Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Aug. 6, 2000, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. 

THE TESTIMONY OF A CHANGED LIFE (PERSONAL SEPARATION)

By Michael D. O’Neal                   Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church                   Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Galatians 1:11-24

Text: Galatians 1:23

Galatians 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

Introduction: What we often call your TESTIMONY is how you appear to others. It has to do with your CREDIBILITY. Your CHARACTER is how you appear to God. The real you is what we would call CHARACTER. There is no doubt that it is more important to have good character than it is to have a good testimony. It is also certain that it is more difficult to have good character than to have a good testimony. For this reason, many people would tell us that how you appear to others does not matter at all, but they are wrong.

I. A CHANGE IN YOUR COUNTENANCE IS A GOOD TESTIMONY

Acts 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

A. A smile as a regular appearance

B. A sadness with those who weep

C. A sternness toward sin, Satan, and the spirits of darkness

1. Don’t laugh at filthy jokes.
2. Don’t laugh about false doctrine except to mock it. Don’t be happy about it.

II. A CHANGE IN YOUR CLOTHING IS A GOOD TESTIMONY

Mark 5:15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

Proverbs 7:10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

A. Identify your sex

1. Deuteronomy 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
2. Real men don’t wear queer-rings and neck-laces!

B. Identify your service as a soldier

1. Look disciplined.
2. Men and women today often dress like slobs.

C. Identify your sainthood

1. Don’t wear the devil’s uniform.

III. A CHANGE IN YOUR CONVERSATION IS A GOOD TESTIMONY

Matthew 26:73-74 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

A. Clean talk

B. Christ-exalting talk

C. Courageous talk

IV. A CHANGE IN YOUR CROWD IS A GOOD TESTIMONY

1 Peter 4:1-4 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Verse 4 says that now that you are saved, “ye run not with them.”

A. Your family crowd should change

B. Your “fun” crowd should change

C. Your fellowship crowd should change