100 Sermon Illustrations on Witness

Keith Robinson, in THE ENCOURAGER, writes:

"When God wanted to authenticate Himself to the ancient world, He called His nation Israel as witness. 'You are my witnesses,'He said, testimony that 'I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. I, even I, am the Lord' (Isaiah 48:10). The people of God served as the undeniable proof of God.

"God's people still offer the most basic and best proof of God. A changed life is still the best testimony of God's power. Divine love reflected in a Christian heart which accepts, forgives and loves the unlovable is still the best witness of the nature of God. Hope that will not die is still the best proof of eternal life. Faith which cannot be shaken even in the face of death is still the best demonstration of the immutability of God's promises.

"We who have been granted the imponderable privilege of partaking in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), are the witnesses, the demonstration, the proof of the divine presence in the world. Books and lessons and sermons and reason may have their place, but the real test is in the lives of God's chosen people. If that proof is not clear and constant, everything else is just hearsay."

"I refused a date to the movies, choosing rather to go to the Wednesday night prayer meeting.

"When I arrived, I looked for several people who were important to me.

"I looked for my Sunday school teacher-but he was not there. I looked for the familiar faces of a couple of deacons whom I knew-but they were not there. I looked for several of the members who seemed to be spiritually real and who had greeted me warmly at the Sunday morning services-but they were not there.

"Perhaps, these Christian friends do not think the Wednesday night services are so very important. I guess next Wednesday night I will go to the movies."

Was this young man from your church?

A young lady went to a rescue mission to help out with the inquirers who would respond to the Gospel. As she approached one derelict in order to help him make a decision for Christ, he said to her, "Do you play cards, or dance, or go to the theater, or drink socially?" "No, not now," she replied. "Well, then you may talk to me; but I will not listen to one word from you fine Christian folks who are doing on a small scale the very things that brought me a poor wretch to where I am." This young Christian woman later confessed that she had greater joy in leading that young man to Christ than the exercise of all the pleasures that many Christians hold on to simply because they have not yet been ruined by them.

The story is told of Maxwell Gordon, missionary to India, that when he asked a Hindu scholar to teach him the language, the Hindu replied:

"No, Sahib, I will not teach you my language. You would make me a Christian."

Maxwell replied, "You misunderstand me. I am simply asking you to teach me your language."

Again the Hindu responded, "No, Sahib, I will not teach you. No man can live with you and not become a Christian."

Maxwell Gordon's reputation as a Christian preceded him. His very lifestyle attracted people to Christ. And so it was with the Apostle Paul and his two missionary companions, Silas and Timothy. Saint Francis of Assisi captured their philosophy of evangelism when he said, "It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless we preach as we walk!"

===========================

Another version from an original text at http://www.archive.org/stream/georgemaxwellgor00lewi/georgemaxwellgor00lewi_djvu.txt

Maxwell Gordon (1839-1880), an M.A. of Cambridge, was noted at college for his muscular strength and endurance. In India, he gave himself so wholly up to the natives, that his services could be commanded at any hour. For his labours he took no pay, whether as acting chaplain, or as a missionary. Whatever money he received, he gave to the Mission fund, or to the poor. “ I never,” says Mr Vyse, “met with so unselfish a man. I have known him walk from early morn to late at night through a burning sun on the Dera-Ismail-Khan road, in order that a poor, tired, sick native should ride his pony. The cold weather is very keen on the frontier, and three winters ago, I accidentally came across Mr. Gordon, many miles from the station, without overcoat or vest; he had actually taken them off to give to a sick native and his child, who were both lightly clad, and suffering from the cold. When I spoke to him about it, he was distressed at my having found it out, and said, “ I am strong, and can rough it a bit sometimes.”

I never knew him sleep on the commonest of charpoys (native beds), “the ground was good enough, he would say,” and add, “with straw or date palm leaves for a bed, I can sleep very soundly.” He never drank but water, or water and milk, and his food was plain [unknown word], or unleavened bread, fruit and vegetables ; but, if purposely prepared for him, occasionally a little meat. He was no bigot. I never knew him say anything harsh or severe. Last year I had a very clever fellow as sowar (trooper), who was great at Bilochi and frontier languages. Mr. Gordon was anxious to engage him as Moonshee (or teacher of languages), and offered him 70 rupees a month, or double what the Government was giving him; moreover, that he should receive substantial compensation in lieu of his far-off pension. “Sahib, I dare not,” said the sowar. “I should be made a Christian.” Mr. Gordon promised not to mention the subject of religion. But the sowar replied, “It is too tempting. I love Gordon Sahib, and in spite of myself, I am sure I could not help accepting his religion.” There is a grand field for missionary enterprise on the north-west frontier of India, but you want men of the stamp of Mr. Gordon, who has now met his death as a volunteer chaplain, where he thought he was most wanted.

________

George Maxwell Gordon; the pilgrim missionary of the Punjab. A history of his life and work, 1839-1880, by Arthur Lewis, December 1888.

In Acts 8:26, we are told that the Holy Spirit sent Phillip to the desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza. Following the Spirit’s leading, Philip soon met an Ethiopian eunuch, a man in charge of the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians.

At this point in the story, the really impressive fact is that the eunuch has a scroll of Isaiah the prophet. He had been to Jerusalem to worship, and someone seems to have given him the scroll. Religious writings were very precious at that time and almost never left the temple. We have to guess that only because the man was such a high official and in position to influence a nation was he given such an important document. Had he, even in far off Ethiopia, heard stories of a Messiah who was to come to the Jewish people? Had he heard the recent religious news about Jesus and come to investigate this “new” religious belief. We do not know for sure, but we do know he was not making much progress with the scroll he had been given until Philip came to assist him with understanding.

Starting with the passage in Isaiah about the sheep led to slaughter, Philip explains that the prophet was referring to Jesus. With Christian concern, Philip carefully explains the story of Jesus and the good news of salvation. Not one to waste time, the eunuch is baptized immediately when the two come to some water by the road. After the baptism, the Spirit takes Philip away, and the eunuch goes on his way rejoicing.

