Tragically, the following statement describes too few Christians. "I am an influential person, confidently sharing the good news of Christ and partnering with other Christians to promote God’s kingdom globally." So many of us struggle to share our faith and make a positive impact for Christ in our world. But why? I think it's important that we ask ourselves some questions that cut to the depth of our souls.
Questions that we should ask ourselves regarding our convictions.
These are questions of conviction. For example, do we really believe that the word of God unlocks the truest knowledge about God's way of living life? Do we really believe thatthrough Jesus Christ we can take hold of forgiveness, conquer death, and inherit eternal life? Do we really believe that God’s Spirit dwells deep within, directing us toward the lordship of Christ, re-sensitizing our consciences, and empowering us to live a new supernatural life? Do we really believe that the total transformation of our entire being is possible, including heart, mind, body, and soul? And do we really want all of this for ourselves, for our families,for other believers, and for the world at large?
If we hold these convictions so deeply, what keeps us silent? Why do we offer so little testimony about Christ to others? Why are we so ineffectual for the kingdom of God? Is it that we lack faith or true belief? Is it that we fear men more than we fear God? Is it a lack of opportunity? Christians often tell me, "I don't know any non-Christians. Everyone I am close to are church people." Is it sheer indifference toward the plight of those who do not know Christ? Is is outright disobedience, that like Jonah, we know the call of God but choose to go in the exact opposite direction?
One of the most powerful tools you possess: telling your story.
I am sure that we have many reasons for not being an influence about Christ. However, this morning I want to discuss one of the most powerful tools we possess for influencing people toward Christ. It is our Christian story. We can think of our story in a number of different stages. The stages might include before I met Christ, how I met Christ, how I accepted Christ, and finally, what Christ has done in my life since I met him. This simple outline was employed with great effect by the apostle Paul throughout his life. This morning I want to use Paul's story as an example of how we can use our story to influence others.
The "Life without Christ" stage.
The first stage can be labeled"Life without Christ". Do you recall what your life was like before you met Jesus Christ? In numerous places throughout the New Testament, Paul alludes to his life without Christ.
In Acts 9:1-2 (NIV) we read, "Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 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."
In 1 Timothy 1:13 (NIV) Paul says, "...I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief."
Before Paul met Christ, a number of words accurately described the apostle Paul's life. First, he was ignorant. He thought he knew everything about God. He prided himself in his religious education and training. He was so confident about his knowledge of God that he sought to destroy anyone who disagreed with his views of God. But he didn't really know God. Christ was the very image of God, and yet Paul denied Christ.
Before Christ, Paul was threatened by the Christian. He had set himself against Christ. We find him not just attacking the Church, but overseeing the very martyrdom of Christians like Stephen. Paul was a murderer and violent man, blapheming Christ. But he was shown mercy. What was your life like before you met Christ? How did people describe you? What was your relationship to Christ like? What was your relationship to God's people, the Church?
The "Blinded by the Light" stage.
The second stage of the Christian's journey is the "Blinded by the Light" stage. Do you recall that moment along your life's path when Christ suddenly, perhaps even dramatically, got your attention?
In Acts 9:3-9 (NIV) we read this about the apostle Paul's life. "As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' 'Who are you, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. 'Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.' The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 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. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything."
Here Paul was headed toward Damascus with a full head of steam, seeking to oppose everything of Christ, yet God ambushed him. God illuminates his darkened soul with his magnificent glory. Suddenly and for the first time in his life, Paul meet the true living God in the face of Christ. He falls to the ground and becomes completely disoriented. Essentially, he is given a whole new way of seeing things. A new way of seeing God, of seeing Christ,and of seeing God's people. He is given a completely new purpose in life.
How did God get your attention? When did you first encounter Christ in all his power, glory, and majesty? When did you first get illumined about the identity of Christ in your life? What happened?
The "Praying on Straight Street" stage.
The next phase of Paul's story is one that I like to call "Praying on Straight Street" stage. In Acts 9:10-19 (NIV) we read, "In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, 'Ananias!' 'Yes, Lord,' he answered. 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. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.'"
" 'Lord,' Ananias answered, 'I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.' But the Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.' 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.' Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength."
This particular stage of Paul's life involved dedication, deep soul searching, counting costs, heart-felt prayer, and repentance. You can imagine what is must have been like for Paul to muster up the courage to stand before the God he had persecuted in order to repent of his sins. Paul had to stand before Christians he'd persecuted and seek their acceptance. He had to return to those he led and renounce the very cause he had led them in. In accepting Christ, Paul would become a lightning rod, drawing the ire and scorn of many.
There is a lot of be said of the fact that Paul returned to pray at the house of Judas on Straight Street. The same person who wrote the book of Acts wrote the gospel of Luke and in Luke's gospel we find this account of John the Baptist's ministry. In Luke 3:4-6 (NIV) John preached, "As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.' "
John the Baptist was calling people to make a change in their life direction from having rejected Christ to receiving Christ. And he wasn't vague about the costs he was asking them to pay to accept Christ in their lives. He said in Luke 3:11-14 (NIV), "John answered, 'The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.' Tax collectors also came to be baptized. 'Teacher,' they asked, 'what should we do?' 'Don’t collect any more than you are required to,' he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, 'And what should we do?' He replied, 'Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.' "
What changes has God called you to make in your life?
What change has God called you to make in your life since becoming a Christian? Maybe it was forgiving someone you offended or who hurt you deeply. Maybe it was changing the kind of entertainment you watch. Maybe it was changing the way you talked to other people and the kind of jokes you laughed at. Maybe it was living within God's will in marriage and refusing to live together before marriage. It takes courage to accept Christ and to embrace his leadership over your life.
The "Life with Christ" stage.
The fourth stage of Paul's journey was the "Life with Christ" stage. Do you remember what it was like when you first accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life?
In Acts 9:20-31 (NIV) we read of Paul. "At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, 'Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?' Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ."
"After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord."
At this stage of Paul's life he had a new purpose. His life was marked by preaching, the power of God's Holy Spirit, a spirit of perseverance, and boldness for Christ. What an impact he made for Christ afterhaving been saved from his sins!
Throughout his life Paul retold his story numerous times. To Timothy, a young pastor, he wrote words of encouragement and hope in 1 Timothy 1:12-17.
To the Church at Philippi, he wrote powerful words of transformation in Philippians 3:4-11.
In the temple, before the Jews, he courageously stood and called a nation to repentance in Acts 21:17-22.
Before King Agrippa in Rome, and presumably to Caesar, he gave an invitation to accept Christ. See Acts 26.
What is your story? Where are you at in your spiritual journey to know Christ? Can you share this story as your testimony?