Share the Love - Share His Love Through Your Story, Part 2

When something really good happens to us, it's easy to share it, isn't it? In fact, you can't wait to deliver the news to someone you really care about. Well, what if you could learn how to tell someone else about the amazing love of God in the same non-threatening, natural way? Well, today that's what we're going to learn how to do.

Stay with me. Thanks for listening to this Edition of Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram. Living on the Edge is an international discipleship ministry motivating Christians to live like Christians. And in just a minute, Chip continues our series, Share the Love, by giving us a behind-the-scenes look at his faith journey. And along the way, he'll outline some practical steps to help us share our story with anyone we meet.

There's a lot to get to, so let's get going. If you have a Bible handy, go now to the book of Acts, chapter 26, for the second half of Chip's talk, Share His Love Through Your Story. So let me just take a moment and I'll share my story using this outline, okay? You've probably heard parts of it here and there, but if I was sitting down and we had a cup of coffee and I said, hey, where'd you grow up? And you told me where you grew up. So what was it like growing up and you told me a little bit about your family and this and that.

And then just normal or casual, you might say, well, Chip, tell me a little bit about your life. Externally, what I'd say is, well, I grew up in a home. Parents were school teachers and we were, in general, kind of pretty moral. My mom was an amazing person, a guidance counselor.

My dad, you know, ex-Marine, Guam, Iwo Jima, science teacher. He was a great athlete, so I was really pushed and admired and wanted to be a good athlete. And my dad was one of those guys that I never heard him say, I love you, until late in his life.

I never, he wasn't a hugger, but I knew he loved me. And the way he loved me was, in that generation, is he would help you become successful. If you did really well, that's the way you got loved. And so he'd hit grounders until they would bounce off my face. And if I got four As and a B, we had a deep talk about what happened with the B.

And it was real, I mean, that was his love language. It was, I really want you to do well because I learned in my house early that if there's a theme, it was if you can become successful, then you'll really be happy. And I wanna help you be successful. And the way you're successful is this, it's real easy, you know. You get up earlier than everybody else, you set very clear goals, you develop a strategy to get there, and when they're sleeping, you work. And when they go to bed, you keep working. And I'll tell you what, son, you'll be successful, and when you're successful, you'll be happy. And so I became a workaholic by the time I was 13.

I had six or seven yards, three paper routes at one time. I lent my parents $3,000 when I was 13 years old at 6% interest. I decided, I read an article about Pete Maravich when I was about seventh grade, and I saw all the drills that he did and started doing those drills for about eight or nine hours a day, and decided I'm gonna date a pretty cheerleader, I'm gonna get a basketball scholarship, I'm gonna graduate in the top of my class, I'm gonna be in this club and be all league in this and that, and I went like an absolute wild man after that. I didn't do any drugs, I didn't do any alcohol, I was too busy. But internally, I was desperately insecure. I was very short and very skinny, so I had that little chip on my shoulder trying to prove myself. I was very mouthy, very arrogant, I had a real foul mouth, and I was really lonely inside because my dad began to drink more and more and more as I got older, and I just had a big wound I didn't know about. But that's what my life was like. So the realization of my need came the night that I graduated from high school. I vividly remember sitting in an empty apartment off Ohio State's campus with about 25 or 30 people, and in those days they called it a reefer, a joint, whatever you call it, but they were passing it around and we were telling stories about high school and as it came around a gal named Jackie turned to me and said, you must be very happy tonight. And she was one of those girls that was a friend and we were in a lot of study halls together and talked honestly and I remember turning and saying, well, why do you say that?

And because we talked she goes, well, you know, you did well in school, you date that cute little cheerleader, you got a scholarship, and she named a few things. And I didn't realize that every single person pursues something or someone that you believe is going to make you happy. Everyone behaves in a way that makes sense to them, even if you don't articulate it, even if you don't think it through, your behavior, your energy, your time, your money, it all, I mean, if you could put it all together, all of us go towards something that makes sense. I didn't realize the mantra was, if you work hard and successful, you'll be happy.

