Making Your Faith Public Sharing Your Story How would you like to share the story of what God has done in your life? Start by looking at Paul’s story of how he became a believer in Jesus. In the story of Acts 26 Paul was telling King Agrippa how he became a believer in Jesus. You will notice that Paul was used to be called “Saul.” He was the same person, just two different names. What was Paul like before he became a believer in Jesus? (v.9-11). He arrested Christians and even agreed to killing Christians. What happened that got Paul’s attention? (v.13-14)? Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. In this chapter Paul was telling the story of how God changed his life. He turned from his sins and put his faith in Jesus as his Savior. What did Paul hope to happen to King Agrippa? That he too will become a believer in Jesus. God uses the story of our conversion to faith in Christ to help others to put their trust in Him. God wants us to tell our story to others (even if it is not as dramatic as Paul’s). Paul’s life was radically changed by his encounter with Jesus. To him it was the difference between life an death! In Ephesians 2:1-10, Paul told us what happen to a person who becomes a believer in Jesus. He said before we believed in Christ we were all dead in sin, following the ways of the world and Satan. But God in His mercy made a way for us to be made alive! The way is explained in verses 8 and 9. Pray: Name three people you will likely see this week who needs new life in Jesus. Ask God for the opportunity to share your testimony with them this week. Pray about a personal need. Go: Share your testimony with 3 people who need to hear about Jesus. Take 3 minutes to tell your story of how you came to trust in Christ. In two sentences tell them what you were like before you came to Christ. Then in 3 or 4 sentences tell how you came to believe in Jesus. Then in one sentence tell how your life has changed since. It is very important that this testimony be no more than 3-4 minutes. Keep it short! Acts 26:28-29 Ephesians 2:1-10 Acts 26:28-29 AMP 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, You think it a small task to make a Christian of me [just offhand to induce me with little ado and persuasion, at very short notice]. 29 And Paul replied, Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you, but also all who are listening to me today, might become such as I am, except for these chains. Mark this reading as completed on YouVersion Ephesians 2:1-10 AMP 1 AND YOU [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins 2 In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God]. 3 Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [Gods] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God–so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, 5 Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christs salvation). 6 And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One). He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus. For it is by free grace (Gods unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christs salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Laws demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] For we are Gods [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. (Ephesians 2:6-10 AMP)
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 14:21:19 +0000
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