Message for Akron Alliance Fellowship Church, Akron OH, Sunday, May 24, 2026.
I will lead off today’s message with a list of idioms. Here’s a tip for anyone preparing a speech or a message. Idioms are a great way to “break the ice” when it comes to speaking to an audience. Coincidentally, “breaking the ice” is an idiom.
An idiom is a phrase or expression where the overall meaning cannot be understood by taking the individual words literally.1
Here are some more that may be familiar to you:
“Piece of cake” – The literal meaning is to get a slice of cake. The idiomatic meaning is to perform a task that is very easy to accomplish.
“Break a leg” – The literal meaning is to fracture a bone in your leg. The idiomatic meaning is to wish a performer good luck before a show or an event.
“Bite the bullet” – The literal meaning is to clamp down with your teeth on a piece of lead, which you should never, ever do. The idiomatic meaning is to force yourself to do something unpleasant, including listening thus far to this message.
“Bored to death” – The literal meaning is that you die from boredom. The idiomatic meaning is that you are very bored. Actually, both meanings could apply here. You may already be dead from hearing this right now.
Perhaps I can salvage this message with our idiom for today:
“Coming Out of Your Shell.”
We all know that turtles, snails and crabs have shells, but we would seldom see these creatures move outside their protective covering. The idiomatic meaning is for “coming out of your shell” is for a person (you, for example) to become more confident and outgoing in your speech and mannerisms. It is when you are more comfortable over time in social settings. You are more likely to talk to and share with others—perhaps even total strangers.
It’s funny how this is exactly what we need to do as servants for Jesus Christ. Coming out of your shell means being a disciple. Being an evangelist. You are less likely to keep to yourself; in fact, you are compelled, in your relationship with Jesus, to share the good news and live with empathy to reach the lost.
It’s been a little while since we’ve done this, but to come out of your shell is the equivalent of being a faithful, confident believer in Jesus Christ as you live according to His IMAGE:
I – Investigate God’s Word
You’re not just reading the Bible—you’re investigating the Word. To investigate is to observe or study a subject closely through systematic inquiry and detailed examination to discover facts, establish the truth, or understand how and why something happened.2
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Joshua 1:8 NIV
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Investigating Scripture is exactly what every believer MUST do in order to be successful as a representative of Christ. Next, a believer is to now pray and seek the wisdom and knowledge of the Holy Spirit:
M – Meditate on His Word
Psalm 1:2 NKJV
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Now we are to take what we have learned and apply it every day in real-life situations and circumstances.
A – Apply His Word
Philippians 4:9 NIV
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
2 Timothy 2:15 NIV
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Romans 12:1-2 NIV
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Living according to God’s will is very important. When we are in His will, we are bound to grow more and more confident as we rely upon the presence of the Holy Spirit.
G – Grow in Christ (Being sanctified daily)
Ephesians 4:15-16 NLT
15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Colossians 1:9-10 NLT
9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
And finally, all believers must become accustomed to adversity.
E – Endure the hardships (as they will certainly come)
Colossians 1:11-12 NLT
11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
James 1:2-4 NIV
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Remember that Satan, your enemy, wants you to live in the exact opposite manner. He wants you to stay in your shell—to remain silent—to stay on the sidelines and not do anything to serve, let alone represent Jesus.
Jesus calls us to represent Him in our faith and in our actions.
2 Corinthians 2:15-16 NLT
15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?
Are you adequate for this task? Are you up to the task of living in Christ’s IMAGE?
There is a need for greater participation in the body of Christ. There is a greater need for people to live out their faith before others.
But let’s talk about faith for a moment. Are you skeptical about this thing called faith? What if you are doubtful about who Jesus is, or even if you are an unbeliever. Here is an important consideration when it comes to faith.
J. Vernon McGee said, “God has never asked anyone to believe anything that does not rest upon a foundation. Faith does not mean to move blindly and say, ‘Oh, I am trusting God.’ That is very foolish. God never asks us to do that. Our faith rests on the historical facts of the death, the burial and the resurrection of the Son of God.”3
Jesus is the author and recipient of our faith. He is our Rock and our firm foundation.
Hebrews 12:2 NLT
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Matthew 7:24-25 NIV
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
It all starts with faith if you want to accurately represent Jesus.
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Believers in Jesus Christ are reminded and affirmed by Scripture to be confident in their faith, but there are times when this is easier said than done. Real life issues kick in.
Perhaps you have experienced difficulties or setbacks in your faith because of life’s circumstances. These are completely normal and understandable. You can be a believer in Jesus Christ and experience hardship. Don’t allow your confidence to wane under the pressures of life.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 NLT
6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
When you’re looking to Jesus, he will give you what you need to regain your confidence in tough times. Paul says it quite well here:
Philippians 4:12-13 NIV
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Your confidence in Christ will face challenges every day. Remember how we just mentioned that Satan wants us to be quiet? He wants us to be the exact opposite of “coming out of our shell.”
He wants us to live in fear. Satan can be very cunning, and he will put up barriers in your life that can create fear in your heart and mind. Here are some Top Ten examples:
10. Losing your freedom
09. The unknown
08. Pain
07. Disappointment
06. Misery
05. Loneliness
04. Ridicule
03. Rejection
02. Death
01. Failure
Fear is the response to these and many other stimuli, and it can be debilitating emotionally and physically if it remains unchecked.
Do believers struggle with fear? Sure they do!
The result of fear, in your doubt and lack of focus, is a believer who is outside of the place where God wants you to be. It’s a place that is unsettling at best, and dreadful at worst.
Fear is not a switch that one can turn on and turn off. In our flesh, there is no such thing as an absence of fear. Fear is like a wound that needs ointment and a bandage in order to promote healing.
In order to overcome fear, which allows us to combat doubt and regain focus on Jesus Christ, there is a remedy. Fear must be suppressed with a reliance on God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Fear must be met with courage.
Psalm 27:1, 14 NIV
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
Fear leads to anxiety and is fueled with a lack of patience.
Learning to wait on the Lord’s deliverance takes strength, practice and patience.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Courage is the essence of a believer that drives the necessary change to promote growth of your IMAGE in Jesus Christ and the ability, in spite of any life difficulty or circumstance, to proclaim the good news for the Great Commission. (And yes, you are still to share the gospel even when you are not at your best. Consider that Jesus may want you to go through a little brokenness to teach you how to live with adversity and still share God’s goodness.)
Your focus is never to remain on fear and unsettling circumstances. Your focus is on Jesus Christ:
John 16:33 NIV
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Submit to Jesus. He is the way to go. Don’t duck out and hide when trouble comes. Remaining in fellowship with other believers should be comforting and reassuring in times of difficulty.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
When we fellowship together, it is a place where you can take your mind off of the things that cause doubt in your life and put on your armor with fellow brothers and sisters in the faith. It is a place where we all can experience God’s love, peace and comfort.
1 John 4:17-19 NIV
17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love because he first loved us.
Living in Christ is to come out of your shell and live courageously and confidently in the Spirit.
Copyright © 2014, 2026 Melvin Gaines.
1 Wikipedia contributors. (2026, March 29). Idiom. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16:25, May 20, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Idiom&oldid=1346101339
2 Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Investigate. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved May 20, 2026, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investigate
3 McGee, J. V. (2008). Isaiah 7 – “thru the Bible” with dr. J. Vernon McGee – Bible commentaries – studylight.org. StudyLight.org. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ttb/isaiah-7.html
Melvin Gaines 