And when she said that, it was like a light came on. And I didn't feel happy, I felt empty. Because I'd already decided the next set of goals. I've already decided I'm going to major in political science, I'll be a lawyer, I'll be very rich, I'm going to marry a beautiful girl, I will have a luxury car, a station wagon, an Irish setter, three beautiful kids, by age 35 I'll be a leader in the community. I mean, and thank, you know, my dad, he was an alcoholic and he may have sort of warped me a little bit, but I had this amazing mother and they, they produced this child with a very high self-esteem.

I mean, arrogant self-esteem. I grew up with someone who told you, don't worry about failing, just get up and try it again. And if you keep going, you'll, you'll, you'll always, and I, that night I realized I had 15 years and I do the next set of goals and my life will be maybe 10 times more empty than it is right now. So I drove home, home and looked at the stars and I had given up on organized religion because all the Christians I met were phony and it wasn't a church that taught God's word and I was disillusioned with God and disillusioned with people, but I looked at the stars and said, if there is a God, reveal yourself to me. Because, I mean, please take this, this is my actual prayer, it's not like I'm cussing in church, but this was my prayer. My dad was a science teacher, there must be some designer behind all this design of all these stars and I've heard about God that I don't know if you exist, but if you exist and if you're big enough to reveal yourself to me in a way that I can understand and you actually created me, I will do whatever you want. If you don't exist or if you're not big enough to reveal yourself in a way that makes sense, I'm going to live like hell and I'm going to die young and I'm going to squeeze as much fun.

I'm tired just being sort of a moral person out of some code that doesn't make any sense. Within a week, I was told by the guy I was going to start my summer job that the job was delayed a week, we were going to paint a house. Next day, the football coach said I'd like to send you to this camp, I'll pay your way, it's called the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

There's 600 of the best high school basketball players from Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. Sports sounded good, someone's going to pay your way, I went and then it was like what have I done? This is how I met Christ.

What caused me to consider a solution was I was desperately lonely, insecure and my performance orientation of no matter what you do doesn't measure up and I'm starting to learn success doesn't necessarily equal happiness. I land and there's 600 guys and they gave me a Bible that said good news for modern man and I'd never read the Bible before and then they gave me a t-shirt with a cross on it and I heard like in the first 20 minutes people say Jesus' name like out loud like he was a real person and I thought I have been dropped into the land of Jesus freaks, what have I done? It's 1972, they're going to indoctrinate me, these are the weird people, I've read about these people, they're weird, I want to play basketball but this is nuts. For the first two days I didn't open my Bible, I refused to do any of the religious stuff they did but every morning after some workouts a guy would read a paragraph from the Bible and explain it and it actually made sense in words you could understand. The biggest thing was I got exposure to God's word, I saw people in my world, Christians were weak anti-intellectual people that need a crutch and mostly women. I never saw any masculine strong person that I would ever ever want to be like and had the word Christian or Jesus in the same sentence and now I'm working out with guys that are pro-athletes and college athletes and high school athletes from all over and I respected them. I heard Tom Landry share his testimony but the big moment for me was I remember after about four days and realizing because I thought they're faking it, this must be a big act for two or three days.

No one can be this kind and loving. And I remember two guys walking off a grass workout field, we'd been working out all day and can still remember the green shorts, he was a wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons and he was walking with the fullback from Illinois and I was a skinny, maybe 135, 138 pounds just skinny little white kid who was a basketball Jones trying to do what I wanted to do and I'm about 10 feet behind him, I can hear parts of the conversation and this wide receiver, big guy put his hand on the shoulder and I heard a conversation between a grown man and a grown man that expressed deep, intimate love for one another that was masculine and I'd never seen it before in my life. I didn't know the verse that said that I would know that Jesus came from God because Christians loved one another. Later on that fullback would sing the Lord's prayer the very last night and I didn't even know what was happening. I had never opened anything but after watching that I finally gave in and so I decided on one of the mornings, every morning you were to read your Bible for like 10 minutes and so I opened the Bible for the very first time and you all will get a kick out of this knowing me now. These are the first words I ever read.

