Transformative Testimony: Embracing Our Stories for Change

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Testimony in Hostile Environments

God uses faithful witnesses to declare His good news even in hostile and unjust environments.

In the midst of opposition and misunderstanding, Paul stands before a hostile crowd and boldly shares his story of transformation. He does not let fear or the threat of violence silence him, but instead trusts that God can use his testimony as a catalyst for change. The world is hungry for authentic stories of what God has done, and your willingness to share—even when it’s uncomfortable—can be the very thing that brings hope and light to dark places. Your story, with all its ups and downs, is a tool God uses to reach others, especially when the environment is resistant or even antagonistic. [01:07:54]

Revelation 12:11 (ESV)
"And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death."

Reflection: Who is one person in your life who needs to hear your story of how God has changed you, even if sharing it feels risky or uncomfortable?

Day 2: Relatability Breeds Reliability

Relating to others in their language opens hearts to the gospel.

Paul’s ability to speak both Greek and Aramaic allowed him to connect with both his captors and the crowd. He did not approach them as someone above or apart, but as someone who understood their world. By meeting people where they are—culturally, linguistically, and emotionally—you build trust and credibility. God can use every part of your background, even the parts you might be tempted to hide or dismiss, to reach people who need to know Him. Don’t be afraid to use your full self, your history, and your “languages” to make the message of Jesus relatable and real. [01:16:12]

Acts 21:37–22:2 (ESV)
"As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, 'May I say something to you?' And he said, 'Do you know Greek? Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?' Paul replied, 'I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.' And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying: 'Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.' And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally connect with someone in your life by learning and speaking their “language”—whether cultural, generational, or emotional—this week?

Day 3: Transparency Brings Opportunity (and Opposition)

Honest sharing of your story creates space for others to encounter grace.

Paul does not sugarcoat his past or hide his failures; instead, he openly recounts his history of persecuting Christians and his dramatic encounter with Jesus. This transparency not only gives credibility to his message but also invites others to experience the same grace that changed him. However, being real about your story may also bring opposition or discomfort from those who are not ready to accept the full scope of God’s grace. Still, your vulnerability can be the very thing that opens doors for others to find hope and transformation. [01:27:09]

Acts 22:3–21 (ESV)
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.' And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said, 'The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.' When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw him saying to me, 'Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.' And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.' And he said to me, 'Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'"

Reflection: What part of your story have you been hesitant to share, and how might God use your honesty to encourage someone else—even if it means facing discomfort or misunderstanding?

Day 4: God’s Grace Extends Beyond Our Boundaries

God’s love and salvation reach those we might least expect or even resist.

When Paul declares that God sent him to the Gentiles, the crowd erupts in outrage, revealing their deep-seated prejudices. It’s a sobering reminder that God’s grace is not limited by our preferences or boundaries. The people we might consider “outsiders” or even “enemies” are often the very ones God wants to reach through us. If God’s grace was enough for you, it is enough for anyone—no matter their background, identity, or past. Let God challenge your boundaries and expand your heart for those you might otherwise overlook or avoid. [01:31:56]

Romans 10:12–13 (ESV)
"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"

Reflection: Who is someone or a group of people you have struggled to see as recipients of God’s grace, and how can you pray for God to expand your heart toward them today?

Day 5: Your History Births Your Destiny

God uses every part of your story—pain and privilege—for His purpose.

Paul’s unique background as both a Jew and a Roman citizen positioned him to reach diverse audiences and opened doors that would have otherwise been closed. None of his history was wasted; God used every experience, every hardship, and every privilege to fulfill His greater purpose. In the same way, your journey—every high and low, every place you’ve been and every skill you’ve gained—can be used by God to impact others and advance His kingdom. Don’t be ashamed of your story; instead, offer it to God and watch Him use it for destiny. [01:38:29]

Genesis 50:20 (ESV)
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."

Reflection: Looking back over your life, what is one part of your history—good or bad—that God might want to use for His purpose today, and how can you offer it to Him?

Sermon Summary

Standing on the terrace of the Antonia Fortress, Paul faces a hostile crowd in Jerusalem, yet he chooses to share his story of transformation with courage and vulnerability. He does not hide his past or sanitize his journey; instead, he reveals the darkest parts of his history, showing how God’s grace met him in his brokenness and turned his life around. Paul’s willingness to speak in the language of both his captors and the crowd—Greek and Aramaic—demonstrates the power of relatability. He understands that before people can trust the message, they must be able to relate to the messenger. This act of meeting people where they are, both linguistically and culturally, opens doors for the gospel to be heard in even the most resistant environments.

The world today is not unlike Paul’s Jerusalem—hostile, divided, and quick to marginalize those who are different. Yet, the remedy for our cultural and spiritual ills is not found merely in social action or political engagement, but in the courageous testimony of transformed lives. Our stories—of what God has done, is doing, and will do—are the means by which we overcome evil and bring hope to others. The truth of our journey, both the pre- and post-conversion chapters, becomes a catalyst for change, not just in us but in those who hear us.

