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JP tells a story about a woman who got cancer but refused Chemotherapy to save her unborn child. She got to hold the baby once before she passed away.
At the end of Paul's letter to the Corinthians he tells them about the greatest story ever told.
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,
2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you-unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
1 Corinthians 15:1-8
It's true and it's the story that changed the world.
JP tells a story about Tuesday Night's dinner. He asked the waitress if she had a faith. She responded that she rejects religion, but she believes in God. After further questioning she admitted that she believes the Jesus is God's son. Yet she didn't know the whole story.
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Matthew 16:13-19
18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:18-20
The most powerful force ever known in the world was a story. Twelve people told somebody, who told somebody, who told somebody, who told you. They were willing to give their lives for it because it's true.
The story is the cure to the greatest disease ever known, sin. There are dead people everywhere and we can bring them back to life by telling them a story.
JP's friend got an STD from someone other than his fiancé. Afterwards God changed his life. Now he tells the story to everyone.
God has saved many people through a story.
He's used the story of a woman who went to Calcutta to minster to lepers. He's used the story of a girl who professed her faith while she had a gun placed up to her head at Columbine High School.
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-
4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Colossians 4:2-6
There is a really thin line between people who are frustrated with hearing a message and people who are ready to listen.
We don't convert anyone. We should let the angel celebrate conversions. We should celebrate faithfulness. Those who go out there and tell the story.
God tells us to tell the story to anyone and everyone. It's a story, we have to use words.
And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
Mark 13:11
and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
Ephesians 6:19
He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out."
Luke 19:40