How many times do we feel that our job is finished if we hand out pamphlets or invite someone to church? Maybe what someone really needs from us is a little steady care — not only friendship but teaching. The Bible is a powerful tool — the best in the world, but a new convert may need some explanation with what he may feel is a new or different belief. Maybe even though the person has lived in the United States all his life, he could still use some guidelines or Scriptural passages as a place to begin his study. Maybe he really needs to know why you personally believe. Maybe he needs Scriptural guidance for a particular need or hurt. Do we listen to the gentle leading of the Spirit or to the unasked but necessary questions of our friends?

Joseph is a tall, slender Masai warrior. Some time ago he met a man along a dusty African road who told him the story of Christ and God's love that made forgiveness for sin possible. Joseph became a believer and rejoiced in the “Jesus story.”

He became a fiery witness, to the point that he later made the long journey from Africa to Amsterdam for an Evangelist conference. His greatest hope was to meet Billy Graham, one of the speakers in person. Robert was a staff member in the conference who screened the few persons allowed to visit Dr. Graham. Joseph's story convinced him so much that he was allowed to tell his conversion experience to Billy in person.

“After I met Jesus, I was so excited that I just knew everyone in my village would be happy to meet him also. So I went door-to-door telling everyone I met about the cross of Jesus and the salvation it offered. To my amazement my people not only didn't care, they became hostile. The men held me to the ground while the women began beating me with barbed wire. I was dragged from the village and left to die in the bush.”

Joseph somehow managed to crawl to a water hole, and there, after two days of passing in and out of consciousness, found he had the strength to get up. He was puzzled about the hostile reception from family and friends whom he had known all his life. “I decided that I must have left something important out of the story I told them about Jesus. So I practiced it over and over, then limped back to tell them the good news.”

“I went again, from hut-to-hut telling about Jesus who died for us so we might find forgiveness and know the living God. Again they held me down and I was beaten, opening anew the former wounds. They dragged me unconscious outside the camp and I was left for dead.”

“I woke up two days later, scarred and bruised, but still alive. For the third time I went back into my home village and started to witness. But they were waiting for me. I was set upon, thrown to the ground and as the beatings began I passed out. When I awakened this time I was in my own bed. The folks who had been whipping on me had now become my nurses. Everyone in my village had become a believer in Christ.”

After telling Billy Graham his story, Joseph lifted his colorful African shirt and showed his scars.

Afterward, Billy said to his staff, “I'm not worthy to untie his shoes, and he wanted to meet me?”

__________

Immanuel, by Michael Card, Thomas Nelson, Inc., pp172-174, arr.

Secondary source: Chapnotes, http://www.chaplainsnotes.org/

*

You shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life. —Philippians 2:15-16

The name of Peter Carter is probably unknown to most people today. He was a 19th-century American Presbyterian pastor. He wasn’t as famous a pulpiteer as Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He didn’t write great works of theology like his contemporary Charles Hodge. He never achieved the international recognition of Henry Ward Beecher of the Brooklyn Tabernacle. But he lived his faith in such a way that he encouraged hundreds of people to trust and serve Jesus Christ. Carter radiated the Savior’s love to children as well as to adults.

For example, a visitor asked some of the children in Carter’s Sunday school if they knew the Good Shepherd. “Oh, yes,” they answered. “He’s Pastor Peter Carter.” Missionary-statesman Robert E. Speer said, “If all the reasoned arguments in support of Christianity were destroyed, Peter Carter and the two or three men like him I have known would remain for me as its impregnable basis and defense.”

Even if we think of ourselves as rather ordinary believers, all of us can by God’s grace be shining lights that “glorify [our] Father in heaven” and point people to the Savior (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16). We too can be flesh-and-blood evidence that the gospel is true. — VCG

I want my life to shine for Jesus

So that everywhere I go

The watching world will see He loves them

And His saving grace will know. — Hess

God put us on earth to shine as lights, not to get used to the dark.

Ravi Zacharias shared how "during the Cold War, a Christian from the U.S. was visiting Romania. It was a gray, cold day, and all the faces around him reflected that gray, cold atmosphere. But in the midst of the gloom, the Christian man heard someone whistling a tune. It was an old hymn, 'The Great Physician now is here, the sympathizing Jesus.'

"The Christian man spotted the whistler and began walking alongside him. Because Christians were persecuted by the government, he took care not to publicly identify his allegiance. He simply began whistling the same tune. The Romanian man stopped, a big smile spreading over his face. He pointed to heaven. So did the American man. He pointed to his heart. The American did too. Then he reached out and grabbed the American in a big bear hug. Neither man could speak the other's language, but they knew instantly that they were brothers in the faith.

"How did these two men from opposite ends of the world, from different cultures and different languages, come to worship a Jewish carpenter? Because someone told the story of Jesus to someone else, who told it to someone else, who told it to someone else, until it reached Jerusalem, and Judea, and Samaria and all the ends of the earth."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please use me today in whatever way to communicate your love and in so doing be a powerful witness to your saving grace in my life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

Acts 26:1–23 — Paul’s Defence (outline by F. F. Bruce, NICNT) « Leader information shown in this fashion »

{A.} The Birth of the Church (1:1–5:42)

{B.} Persecution and Expansion (6:1–9:31)

{C.} The Acts of Peter & Beginnings of Gentile Christianity (9:32–12:25)

{D.} Church Extension from Antioch & Apostolic Decree at Jerusalem (12:25–15:35)

{E.} Paul Leaves Antioch & Moves to the Aegean World (15:36–19:20)

{F.} Paul Plans to Visit Rome and Gets there by an Unforseen Route (19:21–28:31)

{1} He Prepares to Leave Ephesus for Macedonia and Achaia (19:21–20:6)

{2} The Journey to Jerusalem (20:7–21:16)

{3} Paul at Jerusalem (21:17–23:30)

{4} Paul at Caesarea (23:31–26:32)

A. Paul Taken to Caesarea (23:31–35)

B. Paul Accused before Felix (24:1–9)

C. Paul’s Defence before Felix (24:10–21)

D. Felix Adjourns Proceedings (24:22-23)

E. Paul’s Interviews with Felix (24:24-26)

F. Felix Replaced by Festus; Paul Left in Custody (24:27)

G. Festus Visits Jerusalem (25:1-5)

H. Paul Appeals to Caesar (25:6-12)

I. Agrippa II and Bernice Visit Festus (25:13–22)

J. Paul Appears before Agrippa (25:23-27)

K. Paul Accepts Agrippa’s Invitation to Speak 26:1

1. 1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You are permitted to speak for yourself.’ So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: NKJV

