Tell Your Story 

Acts 4:20 

Share What You Know 

Acts 1:8 NKJV 

“But you shall receive power [dunamis – dynamite – explosive power] when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 

It doesn’t say that we’re going to do witnessing – it says we will be witnesses for Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit comes, not only to help – to comfort – but he also comes to empower our witness. We are witnesses who do witnessing. Very few long-time Christians actually talk about their faith in an intentional way to lead other people to Jesus – into the things of Christ. 

Telling your story is how Jesus shows us that we are to share our faith with others. We make this so complicated, with formal training programs built around long lists of memorized formulas and scriptures, and how to properly set people up with a presentation and program to accept Jesus. 

However, the Holy Spirit bears witness that all we need to know is what God has done in our own lives – and that’s what we need to share – to just tell our story. We don’t have to be theologians, bible scholars or seminary graduates with degrees in ministry or a P.H.D. in Greek to share our faith. All we need to have is a story – of what God has done and continues to do in our lives. 

Acts 4:20 NKJV

“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 

That is the essence of telling your story – when you share, and speak of the things that you’ve seen and heard. It’s not complicated. It’s like the old Geico commercial, “Even a caveman can do it.” The question is, “Are we doing it – are we telling our stories?” 

Devotional by Pastor Jimmy 

”You cannot help but speak of the goodness of God, because if it had not been for Him, you would not be here. I can’t even imagine what my life would be like if I had not said, ‘Yes!’ to Jesus that warm spring night. You cannot unsee what you’ve seen and you cannot unhear what you’ve heard. With your buckets full and running over, you step out into a new day, leaking life as you go.” – Pastor Jimmy 

Jeremiah 20:9 MSG 

“But if I say,’Forget it! No more GOD-Messages from me!’ The words are fire in my belly, a burning in my bones. I’m worn out trying to hold it in. I can’t do it any longer!” 

The disciples were saying the same thing. 

Acts 4:19-20 ESV 

“But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 

Check your pulse – you’re here – you hit the lottery when you woke up this morning. You’re alive – you’re breathing air – and you have a story to tell. We need to tell our story – making beautiful messes everywhere we go. We spill out of our buckets that are full of the Presence of God.

In the early chapters of the book of Acts – a history of how the Church exploded, beginning in chapter one, where Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit – “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NKJV) You’ll be a witness – open your mouth and tell your Gospel story. You’ll have the courage, empowerment, strength, ability and favor on your life to speak forth the good things of God. 

There is no such thing as a silent witness. They get on the stand and tell their story of what happened to them. That’s a witness. An old cliché says, “If you were to be put on trial for your faith, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” A silent witness is not a witness. We’re to be verbal – intentional – to speak out with courage and boldness, because he gives us the courage and boldness to do it. We didn’t spend six months talking about the Person and Power, work and ministry of the Holy Spirit to now just be quiet. 

Acts 3:1-8 NKJV 

“Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them-walking, leaping, and praising God.” 

Jesus’ fame spread because the disciples suddenly were not in hiding anymore. They came out of hiding and were telling the stories of the Gospel, and the exploits and things that Jesus did as they walked with him, because they were witnesses – they were with him. They saw and heard and couldn’t help but speak. 

“Peter and John went up together to the temple” and a divine interruption happened – a God appointment occurred – God was doing something there in that moment. There was a “certain man” who was lame, among many others who were like him. Today, if we’re living aware, with our eyes wide open, and we’re sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, there’s a “certain one” for us to touch today. 

There’s always one – there’s always the one, in any given environment where we show up. There’s always a divine appointment. Many times we’re not thinking in those terms, and we miss the moment. A person might not go to hell because we missed the moment, but we can miss the opportunity to co-operate with God – to co-labor with him and to enjoy being a part of something – the encouragement – the redemption – the uplifting of another individual. 

There’s always one – a certain one – and who is that certain one for you today? They’re here. Right now. If we just come and go, we’ll probably miss the one – the certain one. We are cultivating a culture of being aware that what we came for might not be in the sermon – it might not be (only) in the worship – but likely it will be because we had a conversation with somebody we just met, and God had a word for us to them that stuck and clicked – it resonated – that’s the certain one. 

Instead of us just rushing off to beat the lunch crowd, expect the certain one. Ask the Lord right now, “Lord Jesus, show us who the certain one is today, the one who You want me to extend a kind word to – a word of encouragement – of Life – of Hope – of Grace – of Mercy – of Love to them – to stir their faith – to stir them to good works. We’re stirring one another to good works. Who is the certain one for me? Show us, Lord.” 

Hebrews 10:25 NKJV 

“…not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” 

Acts 3:3-5 NKJV 

“…who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.” 

The lame man was expecting money – but got legs! God always “biggie-sizes”. God does it well. He does it over and above. That’s our God – he’s God Almighty – the God of morethan-enough. He’s El Shaddai – not el cheapo. 

“Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them-walking, leaping, and praising God.” 

