Sermon Recap
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you have a testimony; a first hand account of what Jesus has done in your life. In fact, we are called to testify to who Jesus is, how He has transformed us, and how He has desire for all to know Him.
That is why as Jesus is ascending into heaven He tells us that we will “receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere - in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
In many ways the majority of the New Testament is a testimony of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Over and over again on the pages of the Gospels and beyond we find people testifying to the power and the truth of Jesus.
Think about how different Easter morning would have been had the women not testified to the empty tomb. However, in our current culture we have made politics and religion taboo topics for polite conversation, hindering many believers from sharing Jesus. This is one of the greatest lies the enemy has used in the modern western world to silence the testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ and the followers of Jesus. We cannot be a witness if we never testify to what we have experienced in and through Jesus. This is not about sharing our religious beliefs, this about sharing the One who saved our soul.
The ladies who encountered Jesus Easter morning did not encounter a religious belief. They encountered the risen Savior. Their Lord was dead but now He is alive. When we share the story of our testimony we are not sharing religion, we are simply sharing that we too were once dead but now we are alive in Christ. This is exactly what Jesus has called us to do…to be His witnesses…to testify to the world that the living Savior of the world stepped into the mess of our lives and rescued us from the bondage of sin. Changing the trajectory of our lives, here and now and for all eternity.
Key Scripture
Read through these passages together:
Matthew 28: 1-10
Luke 24:9-12
Luke 24:35-40
John 20:25-29
Discussion Questions
Discuss together, pushing yourself toward transparency. The more we are authentic and humble with one another, the more we can grow in Christ.
After reading these testimonies out of Scripture discuss how different Easter morning and the days after the resurrection would have looked like had everyone stayed silent.
In 60 seconds share your testimony.
In Luke 24:9-12 it says that the women testified to the apostles but they didn’t believe them. Have you ever tried to tell people about Jesus and they just didn’t believe you? If yes, has that created a hesitation to share again? Does a person’s potential reaction to you sharing your story about Jesus hinder you from sharing? What are some ways you have broken down the obstacles of unbelief when you share Jesus?
Our testimony is not just our words, how we choose to live our lives is also a testimony to Jesus. In what ways do our lives become a living testimony of the truth of Jesus?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus. Father it is my desire to walk in obedience and share the testimony of who my Savior is. Not just in my words, but in my actions as well. Your word tells us so clearly that schemes of the enemy and this world will be overcome by the power of our testimony and the blood of the lamb. Father, may I never be shy or timid in declaring the truth of Jesus. Give me opportunities to share with others just how awesome my Savior is. In Jesus’ Holy and Powerful name I pray. Amen!
Life Application / Accountability For The Upcoming Week
When was the last time you testified to who Jesus is and what He has done in your life? This week pray for opportunities for you to not just be Jesus to someone but to testify to His goodness by sharing how He changed your life.
If you feel led, share your 1-2 minute testimony with our Social Media tea,.
Don’t Forget!
Join us for Sunday Night Prayer on Sunday, May 1st
Learn more about the life of The Woods Church and go deeper at our Rooted Class- Sunday, May 15th.
If you’ve accepted Jesus as Savior but haven’t been Baptized yet, sign up for our Baptism Celebration on Sunday, June 5th
Additional Resources
Table of Contents | Sermon Playback | Spotify | Church Center App