Testify to Love
Scripture Reading: Psalm 19:1-11
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
2 Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
6 Its rising is from one end of heaven,
And its circuit to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.
Everything that exists testifies of the goodness and love of our Father in heaven.
Everything! Even the atheist, who has chosen to believe God does not exist,
testifies of Him. In every breath he takes, in his body’s motor function, in the very
fact that he has made a conscious choice in his mind. Everything testifies of Him
but some things do a more effective job of it. According to the passage above,
there are some things that are more valuable than gold, sweeter than honey, and
containing a great reward. Those things are the law, the testimony, the statutes,
the commandments, the judgment, and the fear of YHWH. It says by them we are
warned and in keeping them there is great reward.
So many believe that the Law is somehow bad but this says that His Law is
perfect. His commandments are sure. In us walking them out, we give our
greatest testimony. Do you know how odd it looks when unbelievers look at
believers on the whole, and see them not keeping His commandments? They see
them lying and stealing and committing adultery, all of which completely dishonors
our Heavenly Father. They think believers are hypocrites because they say they
follow God; they call Him Lord of lords and King of kings but they don’t do what He
commands. That’s like seeing a parent in Walmart and their children are just
being disrespectful and misbehaving and just generally not listening to what they
say. The parent is just smiling and allowing them to act up with no consequences.
When they do that, is that bringing honor to that parent, or dishonor?
Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your
reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that
good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
It is our reasonable service to present ourselves to God, holy and acceptable. We
are not to conform to this world, just doing whatever we please; following out own
logic, doing what is right in our own eyes. We are to be transformed into His image
by the renewing of our mind. This is so we can prove what is good and acceptable
and perfect in His will. This is our testimony to the world of Him.
Psalm 78:4-7
4 We will not hide them from their children,
Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD,
And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.
5 For He established a testimony in Jacob,
And appointed a law in Israel,
Which He commanded our fathers,
That they should make them known to their children;
6 That the generation to come might know them,
The children who would be born,
That they may arise and declare them to their children,
7 That they may set their hope in God,
And not forget the works of God,
But keep His commandments
You see, He has set these things up so that we can teach them to our children.
But in order for us to teach our children to keep His commandments, we must first
do them ourselves. Do what I say and not what I do, does not work. God does not
expect us to do anything that He did not do first in Yrshua. He wants us to follow
him by doing what He says and what He did. He established this testimony for us
so we, and our children, can set our hope in Him and not forget His wonderful
works. Keeping His commandments is key to that. Not that we keep them in our
own strength, but in His. This is our testimony to Him.
Revelation 12:11 - And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by
the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Many times we speak of the full armor of God, in that our only offensive weapon is
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. But we see here a glimpse at
another offensive weapon in our arsenal against the enemy. It’s about time we, as
believers; use everything we have to use against the powers of darkness.
Luke 21:12-15
12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute
you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought
before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as
an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to
meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth
and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
Messiah told us that it would rain so when it does, instead of complaining about the
rain or even wishing the rain wasn’t there. We should keep our eyes open for our
opportunity to testify. John the Baptist took his opportunity to testify.
John 3:27-33
27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been
given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I
am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the
bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and
hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this
joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who
comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of
the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen
and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who
has received His testimony has certified that God is true.
He testified of Yeshua and it cost him his head, but it gained him eternity with the
King.
John 5:21-37a
31 “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. 32 There is another who
bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is
true. 33 You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Yet
I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be
saved. 35 He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a
time to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have a greater witness than John’s; for
the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—
bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37 And the Father Himself,
who sent Me, has testified of Me.
And the works that He did in His Father’s name testified of Him.
John 19:34-37
34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately
blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his
testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may
believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled,
“Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says,
“They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
The fulfillment of prophecy testifies of Him.
Acts 10:36-42
36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace
through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was
proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism
which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy
Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were
oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all
things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom
they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and
showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before
by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He
who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.
And His disciples testify of Him.
Revelation 22:14-16
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the
right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But
outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and
idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the
churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning
Star.”
