Keith / Bells - Confirming Our Testimony

To our sermon. We are going to continue today with our study in Acts and we will be covering approximately 3 years of Paul's Ministry focusing primarily on how Paul shares. His testimony in chapters, 22 24 and 26 sore. And today is going to be to recognize the manner in which Paul shared his testimony. Okay. So that we can learn from him and be able to share our testimony with others in a way that is going to, hopefully draw them to Christ, right? Our testimony should be the conduit in which the good news about Jesus Christ, pours, out of us naturally, It's our Salvation story. Saturated with the goodness of God.

I was personally made aware of how powerful League I can use once testimony only two months after I came to Christ at age 31 on my password said, hey we're having a baptism coming up your recently saved. Would you like to be baptized, unlike absolutely like, would you mind sharing your testimony not at all? So we went that day that particular Sunday after church, I shared my testimony and there was a good amount of people there probably close to other people. The next Sunday I shared all about you know my life before Christ. How lost and hopeless without meaning and purpose I was and how the Lord drew me to himself. And then I also shared in the brief amount of time that I had two months that I I was saved just how my life was, radically changed. The next Sunday, the pastor came up to me, put his arm around me so I just want you to know that the Lord use your testimony to bring a man who was listening that day to Christ. I will never forget the sense of awe that I had that day. And it wasn't because I shared an amazing testimony that wild that man to Christ it was because Jesus chose to use our story. Our story to draw this man to a point of faith and repentance.

How beautiful is that? How powerful is that?

Well today my hope is that we will be able to study the scriptures in such a way that we can grow in our understanding of the importance of Our Testimony and grow and how we share our testimony, right? Because we all have our own personal story and it is written deeply on our hearts. And so I really want you guys to TuneIn today. This is going to be a shorter message so I'm only going to ask for 20 minutes of your time, because we have a lot going on today. A lot of good things going on today, but in these next, 20 minutes, please focus in. I think the Lord to really use this today in your lives and in the lives of others, who he may, open up opportunities for you to share your testimony. So let's begin reading in Acts 22.

Brothers and fathers. Listen. Now, to my defense. When they heard him speak to them and Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then, Paul said, I am a Jew born in Tarsus of cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under a gamma Leo, and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God, as any of you are today. I persecuted the followers of this way to their death arresting, both men and women and throwing them into prison. As the high priest and all the council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their Associates in Damascus and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished about noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from Heaven, flashed around me. I fell to the ground and Heard a Voice. Say to me, Saul Saul, why do you persecute me? Who are you? Lord. I asked I am Jesus of Nazareth. Whom you are persecuting. He replied. My companion saw the light but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me? What shall I do? Lord, I asked get up the Lord said and go in to Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do my companions, led me by the hand and Damascus. Because the Brilliance of the light had Blinded Me. A Man Named ananias came to me. He was a devout Observer of the law and highly respected by all that you was living there. He stood beside me and said, brother Saul receive your site and at that very moment, I was able to see him then he said the god of our ancestors has chosen you to know, his will and to see the righteous one. And to hear words from his mouth, You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away. Calling on his name when I return to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord. Speaking to me, Ricky said, leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me. Lord, I replied these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat them who believe in you. And when the blood of your martyr Stephen Woodshed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him. Then the Lord said to me go, I will send you far away to the Gentiles

So, what we see here in this passage, what are we see?

Well, we see Paul's response to the angry mob was to try to teach them about Jesus. What why would he do that? Why would you why would Paul do that? In appreciation for Jesus's goodness, toward him must have been part of the reason that Paul attempted to help the mob of angry Jews that wanted to kill him, right? God's patience & Grace toward Paul, compelled him to extend patience & Grace to this, angry mob of choose.

Paul told him his story in hopes that they would also turn from their Rebellion toward God and put their faith in Jesus.

Let's look at Paul's testimony details. This is where we got to dig in a little bit deeper here and and see what we see. So notice how he shares details about his life before coming to know Christ as his own Lord and Savior. Right. He shared all about that. And Paul purposely shared how he wants lived like them. Sydney. He was taught like them and believe the same things that they believed. Paul was essentially saying, I know you because I was once like you

This added contacts is built a bridge relationally between him and the angry mob of Jews. And more importantly, it emphasized. God's Amazing Grace and work in Paul's life.

