Your Words Matter: Testimony

Why are we talking about this?

There are sometimes disagreements/misunderstandings of what Scripture says/means. This message series, “Your Words Matter,” is for us to dig deeper into the original language and hopefully get a clearer understand of God’s Word.

“Testimony” is another word that may be viewed as “Christianese” or only heard of in law or court shows. Let’s look at how scripture uses these words and how we should respond.

What does it say?

We’re starting with 4 passages in the Bible:

Isaiah 8:19-21 “And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn. They will pass through the land, greatly distressed and hungry. And when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will speak contemptuously against their king and their God, and turn their faces upward.”

John 4:39 “Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.””

Deuteronomy 4:44-45 “This is the law that Moses set before the people of Israel. These are the testimonies, the statutes, and the rules, which Moses spoke to the people of Israel when they came out of Egypt, ”

1 John 1:1-4 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.”

What does it mean?

Current definition of testimony:

a thing that shows something else exists or is true

a formal written or spoken statement saying what you know to be true, usually in court.

Original language use:

Hebrew -

e dut (eye doot) - witness, testimony; laws, legal provisions

t u du(h) (te awoo dah) - confirmation, corroboration; attestation

Greek - two words:

Logos (lo goes) - word, message

martyreo ( mar too rey oh) - testify, bear witness; be a witness, give evidence

actually translated as “report (account) to bear witness”

**Point out that the words “testify” & “testifies” occurs many additional times in scripture as well (more than 45 times), usually in reference to legal matters.

As it pertains to our faith and trust in Jesus, our “testimony” is the part of our history (or story) when we witnessed God work in our life and draw us to Himself.

How should I respond?

3 points

Establish your testimony from a place of submission.

If you haven’t accepted Jesus as LORD and Savior, it’s as simple as admitting your sinfulness, turning away from it (repenting), and calling on Jesus name, accepting His free gift of salvation; submitting to His authority.

Psalm 86:11-13 “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.”

Focus in on God’s guidance and steadfast love. Let your testimony be the good news of His deliverance! He alone is God. Let your heart be prepared for the Truth!

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Build your testimony with a posture of humility; trust the LORD.

Psalm 86:8-10 “There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.”

Creation itself testifies as proof of a Creator. There is no reality apart from God’s creation (both physical and metaphysical)!

Job 38:1-7 “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

Worship Him and ascribe the glory due His name! He is worthy of our affection and our submission.

Share your testimony with authority; glorify the name of the LORD!

The LORD is trustworthy as demonstrated throughout scriptural history.

Psalm 86:3-7 “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.”

The LORD listens to His children. Call on Him.