Sharing Your Jesus Story

Communicating the Good News Every Day in the Everyday

I want to be a person who shares the good news of who Jesus is and what he’s done.  I want to be able to clearly and meaningfully communicate why Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection matter.  I want to tell others the gospel story because I know first-hand just how life changing it can be.

I’m sure you want the same.  When we find something that’s incredible, we want others to hear about it because we want them to experience whatever amazing thing it is that we’ve experienced. 

If I find a cozy and cute outfit, you better believe I am texting the link to my sisters because I know how much they will appreciate it.  If I find a yummy recipe that is inexpensive and feeds a crowd, I’m messaging it to my mama because I know she could benefit from it.  If I see a funny meme or short, I’m sending it to my boys because they are going to enjoy it.  And if I find a great DIY project, I’m tagging my husband because he's inspired by that.

We just can’t keep good news to ourselves!  In reality, why would we want to?  When we know that we’ve got something that someone else will enjoy, we want to bless them with it.

Friend, you and I know the very best news there ever was or ever will be!  And we’ve been called to share it.

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Now, here’s what I’m not going to do:  I am not going to guilt trip you, shame you, or bully you into sharing the gospel. 

What I am going to do is empower you to tell your Jesus story. 

Jesus has been at work in your life.  He’s done something worth sharing and you want the people that you love to be able to know about it without feeling like they are being sold something or you’re beating them over the head with a 20 lb Bible.  Right?

Here’s the deal, friend.  You have all the authority you need to share your Jesus story with others.  You don’t need special permission or have to be a “professional” Christian.

1 Peter 2:9 NIV says this, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

You also have all the ability you need to share your Jesus story with others.  You don’t need an advanced theological degree nor do you have to know every single bit of Bible knowledge. 

2 Peter 1:3 NIV tells us this, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 

God has got you, sister, and he will give you what you need when you need it, including the right timing and words to share him with those you love.

Do you know what you do need?  You need to know your story and what Jesus did for you.  That’s it.  Easy Peasy. 

Psalm 40:1-3 NIV says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”

Sharing the good news of the gospel boils down to three pretty simple points.  We see them clearly in this verse from the Psalms.  1.  I was…    2.  Then Jesus…     3.  And now…

Psalm 40:  1.  I was in a mess!   2.  Then Jesus rescued me from that pit.  3.  And now I’m different.

For me, Psalm 40 tells my Jesus story:  I was at rock bottom and had made an absolute mess of my life.  I couldn’t find my own way out.  I was stuck in a self-destructive cycle.  I felt broken and empty.  I tried everything I could think of to make it better on my own.  My aunt pointed me towards Jesus and because I didn’t have any other options, I put my faith in him as my rescuer.  Then Jesus saved me, forgave me, and made me new.  He totally transformed me.  I was able to see and understand his love for the first time.  And now, that broken girl who was a mess finally feels whole, knows she’s loved and valued, feels free instead of bound by sin.  She also has a new purpose in life.  I live in the freedom and grace of the love of Jesus and want others to be able to experience the same thing.

That’s my Jesus story.  It’s simple and it’s powerful because it is true.  I know what God did for me and no one can dispute or discredit my story.  It is valid because it is my experience and it happened to me. 

Sweet sister, the most important thing that we could ever share with someone is the love of Jesus.  We can do that with our actions, and we should.  But we can also do it with our words. 

If we’ve trusted Jesus as our Savior and have made him Lord of our lives, we have a story.  Each and every one of us has a story.  No two stories sound alike.  No story is better than another.  Every one of our Jesus stories has the potential to change lives, just the way it changed ours.

1 Peter 3:15 reminds us, “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 matters so, don’t be afraid to share your good news.  It’s as easy as 1,2,3.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for what you’ve done in our lives.  Thank you for the way you love us, change our lives, and give us a new future.  You are so good!  Help us to share your goodness with those around us.  Empower us to bear witness.  Amen.

Scripture Meditation:

 Psalm 40:1-3 NIV

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”

 Journal Reflection:

Have you ever wanted to share Jesus and not known how?  What held you back? 

Practice:

One way to share what Jesus has done in your life is to think about completing these three prompts:

1.  I was… (lost, rebellious, far from God, prideful, focused only on myself, etc.)

2.  Then Jesus…(saved me, forgave me of my sin changed my heart, rescued me, gave me a new life, etc.)

3.  And now… (I belong to the family of God, I walk with Jesus, I love God and others, I am different, etc.

Spend a little time with God this week thinking about how you could use these three prompts to share the gospel.