Witness – Effective
Posted by preachgospelblog.com | Filed under Illustrations of Bible Truths
1. Guided by Conscience
A faithful Christian soldier went to his chaplain for advice. “Last night,” he said, “when I knelt by my bed and prayed, the fellows began to ridicule me and throw shoes at me. What should I do?” “Well,” said the chaplain, “why don’t you stop kneeling down? Just lie down in bed and lift your heart to God in silence and He will hear you.” After a few days, the chaplain asked the soldier how he was faring with his evening prayers. “I’ll tell you, Reverend. I followed your advice for three nights, but my conscience began to bother me because I was betraying my Lord. So I began to kneel down as I did before.” “And what happened?” “I was really amazed. Not a single fellow ridiculed me. Now the fifteen men in my tent kneel down with me, and I pray aloud for all of them.”
2. Living As You Teach
A missionary who was speaking to a group of Hindu women was surprised to see one of them get up and walk away. Soon she returned and listened more intently than before. “Why did you leave in the middle of my message?” asked the missionary. “I was so interested in the wonderful things you were saying that I went to ask your servant if you live like you teach. He said you do. So I came back to hear more about Jesus,” said the woman.
3. The Missionary Lady
An English traveler in Jerusalem was trying to find someone who could speak both English and Arabic. He heard of an American missionary who lived near by. Stopping an Arab boy who knew little English, he asked him if he could direct him to the missionary’s home. The face of the boy lit up, and he said, “You mean the lady who lives next door to God?” If an uncouth street urchin could detect one who walked with God, why cannot we so live that the world can see Jesus in us?
4. Christianity Is Catching!
“What argument of mine led you to Christ?” asked a missionary in Egypt of an educated Mohammedan who was preaching Christ with great zeal and success. The missionary was surprised to receive this answer, “Every argument presented I could refute, at least to my satisfaction. It was your life that convinced me of salvation through Christ.”
5. A Good Marital Testimony
Not long ago a Hindu woman was converted chiefly by hearing the Word of God read. She suffered much persecution from her husband. One day a missionary asked her, “When your husband is angry and persecutes you, what do you do?” She replied, “Well, sir, I cook his food better; when he complains, I sweep the floor cleaner; and when he speaks unkindly, I answer him mildly. I try, sir, to show him that when I became a Christian I became a better wife and a better mother.”
6. Are You a Good Showcase?
Gutav Dore, the famous artist, once lost his passport while traveling in Europe. When he came to the boundary post between two countries and was asked for his passport, he fumbled about and finally announced, “I have lost it, but it is all right. I’m Dore, the artist. Please let me go in.” “Oh, no,” said the officer. “We have plenty of people representing themselves as this or that great person! Here is a pencil and paper. Now, if you are Dore the artist, prove it by drawing me a picture.” He took the pencil and drew some pictures of a scene in the immediate area. “Now I am perfectly sure you are Dore. No one else could draw like that!” said the officer as he allowed Dore to enter the country. So it is with us. People follow what we do on the stage of life. They look to see if our conduct squares with our profession. Are we drawing the picture of Christ, as it were, or of a different person? What the world wants to see is reality in our actions. It has been said that God has great and wonderful things to display if He finds suitable showcases. Are you a good showcase for Jesus Christ?
7. A Rich Conversion
A certain titled gentleman was converted. He loved the Lord a great deal, but he was not well taught in the Scriptures. He thought that he could continue in some of his worldly engagements and still bear a good testimony. On one occasion some weeks after he gave his heart to the Lord, this man accepted an invitation to a rather worldly party. Upon his arrival, one of the guests greeted him with these words: “I’m so glad to see you and to know that it isn’t true.” “I beg your pardon,” he replied, “but I don’t think I quite understand you.” “Why, ” said the other guest, “rumors were around that you had been converted a few weeks ago; I’m so glad you’re here and to know the rumor was unfounded.” “But it is true!” the man exclaimed. Hesitating a moment, he added, “I see that you think this party is no place for a Christian to be, and you are right. You will never again see me at such an affair, nor will anyone else.”
