Sermon Tone Analysis

Proclamation

What does it mean to make a proclamation?

The english use of “proclamation” doesn’t clearly communicate the entire meaning of the word as Paul intends.

The english definition of “proclamation” is a public or official announcement, especially one dealing with a matter of great importance.

While this is correct, it falls short in demonstration what Paul means when he uses the term in .

The Greek word used here is καταγγέλλω - (katangello) which means to proclaim, but not in the exact sense of our modern definition.

Let’s look at another place word is used in the same context:

.

The way katangello is translated in this passage is “advocate.”

Note: This should not be confused with the greek term “parakletos” which is often translated as advocate, helper, or comforter and is used three times by Jesus to describe the Holy Spirit.

, ,

Luke uses “katangello” in because “advocate” is being used in a legal sense.

This is the same intention of Paul in .

advocate (legal) n. — a person who acts as a spokesperson or representative of someone else’s policy, purpose, or cause; especially before a judge in a court of law.

advocate (legal) n. — a person who acts as a spokesperson or representative of someone else’s policy, purpose, or cause; especially before a judge in a court of law.

Testimony

Notice that Paul uses the phrase “testimony of God.”

The Greek word used here is μαρτύριον - (martyrion) meaning witness.

Note: Some of our manuscripts use the word mystery or secret.

testimony n.- evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something.

This is clearly indicating that the testimony of God is a statement bearing witness about God.

In terms of our faith a testimony is the spoken truth of something you personally witness that provides evidence about YHWH.

Something that strikes me is how often when you hear a christian testimony it is spoken in a way that doesn't reflect the truth of who God is, or the message of the Gospel.

We have a tendency to think the word “testimony” is strictly referring to our conversion experience, and in that we seem to want to dramatize it to keep it from being boring.

I have heard so many testimonies that seem to focus more on the sin than what actually happened.

Not only that but when other christians hear these kinds of testimonies it makes them wonder about their own conversion.

I did not have to overcome drugs, or violence, or porn, or alcohol, and there was no huge dramatic transformation, but the fact of the matter is that we were all dead and destined for destruction and the Spirit stirred our heart and the Father offered us a gift and we took it.

Paul goes on to say that what he did was not with lofty speech or earthy wisdom.

He spoke Jesus from the heart, in the moment, guided by Spirit.

A testimony doesn’t have to be this super dramatic, rehearsed speech.

We don’t have to embellish it.

All we have to do is speak Jesus from our heart.

God doesn’t need us to help him out.

I have heard it said that a person’s testimony is the best way for us to minister to others, and I believe there is much truth in this, however, all we can witness is who we know God is as given us by His word, and talk about areas of our lives where we have experienced Him.

People can tell when a testimony isn't from the heart, and to try to embellish it or speak anything into it that isn’t true is not Biblical.

Look @

When we falsify our witness of God, it can cause the faith of many to ignorantly rest in the word of man.

Where in the Gospel does God promise release from depression, or anxiety, or sickness, or addiction?

When we base our testimony on such things we present a false gospel to the world.

Even worse than this, when we credit God for something he didn’t do, we are taking His name in vain.

Keep reading on in

This is much different

This is telling us that our role in advocating the witness of God is to speak truth by the Spirit so that the message we are speaking clarifies the stirring of the Holy Spirit in the lives of others.

A lost person is being pursued, tormented by the Spirit, and we speak in the power of God a message that reveals the reality of what they are experiencing.

This is how He works through us.

Read on........

We need not worry about the judgement of others when speaking Jesus.

It doesn’t make a difference if our friends or church family think our testimony is powerful.

It doesn’t matter if they think its too simple, or not smart enough, or not well spoken.

What matters is that we realize our role in the Father’s work and we trust Him, having access to His wisdom and His mind, and are obedient to let the Spirit guide us in what He has given us to be a voice confirming the transformation in the heart of another; Helping them to see Christ in their own life, and welcoming them into the Kingdom of God.