Paul’s Testimony, Pt. 1
2014-08-31
Acts 26:4-11
4
"My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my
own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5 They have known for a
long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest
party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand here on trial
because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as
they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O
king! 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
9
"I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing
the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I
did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after
receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I
cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues
and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted
them even to foreign cities.
We need to see unplanned events as divine appointments not interruptions & irritations.
·
Story
about the oil pan drain plug...
- Sharing seldom requires extra time in your schedule, just a greater
awareness.
·
2 yrs of frustrating events gave Paul an opportunity of lifetime.
Proclaim the gospel without hindrance to powerful people, that he would not have
encountered in normal course of
events
o Act 26:4-27 is a beautiful example of sharing the Gospel with a Christian testimony.
Testimonies are the stories told by Christians about what God
has done and is doing in their lives.
·
It is both a pleasant & painful
past that God uses to open our eyes to
the need of a Savior.
·
What is
He doing NOW in your life (difficult & comfortable) to transform you to be more like Jesus is also part of your Christian testimony.
o That means every
Christian has a testimony & your
story is important even if
you don’t have a sensational/dramatic testimony.
§ I believe the best
testimonies aren’t “wild child” ones.
·
Christian
testimony is sharing the life-changing
work of Christ in your life.
o It’s
hard to argue with because it’s your experience with God as a believer.
The goal of a testimony
is to inform rather than coerce
people into salvation.
- Crossfire example
- We do not need to argue/debate
anyone into heaven but to give eyewitness testimony!
o As in a courtroom,
we're called to be witness for Gospel, not the lawyer, judge or jury.
1 Cor 2:1-5
3 testimony components: Before Christ (4-11), Conversion (12-18), After Conversion
(19-23)
·
Today look at 1st part
of personal testimony…BC
Testimonies are fluid & multifaceted: they start &
end with any “handle” that relates to discussion.
·
Paul was accused of stirring up riots & subverting Judaism so he begins
Christian testimony with his Jewish heritage & misguided religious
zeal. Act 26:4-5, 9-11
o Hint: like Paul tone down graphic
sin!
·
What are some of your testimony “starting points”?
o It might include event observed/involved, emotional
trauma, discussion, “out of the blue” thoughts, etc
§ If
you were saved young: you have
similar struggles as other youth.
§ Use current discussion/activity
to ask questions and to lead to your testimony.
Everyone is called to
share their faith, not everyone has gift of evangelism. Mt 28:19, 2 Cor 5:20, Eph 4:11-12, Rom
10:14, 1 Pet 2:9
·
One of LEFC
biblical values is: We will strategically share the Gospel with
our local, regional and global neighbors.
o For a Christian: Glorifying God is the main purpose, evanangelism is not the primary purpose. 1 Cor 10:31
§ In heaven there is NO evangelism.
- Gives Jesus glory
& Christians joy when His people
witness about the light of Gospel.
We don't usually hit targets
that we are not aiming at, so be intentional & begin by 1st
delighting in Jesus & preparing
with prayer (opportunity, courage) &
action. Mt
12:34b, 1 Pet 3:15-16, 1 Cor 2:1-5 &
3:6-7, Philemon 6, Jn 6:44
& 65
·
Live a life that glorifies God; verbally share your testimony
with the Gospel, & trust God for results.
o Ultimately
salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit, not clever presentations.
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