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Galatians 1:11-24 ESV
11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

I.THE POWER OF A TESTIMONY
A.Paul shares his testimony because it is hard to argue with a story of radical transformation because of Jesus.
B.A testimony starts with who you were Pre-Jesus.
C.3 reasons to not make too much of your sin in your testimony.
1.It makes people think you used to have fun but then you met Jesus and all that changed.
2.Immature people assume because it worked out for you that means it will work out for them.
3.It makes others feel like their testimony is not worth sharing.

II.GRACE IS…
A.Grace is offensive.
B.Grace is transformative.
C.Grace is interruptive.

III.THE TRUTH ABOUT CONVERSION
1.Conversion is God’s work.
2.Conversion fulfills the eternal plan of God.
3.Conversion starts and end with grace.
4.Conversion comes as we see the glory of God for the first time.
5.Conversion’s outcome in Jesus alive in us and us alive in Him.
6.Conversion is a commission.
7.Conversion is about the glory of God.

NEXT STEPS:
1.The Gospel is a Gospel of conversion. Of transformation, not tweaking.
2.Share your story of conversion because it is a story of freedom brought by God.