Personal Faith Stories Are Important

Text: Galatians 1:11-24
Theme: Paul shared his journey of spiritual growth and change for a specific point and purpose.
Key verses: “Know this…the good news I brought to you isn’t the product of some creative mind. It is not a legend I learned or one that has ben passed down from person to person. I was gifted with this message as Jesus, the Liberator, revealed himself miraculously to me. Surely you are familiar with my personal history, with my dedication to the teachings and traditions of Judaism…” (v. 11-13a) “But God–who set me apart even before birth and who called me by His grace–chose, to His great delight, to reveal His Son in me so I could tell His story among the outsider nations…” (v. 15a) “But stories of my call and mission preceded me: ‘The very man who wanted to kill us all is now preaching the faith he once labored to destroy.’ And so they praised God for the miracle He did in my life.” (v. 23-24)
What God said to me: Dwayne, stories are important Never shy away from sharing your personal faith story. People are natural drawn in and persuaded by other people’s true-life stories. When was the last time you shared your story with someone? When was the last time you shared how I changed your life as a small child at Cave Spring Baptist Church, or of the work I’ve done in your life these many years since? Of course, you want to be selective in what and how much you share. Paul was precise. In this letter to the Galatians, he left out many wonderful details regarding his conversion on the road to Damascus. Those weren’t necessary in this setting to make his point. He only shared the facts which best served his purpose with that particular audience. When you stand to communicate at church, or when you sit around the lunch table with your friends, or when you speak to the convenience store attendant, consider your audience. Silently pray, “Lord, what you want me to share with this people in this setting?”
What I said to God: Father, thank You for speaking to me this morning. I confess that I don’t share my faith story near often enough. In fact I haven’t shared it in months now! There’s no excuse for that. Clearly I lack burden for the lost and I lack passion for the miraculous way You have transformed my life and given me hope. Please place someone in my path today with whom I can share my story and Your love.