WHAT WOULD YOU SHARE?

A Response to "What Would You Share?"

Paul's Unwavering Focus

There is something remarkably simple and yet profoundly challenging about the apostle Paul's ministry in the final verses of Acts. He was under house arrest in Rome, chained to a guard, awaiting trial before Caesar. He could have been consumed with his own circumstances. He could have spent his time complaining about his unjust imprisonment or strategizing about his defense. But instead, we are told that he welcomed all who came to him and spent his time telling them with all boldness about the Kingdom of God and about the Lord Jesus Christ. Two things. That was his message. That was his focus. That was his life. He did not get distracted by lesser things. He did not allow his circumstances to dictate his conversation. He knew what mattered most to God, and he made that the center of everything he said.

The Kingdom of God

Paul spoke about the Kingdom of God. This was not a vague or abstract concept; it was the reality that God is King, that His rule is being established on earth as it is in heaven, and that all who submit to His reign will find life and peace. The Kingdom of God is the central theme of Jesus' own teaching, and Paul carried that same message forward. He spoke of a Kingdom that is not of this world, a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, a Kingdom that is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. He spoke of a King who had died and risen again, who now rules at the right hand of the Father, and who will one day return to make all things new. This message is the lens through which everything else must be understood. It gives meaning to suffering, purpose to service, and hope to the hopeless.

The Lord Jesus Christ

Paul also spoke about the Lord Jesus Christ. He did not speak about Jesus as a distant historical figure or a vague spiritual force. He spoke about Him as the living Lord, the risen Savior, the One who loved him and gave Himself for him. He spoke about His death, His resurrection, His ascension, and His return. He spoke about the forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Spirit, the hope of glory, and the call to follow. Jesus was not just part of Paul's message; He was the whole of it. Paul determined to know nothing among the Corinthians except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Everything else was secondary. Everything else was derivative. The person and work of Jesus Christ was the beating heart of every conversation he had.

The Priority of These Two Things

Perhaps Paul knew how these mattered most to God. The Kingdom of God is God's great plan for the redemption of creation, and the Lord Jesus Christ is the center and fulfillment of that plan. Without the Kingdom, we have no hope for the future. Without Jesus, we have no access to the Kingdom. The two are inseparable, and they are the only things that ultimately matter. Everything else—our careers, our possessions, our ambitions, even our comforts—will fade away. But the Kingdom of God is eternal. The Lord Jesus Christ is eternal. And to share these with others is to offer them something that will never pass away. This is why Paul was so bold and so tireless in his proclamation.

What Do We Share?

When people come to see you, what do you talk about? This is a convicting question. Our conversations are often filled with the mundane, the trivial, the temporary. We talk about the weather, about politics, about work, about sports, about the news, about our frustrations and our plans. There is nothing inherently wrong with these topics, but they are not the things that matter most. If someone came to visit you, would they leave having heard about the Kingdom of God? Would they leave having been pointed to Jesus Christ? Or would they leave having heard only about your opinions, your complaints, your interests? Paul's example challenges us to prioritize what God prioritizes. It calls us to be intentional about steering our conversations toward the things that have eternal weight.

What Do We Share in Church?

The same question applies to what we share when people come visiting our church. What do they hear? Do they hear about programs and events, about buildings and budgets, about politics and culture wars? Or do they hear about the Kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ? The church exists to proclaim these two truths. Everything else—fellowship, teaching, worship, service—is meant to serve this central purpose. When visitors come, they should encounter Jesus. They should hear about the Kingdom. They should be invited to enter into it through faith. If they leave without hearing about these, we have missed the point. Paul did not entertain his visitors with secondary matters; he spoke boldly and clearly about what mattered most.

The Urgency of the Message

There is an urgency in Paul's message that we cannot ignore. He was under house arrest, but he did not let his situation silence him. He welcomed all who came to him, knowing that every conversation might be his last opportunity to point someone to the Kingdom. He spoke with boldness because he knew the stakes. Eternity hung on the response of his listeners. This same urgency should mark our conversations. We never know when our last opportunity to speak will be. We never know when someone's heart will be hardened or softened. We cannot afford to waste our words on things that do not matter. The Kingdom is at hand. Jesus is coming soon. And we have been entrusted with the message of reconciliation.

Practical Application

How can we follow Paul's example in our daily lives? First, we must prioritize our own relationship with the King. We cannot speak boldly about what we do not know intimately. We need to spend time in God's Word, in prayer, and in worship so that the Kingdom and the King become the natural overflow of our hearts. Second, we need to be intentional about our conversations. This does not mean we must be awkward or forced, but it does mean we should look for opportunities to steer our discussions toward eternal things. Third, we must pray for boldness. Paul asked for prayer that he would speak boldly as he ought to speak. We need the same prayer. Finally, we must remember that we are not responsible for the response; we are only responsible for the message. We speak, and God does the work.

Final Reflection

What would you share if someone came to see you today? Would they hear about the Kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ? Or would they hear about lesser things? Paul's example is both an inspiration and a challenge. He was not distracted by his circumstances or his reputation. He was not concerned with entertainment or approval. He was consumed with the message he had been entrusted with. May we have the same focus. May our homes, our churches, and our conversations be filled with the bold proclamation of the Kingdom and the King.

Prayer for Boldness and Focus

Lord, give me the boldness and focus of Paul. Let my conversations be filled with the Kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to prioritize what matters most to You. Protect me from distraction, from triviality, and from fear. When others come to me, let them encounter Jesus. Let them hear the good news of the Kingdom. Use my words to draw them closer to You. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.