The Power of Your Story (Revelation 12:11)
This sermon invites listeners to recognize the inherent power within their personal stories of faith. It encourages believers to share how Jesus has specifically worked in their lives, making Him the undeniable hero.
This sermon emphasizes the power of a personal story in sharing faith, encouraging believers to articulate how Jesus has transformed their lives in specific, digestible ways, making Him the hero.
Overview
The sermon introduces the "Live Sent" series, highlighting Jesus' call to live a life on mission. It posits that God places a unique purpose within each individual, fulfilled through relationship with Him, which then compels believers to be "sent on mission" to impact the world.
A core principle presented is "There is power in your story," derived from Revelation 12:11, which links victory to the "word of their testimony." The narrative of the man born blind in John 9 illustrates how a simple, personal account of God's direct intervention can be profoundly impactful, even without extensive theological knowledge, often sparking both curiosity and criticism.
The preacher outlines four key methods for effectively sharing one's story: making it personal, ensuring it's specific about God's actions, making Jesus the undisputed hero, and presenting the message in a digestible format. Drawing from Psalm 103, the sermon provides categories such as forgiveness, healing, redemption, restoration, and provision to help individuals identify God's specific work in their lives.
The sermon concludes with a call to commitment for the "Live Sent" mission, encouraging congregants to identify one person to reach. This involves consciously preparing to share a "highlight reel" of God's goodness, seeing this commitment as central to the church's enduring purpose.
Key points
- God calls believers to live a life "on mission," finding purpose and meaning through a relationship with Him.
- There is inherent power in one's personal story, as Revelation 12:11 links overcoming to "the word of their testimony" and the blood of the Lamb.
- The man born blind in John 9 exemplifies the impact of a simple, personal testimony: "I was blind, but now I see."
- To effectively share your story, make it personal, be specific about what Jesus has done, and ensure Jesus is clearly presented as the hero.
- Psalm 103 provides categories for recognizing God's work in our lives, such as forgiving sin, healing, redeeming from the pit, restoring, crowning with love, satisfying, and strengthening.
- The "good news" should be shared in "bite-sized pieces" to make it digestible, likened to offering a small, appetizing slice of steak rather than an entire meal.
- The sermon culminates in a commitment to live "sent," asking individuals to identify one person they will intentionally seek to reach for Jesus.
In Rick Warren's words
“There is more power in a personal story than a perfect argument.”
“I was blind, but now I see.”
“Your story matters just as much as every other story.”
Outline
- I. Introduction to the "Live Sent" Series
- A. God puts "something more" inside you, fulfilled by relationship with Him.
- B. God saves and sends us on mission.
- C. Review of "Live Sent" principles: identity as ambassador, praying boldly, living at war.
- D. The call to make a commitment together as a church family.
- II. The Power in Your Story (Revelation 12:11)
- A. Your story is put right next to the blood of Jesus.
- B. God wants to use your unique story to make a difference.
- III. The Story of the Man Born Blind (John 9)
- A. Disciples ask who sinned; Jesus states it was "so that the work of God might be displayed."
- B. Jesus heals the man with mud and saliva, breaking Sabbath rules.
- C. Neighbors and Pharisees question the man's healing.
- D. The man's simple testimony: "I was blind, but now I see."
- E. Curiosity and criticism often accompany God's life-changing work.
- IV. How to Share Your Story with Power
- A. Make it personal.
- 1. There is more power in a personal story than a perfect argument.
- 2. Open your eyes to see what God is doing in your life.
- 3. Mary Joe's story illustrates radical transformation.
- 4. What has Jesus done for you that you've missed?
- B. Make it specific to what God has done.
- 1. Ask "what" Jesus did and "when" he did it.
- 2. Categories from Psalm 103: forgives sin, heals, redeems, restores, crowns with love and mercy, satisfies, provides, strengthens.
- 3. Examples of specific transformations shared by others.
- C. Make Jesus the hero of the story.
- 1. Moses balanced God's decrees with God's deeds (Deuteronomy 11).
- 2. "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." (Psalm 107:2, though 107 is not specified in the transcript, the phrase is quoted from a Psalm).
- 3. Share Jesus' highlight reel, not your own.
- D. Make the good news digestible.
- 1. Use the analogy of a piece of steak: offer bite-sized pieces.
- 2. "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8).
- 3. Cut out the "fat" from your story.
- 4. Your story is powerful and cannot be argued with.
- V. Conclusion and Call to Commitment
- A. Say "yes" to God to live life on mission and build His kingdom.
- B. Fill out the "One life surrendered, one life reached" card.
- C. Write the name of one person to reach.
- D. Sign the commitment to live sent.
- E. This commitment is between you and God, not about religion or perfection.
- F. Invitation to a "Return Night" to pray over commitments.
Scripture references
- Ephesians
- Revelation 12:11
- John 9
- Psalm 103
- Psalm 103:1-5
- Psalm 34:8
- Deuteronomy 11
- Deuteronomy 11:5 and 7
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
1 Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.
2 And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the Lord your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm,
Insights
God creates each life with an inherent purpose.
Your personal story carries divine power.
A transformed life is its own powerful argument.
Questions & answers
What is the main message of the sermon?
The sermon's main message is that every believer's personal story of Jesus' work in their life holds significant power to impact those around them. It encourages sharing these stories as part of living a life on mission.
Why is there "power in your story"?
According to Revelation 12:11, victory comes "by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony." The sermon highlights that a personal story of transformation is a powerful tool to share God's work, more so than a perfect argument.
How does the story of the man born blind (John 9) illustrate this?
The man born blind, after being healed by Jesus, simply shared his experience: "I was blind, but now I see." His personal, specific testimony was powerful and undeniable, even to those who tried to criticize Jesus.
What are some categories for identifying what Jesus has done in my life?
Drawing from Psalm 103, the sermon suggests looking for how God forgives sin, heals diseases, redeems life from the pit, crowns with love and mercy, satisfies with good things, provides, and strengthens.
How should I make my good news "digestible"?
The preacher uses a steak analogy, suggesting sharing "bite-sized pieces" of your story. This means offering just enough to wet someone's appetite for God's goodness, rather than overwhelming them with everything at once.
What is the "Live Sent" commitment mentioned?
The "Live Sent" commitment is an invitation to dedicate one's life to God's mission, specifically by identifying one person to pray for and intentionally reach with the story of Jesus' transforming power.
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