The Greatest Problem: Christians Don’t Want to Talk About Jesus.

Before we get to today’s article, I just want to mention that am writing from the perspective of a man that has experienced many of the challenges of which I write…. and those spiritual battles continue daily. The articles are implications of what it means to obey the commandment to raise your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. They require some reflection and are particularly for Christians who, as Peter would say, are diligently seeking to confirm their calling and are making every effort to supplement their faith. Said more succinctly, serious Christians. If you know other believers who desire to walk more faithfully with the Lord, please forward an article to them and tell them to sign up for future articles. Thanks so much!

The Greatest Problem: Christians Don’t Want to Talk About Jesus.

As I have gotten older, I find that the world we live in grows in its weightiness on my soul. I look around and see all of the manifestations of a world that the Bible teaches will grow in foolishness, lawlessness, and worldliness. Folks, 67 million people died last year on this earth and how many of them were heading towards eternal damnation? I don’t know, but I do know,  “the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13-14).

And what is our part in this? Well, it is the Great Commission, that commandment from the Lord Jesus that tells us we are to preach all that Jesus has taught (in the Bible) and to make disciples. In essence, we have both the command and privilege to direct people to entry at the narrow gate. Likewise, we are told that, “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). So, it is clear- Christians must speak about Christ.

However, there is a big problem. I have become aware of the fact that I have not been faithful in obeying God to tell others about Christ, and I need to make a much greater effort in sharing the gospel with the people around me that may be part of the 67 million people that will die next year. And sadly, I do not believe that I am the only Christian who is falling down on the job in this way. To be clear, we Christians do not save people- only God does that through the work of His Spirit in the heart of a non-believer. But to be equally clear, no one becomes a Christian through the work of the Holy Spirit apart from hearing the gospel from us very ordinary human beings.

In thinking about this, I realized something even more disturbing than the fact that the Christian community is not sharing the gospel as we should and that is this: Christians aren’t just failing to share the gospel of Jesus with non-believers- they are hardly talking about Jesus among themselves! I am not saying there are absolutely no conversations about Jesus, but think about it- You arrive at church and what do you talk about before the service starts? Work? Family challenges? You listen about Jesus during the service, but what do you talk about after the service? Plans for the day? Lunch? Fun things to do later in the day?

How about your breakfast or lunch meetings with other Christians? What do you talk about? Sports? Work? Projects, Vacations? Personal problems? And think about groups of Christians that you meet with on a social basis, maybe even during the holidays. What are all of those conversations about? By the way, have you ever been in a gathering of Christians where you brought up Jesus and everyone looked at you like you were weird? I have. Hey, let’s talk about something lighter. What’s the problem? Is Jesus too boring or is it that we are not finding much joy in Jesus?

If we are not finding much joy in Jesus, what are we finding joy in? Maybe it’s in sports. Maybe we actually feel like we are kind of doing something Christian when we watch sports. We have all of those sports guys doing things that we wish we could do and many of them point to the sky when something good happens or make the sign of the cross before they are about to step up to the plate or begin the game, or pray in a huddle. Of course, many of the same ones follow those meager signs of faith with cursing out the referees or other players, getting into fights, or go home to their wives or girlfriends after the game and smack them around. Is this what a witness for Christ looks like?  

I was listening to one of LeBron James’ (a famous basketball player) motivational videos the other day and was struck by the massive stage that he has to speak for Jesus. He has claimed to be a Christian, but He doesn’t really talk much about it. In his video, I thought about the many good things he said he wants to do or be in front of a watching world. I’ve listed the things that he mentioned in the video and took note of the many places he could have pointed to Christ but instead, spoke about the game of basketball and himself. He said:

• “The best teacher is experience.” (Would have been great to speak of the source of all truth, the Bible).
• “I want to give my kids everything” (But he won’t talk about Christ publicly).
• “Wants to inspire others” (But the greatest inspiration comes from Christ!).
• He wants to be, “true to the game” (I wish He said true to Jesus).
• “I’m true to who I am” (Again, I wish he said true to Christ).
• “I never cheated the game or the process” (But what about Christ?).
• Speaking of kids on the street that may be watching him, he said, “I hope we have instilled enough vision to them.” (They desperately need a vision of what it means to be a godly man).

The only thing that he did say relative to God was when he said, “ The man above has given me a God given ability” and “The man above gives me the hardest road.” Frankly, if that is how he speaks of the God Who exceeds every superlative, I might prefer that he say nothing at all. You can see the video here: https://youtu.be/20vLFw7Jf28?si=aoYFfzssv31FI-0m

And by the way, I’m not picking on Lebron. His video popped up on YouTube and I thought I would give it a listen. We could scour the internet for almost any of the so called, “celebrities” and we would find more of the same- almost no one talks about Jesus- yet we continue to listen to their soundbites, stare at their bodies, and mimic their speech and dance moves.