Good news. I urge you therefore my dear friends in view of God's wonderful kindness and grace to you that you should offer your body as a living sacrifice to him. This is what God really wants from you. Don't be conformed or molded any longer to the ways of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that your life and how you really live would demonstrate what God's will looks like.

That which is good, acceptable and perfect and through the grace given to me I say to every one of you don't think more highly of yourself than you ought to think but to think is to have sound judgment as God is allotted to each measure of faith. Does that sound familiar? It's the first time I ever read the Bible and it was like a video camera went on and I could see me acting tough in the locker room and cussing and then I could see me acting like the all American boy with teachers and acting sweet with girls and I just this you know it was like this videotape of this phony person that I hated always trying to figure out what to give different groups seeing this this chameleon socially and this manipulator who was desperately insecure and longing for love and for the first time ever someone put their finger on it and he sang the Lord's Prayer that night and when he got done singing the Lord's Prayer because he was the same guy I heard talking to that wide receiver a guy got up and drew a picture with some chalk and he said that God loved me and after he told me that God loved me he said he proved it by sending Jesus his son and after he drew this picture of Jesus his son somehow he made this picture of a tomb and with the lighting it opened up and he talked about that this Jesus rose from the dead and he would offer me peace and life and forgiveness and that he was standing at the door knocking at my heart Revelation 320 and if I would open the door of my life and my heart Jesus would actually come into my life in the person of the Holy Spirit forgive me forever seal me with his spirit give new direction and purpose to my life and make me heaven bound and I prayed a prayer that I wasn't theologically very smart or sound but I said God I don't get it all but here's what I know whatever it means for you to come into my life forgive me of my sin that's what I want more than anything else so will you come in and that's what happened in my life I changed that happened was I went home and lest my parents who were not that they would be super opposed but we religion in my family was we didn't pray together we didn't talk about it as my dad would say later even when he was drunk he went to church you know you just did it you know and so I took this little Bible they gave me and I hid it underneath my pillow and in the morning when I got up it was just like wow I had this this hunger for it I'd read it and then before I went to bed I turn on a little light and I'd read it and it was like how could anybody know this about you and I would I just read through the New Testament and there was this something that happened that that I can't explain externally and in about 10 days to two weeks my tongue something happened because I cussed worse than a sailor and all of a sudden I didn't I didn't I mean that was just one external things I didn't cuss anymore where did that go and then I'll never forget my desires changed externally and I just turned 18 and the laws had just changed so you could go hang out in bars and you're 18 years old and you know I've read the Bible now like for five days and so the guys come on guys let's go and so we hit some very sleazy bar and I'll still remember myself and another guy here and one of my other friends here and then a very ill-clad lady in this very sleazy bar sitting next to him and I remember looking around this place that I'd never been in and I just something came over me inside that I couldn't explain I mean man we can drink now we can come to places like this and we can party and this is and all I can tell you is it was like this is dirty this man I don't this is it's like I just wanted and I remember getting up and going guys man I'm gonna I'm gonna cut I'm gonna I gotta chill I gotta get out of here man come on man you know have another I said you know I don't understand it I just and I remember walking out that door and getting in my little green Volkswagen and driving away and thinking I have no idea what's going on but I mean three weeks ago I'd been and I don't want to be near it God began to change me from the inside out now internally you talk about continued struggles I had plenty of them but I had peace I had a sense of forgiveness and probably the greatest gift for me was I didn't have to pretend someone loved me and forgave me I could be chip the same chip with a girl the same chip with my family the same chip in the locker room it was freedom I didn't know the verse that you'll know the truth and the truth will set you free all I knew was it was just like the entire weight of the world was off my shoulders now I'd love to say that I from that moment on have never felt like I had to perform to earn the favor or please people in fact if the good part about beginning to