Acts 26:1-19; 1 Peter 3:15

     Real-life stories can be powerful. They can change minds, touch hearts, and impact lives. They can even reshape societies and redirect history. When it comes to the theme of our series, "Developing a Contagious Faith," stories can have a huge impact as well!

     The Bible is adamant in 1 Peter 3:15 about our need to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

     All of us, if we’re genuine followers of Jesus, have an important story to tell. All of us with ordinary stories of life-change can have a dramatic affect on those we talk to. Our testimonies can be absolutely contagious in their influence and impact! As Chuck Swindoll said: "The skeptic may deny your doctrine or attack your church, but he cannot honestly ignore the fact that your life has been changed."

The "S" in STORY: Start with the Other Person

Don’t fall into that latter trap of self-centered spirituality.

Paul was establishing rapport, which earned him the right to ask that the king patiently listen to what he had to say.

Paul taught in 1 Corinthians: "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."(1 Corinthians 9:22–23).

He was very intentional about relating his message in a way that would be understandable and relevant to the person he was talking.

Most Christians struggle with either not talking about our faith at all, or going to the other extreme and talking only about OUR faith and experience.

The "T" in STORY: Talk with Confidence and Clarity

Paul was not intimidated or hesitant.

He spoke confidently and boldly laying out his facts clearly and concisely.

First, he knew who God was.

Paul was able to exclaim, "I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day" (2 Timothy 1:12).

Second, he knew who he was: He knew he was a covenant partner of the King of Kings — so he wasn’t going to let a mere human king intimidate him.

The "O" in STORY: Organize Your Story Chronologically

Paul didn’t ramble around in a random fashion. He thought it through ahead of time and had organized his thoughts."

He clearly and concisely relayed his experience in the order it actually happened.

He starts with the "B.C.," or "Before Christ" part of his story.

Then he shifts into talking about his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. This is the middle part of his story, which we’ll refer to as the M.C. part, meaning "Met Christ."

Then he goes on to the "A.D." part of his story, which is what happened after he met Christ.

If you’re a committed follower of Christ, you have a B.C., M.C., A.D. story.

If knowing Jesus has changed your life, then a whole lot of people out there could benefit from hearing about it.

The "R" in STORY: Relate Your Experience to the Other Person’s Life

If all you do is tell the story of your personal encounter with God and leave it there, you’ll be an almost-Contagious Christian!

Look what Paul did in verses 26 and 27. He courageously said, "The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do."

The "Y" in STORY: Your Mission: Point People to Christ

Paul was so bold, so clear, and so persuasive because he knew he was on a mission.

This was not about mere spiritual autobiography — it was about evangelism!

This was about being contagious with the wonderful message that Jesus Christ can change a life.

Paul was on a mission, and notice that Paul didn’t back down even an inch.

Paul, the prisoner, was passionately trying to take captives for Christ!

     I trust that all of us who name Christ as our leader will capture some of Paul’s tenacious spirit and get on the offense with the people around us who are dying to know the real Jesus.

     You’ve got a story to tell:

        • Start with the other person

        • Talk with confidence and clarity

        • Organize it naturally

        • Relate it to the other person. And remember:

        • Your mission is to point them to Christ, so they can begin their own story!

      We live in a culture that relates best to stories. People want to know not just if Christianity is true, but whether it works. Your story powerfully illustrates that God is alive in your life and makes a marked difference in how you think, what you value, and how you live.