What Do We Fear

What I'm about to say is based off of my own convictions, and of the response to the same question by some other people. I would have to say though that based on the average response this is probably one of the general reasons that people don't spread the gospel. Having said that, why don't we do a better job of spreading the gospel? The answer I think is because of fear. We are afraid of our knowledge, or lack there of. Another question for those who don't fall into this category is for the leaders of the church. Why does you congregation not grow, or what is the reason your people aren't spreading the gospel? I say the answer is the same, fear. I know as I came up I was afraid to share my faith, afraid to go up to people I didn't know and strike up a conversation about one of the two topics that people were reluctant to talk about.(religion and politics) "What will I say?", or "What will they say?" The average person that attends church, or even serves in the church doesn't really understand, or think that he/she has the words to say in this kind of situation. Why? Why is there this fear? Is it because of our leaders? What are you teaching in your pulpit? Are you preaching blue skies and rainbows, or are you attempting to "fan into flame, the gift of God" (2 Timothy 1:6) Perhaps they don't even know that they have these gifts. Are the leaders of the church igniting the burning coals of passion that are smoldering in the bellies of believers, waiting to ignite and proclaim the gospel of the resurrected Christ from the roof tops.Why do they fear? They fear because they don't know enough to know that "if God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) They fear because they don't know that the foundation on which they stand in Jesus Christ is solid rock and nothing can shake the ground under their feet. That though our lives may be taken, and this body in which we live may be put to rest our spirit is in the grasp of the All mighty God, protected by the impenetrable walls of His grace. I fear that today's leaders of the church may have lost that passion, that burning desire to step outside of the confines of the church building and go mix it up, and pick a fight with Satan himself. Are our leaders out at the front lines ready to lead the charge, or are they giving their students the basic knowledge and a sword and sending them into the charge, while they sit safely behind the protection of their office. I tell you the truth, if this be the case we are not dealing with leaders, but we are dealing with cowards. Jesus said that "the kingdom of God is forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it."(Matthew 11"12) A line from one of the movies I love so much "Remember the Titans" said "attitude reflects leadership" if this is true and the church today shows the attitude of timidity, where are they getting it from. Because I know for a fact that the spirit given to us by God to dwell in our bodies is the spirit of a warrior. Bold, and forceful, passionate, and true. "But God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7)What are you teaching? Look at your congregation and ask yourself what attitude are they reflecting from their leader? Hear the battle cry, and LEAD the charge.