Sermon Central
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Evidence That Demands A Verdict
Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Aug 13, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: If we were on trial today, would there be enough evidence to convict us of being a Christian? In this sermon, Dr. Vorce unravels the necessity of our testimony and encourages the faithful to share their testimony with others.
Revelation 12:11 ~ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
INTRODUCTION
• Some people are great givers. They give regularly to the work of the Lord. I’m thankful for that because our ministries have been sustained financially for over 30 years because of the faithful giving of God’s people.
• However, in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and modern Christian living, we can forget how important the power of a personal testimony is. We have a lot to be thankful for.
• There is no such thing as a “Carnal Christian.”
• Read Revelation 3:14-19
• This message today is intended to motivate us to “Talk About” the goodness of God.
• We need to share our testimony!
I. THE POWER OF A TESTIMONY?
1 Peter 3:15 ~ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Definitions:
Testify – To make a statement based on personal knowledge or belief.
• To serve as evidence or proof.
• To express a personal conviction.
• To bear witness under oath.
• Attest, to make known.
• To give a statement solemnly and attribute it as undeniable truth.
Testimony – A firsthand authentication of a fact.
• Evidence, an outward sign.
• A solemn declaration usually made orally by a witness under oath.
• An open acknowledgement.
• A public profession of a religious experience
A. We release the power of to help others get free by sharing our testimony.
Rev. 12:11 ~ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
B. Question: If we were on trial today, would there be enough evidence to convict us of being a Christian?
1. Are we beginning to sound like those who speak highly of themselves? Do you really need letters of recommendation to validate our ministry, like others do? Do we really need your letter of endorsement? Of course not!
2. For your very lives are our “letters of recommendation,” permanently engraved on our hearts, recognized and read by everybody.
3. As a result of our ministry, you are living letters written by Christ, not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God—not carved onto stone tablets but on the tablets of tender hearts.
C. A Christian’s faith is not one of despair but of victory.
No testimony is sufficient to establish a miracle, unless the testimony be of such a kind that its falsehood would be more miraculous than the fact which it endeavors to establish. ~ David Hume
II. TWO WITNESSES
A. In the Old Testament, the law required the testimony of two to be spoken before a judge could establish a truth.
Deut. 17:6 ~ At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
John 8:17 ~ It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
B. The two witnesses was a protection that God built into the Law just in case someone came along “bearing false witness” for the purpose of defamation or slander.
1. Thus the law was built with a protective clause to help the innocent.
III. YOUR TESTIMONY CAN TAKE ON MANY FORMS
• A testimony could be a song of deliverance.
• A life of freedom (I once was lost but now I’m found…)
• Water Baptism is a public declaration of your faith. (It’s a TESTIMONY)
A. The Prodigal Son’s Father
Luke 15:24 – Testimony to the Servants
Luke 15:32 – Testimony to the family.
1. Not everyone will rejoice with you, but none will be able to deny real salvation.
B. The greatest witness to the world is a changed life for which there is no natural explanation!
1. Some in here this morning have been so radically changed by God that it would be a disservice to the Cross to not share the transformation that took place in you!
2. The lost, bound, beleaguered, and hopeless sinner needs to hear your story so they can be “injected with hope!”
Romans 5:5 ~ And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
IV. WHY IS YOUR TESTIMONY SO IMPORTANT?
Answer: Because hearsay is not admissible in court!
A. Paul spoke (testified) of his sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