2. What has Paul just heard Festus say? « – that Festus is looking for something to write about Paul in sending him to Caesar »

3. Festus having set the parameters, now who takes charge? « – this being neither official nor judicial, it is not against protocol for Agrippa II now to take the lead »

4. This follows the same ground as Acts 22:3–21 in Paul’s defence to the Jews. Why does Luke spend so much time describing to the Greek Theophilus the persecution carried out by the Jews against Paul in his journeys and in Jerusalem? « – Christianity must be shown to be legitimate. Paul, the principle exponent of Christianity to the Gentiles, is in Nero’s prison as he writes. Clearing Paul’s name also clears any charges against Christianity; this is also why, beginning with Jesus’ birth in the Gospel and all the way through to the end of Acts, the essential unity of Christianity with historic Judaism is portrayed and defended. We still need to engage in this defence. »

L. Paul’s “Apologia pro vita sua” (Defence for his own life) 26:2–23

1. “Exordium” (Opening Address), 26:2–3 (NKJV): 2 “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, 3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.

a. What marks of courtesy does Paul show to Agrippa? « – he is ‘happy’ to face Agrippa, he knows Agrippa’s expertise, he requests Agrippa’s patience »

b. Paul will describe his life to Agrippa; what could Agrippa determine from this that Festus could not? « – if there was any legitimate reason for the Jew’s hatred of Paul »

2. The Resurrection Hope, 26:4–8 (NKJV): 4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. 5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. 7 To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead? Omit “the”

a. What did Paul’s accusers deliberately suppress?

i. « His actions (‘manner of life’) from his youth on up »

ii. « His behaviour in all his days spent in Jerusalem »

iii. « His religious character as a Pharisee »

b. What marked Paul’s resurrection hope?

i. What was it based upon? « – God’s promise »

ii. Who shared it? « – all 12 tribes; ie., all Jews in general; the Bible does not support the myth of 10 lost tribes »

c. Why is this pertinent and reasonable to Paul’s defence (Acts 25:19)? « – Paul’s dispute with the Jews swung on this axis: Jesus had been resurrected in accordance with Israel’s hope the Pharisee’s belief; is Paul not a consistent Jew? »

3. Paul’s Persecuting Zeal, 26:9-11 (NKJV): 9 “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

a. How do these verses add to Paul’s defence?

i. They unite « – Paul with the Jews now persecuting him »

ii. They confirm « – the orthodoxy of his manner of life »

iii. They raise the question « – ‘What changed Paul?’ »

b. What then characterized Christianity? « – it took place in the synagogues; it was a part of Judaism, believers Jews. »

4. The Heavenly Vision, 26:12–18 (NKJV): 12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ « See Jeremiah’s (1:5-8) call »

a. What did this confirm in what Paul had already said? « – the fact of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth »

b. What question does this answer? « – ‘What changed Paul’ »

c. What did it reveal concerning Jesus? « – His deity »

d. What is emphasized as part of Paul’s service?

i. The spread of salvation « – to all mankind »

ii. Faith will give « – an inheritance to a holy people, a term the Jews thought to apply only to themselves »

5. Paul’s Obedience to the Vision, 26:19-20(NKJV) — 19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and * throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles,* that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

a. ** alternatively, “in every region, to Jews and to Gentiles”

b. What brought sanctification (verse 18)? « – faith »

c. Of what does this consist in these verses? « – repentance from and to, works demonstrating faith’s reality; Paul’s message does not differ from James as some would tell us »

6. Paul’s Arrest, 26:21 (NKJV) — “For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.

a. What are the reasons just cited?

i. That Gentiles « should receive the inheritance promises »

ii. That Jews « needed salvation that was apart from law (Romans 3:28 had already been written!) – the same blindness exists today, as one prominent rabbi states they do not need the Messiah, they have the covenant »

7. “Peroration” (Concluding Summary), 26:22–23 (NKJV) — 22 “Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come — 23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

a. Replace ‘would’ with ‘must;’ Greek word implies no doubt

b. What is Paul’s synopsis here of the Gospel? « – the plan of God found in the law & prophets of the suffering, death, resurrection, and universal proclamation of the Messiah; see esp. Isaiah 49:6, 60:1–3, Matt 2:1–12, Luke 2:32 »

c. Festus would not understand the implications of this; do you think Agrippa II would? … see next week!

Acts 8:26–40 — The Ethiopian

(outline by F. F. Bruce, NICNT)

« Leader information shown in this fashion »

{A.} The Birth of the Church (1:1–5:42)

{B.} Persecution and Expansion (6:1–9:31)

{1.} Stephen (6:1–8:1a)

A. The Appointing of the Seven (6:1–6)

B. Progress Report (6:7)

C. Stephen’s Activity Raises Opposition (6:8–10)

D. Stephen Accused before the Sanhedrin (6:11–15)

E. The High Priest’s Question (7:1)

F. Stephen’s Reply (7:2–53)

G. Stoning of Stephen (7:54–8:1a)

{2.} Philip (8:1b–40)

A. Persecution & Dispersion (8:1b–3)

B. Philip in Samaria (8:4–8)

C. Simon Magus Believes (8:9–13)

D. Peter and John Visit Samaria (8:14–17)

E. Peter and Simon Magus (8:18–24)

F. The Apostles Return to Jerusalem (8:25)

G. Philip and the Ethiopian 8:26–40 «

(Comment re (1) purpose of filling of Holy Spirit (2) promises, error with statement, “a promise to one of God’s children is for all them”) »

1. The Command, the Response — Acts 8:26–27a (NKJV): 26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27a So he arose and went.

a. Philip’s story resumes with his taking the road south through Hebron, and then west to Gaza on the Mediterranean coast.

b. 2 Corinthians 11:14 (NIV): “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” Last week guidance by means of dreams was raised. How can we determine that guidance is from God when it is non-doctrinal in nature? « – prayer with (1) a fleece (2) a step of faith (3) common sense; self-examination of own motives; evaluate the circumstance »

c. What objection might Philip had made to these directions? « – it was desert (a desolate place) where no one was; where would he find a congregation there? »

d. How would you describe Philp’s response? « – obedient »

2. The Enquirer and the Evangelist — Acts 8:27b–31 (NKJV): 27b And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

a. Ethiopia ran along the west (and maybe parts of the east) coast of the Red Sea or Gulf of Arabia beyond the southern border of the Roman empire. Its king was considered to sacred, as son of the sun, to govern which was left to the Kandake, a name for the queen mother.

b. Deuteronomy 23:1ff forbade a eunuch, along with certain others from entering the congregation of Israel; what do we discover about the gospel? « – eunuchs can mean simply servants, or, neutered men serving in their master’s harem. Note that in Isaiah 56:3–5 it is prophesied that this barrier would be removed with the coming of God’s salvation. »

c. To what group would the eunuch appear to belong? « – a proselyte to Judaism »

d. What things confirm the command to Philip was from God?

