From now until Pentecost on May 23rd, St. Mark’s UMC will be engaged in a Sermon Series entitled Acting OUT. Easter calls us to live differently. We can’t experience The Resurrection and then just go home. No, like the apostles, the early followers of Christ, we too must go Act OUT our faith. Throughout this series we will chronicle the Acts of the Apostles. We will learn how they shared their faith and draw inspiration and courage from them to tell our own story of faith. But before we can share our story with others, before we can point others to faith, we need to first get our own story straight! Start by answering the following questions…
1. Who first shared with you about Christ?
2. How did you come to have faith in Jesus Christ?
3. What difference does your relationship with Jesus Make in your life?
As you work to answer these questions begin to think about who you might share your story with in the days ahead. Ask God to help you see opportunities all around you. Then like Peter and John in Acts 5 , have the courage and conviction to bear witness to your faith. Remember your story has value. It is inherently good because it contains the Good News of how Christ has encountered and transformed your life. So go and ACT OUT in a big way for God! That’s your Ben-e-diction and that’s an order!
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1. Who first shared with you about Christ?
Intrestingly enough it was not my parents. They did a beautiful job of getting me to church and into Sunday School. That is where I first heard the stories of the faith. It is where I first experienced the mystery and majesty of worship. No doubt my experience at Camp Don Lee was incredibly formational. Rev. John Farmer made the faith come alive. He made it seem real and relevant to my daily life. I give thanks for all of the folks – SS teachers, Choir Directors, Youth Directors, Camp Counselors – who not only told me the stories of faith but lived them out.
2. How did you come to have faith in Jesus Christ?
To be sure there is no one moment in time that I can point to as a singular converting moment. I know that God’s prevenient grace was active in my life from the beginning. It just took a while for me to “wake up” and see it! Confirmation was huge for me. I have never forgotten the lessons learned nor the moment the pastor – Rev. Blackburn – put his hands on my head and invoked the Holy Spirit. I did honestly feel different after that. I lived differently after that. Since that day I have had many other confirming moments. I have heard God calling. I have seen God act not only in my life but in the lives of many others. My recent trip to the Holy Land has furthered confirmed my faith in Christ. Having walked where he walked and stood where he taught. Having been to where he was crucifed and then to where he was raised. I am convinced this is no idle tale.
3. What difference does your relationship with Jesus Christ make in your life?
It makes all the difference! The truth is I have tried most everything the world has to offer and all of it has left me empty except for Christ. Faith in Christ is the answer to the deepest longings of the human heart. The Risen Christ is the hope not only of my life but of the world. Following in his footsteps, trying to live as he lived, is the only way of life that I have found that brings personal fulfillment and also makes a true difference in my immediate community and the world. Without him and without his teachings I would be a self-centered, self-absorbed individual out to get whatever I could get my hands on to quench my desires. Simply put I would be lost and unfulfilled. Following Christ, daily, offers me abundant, joy-filled life here and now as well as when I die. This I believe!
1. I grew up in a Christian family, and our lives revolved around church functions, so it was Sunday school teachers mainly, but also VBS teachers and the preacher who shared with me about Christ.
2. My faith came in stages. I can’t remember not beleiving in God, but when I was 18 years old, I read Peace with God by Billy Graham, and my relationship with God was reconciled and I began to put him first. My faith grew by leaps and bounds when God taught me how to forgive. My faith has also grown through disciplines such as daily devotion time, serving, and prayer.
3. The difference my relationship with Jesus has made in my life is that I am no longer ruined by fears, anger, and hatred. Whether they are justified or not, they will destroy you. God has freed me to love him and my neighbor and put joy in my heart that I didn’t know before.
1. My Parents brought me to church. Sunday School teachers and Youth group leaders taught me about the Bible and the people in it.
2. A Sunday School teacher who sat down and explained the passage that we were studying. There were only 4 of us in the class. I got it. The scripture finally made sense. I really feel that is when the Holy Spirit opened my eyes. It is sad that I was 33 when it happened! I missed so much!
3. When I have a relationship with Jesus it seems as “all is right with the world.” I am focused. I sleep well. I don’t worry. I am happy and ‘on top of the world.’ I have patience and feel like I have grace. Just typing this.. I have 2 things going through my head. WOW… even thinking about having a relationship with Christ is exciting, and I wish I would put this relationship before everything else that I do. I am sad to say that I do not. Guess I have more homework to do!
“1. Who first shared with you about Christ?”
Like a lot of folks, I guess, I grew up in a Christian home – my mom took me to church every Sunday. I never knew a time that I didn’t know about Christ.
“2. How did you come to have faith in Jesus Christ?”
I had a fantastic church, with fantastic Bible Study teachers. I grew so much in Junior High and High School. But, looking back, I had – and still have – so far to go!
“3. What difference does your relationship with Jesus Make in your life?”
I remember reading something by Martin Marty, or Paul Westermeyer, or maybe Sally Morgenthaler… one of those church-y, worship-y authors. It said something like, “You can know a lot about the Prince of Wales, but that doesn’t make him a close, personal friend!” I realized that I had fallen into the trap of learning a lot about Jesus, and thinking that was the same thing as a relationship with Jesus. It was a real turning point. My relationship with Jesus is what gives me some stability in a crazy, hectic life. My life is truly happier. Not in a Stepford Wife kind of way – rather, in a way that helps me be patient; in a way that gives me more that just a glimmer of hope in impossible situations; in a way that opens my eyes to so much blessing that is surrounding me. I feel as if I am living more of life, or maybe living life more. It’s not a bed of roses by any stretch. And of course there are times that I screw up – but it’s okay. Jesus loves me just the same, and is ready for me to come back to our relationship.
It’s good.
1. My Aunt Jean was a really important influence in my life and walk. I did not grow up in a family that went to church very often, but I felt something was missing.
2. I kept getting drawn back into various church settings (Billy Graham also, just like Denise!) and one day just knew my life was changed. I began living more to glorify Him and not be so focused on myself (you’ll notice I said not so focused – still working on that).
3. I truly know that only Jesus Christ can bring me the true peace in my sometimes unsettled life. In my greatest trials, I am sure He is there and will hold me up just as He is there during the best times.