John Lloyd - Bless Series "S.2"

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"Share Your Story"

BLESS  Series:  Sharing Your Story

Pastor John Lloyd

March 25, 2018

Series Overview:  During the B.L.E.S.S. sermon series, we will gain a deeper understanding of Jesus’ Mission to reach the lost, restore the broken, reproduce disciples that make disciples and release them into Jesus’ Mission as well as discover our own unique part.  Each message will focus on a story about Jesus demonstrating his Mission and how he fulfilled it through B.L.E.S.S.ing others. In this fifth and final week, we are going to focus on the importance of sharing our stories.

  • “B” - Begin with prayer. We need to pray and ask God, “How do you want me to bless the world for you today?”
  • “L” - Listen. We are to be people who listen and are truly interested in the struggles, pains and challenges in the lives of people where we live and work.
  • “E” - Eat. To build genuine relationships that bless the world, we need to share a meal with the people we’re praying for and to whom we are listening.
  • “S” - Serve. As we build relationships through listening and eating with others we will know how we can love them. In response to that we choose to meet others’ needs in practical and impactful acts of service.
  • “S” - Story. We are called to share the story of God; the story of how we have found our way back to God through Jesus.

I John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.  (Romans 10:13-17)

Big Idea:  On the Jesus Mission, we will share the story of Jesus with the people we are seeking to bless.

Commitment:  I will pray and be ready to share my story with those I’m praying to bless.   

I.                God is always working.

I John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life.

John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

Ephesians 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.  Ephesians 3:7

John 4:28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him.

Psalm 92:4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

II.              God’s work is real.

I John 1:2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us.

Romans 10:14How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? 

2 Corinthians 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.  (2 Corinthians 4:4-7).

“There is a time WHEN words ARE necessary. And most times those times comes when we’ve developed a relationship with someone through prayer and listening and eating together. Nicodemus was drawn to Jesus, and no, we’re obviously not Jesus, but there’ll be something about your life that will be intriguing, that will keep tugging at people, and words will be necessary.” Dave Ferguson

I Peter 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Three parts of sharing your story for His Glory!

A.   Before:  My story before I committed my life to following Jesus.  Tell what was missing in your life.   

B.   During:  My story of how I made a commitment to following Jesus.  Tell how you made that commitment and what you did.

C.  After:  My story after I made a commitment to following Jesus. Tell about the difference Jesus has made in your life and eternity. 

Action Point:  Write out your story and share it with a friend. 

Philippians 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.

III.             God’s work in us is meant to be shared.

I John 1:3that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.  (Genesis 12:2-3, Romans 10:15-17)

Luke 8:39 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

Ask God for opportunities to share your story. Share your story for His Glory.  Listen to the stories of others.