Make Him Know

What's in a Story

Welcome back

How did you see God work or move this past week?

How many of you like stories?

What are your favorite types of stories? action, love, fantasy

“Tell me the facts and I’ll learn. Tell me the truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.” —Native American proverb

Stories are powerful

All stories carry in them the same theme and progression especially the epic ones.

Someone or a group find themselves facing a great evil or great problem.

The long-awaited hero arrives.

Things look good but then the hero faces a major defeat

Everything looks hopeless.

The hero returns and defeats the enemy and save the people.

Think about it - Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Mission Impossible

Sound familiar?

The awesome thing is that you and I have a story just like this.

It is the best story we know.

It is a story that needs to be told

As we know more of and about God, it is a story we can’t help but tell.

That’s what I want us to talk about today.

Let’s pray.

Can’t Hold it In

Have you ever had something you just could keep to yourself?

I am not talking gossip, but some news or some announcement.

This is what the Apostles were like after Jesus rose from the dead.

Acts 1:4–5 ESV

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

So, they wait, until Pentecost

The Holy Spirit comes and all they can do is preach.

Peter preaches.

Acts 2:40–41 ESV

And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Things are booming, the church is growing exponentially.

Then this happens

Acts 4:1–3 ESV

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

They hold them and bring them in front of all those who condemned Jesus

They ask who gave you authority to speak

Peter replies - Jesus - you know the one you had killed

Acts 4:13–20 ESV

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

There are a couple of things I want to see

Telling Our Story

Anyone and everyone can share their story

Acts 4:13 ESV

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

2. No one can deny your story

Acts 4:15–16 ESV

But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

3. The story must come out

Acts 4:19–20 ESV

But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

I Have a Story

“His authority on earth allows us to dare to go to all the nations. His authority in heaven gives us our only hope of success. And his presence with us leaves us no other choice.” — John R. Stott, British priest and theologian

YOur story matters.

Your story can make the difference.

Only if you share it

Romans 10:14–17 ESV

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

I Have a Story

Next week - All Part of the Plan

Let’s pray