The Power of One . . . You!

The Power of One . . . You!

(“Winsome Witnesses:

The Power of Personal Testimony”)

Sabbath School Bible Study

July 11, 2020

Larry R Evans

Introduction

This largest uncut diamond (something over 3,100 carats!) was mined in South Africa in 1905.  It was eventually cut into nine large stones and about one hundred smaller ones. The largest, the “Star of Africa,” is over 530 carats alone and (with the other largest pieces) now resides in the crown jewels of the British royalty.  After its initial discovery, there was much careful deliberation about how to transport this rare and priceless gem from Africa to Britain.

As a diversionary tactic, multiple security guards accompanied a decoy shipment by boat to London. But in fact, the actual gem was shipped in a plain brown box by parcel post. Who would suspect such an unassuming package might contain untold wealth?

Sometimes the real treasures of life are not seen as they should be.  Paul wrote about this in 2 Cor. 4:4,

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

But Paul doesn’t stop there (vss. 6,7),

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

Oswald Chambers in his classic, My Utmost for His Highest, put it this way,

If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pours through us that really counts. God’s purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us. Our spiritual life cannot be measured by success as the world measures it, but only by what God pours through us— and we cannot measure that at all. p.

Indeed, we each are but jars of clay but inside is a light that needs to be let free to shine.  It has been said that a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.  In fact, sharing one’s testimony is linked with our own victory over Satan’s destructive strategy to silence and destroy us.

So often we feel someone else has a bigger or better story to tell so sometimes we don’t share the light within us.  That is clearly Satan’s ploy.  Any action by heaven to give you hope or to pull you out of darkness is a huge story!  To think that the Creator of the universe pays that much attention to us is a big story yet the headlines today talk about the riots in the streets of our cities.  Surely someone should be telling the bigger stories!

Consider the following life-changing principle placed in the context of last day events:

They triumphed over him [Satan v.11]

by the blood of the Lamb

and by the word of their testimony;

they did not love their lives so much

as to shrink from death.   (Rev.12:11)

In Mark 5 we learn about Jesus healing a demon-possessed man. The man’s reputation was fearsome.  People were afraid of him but when he was healed, he was a different person! That’s the good news!  However, there was some bad news too! The bad news for some was that they lost a whole heard of pigs which they knew they should have had.  There will always be some who will not value your spiritual transformation. It will be a threat and maybe even a loss to them.

But let’s not stop there!  What did Jesus tell the man to do after he was healed—this man who had been insane and who was a serious threat to all around him?

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. (Mark 5:18-20)

Why do you think Jesus told the man to do this?

Preparing Your Own Testimony

If you feel you are but a broken earthen jar, consider the following:

Our confession of His faithfulness is Heaven's chosen agency for revealing Christ to the world. We are to acknowledge His grace as made known through the holy men of old; but that which will be most effectual is the testimony of our own experience. We are witnesses for God as we reveal in ourselves the working of a power that is divine. Every individual has a life distinct from all others, and an experience differing essentially from theirs. God desires that our praise shall ascend to Him, marked by our own individuality. These precious acknowledgments to the praise of the glory of His grace, when supported by a Christ-like life, have an irresistible power that works for the salvation of souls. DA 347.3

Suggested outline for sharing your personal testimony:

1.    My life before surrendering to Christ.

2.    How I came to be a Christian. (How did it happen)

3.    My life since becoming a Christian. (Tell o the change, the joy, the blessings.)

There is a tendency to speak too much about #1 and not enough about #s 2 and 3. Consider the following by Ellen White: 

I needed help, and I found it in Jesus. Every want was supplied, the hunger of my soul was satisfied; the Bible is to me the revelation of Christ. I believe in Jesus because He is to me a divine Saviour. I believe the Bible because I have found it to be the voice of God to my soul.” 8T 321.5

Perhaps simply think of your testimony by completing the following:

·      “Without Jesus in my life . .

·      “ I found Jesus by . . .”

·      “With Jesus in my life I . . . “

Some Do’s and Don’ts

1.    Avoid denominational jargon. It can confuse the communication. (e.g. I came into the message” or “after I accepted the truth”). Keep your witness about Jesus.

2.    Don’t glamorize sin by telling in detail “how wicked you used to be.”

3.    Avoid being wordy.  Keep your witness brief.

4.    Do not speak critically of other churches.  Speak with love and tactfulness.

5.    Do not give a long list of sacrifices you had to make.  Emphasize the positive! “Go and tell how great things the Lord has done for thee.”

A Simple Gospel Message

·      God created everyone with a special purpose. There was no emptiness or hopelessness.

·      God’s purpose was detoured by what the Bible calls sin.  It separated us from God, from His purpose for us, and hostilities developed.

·      God did not abandon us. He came in person to do whatever was necessary to restore purpose and hope. His death cross was the price He paid so we can have life back again.

·      God will remain with us as we grow into the purpose He has for us.  He will be with us now and when He comes to rescue us from this world.

Shared Experiences

[If There Is Time:

The Day a Drunk Man Taught Me About Jesus]