Sermon Part 2: “Beyond Thanksgiving Is Your Testimony, Which Further Promotes Togetherness!”
Praise the Lord precious Saints of the Most High God! I trust you enjoyed your Thanksgiving Day, and are ready to receive the engrafted Word of God with meekness, which is able to prosper your souls. Psalm 71:15-19 reads:
15. My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
16. I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
17. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
18. Now also when I am old and [grey-headed,] O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed unto this generation, and thy power to everyone that is to come. 19. Thy righteousness also, O God is very high, who hast done great things O God, who is like unto thee!
What a mighty passage of Scripture written by the Psalmist. Many scholars credit the writing to King David. David not only expresses from his mouth thanksgiving toward God for the myriad of wonders He has done, but also a steadfast willingness to tell of God’s wondrous works to everyone, even into his old age.
You know, one of the joys I have had as a Pastor, is having the opportunity to pray with young people and adults who were seeking employment opportunities in government and the private sector. For each of them, God came through with the job they either desired, or a better one than expected.
Many times after Church service was over, they would come up to me with a big smile on their faces, and beam in their eyes, and tell me they had just received a new job. Some of them were even so excited, that they brought their new employee identification badges to show me. After I congratulated and hugged them, it was my tradition to ask two questions:
1. What was the first thing you said to yourself when you heard you got the new job?
They all said with great joy, “thank you Jesus!”
2. And, after you thanked God, what did you go and do?
They said they called their Mamma, family, and friends and told them the good news—saying something like, “I got the job.” “Thank you Jesus, I got a new job!”
I believe most of us can remember having a very similar response when we first learned of getting our first job, or any job thereafter. Indeed, the prospect of having a new job and earning money was greatly needed and appreciated, wouldn’t you say?
When we filled out the employment application and went on the interview, we fervently prayed and with hands clasped together hoping that God would help us get the job. And, when we heard the good news of being hired, instantly, we shouted for joy with thanksgiving to God. The good news delighted our hearts so much that we could not keep it to ourselves.
So, at the first opportunity—as quickly as we could—we started spreading the news to our family and friends that we got the new job. Why, did we do this? Because, in our hearts, we were grateful and thankful to God that we got a job. Am I right about this?
In fact, if at the time you were a Church-goer, during Testimony Service, you stood up on your feet with thanksgiving and testified before the whole congregation, that God had given you a new job.
Yes, receiving news about something good that has happened in your life is a reason to be thankful to God, and to rejoice, and celebrate. You know, celebrating by yourself can be fun for a while. But, it falls far short of the kind of joy we experience when we go and share our good news with others—especially as we share the news with people who love us and/or those we have a reasonable expectation that they will be happy and rejoice with us upon hearing the good news.
So we can say then, that true and heart-felt thanksgiving to God for the things He has done for us, should bring us into something greater and higher than just being thankful to God. Thanksgiving unto God should always lead and move us into telling other people about the goodness of God towards us. This is called our “testimony.”
Say it with me please, “Out of my thanksgiving unto God, comes my testimony to others about the goodness of God. Thus, being thankful unto God has far deeper purpose and motives than just expressing personal thanks to God.
There is no greater good news that can be announced to the people of this world, than the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the so good news—the almost too good to be true news—but is absolutely true news that, Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.
During the ministry of Jesus Christ, He shared this amazing good news with Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews and Rabbi. At John 3:16-18, Jesus told Nicodemus:
16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Truly, the gift of God, eternal life, is the greatest gift mankind can receive. Eternal life is an everlasting and intimate relationship with God and Jesus Christ. Eternal life also provides an inheritance of all of the New Testament Covenant promises of God, made manifest to us through the confession or our faith in the finished works of Jesus Christ. Moreover, one of the major fruits of eternal life is the promise of God that when we take our last gasp of air in these mortal bodies—we will never see, taste, nor experience death—but instantly be present with the Lord! (John 17:3, John 5:24, II Cor. 5:8 & Heb. 10:23)
The day you heard and believed the gospel: How Jesus Christ shed His blood and died on the cross for your sins, and rose again on the third-day, repented of your sins, and received Him as Savior and Lord; you were born-again from above. (Rom. 10:8-11)
You were born-again, not by blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of Almighty God! (John 1:13) It was God’s Will for you to become a son of God, an heir of God, joint-heir with Jesus Christ, and abide in Him forever. Wow, this is amazingly good news!
Having this new life in God in Christ Jesus, we are eternally grateful, and full of thanksgiving, for the things God has done. This thanksgiving burns deep within our hearts by the love of God shed forth by the Holy Ghost, and is not of a short duration. (Rom. 5:5) No, no, no this thanksgiving is “eternal.” The saving of our souls, we shall never forget!
As such, the thanksgiving in us propels us to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ with anybody, and everybody, who will hear and receive the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for as long as we live on earth! In fact, personally, I love to testify to anyone who will listen, of the day July 23, 1968, when the Lord filled me full with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost and power in the Bible Way Temple Worldwide Prayer Chapel. I never will forget, after tarrying (praying) for the Holy Ghost, for nearly two-hours in the small chapel, with no air conditioning and only church mothers fanning me, I did not receive the evidence of the Holy Ghost—speaking in other tongues. In fact, I had been tarrying for the Holy Ghost for nearly six-months after having given my life to Jesus Christ.
