May 24, 2026

Background:

• A testimony is a physically demonstrated narrative and a public profession of religious experience
• What do we look like in front of the Lord and others?
• What narrative are we telling with our conduct?
• It is our job to determine what is true and what is falsehood
• God always wants us to consider Him and our brothers and sisters
• Ephesians talk about our walk (how we are living)
• There are teachable things in Ephesians
• The goal is to read the Word and apply it
• Don't be envious or jealous of what others are doing
• Paul is trying to get us to think about "us" (which starts with "me") for a greater impact on the Kingdom
• The "I" must contribute to the "we"/"us"...to have an us mentality
• The local church should spill out to the outside
• There should be no battles inside the church

Key Sermon Points:

1. An observable testimony

• An observable walk and living...we must show our walk
• Can our testimony be seen and not just heard?
• Our walk is being watched
• Don't live like fools, but like those that are wise
• A fool says that there is no god and they have no fear of God and no interest in knowledge...so be careful to not call people fools
• Ephesians encourages our walk and testimony
• We must represent Jesus throughout the week

2. An intentional testimony

• When we think of time, we think of doing things on purpose/intentionally (v. 16)
• Make good use of our time and spend our time wisely
• We are what we eat (what are we putting into our system physically and mentally)
• We must be willing to listen to others of different ages and background...everyone has something to contribute
• We must communicate and fellowship with each other to help each other
• Even in prison, Paul was encouraging others
• We have to have a spirit of willingness to learn and to train
• There is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3)
• Time and the fruit of our labor is what it comes down to
• Life is like a vapor...here one moment and then gone the next (James 4:14)

3. A Spirit-filled testimony

• Spirit-filled is different from being baptized in the Spirit
• Spirit-filled is to be under the direction of the Spirit (vv. 17-18)
• We should be moving according to the Holy Spirit and not according to wine
• The Spirit will allow us to do things and to be consistent...to keep winning
• Don't quench the Spirit...don't ignore the Spirit
• The filling is not the same of the indwelling of the Spirit
• It's about aligning with listening and aligning with God's Word...which leads with winning
• We should be able to talk about "you" and "me" (Matthew 18)

4. A testimony considerate of God and others

• What can we do to help each other when we are going through?
• It could be just to be quiet and just be there or it could be a literal song or scripture
• The Spirit-filled life is being projected onto others (vv. 19-20)
• Being Spirit-filled and discipleship should have a multiplying affect
• We have to have a spirit of gratitude
• When we haven't had some things, we appreciate it more
• We should be grateful for everything...even waking up (for the wages of sin is death and we have all sinned)
• The Christian walk is a rough walk, but we should be filled with joy and the Spirit (Acts 13:52)
• The Spirit is alive and we should share Jesus with others (John 4:14)