Empowered Storytelling: Sharing Faith with Urgency
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into the second rhythm of a resilient faith: sharing your story. We explored how the early church, despite facing numerous challenges, embodied the rhythms taught by Jesus, enabling them to build a resilient faith. This resilience was not just a personal endeavor but a communal one, emphasizing the importance of sharing our faith stories within our communities.
We began by understanding that everyone has a unique story given by God, and it is our responsibility to share it. Acts 1:1-11 served as our foundational scripture, highlighting Jesus' command to be His witnesses. This command is not optional but a promise that we will be His witnesses, sharing our stories of faith and God's work in our lives.
We identified three marks of a resilient storyteller. First, recognizing the signs of God's goodness in our lives. Just as Jesus provided convincing proofs of His resurrection, we too have signs of God's work in our lives that we must share. Second, discerning God's timing. Understanding when to speak and when to wait is crucial, as God's timing is perfect. Third, receiving God's power. Sharing our faith story requires more than just desire; it requires the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome fears and opposition.
We also discussed the importance of vulnerability in our storytelling. Being real about our struggles and weaknesses makes our stories relatable and powerful. Additionally, listening to others' stories with genuine interest builds credibility and opens doors for sharing our own faith stories.
Finally, we were reminded of the urgency of sharing our stories because Jesus is coming back. The early church lived with this urgency, and we are called to do the same. We must not be mere spectators but active participants in God's grand story, empowered by the Holy Spirit to share what we have seen and heard.
### Key Takeaways
1. Recognize the Signs of God's Goodness: Every believer has unique signs of God's work in their life. These signs, like Jesus' convincing proofs of His resurrection, serve as markers of God's faithfulness. Reflecting on these signs helps us share our faith story with authenticity and conviction. [09:56]
2. Discern God's Timing: Understanding God's timing is crucial in sharing our faith. Just as Jesus instructed the apostles to wait for the Holy Spirit, we must learn to discern when to speak and when to wait. This discernment allows us to align our actions with God's perfect plan. [20:19]
3. Receive God's Power: Sharing our faith story requires the power of the Holy Spirit. This power gives us the boldness to speak up and the assurance of our salvation. Without this supernatural power, our efforts to share our faith may fall short. [24:23]
4. Be Vulnerable in Your Storytelling: Authenticity and vulnerability make our stories relatable and impactful. Sharing our struggles and weaknesses, as Paul and Peter did, demonstrates God's power in our lives and encourages others who may be facing similar challenges. [17:25]
5. Live with Urgency: Jesus' return is imminent, and this should instill a sense of urgency in us to share our faith stories. We are called to be active participants in God's story, not mere spectators. This urgency compels us to share the good news with boldness and conviction. [33:40]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:45] - Introduction to the Series
[01:26] - Importance of Community
[02:56] - Sharing Your Story
[04:26] - Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-11
[06:03] - Testimony from Life Group Leaders
[09:56] - Recognizing God's Goodness
[11:25] - Convincing Proofs of Jesus' Resurrection
[12:57] - Personal Faith Stories
[16:01] - Christian vs. Secular Storytelling
[17:25] - Vulnerability in Storytelling
[19:15] - Listening to Others' Stories
[20:19] - Discerning God's Timing
[24:23] - Receiving God's Power
[28:08] - Assurance of Salvation
[30:13] - Boldness for God's Mission
[33:40] - Urgency in Sharing Your Story
[35:25] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Acts 1:1-11
### Observation Questions
1. What command did Jesus give to His disciples in Acts 1:4-5? How did He describe the gift they were to wait for? [04:26]
2. According to Acts 1:8, what will the disciples receive when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, and what will they become as a result? [04:26]
3. How did Jesus provide "convincing proofs" of His resurrection to His disciples, as mentioned in Acts 1:3? [09:56]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Jesus commanded His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before becoming His witnesses? How does this relate to discerning God's timing in our own lives? [20:19]
2. How does the concept of being a witness in Acts 1:8 extend beyond just sharing a personal testimony? What does it mean to be a witness "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth"? [04:26]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of vulnerability in storytelling. How does sharing our struggles and weaknesses, as Paul and Peter did, demonstrate God's power in our lives? [17:25]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you recognized the signs of God's goodness in your life. How did this recognition impact your faith and your willingness to share your story with others? [09:56]