But at the end of the Prayer Service, a visiting Evangelist nick-named, “Thunderbolt” Jackson who was running a rival at Bible Way at the time, came into the Chapel and gave an invitation to everyone to come up front to the pulpit for prayer. I was the last person in the prayer line. When it was my turn, Thunderbolt Jackson said to me: “Son, what do you want?” I said, “I want the Holy Ghost!” He immediately laid his hands on my head, and said receive the Holy Ghost, and I began speaking in other tongues. Glory to God!
I became so drunk in the Spirit, that my grandmother had to help me walk to the bus stop, and I continued speaking in other tongues as we traveled home on the D.C. Transit bus! Oh tell me, how can I forget or neglect to tell others about the goodness of Jesus Christ! I was 10-years old then, and I am 66-years old today, and wherever I go with the same intensity of thanksgiving unto God, I eagerly tell my testimony of the amazing saving grace and supernatural power of God! I cannot keep what happened to me that day to myself—the news is too good!
But let’s go higher now. Our testimony of the goodness of God towards us serves an even greater purpose, as it promotes togetherness with God. We testify about the goodness of God towards us—how He saved us and the many other wondrous works He has performed in our lives—so that others might hear, be humble, made glad, and receive the Lord with us. (Psalm 34:1-2)
We testify about the goodness of God with the hope (expectation) that somebody who does not know the Lord, might receive our witness, and hear the voice of the Holy Ghost calling them to receive Jesus Christ. As for me, I want the world to know, that what God did for me on July 23, 1968, He will also do for the sinner man today—right now—if they only believe in the name of Jesus Christ. For now is the acceptable time—now is the day of salvation! (II Cor. 6:2)
Furthermore, we tell our testimony in hopes that among the Saints of God, we might all be encouraged and praise and lift-up the Holy name of Jesus “together.” This brings us into agreement and unity with one another. When we are gathered together in agreement in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord is in our midst, and supernatural happenings occur—when we ask God for anything in Jesus name! (Matt.18:19-20)
You see, we just don’t listen to another Saint’s testimony, we are to join into the testimony together in agreement. We enter into their testimony together, just as if it is our own testimony, because we love one another as the Lord has commanded. (I John 4:7) Our fellow-Christian’s testimony about what God has done for them, is an open invitation from God for everyone to join into the good news in agreement. This makes the power of God available to do exceedingly above what we can think or ask God to do before our eyes. (Eph. 3:20) The power working in us is our gratefulness, thanksgiving, and agreement—rooted and grounded in love—about what Jesus Christ has done for us all. (Because we have all been made “One in Christ,” what good thing that has happened to you, also has happened to me! (Gal. 3: 26-28)
If God heals you of cancer, He has also healed me of cancer! If God has given you a new house, He also has given me a new house! If God has taken the bitter and wicked taste of curse words out of your mouth, then He has done the same for me!
The promotion of God (in testimony) is designed to bring about commonality and unity among us, so we all can make a “Love Connection” with God in Jesus Christ. The Saint and the sinner alike are to become “One” through our testimony! “One People,” with “One Voice,” Lifting-up holy hands unto God, and praising the Holy Name of Jesus Christ.
As the redeemed of the Lord, we should always go about witnessing to the people of the world about how we have been purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, and that salvation is available to everyone who believes in the name of Jesus Christ, and share with them our personal testimony of what Jesus has done for us.
Afterwards we should look for, and work toward making a “Love Connection” with the person(s) through agreement that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Acts 4:12) All we need is agreement with the Word of God—togetherness—and God’s precious promises of favor, miracles, signs, and wonders will manifest in our midst! We just need everybody to say, “Amen” from the heart to the testimony of Jesus Christ and our eternal testimony of salvation through Him—and watch God move!
Let me make sure you understand that none of the things I am talking about, whether it be giving thanks to God, sharing our testimonies with others, or bringing people together in agreement about the things God has done; is achieved through self-effort or self-expression. Rather, everything is done by the will and influence of the Holy Ghost working through us.
The Holy Ghost is the one who brings to your remembrance all of the things God has done for you. The Holy Ghost prompts you to express personal thanksgiving and praise unto God. The Holy Ghost is the one who puts the urge and words in your mouth to tell your testimony to others, and draws people to come and listen and join themselves in agreement with your testimony.
Holy Ghost inspired testimonies move you to talk about the miracles Jesus has done in life. He moves you to give your witness about things and happenings in your life that often times make you look ugly to others, but that glorify God!
