Mission

Mission: To connect every burdened soul to the Lord by the power of the Word and anointed prayers for self transformation and actualisation of divine blessings.

Vision

Vision: A transformed society of believers, basking continually in the glory of Christ Jesus.

Saturday 26 January 2013

TESTIMONY

Texts: Judges 6: 6-9, 2 Chronicles 20:1-20, Psalm 40: 1-10, 2 Timothy 1:8

Testimony is a statement made by a witness to prove that something, an event or an occurrence is true. It is an open declaration, an attestation, a confirmation or evidence in support of a fact. With reference to this sermon, Testimony will be defined as an “open declaration of what the Lord has done”.
 
Psalm 105: 1-2 say, "Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name, make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all his wonderful acts". It is a spiritual witness and it should be well thought out and be truthful. It is a way of witnessing to others on how faithful the Lord is. The scripture says in 2 Tim 1:8, "So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord.” No one should be ashamed to testify about the Lord to others especially about the Salvation of your soul. He has saved you and called you to a holy life. His faithfulness, righteousness, unlimited mercy and grace must be told. It is written in Rev 12:11, "they overcame him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Christians are encouraged to testify to the goodness of the Lord. It is scriptural and by so doing others will be encouraged, hope will be restored and faith will also be built up.

God wants us to testify to his deeds. He gave us an example in Judges 6:6-9. When the Israelites did evil, He punished them for seven years but when they cried unto Him, He sent a prophet to them to remind them of what He did in the past, that which should have been their testimony. The God of Israel says in verses 8 - 9, "I brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. I snatched you from the power of Egypt and from the hand of all your oppressors. I drove them before you and gave you their land."

There are many testimonies in the scripture but these few will be considered as below:

MOSES's TESTIMONY (Deuteronomy 32: 1-14). He testified to the faithfulness of God in v4, "A faithful God, who does no wrong, upright and just is He.” Moses reminded the Israelites what the Lord did for generation long past by saying in v7, "Remember the days of old, consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.” Verse 10, “How the Lord had guarded Israel as the apple of His eye how the Lord alone led Israel, no foreign god was with him.” Moses testified to what the Lord did in the past so that Israel could desist from worshipping foreign gods. He alone is sufficient. He is the All sufficient God.

DAVID's TESTIMONY (Psalm 40: 1-10). When David waited patiently on the Lord he testified as follows, (verses 1-3) “For the Lord turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire, He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God”. Verse 5 says, ”Many O Lord my God are the wonders you have done”. Verses 9-10 says, “I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly, I do not seal my lips as you know, O Lord. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.” Brethren, David's testimony encourages you and I to wait on the Lord and when testimony follows, you should not keep sealed lips but share it so as to encourage others too.

PAUL's TESTIMONY (2 Timothy 1:12). Here, Paul gave this testimony to encourage you and I to be faithful. In case you are being persecuted or suffering for the sake of Christ. Paul said, "that is why  I am  suffering as I am, yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day."  Also in Acts 26:22, he testified in the presence of King Agrippa, "But I have had Gods help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike." Day by day commit and entrust your all into His able hand. He is able to guard whatever you hand over therefore surrender all to Him.

KING JEHOSPAPHAT's TESTIMONY (2 Chronicles 20: 1-15).  When the Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites came to make war with him, he stood up in the assembly at the temple of the Lord and said in verses 6-7, "O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the Kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand and no one can withstand you. O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?"  He went further and said in verse 12, "O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that are attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." After he had reminded God of His past deeds and surrendered totally, God sent His word through one of the Levites in the assembly and he said in verse 15, "This is what the Lord says to you. Do not be discouraged because this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."

Brethren, whenever you testify be assured God will do more for you and also move on your behalf. Everybody has a testimony. That you are alive is a testimony. Share your testimony and see what the Lord will do for you.

ADVANTAGES OF GIVING TESTIMONY.

  • Helps to renew your trust and confidence in God
  • Helps to build your faith and have hope.
  • Reminds you of God's past deeds.
  • Enables you to count your blessings.
  • Enables you to return all glory to God and to acknowledge His supremacy.
  • Enables you to receive more from God.
  • Gives you the right attitude to thanksgiving since testimony is always accompanied with thanksgiving.

PRAYER - Father, in the name of Jesus, henceforth, let me not hide your testimony. Give me the grace to share it readily. Let my life be full of testimonies, praises and thanksgiving. Amen.