From the desk of the Bishop

A Proper Testimony!

Everyone has a testimony! The testimony may be one of power, victory, past blessings, or even failure. Normally when the word testimony is used, it is used in a positive sense of blessing and influence. Yet the word may be used when one has a negative reputation. The Lord desires that every testimony be positive and one that will reflect His blessings. Every testimony may be a proper one.

In his letter to the Phillipian church, in the section that reveals his passion, chapter one, Paul speaks of a proper testimony.

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries:” Philippians 1:27-28

The heart of the testimony presented here is one of unity. Bear in mind, Paul is writing to a church. He is writing to a group of people called out from the world to serve Christ. His desire for this church that is under his supervision is that they work together to further the gospel. The ultimate goal is for benefit of the gospel.

Remember in this section, it has already been stated that Paul lives for Christ and the furtherance of the gospel. He said, “For me to live is Christ.” His is ready to go to heaven, but if he remains his desire is to serve his Lord.

May the Lord grant that such a desire exists is his church today. May this be the testimony of every church. This indeed would be a proper testimony. Such a testimony should be a “living epistle known and read by all men.”

Let us study and analyze this testimony as here presented by Paul.

It should be a testimony of standing fast. The phrase implies that one is upright, unmovable but active. It is the position of being on guard but balanced to move forward. The church should always be active, standing on a firm foundation of Biblical truth, but postured to move forward in obedience to Christ’s command.

The church should be in one spirit and one mind. This certainly describes the world of the Holy Spirit in giving motivation and high morale. The “one mind” goes far beyond mental assent and knowing the right things. The phrase embraces the idea of a proper attitude. “Striving together” is an athletic phrase. The idea is one of contending for a prize. Here the idea is one of more Roman than Greek. The Greek idea of the games was to honor the winner. The Roman idea of the games was to win in order to survive. The losers normally died. Ultimately here the plan is to work together with a great expenditure of energy and to work as if one’s life depended on it because it really does. All are working for one purpose and one common goal to glorify God and to execute His plan and purpose. What a wonderful goal this is for the church.

The individual members of the church in such an endeavor do not lose their individuality or gifting. Here is unity, but it is unity in the midst of diversity. Everyone brings their gifting and talents into use. All are united in purpose. Each one is needed. By all coming together completeness and fullness are realized. With the dreamer and visionary comes a detailer and planner. With the hand comes a foot. An eye is accompanied with an ear.

“From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, making increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:16

This proper testimony is far removed from many churches today. Many do not present a proper conduct (conversation) as becomes the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27 Yet they can accomplish this. The Lord is willing and that is His desire. Here is the flow. The Lord supplies the vision through His pastor and leadership team. The body flows in one mind and one spirit. All strive together for the faith of the Gospel. Victory is assured.

It is a wonderful thing for the body to flow together and stand together in an ordained God pursuit. When the world sees such action they are drawn much more powerfully to the church.

This same spirit and action should be taken to another level. Churches should work together in the same way. Churches are different and bring many diversities of gifts to the body. All are needed. The gospel is spread. The world sees and comes to understand. It is a struggle of life and death. The winners receive the gospel. The losers experience eternal death!

Some of you have expressed an interest in "The Serving Leader" powerpoint presented during the

summer MPM meetings. I have attached a link to download the file for your usage.

Please enjoy.

To download the file, please click here.