Kevin was a tough young thug from Queens, N.Y. He moved to Colorado when he was 19. Ten years ago, he went to the mall to hang out and drink with two buddies. That night our paths crossed. After sharing the gospel with him and getting turned down, I asked him if he would read a book, More Than a Carpenter, by Josh McDowell (a book that addresses questions about Jesus and shows He’s Lord through both historical and scientific evidence) if I gave it to him. He hesitantly agreed. Little did I know that he’d follow through with his promise.
Eventually our paths crossed again. When Kevin walked into my office, he threw down the tattered copy of More Than a Carpenter that I gave him at the mall and said, “This is for you.” I picked it up. As I leafed through it, I noticed all the highlights and notes he had scribbled in the margins on his journey to Jesus.
My eyes filled with tears. “I can’t take this, Kevin. I gave it to you for keeps.” I’ll never forget his response: “Greg, I carry like 40 of these things in my car to pass out to others. This is my gift back to you for witnessing to me so many years ago.”
That’s the power of the gospel. It’s like a grenade — if you pull the pin, it’s going to explode.
That doesn’t mean that we’re careless in the way we share this potent message. We must be strategic, creative and relational. But it’s not the strategy, the creativity or the relationship that saves . . . it’s the message of the Cross. Sound fanatical?
ME, A FANATIC?
Christianity needs teen fanatics. I’m talking about ordinary people with a compelling cause and a magnificent obsession with the Cross of Christ.
In our pursuit of cultural coolness and real life relevance, have we forgotten that at the core of Christianity is a horrific and bloody event that we are commanded to tell everyone about? This message is our one thing to live and give in our short span on Earth.
The fanatics of the early New Testament wouldn’t shut up about it. Perhaps the biggest fanatic of them all was Paul. He was so committed to preaching this one message that for the 18 months he ministered in Corinth, his one message was Christ and Him crucified. Paul knew that preaching this powerful message would transform the church from the inside out. It can do the same for you and me.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
Paul bids us come and join him in his fantastic fanaticism. In 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, he promises that the preaching of the Cross will unite, clarify priorities and transform our world. See how this applies to you:
1. UNITE
The Corinthian church was struggling with unity. There were several factions within the church. Some were followers of the distinguished Paul, others of the articulate Apollos, and still others followed the rugged apostle Peter. Arguments had erupted from within the church. This body of believers that was supposed to be working together for the accomplishment of the Great Commission had been divided into fragments of followers. They were more concerned about their own agendas than with the Lord Jesus Christ and His will for them.
Paul had a special gift of cutting through the clutter and getting right to heart of the matter. In a world filled with distraction and division, Paul didn't try to take sides. He simply pointed them to the Cross.
You see, something about the Cross erases all of our petty differences. In the shadow of the Cross, styles of worship and controversies over minor doctrinal differences fade into insignificance.
2. CLARIFY PRIORITIES
Paul understood his top priority was to preach the gospel. He understood the inherent power of that simple message. As an apostle he had many important responsibilities: to baptize new believers into the faith, to teach Christians to exercise their spiritual gifts and to equip elders to shepherd their churches. All of these duties were very important. But to Paul, job No. 1 was to preach the gospel!
Maybe we could put it this way, “Christ sent me not to ______ but to preach the gospel!” You fill in the blank:
• be in the church youth choir
• attend Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• go on a missions trip
• lead a Christian club
These things should never distract us from job No. 1. So, here’s a question: When was the last time you actually shared your faith with someone? Are you spending more time talking about evangelism than doing it?
3. TRANSFORM OUR WORLD
Never underestimate the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to change a life. God loves to use the foolish and fanatical proclamation of this simplistic message to launch a movement of changed lives. He loves to use teens to do great things for His kingdom. Maybe that’s why every spiritual awakening in America has had young people on the leading edge.
It is my prayer that once again, God will raise up a generation of teens who are tired of the typical and have a yearning for the biblical. 
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DARE 2 SHARE REVOLUTION TOUR.
Does this work?
sure hope so