(A) Philip finds « a man in this desolate place »

(B) the eunuch is « a worshipper of Yahweh, the true God »

(C) Philip receives « further direction from the Holy Spirit »

(D) Philip arrives when « the man is reading Scripture, and specifically a prophecy of the Lord Jesus Christ »

(E) the eunuch « seeks an understanding of what he reads »

e. 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 shows that God’s Spirit is needed to understand; what part does man play? « – the individual must seek (Jerermiah 29:13, Matthew 7:7) and believe (Hebrews 11:6); there must be a preacher (Romans 10:14) »

f. What are questions we can ask people that gently begin a conversation on spiritual matters? Which ones to avoid?

3. The Message Text — Acts 8:32–33 (NKJV): 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.”

a. The quotation is from the Greek translation of Isaiah 53:7–8; NKJV translation of the Hebrew reads “7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.” – a version often quoted in the New Testament – can we conclude something here about translations? « – though not identical to the original writings, they are still the word of God and are attended by His Holy Spirit. »

b. Would the passage quoted contain sufficiently in itself the message of salvation? « — The Bible was not then in chapters and verses; enough is quoted to identify the passage in question (as Luke 20:37 eg., “the burning bush passage”) to identify it, but the entire context is under consideration here. »

c. What important information did these words convey about the Person they are describing?

(A) he had « died – “cut off” »

(B) he was « innocent – “justice was taken away” »

(C) his « death was probably related to sacrifice – “sheep” »

4. The Theme of the Text — Acts 8:34–35 (NKJV): 34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.

a. The question was one much debated in Judaism; what were the answers given? « — Isaiah himself, an unheeded prophet; or, Israel, the nation »

b. How would you describe Philip’s answer? « — authoritative, ready, unhesitating, Spirit-let, evangelistic, testifying »

c. What good lesson does Philip give respecting evangelism? « — he does not get caught up in a side issue or interpretation but focusses the discussion squarely on the Lord Jesus Christ »

5. The Baptism — Act 8:36–39a (NKJV): 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water

a. Note that verse 37 is not found in the oldest manuscripts; the truth it conveys, however is found in earliest confessions

b. What is discovered about baptism in this account?

(A) it is a « natural consequence of salvation »

(B) it is by « immersion in water »

(C) Philip « must have included the subject in his message »

(D) the eunuch « was the one expressing the desire to make this confession (before all his retinue) »

(E) it did not « require an apostle, bishop, elder, or pastor to perform (at best, Philip’s office was that of deacon) »

6. The Parting — Acts 8:39b–40 (NKJV): 39b the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.

a. What was the character of Philip’s departure? « – miraculous transportation by the Holy Spirit; the kind that Obadiah feared would happen to Elijah if he went to fetch Ahab »

b. What was the character of the eunuch’s departure (check Romans 14:17 for the Christians situation)? « – he was also transported by the Spirit: into the rejoicing that comes from being part of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Irenaeus says he became a missionary among the Ethiopians. »

c. Azotus (OT: Ashdod) is a town further up the coast from Gaza. Following his successful evangelistic campaign, what kind of vacation did Philip take? « – evangelistic trip up the coast road to Caesarea at the northern end of Judaea. »

Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. (Acts 17:18 AV)

Now that is our message. If anyone is married how rapidly we tell it. If there is a birth, how they spread the news. If death has visited, we tell it. The most timid person in the world can report these things. And that same person has ability to report the tremendous fact that Jesus is not dead but alive. Oh, people have read it in a book, but let one go from the presence of God — nay, rather carry the presence of God with him, and go everywhere telling the story. You say, “but I don’t know how to begin.” Here is how to begin: “the crucified One is alive.” Tell everyone. – T. T. Shields (former Pastor of Jarvis Street Baptist Church, Toronto)

‘Tis a truth: away and spread it;

Spread the tidings far and near;

O may sinners give it credit,

And be joyful when they hear,

“The Lord is risen.” — alt.

Joy. Can you relate to this: “I’m young at heart — other places are a little older”

If you watch TV at all, you are bombarded with commercials — some that are understandable, and some, like most of the Internet commercials, that are stupid because you have no idea what they are trying to tell you.

One of the most effective is the AFLAC insurance commercial with the duck. It is effective because it clearly gives the company name, the product it is selling, and it does it in such a joyful way that you don’t mind watching.

You and I are commercials for the Christian way of life. When people read us, do they get a mixed message or do they get a clear picture of the joyful life we represent?

Listen to what Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church (2 Cor. 3:2; NLT), It could have been written just this morning by your pastor: “… your lives are a letter written in our hearts, and everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. Clearly you are a letter (a commercial) from Christ prepared by us… “ Display some joy today and be a good commercial.

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. (John 4:39 AV)

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. (Acts 4:20 AV)

Some are jealous of being successors of the Apostles. I would rather be a successor of the Samaritan woman who, while they went for meat, forgot her waterpot in her zeal for souls. – Hudson Taylor

Not for those who ever loved Him,

Did the Lord of glory die;

Pity to the wretched moved Him:

Who that hears it will deny that God is love?

’Tis a truth: away and spread it;

Spread the tidings far and near;

O may sinners give it credit,

And be joyful when they hear that God is love.

When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion,

we were like them that dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter,

and our tongue with singing:

Then said they among the heathen,

“The LORD hath done great things for them.”

