A Good Testimony

Intro

Text - Hebrews 11.1-2

Hebrews 11:1–2 NKJV

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

Title - Your Faith Is Your Testimony

Intro Questions

How is the testimony of your life?

Do you have a testimony?

Do you know the importance of your testimony?

Intro info

Testimony defined

From Oxford Dictionary

evidence or proof

a formal statement, especially one given in a court of law

From Bible Dictionary

from Grk. MARTYRIA, a witness

The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated) Testimony

The claims that a witness makes in court and the evidence that might be cited in support of those claims

Lexham Theological Wordbook μαρτυρία

Someone who gives testimony about something, or the content of the testimony.

Your testimony speaks about you - who you are and what you are, for better or for worse.

Therefore our testimony must be “good”.

Sermon Points

Importance of a good testimony

Our testimony must be “good”

Notice how Heb 11.2 is translated

Heb 11.2 HCSB - won approval

Hebrews 11:2 HCSB

2 For our ancestors won God’s approval by it.

Heb 11.2 NLT - earned a good reputation

Hebrews 11:2 NLT

2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

Heb 11.2 NASB - gained approval

Hebrews 11:2 NASB95

2 For by it the men of old gained approval.

Heb 11.2 ESV - received commendation

Hebrews 11:2 ESV

2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.

Your testimony is your approval, your reputation, and commendation

A good testimony is important in real life

it can help promote you in your job

1 Timothy 3.7 - a bishop/elder’s testimony

Daniel was promoted many times in Babylon

it can save you from trouble or problems

Ruth was praised by men and women for her love for Naomi

it can help you convince people, or win souls

2 Thessalonians 1.10 - our testimony was believed

Most importantly, it is your testimony before God!

see - Heb 11.2 HCSB

Characteristics of a good testimony

Hebrews 11 shows us 3 important characteristics of a good testimony.

it is faith - your faith is your good testimony

it is faith in action - the elders acted their faith out

it pleases God - Hebrews 11.6

First, it must be faith

Hebrews 11.1-2

the faith of the elders gave them a good testimony

they believed in things they had not syet seen

they put their hope in the words of God, even if it seemed impossible to man

Second, it must be faith in action

Note - their actions expressed their hope in the promise of God

Abel’s sacrifice - Heb 11.4

Enoch’s walk - Heb 11.5

Noah’s preparations - Heb 11.7

Abraham’s obedience - Heb 11.8

Abraham’s offering of Isaac - Heb 11.17-19

Moses’ choice - Hebrews 11.23-27

the rest of the “elders” - Hebrews 11.39

Third, it must please God first

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

To please men, you don’t need faith. Just give them what they want.

But to please, faith is all you need.

Your faith is your good testimony before God.

before you can have a good testimony before God, have it before God first.

Romans 14:22–23 NKJV

22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Why please God with a “good testimony”?

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

True faith does not just “believe IN God”, but BELIEVES GOD”.

to believe in God - to believe that there is a God

to believe God - is to acknowledge God in one’s life through obedience and trust

God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him

true faith will cause a man to seek God “diligently”

2 Corinthians 5:9–11 NKJV

9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

We will stand before God and give account of all our actions

Galatians 6.8-10

Conclusion

Our testimony before God is what matters most.

After all, He is the One who is in control of everything. When God is pleased, He can do things beyond our imagining.