What if the greatest obstacle to sharing your faith… isn’t lack of knowledge?
What if it’s fear?
Fear of rejection. Fear of awkwardness. Fear of what people might think.
In Acts 26, the apostle Paul stands on trial for preaching the gospel. Yet instead of shrinking back, he boldly shares his story, points people to Jesus, and extends an invitation to believe. And through his example, we’re reminded of something powerful:
We are all witnesses.
A Church Sent on Mission
This message begins with celebration.
One year after being sent out from Covenant Church to plant a church in Oceanside, California, here's an update on what God has been doing through this new church community.
Lives are being changed.
People far from God are coming to the table. People wrestling with faith are exploring Jesus again. People who had deconstructed are returning to Jesus. People are being baptized and finding community.
It’s a reminder that the mission of Jesus is still moving forward.
And that mission belongs to all of us.
The Call to Be Deep Witnesses
To quote Richard Foster:
“The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people or gifted people, but for deep people.”
That hits something many of us feel. We’re tired of shallow spirituality. Tired of performative faith. Tired of surface-level Christianity. We want something deeper. And in Acts 26, Paul shows us what deep witness looks like.
Paul on Trial for Good News
In the passage from Acts 26 that we read, Paul stands before King Agrippa and Festus, defending himself against accusations for preaching the gospel.
Think about that: He’s on trial for sharing good news. And yet despite the pressure, despite the danger, Paul remains a witness. Why? Because the gospel was too important to stay silent about.
Witnessing Is a Privilege
Paul says something surprising:
“I consider myself fortunate…”
He sees it as a privilege to stand there and testify about Jesus. That’s challenging. Most of us think of witnessing as intimidating. Paul sees it as an honor.
Why?
Because he understands the magnitude of the news he carries. The gospel is not information. It’s life.
The Good News Changes Everything
When I was in the hospital dying because the only kidney I had was failing, my doctor
delivered life-changing news: “You’re going to live.”
Even though this wasn't the doctor performing the surgury, he wasn't donating his kidney, he was excited and passionate about the good news he got the privledge to deliver.
And that is also the privilege Christians have in sharing the gospel.
Except the gospel is even greater!
Through Jesus:
sinners are forgiven
captives are set free
eternal life is offered
We aren’t simply announcing survival.
We’re announcing resurrection life.
Why We Stay Silent
If the gospel is this good, why do we hesitate?
Because witnessing requires dying to ourselves.
Paul’s example reminds us that being a witness means surrendering:
reputation, comfort, approval, fear of rejection
The Greek word for “witness” is connected to the word martyr.
There is a kind of death involved.
Not necessarily physical death—but death to self.
We Are All Witnesses
In Cleveland during LeBron James’ championship era, A giant billboard when you entered the city read: “We Are All Witnesses.”
The city was placing its hope in one man to bring victory. and he did bring a victory... (and then left right away)
But the gospel offers something infinitely greater.
Jesus didn’t just bring a championship.
He brought freedom from sin and death.
And because of that, every believer becomes a witness to what Christ has done.
Not just pastors.
Not just church leaders.
All of us.
Your Story Matters
One of the most powerful parts of Acts 26 is that Paul shares his real story.
Not the polished version. The honest version.
He openly admits: persecuting Christians, approving executions, hunting believers down
Why would he expose all of that?
Because the depth of his brokenness magnifies the depth of God’s grace.
And the same is true for us.
Your testimony matters because it reveals what Jesus has rescued you from.
Jesus Pursues People
Paul recounts his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He wasn’t searching for Jesus. Jesus was searching for him.
That’s good news for every person who feels far from God.
God pursues people.
And while every testimony looks different, every believer has a story of grace.
Witnessing Is More Than Words
A deep witness isn’t just what you say. It’s how you live.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said:
“Your life as a Christian should make nonbelievers question their disbelief in God.”
That’s powerful.
The world is watching:
how we treat people
how we respond to enemies
whether our lives actually reflect Jesus
Our witness is both proclamation and transformation.
The Church Witnesses Together
One important reminder from this message:
Witnessing is not an individual sport.
It happens in community.
The church is meant to embody the reality of Jesus together.
That’s why hospitality matters.
Meals matter.
Invitation matters.
The Power of Invitation
At the end of Acts 26, Paul turns directly to King Agrippa and says:
“I pray to God that not only you, but all who are listening… may become what I am…”
Paul doesn’t just defend himself. He invites people to Jesus. And that’s what we’re called to do too.
Start With a Table
One of the most practical parts of this message is the encouragement to simply invite people in.
Invite them: to church, to your home. to dinner, to conversation
Why?
Because people who might never walk into a church building will often sit at a table.
And around that table, the gospel can be shared.
Try Again
When Jesus called Paul, He said:
“Saul, Saul…”
Throughout Scripture, God often repeats names:
Abraham, Abraham
Samuel, Samuel
Martha, Martha
Maybe it’s time to make the second call.
Invite again.
Reach out again.
Try again.
Because God may still be pursuing that person.
Final Thought
You don’t need to be a professional preacher to be a witness.
You just need to be someone who has encountered Jesus.
Your story matters.
Your invitation matters.
Your life matters.
So go out and be witnesses.
Not shallow witnesses.
Deep witnesses.
