MAKING JESUS KNOWN - SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion. CLICK HERE to find a discussion group. Enjoy!
Sermon Title: SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY
Main Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 (Acts 9)
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Summary:
Pastor Ryan shared with us how our testimony is a powerful tool for making Jesus known in evangelism. A life change by Christ is another example of Christ’s grace and power in action, including today! We heard the testimony of the apostle Paul. His story is an example of the generous mercy of God and our salvation story serves as an example of God’s grace too. Pastor Ryan reminded us of the B.L.E.S.S. acronym tool we’ve learned before and then shared a practical process that could be used to share our testimony if the opportunity arises.
Notes:
Takeaways from our scripture:
Paul’s humility about his past (v. 13)
Cross-reference: Acts 9 and Paul’s conversion
Paul held a humble view of himself. “The godliest saints are often the most conscious of their sinfulness.”
Calling himself the chief of sinners, Paul is reflecting on his blasphemy: speaking evil about the Christians and their leader, Jesus. Paul considered his persecution because he was concerned this new way posed a threat to Judaism.
Paul’s gratitude for God’s generous mercy (v.12-14)
Paul’s conviction for the gospel of Christ (v. 14-15)
Paul is convinced and wants everyone to believe this message of Christ with implicit trust.
THE GOSPEL: Jesus came to save sinners. “Here we come to the very heart of the difference between true Christianity and all other teachings. False religions tell man that there is something he can do or be in order to win favor with God. The gospel tells man that he is a sinner, that he is lost, that he cannot save himself, and that the only way he can get to heaven is through the substitutionary work of the Lord Jesus on the cross. The false teachers pushing that salvation through works and law pushes what man wants to hear: that he can somehow contribute to his own salvation. But the gospel insists that all the glory for the work of salvation must go to Christ alone, that man does nothing but the sinning and that the Lord Jesus does all the saving.” William MacDonald in Believers Bible commentary
Paul’s purpose: point everyone to Christ (v. 16)
Paul knows his purpose in life is now to make Christ known.
For the world to see the long patience and grace of God.
For people to see Christ, believe, and receive eternal life.
Paul’s focus wasn’t on what he did for God but on what God did for Him.
2 Corinthians 5:15 - He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
Acts 20:24 - But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
We won’t be the apostle Paul. There are missionaries who are certainly living with similar devotion to God. But I do believe that for every Christian, our purpose in life on earth should consist of the mission of telling everyone the wonderful grace of God-the good news, top 3 purposes for sure. Mine is to love God, love others, and make Jesus known.
We do all we can so all may know God’s love and follow Jesus.
The result is a powerful testimony and story of God’s grace. Our testimony is a story of God’s wonderful grace and it’s His grace that we want our unbelieving “one” to accept and experience as well.
Application
Jesus called his disciples to be witnesses of the gospel to the world.
“A witness is one who testifies to what they have seen and heard. A witness is one who shares the personal encounter they have had with Christ with another person in such a compelling way that it is obvious that this witness has been with Jesus. A witness is one whose life has been transformed by the truth they’ve encountered. Being a witness is where His story collides with our story, and we have a new story to tell.” Dan Spader
When and how do you share your testimony?
Remember the B.L.E.S.S. acronym tool: Begin with Prayer. Listen well. Eat with them. Serve and invite to serve with you. Share your story and His story.
You have a strong relationship with a family member, or you’ve been building a relationship with a co-worker or neighbor. You’ve been praying for them. Listening well. You’ve eaten or fellowship with them. You’ve served or have offered to help. You’ve been patient and consistently showed love. You’ve been patient with their rough edges, at times their inappropriate language, or completely different view on life. You’ve genuinely loved and cared for them and have built this connection. But do they know your faith story? Do they know your testimony of what Jesus has saved you from and saved you for? Do you know where they are?
Share. Ask. Listen. Invite. Pray.
There’s no reason to be shy about it. Jesus means everything to us. Our lives ought to revolve around Jesus so much, that people will get the idea by the way we live and speak. They’ll be primed to listen to you because of your love and your unapologetic passion for your faith.
What stops us from going into this next step? Fear of rejection. Fear of turning someone off. But what if it’s the opposite reaction and they are extremely grateful and open? Even if we are rejected, at least we are being obedient to the Lord.
Share: Share why your relationship with Jesus means so much to you. Include a brief explanation of who Jesus is and what He has done for humanity to be saved. (This is where writing a paragraph or two of the events of Jesus’ life and what He’s done for humanity would be valuable so it’s in you.) I believe you’ve read and heard the Bible enough and the Holy Spirit will help you.
Ask: “What about your story and what are your thoughts on what I shared about Jesus?”
Listen: Listen and discern for areas that need further dialogue. Depending on how that response goes you’ll need to discern whether they are ready to go to the next step of believing and confessing Jesus as their Lord and Savior or whether they need more questions answered and more teaching of the gospel message.
Invite: Invite them to receive this wonderful grace and gift of salvation.
Many have taken the approach of sharing how one can be saved before leaving that moment in case they go home and have a private encounter with God at a later time.
If they are ready, walk them through the ABC’s of Salvation (see below) process: We have to admit we are a sinner in need of salvation. We have to believe Jesus lived, died, and rose again to save you from your sins and give you eternal life. And we confess that with our mouths by saying it or praying it alone or we can do that right now.
Pray together
_________
The A.B.C.’s of Salvation
God, I admit that I am a sinner.
I believe Jesus paid with His life for my salvation.
I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
Amen.
Admit you are a sinner.
"There is no one righteous, not even one . . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:10, 23).
(See Romans 5:8; 6:23.)
Believe in Jesus (put your trust in Him) as your only hope of salvation.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
Become a child of God by receiving Christ.
"To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).
(See Revelation 3:20.)
Confess that Jesus is your Lord.
"If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). (See verse 10.)
Discussion:
What stuck out to you from today’s scripture?
What was a big takeaway for you from this sermon?
Have you ever gotten a moment to share your testimony with someone? Would you be willing to share how that experience went?
Do you have someone you can B.L.E.S.S.? What part of the B.L.E.S.S. acronym do you need to start working on?
The most important decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed? We encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, amen!
We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hoped you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!