Well, friends, today is Mission Sunday, or in preparation for Invitation Sunday. You know, my prayer, my heart for you and for me is that almost this picture of like this year, we as a personal team want to be deliberate in seeing us equipped for mission and seeing us reach people in our sphere of influence.
It's like every message that we have this picture of a tool belt, and you're like adding another tool into your belt—being equipped, being empowered to go into your world to share the good news of Jesus to those in the world around you.
So, my prayer for each and every one of us every morning, and myself included, is that we'll continue to have that tool added into our belt, that we'll continue to feel equipped to reach people with the good news of Jesus.
So would you join me in prayer?
Holy Spirit, I just thank you that you are the one who teaches and guides us. Even as I speak this morning, that you would speak to each of our hearts, that we will be equipped and empowered to be on mission for you. In your name, we pray, amen.
So, have you ever had to deliver some good news to someone? I don't know what it might be about—maybe you won the race at school, like at sports day. Maybe you got a good report from your teacher. Maybe you passed your driving test and got your license. Maybe it's good news about a good report from the doctor. Maybe it's seeing a breakthrough in a situation that you've had. Maybe it's news about a baby on the way or a new relationship.
I don't know about you, but when you've got good news, especially when you can't tell it yet—like when you've got to be quiet about it—and you're like, "Oh!" You've got the excitement jitters; you can't wait to tell. It's hard to contain. Good news is hard to contain because you want to share it with everyone.
Well, friends, can I encourage you this morning? You and I, we have the best news. We have the best news!
So if you're taking notes this morning, the title of my message is "Delivering Good News: Share Your Story." We have the best news—the good news of Jesus. You know, we've heard about it through communion. We've heard about it through what Youth Alive is doing—sharing the good news of Jesus.
That God, because of His great love, sent Jesus to live on this Earth. Jesus performed signs, wonders, and miracles. Jesus lived a perfect life, which qualified Him to go to the cross for you and me. His death on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection create a pathway for all humanity, for each and every person to know Him personally.
And through believing that Jesus did all this and declaring Him as Lord of our lives, we are restored to relationship with Him. I don't know about you, but that's the best news I've heard in a while, especially when there are so many reports of bad things happening in the world.
That's amazing news—that we are restored to relationship with Him. But we get the benefits of knowing Him: His strength, His peace, His security, His provision, His refining. Friends, can I encourage you this morning? We have the best news!
We have the best news! We have the good news of Jesus, and we, as His followers, are called to share this news. In Mark 16:15, it says, "And then He told them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to everyone.'" That's for you and me—go into all the world and proclaim the good news to everyone.
Our theme for this year is Acts 13:47: "I have destined you to become a beacon light for the nations and release salvation to the ends of the earth." As I look across this room, each and every one of you is called to be a beacon of light to those around you—to be the deliverer of good news, to have that excitement you can't contain, that you want to share.
And can I encourage you today that you are empowered to be a Jesus representative in your sphere of influence? You are empowered! And I don't just say that as words; I take that from the Bible. In 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, it says, "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God was making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ."
See, an ambassador is someone who is given authority to speak or represent someone else. If you have an ambassador from Australia to Malaysia, for example, they have the authority to speak on behalf of the Australian government in Malaysia. We are the ambassadors of Jesus! You are empowered to be Jesus' ambassador in your sphere of influence.
In the ERV version of this scripture, it says, "We have been sent to speak for Christ." It is like God is calling people through us. What an amazing privilege! I was just reminded last week—what an amazing privilege that God is calling people through us.
See, He's the God of the universe. He could call everyone to Himself; He could have a moment with someone in an instant, and they could know Him. But He chooses you. He chooses me to partner with Him—to be His ambassadors, to be His representatives, to share good news.
My friends, you are empowered to be Jesus' representative in your sphere of influence—whether that's with your family, your friends, in your workplace, at your gym, with your sporting club, with your mother's group, your parents' group, with your friends at school, at home. You're empowered to be Jesus' representative in your sphere of influence.
And can I encourage you? You're already doing this! I see it in multiple stories that I hear from people. I hear people saying how they told their friends about Jesus at school, or here are people inviting their friends to come to church. I think of our last Invitation Sunday, that Dudley invited a couple of friends from the gym that they've been having conversations with. I remember Sally speaking of inviting her neighbors—different things. Guys, you are doing well! I seriously see you being Jesus' representative in your sphere of influence.
What an awesome privilege we have to share the good news of Jesus! But what does this actually look like in our world today?
Sometimes you can be like, "Oh yes, sharing good news—that sounds good." But how do we actually practically outwork this? How do we deliver good news?