Paul’s transparency brings both opportunity and opposition. By recounting his own failures and God’s redemptive work, he creates space for others to encounter grace. But when he reveals the full scope of God’s love—that it extends even to the Gentiles—he provokes outrage. This reminds us that true testimony will sometimes invite resistance, especially when it challenges our prejudices or comfort zones.

None of Paul’s history is wasted. His unique background—Jewish by birth, Roman by citizenship—gives him access and credibility in multiple worlds. This “bivocality,” the ability to speak in different voices and contexts, is not something to be ashamed of but embraced. God uses every part of our story, every experience, every language we speak, to reach those he loves. Our task is to testify with authenticity, to speak the language of the people, and to trust that God will use our whole selves—past and present—for his purpose.

Key Takeaways

1. Relatability Breeds Reliability Paul’s effectiveness in sharing the gospel comes from his willingness to meet people where they are, speaking their language and understanding their context. Before anyone can trust the message, they must be able to relate to the messenger. This calls us to embrace our full selves, including our past, so that we can connect authentically with those God sends us to. Our ability to relate is not a liability but a bridge for the gospel. [72:29]
2. Transparency Brings Opportunity—and Opposition Paul’s testimony is powerful because he does not hide his failures or sanitize his story. By openly sharing both his zeal and his sin, he creates space for others to encounter grace. Yet, this same transparency can provoke resistance, especially when it challenges deeply held prejudices or comfort zones. True testimony invites both opportunity for redemption and the risk of rejection. [87:09]
3. The Power of Testimony in Hostile Environments Even in the face of hostility and injustice, God uses faithful witnesses to declare good news. Our victory, liberty, and power are found in our willingness to testify about what God has done in our lives. The truth of our story becomes a catalyst for transformation, not just for us but for those who hear us, even when the environment is resistant or unjust. [67:54]
4. God Speaks Every Language—So Should We Paul’s ability to speak both Greek and Aramaic is more than a linguistic skill; it is an act of love and identification. To reach people, we must learn their language—not just their words, but their culture, struggles, and hopes. This requires humility, listening, and a willingness to step outside our comfort zones, trusting that God’s love transcends every barrier. [78:25]
5. History Births Destiny—Nothing Is Wasted Paul’s unique background, with one foot in the world of the oppressed and another in the world of the privileged, is used by God to advance the gospel. Our own histories—painful, privileged, or both—are not to be discarded but embraced as part of God’s providence. Every part of our journey, every experience, is a tool in God’s hand to fulfill our destiny and reach those others cannot. [94:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Paul Faces the Hostile Crowd
[04:12] - The Power of Testimony in Difficult Times
[08:45] - Relatability Breeds Reliability
[13:30] - Speaking the Language of the People
[18:25] - Love and Language: Learning to Listen
[22:10] - God Knows Your Language
[27:09] - Transparency: Sharing the Whole Story
[31:56] - The Scandal of God’s Grace
[34:02] - History Births Destiny
[37:12] - Embracing Bivocality
[38:29] - Testimony and Transformation
[41:00] - Final Encouragement and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 21:37–22:22 (ESV) — Paul Speaks to the People
37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.” 40 And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:
22:1 “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”
2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:
3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.
[...Paul continues his testimony through verse 21...]
22 And they listened to him up to this word. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.”

Revelation 12:11 (ESV) — And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Observation Questions

What languages does Paul use to address the different groups in Acts 21–22, and why is this significant? ([01:12:29])
How does the crowd react when Paul begins to speak in their own language? What changes in their attitude? ([01:16:44])
According to Revelation 12:11, what are the two things by which believers overcome the enemy?
What part of Paul’s story provokes the crowd to outrage, and why? ([01:31:56])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul choose to share both the darkest parts of his past and his transformation, rather than only the positive aspects of his story? What does this reveal about the power of testimony? ([01:21:52])
The sermon says, “Relatability breeds reliability.” In what ways does Paul’s approach to language and culture help him connect with his audience? How might this principle apply to us today? ([01:12:29])
Why does Paul’s transparency about God’s grace provoke both opportunity and opposition? What does this suggest about the risks and rewards of honest testimony? ([01:27:09])
How does Paul’s unique background (Jewish by birth, Roman by citizenship) become a tool for God’s purposes? What does this teach us about our own histories and experiences? ([01:34:02])

