A Testimony about the Past / Present/ Future
Time of Life
The Past
- People need to acknowledge the past and learn from it but don’t live in it.
- Remember when Satan throws your past in your face remind him about his future.
Philippians 3:12-14 NIV - Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
What about past pain and hurts? Psalm 147:3 NIV - “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Bring them to the Lord in prayer.
Present
Remember you are not alone - He is with you - Hebrews 13:5 NIV - Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Matthew 28:20 NIV - and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Future
John 14:3 NIV – Jesus said - And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
There are Two Groups (Non-believers and believers) (Not assume everyone is a believer)
Non-believer – those who don’t know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior
Some Good News and some bad news (bad news first)
Bad news
Romans 3:23 NIV - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
But I’m a good person!
Romans 3:10 NIV - As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;
What is sin? Sin means to miss the mark.
James 2:10 NIV - For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
Have you ever lied or stolen or put anything above God (including yourself and your desires) – that’s sin.
Sin causes a separation between us and God but God did something about that separation – He sent His Son
(remember Christmas) and He came to this Earth about 2000 years ago and lived a perfect life and eventually died on a cross to pay for a debt He did not owe (your sin and mine) but that wasn’t the end – on the third day He rose from the dead and is alive forever more and has promised to come back again but the next time is for judgment.
Romans 5:8 NIV - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
What can I do to be saved? Glad you asked, which brings up The Good News!
Repent and believe – repent means to change direction 180 degrees from the direction you are going and believe means to place your trust in and to accept as true or real. (Faith and belief have an object – not an end in and of itself)
Mark 1:14-15 NIV - After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Acts 16:31 NIV - 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (Paul’s response to Philippian jailer)
Romans 10:9-10 NIV - If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Please don’t put off this important decision - 2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV - 2 For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
For Believer (for those who know Him)
Redeem the time – be a good steward of the time He has given you - Ephesians 5:15-16 KJV - See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Tell others about the Good News – Remember the Great Commission – Matthew 28:19-20 NIV - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
I am going to end by encouraging you to incorporate these verses into your life:
Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
John from Elmbrook church Singles group 1-1-12