Assured, David details about his conversion and how real meaning and purpose was finally given to him by the Lord. He was no longer empty but he was filled with a purpose with a mission. Given to him by Jesus himself.

So what can we take away and apply? Well, always remember that God's patience & Grace toward you. Was amazing. Wasn't it? He drew you to himself in a very special way in a very intimate way. Each one of you has a very personal and intimate story to tell So God patience & Grace toward you, we must extend that same patience & Grace toward those that we are trying to reach to those that we're sharing our testimony with just like Paul.

When sharing your testimony is also helpful to share your life before and after Christ

this helps people to recognize Jesus as work of rescue Redemption, restoration and renewal We want them to see Jesus. This isn't about us. As much as it is about Jesus, right? So, the more you can share in detail. I mean, it's going to look different for all of you. Some of you guys are what they call cradle Christians. I've heard that term thrown around, obviously not cradle Christians, but you guys were, maybe saved very early on maybe at like, something like a super Summer Slam, right age 6 7 8. So your life before crisis, you know, like that's Someone like me who came to price later in life at age 31. I have a lot more on the front end to share. It's going to look different for each of you. That doesn't mean that you don't have a testimony. If you came to Christ early on, you have a testimony to share.

As a result. We want others. To hopefully identify with your desperate need as a savior and appreciate your new life in Christ that you shared. And as you share that, you're sharing the grace in the peace. That you know how? Because of the relationship that you know how Jesus?

And like all the more concrete and specific, the details are while sharing our testimony, the more our listeners will recognize the person and work of Christ himself. Details are important.

Let's look closer at the second time when Paul shared about his faith in Jesus with Felix and his wife, Drusilla, and acts 24 verses, 24 and 25. Several days later, Felix came with his wife, Drusilla who was Jewish he sent for Paul and listen to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, that's enough for now. You may leave When I find a convenient, I'll send for you.

What are we see here? What an interesting short little passage. While it short, I believe there are several things that we can take away, that would be helpful to us. First noticed that Paul spoke about his faith in Christ Jesus. Always gospel-centered his message revolve around Christ.

He spoke about righteousness, for, in the gospel. The righteousness of God has revealed a righteousness that is by faith From First to Last just as it is written, the righteous will live by faith. Paul wrote that in Romans 1:17.

He spoke about self-control and the coming judgment. Things that come from Christ Alone. These topics are particularly uncomfortable for those who are far from Christ, aren't they? And that's something interesting happens here in verse 25 and Felix, he says, you know what? Paul I've heard enough this isn't a very good time for me, go away and maybe we'll talk another time. I think this is important for us to recognize because we need to manage our expectations. Don't we

Symbols, that look like how can we apply these things to our own faith walk with the Lord?

Well, there will likely be times when our testimony falls on deaf ears. We may be shut down because it isn't a convenient time for that particular person to listen to what you have to say. What do you want to share? We must be prepared for rejection ridicule and pushback from those who are uncomfortable with you and your testimony.

Jesus said it this way. If the world hates you keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belong to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. We are going to experience all kinds of responses, as we share our testimony. Some good. Maybe some not so good.

But the benefits are always outweigh the cost. Even when it doesn't seem that way.

Paul knew the instant he shared details about his ministry to the Gentiles with the angry mob of Jews that The he was going to be in danger. He knew that going in.

but he believed all the more that the benefit of sharing his testimony far outweighed the cost of persecution and flogging

Don't prioritize, avoiding criticism over getting the gospel message to the world.

But stay on Mission.

So let's look at the final time here when Paul shares his testimony and Acts 26, beginning a 4

The Jewish people all know, the way, I have lived ever since I was a child from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify if they're willing that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee, and now it is because of my hope. And what God has promised, our ancestors that I am on trial today, This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King. Agrippa it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. Why should any of you consider it incredible? That God raises the Dead. I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth and that is just what I did in Jerusalem on the authority of the chief priests. I put many of the Lord's people in prison and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished and I tried to force them to blaspheme I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities. On one of these Journeys, I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests about noon. King Agrippa as I was on the road, I saw a light from Heaven brighter than the sun blazing around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground and I heard a voice thing to me and Aramaic. Saul Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads, then I asked, who are you? Lord, I am Jesus. Whom, you are persecuting the Lord replied. Now get up and stand on your feet. I have a secure to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and we'll seen of me. I will rescue you from your own people, and from the Gentiles.

