The Testimony Of God Series

INTRO.- There are testimonies and there are testimonies. There is God’s testimony and man’s testimony. And there are verbal testimonies and physical testimonies.

ILL.- Mark Hatfield (US Senator from Oregon. He served from January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1997. He is now 87 years old and is a Baptist). Someone said of him: Senator Mark Hatfield told me, and I have also seen him do it, that when he goes to social functions where hard liquor and wines are served, he turns his glass upside down. I have heard the master of ceremonies of a banquet tease him about it but there is no doubt that his testimony and influence against drinking has profound effect.

What a great physical testimony that was! Drinking in moderation may be ok but overall, alcohol has been a damnation to the world. I appreciate anyone who takes a stand against it.

And it’s fine to take a stand against some things, but at the same time we must take a stand “for” some things.

ILL.- Do you remember the LA riots after the Rodney King beating trial? Do you remember the incident? On March 3, 1991, Rodney King and two passengers were driving through the Lake View Terrace neighborhood of Los Angeles. The California Highway Patrol attempted to initiate a traffic stop and a high-speed pursuit ensued with speeds estimated at up to 115 mph through freeways then residential neighborhoods.

When King came to a stop, officers of the C.H.P ordered the occupants under arrest, and after two passengers were placed in the patrol car, another five members of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Stacey Koon, Laurence Powell, Timothy Wind, Theodore Briseno, and Rolando Solano attempted to subdue King who came the last from the car.

King was tackled, tasered, heavily beaten with Pr24 batons, and repeatedly pushed down by an officer’s foot. King was under the influence of narcotics at the time of arrest.

The footage of King being beaten by police while lying on the ground became a focus for media attention and a rallying point for activists in Los Angeles and around the United States.

The Los Angeles District Attorney subsequently charged all four police officers with assault and use of excessive force. On April 29, 1992, the seventh day of jury deliberations, the jury acquitted all four officers of assault and acquitted three of the four of using excessive force.

The riots, beginning in the evening after the verdicts, peaked in intensity over the next two days, but ultimately continued for several days. A curfew and deployment of the National Guard began to control the situation; eventually U.S. Army soldiers and United States Marines were ordered to the city to quell disorder as well.

I remember watching the TV news about these riots. One of our national TV companies stopped a woman on the street to interview her and ask her what she thought of the rioting, etc. She said, “What’s the matter with all these crazy people? Don’t they believe in Jesus?”

WHAT A TESTIMONY SHE GAVE! In fact, I’m surprised they even showed it on TV. That woman gave the greatest testimony anyone could have given. She was essentially saying that if all those crazy people believed in Jesus they wouldn’t have been rioting. In fact, if people truly believe in Jesus Christ many crazy and sinful things would stop in this world. AMEN?

There is man’s testimony of what he believes and there is God’s testimony of eternal truth. The only solid and sure testimony that we have in life is from God as given in His Word. On that, we can depend. Scripture is true. Scripture is God’s testimony to us so we can live a faithful and fruitful life in Christ.

PROP.- Our text reveals the testimony of God.

1- God’s testimony - Jesus came by water and blood

2- God’s testimony - The Spirit, water and blood agree

3- God’s testimony - God has given us eternal life

I. GOD’S TESTIMONY - JESUS CAME BY WATER AND BLOOD

6This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

Many people have said, “Blood is thicker than water.” What’s the idea? Some say it means that family relationships are stronger than say a friendship. And I suppose they should be!

ILL.- At one point during a game, the coach said to one of his young players, "Do you understand what cooperation is? What a team is?" The little boy nodded in the affirmative.

"Do you understand that what matters is whether we win together as a team?" The little boy nodded yes.

"So," the coach continued, "when a strike is called, or you’re out at first, you don’t argue or curse or attack the umpire. Do you understand all that?" Again the little boy nodded.