The Power of a Story:
While We Were Sinners

Scripture Reading:  Romans 5:1-7

Key Verse:  Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

After we have started the Gospel story with the fact that we are sinners, then we can tell the next part of the story: God’s solution.  Our key verse is easy to remember:  While we were sinners, Christ died for us.”  This phrase is actually the second part of verse 8.  The first part tells us the “why”:  But God demonstrates His own love for us…”

A good storyteller never leaves out the major parts of the story.  It is OK to tell those major parts with their own words coming through their personality, but the main things must remain the main things!  All of us may tell God’s story with our own personality coming into play.  As we tell our version of the story, we must remain true to the facts: We are sinners; Jesus died for sinners!

Before we can continue on to the good stuff—the exciting conclusion—we must drive these first two parts home to our friends.  If the Gospel story has lost its “punch” over the years, it’s because we have not been faithful to clearly express the major points of the story.  The story of God is still life changing and powerful, but all of it must be told.  We are sinners; Jesus died for sinners.  Let’s tell stories and watch God use them.  We all have a story.  We were all transformed by God’s story: The full Gospel!

Father, forgive me when I don’t tell your story in its completeness!  Grant me courage and wisdom as I share with people who are far from you!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.