Application Questions

Paul was willing to share the “pre-Damascus” parts of his story, not just the good parts. Is there a part of your own story that you tend to hide or sanitize? What would it look like to share it honestly for God’s glory? ([01:21:52])
The sermon challenges us to “speak the language of the people”—not just words, but culture, struggles, and hopes. Who in your life do you need to make more effort to understand or relate to? What practical step could you take this week to listen or learn their “language”? ([01:18:25])
Paul’s testimony provoked resistance when he revealed the full scope of God’s love. Have you ever experienced pushback or discomfort when sharing your faith, especially with people who are different from you? How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time? ([01:31:56])
The sermon says, “None of Paul’s history is wasted.” Are there parts of your background—painful or privileged—that you’ve been tempted to discard or be ashamed of? How might God want to use those experiences to reach others? ([01:34:02])
Revelation 12:11 says we overcome “by the word of our testimony.” What is one specific way you can share your story of what God has done in your life with someone this month? ([01:07:54])
The sermon mentions that “relatability breeds reliability.” Is there a relationship in your life where you need to be more authentic or vulnerable in order to build trust? What’s one step you can take toward that this week? ([01:12:29])
Paul’s “bivocality”—his ability to move between different worlds—was a gift for the gospel. Where do you find yourself “code-switching” or living in two worlds? How can you embrace this as a strength for God’s purposes rather than a source of shame? ([01:34:02])

Sermon Clips

Church, I'd like to suggest that what the world needs now, what the culture is starving for, the only remedy to the ills and evils of our current cultural condition is Christians willing to witness about their own transformation. The truth is many of us want people to acknowledge our glory without really telling our story. [01:03:37] (43 seconds) #WitnessYourTransformation

He does not address his audiences as some high, holy, holier-than-thou, super-spiritual, extra-sanctified, special-saved person. No. The Bible says, watch me, at the end of chapter 21, the Bible says he speaks to the persons who have him captive in Greek. Do you see it there? At the end of chapter 21, in verse 37, he replied, how do you know, or do you know how to speak Greek? Paul is relating to the captor. Come here. Then, chapter 22, the Bible says that he gets permission to speak to the crowd, and he speaks to the crowd. Watch chapter 22, verse 2, in Aramaic. Come here. He speaks Greek to the captor, and then Aramaic to the crowd. [01:11:19] (49 seconds) #EmbraceYourWholeSelf

He understood that before people trust the message, they got to be able to relate to the messenger. And as the Roman soldiers drag him toward the barracks, Paul makes an astute request. He asks in the Greek language of the educated, the elite, and the erudite, he asks them to speak to the crowd. Now, listen, now, this is shocking because the captor doesn't really know who Paul is or why he's got this beef with this crowd. [01:12:19] (34 seconds) #SpeakTheLanguageOfTheHeart

He addresses the Roman guard in their language and then he addresses the crowd in their language. His mother tongue, the Aramaic or the Hebrew dialect as it's called in the text. He addresses them in Aramaic and they become quiet. This moment before, just a moment before, the mob is a storm of outrage. Now they're standing silent, hanging on every word. Because Paul had spoken to their hearts by speaking in their language. [01:16:44] (31 seconds) #GraceThroughAcceptance

Those of us who say we have Jesus need to learn to speak the language of the crowd. I can speak your language without taking on your morals. [01:18:02] (17 seconds) #LoveForTheRejected

To speak another's language is to speak a language of love. I don't know if you're catching this. I don't know if you're catching this. It's the story of that missionary who goes to a remote village struggling to connect with the locals. He was preaching through a translator. The gospel and the love of God. But only saw blank stares. Then one day, lean in, lean in, he decided to stop preaching to them and start simply to listen to them. He learned their dialect, he ate their food, he sang their songs and over time he says I wasn't just in their village I was of their village. [01:18:47] (42 seconds) #FaithBringsOpposition

Listening before speaking, understanding before being understood. Paul is able to speak their language fluently because he listened and was raised and I need you to know if you're here today and you're not a believer God knows your language and while I'm exhorting the believers to learn your language I want you to know God knows your language. [01:21:10] (28 seconds) #BivocalityIsPower

He celebrates the grace of God given to him through a personal experience with Jesus Christ. He celebrates the grace of God given to him through an encounter with a man named Ananias, becomes an initial acceptor of Paul's conversion. He speaks about the grace of God that though the name is not called where he is accepted by Barnabas and Barnabas becomes a person that allows him to be verified and brought into the company of the Apostles. Church, I'm saying to you that God uses his transparency to give these people an opportunity for grace and redemption. [01:30:19] (40 seconds)

Who are the Gentiles to you that when God starts saving them you get upset with God and God's messengers? I'm gonna get real nasty and ugly with you right now—that Gentile might be a same gender loving person but God loves them too—they may identify as trans or pan but God loves them too—they might used to be a racist or are a racist right now—but God loves them too and somebody maybe you is sent to the people that other people reject and refuse and think are disgusting and think are horrible but if God can save your raggedy self I'm in here by myself now. [01:32:16] (72 seconds)

God gifts you with an ability to speak in multiple voices for the sake of your destiny. And church, this is why you ought not be ashamed of any of the parts of your history. I can eat tuna fish and pork and beans and hot dogs and I can eat filet mignon and I can eat foie gras and lobster as well. Do not mess with my bivocality. [01:38:29] (29 seconds)

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