KEY TEXT: John 12:9 (KJV) – “Much people of the Jews therefore knew that He was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom He had raised from the dead.”
The people came not to see Jesus only but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had performed a miracle on. Testimonies are powerful. When people come to church, they are coming for spiritual development and solutions to their personal problems. Therefore, they get more encouraged when they witness a situation similar to theirs or of a more significant magnitude than theirs being solved.
God desires to solve our most difficult problems because He loves us. However, He sometimes does not do that because we lack faith. When we witness God solving issues that were thought impossible, more people will draw closer to God. Therefore, do not be shy to share your testimonies because many can get converted through them.
Many are not so willing to convert to the Christian faith because Christians shy off from testifying what God has done to them. Therefore, making God appear powerless in the eyes of unbelievers. Some Christians have forgotten that the hand of God put them where they are, so once they get blessed, they leave the church. Others credit their efforts and intelligence, not the power of God.
“As witnesses for Christ, we are to tell what we know, what we ourselves have seen and heard and felt. If we have been following Jesus step by step, we shall have something right to the point to tell concerning the way in which He has led us. We can tell how we have tested His promise, and found the promise true. We can bear witness to what we have known of the grace of Christ. This is the witness for which our Lord calls, and for want of which the world is perishing.”—The Desire of Ages, Page 340, Ellen G. White.
“Our confession of His faithfulness is Heaven’s chosen agency for revealing Christ to the world. We are to acknowledge His grace as made known through the holy men of old; but that which will be most effectual is the testimony of our own experience. We are witnesses for God as we reveal in ourselves the working of a power that is divine. Every individual has a life distinct from all others, and an experience differing essentially from theirs. God desires that our praise shall ascend to Him, marked by our own individuality. These precious acknowledgments to the praise of the glory of His grace, when supported by a Christ like life, have an irresistible power that works for the salvation of souls.” — The Desire of Ages, page 347, Ellen G. White.
It is through the power of God that everyone does the things they do.
Acts 12:21-24 (KJV) – “21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. 24 But the Word of God grew and multiplied.”
Herod did not believe in God. When the people praised him due to his powerful speech, he failed to give God glory, so God killed him immediately. God’s Word still grew and multiplied. God’s Word can grow through the blessings that have been bestowed upon you or the curses that have been placed on you. Ensure you are on the side of the blessings always.
Daniel 4:30-31 (KJV) – “30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? 31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from Heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.”
King Nebuchadnezzar glorified his abilities by thinking that it was through his strength that he had built Babylon. The words were scarcely out of his mouth that God decided to humble him from being the highest king in the world to live like an animal for seven years. It is a severe sin to glory in our abilities because it is like putting ourselves above God. We should give God glory in everything we do, including moving our hands and fingers, for in Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).
If someone gives you a compliment for a particular good attribute or ability you possess, you need to give God the glory because you did not create yourself. You did not choose to be born with a certain talent or gift. It is by God’s grace. There is nothing special you did for God for you to be born in a certain way. If you make it a habit always to give God the glory, God will bless you beyond your expectation. Therefore, give testimonies constantly.
Failure to provide people with testimonies is robbing people of the opportunity to know God’s power. If we did not have all those testimonies in the Bible, many of us would not worship God. In this modern world, we need to have more testimonies. Hebrews 13:8 (KJV) – “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Many think and preach that God cannot do the same things He did when the Bible was being written. They think that the hand of God is less mighty now than before. Therefore, faith is less among believers.
John 14:12 (KJV) – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.” The Bible says if we have faith, we can do more extraordinary things than Jesus did in this world. Therefore, more incredible miracles than what happened in the Bible are possible in these present times.
John 12:10-11 (KJV) – “10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death. 11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.”
The chief priests wanted to kill Lazarus because he was a living miracle. Right now, we read the story of Lazarus, but it might not be as powerful as when it was performed when people witnessed it. “Seeing is believing,” as most people would say. Many people have to see so that they can believe. Therefore, the miracle of Lazarus brought many to Christ because they saw it happen.
When the Devil sees that you are bringing people to Christ, through your gift or through the hand of God being evident in your life, he will try to kill you. More often than not, he will try to destroy you through various temptations. He may tempt you to switch from gospel to secular music. He may even entice you to join a cult. He may convince you to observe another day as the Sabbath instead of the seventh day.
Satan will often bring you a temptation that doesn’t seem so bad, but once you fall into it, you will fall into a trap, which may eventually kill you. The Devil will do everything he can to prevent you from spreading the gospel. He attacked Jesus at the beginning of His ministry with three ‘innocent’ looking temptations. Luckily, Jesus overcame them. As witnesses for Christ, we must stand firm in God’s Word, just like Jesus did. We need to know God’s Word lest we get deceived.
Who is qualified to witness for Christ?
Acts 4:13 (NKJV) – “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”
You don’t need a Ph.D. in theology to witness for Christ. You even don’t need to bear the pastor title or go to seminary school to witness for Christ. Many believers think it is solely the work of pastors to preach God’s Word. Anyone who believes in Jesus Christ can witness for Him. A daily walk with God will make the testimony to be more potent. Those testifying will be bolder, just like Peter and John, because they are not merely speaking of what they have heard but what has happened in their lives. Thus, their preaching will have more authority since they will be presenting firsthand information, not secondhand.
“The Saviour knew that no argument, however logical, would melt hard hearts or break through the crust of worldliness and selfishness. He knew that His disciples must receive the heavenly endowment; that the gospel would be effective only as it was proclaimed by hearts made warm and lips made eloquent by a living knowledge of Him who is the way, the truth, and the life.” — The Acts of the Apostles, Page 31, Ellen G. White.
GOD BLESS YOU!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege that You have given me to witness for You. Please forgive me for all the times that I haven’t spread Your message. Help me to have an earnest desire to testify of your goodness in my life and give me the strength and the courage to do it. Show me how I am supposed to use all that is within my range of access to be effective in bringing souls to you. Lord, be with me always. In Jesus name, Amen.
Activity
Write Your Testimony in 3 Simple Parts (keep it within 1 minute total):
- Before Christ – One sentence about a struggle, challenge, or situation you faced.
- Meeting Christ – One sentence on how Jesus changed things or gave you peace, healing, or direction.
- After Christ – One sentence on how your life is different now.
Example:
“I used to be filled with anxiety and hopelessness. But when I cried out to Jesus and gave Him control of my life, He gave me peace I never thought possible. Now, I walk with confidence knowing He’s always with me.”
Practice Saying It Aloud to yourself or in front of a mirror.
Share It with One Person This Week – a friend, colleague, classmate, or even during a small group or youth meeting. You can also post it on social media or write it in a journal to share later.
Share this message with someone.
Author: Mark Alex
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