The Power of our Testimony.
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Years ago, I was chosen for “jury duty”. The case was about a man accused of DUI (drunk driver). The arresting officer’s testimony was very weak. It seemed that uniform and testimony didn't correspond with each other.
Jury duty, drunk driver, weak testimony of arresting
officer was weak testimony of , uniform & tetimony didn't correspond...
- Jury duty, drunk driver, weak testimony of arresting
officer, uniform & tetimony didn't correspond...
There was no power in the testimony. The case was lost based on the weak testimony of the key witness. Decisions of the jury rest on the power of the testimony!
testimony of the key witness.
We have been called to be witnesses to God. We have "received the Holy Spirit so we can testify with power in our Jerusalem, our Judea, our Samaria, and in the rest of the world.
We " received the HS so we can testify with power
Unfortunately “our uniform” says one thing, but our testimony says another...”. "The habit does not make the monk", states the old saying.
testimony says another... "the habit does not make
the monk"
WHERE IS THE POWER OF OUR TESTIMONY?
In the previous 11 chapters of the letter, Paul had explained to the believers in Rome all the things God has done for them, His mercy, how He saved them (and us too) without deserving it...
Background.
- In the previous 11 chap. Paul has explained to the
believers in Rome all the things God has done for them,
his mercy, how he saved us without deserving it...
But "the more it has been given to us, the more it's required from us". In view of those blessings, in chapter 12, Paul proceeded to describe our duties as christians.
required from us". In view of those blessings,in chp 12
Paul proceeds to describe our duties as xns.
The power of our testimony will depend on the fulfillment of those duties!
fillment of those duties
WHERE IS THE POWER OF OUR TESTIMONY BASED ON?
BASED ON THE LOVE WE SHOW.
BASED ON THE LOVE WE SHOW.
Love to God first.
Love to God first.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
Definitively this verse refers to our love for God first. We know this because of the connected phrase: “Abhorring the evil, clinging to good.”
Love to God first. v.9
Definitevely this verse refers to our love for God
first. We know this because of the connected phrase:
“Abhorring the evil, clinging to good.”
So many people claim to love God, but if we observe their actions.... we may conclude that it's only from their lips (love with hypocrisy!).
their actions.... we may conclude that it's only from
their lips ()
If we love Him, we obey Him; if we obey Him, our testimony will be powerful...(people see actions, not words)
will be powerful...(people see actions not words)
ILUST. EXTRA DIME (EOI 4991)
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 4991 Extra Dime in the Bus
A young man employed by our Sunday school board told the following searching story. He was invited at the last minute to preach at a church in Nashville. On sudden impulse he used as his text, “Thou shalt not steal.” The next morning he stepped on the bus and handed the driver a dollar bill. The driver handed him back his change. He stood in the rear of the bus and counted the change. There was a dime too much. His first thought was, “The bus company will never miss this dime.”
Then quickly came the realization that he could not keep money that did not belong to him. He made his way to the front and said to the driver, “You gave me too much change.” Imagine his surprise when the driver replied, “Yes, a dime too much. I gave it to you purposely. You see, I heard your sermon yesterday, and I watched in my mirror as you counted your change. Had you kept the dime I would never again have had any confidence in preaching.” What a tragedy if he had done the wrong thing!
Showing true affection to our brothers.
Showing true affection to our brothers.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
If there is something that will impact the world it's the love and affection christians show to each other.
- If there is something that will impact the world
Love to God results in love to our neighbor (2 commandments).
it's the love and afection xns show to each other.
- Love to God results in love to our neighbor
(2 commandments)
Such brotherly love must be expressed... (holy kiss)
Unfortunately, America is a very cold and inexpressive society regarding relationships. testimony!!
society regarding relationships. Affects testimony!!
ILUST. WORSHIP IN BARBER SHOP (EOI 4994)
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 4994 Worship in Barber Shop
“I was in a barber shop,” remarked former President Woodrow Wilson, “when I became aware that a personality had entered the room. A man had come quietly in upon the same errand as myself, and sat in the chair next to me. Every word that he uttered showed a personal and vital interest in the man who was serving him; and before I got through, I was aware that I had attended an evangelistic service, because Mr. Moody was in the next chair. I purposely lingered in the room after he left, and noted the singular effect his visit had upon the barbers in that shop. They did not know his name, but they knew that something had elevated their thoughts. And I felt that I left that place as I should have left a place of worship.”
BASED ON OUR SERVICE TO GOD.
BASED ON OUR SERVICE TO GOD.
v. 11-13
Serving with diligence.
Serving with diligence.
“not lagging behind (perezosos) in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;” v. 11
People will see if we put the same effort to serve God, that we put to make money.....
People will see if we put the same effort to serve God, that we put to make money.....
God that we put to make money.....
What kind of testimony is that? Weak!!
ILUST. TIME ONLY FOR GIRL, MONEY, MONEY
If God is first in our lives we must serve Him with dedication. The world is vigilant, watching us!
dedication. The world is vigilant
Our testimony is at stake!
Devoted to prayer.
Devoted to prayer.
“rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer.” v. 12
Prayer is the only thing that'll sustain us when we are persecuted, when in tribulation. Prayer is the only way to rejoice despite the circumstances!
