Acts: The Revolution of FaithParaugs

My Faith Story

“The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” Acts 11:21

I grew up from the age of three to the age of 14 in the inner city of Cleveland. I guess you would consider our family, middle class on a good day.

My parents both dropped out of school in the eighth grade. So, they weren't a great deal of help with my education. My parents weren't people of faith or at least they didn't choose to express their faith inside a faith community in church. As a young boy in the inner city, the trajectory of my life was statistically predictable I was going nowhere or at least nowhere good.

Then a neighbor who worked at the factory with my dad reached out to me and my younger sister and invited us to their church's summer Vacation Bible School. And three days later after hearing the good news of what Jesus did for me, I became a follower of Jesus. At once, Jesus forgave all my sins up to that point and the ones yet in the future. He gave me the gift of eternal life. And with that came hope and a sense of identity and purpose.

Now forty-eight years later, I find myself in a good place. And I strongly believe that my faith in Jesus has not only benefited the spiritual dimensions of my life but is fundamentally responsible for every good thing that has come my way, physically, relationally, financially, emotionally, and vocationally. The principles found in the Bible, not only lead to eternal life but as Jesus said, "Abundant life now."

What my neighbor did for me is precisely what we find the church doing in the book of Acts as they are responding daily to the commission of Jesus to reach out beyond themselves to the neighbor next door and to the ends of the Earth. Jesus ignited a revolution at the opening of Acts. We are the outcome of that revolution. It was sparked in Jerusalem, then spread next to Judea and Samaria and on into Galilee.

Acts 11:19 tells us, "Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men of Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks also telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord."

They were traumatized and depressed people and suddenly these Gentiles are finding relief, hope, and salvation. It is so significant that Paul and Barnabas set up their headquarters there, stayed put for a year, and discipled the people in their newfound faith in Jesus. It is here of all places that the followers of Jesus are called Christians, meaning those belonging to Jesus.

I want you to take some time to share your faith story. Rehearse the times over the years that God has met you at your point of pain. Start with how your story began.

Mine began in the inner city of Cleveland. Where did your story begin? And how did you meet Christ? Or where are you currently at on that journey of discovering and embracing Christ? And how have you seen God show up in your life and meet you at your point of pain? Then I'm going to ask you to shift your focus and ask how God has used the community of believers that surround you to come alongside others and meet them at their point of pain.

Has that happened for you? Have you seen God show up in an amazing and miraculous way in your faith story? Then I want you to talk about the new opportunities that await you.

Prayer

Lord and Savior, I am so grateful that you had a plan for my life and that you are my faith story. Please lead me to someone today who needs to experience faith in you.