THE POWER OF TESTIMONY

TITLE: THE POWER OF TESTIMONY

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text:
Mark 5:19 (KJV) – "Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee."

Supporting Texts:
Revelation 12:11 – "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony..."
Psalm 66:16 – "Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul."
John 4:39 – The testimony of the Samaritan woman, leading many to believe in Christ.

INTRODUCTION
A testimony is a public declaration of what God has done in your life. It’s not just about the words spoken, but the power and impact they carry. When we testify, we share God’s goodness and faithfulness, encouraging others and giving glory to God. Testimonies have the power to inspire faith, build hope, and defeat the enemy. In this study, we will examine the significance of testimonies in the life of a believer and the transformative power they carry.

1. TESTIMONIES GLORIFY GOD
The ultimate purpose of testimonies is to give God the glory.

a) Acknowledge God's Power and Mercy: Every testimony acknowledges the sovereignty and mercy of God over our lives (Psalm 105:1-5).

b) Declare God's Faithfulness: When we testify, we declare that God is faithful to His Word and promises (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

c) Magnifying God's Works: Testimonies magnify the works of God, showing others His greatness (Psalm 34:3).

d) Offering Thanks to God: Testifying is an act of gratitude, giving thanks for what He has done (Psalm 136:1-4).

Biblical Example:
When the man delivered from demonic possession shared his testimony, many marveled at the power of God (Mark 5:19-20).

2. TESTIMONIES BUILD FAITH
Testimonies have the power to strengthen the faith of both the speaker and the hearer.

a) Faith Comes by Hearing: Hearing testimonies builds faith in those who hear (Romans 10:17).

b) Strengthens the Testifier: Testifying solidifies our faith, reminding us of God's intervention (Psalm 22:22).

c) Encourages Others to Trust God: Hearing about God's miraculous works encourages others to believe for their own breakthrough (Psalm 119:111).

d) Overcomes Fear and Doubt: Testimonies serve as evidence that God can do it again, removing fear and doubt (1 Samuel 17:37).

Biblical Example:
David’s testimony of killing the lion and bear strengthened his faith to face Goliath (1 Samuel 17:34-37).

3. TESTIMONIES DEFEAT THE ENEMY
Testimonies are a powerful weapon against the enemy.

a) Spiritual Warfare Tool: Revelation 12:11 highlights how the word of our testimony overcomes the devil.

b) Testifying Nullifies the Enemy's Lies: The enemy wants us to focus on problems, but testimonies remind us of God's power and truth (John 8:32).

c) Declaring Victory Over the Enemy: Testimonies declare that God has already won the battle, defeating the enemy’s plans (1 John 4:4).

d) Breaking Strongholds: Sharing how God broke a stronghold in your life gives others the courage to believe for their own deliverance (2 Corinthians 10:4).

Biblical Example:
The testimony of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt demonstrated God’s power over Pharaoh and his army (Exodus 15:1-6).

4. TESTIMONIES DRAW PEOPLE TO CHRIST
Testimonies are a tool for evangelism, pointing others to Jesus.

a) Testifying Leads Others to Christ: Many are drawn to Christ when they hear about His works in our lives (John 4:39).

b) Evangelistic Power: Testimonies are often more powerful than sermons because they are personal and relatable (Mark 5:19-20).

c) Sharing the Good News: Testimonies provide an opportunity to share the Gospel and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:14-16).

d) Witnessing through Testimonies: Your testimony can be the reason someone chooses to follow Jesus (Acts 1:8).

Biblical Example:
The Samaritan woman’s testimony about Jesus led many from her town to believe in Him (John 4:39-42).

5. TESTIMONIES INSPIRE PRAYER AND EXPECTATION
Testimonies stir up a spirit of prayer and expectation for miracles.

a) Encourages Persistent Prayer: Hearing how God answered someone else’s prayer motivates us to continue praying (James 5:16).

b) Raises Expectations for Miracles: Testimonies create an atmosphere of expectancy, where miracles can happen again (Luke 8:48).

c) Faith for Healing and Deliverance: Testimonies of healing and deliverance inspire others to believe God for their own (Acts 3:16).

d) Testimonies Birth More Testimonies: When we hear what God has done for others, it creates a cycle of faith, prayer, and expectation (Acts 4:33).

Biblical Example:
After Peter and John’s testimony of healing the lame man, many more believed and expected God’s power to manifest (Acts 4:4).

CONCLUSION:
The power of testimony cannot be underestimated. It glorifies God, builds faith, defeats the enemy, draws people to Christ, and inspires a spirit of prayer and expectation. As believers, we should never hesitate to share what God has done for us, knowing that our testimonies carry divine power. The more we testify, the more we encourage others and remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness. Let us make it a habit to testify of the Lord's goodness and watch how He continues to work in our lives.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, give me the boldness to testify of Your goodness.

2. I declare that my testimony will glorify God and encourage others.

3. Every testimony of God’s power in my life shall overcome the enemy.

4. Father, may my testimony lead others to salvation in Jesus' name.

5. Lord, use my testimony to break the chains of fear and doubt in others.

6. I pray for more miracles and testimonies in my life.

7. Let my testimony inspire others to trust in God for their breakthroughs.

8. Father, grant me the grace to continually testify of Your faithfulness.

9. Lord, may my testimony be a tool for evangelism and winning souls.

10. I declare that testimonies of healing, deliverance, and breakthrough will follow me all the days of my life.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. Your testimony will be a tool to glorify God and bring others to Christ!

2. Every time you share your testimony, faith will rise in the hearts of those who hear it.

3. The enemy is defeated by the word of your testimony!

4. God is releasing new testimonies in your life, starting today!

5. Your testimony will inspire others to believe for their own miracle.

6. You will testify of God’s power to heal, deliver, and set free!

7. Your testimony will open doors for greater works of God in your life.

8. Many will come to Christ because of your testimony.

9. You will never lack testimonies of God’s goodness and mercy.

10. As you testify, the Lord will multiply His blessings in your life!