Sermon by: Denise Baxley
Date March 30, 2008
Scripture Reading: Psalm 19:1-11
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
2 Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
6 Its rising is from one end of heaven,
And its circuit to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.
Everything that exists testifies of the goodness and love of our Father in heaven.
Everything! Even the atheist, who has chosen to believe God does not exist,
testifies of Him. In every breath he takes, in his body’s motor function, in the very
fact that he has made a conscious choice in his mind. Everything testifies of Him
but some things do a more effective job of it. According to the passage above,
there are some things that are more valuable than gold, sweeter than honey, and
containing a great reward. Those things are the law, the testimony, the statutes,
the commandments, the judgment, and the fear of YHWH. It says by them we are
warned and in keeping them there is great reward.
So many believe that the Law is somehow bad but this says that His Law is
perfect. His commandments are sure. In us walking them out, we give our
greatest testimony. Do you know how odd it looks when unbelievers look at
believers on the whole, and see them not keeping His commandments? They see
them lying and stealing and committing adultery, all of which completely dishonors
our Heavenly Father. They think believers are hypocrites because they say they
follow God; they call Him Lord of lords and King of kings but they don’t do what He
commands. That’s like seeing a parent in Walmart and their children are just
being disrespectful and misbehaving and just generally not listening to what they
say. The parent is just smiling and allowing them to act up with no consequences.
When they do that, is that bringing honor to that parent, or dishonor?
Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your
reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that
good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
It is our reasonable service to present ourselves to God, holy and acceptable. We
are not to conform to this world, just doing whatever we please; following out own
logic, doing what is right in our own eyes. We are to be transformed into His image
by the renewing of our mind. This is so we can prove what is good and acceptable
and perfect in His will. This is our testimony to the world of Him.
Psalm 78:4-7
4 We will not hide them from their children,
Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD,
And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.
5 For He established a testimony in Jacob,
And appointed a law in Israel,
Which He commanded our fathers,
That they should make them known to their children;
6 That the generation to come might know them,
The children who would be born,
That they may arise and declare them to their children,
7 That they may set their hope in God,
And not forget the works of God,
But keep His commandments
You see, He has set these things up so that we can teach them to our children.
But in order for us to teach our children to keep His commandments, we must first
do them ourselves. Do what I say and not what I do, does not work. God does not
expect us to do anything that He did not do first in Yrshua. He wants us to follow
him by doing what He says and what He did. He established this testimony for us
so we, and our children, can set our hope in Him and not forget His wonderful
works. Keeping His commandments is key to that. Not that we keep them in our
own strength, but in His. This is our testimony to Him.
Revelation 12:11 - And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by
the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Many times we speak of the full armor of God, in that our only offensive weapon is
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. But we see here a glimpse at
another offensive weapon in our arsenal against the enemy. It’s about time we, as
believers; use everything we have to use against the powers of darkness.
Luke 21:12-15
12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute
you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought
before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as
an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to
meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth
and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
Messiah told us that it would rain so when it does, instead of complaining about the
rain or even wishing the rain wasn’t there. We should keep our eyes open for our
opportunity to testify. John the Baptist took his opportunity to testify.
John 3:27-33
27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been
given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I
am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the
bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and
hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this
joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who
comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of
the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen
and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who
has received His testimony has certified that God is true.
He testified of Yeshua and it cost him his head, but it gained him eternity with the
King.
John 5:21-37a
31 “If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. 32 There is another who
bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is
true. 33 You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Yet
I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be
saved. 35 He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a
time to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have a greater witness than John’s; for
the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—
bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37 And the Father Himself,
who sent Me, has testified of Me.
And the works that He did in His Father’s name testified of Him.
John 19:34-37
34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately
blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his
testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may
believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled,
“Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says,
“They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
The fulfillment of prophecy testifies of Him.
Acts 10:36-42
36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace
through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was
proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism
which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy
Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were
oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all
things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom
they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and
showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before
by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He
who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.
And His disciples testify of Him.
Revelation 22:14-16
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the
right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But
outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and
idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the
churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning
Star.”
Sermon by: Denise Baxley
Date March 30, 2008
