We’ve been going through the Book of Acts here at the Pizza Ranch Support Center. In Acts 8:1-8 we find the early church in chaos. A great persecution had broken out against those who believe. The church was being destroyed, men and women were being dragged out of their homes, and people were scattering throughout the region for safety. But this doesn’t stop folks from sharing Christ. It actually seems to intensify it. Our story today talks about a man named Philip, driven out of Jerusalem, who was now sharing Christ in Samaria.

Today’s passage says that Philip “went out and preached.” Preaching has many definitions. Yes, one of them is what most of us think of, delivering a sermon in church. But, preaching can also mean proclaiming, advocating, affirming, or even giving advice. All of which can be done in a small group or one on one. I see it as sharing Christ through our own individual stories and lives. Pointing people to Jesus through our experiences, prayers, small talks, phone calls, work, relationships, what we watch or don’t watch, what we do or don’t do etc.

We are prone to feel unqualified to share Christ. Throughout Scripture however, it is the unqualified people who God uses the most. Remember, God chooses normal, everyday sinners like you and me to tell and show others the way. To be authentic difference makers for the Kingdom. To be bold even if we’re not confident, we fumble over our words, or we fear persecution from others. He’ll turn our misery, into our ministry. The Holy Spirit will help us to use our own story to point people to Christ. To help our words become His. May this happen here for us, in your own communities, and throughout the world.