The Rest is His-Story!

The purpose for Jesus’ coming to earth had been accomplished!

He showed the love of the Father to the world. He preached, did miracles, countered evil, healed the brokenhearted and broke the power of sin. It was finished.

The sinless, perfect Lamb had been sacrificed for the sins of the world and now there was only one more thing to do.

The rest is His-story.

15 Jesus came near and started walking along beside them. 16 But they did not know who he was. 17 Jesus asked them, “What were you talking about as you walked along? The two of them stood there looking sad and gloomy. 18 Then the one named Cleopas asked Jesus, “Are you the only person from Jerusalem who didn’t know what was happening there these last few days?”” Luke 24:15-17 CEV

Two men walking the road to home had been discussing the events that had taken place in Jerusalem and Jesus came near. He walked and talked with them for about seven miles the Bible says.

22 Some women in our group surprised us. They had gone to the tomb early in the morning, 23 but did not find the body of Jesus. They came back, saying they had seen a vision of angels who told them that he is alive. 24 Some men from our group went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said. But they didn’t see Jesus either.” vs.22-24

They were in a quandary. What had happened to Jesus? If He was alive, where was He?

“…30 After Jesus sat down to eat, he took some bread. He blessed it and broke it. Then he gave it to them. 31 At once they knew who he was, but he disappeared. 32 They said to each other, “When he talked with us along the road and explained the Scriptures to us, didn’t it warm our hearts?” 33 So they got up and returned to Jerusalem. The two disciples found the eleven apostles and the others gathered together. 34 And they learned from the group that the Lord was really alive and had appeared to Peter.” vs. 30-34

They had probably been there when Jesus multiplied the boy’s lunch of loaves and fishes. There was something familiar about His ways and when He broke the bread and blessed it, they knew it was Him!

I am always taken back by the way Jesus personalizes Himself when He ministers to people. He brings the divine presence of God into the routine of daily life. When He first met Peter, James and John on the shores of the Sea of Galilee He helped them catch a boat-sinking load of fish and called them to be “fishers” of men. In His first miracle He provided wine for a wedding. Now, at the tomb He simply said Mary’s name and then He prayed over some bread and broke it. But each time His actions revealed the power of God.

He still comes in simple ways to touch and change our lives.

46 He told them: The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. 47 They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. So beginning in Jerusalem, 48 you must tell everything that has happened.” Luke 24:46-48 CEV

His-Story must be told and He’s asking us to tell it!

Stick To Your Story

Last night Dave and I were watching the Sunday service from Gateway Church in Dallas, Tx. Pastor Robert Morris is our TV preacher. He always has a good word to encourage the body of Christ.

The last several weeks he has been teaching on the building up of the body of Christ. Some are given to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip and build up the body of Christ.

That’s us!

This evening we listened to Sunday’s teaching on the evangelist. An evangelist is one who tells the good news. The good news means gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ is that He came to bring salvation to all who believe in Him.

An evangelist is one who tells a story. We don’t have to be a seminary graduate or part of the religious elite to be an evangelist. Each one of us has a story of how the Lord has touched and changed our lives. When we share our story we are evangelizing.

I was raised in a church that said women shouldn’t be teaching men. In fact, I had a large number of men who felt it was their job to tell me I couldn’t teach. But God put it in my heart and gifted me to share so I couldn’t do anything less.

However, last night the memory that came to mind was when Dave shared his story.

The picture that precedes today’s blog is a belt buckle that Dave wore for years. It is the logo of our ministry, Christian Cowboys Assn. The ministry was to working cowboys and ranchers, taking the love of Jesus to their ranches and arenas.

“So he came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me. 19 So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything that I have told you to do. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of time.” Matthew 28:18-20 ERV

Go tell them your story!

Back to Dave’s story. We were on our way to a mule show in Gridley, CA. We stopped at a coffee shop somewhere north of Sacramento. We were with another couple who were going to minister with us at the event.

As we walked into the restaurant, Janet and I walked ahead of Dave and Brent. When Dave came through the door, a man sitting at the counter saw this buckle. He came off his seat and dropped to his knees right there.

Dave and Brent stopped to talked to the man and then took him outside to talk with him at greater length. The man told them he had been running from God and told the Lord he needed Him to prove that He was real. Just a few hours later, Dave walked through the door with his buckle declaring “Jesus Is Lord”.

It was as simple as that. Telling your story. Dave had been timid about sharing so God did it for him. That day that man recommitted his life to Christ.

If we look for opportunities, the Father will give us an opportunity to share our story!