I love to Tell the Story

Explanation: Paul was speaking to his own people, folks that he knew very well. He spoke their language, and had been educated in their city by own of their own, and he had served with them for a period of years. They had a shared faith heritage and he knew they had the proper background for understanding him.

Too many times well-meaning believers will share their story with people who have no solid understanding of the concepts that are being communicated. Paul only shared his testimony (at least as is recorded in the Scriptures) with those who had a grounded understanding of the faith. In this account and when Paul tells his conversion experience to King Agrippa (), the ones he told were familiar with the basics ()

Argument: When we do tell our story, we often tell it to those who are not familiar with the biblical concept of the One True God. What does that matter? It matters because a lot of people have their stories too! Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims all have their conversion stories as well. Without ensuring an understanding of the concepts involved (such as the Exclusivity of Christ Alone) we may just be sharing stories.

Illustrate: Dr. Bush sharing testimony stories in class. He was getting “amens” and “praise God” until he told the class the testimonies were from Muslims

Application: As thoroughly as possible, ensure the person you are going to share your story with has the groundwork to understand it. You may need to share some basic biblical truths before you share your personal testimony

Principle #2 Give clarity and structure to your Testimony

Explanation: In both instances of sharing his conversion experience, Paul makes use of the same format. He employs a 4 step process that is easy to remember, and easy to follow.

Paul told his audience of his life before Christ (; Acts 26:4-5)

Paul shared the circumstances that led to his understanding his need for Christ (; )

Paul shared the actual life-changing event (; Acts 26:12-18)

Paul shared how the encounter with Jesus changed his life (; Acts 26:19-23)

Illustrate: Sadly, many believers (or those who consider themselves to be believers) have a terrible testimony in terms of clarity as it relates to the unbeliever who is listening. Lady in Stony Point with the story about being “protected” from a ring of fire when she was 5. This experience (which was probably true) had absolutely no relation to salvation. And this was her answer to the Question: What would you say if you were standing before God, and He asked you, ‘Why should I let you into Heaven?’

Paul shares about his is former life (; )

Illustrate: Sadly, many believers (or those who consider themselves to be believers) have a terrible testimony in terms of clarity as it relates to the unbeliever who is listening.

Application: Practice makes perfect. Write out your story and make sure it fits the biblical parameters. Share it with your spouse or another trusted friend. Be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies with you, with clarity

Principle #3 Avoid the use of Church language

Explanation: Remember that Paul is talking with people who are very familiar with his customs and religious practices. When he refers to the hope of the 12 tribes, he wasn’t talking about the Yellow Deli crowd! When he talked of persecuting the followers of the Way, his listeners knew he was talking about Jesus people.

Example: Format for a common testimony: “I grew up in church and one night at a revival when I was 10, I walked the aisle and took the preacher by the hand and I got saved. A whole bunch of people came and prayed with me and it was a great time. I got baptized 2 weeks later, and that was 35 years ago, and I am so glad that it happened to me!

Argument: What??? What does this even mean to a non-believer who has never attended church, or possibly a nominal Catholic who recently moved into the community. Neither of them will know what a revival is, and neither will be familiar with the concept of walking the aisle. What is significant about taking the pastor by the hand? Did the pastor do something supernatural? And what exactly does it mean to be saved?

When I was training church members in the FAITH Evangelism strategy, one of the assignments was for each participant to write out his or her testimony. We had them write their testimonies after we had taught the 4 step structure, and warned them against the use of church language. It was surprising as to the number of people who turned in something similar to what I just read a moment ago.

Application: Write out your testimony and ask the other person to edit it for clarity and church language. We must be clear.

Principle #4 Make sure you have a story to tell

Example: It is a common understanding amongst believers that one of the greatest weaknesses of the church is the alarming percentage of “church members” who are still lost and headed for hell. The surprising thing about this is that all these lost church members are in a different church than ours! That is, until the Spirit of God convicts them of their lostness and they repent and believe and surrender to the Lordship of Christ.

I have been at Sulphur for a number of years now and I have seen this take place many times. Numerous people who have made previous professions of faith and have been baptized, realize they are still lost and undone and headed to hell. And it is not just here at Sulphur - this takes place in churches all across America, and it should concern us.

Example: In my first year at Stony Point I was establishing relationships and getting to know people. One of my conversations was with a 15 year old girl in my youth group. I had just asked her to tell me her salvation story. She was defensive: Why do you want to know that?” (just trying to get to know you better). She told me she was 8 when she got saved at a revival. I pressed for details. “What led to that?” Her reply: “what do you mean, what led to that? I was 8, I got saved, and I got baptized!” And then she walked off to get another hot dog. As far as I know she is still lost and her current lifestyle reflects a life apart from Christ.

Argument: It almost goes without saying, but if you aren’t sure of your personal salvation, you certainly aren’t going to be sharing the Gospel with anyone else. Each of us need to have confidence in our salvation experience. Not a feeling or an emotion, but a life-changing encounter with the Risen Christ that didn’t leave us the same () If the God of the Universe takes up residence in your life, things will be different