2. Have you ever experienced a season where you had to wait for God's timing? How did you discern when it was the right time to act or speak? Share a specific example. [20:19]
3. In what ways can you seek and receive the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome fears and opposition when sharing your faith story? What practical steps can you take to invite the Holy Spirit's power into your life? [24:23]
4. Think about a recent conversation where you had the opportunity to share your faith story. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome? What could you do differently next time to be more effective? [19:15]
5. How can you incorporate more vulnerability into your storytelling? Identify a specific struggle or weakness you are willing to share with your small group or another trusted community. [17:25]
6. Considering the urgency of sharing our faith stories because Jesus is coming back, what immediate actions can you take to be an active participant in God's grand story? [33:40]
7. How can you create a safe and welcoming environment in your small group or community that encourages others to share their faith stories? What role can you play in fostering this kind of environment? [06:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognize the Signs of God's Goodness
Every believer has unique signs of God's work in their life. These signs, like Jesus' convincing proofs of His resurrection, serve as markers of God's faithfulness. Reflecting on these signs helps us share our faith story with authenticity and conviction. Recognizing these signs involves looking back at our lives and identifying moments where God's hand was evident, whether through answered prayers, unexpected blessings, or moments of peace in the midst of chaos.
By acknowledging these signs, we not only strengthen our own faith but also prepare ourselves to share these testimonies with others. Sharing these stories can inspire and encourage those around us, showing them that God is active and present in our lives. It is through these personal testimonies that we can demonstrate the reality of God's goodness and faithfulness. [09:56]
Psalm 77:11-12 (ESV): "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds."
Reflection: Think of a specific moment in your life where you clearly saw God's hand at work. How can you share this story with someone this week to encourage them in their faith?
Day 2: Discern God's Timing
Understanding God's timing is crucial in sharing our faith. Just as Jesus instructed the apostles to wait for the Holy Spirit, we must learn to discern when to speak and when to wait. This discernment allows us to align our actions with God's perfect plan. Sometimes, we may feel an urgency to share our story, but it is important to seek God's guidance and wait for the right moment.
Discerning God's timing involves prayer, patience, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading. It means being attentive to the needs and readiness of those we are sharing with, ensuring that our words are timely and impactful. By aligning ourselves with God's timing, we can be more effective in our witness and avoid potential misunderstandings or resistance. [20:19]
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV): "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt prompted to share your faith but hesitated. How can you seek God's guidance to discern the right timing for sharing your story in the future?
Day 3: Receive God's Power
Sharing our faith story requires the power of the Holy Spirit. This power gives us the boldness to speak up and the assurance of our salvation. Without this supernatural power, our efforts to share our faith may fall short. The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome fears, doubts, and opposition, enabling us to share our stories with confidence and clarity.
Receiving God's power involves daily surrender and reliance on the Holy Spirit. It means acknowledging our own limitations and trusting in God's strength to work through us. As we seek the Holy Spirit's empowerment, we can be assured that our words and actions will be guided by His wisdom and love, making our testimonies more impactful. [24:23]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's power to share your faith more boldly? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you today?
Day 4: Be Vulnerable in Your Storytelling
Authenticity and vulnerability make our stories relatable and impactful. Sharing our struggles and weaknesses, as Paul and Peter did, demonstrates God's power in our lives and encourages others who may be facing similar challenges. Being vulnerable means being honest about our doubts, fears, and failures, showing that we are not perfect but are continually being transformed by God's grace.