8. Not Words But Deeds
A young man had gone as a missionary to China. He was filled with love for the people but was unable to master the language. At last, having done his best for two years without success, he felt it his duty to take his resignation to the mission house. When this became known, a delegation of natives, composed of heathen as well as Christians, went to the mission house with the pleas that this man remain. Their argument was this: “He has done us all more good than anyone else in the mission, although he does not understand our language and cannot preach to us.”
9. Ability to Carry
There was a man who was saved by grace from strong drink. He was seen one day by the tavern keeper, whom he knew only too well, carrying a sewing machine to his wife. “Come and have a drink,” cried the tavern keeper. “It will strengthen you.” “No, no,” replied the former customer. “I’ve seen the day when I could not carry a dollar past your door; but since God saved me I can carry a whole sewing machine.”
10. What the World Needs
Belonging to Christ should create in us a sense of responsibility. His glory should be our concern. We are His image in the world. An American chaplain in the Civil War asked a wounded soldier, “Would you like me to read you something from the Bible?” The soldier said, “I’m so thirsty, I’d rather have a drink of water.” After he had drunk it he said, “Could you put something under my head?” The chaplain took off his overcoat, rolled it up, and placed it under the man’s head as a pillow. “Now,” said the soldier, “if I had something over me. I’m so cold.” The chaplain took off his jacket and covered the man. Then the wounded man said, “For God’s sake, man, if there’s anything in that Book that makes a man do for another what you’ve done for me, let me hear it!” Isn’t that what the world needs today-Christians who exemplify Christ?
11. I Will Be a Christian
A Chinese boy in Singapore found Christ as his Savior and arranged to be baptized shortly after his graduation. But to his surprise he won a scholarship of $500 a year for four years in the Hong Kong University. One of the conditions was, “The winner must be a Confucianist.” To a poor student the temptation to defer baptism was great, but he resisted and presented himself for baptism at the appointed time. A friend, a Confucianist, stood next in line for the scholarship, but was so impressed that he refused it, saying, “If Christianity is worth so much to my classmate, it can be worth no less to me. I will be a Christian.” He trusted Christ as his Savior and was baptized.
12. Missionaries-Walking Bibles
A good example rings louder than any bell to toll people to church. An African prince, after interpreting the missionary’s message, said, “I can’t read this Book myself,” referring to the Bible, “but I believe the words of it because I have watched the missionaries for two years. They have told me no lies about anything else; so when they tell me this Book is God’s Word, I believe it. I believe that Jesus died for me, and I am going to follow this Jesus.”
13. Not Easily Provoked
Some sailors who were working on a ship in harbor noticed an elderly man engaged in his business on the pier. One sailor laughingly said to another, “You can’t make that old man angry no matter what you do to him.” The sailor who was addressed immediately took this as a challenge, and snatching up a bucket of dirty salt water ran up to the old man and dashed its contents all over him. The old man backed away at this surprise attack and said in a mild voice, “Young man, the Savior says, ‘Whoso shall offend one of these . . . that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were cast into the depths of the sea.’ Now, since I am one of these who do believe in Him, will He not consider that you have very much offended me?” The sailor turned away quite ashamed and perplexed at the spirit that the injured Christian exhibited. The picture of the old man wet and miserable looking at him with mingled pity and displeasure stayed with him and led him to go back and ask him to forgive him and pray for him. The elderly Christian was very ready to do both, and not long afterward the sailor became a Christian. There is reason to believe that many sinners might be converted from the error of their ways if they were to meet such a spirit, as the sailor did, in every professed Christian whom they might insult or abuse.
