WE ALL HAVE A STORY Home | General Index | About Pastor Aaron | Contact | My Guestbook My Books | Articles | Link To Me | Web Rings | Banner Links | Text Links May 2002 We all have a story to share. The important thing is that it is our story. No one cal tell it but us. I love how the Apostle Paul used his story, when he brought his case before King Agrippa. Let's take a look at Acts 26:1-23 and see what Paul has to share: Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God, unto our fathers: Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. Wow! What an awesome testimony he shared! In verse 20, King Agrippa said he would be persuaded to become Christian in a short time. Paul was not slack in sharing the message that Christ gave him. Paul shared the reconciliation of Jesus Christ. Christ reconciles sinners unto Himself through his finished work and the cross and by the Gospel message we share with other. It is true. We are ambassadors for Christ. We too share the reconciliation of Jesus Christ. When we share our testimony with others it does several things: It opens a door of interest It inspires others to seek Christ It gives others food for thought It encourages people Jesus Christ is the whole driving force in our lives. Because of Him reconciling us to Him through His atoning death and finished work at the cross we have a sure victory, peace, strength, and great love and fellowship with Jesus Christ Himself and also with the Body of Christ, our fellow believers in the lord Jesus Christ the living God! When we share our story we show others and tell others we stepped out in faith and now we are new creations in Christ. The old things have passed away and behold all things have become new because of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:11 says, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Why? Paul says don't you know you are not your own, but you have been purchased for a price (prepared).We are new creatures in Christ. We walk in newness of life. When I hit rock bottom in my life, Christ left the 99 and stood over me and picked me up and put me on His shoulders. He whispered in my ear, "I love you, and I'm going to help you and stand beside you. I will not forsake you." Christ changed my life. I see things differently now. I no longer see with carnal eyes, but through spiritual eyes. We cannot help but seek the will of Jesus Christ, to please God, and to remain faithful stewards. Paul said we are to be ambassadors unto Jesus Christ. My friends, I encourage you to share your testimony. What has Christ done for you? All of us have been down that tough road, even those who grew up in the church. We all have a testimony. Some are tougher than others, and still it is your story. You tell it like Paul did to King Agrippa. May the Lord encourage you and bless you.