The Power of Your Personal Story // Pastor Greg Laurie

Brief Summary

Pastor Greg Laurie delivers a sermon on the power of personal testimony in evangelism, emphasizing that everyone has a unique story of transformation through Christ. He encourages believers to share their stories as a bridge to the gospel, providing practical tips on how to do so effectively. The sermon also addresses common fears and misconceptions about sharing one's faith, urging listeners to rely on the power of the gospel and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Everyone has a unique story of transformation through Christ.
Personal testimonies can be a bridge to sharing the gospel.
The gospel is the power of God for salvation.

Introduction

Jack Hibbs introduces Greg Laurie, expressing gratitude for Laurie's role in his own conversion experience in 1977. Laurie humorously adds that Jack's initial attendance at Calvary Chapel was motivated by the presence of attractive girls. He shares a similar story about his own introduction to Christianity, emphasizing the unexpected ways people can be drawn to faith.

The Power of Personal Story

Laurie emphasizes the power of personal stories in evangelism, stating that everyone loves a good story, and every Christian has a unique testimony. He explains that while individuals may not be theologians or Bible scholars, they are experts on their own experiences. Sharing personal stories can be a bridge to sharing the gospel, as people cannot argue with what God has done for someone personally. He references Revelation 12:11, noting that believers overcome the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.

Living as a Christian

Laurie cautions that non-believers will hold Christians accountable for their actions, using the term "hypocrite" when they fail. He shares a personal anecdote about being caught in a prank shortly after becoming a Christian, illustrating the importance of living consistently with one's faith. He states that Christians are the "fifth gospel," the only one some people will ever read, emphasizing the impact of a changed life.

Falling Away and the Importance of Sharing Faith

Laurie addresses the recent news of Christian leaders renouncing their faith, reminding the audience that falling away is a sign of the last days. He encourages listeners not to be discouraged but to continue growing in their faith and sharing it with others. He states that the best way to avoid backsliding is to move forward in faith, and sharing one's faith is a crucial aspect of this.

The Testimony of the Healed Blind Man

Laurie uses the story of the man healed of blindness in the Bible to illustrate the power of a personal testimony. The man simply states, "Once I was blind, but now I see," which is irrefutable. He also references the woman at the well, whose testimony led many Samaritans to believe in Jesus.

Paul's Example of Sharing His Story

Laurie explains that the Apostle Paul often began his evangelistic messages by sharing his personal story of transformation on the Damascus Road. He provides a template for structuring one's testimony: life before Christ, how one came to Christ, and life after Christ. He encourages listeners to write their testimony on one page to internalize and share it effectively.

Paul's Life Before Christ

Laurie references Acts 26, where Paul recounts his life before Christ, including his persecution of Christians. He highlights Paul's radical transformation from a Christian killer to an apostle. He suggests that Paul was under conviction by the Holy Spirit even before his conversion, possibly starting with the stoning of Stephen.

The Conviction of the Holy Spirit

Laurie suggests that the most vocal opponents of faith may be closer to the kingdom of God than one might think, as they may be under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. He uses a proverb about throwing a rock into a pack of dogs to illustrate that those who react most strongly may be the ones who are most affected.

Crazy Testimonies

Laurie shares the testimonies of Michael Franzese, a former mobster, and Darryl Strawberry, a baseball player, both of whom found Christ in prison. He emphasizes that even if one's story is not as dramatic, it is still valid and powerful. He gives examples of different types of testimonies, including those who grew up in Christian homes and those who achieved worldly success but found it empty.

Transitioning to the Gospel

Laurie explains that the ultimate goal of sharing a personal testimony is to transition to the gospel message. He references Acts 26:22, where Paul teaches about the Messiah's suffering and resurrection. He emphasizes that the gospel is the power of God for salvation, using the Greek word "Dunamis" to illustrate its explosive, dynamic power.

The Importance of the Gospel

Laurie shares a story about a conversation with Billy Graham, who advised him to preach more on the cross of Christ and the blood, as that is where the power lies. He emphasizes that the gospel is more important than programs, preferences, priorities, or politics. He states that God has chosen to reach lost people primarily through the verbal articulation of the gospel.

God's Chosen Method of Reaching People

Laurie explains that God could have chosen many ways to reach humanity, such as writing messages in the sky or using angels or animals. However, God chose to use people to share the gospel. He uses the analogy of a scientist who discovers a cure for cancer to illustrate the importance of sharing the life-saving message of the gospel.

Overcoming Intimidation and Sharing the Gospel

Laurie acknowledges that many Christians are intimidated or afraid to share their faith. He encourages listeners to replace the word "preach" with words like "recommend," "endorse," or "share" to make it less daunting. He emphasizes the importance of being winsome, friendly, and humble when sharing the gospel, building bridges rather than burning them.

Recommending the Gospel

Laurie points out that people make recommendations all the time, from restaurants to movies. He questions why they would hesitate to recommend Jesus Christ, the most important thing in life. He encourages listeners to share the gospel as readily as they share their opinions on other matters.

Tips for Sharing Your Testimony

Laurie provides practical tips for sharing one's faith, including avoiding "Christianese" (Christian jargon) and not glorifying or exaggerating one's past. He cautions against making one's past sound better than the present, emphasizing that the focus should be on what Christ has done, not on what one has given up.

Hope for Hopeless Generations

Laurie addresses the struggles of younger generations, such as Millennials and Generation Z, who are facing high rates of depression and hopelessness. He states that the reason for this is a lack of Christ, who is the true source of hope. He urges listeners to share the message of Christ with these generations.

Boasting About Christ, Not Ourselves

Laurie emphasizes that Christians should boast about what Christ gave up for them, not about what they gave up for Christ. He references Philippians 3, where Paul considers his past accomplishments as "dog dung" compared to knowing Christ. He uses the analogy of cleaning up after a dog to illustrate that one should not carry around pride in their past but rather throw it away.

Earning the Right to Be Heard

Laurie shares the story of Steve McQueen's conversion through Sammy Mason, a stunt pilot. He emphasizes that Sammy earned the right to share the gospel through his godly life. He encourages listeners to live godly lives so that they will have leverage and goodwill to share their faith effectively.

Invitation to Accept Christ

Laurie transitions to speaking directly to those who are unsure of their salvation or who lack the hope of heaven. He explains that one must admit their sin and believe that Jesus Christ died for their sin on the cross. He emphasizes that heaven is not for good people but for forgiven people.

The Prayer of Salvation

Laurie leads a prayer of salvation, inviting those who want Christ in their lives to raise their hands. He also extends an invitation for those who need to recommit their lives to Christ. He encourages those who prayed to come forward as a public declaration of their faith.