14. An Effective Ministry
A girl of another faith than Christianity worked in a store during the holiday season. She met with an accident and was taken to a hospital. There she made the acquaintance of a Christian nurse whose loving ministry and gentle goodness soon won her friendship. One day the girl asked the nurse, “Is it true that you are a Christian?” Upon being answered in the affirmative she replied, “You are so kind and polite and gentle, I didn’t think you could be a Christian; but then the only Christians I’ve met are the Christmas shoppers.”
15. The Living Testimony
There was once a merchant who had been a very worldly, godless man. He was finally gloriously converted. On being asked what had been especially the means of his conversion, he replied, “The example of one of my clerks.” He went on to say, “This young man was one whose religion was in his life rather than in his tongue. He did not bless God and speak evil of his fellowmen. When I uttered an oath, he never reproved me; but I could see it deeply pained him. When I fell into a fit of anger and behaved in a violent manner, though he spoke no word to that effect, I could see how painful the scene was to him. My respect for him led me to restrain myself in his presence and gradually to break off both these habits. In fact, this man, though he never spoke a word to me on the subject of religion, exercised an influence for good over me wielded by no other human being. To him, under God, I am indebted more than to any other for the hope of eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ in which I now rejoice.”
16. Mind Little Things
I remember at one time I received an invitation from a young preacher to speak in his church. He said, “I remember when you preached at my father’s church many years ago. My mother had worked all night, and after dinner, you did the dishes. I’ll never forget that. I forgot your sermon, but I haven’t forgotten your doing dishes at my mother’s home.”
17. Goodwill Displayed
A Christian family moving into a new community wanted to keep their lawn well mowed so they might be a good testimony in the neighborhood. However, they mowed the lawn so early in the day they disturbed the neighbors. When this was called to their attention, instead of feeling hurt and offended, they made their apologies and promised to cut the grass at a more reasonable hour. What might have developed into a neighborhood feud became instead an evidence of their good will.
18. Candidate Accepted
An official of a mission board, who knew it takes more than desire to make a missionary, was appointed to examine a candidate. He told the young man to come to his house at six o’clock in the morning. The young man went at six in the morning to be examined, and the examiner kept him sitting in the room until ten. Then he went down to him and said abruptly, “Can you write your name? Do you know what your name is?” “Yes, sir.” He put him through a series of questions of that kind, and then went to the mission board and said, “He will do. I tried his patience for four hours, and he did not break down; I then insulted him, and he did not lose his temper. He will do.” If a man answers all abuses with magnanimity, patience, fortitude, and gentleness, you can depend upon it, Christ’s love has conquered his heart. His Christianity is vindicated by the very quality of his character.
19. Prove Yourself
In Aesop’s fables a traveler was entertaining some men in a tavern with an account of the wonders he had done abroad. “I was once at Rhodes,” said he, “and the people of Rhodes, you know, are famous for jumping. Well, I completed a jump there that no other man could equal within a yard. That’s a fact, and if we were there I could bring you ten men who would prove it.” “What need is there to go to Rhodes for witnesses?” asked one of his hearers. “Just imagine you are there now and show us your leap.” Thus Paul intimated to the Corinthians, “I don’t have to come to listen to your words. You can prove the quality of your life by what you do, and I’ll know it from where I am.”
20. I Belong to Christ
“Oh,” said a woman to a minister, “do you belong to us?” “Well,” said the minister, “who are ‘us’? I belong to Christ.” Then, seeing that this explanation still did not satisfy her, he continued, “I like the Augustinian creed: ‘A whole Christ for my salvation, the whole Bible for my study, the whole Church for my fellowship, and the whole world for my parish, that I may be a true Christian and not a sectarian.’”
21. A Generous Concession
A man bought a field next to a farmer who had been engaged in a longstanding dispute with the former owner about the exact boundary line between this field and his own property. When the new owner saw the farmer near the fence one day, he greeted him with the words, “I’m your new neighbor; and I would like to talk to you about the boundary line between our properties.” The farmer assumed a belligerent attitude and said, “What about it?” “How much of this field do you claim as belonging to you?” asked the new owner who was a Christian. “I claim that your fence is a good two feet over on my property,” replied the farmer. “Well, then, I want you to reset the fence four feet back on my side,” said the Christian. This completely took the fight out of the farmer and was the beginning of a new spirit of concession on his part also.
