Fearless-Factor - Acts 9:27

Does your past hold you back? Does who you were haunt who you are today? Are others afraid of the old you?
We all have a past. We all have and had sins in our lives that others remember. The hardest people in life to witness to are your old friends and family. They are the ones that need to see the major change in your life, not just be told about it.
When I think of pasts I don't just think of my own, I remember a man whose past was so bad he changed his name in some circles. Ever hear of a man named Saul? He was responsible for many death's of Christian believers. He was even there when the Jewish people stoned Stephen...to the death. If anyone had a past it was him. He even called himself the "Chief of Sinners" in 1 Timothy 1:15.
The difference with Saul who was also named Paul, is that he put his changed life out there for others to see. He didn't just tell people he was a changed man...He showed them. In Acts 9:26-28 is the story of how the body of believers were afraid of Paul and were hesitant of accepting him. Acts 9:26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
The Fearless Factor for today is Acts 9:27 "But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus."
Be Fearless and Quiet No More.
Your Brother in Christ,
Trey Ore