Sharing a Powerful Testimony
One of the most powerful tools we have in being a witness for Christ is our personal testimony. Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.” Many feel that they do not have enough knowledge of the bible to accurately share Scripture. However, everyone should know their testimony. It’s their personal story of what Christ has done in their lives. A Christian testimony is the story of how the power of the gospel has been enacted within their personal lives.
Some may not feel like their testimony is powerful. Theirs isn’t like the individual who was delivered from addiction or brought out of total heathenism to faith in Christ. They may never have had the Damascus Road experience, or what they would call a dramatic conversion. Allow me to be as clear as I possibly can on this subject. A testimony that is centered in the work of Christ is a powerful testimony regardless of who you are or where you have been. A powerful testimony has nothing to do with you and everything to do with Jesus. Paul said in Romans 1:16, “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Have you believed on Jesus for salvation? If the answer is yes then the power of the gospel has been enacted in your life. With this in mind you need to share what God has done in your life with a lost and dying world.
When sharing your testimony you should start off with who you were before placing your faith in Christ. Whether you were raised in church or raised in the pits of sin let the hearer understand your life prior to Christ. Let me give this warning though; do not glory in the past. I have heard testimonies of individuals who have gloried in their former sin and boasted in their accomplishments of their works of the flesh ending the testimony with, “by the way, I got saved.” The testimony leaves the hearer wondering why they ever turned to Jesus in the first place since they obviously enjoyed their former life so much. An unrepented sinner will then ask, “Why would I want to leave all of that and turn to Jesus?” There is no glory in a life apart from Christ. It is vial a putrid. It is lonely and loathsome.
After you’ve shared the story of your life prior to your faith in Christ, share how you came to know Him. How did you come to the point of surrendering your life to Jesus? What were the circumstances and the situations that brought you to the point of surrender? What sparked the conviction in your heart that made you know you needed to repent and turn to Jesus? Was it an easy decision or did you struggle with it? Was it a process or an instant decision? Was there a bible passage or a sermon that God used? Share what it was. Did God use someone or were you alone? Although everyone’s testimony is unique to their personal life we all need to come to a point where we repent from our old life and place faith in Christ for a new life. These facts must be emphasized.
Once you’ve shared who you were prior to knowing Christ and how you came to know Christ, share how your life has changed since coming to know Him. Don’t be afraid to share struggles that you have had since coming to know Him. We can set the hearer up for a fall if we make him think everything in their life will be perfect once they become a Christian. Christians face struggles; but they don’t face them alone. Share with them how Christ has strengthened you, provided for you, and walked with you through your Christian journey and how He has delivered you, given you joy, peace, and contentment. Share how Jesus has given you strength to overcome temptation and equipped you to turn from the lies of Satan. Share how your life has changed for the better since coming to know Jesus.
Sharing your testimony can be an intimidating experience. But, remember, it is a powerful tool to relate to people who don’t know Christ as their Savior. Especially if they have walked down some of the same paths of life you have. When sharing your testimony keep in mind, this is not actually your story, this is the story of what Jesus has done within you. When you stay focused on Jesus, your testimony will be a powerful one; regardless of where you have been or what you have done, and God will use it in powerful ways. For, He is our power. Rusty Kuhn
Some may not feel like their testimony is powerful. Theirs isn’t like the individual who was delivered from addiction or brought out of total heathenism to faith in Christ. They may never have had the Damascus Road experience, or what they would call a dramatic conversion. Allow me to be as clear as I possibly can on this subject. A testimony that is centered in the work of Christ is a powerful testimony regardless of who you are or where you have been. A powerful testimony has nothing to do with you and everything to do with Jesus. Paul said in Romans 1:16, “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Have you believed on Jesus for salvation? If the answer is yes then the power of the gospel has been enacted in your life. With this in mind you need to share what God has done in your life with a lost and dying world.
When sharing your testimony you should start off with who you were before placing your faith in Christ. Whether you were raised in church or raised in the pits of sin let the hearer understand your life prior to Christ. Let me give this warning though; do not glory in the past. I have heard testimonies of individuals who have gloried in their former sin and boasted in their accomplishments of their works of the flesh ending the testimony with, “by the way, I got saved.” The testimony leaves the hearer wondering why they ever turned to Jesus in the first place since they obviously enjoyed their former life so much. An unrepented sinner will then ask, “Why would I want to leave all of that and turn to Jesus?” There is no glory in a life apart from Christ. It is vial a putrid. It is lonely and loathsome.
After you’ve shared the story of your life prior to your faith in Christ, share how you came to know Him. How did you come to the point of surrendering your life to Jesus? What were the circumstances and the situations that brought you to the point of surrender? What sparked the conviction in your heart that made you know you needed to repent and turn to Jesus? Was it an easy decision or did you struggle with it? Was it a process or an instant decision? Was there a bible passage or a sermon that God used? Share what it was. Did God use someone or were you alone? Although everyone’s testimony is unique to their personal life we all need to come to a point where we repent from our old life and place faith in Christ for a new life. These facts must be emphasized.
Once you’ve shared who you were prior to knowing Christ and how you came to know Christ, share how your life has changed since coming to know Him. Don’t be afraid to share struggles that you have had since coming to know Him. We can set the hearer up for a fall if we make him think everything in their life will be perfect once they become a Christian. Christians face struggles; but they don’t face them alone. Share with them how Christ has strengthened you, provided for you, and walked with you through your Christian journey and how He has delivered you, given you joy, peace, and contentment. Share how Jesus has given you strength to overcome temptation and equipped you to turn from the lies of Satan. Share how your life has changed for the better since coming to know Jesus.
Sharing your testimony can be an intimidating experience. But, remember, it is a powerful tool to relate to people who don’t know Christ as their Savior. Especially if they have walked down some of the same paths of life you have. When sharing your testimony keep in mind, this is not actually your story, this is the story of what Jesus has done within you. When you stay focused on Jesus, your testimony will be a powerful one; regardless of where you have been or what you have done, and God will use it in powerful ways. For, He is our power. Rusty Kuhn
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