The LORD hath done great things for us;

whereof we are glad.

Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

He that goeth forth and weepeth,

bearing precious seed,

shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,

bearing precious sheaves. (Psalms 126)

The Psalmist is here praising God for the restoring of the Jews to their own land. Such a restoration was not merely political, but was also spiritual, for they were returning to the promised land and to the holy city of Jerusalem. Therefore, this Psalm is an apt expression of the feelings of one who has received salvation from the exile of sin, and is now, through belief in Christ, a citizen of the Kingdom of God.

First, there is the wonder of salvation: “we were like those that dream”, which causes our praise God, in joyous laughter and singing.

Next, this joy will cause the unbeliever to realize that we have been with Jesus, and praise God because of us.

Thirdly, there will be our concern in prayer for “our captivity”, our friends and relatives who are still subject to the kingdom of sin and death.

Finaly, from this deep concern, there should spring forth the act of witness for Christ, in love, realizing the lost condition of the sinner. Here, the figure is the sowing of precious seed, the word of God, and watering that seed with the tears of pity, love and kindness. This is necessary before there can be the great rejoicing caused by harvest — the leading of a soul to place its faith in Jesus Christ — the bearing of a precious sheaf.

He also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death … and deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage. — Hebrews 2:14, 15.

A number of times before they killed him the bandits pointed their rifles at Mr. Vinson, who lived in Hanchow. Surprised at his calmness they asked him if he wasn’t afraid to die. He replied, “No, I am not afraid to die. If you shoot me, I go straight to Heaven.” This was reported by a Chinese girl who was also a captive. On hearing it Mr. Hamilton wrote:

“Afraid? of what?

To feel the Spirit’s glad release?

To pass from pain to perfect peace

The strife and strain of life to cease?

Afraid? of that?

Afraid? of what?

Afraid to see the Saviour’s face

To hear His welcome, and to trace

The glory gleams from wounds to grace?

Afraid? of that?

Afraid? of what?

A flash, a crash, a pierced heart

Darkness, light, O heaven’s art

A wound of His a counter-part

Afraid? of that?

Afraid? of what?

To enter into heaven’s rest

And yet to serve the Master blest

From service good to service best?

Afraid? of that?”

1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1

The Beauty of Ruth

The Character of Three Women

Ruth 1:6–18

– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -

A. Today we continue the story of Ruth

1. There are two books in the Bible named after women

a. Esther, a Jew who married a Gentile, and was the instrument of God’s deliverance of His people.

b. Ruth, a Gentile who married a Jew, and became the ancestress of God’s Deliverer from sin, the Lord Jesus Christ

2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2

Review of what has happened

A. In a time of famine in the land, Elimelech has left Bethlehem-Judah with his wife, Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, to live in the Plains of Moab

B. This was in the time of the judges, a time in which every one did what was right in their own eyes

C. Though this was not what God wanted for His people, we can sympathize with Elimelech in his natural desire to provide for his family

– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -

A. Paul told Timothy, and through him, told us that “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NAS)

1. Sometimes in the Old Testament, there is specific indication as to whether a given act is good or evil; whether it should be imitated or not

2. But probably, more often, the story is told, without moral comment, and we are left to learn the lesson from it and the rest of Scripture

B. Such is this story found in the Book of Ruth

1. No judgements are pronounced, no commendations are given

2. But we are left to study the incident and to learn lessons for ourselves from it

3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3

Review of events, continued:

A. Yet the outcome was not particularly happy

1.Elimelech died

2.His sons took Moabite women as wives

3. The sons died within a few years

B. And Naomi is left

1. In a foreign land

2. Bereft of husband and children

3. With two foreign daughters-in-law

4. About ten years after her husband’s death

5. Which is where we start today

– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -

A. It is consistent with the Bible and with what we read in Ruth to use this history as illustrative of the dangers of disobeying God and of God’s grace in what comes to pass. By the way, it would have cost them each a dowry to take these wives.

B. This week, in studying this book, I was surprised to find in one sermon, Naomi described as disobedient and as seeking to cover up her mistakes by sending her daughters-in-law back (Kerux sermon 18040). This is inconsistent with the history:

1. Elimelech may have been disobedient, but his wife had little, if any, say in the matter

2. Naomi never shows any sign of covertness; indeed, she is open to her daughters-in-law and to her neighbours when she returns; moreover, she openly confesses that what has happened to her is from the LORD, not an admission of guilt but of His sovereignty

C. Let’s see what you think as we read the next part of this history

4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4

Ruth 1:6-9 —Naomi decides to leave

– - – - – slide above (graphic: walled city), notes below – - – - -

A. 6 And she arose, she and her daughters-in-law, and began to return from the Plains of Moab; for she had heard in the the Plains of Moab that Yahweh had visited His people in order to give to them bread. 7 And she went out from the place where she had been, and both her daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the road in order to return unto the land of Judah. 8 Then said Naomi to both her daughters-in-law, ‘Go; return each of you to the house of her mother; may Yahweh deal mercifully with you, just as you have done with the dead and with me. 9 May Yahweh grant to you that you may find a restingplace here, each of you the house of her husband.’ And she kissed them and they lifted up their voice and they wept.

5 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5

Ruth 1 :10-14 —Orpah & Ruth respond

– - – - – slide above (graphic: 3 women), notes below – - – - -

A. Don’t let this picture add things in your mind that are not in the text!

B. 10 Yet they said to her, ‘With you will we return to your people.’ 11 But Naomi said, ‘Return, my daughters; why should you come with me? Have I still sons in my womb that they should be husbands for you? 12 Return my daughters; go; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, “There is hope for me,” also, “I am married this night,” and also, “I shall bear sons;” 13 therefore, would you wait until they are grown? … therefore, would you restrain yourselves so as not to be married? Not so, my daughters, for it is very bitter to me on account of you, because the hand of Yahweh has gone out against me.’ 14 Then they lifted up their voice and wept yet again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth stayed with her.

6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6

Ruth 1:15–18 —Ruth’s Decision

– - – - – slide above (graphic: Naomi & Ruth), notes below – - – - -

A. 15 And she said, ‘Behold, your sister-in-law has returned unto her people and unto her gods; return after thy sister-in-law.’ 16 And Ruth said, ‘Do not entreat me to forsake you in order to return after her; for wherever you shall go, I shall go, and wherever you shall lodge, I shall lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God; 17 wherever you shall die, I will die, and there I shall be buried; Oh that God may deal thus with me and more also, surely death only shall separate between you and me.’ 18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, then she ceased to speak unto her.

