Jordon Gilmore

The Courtroom Analogy

• Imagine life as a courtroom where believers serve as witnesses.
• Our credibility is shaped by integrity. When our words and actions align, our witness is strengthened.
• If our lifestyle contradicts our testimony, it weakens our influence for God’s kingdom.

What Makes Someone a Witness?

A witness is someone who has:

• Seen something
• Heard something
• Experienced something
• Has a unique perspective on truth

This experience becomes our testimony.

Types of Spiritual Witnesses

• Eyewitness: Shares personal experiences of God’s work.
• Character Witness: Demonstrates God’s goodness through lifestyle and example.
• Expert Witness: Testifies to specific areas where God has been faithful (provider, healer, deliverer, etc.).

Testimony Often Comes Through Trials

• Many testimonies come from difficult seasons we didn’t choose.
• God uses hardships to create stories that encourage and strengthen others.
• Our testimony is not optional—it is part of our calling.

Biblical Foundation for Being Witnesses

Acts 1:8 – The Holy Spirit empowers believers to be witnesses everywhere.
Acts 22:14-15 – God reveals Himself so believers can testify about what they have seen and heard.
Isaiah 43:10 – God declares, “You are my witnesses.”

The Power of Testimony

Revelation 12:11 teaches believers overcome the enemy through:

1. The blood of Jesus
2. The word of their testimony

Testimonies are vital in spiritual victory and advancing God’s kingdom.

Four Truths About Being Key Witnesses

1. You Are Under Witness Protection

• Our identity is hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3).
• God protects and preserves us as we share our testimony.

2. Christ Overrules Objections

• The enemy accuses believers of unworthiness.
• Jesus intercedes as our advocate (Romans 8:33-34).
• Our testimony is valid because of Christ, not personal perfection.

3. Guard the Authenticity of Your Witness

• Actions and character matter.
• A damaged lifestyle can weaken credibility.
• Believers should pursue integrity so their lives support their message.

4. Stick to Your Testimony During Cross-Examination

• Life challenges and doubts test our faith.
• Like Jesus and Paul, believers must stand firm in truth.
• Faith remains steady regardless of circumstances or outcomes.

Willing vs. Reluctant Witnesses

• Some eagerly share their testimony.
• Others hesitate due to fear, shame, or doubt.
• Regardless of willingness, believers are still called to testify.

Final Takeaways

• Every believer has been “served” with the responsibility to testify about God’s goodness.
• Our life journey—both victories and struggles—brings glory to God.
• True success is faithfully representing Christ wherever God places us.

Joshua Boyd

Sometimes as I’m praying and meditating about upcoming sermons, the Lord drops a phrase in my spirit, something I wasn’t thinking about but I know is the Lord. My first thought typically is “how is that an entire message?” It requires some digging in the Word to get all of the ingredients together for the meal.

Today’s message is the outcome of a single phrase: “let your yes be yes”. Of course, this comes from Scripture. Turn to Matthew 5. This is Jesus first time preaching in public. History has labeled it the Sermon on the Mount. God the Father’s instruction to the Son to speak these words as the first message isn’t by chance, but by design.

Think about it, there has been no new spoken word from the Lord for 400 years so you know the first new Word to be spoken is important. God wanted His people to know how He works and how we should live with each other. It wasn’t a change to the Law but a deeper understanding of it and an introduction to the Kingdom of God and how it works.

In present times, we hear the word vow associated with marriage. But while we might not use the word regularly, we words we say fall under the definition of a vow: promise, swear, giving your word.

The books of the Law say this:

Numbers 30:1-2

Then Moses summoned the leaders of the tribes of Israel and told them, “This is what the Lord has commanded: 2 A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do.

Leviticus 5:4

4 “Or suppose you make a foolish vow of any kind, whether its purpose is for good or for bad. When you realize its foolishness, you must admit your guilt.

In His first sermon, Jesus expounds the Law this way:

Matthew 5:33-37

33 “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ 34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. 35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

Anything other than a simple yes or no, is from the evil one. “I promise I’ll never do that again”. “by god next time he does that, I’m going to…”

We finished the series Speaking from the Heart which taught us the importance of our words in staying in agreement with the Father. In the same way, the Father keeps His Word, keeps His promises and expects the same of those made in His image.

Let your yes be a simple yes and your no, no.

Jordon Gilmore

Key Scripture

Exodus 20:17

• Unlike earlier commandments that prohibit actions, this commandment targets thoughts, desires, and heart posture
• It addresses how we:
  • View ourselves
  • View others
  • View what we have and what we lack

What It Means to Covet

• Coveting = an unhealthy desire or lust for what God has given to someone else, or has not yet ordained for you
• It begins in the heart, not behavior
• Often fueled by comparison, which steals joy

Why This Matters Today

• Covetousness is deeply natural—even visible in children
• Social media intensifies it:
  • We covet what others display
  • We also project images designed to make others covet
• This commandment forces heart-level examination in both directions

What Overflows from a Covetous Heart

• Envy and jealousy
• Discontentment and complaining
• Misaligned prayers driven by comparison
• A violation of Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself

Two Guardrails Against Coveting

Humility (When Receiving Praise)

1 Peter 5:5–6

• God resists the proud, gives grace to the humble
• We don’t seek exaltation—God does it in His time

Contentment (When Wanting More)

• Hebrews 13:5 — Be content; God is present
• Philippians 4:11–13 — Contentment in plenty or need
• 1 Timothy 6:6–8 — Godliness with contentment is great gain
• “I can do all things” is about contentment, not self-promotion

Three Common Ways We Encounter Covetousness

1. Through Ambition

• Ambition can be healthy or sinful
• The key question: Why do I want to advance?
• Kingdom ambition produces prayer and gratitude—not resentment

2. Through Discontentment and Envy

• Discontentment = dissatisfaction with where God has placed us
• Leads to envy when we overvalue others’ blessings
• Two root problems:
  • Wrong perspective — we can’t see clearly
  • Wrong valuation — undervaluing what God has given us
• Jesus’ warning (Luke 12:15)
  • Life does not consist in possessions

3. Through Scarcity & Domination Thinking

• Belief that life is a zero-sum game:
  • If you win, I lose
• Leads to unhealthy competition, control, and fear
• Philippians 4:19 — God supplies all needs from His riches
• God is limitless, not scarce

Heart-Level Diagnosis

Covetousness often reveals:

• Distrust in God
• Ungratefulness
• Misplaced ambition
• Wrong perspective and valuation
• Fear that there isn’t “enough” to go around

Jesus: The Ultimate Example

• Tempted with power, riches, and glory
• Resisted covetousness because He knew what He already had:
  • A perfect relationship with the Father
• True contentment flows from valuing God above everything else

Final Takeaways

• Run your race—don’t measure your life by others
• Guard your ambition, perspective, and desires
• Root out covetousness before it takes hold
• Seek first the kingdom
• Trust the God of more than enough