So, you say that I’m getting a little too whiny? This is no big deal? I disagree. These are not just moments that we have cordoned off for a little less Jesus. They are the moments we find ourselves fully invested in. Moments that are very meaningful to us and take up large swaths of time, energy, and money. These are the things that we live for and therefore, define us as being true lovers of the things of this world. This is the gospel killing water that is boiling the frog (us).

Are there implications for not talking about Jesus? Well, yes there are the obvious ones that flow out of disobedience to the Great Commission. But there is another one we must give careful consideration: Are we actually denying Jesus when we don’t really want to talk about Him, even to other Christians? Let the following terrifying words of our Savior sink in from Matthew 10:32- “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

Or we could think through Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

These verses are most often thought about in the context of what immediately precedes them- Jesus’ warnings about persecution or torture. But if denying the Lord when we are under extreme duress is prohibited, how much more so when we are under no duress. How will we be able to give a pleasing account of this matter when we stand in the presence of God on that great day of judgment?

Why isn’t Jesus a natural part of our conversations? I can’t answer that for you as it is something that I pray you’ll dig out of the depths of your soul. Some of the chief suspects might be the fear of man, or a passion for God that has been choked out by a love for other things.

The reality is that we must talk about Him. For unbelievers, speaking of Jesus is life and light to them. Many pagans can be super nice, smart, and prosperous people. But when you speak of Jesus, they learn the reason for the difference in you. As far as just hanging out with other Christians, they need to hear about Jesus for different reasons. They need to be reminded, encouraged, and sometimes convicted. Jesus is life and light for the unbeliever and the Christian, one for the need of justification and the other for sanctification.

So, where do we start? Begin to train your tongue and your heart with some simple steps and watch God bless your conversations. Here are a few ideas to help introduce Jesus into your conversations:

Well, God has been teaching me….

Well, God sure has been gracious to me…

So, I have seen God really orchestrating things in my life….

I’ve been really sick lately and I had to remember God’s promises to me…

I’m struggling with anxiety, but the Lord has reminded me what He says….

I have been really falling into some bad habits, but I went to God in prayer and….

I have done such and such and God reminded me that He is forgiving….

Of course, if we were trained in our childhood to speak this way, I wouldn’t be writing this article and that is why God commanded the Israelites to speak about Him all day, every day in Deuteronomy 6. Yes, train them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

Thanks for listening, see you next time.

THIS WEEK’S SPOTLIGHT!   Christian Behavior, written by John Bunyan. This is a wonderful fairly short book written by the great John Bunyan to help Christians understand that their lives should be full of good works! Bunyan takes us to Titus 3:7-8 and brings practical application to all areas of the Christian life. You will be blessed by this great saint!

Apple Podcast:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-christian-behavior-by/id1716196912

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQjUQ_MpGbnqwrBVi7TgRKi3

Choose Your Master: God Or Money. The links are immediately below-

Description: This is one of the most written about topics in the Bible because it is one of the most dangerous to the Christian. Listen in on the good and bad experiences of the author and strongly consider the Bible’s teaching on stewardship.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-choose-your-master-god/id1683382182

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQiHoB3-tBm1qDDbxxpQAvTl

Title: All Things For Good Written By Thomas Watson And Read By Michael Lee

Title: Critical Considerations For Christian Parents About Your Child’s Education, By Michael Lee

Description: As we search the Bible for answers to the question: How shall we raise our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord,” we can see that the system for educating children was done primary by the parents in the home. However, the world in which we live now is quite different and the vast majority of parents use an educational system that is outside of the home and is that system is called the public schools, or the government schools.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-critical-considerations/id1678162250

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQjnvjc7QuytT2V3lVr53oqa

Title: From Religion To Christ, Written By Peter Jeffery And Read By Michael Lee

Description:  Tired of the many systems of religion that you have observed or been part of in the past? Are you ready to say goodbye to religion? The author Peter Jeffery, agrees! Doing “religion” is empty and will not get you to heaven. There is something more-something much greater. Take a careful listen through this podcast and discover what a real relationship with God actually looks like.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-from-religion-to-christ/id1687134464

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQg_lCngBTcjs_dXT1VYvYWA

Title: Rediscovering The Lost Treasure Of Family Worship. Written By Jerry Marcellino And Read By Michael Lee

Description: Family Worship was once the normal practice that most Christian parents led in their homes. Led by either parent, the children would be taught daily from the word of God, pray and sing songs. It was considered to be a vital part of the Christian life.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-rediscovering-the-lost/id1692401602

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQgNq7asslVBsKyq0FC3arMs

A Call To Prayer By J. C. Ryle.  Although these words were penned more than 100 years ago, the need and application for today’s Christian is greater than ever.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherish-ephesians-6-4-presents-a-call-to-prayer-by/id1672880807

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAh2MVKU1VQjaXXgO8P1U-bBFkEMCwdYR

Title: Why Should I Believe Anything About Jesus Christ? Written By Various Authors And Read By Michael Lee

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Last modified: January 12, 2024