Telling Your Story Paul's Way

One of the great challenges we have in the Christian life is being bold in sharing what we believe about Jesus. For the most part this is due to the fear of social awkwardness which is a shame because it also happens to be the lamest reason ever not to share the eternal good news of Jesus Christ with someone.

A lot of the time sharing our faith would be more straightforward if we could just get our story straight. By that I don't mean that we don't know that Jesus has changed out lives but more that we haven't thought through how to tell the story of the transformation He has brought about in a compelling way. The problem isn't a sesne of confusion but rather a lack of investing in the construction of the story.

How does it fit together?
What bits matter?
Where is the focus?

So Paul's story, as he shares it in 1 Timothy 1: 12-17 is very helpful. It gives us a great example of how to share the Gospel while specifically owning our sin and pointing to how Jesus worked in spite of the condition of our hearts. So here is the framework that we can observe.

When my life has been transformed by Jesus…
I can observe my lack of power (12)
That right there is perhaps the biggest stumbling block to a life transformed by Jesus. Actually acknowledging that you need His help. He has given me strength implies that either he had none of his own or that the strength that he did have could not achieve for him what the strength of Jesus Christ was able to. Your story should say of Jesus, 'He did for me what I could not do for myself.'

I learn to own my list of priors (13-14)
Formerly… before I do what I do now. Before I was planting churches and writing letters. Before Jesus… I built up quite the list of prior convictions.

The things I have said (Blasphemer)
The God I have resisted (Persecutor)
The people I have hurt (Insolent opponent)

Now think about your own life. Specifics of what you do under those headings are likely different but the categories are the same. That is how sin works.

If you want to tell your story so as to point clearly to the transforming power of Jesus you need to learn to own your priors. Too often we share our story with a sense of self-preservation. The goal of your story is not so that people will think well of you but that they will think more of Jesus.

As Paul takes time to understand the extent of the damage tht sin causes it gives him a greater sense of awe and thankfulness about Jesus intervention. It is his list of prior convictions that leads him to throw himself with particular confidenee upon the mercy and grace that are in Jesus.

I live in awe at God’s loving provision (15-17)
'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.' He is God’s provision for my problem. And when I look at Him…


I see myself for who I am. He isn’t content to cover it up or seek to comfort himself by way of comparison with others. He sees the things that are in his heart, he understands something about the deeper realities of his sin that others could never see and the symptoms point to diagnosis… I am the biggest sinner I know.

We might all say exactly the same thing if we were to submit our assessment to reality. I am the worst sinner I know b/c only I can see the wrong that I have done.

I see my need for what it is. How patient He was with me! While I was rebelling, opposing and persecuting. While I was ignoring Him He waited and restrained so as to win me and rescue me. Paul is saying 'I am outward proof tht Jesus can save anyone. What he has done 4 me is an open disclosure of His transforming power.'

I see in Jesus all I could ask for. How can I keep from praising His name?
The king of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God be honour and glory forever.
My days in His hands
My life in His care
His presence in my life
His praise on my lips

How can I keep from praising His name? How can I keep from telling you my story?