I saw this meme “I’ve gotta stop saying, ‘how stupid can you be?’ Because people are taking it as a challenge.” There are tons of memes about how you can’t argue with stupid. You’re trying using logic but people don’t want to hear it.
On some level our faith is stupid. It comes across as foolishness. People find every reason to discount a miracle. Why? Because for a miracle to be a miracle it must defy logic and reason. Paul said that God uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.
“Oh you believe in that Jesus guy? Why?” or “How do you defend _____ ?” Have you ever received questions like this? Have you ever kept your mouth shut out of fear that you may get questions like this?
"Have you ever kept your mouth shut out of fear that you may get questions like this?"
Question, where did God say we had to have ALL the answers?
Yes, we should defend our faith and part of defending our faith is pointing people to Jesus. So just as you can’t argue with stupid, guess what? You can’t argue with life change either. You’ve got a story to tell. It’s your story. Better said, it’s God’s story through you. So tell it!
"You’ve got a story to tell. It’s your story. Better said, it’s God’s story through you. So tell it!"
24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28 And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out. John 9:24-34
“When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.” John 12:9-11 ESV
Do you see the impact you can have on people just by sharing your story? Go back and read that one more time. Do you see the impact God’s story through you can have on other people? Simply by sharing what God has done in your life! Do you know that by sharing your story you are speaking of the power of God? Did you know that speaking of the power of God is a threat to our enemy? Of course he is threatened by God’s power. YOU ARE LIVING PROOF OF IT!!! So tell that story!!!!
I encourage you right now, to write out your story, here are some quick pointers.
- Make it all about Jesus // Give this prayer. Yes, you are telling your story but really you are telling God’s story through you. How can you tell your story and make Jesus the main character? That is an art. Be an artist.
- Have Structure // Try three simple sections. (1) Your life before Jesus. Describe what life was like without a relationship with God. (2) Coming to know Jesus. This is your story of salvation and acceptance. (3) Your life after Jesus. How has a relationship with God changed everything?
- Don’t force it // Yes talk about your story but don’t force it. Look for ways to bring it up naturally. “Here, fifty-cents towards the change you need… let me tell you about a time God changed my life.” FORCED!
- Use normal lingo // You are likely telling your story to people who don’t know the church world. They are people who won’t understand, “It was then I understood God’s substitutionary atonement for my life. I’m redeemed, ain’t it great?” They understood 2% of that sentence. Speak to be understood. Know your audience.
- Keep it brief // Yes this is hard when telling your story. We have short attention spans. Keep it under 3-5 minutes in length.
- Pray // Pray subtly as you tell your story. Pray when you wake up for an opportunity to brag on God. Pray for God to use the conversation when it’s over. Pray for salvation.
End with open ended questions // Have you ever experienced anything like this? How does this connect with anything in your life? What can I clarify? End by getting them to talk. LISTEN. LISTEN and LISTEN. Don’t interrupt. You told a story to trigger thought. NOW LET THEM TALK.
Perhaps today your ONE needs to hear this story. Give it a try! You can’t argue life change.
Keep praying for ONE!
Written by Pastor Jason Coache,
Lead Pastor of Wellspring Church
