Deal Or No Deal: The Choice Is Yours - It's Not My Testimony

Deal or No Deal, The Choice is Yours

It’s Not My Testimony, It’s His!

Four weeks ago, we began a new sermon series entitled Deal or No Deal? The Choice is Yours!

I wanted to talk about making the choice to obey God and not waver from His ideal for your life in the following areas of your life: Your Time * Your Treasure * Your Temple * Your Testimony * Your Talents

Our theme verses for this series summarizes the point so clearly and profoundly:

I Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

And I want you to make the BEST CHOICES…not just “ok” choices or a “good” choices – but the BEST Choices: Luke 10:42, But one thing is needed [necessary] , and Mary has chosen that good part [best], which will not be taken away from her [eternal impact].

This series is all about making choices on how to use this life of yours.

Our theme today: “It’s Not my Testimony…It’s His!”

Today, I want to focus on one unique perspective when talking about one’s testimony. Today, I want you to think of your testimony as a GIFT. A GIFT you can give certain people in life as a gift that keeps on giving.

You know, we often think about giving monetary gifts – like graduation gifts, birthday gifts, anniversary gifts. We often think about exchanging gifts at parties around the holidays. Or, leaving a gift for a child upon losing his or her first tooth.

I tell you who really knows how to give gifts! GRANDPARENTS!! Grandparents will give and give and give – they’ll give snacks when the grandchildren are over the house , they’ll spoil their dinner, fill them up with so many sweets to almost make them sick, etc. THEN, what do they do? They send them on home for the parents to deal with the side effects! But I am told that this their right as a grandparent – am I not correct, grandparents?

But have you ever considered that one of the best gifts you can give someone is your testimony? I want to take you through some Scripture verses to show you how the Bible emphasizes that one of the best gifts you can give someone is your TESTIMONY.

And, I’d like to share with you Five Recipients who would benefit from your own strong, personal TESTIMONY!…Five Recipients who would truly appreciate, value, and benefit from the fact that you personally are living a life that is a portrait of God’s holiness and integrity.

Let me start off with the first one who would be an obvious recipient of you living a Godly testimony:

1. The First One Blessed By Your Testimony is YOU!

The best gift you can give yourself is not a round a golf, a nice car, or a vacation. The best gift you can give yourself is a Godly Testimony. HOW CAN THAT BE?

Because a Godly Testimony guarantees that you are known for your Integrity…And, according to the Bible, integrity is a gift that keeps on giving...keeps on protecting…keeps on testifying of your good name!

You see, Integrity will speak for you when you are not present to speak for you own! In other words, your integrity will ‘go before you’ and testify on your behalf if your testimony is ever questioned. Notice the following verse that states how you can benefit from the power of a Godly testimony:

Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.

When the Apostle Paul was trying to demonstrate that his co-laborer was different from other poor church leaders, Paul appealed to Timothy’s testimony.

Philippians 2:21-22 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.

IN other words, based on Timothy’s past testimony, he should be trusted today! If you want your word to be trusted tomorrow – then live a Godly life today. If you want people to “take you at your word tomorrow,” then begin to build up your Testimony today.

Sometimes, one mistake we make is thinking that we are the ONLY beneficiaries of living a Godly life. Meaning, we tend to think that the only reason we should live a Godly life is for OUR benefit, for what it does to our personal walk with Christ…but that is simply not the case.

2. The Second One Blessed By Your Testimony Is Your FAMILY!

Most people want to provide the greatest sense of security for their spouse and children. Many times, however, this security is found through material things. Through what we can own, what we can touch, how much money we can earn! This is understandable and admirable. But, according to God’s word, believe me when I say that silver or gold is not the way to provide a great sense of security.