TESTIMONIES

by Pastor Walt Scott

Let Go and Soar Ministries, February 24, 2014

Today I would like to talk about testimonies. We all have them. Some of us have been delivered from very painful life situations and circumstances. Others not so bad.

One of the most successful and potent tools to win souls for Jesus Christ, and a weapon in spiritual warfare against satan, is the sharing of our personal testimony with others. Telling others about what God has done to lift us up in life is the proof that God is real. Evidence that they can be delivered and have hope. When others hear this and see it in us, the transform-ation begins. God has given us our own personal miracle to share with the world. This is a message of renewal and restoration that will validate us as a new creation in Jesus Christ. We are a walking, talking statement of God's grace, forgiveness, and love.

Titus 3:3-7

³ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

To be born again and becoming a new creation is there for us all and God's unconditional love is for everyone. He will enable us if we ask and are willing to believe.

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Some of us seem to have a problem accepting and receiving the word that God forgives totally all sin when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and become a new creation. It's true—the Bible says so. Just believe.

1 Peter 5:10

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Testimonies are evidence that God really does exist and has done miraculous transformations in our lives. We need to share them. That is their primary purpose.

Through them he shows how much he loves us and wants us to succeed. He has a plan and a purpose for us all.

Jeremiah 29:11-12

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹²Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

Through the sharing of our testimonies others gain hope for deliverance from their own situations and circumstances. I know that sometimes there are individuals that won't believe. They didn't know you before and it is difficult for them to imagine that such a life changing event is equally available to them. However, we know that God does not play favorites.

Acts 10:34-35

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

Potential new believers need this convincing evidence of testimony, at least until they receive the Holy Spirit and can stand on faith alone, and have their own testimony as evidence.

Everyone that believes has equal opportunity to experience relationship with Triune God and experience the miracle of becoming a new creation. The people we witness to may not all believe us at first, although there is a way that will convince most if not all people. That way is what I feel to be the most primary instructional tool that we possess. This is the testimony of Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 2:1-6

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony—given in its proper time.

His entire life was a testimony that we not only believe, but is the model and example that we are supposed to copy and attain to the very best of our ability. When skeptics see you modeling the example of Jesus Christ day after day after month after year, they will believe.

John 14:6-7

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him, and have seen him.”

They will want what you have. Genuine freedom from fear, lack, worry, addiction or anything else.

2 Corinthians 5:7

⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight.

Matthew 21:22

²² If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Although a bold statement of testimony about a life saved by Triune God is extremely powerful and convincing to many; is this the only way? No! In my opinion, the vast majority of people do not have a testimony about deliverance and redemption from a past of abuse, alcoholism, drugs, mental disease, or any other form of addiction or disorder. This society would be a much different place if that were the case.

Romans 10:8-10, 14-15

⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: ⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

¹⁴ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵ And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

So what about the great many of us who do not have a powerful testimony? Do we sit around in our own contemplative little world, content in our knowledge as believers that we are saved and have our ticket to heaven? No! After our salvation, forgiveness, redemption, sanctification and justification, our light should shine forth as a beacon for all to see. We are the salt of the earth. We are the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have repented and it must be obvious.

Matthew 5:13-14

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Mark 16:15-16

¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Be an example to others about what they can expect. Be the reflection of Jesus Christ that makes people come up to you or look at you and say, “I want what you have.” The gospel of Jesus Christ is our testimony. A testimony of grace and truth through Him.

John 1:17

¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Matthew 24:14

¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

We have to absolutely, positively believe this, not only with words but with action. Faith is a verb. Walk the walk.

Luke 6:46-49

⁴⁶ “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? ⁴⁷ As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. ⁴⁸ They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

James 1:22

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 2:17

¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Galatians 6:3-5

³ If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. ⁴ Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, ⁵ for each one should carry their own load.

I am sometimes reminded of the self-centered, proud, conceited, self-promoting Christians who won't lift a finger or speak a word to fulfill their obligation to the Christian commission of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. They seem to just want to be left alone, sitting like a lump, to die when their time comes and go to heaven. The End! Such a waste of God's time and misappropriation of resources and gifting. God is disappointed. Yet, He still loves them.

There are also those who don't feel worthy, qualified, lacking in self-confidence or are easily intimidated. Many will partly secede from society and substitute comfort food, alcohol, drugs, etc., for relationship and fellowship. Often they substitute pets for people. Anything for unconditional love and acting as if the love of Triune God was never introduced to them. I have to say, the enemy loves them! When they are distracted or operate in a place of pride, fear or false complacency, they are no threat to satan. We should never forget that God is always with us and loves us, and will enable us to perform whatever service He calls us to. Just trust, step out in faith, and gather your testimonies (1 Corinthians 10:13 ref. only).

Deuteronomy 31:8

⁸ The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Isaiah 41:10

¹⁰So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

1 Timothy 1:12

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.

Romans 8:28-31

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified;those he justified, he also glorified.

More Than Conquerors

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

I am not suggesting that we completely flood our lives with church and Christian activities, especially if we work and have a family. We must let the Holy Spirit lead and guide us. We must stop and listen, and be patient. Moderation, discretion and discernment are the key words, and a balanced life will make us a much more effective witness for Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:9-10

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ

Proverbs 2:11, 3:21, 15:14, 17:28

^2:11 Discretion will protect you,
    and understanding will guard you.

^3:21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
    preserve sound judgment and discretion;

^15:14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

^17:28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
    and discerning if they hold their tongues.

And finally we come to this:

1 John 5:6-12

⁶ This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. ⁷ For there are three that testify: ⁸ the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. ⁹ We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. ¹⁰ Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. ¹¹ And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹² Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Love and Peace, Amen.

Testimony: First hand authentication of a fact: evidence

An open acknowledgment: Profession – an outward sign

A public profession of religious experience