Well, today I wanted to look at the story of Paul. Paul was probably one of the most prominent deliverers of good news in the Bible that I can think of. You know, he was someone who was very deliberate in delivering the good news of Jesus because he experienced the power of God in his life first.
So I'd love to look at a few stories from Paul's journey so we can be encouraged but also gain some insight on practical points on delivering good news. For those of you who've never heard of Paul, he was first known as Saul, and he was actually someone who actively sought to harm followers of Jesus.
In Acts 9, we read how he had an encounter with Jesus. He was actually, while he was on a mission to try and give Christians a hard time, he had an encounter with Jesus. But through this encounter, his life was radically transformed. God sent him to share the good news of Jesus to all parts of the earth. Friends, you and I today are the beneficiaries of Paul being sent.
See, you and I are the beneficiaries of Paul going to the Gentiles—people who are not Jews. That's us! Well, most of us. We are the beneficiaries of Paul being sent, of Paul delivering good news.
But if you're taking notes this morning, the first thing I want you to know is that in delivering good news, Paul was sent by the Holy Spirit. In Acts chapter 13, starting at verse 2, it says, "The Holy Spirit said, 'Appoint Barnabas and Paul for the special work to which I've called them.'" So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
So Barnabas and Paul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. What does that mean today? Friends, you too—you and I—we are sent out by the Holy Spirit to deliver good news. I don't know about you, but I find that a bit freeing because the Holy Spirit is sending us in His power. Then it takes the burden of the pressure off a little bit for us.
See, the Bible says in Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. You and I receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses to tell people about me both in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria and even to the ends of the earth."
You know, we're on one end of the earth here in Australia, but we have the power and ability of the Holy Spirit because we've been sent by the Holy Spirit to tell people about Him.
So can I encourage you? Go in the power and ability of the Holy Spirit to be His representative in your sphere of influence. He will lead you and guide you. You might, like I said, it takes the pressure off a little bit because you're like, "I don't know where to begin. I don't know where to start." But you can ask the Holy Spirit. You can say, "God, help me. What do I do here? How do I share here? Who can I share the word of God with?"
And that's really what I want to see for us today—for me today as well—that God, who are you leading me to? Who do I need to share good news with? Who in my world needs to hear the good news of you?
So can I encourage you this morning? In delivering good news, you are sent by the Holy Spirit. You are empowered by the Holy Spirit. He equips you and enables you to do that. He adds that tool to your belt so you can share the good news.
So one of the ways that Paul shared the good news of Jesus was by sharing his testimony—his story of what God had done in his life. A testimony is a spoken or written statement about something that is true, and Paul shared truth. Paul shared his story.
Can I encourage you that you and I can share our story? As I look across the room, I know there are countless stories of what God has done in your life, and there is power in sharing your story.
But what does this actually look like? How do we actually begin here? Well, something I noticed reading over Paul's different letters and the different times he shared his testimony in sharing his story is that Paul was deliberate in finding common ground with those he shared with. He was very deliberate in finding common ground.
He says this in his letters to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 9:22: "Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the good news and share in its blessings."
Paul was deliberate in finding common ground with everyone. Does it mean he connected with everyone very easily? I don't think so. He tried to find common ground, and it required effort. It required him to be deliberate.
You know, I think about that—have you ever sat on a flight next to a stranger? You know, you're flying on your own, and you sit next to the stranger, and you're kind of like, "Oh, hello! How are you? Where are you going? What's your final destination?" And then, you know, you try to strike up a conversation.
Sometimes it's really easy, and you have a good chat, and sometimes you're like, "I can't wait for the in-flight entertainment to start so I can put my headphones on and not talk anymore." Anyone have that experience before? Just me?
Yeah, and sometimes you just kind of go like, "Oh, I don't want to talk to anyone. I'll just put my headphones on straight away and pretend to fall asleep." One or the other.
But you know, that's—I don't think that was Paul. He was deliberate in finding common ground. He was deliberate in trying to connect with people. Paul identified and connected with those around him.
In one of the Bible commentaries I read by Chuck Smith, he said this: "Paul sought to win people to Jesus Christ by being sensitive to their needs and identifying with them."
So I want to look at one of the accounts where Paul shares his testimony—where Paul shares his story. Interestingly, though, he is on trial at this time. He's on trial before the king, and yet this guy finds an opportunity to share his story. He finds an opportunity to share his testimony. He finds a way to deliver good news despite being on trial.
