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.
The best security a family can have is through a family full of solid testimonies to the power of Christ. They know God’s Word is anchoring them down amid the storms of life. Children know that no matter what happens – Mom & Dad are going to stay together. The family knows that they don’t have to walk around in shame and embarrassment because of one family member’s sin, but that they are at peace and respected.…All because you have done your part – mother, father, son, daughter – in maintaining a Godly testimony!
Here are some biblical examples of how your family can benefit from your Godly Testimony:
Proverbs 31:10-12 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
Proverbs 20:7 The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.
…and there are many more examples.
So, let me provide for you one life principle that can bless your family no matter how old or young you are:
If you want to teach your family to live holy? Live it out.
If you want your children to fall in love with God’s Holiness? Then live a holy life yourself.
If you want your spouse to trust in your judgment and discernment when decisions come? Then seek God in the little decisions of life.
If you want your family to lean on you in life? Then, continually lean on Him – the God and the Giver of all wisdom.
My friend, you may not have silver and gold, but one thing you can give your family is a life of integrity.
Your family will be proud – not of your money, fame, or fortune – but of your Testimony!
Proverbs 19:1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
By way of personal testimony - Many people have said a lot of things about my Father in the past. Many are good, some are not. But I’ll tell you today, that the most valuable legacy that my Father left me, my family, and you as a church – and one thing that I am very proud of – is not that he raised billions of dollars, not that he built a great church, not that he built a great university, or anything like that…but that he was a man of integrity and Godliness…and THAT is something that no one can ever take away.
His Godly Testimony still blesses us today!
3. The Third Group That Is Blessed By Your Testimony Is The WORLD!
As your pastor today, I implore you to seriously consider how your personal testimony could either positively or negatively affect the ministry of TRBC. I want you to think about the impact of your actions and how people think and feel about this ministry. We at TRBC want nothing more than the blessing and privilege to display the love of Christ to anyone and everyone who decides to walk into this church and sit in this place.
Yet, some people may never even give us that opportunity if they have been turned off by your negative personal testimony - in your workplace, displayed in public as you interact with your children, say, in the mall, while you drive on the road, etc. You could cause a heart to not hear the truth of the Word of God by your personal actions – when actually, just the opposite should happen:
Matthew 5:13-14 You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Colossians 4:5-6 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
In essence, your Godly testimony to the world could be the best gift you ever give your friends, colleagues, unsaved family – because it points them to a God who has changed you…and is able to save them! Your testimony could actually be used to bring someone’s attention to their need for a Savior! They’ll want what you have! They’ll see the peace, the hope, the confidence in the future that others don’t have – and it will spark conversation that will allow you to explain the hope that is in you!
4. Another Group Blessed By Your Testimony Is Your CHURCH!
God requires us to note those who have Godly testimonies so that we can have an example to follow – especially when we think we can’t live a godly life. We can just look at someone who is just like us, in our life situations in our congregation and be encouraged by his or her testimony so we can see that “it can be done!” “If he can live holy, I can live holy.” We do NOT live a holy life to be looked upon as “holier than thou,” but as an encouragement to our church family!
I Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Philippians 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
I love being able to tell my children that they can look at their Sunday School teachers as an example of how to trust God…they can look at other leaders (like Pastor Jim Moon, David Randlett, Charles Billingsley, and so many of you) as testimonies of God’s faithfulness.
Even though I preach every Sunday, YOUR TESTIMONY is the “walking” or “living” sermon for all to listen to and learn from throughout the week. Do you realize that while the sermons I deliver from this pulpit are seen by so many in our community that the sermons you deliver each and every day are seen and heard far more than mine will ever be. My sermon is presented on Sundays, your sermon is delivered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. My prayer is that you preach a sermon with your life and testimony that causes others to learn obedience to God.
5. The Fifth Person Blessed By Your Testimony Is GOD!
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
This verse is a very familiar verse and is one that teaches that our Godly testimony should bring honor and glory to God. BUT what is commonly overlooked when quoting this verse is this: This verse actually tells us WHY we should live a Godly life and have a Godly testimony.
It actually tells us WHY we would want to have a Godly testimony for Ourselves, our Family, our Church, and the World. The WHY is found in the three little words: “mercies of God.” In fact, Paul BEGS us by the ‘mercies of God’ to have a Godly Testimony!
You see, this verse says that it is only reasonable to have a Godly Testimony because of the “mercies of God.” So, what is so important about the mercies of God? The “mercies of God” is another way of saying – everything I have presented to you in the previous 11 chapters of the Book of Romans. ALL OF THESE CHAPTERS taught you about the mercy of God…and BASED on the “mercy of God,” you should live a Godly life.
So, what do these chapters teach?
Simple: SALVATION!
Chapters 1-3 – “All are sinners”
Chapters 4-6 – “God saves all who call on Him”
Chapters 7-8 – “God will mature you in the faith”
Chapters 9-11 – “God has a plan for everyone’s life”
And then,
Romans 12:1 – I beg you by THESE mercies of God…LIVE A GODLY LIFE! Have a Godly testimony! Let the world see what God has done in your life!
It is only “REASONABLE” to have a Godly testimony…for all that He has done for you in paying the price to save your soul!
God makes a promise that a Godly testimony will bless you for eternity:
I Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
But, Satan would have you think that it is a waste of time. He would rather you compromise and settle for living life for your own interests – not caring about who benefits (or gets hurt) from your testimony.
So, the question is raised again – as it has for the last four weeks of this series – DEAL OR NO DEAL?
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