B. Let’s go back and look at Naomi and her words …

7 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7

Ruth 1:6-7 – They set out for Judah

A. What were the immediate and underlying reasons that Naomi arises to return to Judah?

B. According to their actions and Naomi’s testimony, what were her two daughters-in-law like?

C. Read these verses to yourself in whatever version that you have. Do you get the impression that both daughters-in-law intended to go to Judah?

– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -

A. Now Naomi hears that the famine in Israel is over. The word to visit when applied to God can mean both to visit with judgement or to visit with blessing. If we understand Judges and how God worked with His covenant people, Israel, then God had been visiting them with judgement, and, now after a presumed repentance by the nation, there comes renewed blessing.

B. They both showed a measure of faithfulness to her, for when she sets out they accompany her with the intention to go to Judah; moreover, she considers that they had acted in an admirable fashion to her sons and to herself. Sometimes unbelievers act with a kindness, goodness and generosity that should cause us shame who name the name of Jesus Christ.

C. Some translations make it clearer than others but the Hebrew puts the intention to return to Judah primarily upon Naomi: “She arose … she began to return” with the daughters-in-law accompanying her to the way or road (the “highway” as it were) in only an incidental fashion, but not necessarily committed to going all the way.

8 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8

Ruth 1:8-9 – Naomi’s words to them

A. What possible motives could Naomi have in sending her daughters-in-laws back? Which do you consider the most likely given the entire conversation?

B. What things are revealed as being important to a woman in those days and in that place?

C. What do you think the relationship with their mother-in-law was like for these women?

D. How would you evaluate Naomi’s spiritual condition in these verses?

– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -

A. Naomi may have sensed some reluctance or doubt in the minds of her daughters-in-law. She could understand how they might feel … she, herself, had been in the same position some 10 or so years before and she had had husband and sons with her then … but now they had not even husbands. She could have been acting in care or kindness. She could have acted in self-pity, thrusting away even those who cared for her.

B. Being in their home (“house of her mother”, “a resting-place”), having a husband (“house of her husband”)

C. There appears to have been genuine affection, love for her (and she for them); desiring to be with her, weeping in coming to parting from her.

D. Medium-high? She invokes a blessing of the true God, Yahweh, upon them; she returns believing Yahweh is dwelling again with her people.

9 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9

Ruth 1:10-14 – The conversation (1)

A. How did the daughters-in-law respond to this apparent parting of the ways?

B. What is Naomi’s argument for them to return?

C. Why was it ‘very bitter on your account” or, “more bitter for me than you” for Naomi?

– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -

A. Here they together explicitly express their intention to accompany her to Judah and to her people. The comment of Leah and Rachel that they no longer felt they were Laban’s daughters: Gen 31:14–15 – they may have not had much to which to return.

B. Naomi’s argument is based upon the Levirate marriage, that of a brother-in-law to take the widow to giver her children that the inheritance be carried on. This was general in the middle east where possessions would otherwise revert to the tribe. Deuteronomy 25:5ff makes this a duty of love.In Naomi’s words you can hear the Hebrew form of expression … “So I should still have hope! … so I should marry this night! … so I should have more sons! … so, would you wait?”

C. They still had the possibility of fulfilment with a family, but, to her mind, she did not nor could she partake in their fulfilment.

10 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10

Ruth 1:10-14 – The conversation (2)

A. What was Naomi’s “Christian” testimony like to these Gentiles?

B. How would you evaluate Naomi’s spiritual condition in these verses?

C. What distinguishes between Orpah and Ruth?

D. What gospel lesson is in this?

– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -

A. What she says, and the way she says it, is not a particularly good advertisement to the one true God, Yahweh. Her words are not devoid of selfpity.

B. Medium-low: she, in her bereavement, only sees a frowning Providence, with no possibility of blessing; yet she still tacitly acknowledges His right in bringing this affliction upon her

C. Both had tremendously good intentions; only one persevered.

D. Not every seeker continues; the parable of the sower and the seed (soils) gives evidence of this. One mark of saving faith is perseverance (Matthew 10:22)

11 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11

Ruth 1:15-18 – Ruth’s Decision

A. What sad truth do Naomi’s words to Ruth concerning Orpah convey?

B. What happy truths do Ruth’s words to Naomi convey?

C. How did this speech affect Naomi?

D. Any lessons for us here? …about witnessing?

– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -

A. Though they had spent 10 years together with Jewish husbands and motherin- law, apparently Orpah and Ruth had not left their pagan idols to turn to Yahweh. Even though Moabites were descendants of ‘just Lot’ they worshipped a horrible, heathen God, Chemosh.

B. Ruth gives evidence

1. Though now Naomi was spiritually down, she had shown spiritual witness in times past

2. Naomi’s life made Ruth desirous of sharing it

3. Ruth’s character was not only one of kindness and mercy, but also of faithfulness

4. Ruth had spiritual discernment – she did not want to return to her past life

C. Naomi ceased arguing; even her best reasons that Ruth should go back fell before Ruth’s words

D. Lives can be far more convincing than words. What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you are saying!

12 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12

You shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life. —Philippians 2:15-16

Pilot Lights. Just as a pilot light stays lit and ready to be used, members of the Pilot Lights commit themselves to be faithful to God and available for Him to use to tell others about Christ. After a time of training and prayer, they walk the sidewalks near the church every Saturday morning, talking with people about Jesus.

Our churches are to be places of wonderful friendship and support. But perhaps, like the pastor in London, we need to raise our eyes to see people just beyond the walls of our traditional practice. It’s important to share the glow of worship together, but the sidewalks of life are filled with people who need to see the light of Christ shining through us (Philippians 2:15).

Let’s step outside and be “pilot lights” burning with God’s love today. —DCM

Is your life a channel of blessing?

Is the love of God flowing through you?

Are you telling the lost of the Savior?

