TMNT game

cereal box

Nintendo game

What’s Your Story? (Acts 25-26)

everybody has a story to tell

just ask questions

Wes Wisener

work/retired

hobbies

heartache

tragedy

victory

TMNT video game

do you have a story of when

your destiny changed?

you had a divine encounter with Jesus and will never be the same?

do you have a salvation testimony?

companies pay big money for sports figures to wear or testify about their product

just ask

Michael Jordan about Nike

5-year deal in 1984 = $2.5M

36-year partnership = $1.3B

as a Christian,

don’t you have an eternally more significant story to tell?

sharing how you came to know Jesus personally (when all of heaven rejoiced)

salvation testimony = saved by grace through faith in Christ from the penalty of your sins

whole reason studying Acts

EMPOWERED to tell your story to a lost and dying world

our story in Christ can be their story in Christ

challenge today—share your salvation testimony with one person this week

worth listening in

background

Paul returned from 3rd missionary journey

arrested in the temple based on false charge he defiled the temple

pleads with Jews but vehemently rejected

Romans can’t figure out what accusation is

while Paul in prison,

Acts 23:11 “The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.””

some Jews vowed not to eat/drink til killed Paul

ambush exposed

Romans get involved

Claudias Lysias (the Roman tribune) sends Paul to Governor Felix

still can’t figure out the big deal

Governor Felix

no wrong doing but doesn’t know what to do with him

left in prison (2 years)

REJECTS Jesus

new Governor Festus

what to do with Paul?

tried in Jerusalem?

Paul appeals to Caesar due to Roman citizenship

we are reminded of Jesus’ promise

Acts 23:11 “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

not sure what to write to Caesar and unfamiliar with Jewish culture

conveniently King Herod Agrippa II and Bernice arrive

the stark contrast of the participants (25:23)

King Agrippa (Herod Agrippa II) from morally corrupt family of Herods

Herod the Great (his great grandfather)—tried to destroy the infant Jesus

Herod Antipas (his grandfather)—beheaded John the Baptist

Herod Agrippa I (his father)—killed James the son of Zebedee

now Herod Agrippa II

known as king of Jews only because

cared for temple

chose high priest

King Herod Agrippa II and Bernice (sister)

purple robes

gold crown on brows

Governor Festus

scarlet robe

high ranking officials

military tribunes with all their war medals and ribbons

prominent men of the city in their $5,000 suits

outward pomp belied inward corruption

can you imagine yourself in this situation?

NYT/WSJ reporters

NBC/CBS/ABC/CNN/Fox News cameras

bold or intimidated?

then Paul

unimpressive in appearance

balding

hooked nose

knobby knees

no crown

no robe

only jewelry was handcuffs

prisoner’s garments

yet Paul dominated court with Christ-like dignity and confidence

he is not intimidated

are you intimidated in sharing your faith?

I’m sure Paul was tempted

promise to all Christians

Mark 13:9-11

Luke 21:12-13

Paul’s defense (which is more of his salvation testimony)

should be a model for our salvation testimony

How to tell your salvation story:

tell about your life before Christ

Paul starts from his childhood (26:1-8)

Paul’s testimony would be

I grew up going to church

I heard the sermons

I devoted myself to the teaching

Paul opposed Christians (26:9-11)

he thought he was doing God a favor

he was devoted to stomping out this group

that followed this man, Jesus

how could you share your life before Christ?

succinctly—in a paragraph OR even in a sentence or two

my salvation testimony

gripped with fear of death

being raised in church & knowing what God says in Bible

knew my eternal destiny

what was your life like before Christ?

what crisis were you facing?

when did you know Christ was your only hope to be forgiven of your sins?

OR is He getting your attention today?

tell about your response to Christ

conversion is dramatic and specific (26:12-18)

dramatic—it is not something you forget or get over

specific—see how specific Paul’s encounter with Jesus is

account dramatically slows down (time, place, etc.)

conversion described (26:18)

Paul experienced what Jesus does in salvation

pursues us (26:14)

He loves us first

now commissioned to preach gospel and see people experience same

to open their eyes

to turn from darkness to light

and from power of Satan to God

notice the radical transfer of allegiance

leaving the rule of Satan and entering the kingdom of God

results of conversion

that they may receive forgiveness of sins

and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Christ

could you tell someone how to be made right with God in one minute or less?

can you share your salvation testimony?

my salvation testimony

8 years old

in my room I trusted Christ

salvation testimony should not be only

when walked aisle

prayed prayer

baptized

press into conversion

new, not nice

born again

saved, not sincere

saved by grace, not sincerity of faith

salvation testimony answers clearly:

when did Christ become your hope?

when did you realize Christ died for your sin?

when did you become right with God?

when did you go from spiritual death to spiritual life?

when did you become a new creation?

when did you experience the forgiveness of your sins?

when did the HS come to live inside you?

clear point in time

your commission is clear

make disciples

you were not saved just for you

you were saved to proclaim God’s grace in Christ

you were saved to share Jesus with those who don’t know Him

tell about your life with Christ

Paul tells how he has given his life to Christ (26:19-23)

in other words, Paul’s life is fundamentally different

before Christ (persecuting Christians)

and after Christ (sharing Christ) are not the same

my salvation testimony

no fear of death (sins are forgiven)

how has Christ made a difference in your life?

doesn’t stop at moment of salvation but just begins

no one ever gets over his/her salvation—EVER

how has your life been since trusting Christ?

ask the listener to respond to Christ

the court gasps (26:24-32)

when has any prisoner ever been so bold to address his royal highness like this?

especially rattling his chains

Paul was sold out to Jesus

the risk was totally worth it because eternal destinies are at stake

King Agrippa is too embarrassed to give a direct answer to Paul’s direct question

answers question with a question

most Christians would have trouble witnessing to a king

but to persist when put off is remarkable

listener bears a soul that will step into eternity

Paul was more concerned with King Agrippa’s soul than his favor

don’t just tell them your story

ask them to begin their own

2 Corinthians 5:11a “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.

2 Corinthians 5:17–21

compelled and promised to go to Rome (26:30-32)

Paul could have been free

but takes advantage of an “all expenses paid” mission trip to Rome

cast vision for Nacogdoches hearing a personal witness

Acts 1:8

will you share your salvation story with one person this week?

share with 1 non-Christian in Nacogdoches this week

can I share with you something that has made a difference in my life?

ask to respond

do you have a story like that?

salvation testimony (all new members)

3 paragraph version

15 second version