My normal routine on Mondays is to post an audio link of Sunday's sermon and provide a brief outline here. Unfortunately, something went wrong in recording the sermon yesterday. Apparently we had a technical malfunction so no audio link today.Focal Scripture- Acts 9
Everyone has a testimony. What is your testimony? Does it include a relationship with Jesus Christ? Testimonies are powerful.
The testimony of the Apostle Paul is important. It is found three times in the Book of Acts as well as a couple of other times in Scripture. He experienced a remarkable conversion.
Three components of a powerful personal testimony:
* What was your life like before you came to know Jesus? Vv1-2
* How did you come to know Jesus? Vv3-19
* What has your life been like since you came to know Jesus? v18-20
There is a spiritual progression-
- Life before Jesus
- Coming to know Jesus
- Publicly professing Jesus and identifying with Him in Baptism
- Unashamedly telling others about Jesus
John Newton was an infamous slave trader. He lived a life of rebellion and captained a slave ship. Yet he was eventually saved by the grace of God. His tombstone reads- John Newton, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see!
