Aug. 24, 2025

Guest Spearker JD Poerverlein's sermon begins at 23:49 min into the video. The music "Forever", "Here I Am To Worship", "Living Hope", and "How Great Is Our God" are licensed under CCLI Copyright #2723035 and Streaming Media #22024223 licenses.

The Hope of Your World – Sharing your Testimony

What if the very story of your life—with all its messy moments and beautiful transformations—could be the key that unlocks hope for someone who desperately needs Jesus? This powerful message reveals how your personal testimony isn't just your story; it's a bridge that can lead others from darkness into the light of Christ's love.

JD Poeverlein delivers a compelling message about the transformative power of personal testimony, using Paul's defense before King Agrippa in Acts 26 as a blueprint for sharing our faith stories. He challenges the common practice of simply inviting people to church as the extent of our evangelistic responsibility, instead calling believers to be personally engaged in sharing their testimonies. Through the three-part structure of Paul's testimony—life before Jesus, the moment of transformation, and life after Jesus—JD demonstrates how even "ordinary" testimonies can be powerful tools for reaching others. He emphasizes that the local church's hope for the world lies not in buildings or programs, but in individual believers living out their faith and sharing their stories with those in their personal spheres of influence.

Your testimony is more than just your story—it's a lifeline for someone drowning in hopelessness. When you understand that "your testimony can be the hope in your world," everything changes. You're no longer waiting for the perfect moment or the right words. Instead, you're equipped with the most powerful tool in your spiritual arsenal: your authentic journey with Jesus. This isn't about having a dramatic conversion story; it's about being ready to share the reason for the hope you carry, just as Peter instructed in 1 Peter 3:15.

JD Poeverlein’s Key Teachings:

1. The Bystander Effect in Faith - Just as social psychologists discovered that people in groups are 60% less likely to help in emergencies, we often assume someone else will share the gospel with those who need it. JD warns: "Sometimes we view the church wrongly nowadays. We use the church as sort of a scapegoat to get out of our personal or individual responsibilities in our faith." Your personal engagement cannot be replaced by simply inviting someone to church. You are called to be actively involved in sharing your faith story.
2. The Three-Part Testimony Structure - Paul's testimony in Acts 26 provides a simple yet powerful framework: First, share what your life was like before Jesus took hold of it. What did you value? How did you behave? Second, describe that pivotal moment when Jesus got hold of your life—whether dramatic or gradual. Third, explain how your life is different now, being honest about ongoing struggles while celebrating God's transformative work.
3. Ordinary Stories, Extraordinary Power -JD encourages those who feel their testimony is "boring": "The truth is even though I've been saying it's sort of our story, our testimony has very little to do with us, in fact. It has everything to do about the free gift of salvation that God has given each and every one of us." Your story doesn't need drama to be powerful—it needs authenticity and the transformative power of Christ.

Personal Responsibility Over Institutional Dependence - JD’s message challenges believers to move beyond institutional evangelism: "Church is not a substitute for our personal engagement in the world that we live in and in the lives of those who need us so desperately to share our testimony with them." You cannot delegate your responsibility to share Christ to the church building or pastoral staff.

Scriptural Foundation:

• 1 Peter 3:15 - "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." This verse serves as the foundation for being ready with your testimony, emphasizing preparation and readiness to share your faith story when opportunities arise.
• Acts 26:9-23 - Paul's testimony before King Agrippa provides the structural blueprint for sharing our own stories. This passage demonstrates how to effectively communicate personal transformation through a clear, chronological narrative that others can understand and relate to.
• Psalm 106:1-3 - The opening scripture reading emphasizes giving thanks to the Lord and declaring His mighty deeds, setting the foundation for understanding that our testimonies are ultimately about God's goodness and faithfulness in our lives.

Your Journey Forward:

1. Write Your Testimony: Using the three-part structure, write out your testimony in 2-5 minutes of speaking time. Keep it simple, personal, and focused on Jesus rather than making yourself the hero.
2. Practice Sharing: Find safe opportunities to practice sharing your story—perhaps with family members or close friends who already know your faith journey.
3. Stay Alert for Opportunities: Begin noticing when people in your life express hopelessness, struggle, or curiosity about faith. These are natural openings for sharing your testimony.
4. Prepare Your Heart: Pray regularly for courage and wisdom to share your story when the Holy Spirit prompts you. Ask God to bring people into your life who need to hear your testimony.
5. Remember Your Purpose: Embrace the truth that you might be "the hope that they need for the people in your world." Your story matters because it points others to the transformative power of Jesus Christ.

Closing Prayer and Reflection:

"Dear Lord God, thank You so much for today. Thank You for this opportunity that we have to come together to worship You, to learn from Your scripture, Your examples that You gave. Thank You so much for laying out how easy a testimony can be through Paul's example. God, I pray that You help us to have the courage to share with those in our life that just need You. Help us to be prepared to give the reason for the hope that we have. We love You in Jesus' name. We pray. Amen."

Your testimony isn't just a story—it's a bridge. Someone in your world is waiting on the other side, desperate for the hope that only Jesus can provide. Will you be ready to help them cross over? The power isn't in your perfect words or dramatic experiences; it's in the simple, authentic sharing of how Jesus transformed your life. Your story matters because His story matters, and together, they can change someone's eternity.