The Gospel in My Life

Have you ever had someone start telling you a story and within 30 seconds you’re wondering…

“Where is this going?”

Five minutes later you’re still listening to how they found their lost sock in the dryer, and you’re just trying to figure out how to politely escape?

Let’s be honest—we all know someone who thinks every detail of their life story is Oscar-worthy. And maybe… just maybe… you are that person. (Don’t worry, this is a safe space.)

But here’s the thing—when it comes to the Gospel in your life, your story actually does matter. Not because you’re the hero, but because Jesus is.

In Acts 26, Paul gets the mic in front of a king and could have dropped some deep theology or performed an apostolic backflip. But instead—he tells his story. Plain and simple.

Who I was. What happened. Who I am now.

That’s what we’re diving into today.

Not how to preach like Paul.

Not how to be impressive.

But how to be real—because the Gospel isn’t just something you believe…

It’s something you live.

If you have your Bibles, go with me to the book of Acts. We will read from chapter 26, beginning at verse 1.

Acts 26:1–29 NIV

1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently. 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. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. 7 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. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? 9 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 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. 11 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. 12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 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. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ 19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” 24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” 25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

For the last couple of weeks, we have been talking about your personal testimony. If you have not turned in your testimony will you please do so.

It is so important that we learn to share what God has done in our life. There is something powerful about the transformation that has took place in your life. The day you were saved, truly saved, your life changed forever. If you want to see this church and other churches grown, then you must share your story.

Remember, your story may be the bridge that connects someone to Jesus.

The Power of a Personal Gospel

Paul took the moment to share his story.

Paul begins his testimony by addressing King Agrippa and recounting his upbringing and actions as a devout Jew. He shares how he was zealous for the traditions of his ancestors and even persecuted Christians to the point of death.

Paul did not hold anything back in telling his story. He doesn’t try to sugarcoat his past. His past was one of murder and persecution. The first time we read about Paul was when his name was Saul and he was the one holding the coats of those that were stoning Stephen.

Paul is very transparent about his past. He acknowledges that he was sincerely wrong and he was completely misguided by what he was doing.

As believers, telling your story, it is important that you are very honest about your past. Transformation begins with honesty. When we share our past, it reminds people that the Gospel is for the broken, not the perfect.

So, think about your own life, where were you before Christ? What were your beliefs, attitudes, or struggles? When you share this, it creates connection and shows God’s redemptive power.

Remember what Revelation 12:11 says,

Revelation 12:11 NIV

11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

The Moment Everything Changed

Then Paul continues in his story by telling King Agrippa about the moment that everything changed for him. It was his encounter with Jesus. Not all of us will have that radical encounter with Jesus like Paul did. Some of us, like me, it came at a young age, I knew that I wanted Jesus to be apart of my life.

Paul describes the moment Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. It was a radical, personal and life-altering encounter. Jesus spoke directly to Paul, He called him by name, and gave him a mission.

We have read about and heard Paul’s stories for years.

Each of you remembers where you were when you decided to ask Jesus into your heart. Even though my moment occurred over 45 years ago, I can still take you to the spot that I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. That spot has changed quite a bit since then, but I can still take you to the spot.

Every believer has a “but God” moment, where your plans were interrupted by God’s grace. Paul’s story isn’t about how he found God, it’s how God found him. That’s what God had to do to get Paul’s attention. God got your attention in different ways.

Transformation is not self-help. It’s a divine intervention.

Acts 26:14 NIV

14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

Can you identify the moment Jesus became real to you? Don’t just talk about attending church, you need to talk about encountering Jesus. What was it like the day you met Jesus face to face. I remember my moment. If you don’t remember it, stop and think back to what it was like. And if you haven’t had that moment yet, don’t leave today with that moment.

Who I Am Now

Paul finishes his story by telling King Agrippa about who he is now that he has encountered Jesus. Paul testifies about how he was obedient to the vision that God gave him. He immediately began preaching the Gospel, not just to the Jews, but to the Gentiles as well.

When you become transformed by the power of God, you are not just transformed, but you take on a role of being obedient to what God is calling you to do. Transformation produces obedience.

Paul didn’t just say yes to salvation, he said yes to the mission. His new life included purpose, boldness, and a complete shift in priorities.

In verse 19 Paul says…

Acts 26:19 NIV

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.

How has your life changed since coming to Christ? What’s different about your words, actions, priorities, and relationships, Let your new life be part of your testimony.

Testimonies Connect Hearts

When you share your testimony about how God changed you, it doesn’t just connect to people’s thoughts but it connects to their hearts.

