Telling His Story Confidently

Accident I witnessed in St. Louis - I was the only eyewitness to the accident that was able to tell who had the right of way - Eyewitness – just state the facts

Some eyewitnesses have greater impact – touch many people’s lives - JFK, Normandy, Holocaust

Confidence of the eyewitness – know what they see – Resurrection of Jesus

Peter – four facts and their meaning

1. Joel’s prophecy – Pentecost – last days – bible study, motivate us to witness all the more

2. “You with the help of wicked men, put Jesus to death by nailing him to the cross.” – v. 23

What does this mean? – Jesus was handed over in accordance with God’s set purpose

-The bible answers the question why – “He was handed over to death for our sins” – Romans 4:25

-We would like to think we had nothing to do with it – our sins put Jesus on the cross

3. Jesus resurrection from the dead

-David was dead and in his tomb

-David prophesied – “you will not abandon me to the grave nor will you let your Holy One see decay.” – v. 27

Donald Deffner once wrote that too much preaching is “generic . . . general, broad, vague and even bland. Thus, the people have become ‘the bland being led by the bland.”

Ever found yourself falling asleep during a sermon and it wasn’t due to fatigue – you know what I mean

People weren’t bored at the accident I witnessed – adrenaline, law enforcement and rescue personnel

When was the last time you ever saw a person come back to life – the news of resurrection is shocking

What does this mean? – we are assured that Jesus payment for our sins was sufficient, tell us the significance of his death

4. We are witnesses

-Peter says, “we are witnesses of this fact” – v. 32

-Need more than one witness according to Jewish law

-Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15 – the great resurrection chapter, “and Jesus appeared to Peter and then to the twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one untimely born.”

We also, like Paul, are untimely born – we did not see the resurrection of Jesus but His message has been passed on to also

Lent – “Jesus did many other miraculous sings in the presence of his disciples which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

John’s first letter – “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. . . . We write this to make our joy complete.” – joy in being a witness – justice is served – God’s justice

We all have a story to tell – we tell His story through our own story – what God has done for us and through us

Results aren’t your responsibility – now is opportune time - hope amidst this recession –bankruptcies