell” where anyone in the class could come up front to show something to the class and tell the class about whatever it was that you brought that day. I found this Show and Tell video of Bethanie when she was 8 years old, where she is showing the Resurrection Eggs that she made where she is telling the story of what Jesus did on the week leading up to Easter.

Show and Tell is important even after we’re out of school. As believers, we need to both be seen and heard.

You might have heard this quote: “Preach the gospel at all times, if necessary, use words.” We need our walk to match up with our talk.

In Romans 1:8-17, Paul gives us four practical ways we can Show and Tell the people around us about the Good News of Jesus.

1. Stay Passionate.

What are you most passionate about today? What would your calendar or your bank statement say you are passionate about?  What does your Netflix say about your passions?  We’re all passionate about something.

Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. ⁹ God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night, I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heartby spreading the Good News about His Son. Romans 1:8-9

This church was making such an impact because their faith wasn’t a secret. They were living out their faith in Jesus and people outside of the church were talking about how much faith they had all over the world!

Paul is passionate about Jesus! He said, “I am serving God with all my heart.” His heart was all in! Why is Paul so passionate about telling people about Jesus? Because Jesus is the only way for people to be saved.

So, if I really love people, I have to make the first move and love people no matter where they come from, no matter what language they speak, or car they drive, or job they have. Our mission is so big and matters so much that I’ve got to be bold enough to do whatever it takes to break through any barriers and love people who aren’t like me.

If I had the cure for corona, I’d be shouting it out on the street. You couldn’t keep me quiet about it. And if I kept it to myself, I should be locked up. But, I know an even bigger cure, for sin, and guilt, and shame, and loneliness and isolation, and hopelessness.

We talk about what we’re most passionate about. When we’re passionate about the way Jesus changes lives, that’s what we talk about.

Stay excited about your faith as you serve the Lord. Romans 12:11 (NIRV)

In verse 9, Paul says he is serving God by serving others. One way to get back some of our lost passion is to focus on others instead of ourselves.

¹⁰ One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. ¹¹ For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. Romans 1:10-11

Remember, God is passionate about you. That’s why He sent Jesus to give His life for you, so you could have a relationship with Him. Jesus was so passionate about you that He went all the way to the cross for you. And in return, we can be most passionate about Him and his plan and purpose for our lives.

2. Stay Positive.

When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Romans 1:12

He said, “I’m going to encourage you and lift you up. And I need you to do the same thing for me.” We all need massive doses of encouragement.

In spite of all the negativity of the coronavirus crisis, there are some positives that have come from the corona situation we’re facing:

TRAFFIC is gone, GAS is affordable, BILLS have been extended. KIDS are at home with their FAMILIES, PARENTS are home taking care of their CHILDREN. FAST FOOD has been replaced by HOME COOKED MEALS, hectic SCHEDULES are replaced by NAPS. The AIR seems CLEANER, the WORLD seems a little QUIETER. PEOPLE are thinking about HYGIENE and HEALTH again. WE finally listen to authorities and head home when they say so. MONEY doesn’t seem to make the WORLD GO ROUND anymore. And now WE have TIME, finally, to STOP and SMELL the ROSES. And WE have gotten closer to GOD & more passionately praising Him every day of our LIVES.

Paul wants to see these Christian friends so he can give them encouragement. You can encourage people with a voice of hope.

The good news never changes. The good news is all about Jesus!

3. Stay Purposed.

When everything else changes around you, your purpose doesn’t change. We are still here on this planet to get to know God and make Him known to our world.

¹³ I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. ¹⁴ For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. ¹⁵ So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News. Romans 1:13-15

Not only did Paul have a passion to tell people about Jesus, but Paul also had an obligation. Because He was saved and He knew Jesus, he knew he didn’t have a choice but to let people know about Jesus.

At The Connection Church, we do a lot of different things. In our sermons, we talk about many different areas of life such as marriage and family, finances, and relationships. But when it comes down to it, it’s really all about one single thing at the core of it all. It’s the good news of Jesus that anyone can be saved and their life can be changed.

4. Stay Proud.

These verses are the whole book of Romans in a nutshell:

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.  ¹⁷ This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” Romans 1:16-17

Paul says he is not ashamed. In fact, he was very proud of his stand for Christ! We aren’t proud of ourselves, but proud of Jesus.

Salvation isn’t just forgiveness and eternal life. It’s peace, it’s acceptance, it’s freedom. It’s the whole benefits package. When someone takes a step of faith to receive Jesus, God makes this eternal connection with us. He breaks down the walls that separate us.

The good news of Jesus isn’t just for certain people. It’s for everyone who believes! That means it’s for you!

When do people in our world need to hear the message of Life and Hope in Jesus? NOW! When there is sickness and hopelessness! So, we’re using all of our resources to tell people about the Ultimate Show and Tell:

But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8

God showed how much he loves you on the cross. That’s what Easter is all about. It’s about Hope! Even while I was in the middle of the mess of my sin, Jesus died for me and for you!