Proving Faith Through Testimony and Confidence
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we continued our series "Prove It" by delving into the letter of 1 John, specifically focusing on the importance of having a testimony. We explored the idea that claiming to know, love, and believe in God is not enough; we must be able to prove it through our lives and testimonies. Using courtroom drama as an analogy, we discussed how evidence and testimonies are crucial in proving a case, just as they are in proving our faith.
We examined 1 John 5:6-15, where John uses the imagery of water, blood, and the Spirit to testify to Jesus' true nature. The water represents Jesus' baptism, the blood signifies His crucifixion, and the Spirit is the Holy Spirit. These three elements are in agreement, providing a robust testimony to Jesus' divinity and mission. John was combating false teachings that suggested Jesus was merely a man who temporarily received divinity. This heresy undermines the atonement for sin, making it impossible for us to be forgiven and have a relationship with God.
We also discussed the power of personal testimonies. Many believers hesitate to share their faith, not because of fear of rejection or persecution, but because they have lost faith in their own stories. We often undervalue our testimonies, thinking they are not dramatic enough. However, the transformation from spiritual death to life is the greatest miracle of all. Sharing our stories is powerful and doesn't require us to be Bible scholars.
Finally, we talked about the confidence we can have in our testimonies. Confidence in our faith and eternal life is not based on our feelings but on God's unwavering confidence. We are encouraged to submit to God's authority, share our stories, and place our confidence in God's confidence, not our own.
### Key Takeaways
1. Authority in God's Testimony: John emphasizes the authority of God's testimony through the water, blood, and Spirit. These elements testify to Jesus' true nature and mission, combating false teachings that undermine the gospel. Understanding this authority helps us grasp the depth and truth of our faith. [08:43]
2. Power in Your Testimony: Personal testimonies hold immense power. Many believers hesitate to share their faith because they undervalue their own stories. However, the transformation from spiritual death to life is the greatest miracle. Sharing your story can profoundly impact others, regardless of how dramatic it seems. [18:32]
3. Confidence in Our Testimony: Confidence in our faith and eternal life is not based on our feelings but on God's unwavering confidence. We can act confidently even when we don't feel confident because our assurance comes from God's promises and His work in our lives. [24:38]
4. Submitting to God's Authority: To fully embrace our faith, we must submit to God's authority. This submission is not about liking every command but recognizing that God's authority is ultimate and just. Our lives should reflect this submission, much like adhering to a judge's ruling in a courtroom. [33:46]
5. Sharing Your Story: Sharing your testimony is crucial. It involves answering three questions: Who were you before Christ? How did you come to know Him? How has your life changed since? Your story is unique and powerful, and sharing it can inspire and encourage others in their faith journey. [35:18]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [01:22] - Introduction to "Prove It" Series