Illustration: I stopped into one of our landmark “greasy spoons” the other day. Many senior church members have sworn by the personnel and the menu. I decided to give it a chance. Nothing on the menu caught my eye, so I ordered that old standard chili, topped with onions and grated cheese. I canceled the cheese after learning it cost an extra 50 cents (that’s over $30/lb. if you’re interested).

However, the waitress forgot to tell the cook “no cheese,” so it arrived with onions and cheese. When told, the cook (visibly irritated by this infraction of the rules) grabbed the bowl and scrapped the cheese off. Unfortunately for me, he also scrapped off a ½ inch of my chili and the nice pile of finely chopped fresh onion. When I eventually got my bowl of cold, canned, microwave chili it was sprinkled with large and “potent” chunks of onion.

Now, as I tried to smother the quickly coagulating lump with a ½ pound or so of stale soda crackers, I was distracted by loud coughing. It only took a second to realize it was the cook. With uncovered and open mouth, he wandered about the kitchen hacking his nicotine clogged lungs onto everything not covered or in a cabinet.

Trying to be fair I thought to myself, “It’s okay, after all I’ve probably consumed worse raising six kids.” But then the cook applied the coup de grâce by inserting his index finger to his second knuckle in the nostril of his choice.

I don’t think I’ll tell anyone at the church I ate at the Village Inn, I’m afraid they’ll ask me how I liked it.

–––––––––

Commentary: Many believers are allowing their churches to become the “greasy spoons” of the spiritual community. Only the Mormons seem to avoiding this public relations disaster. Worse, many members of these churches, as well as members of some of our finer churches seem to be unaware that they are being watched.

When the day is dark and dreary,

And your way is hard to find,

Don’t let your heart be weary,

Just keep this thought in mind:

It is better to light just one little candle

Than to stumble in the dark.

Better far that you light just one little candle,

All you need is a tiny spark.

If we’d all say a prayer that the world would be free,

A wonderful dawn of a new day we’d see…

And if everyone lit just one little candle,

What a bright world this would be.

When the day is dark and dreary

And we know not where to go;

Don’t let your heart go weary,

Just keep this thought in mind…

It is better to light just one little candle

Than to stumble in the dark.

Better far that you light just one little candle,

All you need is a tiny spark.

If we’d all say a prayer that the world would be free,

A wonderful dawn of a new day we’d see…

And if everyone lit just one little candle,

What a bright world this would be.

Colin Chapman, in “The Case for Christianity,” quotes Ugandan bishop Festo Kivengere's account of the 1973 execution by firing squad of three men from his diocese:

February 10 began as a sad day for us in Kabale. People were commanded to come to the stadium and witness the execution. Death permeated the atmosphere. A silent crowd of about three thousand was there to watch.

I had permission from the authorities to speak to the men before they died, and two of my fellow ministers were with me.

They brought the men in a truck and unloaded them. They were handcuffed and their feet were chained. The firing squad stood at attention. As we walked onto the center of the stadium, I was wondering what to say. How do you give the gospel to doomed men who are probably seething with rage?

We approached them from behind, and as they turned to look at us, what a sight! Their faces were all alight with an unmistakable glow and radiance. Before we could say anything, one of them burst out:

“Bishop, thank you for coming! I wanted to tell you. The day I was arrested, in my prison cell, I asked the Lord Jesus to come into my heart. He came in and forgave me all my sins! Heaven is now open, and there is nothing between me and my God! Please tell my wife and children that I am going to be with Jesus. Ask them to accept him into their lives as I did.”

The other two men told similar stories, excitedly raising their hands, which rattled their handcuffs.

I felt that what I needed to do was to talk to the soldiers, not to the condemned. So I translated what the men had said into a language the soldiers understood. The military men were standing there with guns cocked and bewilderment on their faces. They were so dumbfounded that they forgot to put the hoods over the men's faces!

The three faced the firing squad standing close together. They looked toward the people and began to wave, handcuffs and all. The people waved back. Then shots were fired, and the three were with Jesus. We stood in front of them, our own hearts throbbing with joy, mingled with tears. It was a day never to be forgotten. Though dead, the men spoke loudly to all of Kegezi District and beyond, so that there was an upsurge of life in Christ, which challenges death and defeats it.

The next Sunday, I was preaching to a huge crowd in the hometown of one of the executed men. Again, the feel of death was over the congregation. But when I gave them the testimony of their man, and how he died, there erupted a great song of praise to Jesus! Many turned to the Lord there.

#1997

*

1. Oh what a wonderful, wonderful day–

Day I will never forget;

After I’d wandered in darkness away,

Jesus my Saviour I met.

Oh what a tender, compassionatne friend–

He met the need of my heart;

Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling,

He made all the darkness depart!

Chorus

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul,

When at the cross the Saviour made me whole;

My sins were washed away,

And my night was turned to day–

Heaven came done and glory filled my soul!

2. Born of the Spirit with life from above

Into God's fam’ly divine,

Justified fully through Calvary’s love,

Oh what a standing is mine!

And the transaction so quickly was made

When as a siner I came,

Took of the offer of grace He did proffer–

He saved me, O praise His dear name!

3. Now I’ve a hope that will surely endure

After the passing of time;

I have a future in heaven for sure,

There in those mansions sublime.

And it’s because of that wonderful day

When at the cross I believed;

Riches eternal and blessings supernal

From His precious hand I received.

*

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” James 1:2-3

Today this world is desperately attempting to redefine anything that would convict it of sin. Sin has become a very “relative” term. The world is attempting to say, “What is sin to you may or may not be sin to me. Everything is relative.” Whether you realize it or not, this philosophy is being taught in our public schools. All students today, understand this principal. Simply said, “There are NO absolutes.” Implied meaning, “There is NO God.” Scripture tells us to, “Stay away from those that call good evil and evil good.” That is a difficult task, especially when our children are required to attend schools and receive an education by the state.

Even the churches today will accept sinful behavior in favor of Political Correctness. Oh we cannot take a stand on that issue or lifestyle, we might be called too “Radically-Right.” We must adapt and fit in and be socially acceptable.

Martin Luther once said, “If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God exept precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady in all the battle front besides is but flight and disgrace if you flinch at this point.”

Five hundred years later, Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Where do you stand??

Sometimes the Lord goes to extreme measures to get a person's attention.