Yes, it’s important to give thanks and witness about the daily good things in life God has done for us—such as the Lord giving us life, health, and strength. But, God wants other people to hear your “miracle testimony” of salvation, healing, deliverance from addictions, and supernatural encounters. God delights when you tell the truth about how in your darkest hour—you cried out, and the Lord heard you, and saved you out of all of your troubles! (Ps. 34:6)
It’s the presence of the Holy Ghost that brings us all together and ushers in liberty (freedom from all demonic oppression) when we are together on one accord. (II Cor. 3:17) The Holy Ghost is the glorifier of Jesus Christ, and He is ever working to, and for, the glory God to be seen through us to the world. (John 14:26 & 16:13-14)
Saints, God wants us all drunk together in the Spirit of God. Just as the 120 believers, including the Apostles, were in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost! So we might give greater witness of Jesus Christ, through preaching the gospel and our testimony of His goodness everywhere we go. Then, the Lord will add souls daily to the Church, such as should be saved with signs and wonders following—because we have all things in common. (Acts 1:8, 2:1-4, 42-44)
I love the story of the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus Christ at Jacob's well, told in John Chapter 4. We have discussed aspects of her story in prior Sermons. During their conversation, Jesus offered the woman the gift of God—living water—eternal life. On that day, after Jesus had told of her whole life, including her many broken and failed relationships, she believed in Jesus and was converted. But, what I want us to focus on is what the Samaritan woman did after her conversion.
Examine John 4:28-30: It reads:
28 The woman then left her water-pot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
29 Come, see a man which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
30 Then they went out of the city and came unto him.
Exceedingly grateful and thankful for her encounter with Jesus, the Samaritan women immediately went and started spreading the good news to the people in the city about her meeting with Jesus. She told the men of how Jesus revealed her entire life. Surely, included in her testimony, was the good news of how her life had been completely changed by Jesus, and most importantly she identified Jesus, as the Messiah. Her testimony promoted Jesus Christ before many of the Samaritans in the city.
But also consider how the power of God—the Spirit of Liberty—went to work through her testimony! Check out verses 39-42.
39. And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
40. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
41 And many more believed because of his own word;
42 And said unto the woman, Now, we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.
The Samaritan woman’s testimony of the goodness of Jesus—the miracle He had done in her life—turned an entire community around to come and get to know Jesus Christ for themselves. A city comprised of Samaritans that had no association with Jews, came together to be with Jesus. (John 4:9) A race of people living in hatred toward another race, and vice versa. The people loved Jesus so much that they stayed together with Him for two-full days, hearing and receiving the Word of God. They came to a place where they, like the Samaritan woman, knew for themselves that Jesus is the “Christ, Savior of the world.”
This is what God wants, for the world to know that Jesus Christ is the Messiah—so that everyone may have all things in common, reconciliation, and fellowship with God. (II Cor. 5:19-20) Through the Samaritan woman’s example, we can see that her thankfulness to Jesus Christ led her to stop what she was doing, and go and tell her testimony to a city full of people. Thereby, promoting Christ, which resulted in many Samaritans believing Jesus Christ is the Messiah.
Praise all mighty God, through the finished works of Jesus Christ on the cross, we have been given the Holy Ghost, who is the faithful witness of Jesus Christ death, burial, and resurrection from the dead. The Holy Ghost longs for and urges us to tell people everywhere the good news that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and Savior of the world, and about what He has personally done for us. To share our testimony, not only with fellow Christians, but more importantly to people all over the world of different races and religions that do not know God.
The gift of God, eternal life, is ours. We must never forget nor stop telling the good news of salvation to the world, and encouraging and galvanizing people to come to Christ. So that we might all praise and worship God together in unity. So that we might together make a “Love Connection” with God, and see, taste, and experience the power of God in our midst beyond anything seen or recorded in the history of the world.
To summarize what we have learned, below is a diagram of a pyramid. Starting from the bottom up, our thanksgiving unto God for the things He has done, brings forth our testimony to other people about the goodness of God towards us, which promotes unity among us. And, when we have unity, the Spirit of God brings us all into a “Love Connection” with God, and everyone experiences “Liberty!”
Therefore, let us always be eager and ready from the heart to give thanksgiving to God and share our testimonies. Whether, we find ourselves in times and seasons of feast or famine, we must be prepared to share the good news that Jesus Christ saves, and is coming back again.
Let us continually give voice to our testimonies among our church family, and all who will listen, about the wonders of God in our lives. I guarantee you that every born-again Christian has life-changing testimonies of what Jesus Christ has done for them. In fact, I call the first life changing event that God did for you, “your testimony, that also becomes your ministry dot!” As you share your testimony with other people, especially with those who do not know the Lord, your ministry dot will expand into a large circle of people who will humble themselves, believe in the name of the Lord, and draw nearer to Christ and give Him glory—so that God may be glorified through you!
Let us listen intently to each other’s testimonies as if they were our own, and be thankful and render praises unto our Lord for the things He has done. Let us come to the place where we regard the testimony of others greater, and more important than our own, and be exceedingly glad for one another. For then, God will be glorified through us in all we say and do, and many shall come to righteousness, which is only through faith in Jesus Christ.
Amen, for the preaching of the Word of the Living God!
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Should the Lord tarry, see you next week!