22. Like Jesus
A little girl in a Chinese village watched a missionary as he went about the Master’s work. She saw him go to the homes where there were sickness, death, and sorrow, and she watched him as he moved about the village, though she never heard him speak in public. One day she went to another village and followed some girls into a mission school. There she heard a lady talking to them, in Chinese, about someone to whom little children came. One of the little girls asked the visitor, “Do you know who it was?” “Yes,” she replied, “she was talking about the missionary who lives in our village.” She had never heard about Jesus Christ, and when the teacher described the beautiful life of Jesus Christ, she thought she was describing the missionary.
23. A Real Conversion
Two little children, a boy and a girl, who played together a great deal, received Christ and were converted. One day the boy came to his mother and said, “Mother, I know that Emma is a Christian.” “What makes you think so, dear?” “Because she plays like a Christian. If you take everything she’s got, she doesn’t get mad. Before, she was selfish, and if she didn’t have everything her own way she would say, ‘I won’t play with you; you are a mean little boy.’ ” That’s what the world sees, the result of our possessing part of the fullness of God. If we have God, then we must act like Him.
24. Something in Our Faces
Be like the Christian policeman who prayed at prayer meeting, “O Lord, put something in our faces as we walk about, that people in trouble may see and so be led to seek our help.” How does your face and mine look to those who may be seeking help?
25. Effective Testimony
The famous English deist, Anthony Collins of the 17 th century, met a plain countryman one day while out walking. He asked him where he was going. “To church, sir.” “What are you going to do there?” “Worship God.” “Is your God a great or a little God?” “He is both, sir.” “How can He be both?” “He is so great, sir, that the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him; and so little that He can dwell in my heart.” The unbeliever Collins later declared that this simple answer from the countryman had more effect upon his mind than all the volumes which learned doctors had written against him. This simple countryman had indeed the right concept of God, the God of the Bible, who as a spirit is the Creator of all things and yet indwells the heart of His believing creatures in the person of Jesus Christ.
26. An Irresistible Argument
A famous atheist once said, “I can stand all the arguing of Christian apologists, but I have a little servant who is a disciple of Jesus Christ, and her good, pure, honest, truthful life staggers me sometimes.” The one irresistible argument for the gospel’s power is a regenerated, consecrated life which is a demonstration of the life of Christ. The world may miss seeing the life of God in nature, but they cannot miss seeing it in the lives of those men and women who have the life of Christ. What a wonderful thought to know that we as human beings can become the carriers of the life of God and our lives can become the reflectors of His life.
27. Love Triumphant
It is said that Claude, a man of great piety, was unjustly imprisoned in the Bastille. At the same time a man was imprisoned who was so brutal and ferocious that no one dared approach him. The jailer, recognizing Claude’s Christian character, begged him to undertake to humanize this monster. Accordingly, the humble Christian was shut up with this inhuman brute who subjected him to the most barbarous treatment. Through it all Claude’s only reply was to exhibit silence, patience, and mildness under attack. His prayers achieved the rest. The monster at length looked into the face of his companion, suddenly threw himself at his feet, and burst into a flood of penitent tears. He became a new creature in Christ, and even when set at liberty he could scarcely be prevailed upon to leave his Christian friend.
28. The Show Window
A country merchant once visited New York. The thing that impressed him most was the magnificent and spotless show windows. On his return home he immediately cleaned up his unused show window and made it so attractive that he was soon doing nearly all the business in his town. Instead of failing in business, as he had at one time feared, he became the richest merchant of his county. The show window of the Christian is most important. It has to be attractive, but it must represent the truth; it must show that which can be produced in the storehouse. One of the hardest things for the Christian to do is to be truthful and honest in his showmanship, to let his tongue represent what is in his heart. Thus the argument of James runs: Now you have stated to the world that you are wise, that you possess wisdom, namely, Jesus Christ and His Spirit. Then show it by your good conduct.