Such may have been the case for one woman the evening of May 3, 1999, when devastating tornadoes ripped across the Oklahoma City area.

Oklahoma City police officer Gary Adams was leading music for a revival at Crestwood Baptist Church when a massive tornado hit Moore and south Oklahoma City. "My house is about 12 blocks from where the tornado hit," Adams said. "On the way home from Crestwood, I heard on the radio that all off-duty police officers were being called to work."

Adams was assigned to the area at 134th and South Santa Fe, at about the southeast corner of the tornado's path. Working from 8:30 p.m. until 2:30 a.m., Adams said about 2,000 to 3,000 cars came through the area. People "were in a panic to get home and check on their houses and their loved ones," Adams recounted. "I've done this job for years, and I've been in all kinds of circumstances, but it was one of the toughest things to tell a man he couldn't go check to see if his wife and children were alive."

Because there was so much traffic, the police officers' way of dealing with the problem was not to talk to the people, Adams said. "We told them we didn't have time to talk to them and needed them to move on," he recounted. It was brutal at times and he got cursed out and screamed at more times than he cares to remember, he said.

But one car in particular caught Adams' attention. A vehicle pulled up with a man and woman in it. He was under some control, Adams said, but she was hysterical. They wanted to see if her mother, whose house was in the area, was all right. "They pleaded with me to let them in, and I continued to tell them to move on, that I didn't have time to talk to them," Adams said. Then he explained to them it was dangerous to go in the area because of downed power lines and gas leaks. The woman nevertheless kept saying she knew her mother was dead, but she had to find out for herself. Because she continued to be so hysterical, Adams had them pull over to the curb and went over to talk with them.

"I tried to assure her that everything that could be done was being done," he said. "I told her the only thing I could suggest is that she pray."

Adams said he asked the woman if her mother was a Christian. She started crying again, but her husband said she was a devout Christian, a very godly woman. Adams told them that should give them comfort, knowing if she was dead, she is with the Lord, and if she was hurt badly, he is going to take care of her.

"The man was quiet, and she was crying softly now," Adams said. "Then she said, 'But you don't understand. I don't know that I'm ever going to see her again because I'm not a Christian.' I looked at her and said, 'You know, I can help you fix that,'" Adams said. The woman stopped crying, looked up and said, "Tell me."

Adams shared how to become a Christian with her. He said she told him she was raised in a Christian home, had been pressured into receiving Christ as her Savior and then had rejected Christ and her upbringing in the faith. He said she was very cynical and didn't understand how God could be so great and loving -- and her mother follow him all these years -- and then he would allow something like this to happen.

"I told her even if we don't understand pain and suffering, knowing Christ and his love for us helps us know things are going to be OK," Adams said. "I said we don't have to understand in order to accept him." Adams gave her a couple of life experiences of his own that made him sometimes doubt the understanding he has of the love of the Lord and told her it is necessary to look beyond the apparent and trust in him.

"She prayed the prayer of salvation with me," Adams said. "I told her I was a Southern Baptist minister and gave her the name of some churches in the area."

Adams said even though we don't understand why the Lord allowed the tornadoes to occur, the love and compassion of the Lord can be seen through the suffering and the struggle of the people. A number of Christian police officers were doing the same job as those who are not Christians, for example, but the difference was amazing, he said. "There was so much more compassion, understanding and acceptance of what had happened from the Christian officers," he said. "It amazes me to see the difference in how Christians behave and how they handle the chaos in disasters like that.

"It was wonderful, right in the middle of all that ugliness, to share Christ with someone."

[Does anyone know if the mother survived? -Holwick]

*

While serving with Operation Mobilization in India in 1967, tuberculosis forced me into a sanitarium for several months. I did not yet speak the language, but I tried to give Christian literature written in their language to the patients, doctors, and nurses. Everyone politely refused. I sensed many weren't happy about a rich American (to them all Americans are rich) being in a free, government-run sanitarium. (They didn't know I was just as broke as they were!)

The first few nights I woke around 2:00 A.M. coughing. One morning during my coughing spell, I noticed one of the older and sicker patients across the aisle trying to get out of bed. He would sit up on the edge of

the bed and try to stand, but in weakness would fall back into bed. I didn't understand what he was trying to do. He finally fell back into bed exhausted. I heard him crying softly.

The next morning I realized what the man had been trying to do. He had been trying to get up and walk to the bathroom! The stench in our ward was awful.

Other patients yelled insults at the man. Angry nurses moved him roughly from side to side as they cleaned up the mess. One nurse even slapped him. The old man curled into a ball and wept.

The next night I again woke up coughing. I noticed the man across the aisle sit up and again try to stand. Like the night before, he fell back whimpering. I don't like bad smells, and I didn't want to become involved,

but I got out of bed and went over to him. When I touched his shoulder, his eyes opened wide with fear. I smiled, put my arms under him, and picked him up.

He was very light due to old age and advanced TB. I carried him to the washroom, which was just a filthy, small room with a hole in the floor. I stood behind him with my arms under his armpits as he took care

of himself. After he finished, I picked him up, and carried him back to his bed. As I laid him down, he kissed me on the cheek, smiled, and said something I couldn't understand.

The next morning another patient woke me and handed me a steaming cup of tea. He motioned with his hands that he wanted a tract. As the sun rose, other patients approached and indicated they also wanted the booklets I had tried to distribute before. Throughout the day nurses, interns, and doctors asked for literature.

Weeks later an evangelist who spoke the language visited me, and as he talked to others he discovered that several had put their trust in Christ as Savior as a result of reading the literature. What did it take to reach these people with the gospel? It wasn't health, the ability to speak their language, or a persuasive talk. I simply took a trip to the bathroom. -Doug Nichols Bothell, Washington

And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. (Acts 4:14 AV)

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:12 AV)

An American traveler in the East asked a Chinese rick-shaw driver if he had ever read the gospel story. He replied, "No, but I have seen it. I have seen a man who was the terror of his village, with his cursing and violent temper. He was an opium smokr, a criminal, and as dangerous as a wild beast. One day he heard the religion of Jesus preached. Since that time, he has become gentle and good, has thrown away his opium pipes. No, I have not read the gospel, sir, but I have seen it and it is good." One of our popular poets has said,

Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,

"I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day."