But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 1:8

We all know people who are deeply passionate about one thing or another. Last week I listened to a number of different people express their passion for a variety of topics. One person was able to speak with authority on his interest in all things under the heading of sports. Another went to great detail to discuss their position on healthcare. Another went on and on about business interests… and in each instance I wondered what if each of us spoke with as much enthusiasm for the Gospel?

I’ve heard it said that there are three things we should avoid in conversation – sex, politics, and religion. I’m not sure we follow those guidelines in our culture today. Just turn on any talk radio program or watch the news and all three are often front and center in the same story. There have been no less than five such incidents this week.

I think many of us have at least some desire to speak with others, but we often hesitate.  Why? Talking about our faith in Christ is often unpopular at work, in social gatherings, and even in our homes.

Do we really think that it was different in the first century? What were the circumstances surrounding the death of the leaders of the early church?

Jesus’ very last words to His followers were a powerful promise. He promised power to tell His story, the Gospel, anywhere we may go on this earth. The disciples and the other followers were certainly followers of Christ, but on their own they were powerless.

And then everything changed. When Peter, who had denied Christ, was empowered by the Holy Spirit he spoke boldly in public and thousands of lives were changed (Acts 2: 41).

The answer to Peter’s lack of boldness wasn’t found in a new bible study on evangelism or by attending a leadership conference. According to Scripture, they simply waited on the promise of Christ in the Person of the Holy Spirit, and then they turned the world upside down.

The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him (Lamentations 3:25).