The Great Commission Tell Your Story

Still later, as the Eleven were eating supper, he appeared and took them to task most severely for their stubborn unbelief, refusing to believe those who had seen him raised up. Then he said, “Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God’s good news to one and all. Whoever believes and is baptized is saved; whoever refuses to believe is damned Mark 16: 14

Tell Your Story But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me [a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” a Acts 1:8

What does Witness mean? 1. attestation of a fact or event : testimony 1. attestation of a fact or event : testimonytestimony 2. one that gives evidence; specifically: one who testifies in a cause or before a judicial tribunal 2. one that gives evidence; specifically: one who testifies in a cause or before a judicial tribunal 3. one asked to be present at a transaction so as to be able to testify to its having taken place 3. one asked to be present at a transaction so as to be able to testify to its having taken place 4. one who has personal knowledge of something 4. one who has personal knowledge of something 5. something serving as evidence or proof : sign 5. something serving as evidence or proof : signsign b: public affirmation by word or example of usually religious faith or conviction < b: public affirmation by word or example of usually religious faith or conviction <

These definitions point to something that is A Fact A Fact Real Real Authentic Authentic Solid Solid Immovable Immovable A conviction A conviction Fixed Fixed

1-2 From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we’re telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us. 1-2 From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we’re telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us. 3-4 We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. 3-4 We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:1-3 1 John 1:1-3

We are writing] about the Word of Life [ [a] in] Him Who existed from the beginning, Whom we have heard, Whom we have seen with our [own] eyes, Whom we have gazed upon [for ourselves] and have touched with our [own] hands. a 1 John 1:1

But we [ourselves] cannot help telling what we have seen and heard. Amp As for us, there’s no question—we can’t keep quiet about what we’ve seen and heard.” Message For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” NKJV Acts 4:20

What have YOU seen, felt or heard directly about Jesus? What have YOU seen, felt or heard directly about Jesus? What’s your story?

Take a deep breath Now breath out......RELAX! You are not to convert anyone!! ?

Whoever believes and is baptized is saved; whoever refuses to believe is damned. READ MY LIPS: IT IS NOT YOUR JOB TO CONVERT ANYONE!!

And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: John 16:8

When he comes, he’ll expose the error of the godless world’s view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He’ll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; John 16:8

Witnessing is not CONVERSION! Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” 25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” 25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” 29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” 29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” 30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; 30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; Acts 26: Acts 26: 24-30

Three simple steps: 1.Walk with Jesus everyday... 2.Seize every opportunity to tell your story 3.Leave the rest to God