The Importance of a Testimony

Introduction

As we continue to study Galatians, I am reminded of what we have already discovered. We have looked at the importance of credentials and how Christ gives those credentials the the believer. We have learned that there is but one gospel and that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What we see next is the importance of a testimony. What an example we get from Paul in defining one’s testimony. Let’s look closely at Galatians 1:11-24

Galatians 1:11–24 NIV84

11 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. 21 Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me.

A Testimony Defined (vs. 11-12)

We are fortunate to have in this passage the testimony of Paul. What exactly is a testimony?

We often hear about someone giving their testimony in a court of law to declare what they saw take place.  It is the evidence in support of a fact or statement.  It is proof.  In a Christian context, a testimony is a statement or statements that fortify the evidence or proof that one is a Christian.

Paul shows us three things that are included in his testimony.

Not From Man

First, Paul’s testimony is not something he received from another person. It is not man made up. We live in a world of made up stories. We saw a perfect example of that last week in Brittany’s Children’s Message. If you remember, she whispered something in one child’s ear and told her to pass whisper it to someone else and so forth on down the line. When it got to the end, it was far-fetched from what the original story was. The Galatians were experiencing stories about the gospel that were far-fetched from the truth of the gospel. Men were adding their input but Paul asserts that his testimony did not come from man.

Not From Myself

He also asserted that his testimony did not come from himself. He was not taught a testimony. So often I see people that are taught the things to say. For example, I have had conversations with people from other religions. In those conversations, you can tell when they are using a script of what they have been taught to see and it is not personal. Paul emphasizes that it did not come something man made or from himself, but directly from God.

But From My God

Paul was emphasizing that his story was from the work of Christ and no one else. He says he “received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” We see this mentioned again in verse 16. What have you received from Jesus Christ? Have you received a revelation? There are many who claim that they have received a revelation from God and they start trying to tell of that revelation. However, what is being told in some way contradicts the Word of God. I would strongly encourage you to always test that which is revealed by the Word of God. If it adds to or contradicts, then it is not of God. What Paul received was indeed from Jesus Christ. God is His grace revealed Jesus Christ to him so he could preach the truth to the Gentiles. The truth is that Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins and rose from the grave to live forever more! The encounter with Jesus transformed his life. Under the impulse of the Holy Spirit, Paul hears the testimony of Jesus.

John 15:26 NIV84

26 “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.

To further clarify his testimony, Paul shows us a testimony demonstrated.

A Testimony Demonstrated (vs. 13-20)

Paul again shares with us 3 things that we can learn and document from his past. First, he tells us the way it was.

The Way It Was (vs. 13-14)

We see in verse 13 that Paul admits he was a persecutor of the church. We know that Paul who was called Saul, was adamant in his attempts to destroy the church that believed and proclaimed Jesus as Lord. Saul had used his religion to what he thought was right.

Again, in we evidence in Acts 8:1

Acts 8:1 NIV84

1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Saul, whose name was changed to Paul, was there giving approval to Stephen’s death. In the same verse, we see that persecution broke out against the Christian churches.

Acts 8:3 NIV84

3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

That reminds me of what sin does to us. It captures us leads us to places we should not go and causes us to do things we cannot do. But thanks be to God, because He gave us a way to change. We see it right here in the passage referring to Paul.

The Way It Changed

Galatians 1:15 NIV84

15 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased

Have you ever noticed in Scripture that just at the right time and the right place, there is the phrase “but God” or “but when God?” What a beautiful turn is coming! What a wonderful point is being made! We may think we are doomed. We may think there is no hope. However, praise be to God because He intervenes! The way it changed for Paul was that he learned that he was set apart from birth. By the way, so are you. God has designed you from birth to be something special!

Jeremiah 1:5 NIV84

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

God had chosen Paul from birth. Just at the right time, God called Paul by His grace. Notice what happens next: God revealed to Paul the person of Jesus Christ. Chosen, called, and revealed. What a beautiful outline of what God has done in Paul’s life. We need to shout right here because what God had done for Paul, He has done for you and me! He has chosen us. He has called us. And He will reveal Jesus to us when we recognize that we cannot live without Him!

Paul had a past, but his past did not determine his future. You and I have a past, but our past does not determine our future. Paul had a past he was changed by his encounter with Jesus. He was forever changed.

The Way It Shall Be

Paul was changed and charged to share the gospel with those that never had heard the gospel. He had a testimony declared.

A Testimony Declared

What does your testimony declare? Let me show you a few differences in what Paul came to realize.

Religion versus Relationship

First, notice that Paul was a very religious person. His testimony declares that he was advancing in the rank of Judaism. His own words say he “was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.” This meant he did all the right things as a good Jew. He read the Torah. He practiced the rituals. He lived by the law. He persecuted those that were different. Until he had a relationship with Jesus Christ! Often times people say they found religion. Paul was religious before he met Jesus. So your testimony doesn’t need to say you got all religious. Rather it needs to say you’ve got a relationship with Jesus.

Ritual Versus Revelation

Paul moved from doing the rituals to having the revelation. Let’s modernize this a little. I have mentioned that we come to church often because “it is the right thing to do.” It is a good thing to do, don’t get me wrong. However, there is nothing magical about being in a church that will save you from your sins. Saying your prayers every day and reading your Bible every day won’t save you from your sins. Singing in the choir won’t save you from your sins. The only thing that will save you from your sings is when Jesus makes Himself known for you and you get the revelation that He died on the cross for you so that you might have eternal life. What will you choose? Ritual or revelation?

Unreal versus Real

Paul chose that which was real over that which was unreal. Often we think that the beliefs we practice are the real gospel. The things we do are the unreal gospel. Remember, we cannot earn or do our way into Heaven. We can line up with the greatest men and women of God on the planet. We give away everything we have to the poor. We can feed all the hungry people in the world. However, all of that is meaningless apart from being in a real relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul recognized this and came to know the person of Jesus. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? Do you know Him as your personal Savior and Lord? If so, you have a testimony to be delivered!

A Testimony to be Delivered

You might say, “I don’t know how to do my testimony.” Lucky for you, you are in the right place at the right time to learn! There are three things you need to know about your testimony that we see in this passage.

Your Life Before Christ

What was your life before Christ? Maybe you were not a persecutor of the church, but you still were a sinner. My life before Christ had me in a life of sinfulness and separated from God. I was a good boy. I didn’t get into much trouble but I was still separated from a Holy God.

How You Met Christ

When I was just 8 years old, the seeds planted by my family and the power of being around God’s word proclaimed, I was revealed that Jesus loved me and wanted to come into my heart and give me eternal life. In a service after a week of Vacation Bible School, I prayed and asked Jesus to come into my life. 52 years later I can say that it still was the best decision of my life!

Your Life With Christ

My life since that day has not always been perfect. In fact, it has been rough on many occasions. I have way more in my life with Christ than I did in my life before Christ. Yet I am assured that I have a personal, living, breathing relationship with my Jesus that pursued me on His Father’s behalf. He continues to go before the Father on my behalf. In fact, I am at my best when I am pursuing the One that has pursued me. He walks with me and He talks with me. And He tells me I am His own. Oh the love we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.

Jesus loves me just as much as a 60 year old as He did as an 8 year old when I first said yes to Him. I have failed Him more times than I care to admit but yet He has forgiven me and drawn me closer to His spear-pierced side. He tells me that He loves me and He wants me to tell you that He loves you just as much. Silver and gold I have none, but what do have to give you my friend, is much better and His Name is Jesus. Do you know Him?

My desire is the same by which Paul closes out the passage:

Galatians 1:24 NIV84

24 And they praised God because of me.