Bearded Christians Preaching in the Woods

Bearded Christians Preaching in the Woods

Starting with the 1^st century Christians we were persecuted and many still are today. I was confronted early on with the idea that if you are called to preach you are called to preach no matter what the persecution. This past week in preparation for my ordination I was asked what I would do if the church decided not to ordain me. My answer is simple, “I would preach the gospel anyway”. I would like to go further with this answer as well because I believe it will be useful to every Christian. What would I do if I had no church? I would preach the gospel in the woods. What would I do if my life is threatened? I would preach the gospel. Christianity has always grown under persecution. Why is this? Because persecution forces Christians to stand strongly for what they truly stand for the gospel and as a result many more believe the testimony and accept Christ.

The first thing that comes into some people’s mind when asked what they think of Christianity is possibly “a bunch of dead guys with beards.” There was on “bearded dead guy” who ate locusts and honey who they called “the baptizer”, his name was John. John preached in the woods repentance of sins and he was not afraid to speak out against government corruption. His boldness cost him his head. Why would anyone die for something that was a lie? Would you die for a lie? Many people would die for many things, but I can not think of anyone that would die for a lie. Every disciple of Jesus gave his life for the Gospel. What is worth dying for in this message about a man who was born in a manger? Why continue preaching and following this man even at the threat of death or dare I say the threat of losing popularity?

The message of Christianity is not a message of how to get rich or how to become a better person. The message of Christianity is how to be restored to the one true God when we are desperately lost in our sins. This is only through faith in Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:1-11, John 3:16-17, John 14:1-6).  If we believe that Jesus is the only way then we must radically and ardently proclaim this message in every possible way for as long as we have breath.

Paul says some powerful statements that I feel can embolden us in sharing the only true way of salvation:

“woe is unto  me; if I preach not the gospel!”I Corinthians 9:16

“I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…” Romans 1:17

“But though we or an angel of heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed” Galatians 1:8

If everything as we know it changes will you still stand on Jesus as your rock? When all truth is attacked will you stand for Jesus who is foundational and life changing truth? When you are thrown out of your home and out-casted from every city for what you believe, will you preach in the woods? Would your faith in Jesus stand if everyone else you know quits following Jesus like in John 6:66-70? Would your faith in Jesus stand in the midst of the storm like Mark 4? Will  you still have faith in Jesus when you loose all earthly possessions and will you still proclaim Jesus even if it potentially costs you your life?