Can I Get a Witness: The Power of Testimony

Acts 1:8 reminds us that the Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses for Jesus, not just in our immediate circles, but to the ends of the earth. To be a witness is not about having a title, a degree, or a perfect life—it is about having a testimony. Just as in a courtroom, a witness is someone who shares firsthand what they have seen or experienced. In the same way, each of us is called to share our personal encounters with Christ. It is not enough to rely on the faith or stories of others; God desires that each of us have our own living, breathing testimony of His goodness and power.

Many feel their stories are too ordinary to matter, but every testimony is significant. Whether God has delivered you from dramatic circumstances or simply sustained you day by day, your experience is a vital piece of evidence for someone searching for truth. The miracle may not always be in the spectacular, but in the steady faithfulness of God. Even if you have not been healed from a deadly disease or rescued from the brink, perhaps you can thank God for His daily provision, for keeping you from harm, or for raising you from spiritual death to new life in Christ.

Witnessing is not just about words; it is about the life we live. Our character is always on display, and the credibility of our testimony is tied to the authenticity of our lives. People are not just listening to what we say—they are watching who we are. The most powerful testimony is a transformed life, where the “before” and “after” are unmistakable. If there is no visible change, our words lose their weight.

Furthermore, our witness should be voluntary and joyful, not forced or reluctant. Just as we naturally share about a good meal or a great deal, our joy in Christ should overflow into our conversations and actions. When we truly experience the goodness of God, we cannot help but “make some noise” with our testimony, inviting others to taste and see that the Lord is good. Let us be witnesses who are authentic, transformed, and eager to share the joy we have found in Jesus.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Personal experience is essential for true witness A genuine testimony comes from firsthand encounters with God, not borrowed stories or inherited faith. Each believer must cultivate their own relationship with Christ, moving beyond hearsay to a living, personal experience. This is the foundation of a credible and powerful witness. [04:02]
• 2. Ordinary testimonies are powerful and needed Not every story is dramatic, but every testimony matters. God’s faithfulness in the everyday—His provision, protection, and quiet transformation—are just as miraculous as the extraordinary. Sharing these “ordinary” experiences can embolden faith in others and reveal the many ways God works. [05:36]
• 3. Character gives credibility to our testimony The impact of our witness is inseparable from the integrity of our lives. Even truthful words can be dismissed if our character is inconsistent. Authenticity, not perfection, is what gives weight to our testimony; a transformed life is the most compelling evidence of Christ’s power. [08:31]
• 4. Joyful, voluntary witness is most effective Testimony should flow naturally from a heart filled with the joy of the Lord, not from obligation or coercion. When we delight in Christ, sharing about Him becomes as instinctive as recommending a favorite meal or show. This kind of witness is contagious and draws others to experience God’s goodness for themselves. [14:00]
• 5. Make “noise” with your testimony Just as we express delight in good food or experiences, we should not be silent about God’s goodness. Our enthusiastic, vocal, and visible witness invites others to “taste and see” the Lord’s goodness. Silence can hide God’s work, but joyful testimony reveals His glory to the world. [16:39]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:15] - Acts 1:8 and the Call to Witness
• [01:12] - What It Means to Be a Witness
• [01:50] - The Power of Personal Testimony
• [02:48] - Everyone Has a Testimony
• [03:42] - The Hearsay Rule: Only Speak What You Know
• [04:39] - Born in the Church vs. Born Again
• [05:36] - The Value of Ordinary Testimonies
• [06:43] - Raised to New Life in Christ
• [07:21] - Character Comes Into Evidence
• [08:31] - Authenticity Over Perfection
• [09:27] - Transformation Is the Greatest Testimony
• [10:55] - The Problem of Hostile Witnesses
• [12:27] - We Testify About What Fills Us
• [14:00] - Joyful Witnessing
• [15:14] - The Power of Expressing Delight
• [16:39] - Make Some Noise for God

Bible Reading

Acts 1:8 (ESV): — "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

- 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV):
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

- Psalm 34:8 (ESV):
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"

Observation Questions

1. According to Acts 1:8, what is the source of power for being a witness for Jesus?
2. In the sermon, what is the difference between a witness and someone who simply knows about Jesus? [01:12]
3. What does the pastor say about the importance of having a personal testimony versus relying on the stories of others? [04:02]
4. How does the sermon describe the connection between a person’s character and the credibility of their testimony? [08:31]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does the pastor emphasize that being a witness is not about having a title or degree, but about having a testimony? [01:50]
2. What does it mean for someone to have an “ordinary” testimony, and why are these just as important as dramatic stories? [05:36]
3. How does the idea of transformation (the “before and after” of a believer’s life) serve as evidence of God’s power? [10:17]
4. Why is a joyful and voluntary witness more effective than one that is forced or reluctant? [14:00]

Application Questions

1. The pastor said that you can only testify about what you have personally experienced with God, not just what you’ve heard from others. What is one specific way God has worked in your life that you could share with someone this week? [04:02]
2. Do you ever feel like your story is too “ordinary” to matter? If so, what are some everyday ways God has shown His faithfulness to you that you might be overlooking? [05:36]
3. Think about your daily life—are there areas where your character might be sending a different message than your words about Jesus? What is one area you want to ask God to help you grow in authenticity? [08:31]
4. The sermon talked about the power of a transformed life. If someone looked at your “before” and “after” in Christ, what changes would they see? Are there areas where you want your transformation to be more visible? [10:17]
5. The pastor compared sharing about Jesus to sharing about a good meal or a great deal. What is something about your relationship with Jesus that you are genuinely excited to share with others? [13:22]
6. Have you ever felt pressured or reluctant to share your faith? What would it look like for your witness to flow naturally from joy instead of obligation? [14:00]
7. The sermon ended with the idea of “making noise” with your testimony so others can “taste and see” that the Lord is good. What is one practical way you can be more vocal or visible about God’s goodness in your life this week? [16:39]