“As for us, we can’t stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20 CEB Some people have a lot to say. You know the folks who are willing to share anytime, anywhere, about anything. I don’t mean this pejoratively either. Some folks have a lot to say. When our oldest daughter was very young she had a lot to say. We learned early that our daughter processed things verbally and was a bit of a chatterbox. It was a lot of fun, actually. When I was in seminary I was with her most of the day for most of her first three years of life. It was fun to listen to her process her thoughts verbally. Then came her baby sister. Our youngest daughter did not have a lot to say when she was little. We believe there was one main reason for this phenomenon—her sister. Just because a baby sister came along did not mean that the older sister had any less to say. She ended up speaking for her baby sister on most occasions. It was unrealistic to think that just because her sister was born that she would stop talking. She couldn’t stop talking, she had things to say. Shouldn’t this be the way things are with those who have experienced the saving grace of Jesus Christ? We have something to say. So why do we remain so quiet about our faith? The grace of God has freed us from slavery to sin and death. We are redeemed and free people who can live without fear of condemnation. We should be the most excited and grateful people on the face of the earth. Now, this isn’t just in the past tense either. We experience God’s grace every moment of every day. God’s blessings never cease and God is at the ready to have us join in the work of grace all around us. We have the freedom to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ each and every day. All of this blessing in our life and yet most of us do not take every opportunity to speak about what we have seen and heard. Why? We know the reasons before I even ask the question: fear of rejection, consequences at work, lack of knowledge, uncertain of the questions that will come, and many more. There is a simple answer to all of these objections—no one is asking you to be an expert, just speak about what you have seen and heard. We all have a story to tell. Every follower of Jesus Christ has a story of how they have experienced God’s grace through a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. What is your story? When you know your story, you can’t help but speak about your story. We should all be able to tell our grace/Jesus story in two minutes or less. Of course, there is plenty more to share but we should have a abridged version as well. If Jesus has transformed your life, you have a story to tell. How can you stop speaking about what you have seen and heard? Peter and John could not stop speaking about what they had seen and heard—why do we? The challenge is to know your story. Take the time to develop your story down to a two minute version. Be on the lookout for the opportunities that God puts in your path to share your story. Will you share your story today? This is a part of Jesus’ Great Commission to all of his disciples, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you.” [Matthew 28:19-20a] We cannot make disciples without telling our story and the story of Jesus. Everyone has a story and we are to tell our story. Can you imagine what would happen if every follower of Jesus were to join Peter and John in saying, “As for us, we can’t stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” This Sunday we continue the message series Go Fish. We will discuss what it means to share our story as we fish for people. Jesus gives us all a fish tale to tell. I hope you will join us this week and every week. The best is yet to come at St. Andrew’s and I can’t wait to see you in church!