When Paul shares his story, Festus accuses him of being insane, but Paul stays calm and addresses Agrippa with respect. Agrippa is clearly moved and intrigued, even though he doesn’t commit to faith in that moment.

As believers, we are not responsible for the decisions people make after we tell our story, we just have to tell our story.

Not everyone will respond immediately, but your story may be a seed. A seed can’t grow unless it is planted. You have to plant the seed. Once the seed is planted, then it can respond to the environment around it.

Your story is unique and powerful. It invites others to consider their own journey.

Paul doesn’t debate those in the room, he tells his story. I’m not asking you to present a theological representation of the Gospel, just tell your story.

King Agrippa asked Paul…

Acts 26:28 NIV

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

King Agrippa didn’t come to faith that day, but the seed was planted and he was moved by Paul’s testimony.

Who is out there that is waiting to hear your story of redemption?

Be Bold, Be Brief, Be Real

Here in Acts 26, Pauls gives us a model of how to share our testimony. He was bold.

Paul speaks freely and it was without shame.

We tell people stories all the time. Just tell someone about how God changed your life. Maybe begin a conversation with…

Have I told you about the time that Jesus changed my life?

It doesn’t have to be a long story. Paul was brief. He covered his entire transformation in less than 30 verses. That is why I had you write your testimony in 100 words or less.

And Paul was Real. He doesn’t embellish, apologize, or hide his past.

If anything, don’t be embarrassed about your past, be grateful that God brought you out of what you were in.

People can argue with doctrine, but they can’t argue with your story. When you are authentic, it creates trust with those that you are talking to. When you are short, it keeps their attention. And when you are bold, it breaks the fear you may have in telling your story.

I love how Paul concludes this story.

Acts 26:29 NIV

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

So, now, I want you to put what I have told you into action.

Action Step: Practice Your Testimony

Just like Paul had a structure, you can follow a simple framework:

Simple Framework: 1. Who I Was - Before I met Christ 2. What Happened - How I met Jesus 3. Who I Am Now - What’s Changed

Your testimony is this easy and the only way to get better at it is to practice it.

Here is your challenge this week (Hand out Testimony sheet).

I want you to write out your testimony. This is for you to practice telling someone your story. I want you to keep it under 3 minutes. After you write your testimony out, I want you to share it with a friend, in your connect group this week, or with someone who needs hope. Then, I want you to ask God to use your story to reach someone this week.

Your story is the Gospel on display.

You don’t need a stage or a microphone. You just need your story.

(Final Thoughts)

So what about you?

You’ve heard Paul’s story—raw, honest, life-changing.

But the power of that moment wasn’t just in what Paul said.

It was in what Paul lived.

He stood in front of a king—not to defend himself, but to declare that Jesus changed everything.

And now here you are—sitting in a place where God might be writing your next chapter.

Let me say this as clearly as I can:

The Gospel isn’t just a story to be studied—it’s a power to be received.

It’s not just “what happened to Paul.”

It’s what God wants to do in you today.

Some of you know your story—because you’ve lived that moment when Jesus found you, forgave you, and gave you a new purpose.

But others of you… you’re still living in the “before.”

You’re in the part of the story where you feel lost, broken, or just empty—and you’re wondering if this Jesus really can change someone like you.

The answer is yes.

If He can take a murderer like Saul and make him a missionary named Paul…

If He can pull a man off the road to destruction and put him on the path to life…

He can rewrite your story too.

If you’re here today and you’ve never had that “but God” moment…

That moment when you really surrendered…

That moment when Jesus became real to you, not just a name you’ve heard…

Today can be that moment.

Whether you’ve been running from God, just going through the motions, or you’ve never truly said, “Jesus, I give you my life,” — this is your invitation.

So with every head bowed and every eye closed…

If you’re ready to begin your story with Jesus…

If you’re ready to stop living in “who I was” and step into “who I can be in Christ”…

If you’re ready for forgiveness, grace, and a brand-new start…

Would you lift your hand right now?

This is between you and Jesus. No one else.

(Pause for response)

If you raised your hand will you repeat this prayer after me.

Jesus…

I believe You are the Son of God.

I believe You died for my sins…

and You rose again to give me new life.

Today, I say yes to You.

I give You my past…

I give You my pain…

and I give You my plans.

Forgive me.

Change me.

Lead me from this day forward.

I don’t just want to know about You—

I want to know You.

Thank You for loving me.

Thank You for saving me.

My story is Yours now.

In Jesus’ name…

Amen.

Now, to every believer in this room:

You have a story. And the world needs to hear it.

You may not have a stage.

You may not have a title.

But you have a testimony.

So this week—be bold, be brief, be real.

Because your story might just be the bridge someone needs to meet Jesus.