They spoke directly into the man’s condition. It’s another level of faith to extend a hand, and say, “Now, stand up!” – lifting him up. He had been like Wimpy wanting a hamburger – always on the outside looking in – peering in the window – but immediately he stood and walked into the Temple with them. 

Acts 4:13 NKJV 

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” 

The Sadducees lost their minds. They felt threatened for their loss of income and way of life. They were indignant that someone got healed – someone everybody knew. Then they arrested Peter and John for speaking in the name of Jesus, even though “a notable miracle” had occurred. 

Acts 4:18-20 NKJV 

“So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’ “ 

A higher Authority than them was in charge – then and now – higher than what we are seeing on this planet right now. There’s more going on than we know. They said, “We have to tell our story.” You have to tell your story! Someone’s destiny may be dependent on you telling your story, and you have an opportunity to cooperate and participate with God and what he’s up to. 

Acts 4:21-22 NKJV 

“So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.” 

All they did was tell their story and then act upon their faith. They did what they thought Jesus wanted them to do. They gave him faith which resulted in a miracle. 

Three things we need to do 

1] Give what you have – You have your experience and your history in God. We tend to not want to share our faith until we know “enough”. But, if you’ve been born again for two hours, you know more than someone who doesn’t know Jesus. You already know enough because you have your story. Tell your story. It’s okay – say it out loud and do it on purpose. Give what you have – even if it’s a few hours old. New Christians share their faith more readily – more enthusiastically and more powerfully than those who have been in Christ for years. 

Sometimes it becomes too familiar to us, to the point where we’ve lost our adrenaline – our excitement, and our wonder, and we just don’t think about it anymore because it’s like old news to us. What about that co-worker or employee – that cousin, family member, or friend that you went to school with that suddenly comes back into your life and orbit. You need to share – tell your stories. Be intentional. Give what you have. 

Acts 3:6 NKJV 

“Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’ ” 

2] Spend time with Jesus – To be empowered for your witness, you have to get to know Jesus – the Person you’re going to talk about. That’s how you get a story. Start by saying, “Good morning, Holy Spirit.” Let him fill your buckets. Welcome the Holy Spirit into your life. Because the disciples had been with Jesus, they simply shared what happened to them. 

Acts 4:13 NKJV 

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” 

3] Tell your story – Just answer the questions. That’s what a witness does on the stand. Your life should be so compelling that it makes people want to ask questions. How do you live up in a down world? How do you navigate pain with a smile? How can you have joy in the midst of what you’re going through right now? Your boss did you wrong, but you’re still happy – and still alive. 

Who’s the “one” for you, today – and who’s the one for you tomorrow – on the job or at home – where you live, work, and play? Who is the one for you to talk to? Just tell your story. It’s not rocket science. You don’t need a Bible degree – just tell your story – what Jesus has done for you, and how it’s changing your life – that you’re on this amazing journey called faith. 

Prayer 

Lord Jesus, empower us – anoint us – give Your grace that we may go out and be aware that we need to tell our stories. Give us the wisdom and the grace to spot opportunities when the door cracks open. Lord, we don’t want to shove it down people’s throats, but we do want to be intentional in sharing our stories – so we look for open doors and cracks. We look to see where You’re working, and that’s Your invitation for us to join You in Your work. When we sense You at work in a moment, give us grace to step into it – to simply lean into what You’re already doing – and to catch the momentum of what You’re doing in a person’s life. 

Who are the ones this next week that You would have us tell our stories to? – where we live, work, and play? God, You’ve given each of us platforms, whether large or small. You’ve given us spheres of influence. Who are the ones You would have us tell our stories to this week? Lead us. Order our steps. Open doors that we’ll step into and share our stories. Lord Jesus, we love You, and pray in Your name. Amen 

Resources 

Podcast – 

Living Up in a Down World – by Pastors Jimmy and Annette Pruitt – www.BridgeFBG.com Daily devotionals – by Pastor Jimmy Pruitt – www.BridgeFBG.com Book – 

Evidence That Demands a Verdict – by Josh McDowell Book – 

The Case for Christ – by Lee Strobel

Jimmy Pruitt is a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. As an idealist, his words are filtered through his spirituality with the expectation that he will encourage and inspire people to “Live Up in a Down World.” He is committed to being an authentic person in all he does. Because everyone has been through something, or is currently struggling, Jimmy believes the proper response to life is humility; it is the signature of Jesus bringing forth both pain and glory. He and his way better half, Annette, have been married for 30 years. Agreeing their family is amazing, placing “Fun” in dys-Fun-ctional. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren that bless their lives beyond what they could ever dream. He is currently Lead Pastor at Bridge Church Fredericksburg, TX, and has started a new podcast titled: “Living Up in a Down Word – Making Faith real for the rest of us.” Follow Jimmy and Annette on their podcast called “Living Up in a Down World”. 

Photo by Jonathan Wells on Unsplash