Testimony's Evidence Once the personal account has been voiced and the truth revealed, a completed testimony may still be in need of a demonstration. The advertisement about the features of the newest model truck may have already prompted acquiring some further information, specs, and details, but there may yet be another representation required before commitment is made to own it. This is the test drive, where what has been claimed is actually touched, felt, and experienced in person. This is when belief takes over from mere interest and necessary value is committed to obtain possession. Nothing like personally feeling the power, smelling the new, hearing the sounds and being wowed by the latest technology to turn a maybe into a must-have. Especially when the ability of this particular model fulfills a necessity that has yet to have been met by any other. For example, there is a version of a Ford that won’t require any gasoline at all, while providing much more power. Might just have to experience one in action in order to know for sure… Jesus continually spoke from a personal encounter with the Father. He indicated that He didn’t do anything without first seeing the Father do that thing. (Jn 5:19) He also ensured that He gave truth a loud and uninhibited voice. From aligning with His Word we would know the truth and be set free. However, there was something else Jesus emphasized as a necessary element of His testimony. From the time He was left in the temple at 12, there was an emphasis on doing the works of His Father. In the demonstration of ability and power that could never be matched or replicated by man, He provided an opportunity for there to be acceptance of who He was and who He represented. With each miracle and healing there was testimony displayed of overwhelming confirming authenticity. In the sending of the Holy Spirit, Jesus indicated that this same testimony would be fulfilled through all those who would believe in Him. Beyond the telling of a personal encounter and the declaration of truth in Christ, there is more than enough power for the Father’s works to further testify of His goodness and open up belief in hearts. Testimony – the case for overcoming. In the validation and confirmation of a case there is a need for actual evidence, demonstrations of irrefutable facts. It’s in the vacancy of evidence that all credibility is lost, along with any chance of convincing. As long as a declaration exists only in the realm of philosophy or conjecture, its foundation is unstable. Testimony’s stability: Firsthand account of an experience Refusal to allow the silencing of truth. Demonstration of effectiveness. Overcoming Testimony Revelation 12:11 (HCSB) 11 They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not love their lives in the face of death. Works done in the Father’s name testify about Christ/require acceptance of Him for belief. John 10:25-27 (HCSB) 25 “I did tell you and you don’t believe,” Jesus answered them. “The works that I do in My Father’s name testify about Me. 26 But you don’t believe because you are not My sheep. 27 My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. The supernatural reality of the Gospel (Christ in You) is just a debatable thought apart from power. John 10:31-39 (HCSB) 31 Again the Jews picked up rocks to stone Him. 32 Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. Which of these works are you stoning Me for?” 33 “We aren’t stoning You for a good work,” the Jews answered, “but for blasphemy, because You — being a man — make Yourself God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your scripture, I said, you are gods? 35 If He called those whom the word of God came to ‘gods’ — and the Scripture cannot be broken — 36 do you say, ‘You are blaspheming’ to the One the Father set apart and sent into the world, because I said: I am the Son of God? 37 If I am not doing My Father’s works, don’t believe Me. 38 But if I am doing them and you don’t believe Me, believe the works. This way you will know and understand that the Father is in Me and I in the Father.” 39 Then they were trying again to seize Him, yet He eluded their grasp. The great purpose of God’s demonstrated power – testimony for persuasion. John 5:30-39 (HCSB) 30 “I can do nothing on My own. I judge only as I hear, and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 31 “If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid. 32 There is Another who testifies about Me, and I know that the testimony He gives about Me is valid. 33 You have sent messengers to John, and he has testified to the truth. 34 I don’t receive man’s testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a time you were willing to enjoy his light. 36 “But I have a greater testimony than John’s because of the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish. These very works I am doing testify about Me that the Father has sent Me. 37 The Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have not heard His voice at any time, and you haven’t seen His form. 38 You don’t have His word living in you, because you don’t believe the One He sent. 39 You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, yet they testify about Me. To believe is to be accompanied with confirming signs. Mark 16:15-18 (HCSB) 15 Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; 18 they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.” John 14:12 (HCSB) 12 “I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Overview: Testimony – the case for overcoming. Shared personal experience. Voicing of the truth from God’s Word. Demonstrating testifying works in Jesus’ name. Prayer: “I am overwhelmed by this great hope You have given me, that the fulness of who You are has come to live in me. May this hope occupy my every moment, along with an active passion for there to be powerful evidence of Your presence in me. Help me to be driven as Jesus was to do Your works and so testify about You to a world that will be drawn into belief as a result.” Action: Intentionally take time praying in the Spirit with a purpose of gaining the Father’s heart for the people to whom His works would demonstrate His goodness. As Jesus did what He saw the Father do, allow the Spirit to show you opportunities for testifying works. Step out in faith to share the testimony of God’s powerful love with a heart of compassion and a desire for reconciliation to Him. Declaration: My life has been completely transformed by the resurrection power of Christ. I’ve been delivered from the power of darkness and made complete in Him who is the head of all principality and power. In me now is the very life and nature of Almighty God. In Him I live, move and have my being. Wherever I go I carry with me the testimony of Christ’s blood that has made this possible. What He has done for me is readily on my lips along with its confirming truth from the Word of God. As my words declare and establish belief in Him there is confirming power to demonstrate works only God can do. In my completed testimony of God’s goodness is overcoming power for myself and for those who will be touched and persuaded by it. I must do the works of the One who has sent me while there is still time.