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The Amish Voice 5
The results of a God-centered life are twofold, and they are powerful
results.
1. The testimony of a God-centered life was spread throughout
the whole area. Paul had not yet visited the churches in Judaea, that
is, the area surrounding Jerusalem. Nevertheless, the believers of the
area had heard about Paul’s conversion, that he who had formerly
persecuted the church was now preaching Christ.
2. The testimony of a God-centered life stirred believers to honor
God. The churches of Judaea had never seen Paul, but they glorified
God because of his strong testimony about which they had heard.
“Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will de-
clare what He hath done for my soul” (Ps.66:16).
ILLUSTRATION:
There is a bottom-line when a Christian believer has placed
God in the center of his life. Word does get out when God
blesses and people want to see living examples of faith. In
the book,
Everyday Discipleship for Ordinary People
, Stuart
Briscoe wrote:
One of my young colleagues was officiating at the funer-
al of a war veteran. The dead man’s military friends wished
to have a part in the service at the funeral home, so they
requested the pastor to lead them down to the casket, stand
with them for a solemn moment of remembrance, and then
lead them out through the side door.
This he proceeded to do, but unfortunately the effect was
somewhat marred when he picked the wrong door. The re-
sult was that they marched with military precision into a
broom closet, in full view of the mourners, and had to beat a
hasty retreat covered with confusion.
This true story illustrates a cardinal rule or two. First, if
you’re going to lead, make sure you know where you are
going. Second, if you’re going to follow, make sure that you
are following someone who knows what he is doing!
(Stuart
Briscoe.
Everyday Discipleship for Ordinary People
.
Wheaton, IL: Harold Shaw Publishers, 1988, p.25.)
Your testimony is either for God or against God. Will your testi-
mony lead others to Christ and stir believers to honor Christ? Or will
it lead some innocent souls down the wrong path of life and doom
them for eternity?
QUESTIONS:
1. How well is your testimony known? Has your life and
testimony been Christ-centered? Has it reached beyond
yourself?
2. What difference have you made for the cause of Christ
in your family, your church, your community?
3. If you could change one thing about your testimony,
what would it be? Why?
SUMMARY:
If you really desire a life that bears a strong testimony, then Paul’s
life is a great reminder of what it takes…
1. First, he went to Arabia: he got alone with God.
2. Second, he returned to Damascus: he corrected the wrong he
had previously done.
3. Third, he went to Jerusalem: he faced his past
4. Fourth, he went to Syria and Cilicia, that is, Tarsus: he faced
his hometown.
5. Fifth, the results of a God-centered life were powerful.
PERSONAL JOURNAL NOTES
(Reflection & Response)
1. The most important thing that I learned from this lesson was:
2. The area that I need to work on the most is:
3. I can apply this lesson to my life by:
4. Closing Statement of Commitment:
_______________________________
The Teacher’s Outline & Study Bible, Galatians
TM
; [Leadership
Ministries Worldwide, Chattanooga, TN., 1994, 2010], page 1-4,
used by permission, all rights reserved.
______________________________
Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 3755 Pilot Point
Chattanooga, TN 37416 USA, (800) 987-8790
Web Site: www.outlinebible.org
You can own the Teacher’s Outline and Study Bible
(TOSB) Commentary, Galatians? To order, please go to
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the
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