The Power of Stories

Have you ever realized the power of a good story? One that sticks with you so well that you can retell? Or something that was so incredible for you that you can’t help but tell it?

Here’s one most of us are probably familiar with:

Nakedness is the subject of one of the most famous folk parables of power: Hans Christian Andersen’s tale “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” A vain emperor is visited by two “weavers” who promise that their fabric is not only exquisitely beautiful but also, shall we say, revealing: “clothes made of this cloth had a wonderful way of becoming invisible to anyone who was unfit for his office, or who was unusually stupid.”

Spotting a chance to both acquire a new set of clothes and discover which of his subjects and ministers are unfit, the emperor commissions a magnificent set of clothes from the swindlers. One after another, beginning with an “honest old minister” sent to check up on the work in progress, the emperor’s most trusted advisers, and then the emperor himself, visit the weavers. Seeing nothing at all on the loom, and stricken with the thought that their foolishness and unfitness might be revealed if they admit they cannot see the cloth, all of them, right up to the emperor himself, carry on with the pretense right up to its logical and ridiculous conclusion: Then the minister of public processions announced: “Your Majesty’s canopy is waiting outside.” “Well, I’m supposed to be ready,” the Emperor said, and turned again for one last look in the mirror. “It is a remarkable fit, isn’t it?”

The waiting crowds, too, go along with this awkward game, until a little child says, “But he hasn’t got anything on!” Soon the whole town is crying out, “But he hasn’t got anything on!” And in folk memory, or at least the way I most often have heard the story told, that little child’s inconvenient truth telling puts the foolish pageant to an end. But not in Andersen’s own version, which ends rather differently: The Emperor shivered, for he suspected they were right. But he thought, “This procession has got to go on.” So, he walked more proudly than ever, as his noblemen held high the train that wasn’t there at all.

Andersen’s story is a veritable catalog of insights about power and the human condition.

Taken from Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power by Andy Crouch. Copyright (c) 2013 pp.100-101 by Andy Crouch. Published by InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL. www.ivpress.com

Imagine being in a situation so incredible that you can’t help but to retell the story - imagine being present on the day of Pentecost - the confusion, the chaos, the wonder, the power, the fire, the wind and so many other things.

Briefly walk through Pentecost story

As incredible as the story is, I want us to think about the result of this incredible story. Turn with me to:

Acts 2:41–47 NIV

41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The result of the Holy Spirit’s coming in glory that day was what we find in verse 41 - about three thousand were added to their number. Hallelujah & praise the Lord! Can you imagine? The leader in me is going - well now what? That kind of growth is phenomenal!

Let’s take a closer look at what they did with what God did that day:

Immediate regular follow-through care of those converts - they went to work - living life together - teaching what it means to be a disciple - devoting themselves to each other and to prayer and to the apostle’s teaching

Community Life vs 44 - together and had everything in common; vs 45 - sold property and possessions to care for each other - vs 47 - met daily together - truly living life together and eating together - interesting things happen in the formation of community around the dinner table - praising God and enjoying the favor of the people

The Lord responded - adding to their number daily - were faithful with what God gave them and gave them more!

It seems spectacular to us that God would move in that mighty of a way that quickly, but friends, there were over 3000 souls converted that day and in the days that followed - the message, the story of Pentecost and of Jesus was told and people came to know the Savior - God can work like that today!

Let’s look at another example of God working in a miraculous way in someone’s life. Turn with me to:

Acts 9:1–19 NIV

1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

Now there’s a story to tell!

What through Saul’s experience - start with his intent - focus on how God got a hold of him - role of Ananias - & talk about how powerful the story would be - how he would become greatest missionary

If God can work like that in Saul’s life the way he did and I imagine there were plenty of people who thought Saul was too far gone, too dangerous, too whatever for Jesus to change his life.....

- imagine what he can do in the lives of others we share our stories with. We all have a unique story of how God has worked in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

A few weeks ago, another pastor and I found ourselves in conversation with a gentleman who has gone through divorce, has struggled with his value and self-worth, and desperately needed someone to speak into his life. As it happened, the other pastor and I had both been divorced - and my story was very similar to his. We were able to speak into this man’s life - we were at dinner before a big event - not even a situation something where like this would be expected, but there we were - pouring into this man from our own experience with divorce and also with how God has used us in the years since. It was powerful and completely unexpected.

We never know when God will use our stories in the life of someone else.

Start by writing out your story - practice telling it to someone - and don’t be ashamed or shy of telling it.

Altar call - salvation or rededication or sanctification

COMMUNION

RITUAL

The Communion Supper, instituted by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is a sacrament, which proclaims His life, His sufferings, His sacrificial death, and resurrection, and the hope of His coming again. It shows forth the Lord’s death until His return.

The Supper is a means of grace in which Christ is present by the Spirit. It is to be received in reverent appreciation and gratefulness for the work of Christ.

All those who are truly repentant, forsaking their sins, and believing in Christ for salvation are invited to participate in the death and resurrection of Christ. We come to the table that we may be renewed in life and salvation and be made one by the Spirit.

In unity with the Church, we confess our faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. And so we pray:

PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND SUPPLICATION:

Holy God,

We gather at this, your table, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who by your Spirit was anointed to preach good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, set at liberty those who are oppressed. Christ healed the sick, fed the hungry, ate with sinners, and established the new covenant for forgiveness of sins. We live in the hope of His coming again.

On the night in which He was betrayed, He took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread, gave it to His disciples, and said: “This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Likewise, when the supper was over, He took the cup, gave thanks, gave it to His disciples, and said: “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.” Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

And so, we gather as the Body of Christ to offer ourselves to you in praise and thanksgiving. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these your gifts. Make them by the power of your Spirit to be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the Body of Christ, redeemed by His blood.

By your Spirit make us one in Christ, one with each other, and one in the ministry of Christ to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.

EXPLAIN ELEMENTS

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, broken for you, preserve you blameless, unto everlasting life. Eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful.

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, shed for you, preserve you blameless unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful.

CONCLUDING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND COMMITMENT

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, let us pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.