3. [02:52] - The Importance of Proving Faith
4. [04:19] - The Real Enemy on Sunday Mornings
5. [05:49] - John's Legal Language
6. [07:13] - We Are on Trial
7. [08:43] - Authority in God's Testimony
8. [10:06] - Water, Blood, and Spirit Explained
9. [11:40] - Combating False Teachings
10. [13:10] - The Importance of Jesus' Divinity
11. [15:42] - Modern Heresies and The Da Vinci Code
12. [18:32] - Power in Your Testimony
13. [20:04] - Celebrating All Testimonies
14. [21:40] - The Greatest Miracle
15. [24:38] - Confidence in Our Testimony
16. [26:19] - Acting in Confidence
17. [27:49] - Self-Confidence vs. God-Confidence
18. [29:10] - Confidence in Eternal Life
19. [30:35] - Deep, Intimate Knowledge
20. [32:15] - Applying the Message
21. [33:46] - Submitting to God's Authority
22. [35:18] - Sharing Your Story
23. [36:52] - Be Confident in God's Confidence
24. [38:36] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1 John 5:6-15
### Observation Questions
1. What are the three elements that John uses to testify to Jesus' true nature in 1 John 5:6-8?
2. According to the sermon, what false teaching was John combating with his testimony of water, blood, and Spirit? [11:40]
3. How does John describe the confidence we can have in our eternal life in 1 John 5:13-15?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that John uses the imagery of water, blood, and Spirit to testify to Jesus' divinity and mission? [10:06]
2. How does the authority of God's testimony, as described in the sermon, help believers combat modern heresies and doubts? [15:42]
3. In what ways can personal testimonies impact others, even if they don't seem dramatic? [20:04]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own testimony. How has your life changed since you came to know Jesus? Share a specific example of this transformation. [35:18]
2. Have you ever felt hesitant to share your faith because you thought your story wasn't dramatic enough? How can you overcome this hesitation and recognize the power in your testimony? [18:32]
3. Think about a time when you lacked confidence in your faith. How can you place your confidence in God's unwavering confidence instead of your own feelings? [27:49]
4. How can you submit more fully to God's authority in your daily life? Identify one area where you struggle with this and discuss practical steps to improve. [33:46]
5. Who in your life could benefit from hearing your testimony? Plan a specific time and way to share your story with them this week. [23:08]
6. How can you remind yourself of the power of your testimony regularly? Consider creating a habit or practice that helps you stay connected to your story and God's work in your life. [21:40]
7. What steps can you take to deepen your confidence in your eternal life as described in 1 John 5:13-15? How can this confidence influence your daily actions and decisions? [29:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Authority in God's Testimony
The authority of God's testimony is emphasized through the elements of water, blood, and Spirit. These elements testify to Jesus' true nature and mission, combating false teachings that undermine the gospel. Understanding this authority helps us grasp the depth and truth of our faith. The water represents Jesus' baptism, the blood signifies His crucifixion, and the Spirit is the Holy Spirit. These three elements are in agreement, providing a robust testimony to Jesus' divinity and mission. This understanding is crucial as it combats false teachings that suggest Jesus was merely a man who temporarily received divinity, which undermines the atonement for sin and our relationship with God. [08:43]
1 John 5:6-8 (ESV): "This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree."
Reflection: How does understanding the testimony of water, blood, and Spirit deepen your faith in Jesus' divinity and mission? How can you use this understanding to combat any doubts or false teachings you encounter?
Day 2: Power in Your Testimony
Personal testimonies hold immense power. Many believers hesitate to share their faith because they undervalue their own stories. However, the transformation from spiritual death to life is the greatest miracle. Sharing your story can profoundly impact others, regardless of how dramatic it seems. Your testimony is a powerful tool that God can use to reach others. It doesn't require you to be a Bible scholar; it simply requires you to be honest and open about your journey with Christ. [18:32]
Revelation 12:11 (ESV): "And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death."
Reflection: Think about your own testimony. How has God transformed your life? How can you share this story with someone this week to encourage them in their faith journey?
Day 3: Confidence in Our Testimony
Confidence in our faith and eternal life is not based on our feelings but on God's unwavering confidence. We can act confidently even when we don't feel confident because our assurance comes from God's promises and His work in our lives. This confidence is rooted in the truth of God's Word and His faithfulness, not in our own abilities or emotions. By placing our confidence in God's confidence, we can live boldly and share our faith with assurance. [24:38]
Hebrews 10:35-36 (ESV): "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with confidence? How can you shift your focus from your own feelings to God's unwavering confidence and promises?
Day 4: Submitting to God's Authority
To fully embrace our faith, we must submit to God's authority. This submission is not about liking every command but recognizing that God's authority is ultimate and just. Our lives should reflect this submission, much like adhering to a judge's ruling in a courtroom. Submission to God's authority means trusting His wisdom and guidance, even when it goes against our own desires or understanding. It is an act of faith and obedience that brings us closer to Him. [33:46]
James 4:7-8 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to submit to God's authority? What steps can you take today to surrender this area to Him and trust in His ultimate wisdom?
Day 5: Sharing Your Story
Sharing your testimony is crucial. It involves answering three questions: Who were you before Christ? How did you come to know Him? How has your life changed since? Your story is unique and powerful, and sharing it can inspire and encourage others in their faith journey. By sharing your testimony, you become a witness to God's transformative power and His work in your life. It is a way to glorify God and help others see His love and grace. [35:18]
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
Reflection: Reflect on your testimony and write down your answers to the three questions: Who were you before Christ? How did you come to know Him? How has your life changed since? How can you share this story with someone this week to encourage them in their faith journey?