29. Come Clear Out
A converted Chinese gentleman, when in America on a visit, was unfavorably impressed with the little difference he saw between the style of living of many professing Christians and the men and women of the world. Referring to the matter on one occasion he said, making at the same time a large sweep with his arm, “When the disciples of my country come out from the world, they come clear out.”
30. A Child’s Testimony
A little child asked his father, “Daddy, is Satan bigger than I am?” “Yes, he is,” answered the father. “Is he bigger than you, Daddy?” The father replied, “Yes, son, he is bigger than I am.” Surprised, the boy blurted out, “Is the devil bigger than Jesus?” “No, not by a long shot, David. Jesus is bigger and stronger.” The child thought for a while and said, “Then I’m not afraid of him because I have Jesus in me.”
31. The Correct Reading
An atheist, who was also an invalid, sent his little daughter to live with friends who taught her to read. She proudly told her father when she came home, “I have learned to read.” “Well,” said he, “Let me hear you read that,” pointing to a board at the foot of the bed on which he had printed in large letters, “God is nowhere.” Carefully she spelled out the words in the way that seemed right to her, “God is now here.” The unbelieving father was startled and perplexed, but God blessed that new reading to the salvation of his soul.
32. Proof of Pedigree
Murray McCheyne, that great preacher, said, “The Christian is just a person who makes it easy for others to believe in God.” Is it easy for others to believe in God because of your presence among them? And that great scientist Pascal said. “I saw that everything that came to pass in the life of Christ must be repeated in the lives of His followers.” And another author said, “Say not that you have royal blood in your veins, say not that you are born of God, if you cannot prove your pedigree by daring to be holy.”
33. Class Consciousness
A preacher, one Sunday morning, noticed a man in the congregation in his Sunday best. In the evening that same man was there in working clothes. The preacher afterward spoke to him. “Are you going to work?” “No,” was the reply, “but this morning something was said that stirred me to go and seek my brother. I knew he had no Sunday clothes, and I knew he would not come if I put on my Sunday clothes. So I put on my working clothes for him, and here he is.”
34. Running from, Not After Sin
A little girl, in the days when the conversion of children was not the subject of as much prayer as now, applied for membership in a Baptist church. “Were you a sinner,” asked an old deacon, “before this change of which you now speak?” “Yes,
sir,” she replied. “Well, are you now a sinner?” “Yes, sir, I feel I am a greater sinner than ever.” “Then what change is there in you?” “I don’t quite know how to explain it,” she said, “but I used to be a sinner running after sin, and now I hope I am a sinner running from sin.”
35. Testimony of Long-Suffering
A mean, worldly army sergeant was saved, and this was his testimony to his fellow soldiers: “There is a private in our company who was converted. We gave that fellow an awful time. One night he came in from sentry duty, very tired and wet, and before going to bed he got down to pray. I struck him on the side of the head with my boots, and he just went on with his prayers. Next morning I found my boots beautifully polished by the side of my bed. That was his reply to me. It just broke my heart, and I was saved that day.” That is really a testimony of Christian longsuffering.
36. Joy Here and Now
A stranger in St. Louis stopped a policeman one Sunday morning and asked him to recommend a church. He directed him to one at a little distance. “What’s the matter with these other churches that I see along the way?” asked the stranger. “Why don’t you recommend them?” “To tell the truth,” replied the policeman, “I am an unbeliever myself, but people coming out of that church are always happy. They are different. If I ever decided to go to church, that’s where I’d go. They’ve got something there that makes them happy.” That something was the gospel of Jesus Christ. You may not be able to fully understand it, but it has the power to give you the joy, peace, and satisfaction of heart that the whole world cannot give.
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