Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say so

Psalm 107:2

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the

hand of the Enemy.

Revelation 17:6a

⁶ And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus…

μάρτυς mártus; gen. márturos -  A witness. One who has information or knowledge of something, and hence, one who can give information, bring to light, or confirm something.

Matthew 18:15-16

¹⁵ Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. ¹⁶ But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

I.                  THE BEFORE CHRIST PICTURE.

Acts 22:1-5

“Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.” ² And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said: ³ “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. ⁴ I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, ⁵ as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.

   

1.      What was my life like that will relate most to the non-Christian?

2.      What did my life revolve around the most?  What did I get my security or happiness from?  (The non-Christian is relying on something external to give him happiness)

3.      How did those areas begin to let me down?

·         Your goal: to give specific, yet appropriate, examples of what your life was like (attitudes, needs, problems) before Christ.

·         Remember that examples you give will establish you as a credible witness in the minds of non-Christians. However, avoid a religious focus. (You want to make it about Jesus and your need for Him.) Don't spend a great amount of time talking about church activities or denominations before your life began to change. Likewise, avoid being over explicit and sensational in speaking of drugs, immorality, crime or drunkenness.

II.               HOW I GOT SAVED (GAVE HIM COMPLETE CONTROL).

Acts 22:6-11

⁶ “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. ⁷ And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ ⁸ So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ ⁹ “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. ¹⁰ So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ ¹¹ And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.

1.      When was the first time I heard the gospel? (Or when was I exposed to transforming Christianity)

2.      What were my initial reactions?

3.      When did my attitude begin to turn around?  Why?

4.      What were the final struggles that went through my mind just before I accepted Christ?

5.      Why did I decide to surrender to Christ?

·         Your goal: to allow the listener to walk away with a clear understanding of how you became a Christian and how he or she can trust Christ as the payment for their sins.

·         Be careful not to use clichés and church language. Talk in terms they'll understand.

III.            LIFE AFTER SURRENDERING TO CHRIST.

Acts 22:12-21

¹² “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, ¹³ came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. ¹⁴ Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. ¹⁵ For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. ¹⁶ And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’¹⁷ “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance ¹⁸ and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ ¹⁹ So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. ²⁰ And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ ²¹ Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’”

1.      Specific changes and illustrations about the changes Christ has made:

2.      Why am I motivated differently?

·         Your goal: to explain specific ways Christ has changed your life -- to show that having Christ in your life really does make a difference!

·         Avoid using general statements such as “I have so much peace now.” Be specific. It is the Holy Spirit’s responsibility to draw someone to Christ, but you want to communicate your story in such a way to show the listener that your life is different and more meaningful with Christ.

IV.           THE INVITATION.

Acts 26:25-27

²⁶ For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. ²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe”

1.   Pop the question. (Have you done anything like this?)

2.   Would you like to surrender your life to Jesus?

V.              HELPFUL HINTS.

1.   Glorify Jesus not your past.

2.   De Church your language. Use common phrases all can understand.

3.   Do it in three minutes.

4.   Write testimony out.

5.   Practice over and over until you get it right in 3 minutes.

6.   Give the invitation in a non-open ended way.

7.   Make the invitation personal.