Quotes
1. "Because here's the truth. If you claim to be a Christian, if you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ, here's something you have to prove. You have to prove that you have it. And you need to know, if you don't know already, people are watching you. They're watching you. If you say, hey, I'm a Christian, I'm a believer, I go to church, I have faith, like however you word that, they are watching you. They are watching how you act. They are watching how you speak, how you speak to your spouse, how you treat your kids. Are you good at your job? Do you live by the words that you claim to believe? They are watching you." [02:52] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If faith to you is just you've got something to do on Sunday morning, people that are watching you are like, why would I do that? I've got other stuff I could do. I could literally do nothing. Or I could clean a garage. I could mow the grass. I could paint the house. I could do the bills. Whatever it is. Like they're like, I don't see the benefit if faith to you is only coming to church a couple of hours a week." [04:19] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you reduce the death of Jesus to that of a mere man, then atonement for sin, is impossible. It's completely impossible. You and I can't be forgiven. We can't have a relationship with God. We are left to justify ourselves, which none of us can, by the way. And therefore, we can only turn from a just and holy God and spend eternity in hell. That's it. That's the only other option. So John is not saying, hey, I think we've miscommunicated some things. No, no. This was not a misunderstanding. John was saying, if you believe this, it changes everything. It changes everything about Jesus, about the gospel. It literally changes everything." [13:10] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I'm convinced that the reason that people don't share their faith with other people, the reason that people don't tell other people about Jesus is not because of fear of rejection. It's not because of the fear of persecution. It's not because you're afraid your HR department's going to come down hard to you for talking about God at work. It's none of that. The reason we don't share our faith with other people is because we've lost faith in our own story. That's it. You can't convince me otherwise. I've seen it over and over and over again. We have forgotten what God has done for us. We have overlooked what Jesus has done in our life. We've lost the wonder and the power of what God did." [18:32] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ, here's what I know. God pulled off the greatest magic trick ever in your life. He took your dead, lifeless, cold, black, cobweb-infested heart, and he breathed, life into it, and it started beating for the first time. That's what I know to be true, that he took us from being dead to being alive, from being blind to being able to see. Listen, there's no addiction story that's greater than that. There's no infertility story that's greater than that. There's no I found purpose for my life that's greater than the magic trick that God pulled off with our dead hearts." [21:40] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Stop trying to convince people about the Bible. Just stop. Stop trying to convince people that Jesus is real. Stop trying to convince people that they need Jesus. Here's what you need to do. Tell your story. Tell your story. Your story is powerful. It's the most powerful thing you will ever share. It's the most powerful thing you will ever own, and you don't have to know everything about the Bible to share your story. You don't even have to care that they believe your story. Who cares if they don't believe your story? It's your story. What are they going to say? Well, I don't think that's the way it happened. It's my story. It's how it happened. Trust me. It doesn't matter if they believe it or not." [23:08] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Self-confidence gets you motivated. God-confidence gives you purpose. You can be self-confident and do it all in your own power, and that'll get you off the couch, and that'll help you do some things, but when you trust in God's confidence, that gives you a purpose for living. That changes the world. That's what happens there." [27:49] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If your confidence matters more in your life than God's confidence does, hear me, you're the God of your life. If your confidence... Sorry, if others' confidence, maybe it's a spouse, boss, coworker, friend, family member, whoever it is, if their confidence matters more in your life than God's, they're the God of your life. It's only when we place our confidence in God's confidence that he becomes the God of our life." [36:52] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "You have to submit to God's authority. Plain and simple. There's no way around it. There's just not another way to do it. You have to submit to God's authority. You can try to assert your authority over God's authority, and let me know how that works out for you long term. It's not going to work out for you, okay? And you can push up against it, and you can be mad, kind of like your mom used to yell at you and be like, get in there and do them dishes. And you're like, oh, I'm in there and doing them dishes. I can't believe she's making me doing it. What'd you say? Nothing. I'm doing these dishes. You didn't like it, but you did those dishes, didn't you? We have to submit to God's authority, just like we would submit to the ruling that the judge would make in that trial case. We don't have to like it. We do have to submit to it. We have to submit to God's, authority. We do not break the authority of God. We are broken upon God's authority." [33:46] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Share your story. Share it. Don't let someone else tell your story for you. They're not going to do a good enough job. It's your story. You own the copyright. You know all the details. Share your story. It's the most valuable and most powerful thing that you will ever have. Tell it to someone. And you may be like, I just don't know how, I don't know how to share my story. Okay. I want to make it easy for you. Okay. All you have to do to share your story is answer three questions. Question number one, what was my life like before? What was my life like before? What kind of person were you? What kind of things did you do? What kind of things did you struggle with? Were there addictions? Were there strongholds? Were there chains keeping you in bondage? How did you argue? How did you talk? How did you treat people? What kind of employee were you? Like all of those things. Just who were you before? That's the first question you have to answer. Second question is this, how did you come to know Jesus? How did you come to know him? Was it in a church setting? Someone extended the gospel? You came forward? Was it at BBS? Right? Like was it at a conference? Was it over lunch with somebody? Right? Like who, how did you come to know Jesus? And again, don't get concerned that you don't think it's that great of a story. Don't think, oh, it was really kind of simple. It was just my mom prayed for me when I was like seven in my bedroom. Awesome. That's how you came to know Jesus. Who were you before? How did you come to know Jesus? And how is your life different now? How is it different now? What kinds of things are in your life that weren't in your life before? What types of things do you do that you would not have done before? Like when stress happens and life happens and those moments happen, like what do you run to first now that you used to not run to first? How is your life different now because of Jesus? That's it. Who were you before? How did you come to know Jesus? And how has your life been different since then? If you can answer those three questions, you can share your story. And if you can answer those three questions, you should share your story. Don't let... Don't let anyone else share it for you." [35:18] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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