In Acts 26:2-3, Paul is before the king, and he's on trial, but this is what he says to the king: "I’m fortunate, King Agrippa, that you are the one hearing my defense today against all these accusations made by the Jewish leaders, for I know you’re an expert in Jewish customs and controversies. Now please listen to me patiently."
See, Paul recognizes the king is knowledgeable in Jewish customs. He finds common ground. He says, "Hey, I too am well-versed in Jewish customs."
In verse 4, he goes on to say, "As the Jewish leaders are well aware, I was given a thorough Jewish training from my earliest childhood." He's found a point of connection. He's found common ground with the king.
How can we apply this today? My friends, can I encourage you to find common ground with those in your sphere of influence? Find a pathway to connect with them. Find what they are passionate about. Look for what you might have in common with them or what might be different.
See, differences can be a great conversation starter, as long as it's done in the right heart—not to win a debate or an argument with them, but to share truth with them.
And can I encourage you? This is not just about being a good conversationalist. You know, we've all got friends. I know, like my housemate, she's one of these people—like I said, she could talk to anyone and make friends with anyone. Like, she could talk the hind leg off a donkey, like the old phrase goes.
You know, she can just make conversation with anyone and be friends with anyone. But I'm not talking about being a good conversationalist. I'm talking about being deliberate—being sent by the Holy Spirit.
Paul said this in 1 Corinthians: "My message was not with wise and persuasive words, but a demonstration of Holy Spirit power." That is you! As you find that common ground, it's not that, like, "Oh, this great conversation is full of charisma," but you have the power of the Holy Spirit to speak truth—to deliver His love, to be kind, to be gentle, to care for people, to find common ground with those in your sphere of influence.
What could this actually look like practically? Listening is a big one. Asking questions, seeking to understand and get to know people. There's so much power in getting to know someone—listening to them, letting them share their story.
You know, based on what they share, you may have the opportunity to tell about a time that you experienced something similar and what God did in your life. That sharing your story.
Can I encourage you? Don't underestimate the ministry of presence that you have as well because of the presence of God you carry in you. Being present with someone—that's part of finding common ground. Being present with them through a time of trial, through a time of hardship.
Finding common ground can look like inviting them. You know, you might go, "They have questions for you about faith, and you're like, 'I don't actually know how to answer that.' But you know what? Next Sunday we have our Invitation Sunday. I'd love you to come along to learn more. I'll save you a seat next to me."
As Pastor Kerry said, like, what an awesome outworking of taking a photo and sending it to someone—giving people the opportunity to hear good news.
See, this is something I'm learning to do for myself. I have this friend who, a little while back, went through a significant loss for themselves. And, you know, I kind of was like, "I'm a bit at a loss of how to help you."
But the biggest thing I could do in that moment was be present with them—to encourage them, to listen to them, to let them share their heart of grief as they were going through that. And in that moment, you kind of feel a little bit helpless, like, "God, what do I say here?"
But in that moment, I remember the Holy Spirit giving me a word of encouragement to share with them of a time when God gave me peace and gave me hope in a time of distress.
And this friend is still on the journey of finding faith, but I remember after they sort of navigated that journey of loss, they said to me that, you know, in that moment, you really exemplified what your faith is about.
And you know, I don't say that anyway to boast about how good I am, but that people notice that because you carry the presence of God. My friend, people notice! And as you find common ground, as you're present with people in their moments, as you love them well, that is a seed sown.
So can I encourage you? We have this opportunity. We have this ability to find common ground with those in our sphere of influence and share what God has done in your life. Paul shared his story; you and I can share our story.
See, as Paul continues to share his testimony to the king, he shares first what he was like before he met Jesus. In verse 9 of Acts 26, he says, "I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth."
He tells the story of what he was like before he met Jesus. In verse 10, he goes on to explain he was on a mission to give Christians a hard time. So he starts with sharing, "This is what my life was like before I met Jesus."
Then he shares about his encounter with Jesus. We see in verses 12 to 16, "One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests. About noon, your majesty, as I was on the road, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.' Who are you, Lord? I asked. And the Lord replied, 'I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. Now get to your feet, for I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. Tell people that you have seen me and tell them that I will show you the future.'"
So he starts by saying, "This is what I was before." Then he says, "This is what Jesus did in my life. This is how He met me." And then he shares the transformation that occurred in his life in verses 19 to 23.
He says he tells the king how he obeyed the vision, how he preached first to those in Damascus, through Jerusalem, and to all Judea. He shares how God protected him in verse 23, "Right up to this present time, so I can testify to everyone." And he shares how he's called to announce God's light to the Jews and Gentiles alike.
