You Need a Personal Testimony

 

Matthew 14:19-21 (KJV)

19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. 21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

 

Jesus fed more than five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fishes. Five thousand people had the opportunity to experience the miraculous that day. They held a miracle in their hand, ate it, and it satisfied their hunger.

 

I want to preach to you today, ‘You Need a Personal Testimony.’

 

Before you can have a personal testimony, you must go through a test. A testimony is an account of something God did for you that was out of your control.

 

The hungry people that ate of those five loaves of bread and two fish became living testimonies when they took the first bite of their miracle. Everywhere they went from that point on, they could testify of the miraculous things that God did for them that day.

 

When you leave church, you need a personal testimony. I believe those people left that day saying, “Let me tell you what happened at church today!”

 

Unfortunately, a lot of Christians these days don’t testify about the victory they’re promised, but they moan about their test.

 

Have you ever heard somebody say, “I don’t feel good, I’m going through a hard time with my family, I’m not coming to church today…”?

 

Isaiah 53:5 (KJV) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Philippians 4:19 (KJV) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

Romans 8:37 (KJV) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

 

We cannot be victorious if we don’t believe that we have the victory. We have to confess, “We are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

 

Doubt is defeat. Jesus gave us something to us use; it’s called faith.

 

Luke 10:19-20 (KJV)

19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

 

After Jesus did a miracle for the five thousand hungry people, He went to the mountain to pray, and sent His disciples across the sea to the other side. In the midst of the sea, there was a storm…

 

It seems that after every miracle we are blessed with, there is a storm that follows. I think that God lets this happen intentionally.

 

Matthew 14:24-25 (KJV)

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

 

Just about the time your test starts getting out of control, here comes Jesus, walking on the sea.

 

He knows what you need before you ever ask. Remember, Jesus was on the mountain praying when the storm came, but Jesus still came to their rescue.

 

That day, Peter walked on water with Jesus. His faith allowed him to take the first step out onto the water, but his doubt caused him to sink.

God wants you to rise above your sinking situation!

 

Matthew 14:31 (KJV) And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

 

If you can’t sink in your storms if you’ll cry out to God for help. Your doubt doesn’t alter His love for you.

 

When Jesus showed up in the storm, the disciples problem was already solved. The storm ceases, your troubles and fears are calmed, when Jesus shows up to the scene.

 

He knows how much stress we can withstand. He knows our fears and he comes during our test to give us a testimony.

 

When your problem meets your power, the miraculous happens.

 

When the disciples saw that figure walking across the water, they didn’t think it was Jesus, they thought that it was a spirit.

 

When you’re in trouble, God may come in a disguise, but He will always be there if you call out to Him.

 

Blind Bartimaus would’ve never been healed if he hadn’t screamed, “Thou son of David have mercy on me.”

 

The ten lepers would have never been cleansed if they hadn’t asked, “If thou will.”

 

The woman with the issue of blood would’ve never been healed if she hadn’t crawled over and touched the hem of His garment.

 

Jarius’ daughter would’ve never been raised from the dead, except Jarius asked.

 

Lazarus would’ve never been raised from the grave if his sisters hadn’t sent for him.

 

You can’t just be a recipient of a blessing, you’ve to call out for His help!

 

God’s already done as much as He’s going to do. If you don’t invite Him into your situation, you’ll never come out of it.

 

Have you ever wondered why Jesus had the disciples gather up the fragments of the leftover bread and fish? It wasn’t for them to eat, but to serve as a reminder for them of God’s power.

 

Even though you have a testimony right in front of your face, you forget about His miraculous power when you are in a storm.

 

When God brings a miracle into your situation, don’t leave the scene until you’ve considered the leftovers.

 

Remember the victory in your trials! Let your test become a testimony! Claim the victory!

 

You might be in the midst of the greatest storm you’ve ever experienced, but I see a savior walking across the water! You Need a Personal Testimony!