Do You Have a Testimony?

I ran across an old friend on Facebook who said he had just heard an amazing testimony at a men’s breakfast. It was from a guy who had fought in Vietnam and had a divine experience in the jungle. It made me think of last Sunday’s message about Saul on the road to Damascus and his divine experience in the middle of nowhere. Saul (aka Paul) had quite the testimony. He shared it all over the New Testament (Acts 22:3-21; Acts 26:4-29; Galatians 1:11-16).

Do you have a testimony?

Your testimony is: 1) the story of who you were before you met Jesus, 2) what happened when your eyes were opened to the truth of Jesus, and 3) who you are now as a result of knowing Jesus.

If you’re not sure you have a testimony, then you might not have one. You see, the gospel brings total transformation. When Jesus makes himself known to you as Savior and Lord, it’s not just a little hiccup on life’s road. It’s a complete dismantling not only of the route your driving, but of the car as well. If you’re not sure you’ve been transformed by the power of the gospel, then you probably haven’t been. Every one of Jesus’ followers should have a story about why they’re following him.

Now, I’m not saying it has to be a mind-blowing, Oscar-winning drama story on par with the Apostle Paul’s. My testimony is anything but that. I’ve also found that while some people have immediate and sudden salvation stories, many people have more gradual and slowly building stories about meeting Jesus. Some people wake up instantly to the alarm clock, others hit snooze a few times first. But what’s important is that you know whether or not you’re awake.

Do you have a testimony?

Sharing one’s testimony is a lost art in modern churches. We have downplayed the need for repentance and commitment to Christ so much in American churches that not only do we not celebrate people’s stories, we imply that it’s no big deal if they don’t have one.

Baptism in the Bible is always portrayed as a public proclamation of the forgiveness of sins and allegiance to Christ. It’s the perfect time for your testimony to be told. It’s the perfect opportunity for your story to become a cemented in your life. A landmark moment. A spiritual wedding ceremony. Harvest is having our baptism party after church on Sunday, July 24th at the Aurora Reservoir. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by.

Do you have a testimony? Have you been baptized?