I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from the darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and place. Among those who are Sanctified by faith in me,

Again, another passage of Paul sharing his testimony. What do we see in this passage? There's supposed shared his testimony in great detail. Again, concerning how he lived before knowing the Lord. Then he shared that the hope he had was because of God's promises. That was where his kisses Hope Came From. And finally shared his conversion experience while focusing on Jesus.

This is similar to the first time, Paul shared his testimony in Acts 22. His story, didn't change, maybe a couple more details. So I can time His method is very similar though and I think that is what we need to focus in on his method. And both of those instances is the same. The one thing that really stands out in this passage is in particular, is when Paul said in verse six and now it is because of my hope and what God has promised, our ancestors that I am on trial today, God's promises were specifically identified as the reason for Paul's hope.

So what can we take away and apply?

Let's be sure to share the hope we have because of God's promises to us.

Knowing and believing God promises to us is foundational to our faith and to our testimony.

It is an honor to be able to share our testimony honors the Lord, right? It encourages us and it's helpful to others when we include God's promises, when sharing our testimony. For instance, before I came to know and accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior fear consumed me.

Fear was my constant companion. Always leading and guiding my thoughts, my feelings, my actions. But God continues doing a great work in me as he renews my mind and changes my heart, right? By his word through spirit.

promises like, So, do not fear for I am with, you do not be dismayed for I am. Your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand for I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand. And supposed to you. Do not fear. I am with you. Those two verses. Are so powerful in my life. I know many of you have heart. Bursts has like this.

and I I just hope and pray that you meditate on them often because we need to, don't we

Our Salvation story is the greatest story that we have. It is the best news that we have to share with anyone. God's power and his presence is mapped right onto our life for people to see.

And as we winsomely share our testimony, our hope is that the Lord uses it. To draw those people to himself in such a way that they too would accept Jesus as their own personal. Lord and savior.

Then they in turn would have a testimony of the Rhone. Tell others. And more and more witnesses joining together in the mission.

This is, this is been a great time for me to reflect on testimonies personally, it's been a great study. I did have to cut a lot out of of this message, but I feel like I landed on what I really felt. The Lord wanted us to know and Come Away with today, but I would love to talk to anyone of you more about testimonies. I know it was a short message but I would love to hear from you hear your thoughts and and be able to encourage you about that. But what I want to do now is I want to pray for us. I want to pray specifically that the Lord would open up opportunities for us to share our testimony with others that he would Empower Us by his Spirit to do that. And that we week that we would bring the Lord. All praise honor and Glory through it all. Would you pray with me?

Father, we come before you now as weak and needy people often times. We look at our testimony as something that is. So very intimate and personal having to do with us as it's between you and each one of us and it is all those things. The father, I also know that you have given us a testimony as one of the greatest resources that we have to share the good news about Jesus.

And I pray that you would just entering deeply into each one of our hearts and Minds today. Remind us of Our Testimony helped us to get excited all over again about our Salvation story.

Help us to reach out and share. the good news about Jesus because we have something that many many people need

And it's the good news about our Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ. And Lord, I pray again that you would Empower us while your spirit. This is something that often many of us. We will step back from and see what will I cannot. I cannot do this. I can't, I can't share. I don't I don't have what it takes and that's likely true. Many of us don't myself included, but bored. I, I trust that your spirit is going to work in my heart and has worked in my heart, and that you will work in the hearts of every single person here in this similar way.

It's not about us. Figuring it all out is about us submitting in yielding to you, Lord, to your spirit and being used by you. To reach those who you were seeking after. Should we ask that you would do that? Follow me, thank you again for this beautiful morning that we've had and Lord. We just ask now as we transition into communion that you would help us to remember you, Lord, Jesus help us to remember your death, your burial, your Resurrection in it and it's very special way, a very real personal way as we for taking communion together.

And where we just think I'm going to give you all. Thanks for being who you are and our lives. I pray all this in Jesus name. Amen.