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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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