read the Bible was as transformational the bad part was if you would have asked me two weeks before I trusted Christ are you a good person 99 percentile I've never killed anyone right I live in America I vaguely believe there must be a God you know I don't drink I don't smoke don't do drugs I mean I there's you know Mother Teresa and I'm a little below her but I mean literally I mean I just then I started to read the scriptures and I realized how sinful how selfish how manipulative how lustful I began to realize that all my sin had to do with stuff inside my head and was despicable in God's eyes but that he loved me and that he forgave me that's my story now I can tell that in about three minutes I can tell it in about 11 like I just did and here's why don't you know what it's not real dramatic but it's mine and I'm a trophy of God's grace and I've shared that story thousands of times in the last 30 years and I've seen scores of people who for some reason made a connection with my story and realized my little story was a bridge between this ocean of God's love the person of Christ and their need what would happen if each one of us would say Lord I commit 30 or 45 minutes or an hour and I'm going to outline my story at least or I'm going to write it out and I'm going to be prepared I mean how long did it take me to read Paul's story four minutes what if you wrote yours out and then it was ready and then what you'll find is the Spirit of God people will ask you questions that will lead to your story and you know what it's not preachy it's just your story let me just give you some very specific tips number one develop a theme the central issue in your life that shows the contrast in your spiritual outlook before Christ and then after my theme a very interestingly is that whole success equals happiness when I sit down and talk with people now when I'm playing hoop and sitting like I did yesterday and talk with someone I use the basketball illustrations when I'm sitting with an executive and we're kicking stuff around I talk about what my work holism in my work but both of those are my story but the themes the same second outline keep it clear and simple just keep it clear and simple the powers and what God has done third end with the question or statement that requires a response you know the Apostle Paul said King Agrippa you believe in the prophets don't you I'll often share when I get done with my story so what do you think have you ever investigated the Bible I'm often way more committed to someone saying you know what I've read the book of John with you want to kick that around then I am them I've never heard anything about God and I'm gonna pray a prayer you just need to be discerning but just ask him would you like to explore that's my story would you like to explore God's story for you fourth scripture think of one verse that opened your eyes and share how it impacted you revelation 320 for me was just like you're I mean forgive this but you're kidding me God lives inside of you whoa I mean I just couldn't what he will come in length be brief and to the point you could always share more but write it out where you can share it briefly attitude share don't preach could just it's your heart you don't have to convince you know it's not your job just this is what God did in me this is where I was this is how I met him here's what's changed sensitivity focus on the other person and share aspects of your life that relate to their interest and needs as you get better and share it more and more you'll just find that there's a lot to your story isn't there and you can pull from this part of your story or that part of your story but just be sensitive and and share the parts of your story that connect with what's going on in their life and then finally focus make Jesus the star of your story I've at times heard a story of a testimony and 90% of it this is my life before and it's kind of like you know in the name of sharing Christ you hear all this stuff that you really not sure you want to hear that much and then pretty soon that the person is the star of the story the star of your story is the son of God the star of your story is his love and forgiveness the star of your story is that whether you came out of a great environment or a very difficult environment he's the savior of the world and he's your friend and he's God and he's done that for you and he longs to do that for the person you're talking to and so let me encourage you would you be willing this week to block off 45 minutes and write your story and then would you be willing just to say I've got it Lord if you'll open the door I will naturally lovingly share my story with the person as you lead me. You're listening to Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram and the message you just heard share his love through your story is from our series Share the Love.

Chip will be back to share some insights from today's talk in just a minute. For one reason or another Christians today are hesitant to share their faith. We know we should be doing it more but sometimes just the thought of talking to someone about God can be nerve-wracking.

