Before and After III

‘So if you speak in a way no one can understand, what’s the point of opening your mouth?’ 1 Cor.14:9 [MSG]

It is God who has turned your life into the testimony it is today. Your testimony is the greatest witness; your own personal icebreaker from God Himself. Today, we share a few examples of ‘before and after’ so that when you are coming up with your own story you will have an idea of what could be. It could be – before I was striving but now I am grateful; before I was self destructive, now I am healthy; before I was guilty, now I am liberated; before I was fear stricken, now I am confident; before I was despairing, now I am hopeful. Your story may be different but you have a story. Why am I so sure? Everyone who professes Jesus begins a journey of being transformed into His image. That journey is your story. Take time out to think about it but I am certain that you have a story. I was speaking with one of our ministers and he told me that he smoked marijuana for fifteen years before he surrendered to Jesus. And when he surrendered, Jesus delivered him. Before then he had tried to stop several times but when he surrendered, Jesus delivered him and now he is a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now for such a person, how can you tell him that Jesus is his imaginary friend? So if your friend comes to you today and says, ‘this God thing I don’t understand it, can you explain it to me?’ Do you now know what to do? You tell God’s story and you tell your story but watch out for story destroyers.

Story destroyer #1: Talking too much. Some people wear everybody out with their talking when they go to evangelize. That does not help the cause.

Story destroyer #2: Lack of clarity. Saying many things but not saying anything.

Story destroyer #3: Jargon talk. Jargon here is Christianese. God will make you like Beulah, You will be called Hepzibah. What does that mean? If you accept Jesus your name will be transformed to Mephibosheth. Such things don’t mean anything; they are jargon talk. Be careful of words that only Christians understand. Sin for instance, only Christians understand sin [1 Cor.14:9 MSG]. As a Pastor, if no one understands the sermons you deliver, then what is the point of opening your mouth? You might as well keep it shut because it is of no value to anyone.

Thought: Jesus teachings were so simple yet you cannot deny its impact.

Prayer: Spirit of Christ, give me the right words to introduce loved ones to Jesus, in Jesus Name.