Prayer is the only thing that'll sustain us when we are persecuted, when in tribulation. Prayer is the only way to rejoice despite the circumstances!
persecuted, tribulation. The only way to rejoice
despite the circumstances
If we believe, we pray. If we pray a little, it's because we believe little. When you pray you are being a testimony.
we believe little. When u pray u r being a testimony.
ILUST. LIKE MY DOG. Father took his child to eat at a bar. He noticed that no one prayed before the meal. “They are like my dog!” Why? “My dog never prays before eating.”
Having a generous heart.
Having a generous heart.
“contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.” v. 13
When you see a person in need and you help him/her, you are showing the love of Christ.
If you have something to help him with, do not tell him “come back tomorrow”. Do it at the moment! Show them what Christ did for you!
Two days ago, I received these words from my friend Daniel Bustamante:
“Mucha gente cree, que la obra de Dios, se sostiene por personas de potencial económico, por sus grandes ofrendas. En mi experiencia he visto a muchos ricos hablar mucho y poner muy poco, otros que dan, bajo la condición de que se haga, lo que ellos quieren y cómo ellos quieren.
De la Biblia aprendemos que, el dar, es un Ejercicio Espiritual y como todo ejercicio, necesita sacrificio, disciplina, para lograr buenos resultados. Los de Macedonia sabían dar, de acuerdo a 2 Cor 8:5 y habían aprendido la importancia de darse primero a ellos mismos. Ponerse de cuerpo entero sobre el altar de Dios, para que Dios haga, no nuestra voluntad, sino lo que El quiera.
Necesitamos aprender a darle primero...nuestra vida, como una entrega total y cada área de élla. Cuando tú vida, tú corazón, tú alma, se involucra en una causa, estás dispuesto a darlo todo, para que esa causa prospere. Una área de nuestra vida que nos cuesta entregar es nuestro tiempo. Muchas veces escuchamos la célebre frase: “no tengo tiempo”, “necesito agregar algunas horas a las veinticuatro, para poder hacer todo lo que tengo que hacer”, “no tengo respiro”.
El problema es entender que todo nuestro tiempo es del Señor. He visto a muchos, que no tenían tiempo para Dios, postrados en un hospital, sin poder hacer nada de lo mucho que tenían que hacer, y ahora sí, clamando a Dios por su sanidad.
Conozco personas tan posesivas de su familia, que solo quieren estar con ellos todo su tiempo sin acordarse de Dios, pero luego cuando alguno de ellos no está bien nos piden que oremos a Dios por ellos.
¡Qué decir de nuestra casa!, siempre encontramos personas, sin posibilidad de ofrecer su casa para alojar a visitantes que vienen a servir a Dios, o para tener reuniones en su casa, pero sí, están dispuestos para fiestas o momentos sociales.
Y si tenemos un automóvil, ¿está a disposición para la obra de Dios?, ¿Y tu computadora..., tu teléfono..., tus instrumentos musicales...? etc.
Todo lo que tenemos es de El. Le pertenece. Tenemos que decir como Su Palabra nos enseña “...de lo tuyo te damos señor...” Si lo hacemos, comprobaremos que el Señor es fiel, y que él no dejará que ninguna cosa necesaria nos falte.-
¡Señor ayúdanos a darnos a nosotros mismos en primer lugar, para que tú puedas usarnos!”
(Daniel Bustamante)
BASED ON OUR RELATIONSHIP TO OTHERS.
BASED ON OUR RELATIONSHIP TO OTHERS.
v. 14-21
Blessing your enemies.
Blessing your enemies.
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” v. 14
Lit. "Speak well" It is not natural...
- "Speak well" It is not natural...
When we bless them, we're giving testimony that God has changed us...
has changed us...
Speaking well to them.
Speaking well about them to others.
Speaking well to them.
Speaking well about them to others.
Speaking well about them to God.
Speaking well to God.
Showing real interest in other's emotions.
Showing real interest in other's emotions.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly.” v.15-16
When we share other’s joy or sorrow, we’re giving testimony that God has removed all envy from our heart. That’s what Jesus did! He felt the pain of others, but also the joy of others.
When it hurts us to see others being blessed, the enemy is controlling our heart and filling it up with envy.
Being peaceful and respectful to others.
Being peaceful and respectful to others.
“Never pay back evil for evil t anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men,” v.17-21
People must see that you are different. You are giving testimony of Christ by the way you treat others.
- People must see that you are different. You are
giving testimony by the way you treat others.
You weaken up your testimony when there's enmity or resentment in your heart. If people perceive such resentment, you may be sure that they will say “how come he says he is a christian?”
- U weaken your testimony when there's enmity in your
We must do our best to be at peace with others. Sometimes it will not depend on you!
heart. Must do your best to be at peace with others
APPLICATION: people has harmed me in great manner, but if I see them, I treat them well and with respect.
Prove to them there's no resentment: treat them well!
- Prove to them there's no resentment: treat them well!
Let God to deal with them, don't take the law into your own hands.
- Let God to deal with them, don't take the law into
your own hands.
THERE IS THE POWER OF OUR TESTIMONY!