The Power Of Our Testimony

Life in His Name – Part 3

The Purpose of Our Testimony – John 1:35-51

Crosspoint – Michael Allen – Feb. 19th, 2023

Intro:

  • We rely on the testimonies of the experiences of those around us for so many decisions in our life, trusting those we love to give us direction.
  • God has made us communal by nature – we gravitate towards community and fellowship to help guide our decisions and our actions
  • John 20:31 – These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you might have life in his name.

 Your testimony has purpose

John 1:35-37 ESV

The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.

 We should be looking and testifying to the Lamb of God, not a political or pop-culture personality. Who are you following? Our testimony is purposed to glorify God and show others His goodness and power.

John 1:38-39 ESV

Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.

 Jesus looks at us and asks us what we’re seeking when we follow Him. Are you willing to sit in the discomfort of what Jesus teaches and where He leads? Are we willing to bring Him our hard questions and say “take me to where you are, Jesus”?

 Matthew 11:28-29 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

 John 1:40-42 ESV

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus.

 The evidence of God’s work in our life should be compelling. When we testify, share our testimony, we should be testifying to Christ the messiah, the lamb of God! We are created to work on God’s creation, in the relationships He has for us, to be salt and light to the world.

 John 1:42 ESV

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

  • Peter, a future rock of the church, came to Jesus first through the testimony of his brother. God is doing things in your life, and he wants you to glorify Him through those things and because of those things and in so doing shine the light of Jesus to those around you. This isn’t selfish, this is honoring to our creator. We were created to glorify Him in a world that desperately needs the Good News of our freedom!

John 1:43-44 ESV

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

  • This is the first time where Jesus takes the initiative. You’re not expected to talk to every single person about the testimony of your life in Jesus, that’s not possible. We are to be intentional with sharing our story, but, ultimately, we don’t control or protect the spread of the gospel.
  • Your testimony is fueled by the gospel, the gospel isn’t fueled by the purpose of your testimony.

John 1:45-46 ESV

The next Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

 Our God continually subverts our expectations by coming in the humblest ways and living as a humble sacrifice.

    • Philippians 2:5-11

John 1:46 ESV

Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

  • You don’t need fancy language to introduce people to Jesus. Your testimony has purpose, because God has made us to learn and live and grow through the stories and experiences of those around us. When you have the Spirit working in you, you should be constantly changing, being reformed into the image of Christ. So when you tell someone “come and see”, they should know and see that something is different about you. You shine with a light that isn’t your own.

 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 ESV

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory though our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

John 1:47-51 ESV

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

  • We are sharing our testimony in the life-giving blood of the Lamb of God, the Christ Messiah! We boast in Christ alone, because in the cross is the picture of our freedom and in the empty tomb is the power! The resurrected king. Confess him as Lord to those you know, share your testimony in Him, because your testimony has purpose!

Conclusion

  • Share your story with others. Invite them into your story with Jesus. Invite them to church not just to attend but to sit with you, to be in community with you as you engage with God’s Word. We have invites to make it easier for you.
  • Your testimony has purpose. And if you haven’t come to Jesus yet, may this be my invite to you. Come, and see, and experience the purposes of your King. Bring your questions, and you will see greater things still.