Sermon Notes

What sets true followers of Jesus apart?  

1 Peter 3:15 NIV

But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Your story can help change someone's life.

Revelation 12:10-11 NIV

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

"Now have come the salvation and the power

   and the kingdom of our God,

   and the authority of his Messiah.

For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,

   who accuses them before our God day and night,

   has been hurled down.

They triumphed over him

   by the blood of the Lamb

   and by the word of their testimony;

they did not love their lives so much

   as to shrink from death."

Revelation 12:11 NIV

"They triumphed over him

   by the blood of the Lamb

   and by the word of their testimony;

they did not love their lives so much

   as to shrink from death."

Your TESTIMONY helps defeat the enemy!

A Testimony:

Part 1: Who you were before God

Part 2: Meeting Jesus and Giving your Life to Him

Part 3: How the Spirit is making you more like Jesus.

Everyone loves a good story.  

Are you a Christian with a story? Or are you just wearing a shirt that says 'Christian,' but you really haven't given your life to Jesus yet?

Be REAL:

1. Relate (by listening)

Acts 22:1-2a NIV

"Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense."

When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet.

Acts 22:2b-3 NIV

Then Paul said: "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today."

Be REAL:

1. 
   

   Relate (by listening)

   
   


2. 
   

   Encourage

   
   

Acts 22:3b NIV

"…..I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today."

Be REAL:

1. Relate (by listening)

2. Encourage

3. Actually Share.

4. Leave it up to God.

Acts 22:21-22 NIV

"Then the Lord said to me, 'Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.' The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, "Rid the earth of him! He's not fit to live!"

Revelation 12:11-12 NIV

"They triumphed over him

   by the blood of the Lamb

   and by the word of their testimony;

they did not love their lives so much

   as to shrink from death.

Therefore rejoice, you heavens

   and you who dwell in them!

But woe to the earth and the sea,

   because the devil has gone down to you!

He is filled with fury,

   because he knows that his time is short."

"Salvation means, 'We win!'" – Carl Avery, Salvation Army Pastor

We are victorious now, even if we don't see it.