So WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
1. Everyone has a past
Ephesians 2:1-2 says "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sin, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at on time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath."
2. In Jesus, we have a present, a change from the past. (God gave us the present).
In Ephesians 2:4-5 it says that because of God's great love for us, he made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in sin...it's by grace you were saved.
In Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:12
HAVE YOU MET JESUS? "Knowing Jesus is different from meeting Jesus." What is your story? How did you meet Jesus?
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, but it is a GIFT OF GOD, not by works, so that no one can boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9
a. Everyone recognized that they needed Jesus, no one could do this whole life thing alone or on their own merit.
b. Jesus introduced himself to no one here personally. Someone introduced you to Christ...
3. Everyone has a future...introducing other people to Christ is part of our destiny.
Ephesians 2:6-10 " and God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Every trophy of God's grace in this room owes that introduction to someone else, someone who was not selfish with their faith.
So what's your story? What's your testimony?
(Pastor Jim had read different people's testimonies of how they met Jesus Christ. All of them had to do with someone inviting them either to church or to salvation.)
Here are reasons why we may not want to witness:
1. Fear of unworthiness (well, God says we are worthy to witness).
2. Fear of the worst thing could happen. (Everyone deserves God's presence).
Without people inviting us to church, none of us would be at Church.
If it wasn't for a parent, a teacher,Missionettes or Royal Ranger leader, youth leader, a prostitute's neighbor, a friend, a military worker, etc... none of us would be at church.
Someone took the time to be in an awkward situation of putting themselves on the line to invite you to church.
SO WHAT'S YOUR STORY...?
sermon notes from aug 5 2007
