A Quick Dive into Testimonies
This Sunday we will have some wonderful people from “Promise of Hope'' sharing testimonies of what God has done through this ministry in their lives and in the lives of others. Why are we doing this? Testimonies display evidence of God’s hand at work in our own personal lives.
What is important to remember is that our testimonies flow from our own personal experiences. Yet, all of these testimonies are centered around the moments in our lives where the truth of God has come alive. Testimonies are more about God than they are about us. Look at the apostle Paul share in 1 Timothy testimony of God’s strength, mercy, love, and grace coming alive in his life.
“I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry— even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man.” (1 Timothy 1:12-13)
Jesus strengthened Paul and used Paul despite who he was and what he had done. One who was faithless was now considered faithful. One who was against Christ is now serving Christ. Can you relate?
But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them. (1 Timothy 1:13-15)
Jesus showed Paul mercy by not giving him the punishment He deserved for his past. Rather, Jesus overflowed with grace and love for Paul! What a turning point. Most importantly, Paul points to the Gospel declaring that “Christ came to save sinners, saying he was the worst of them.” This trustworthy truth of Jesus had come alive in his own life!
But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:16-17)
Notice this last part. Jesus did not save Paul for Paul to sit and do nothing. He demonstrates in his testimony how Jesus saved Paul to be a living testimony of Jesus' patience to those who would believe in Him. Paul’s testimony is “I am now an instrument in the hands of my patient redeemer.” How does Paul’s testimony end? Praise to Jesus! Shouldn’t our testimonies always overflow into the present and into praise?
Do you have a testimony to share about Christ? My encouragement to you is to think through it, articulate it and to share it! I can speak for us as a staff that we’d love to hear what God has done and is doing. Love you, church family! – Pastor John
