Fear of Witnessing
“And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 4:18)
Every Christian knows that he or she should witness for Christ, but most are very reluctant to speak in His name very often. The most obvious reason for this hesitancy is fear. Sometimes we may be actually forbidden, as were the apostles, to teach of Him, but their courageous answer was: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29), and so they prayed: “Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word” (Acts 4:29).
More common than fear of physical persecution or personal harm, however, is fear of ridicule, or loss of prestige or position. Such fear is out of character for real Christians, “for God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). If we love the Lord and those for whom He died, we must learn to conquer our fear of men.
One of the saddest rebukes that could come to a Christian is the indictment lodged against those believers who, because of their high position, refused to take an open stand for Christ: “Among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43). How often do modern professional and business men—even theologians—compromise their stand for Christ and His inerrant Word because of fear of peer pressure in what should be their spheres of influence and testimony?
May God give us the courage of Paul. “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,” he wrote, “for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16). HMM
The Lord’s Day Services
Sunday, February 21st | 10:00a.m. | Sunday School classes for all ages.
Adult Bible Class – Study on God’s Existence – Dr. Frank McClelland |
11:00a.m. | Morning Service – Dr. Larry Saunders | |
6:00p.m. | Pre-Service Prayer Meeting | |
6:30p.m. | Evening Service – Dr. Larry Saunders
Fellowship after the evening service. Team #4 is on Set-up and Clean-up |
Weekly Announcements
Wednesday, February 24th | 7:25p.m. | Family Prayer Meeting & Bible Study |
Friday, February 26th | 7:00p.m. | Good News Bible Club |
Advance Announcements
Sunday, February 28th | 11:00a.m. | Morning Service – Rev. Lee Sterritt |
6:30p.m. | Evening Service – Rev. Armen Thomassian – Calgary FPC
Fellowship and refreshments after the evening service. Team #1 is on Set-up and Clean-Up
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Wednesday, March 2nd | 7:25p.m. | Prayer Meeting & Bible Study |
Friday, March 4th | 9:00a.m. | Women’s Morning Bible Study |
7:00p.m. | Good News Bible Club |
Please Pray For:
Winter Retreat
We are looking forward to the Winter Retreat for the Youth and College & Career that will be held on February 26-28, 2016. Rev. Armen Thomassian will be the guest speaker. Please be in prayer for these meetings. If you would like to contribute to help cover some of the cost for the youth, please contact Jonathan McAnally or David Solc. Email us now
Men’s Bible Fellowship Weekend
We will be having a Men’s Bible Fellowship Weekend at Nottawasaga Inn & Resort on April 8–9, 2016.
The Rev. Colin Mercer will be the guest speaker. More Details to Follow!
30 Years
Phoenix Free Presbyterian Church is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this month. There will be special services to mark this occasion and Dr. Saunders has been asked to take part. Please pray for the meetings and for safe travel for all who will attend.