See, Paul explains how his life changed after meeting Jesus. He explains how God protected him. He explains how God changed his life after meeting Him.
So how does this apply to us today? Can I encourage you, friends? You have a powerful story to tell. You know, it may not be a one-day moment like Paul's; it may not be this big instantaneous light on the road to Damascus, but you have a powerful story to tell.
There are pivotal moments that I know each and every one of us have encountered Jesus, and there are pivotal moments that changed our lives. You have a powerful story to tell. Can I encourage you? Share your story!
In delivering good news, share your story. And I think Paul gives us a great template here from his testimony on how to share your story.
What were you like before you met Jesus? This is how I was before. What happened when Jesus met you? You know, what was your one-day moment? What was your one-day season? Maybe it was over a period of time how Jesus met you. What was the transformation that occurred?
Three simple steps in sharing your story: What was the transformation that occurred? You know, this is what I was like before, but then Jesus came and met me, and after that, my life is different.
What are you like today? I continue to grow in that. I continue to be equipped in that.
So friends, what was your one-day moment? Paul said, "One day on the road to Damascus." What was your one-day moment? What was the moment Jesus encountered you? How has your life changed after?
But the most important question: Who in your sphere of influence needs to hear that story? Who do you know in your world who needs to hear that story?
Can I encourage you? There's power in telling your story. I've seen the evidence of that in our church today. You know, I think about Warren and Andy. When Andy first started coming to our church, there was one day that Warren felt the little nudge from the Holy Spirit to share his story with Andy.
And to be honest, I actually don't know what he shared with her, but I know the impact it had on Andy because she came and said to me afterward, "Oh, Warren came and shared his story with me today of how God transformed his life," and it had such a positive impact on her.
And she was like, "And how Bob had an influence in that." And I was like, "That's cool! That's so good that he shared his story with you." You know, the fruit of that is today we see Andy sitting here in church. We see this amazing young woman who's on a journey of faith who knows God.
But you know, it started with the seed that was sown with Warren. That was part of a seed sown. It started with Tani inviting Andy to come to church, saying, "Hey, come and check out my church." It started with God placing a desire—remember you saying how, like, you wanted Milli to be able to come to church? That God placed a desire in Andy's heart as well. God was working in her life.
See, there's power in telling your story. I don't, like I said, I don't know what the story that Warren shared with Andy was, but I don't need to because that was the testimony that God gave him to share with her in that moment.
So can I encourage you? Don't underestimate the power of telling your story. Your story has impact beyond what you may realize.
Who in your sphere of influence needs to hear your story? The good news of what Jesus has done in your life is powerful. It may not be like a road to Damascus moment, but it is powerful.
And Paul knew the power of the good news he was sharing. In Romans 1:16, it says this: "I'm not ashamed of this good news of Jesus Christ. It is the power of God at work in the message." It says it this way: "It's news I'm most proud to proclaim—this extraordinary message of God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts Him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else."
See, Paul had experienced the power of God firsthand in his life, and he couldn't help but contain that. He wanted to tell everyone else this message.
And so, as I wrap up this morning, you know, I look around this room, and I see the faces of people who've experienced the power of God firsthand. I see people who've had encounters with God that transformed their lives.
And friends, can I encourage you? You and I, we have this amazing news to share. And you know, I liken it a little bit to when you see something on sale, and maybe you know your friend has been waiting for that thing on sale. You know, maybe it's a vacuum cleaner.
And you know when you hear that it's on sale, and you're like, "Hey, Tim, the vacuum cleaner's on sale! You have to get it!" Because you know they need it. But you know the news you have—like a good vacuum cleaner—the news you have may be something someone needs, and it's so much more valuable than a vacuum cleaner.
The good news of Jesus! You know, even as I'm speaking, I know the Holy Spirit is speaking to people and saying, "There's someone in your world that needs to know the good news of Jesus, needs to hear that good news. They need it."
And it's like, let that excitement, let that urgency rise up in you—that I need to share with them, just like I want to share with them the news about the sale and the vacuum cleaner.
This is way more important than that! Friends, can I encourage you? We have this amazing, powerful, impactful, transformational good news to share. It is news that is of great value for eternity—for hope after that.
It is good news that has value for today—to live in freedom, to live in peace, to have joy, to have provision, to encounter the love of God. It is news that gives people hope, confidence, and assurance in a time of so much uncertainty.
Can I encourage you? Delivering good news—you have good news that is worth delivering. Can I encourage you? Share your story! Share the good news of what Jesus has done in your life.
on Nov 05, 2023