Vulnerability in storytelling builds trust and connection with others. It allows people to see the real you and understand that faith is a journey with ups and downs. By sharing our vulnerabilities, we create a safe space for others to open up about their own struggles and find hope in God's redemptive work. [17:25]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: Think of a personal struggle or weakness that you have experienced. How can sharing this part of your story help someone else who may be going through a similar situation?
Day 5: Live with Urgency
Jesus' return is imminent, and this should instill a sense of urgency in us to share our faith stories. We are called to be active participants in God's story, not mere spectators. This urgency compels us to share the good news with boldness and conviction, knowing that our time to make an impact is limited.
Living with urgency means prioritizing the sharing of our faith and being intentional about our interactions with others. It involves looking for opportunities to witness and being ready to share our story at any moment. By living with this sense of urgency, we can make the most of every opportunity to spread the message of God's love and salvation. [33:40]
1 Peter 4:7 (ESV): "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers."
Reflection: How can you create a sense of urgency in your daily life to share your faith? What specific steps can you take this week to be more intentional about witnessing to others?
Quotes
1. "The reality is that you can have a relationship with God apart from community. But you can't grow in your relationship with God without community. This is why we emphasize groups here at our church and why we're celebrating 40 life groups in addition to 20 rooted groups that are happening this fall." [01:26] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You have a story to tell. There's nobody else on the face of this earth that has a story just like you. God has given you a unique story and it is your responsibility to share it with others." [02:56] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You will not be able to confine your story to one area of your life. You will not be able to confine it, confine it to just one story of what God has done in your life. You, Jesus says, will be my witness. This isn't a suggestion. It's a, it's a promise. It is a promise. You will be his witness." [04:26] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you start by sharing your story with others who share your faith it gives you more courage to share your story with others who do not share your faith. You know no matter how other people receive your story out there you always know you have a safe place to come back to and hear marriage is sort of designed the same way but also our Christian community that even if you experience rejection out there you experience welcome here." [06:03] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The first mark of a resilient storyteller is this that you see the signs of God's goodness in your life as we often sing all my life you have been faithful all my life you have been so so good so you have the ability to look back and see the fingerprints of God in your life the times when God has walked with you through even the toughest seasons every one of you has signs of God's goodness in your life some of you might have to look harder than others but the reality is that they're there." [09:56] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "What are the unmistakable or indisputable signs that God has been at work in your life? Now, I served on jury this week. Yes, I did not only get selected for jury duty, I actually got picked to serve on an actual jury for a criminal case here in D.C. And so I listened for a couple days to the case, and I was able to see that there was a lot of evidence in the case. And then I had to know beyond a reasonable doubt, based on the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses, I then had to judge if the defendant was guilty or not guilty." [11:25] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Christian storytelling is different from secular storytelling. For one, you're part of a much bigger story. So you start by remembering what God has done. You remember that you're just one small piece. And so as you tell your story, you're sharing how you your story fits within His story." [16:01] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "What makes our stories attractive is not when we act like we have it all together, but we're real about our struggles, past and present. Paul said he was chief among sinners. He didn't hide that he used to persecute Christians. Peter didn't hide that he had denied Jesus at his most important hour. The scripture says that God's power is made perfect in your weakness." [17:25] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "If you really love something, you will talk about it. Some of you guys know about this. I got my love of Huckleberry ice cream. I had it again this summer when I was in Wyoming. And I wasn't afraid to talk about it. I wasn't afraid to post about it. In fact, I was trying to figure out if there was a way that I could bring some back in my suitcase to share with you guys. If you love something, you'll talk about it." [31:04] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "There's over two billion Christians in the world today. Can you imagine? Can you imagine? We're all bold witnesses for Christ. Can you imagine if we couldn't stop talking about what God has done in our life? Where we would just open up vulnerably about how we've wrestled with God in the midst of suffering and disappointments. Where we would share our faith story with our family members, with our neighbors, with our coworkers. That we would even share on social media where our joy comes from. Can you imagine?" [32:58] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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