Testimony of Jesus Christ

Dear Brethren,

We are only three weeks away from Passover.  This year the Passover and Footwashing service will be observed just after sunset on Sunday, April 17th.  The Night to Be Much Observed is Monday evening April 18th.  The First Day of Unleavened Bread is Tuesday, April 19th.  We clean our homes, removing all leavening in preparation of these days – but more importantly, we examine ourselves.  "Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  For he that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."  (1 Corinthians 11:28-29)

Testimony of Jesus Christ

Brethren, what is the testimony of Jesus Christ?  The importance of the testimony of Jesus Christ cannot be stressed enough, for if we do not have it in us - we cannot possess eternal life (1 John 5:11-12).  God has developed the concept of witnessing and testifying throughout the Bible, but there are very few who understand or believe.  Let’s understand the difference between our personal efforts to be a witness to the world and the true witness of Jesus Christ, Himself.  “He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: He that comes from heaven is above all.  And what He hath seen and heard, that He testifies and no man receives his testimony.  He that hath received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.”  (John 3:31-33)

Paul greeted the Corinthians this way, "In every thing you are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you."  (1 Corinthians 1:5-6)  Jesus Christ’s witness originated with God the Father.   Jesus said, “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.  There is another that bears witness of me [God the Father]; and I know that the witness which He witnesses of me is true.  Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.  But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.   He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.  But I have greater witness than that of John [it is God the Father]: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.”  (John 5:31-36)

Has this testimony of God taken root in our lives as it must?  Please notice how John makes clear that the testimony of the Father and Jesus must become an integral part of each of us:  "If we receive the witness [testimony] of men, the witness [testimony] of God is greater: for this is the witness [testimony] of God [the Father] which he hath testified of his Son [Jesus Christ]. He that believes on the Son of God hath the witness [testimony] in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record [testimony] that God gave of His Son.  And this is the record [testimony], that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.   He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.   These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."  (1 John 5:9-13)

Jesus made the point that the only true witness was His Father. “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness / testimony of God which He hath testified of His Son.  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record [testimony] that God gave of His Son.  And this is the record [testimony], that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”  (1John 5:9-11)  In actuality, the witness does not originate with Jesus, but the testimony is of the One who sent him – God the Father.

Only a few understand the meaning of the testimony of Jesus Christ and its critical importance in our lives.  Jesus’ testimony contains spiritual elements and truths that we otherwise could not know or comprehend.   These spiritual concepts of Christ explain how God the Father would have us live our lives in a right relationship with Him and our fellow man.  Only the Father – through Jesus Christ – shows us the way to salvation and eternal life.

God the Father sent His son, Jesus Christ, with a message for us all.  The Father’s own witness is the testimony of our Lord. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple."  (Psalm 19:7)  This testimony reveals to us the way of life – how the Father requires us to live.  It is the good news of the Kingdom of God.  The record of Jesus Christ tells us how to be reconciled to the Father, how to receive salvation and eternal life.  And finally, it reveals to us the mercy, goodness, grace, love, and compassion that the Father has for us – the Children of God.

This is the testimony of Jesus Christ, that God the Father has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son (1 John 5:11).

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Sermon:  "Testimony of Jesus Christ"      


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