So why is that and how can we change it? In this eight-part series Chip's gonna boost our confidence and teach us to have personal and spontaneous conversations about Jesus. Learn how to develop the heart skills and perspective to share your faith in a winsome natural way. Don't miss how you can move from being a secret Christian to an unashamed witness for Christ. For more information about Share the Love or our resources visit livingontheedge.org. That's livingontheedge.org. Chip's back with me in studio now and Chip you know I've had the privilege of being around Living on the Edge for a long long time and I can tell you over the past year or so the ministry has just exploded.

I remember when we just had the radio program. Now we're developing resources training pastors and ministering to the next generation. It is so exciting to see how we are growing and continuing to impact lives.

Dave I have to tell you I am absolutely astonished by what God is doing through Living on the Edge and he doesn't seem to be slowing that momentum down at all. He continues to provide us with amazing opportunities for discipleship here in the United States and then all around the world. I just got back from the Philippines I was in Africa recently and there is a spiritual hunger. There's a hunger for Bible teaching that's truthful that's expositional that's practical. I see Christians like never before with all that's happening in the world saying I need an anchor. I need God's word.

I need people who believe it and teach with moral authority that comes from God. And so what I want to say to the Living on the Edge family is we really need your help. Would you really pray and ask God what part he wants you to play financially?

We need partners like you to meet the growing needs. Is he calling you to go on mission with us to help us disciple God's people to train those pastors and to reach the next generation? And by the way every dollar that you give by July 7th will be matched dollar for dollar. So pray about it and then do what the Lord shows you today.

Thanks so much. Well if you'd like to join us in our work to minister to pastors engage with today's young people or create new discipleship resources now is the time to partner with us. Every gift we receive until midnight on July 7th will be matched dollar for dollar.

To support us financially visit livingontheedge.org or call 888-333-6003 that's 888-333-6003 or go to livingontheedge.org. App listeners tap donate and thanks in advance for your generosity. Well Chip you wrapped up your message today by challenging us to set aside time to write out our story. But for those who may have missed it would you quickly recap what we should include?

Absolutely Dave. This is what I want people to get. There's a very simple three point outline. It's what the Apostle Paul used. Point number one, what was your life like before you met Christ? Don't spend too much time there but specifically write out this is what my life was like before I met Christ. This is how I thought, this is what I did, this was the kind of home.

Give people a snapshot of your life. Second, how did you actually encounter Christ? I mean your actual prayer. Tell people this is where I was, this is what I was thinking, this is what I actually prayed and I want you to just write this out.

It'll take you about 45 minutes and it may sound like a big assignment but believe me it'll fly by. And then third, since I trusted Christ as my Savior this is how my life changed. Now again everything isn't perfect. You have good days, you have rough days but God has been faithful. Begin to write down how has your life changed internally what's happened, your thoughts, your emotions, your hopes, externally what's happened, relationships or you know maybe any moral issues that there was a clean break with that God has worked in your life.

And since I've taught this before can I give you just a little word of encouragement? I've had a number of people write me and say you know I've never really shared my faith, I took 45 minutes, I wrote it out, I've never shared it much and then out of the blue God gave this opportunity and I shared it but I never would have if I wasn't prepared. And then they said I think God gave me the opportunity because now I'm prepared. Can you imagine someone's eternity being changed forever and ever because you take 45 minutes and get clear about how to share your story and then watch and see if God doesn't bring someone into your life.

Now go for it. Thanks Chip. As we close, our mission at Living on the Edge is to help Christians live like Christians. And one of the best ways we can continue to do that is through programs like this. So when you hear a message that helps you, pass it on to someone else in your life. You can easily do that through the Chip Ingram app or by forwarding them the free MP3s from livingonthedge.org. And don't forget to include a note about how it made a difference in you. From all of us here, I'm Dave Drouy saying thanks for listening to this Edition of Living on the Edge.