A GOOD EXAMPLE

A certain preacher closed his sermon with the declaration that "no man can live without sin." "No one," said he "can keep the commandments. I break them all myself, every day & hour."

He called upon a staunch old saint to close with prayer, who prayed as follows:

"0 Lord, have mercy on us! Thou hast said, 'Thou shall not steal,' 'Thou shall not commit adultery,' & ‘Thou shall not kill,' & here is a preacher who says he breaks every commandment every day & every hour. Lord, have mercy on us & send us a better preacher. Amen!"

- The Pentecostal Herald. (moreillustrations.com)                            

1 Tim 3:2 (NLV): “A church leader must be a good man. His life must be so no one can say anything against him. He must have only one wife and must be respected for his good living...”

“Example is more powerful than commandment. People look at my six days in the week to see what I mean on the seventh.” -  Richard Cecil.

“A good example is like a bell that calls many to church.” - Author Unknown.

  

A GREAT SERMON

I had the privilege of a great friendship with Dr. Parker in the last ripe years of his life & I was in his vestry one day when a man came in.

Dr. Parker had preached that morning a great sermon & this man said, “I want to thank you for that sermon. It did me good.”

Dr. Parker looked at him & said: “Sir, I preached it because it had done me good.”

He had given a message that had come out of his own life, something that had gripped him.

- Dr. G. Campbell Morgan (moreillustrations.com)            

“There is nothing more blessed than to be used of God.” -  Jack Hyles.

1 Cor 1:18 (ERV): “The teaching about the cross seems foolish to those who are lost. But to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

BE A TEACHER OR AN EACH-ER!

An aged Christian sent the following lines to his son:

“You want to be a preacher, lad, to tell the Old, Old Story,

The story that is ever new, that leads men on to glory.

Our Master left instructions clear, to go to every creature,

So, if you would be faithful, you must also be a 'Reacher'.

Yes, we must all be reachers, lad, whatever be the distance.

The Shepherd sought until He found; and should you meet resistance,

Don't be put off - seek on - if crowds won't have you as a teacher,

Seek out some lonely soul and make yourself into an 'Each-er'.”

- Indian Christian (moreillustrations.com)

Acts: 8:26-27 (CEV):  The Lord’s angel said to Philip, “Go south along the desert road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So Philip left. An important Ethiopian official happened to be going along that road in his chariot…

“A wisely chosen illustration is almost essential to fasten the truth upon the ordinary mind, and no teacher can afford to neglect this part of his preparation.” - Howard Crosby.

SELFISHNESS

There is a parable in India of the Selfish Fool, to whom a rice field was entrusted. The first season the irrigation water covered his field & made it fruitful, then flowed on to his neighbor's fields, bringing fertility everywhere.

But the next season he said in his heart, "This water is wealth, it is liquid harvest. I was a fool to let this treasure escape to my neighbor's land.”

He robbed his neighbor and spoiled his own crop; for the irrigation water brought blessing while it flowed, but when it became stagnant it bred a marsh.

Paul's instruction applies today: “Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too.” (Phil 2:4 ERV)

- Gospel Herald. (moreillustrations.com)

“A true revival means nothing less than a revolution, casting out the spirit of worldliness and selfishness, and making God and His love triumph in the heart and life.” -  Andrew Murray.

              

GLORIFY GOD

When the great ‘Welsh Revival’ was in progress some years ago its human leader, Evan Roberts, on one occasion suddenly & quietly left the service, simply because the curiosity & expectancy concerning him was very distasteful to his consecrated soul.

Then a godly young woman arose & exclaimed, "Whom are you after, Evan Roberts or Jesus?"

And the meeting proved more than ordinarily successful because only the glory of God was sought.

Truly, our constant aim should be "that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ." (1 Pet 4:11)

- Gospel Herald. (moreillustrations.com)

Acts 12:23 (NLT): “Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.”

“Our lifestyle, language, attitudes, and manner of dress reflect on His name. Unless you are honestly convinced that the thing in question will bring glory to God, then don't do it.” - Curtis Hutson.

PREACHING WITHOUT COMPASSION!

When the Rev. George Pentecost had finished a discourse in the city of Edinburgh, Horatio Bonar put his hand upon his shoulder & said, "You love to preach to men, don't you?"

And Dr. Pentecost answered, "Yes."

And Mr. Bonar said, "Do you love the men you preach to?"

That was Christian preaching in the days of Jesus Christ. "When he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them." (Matt 9:36)

- George Dowling. (moreillustrations.com)

“To love to preach is one thing to love those to whom we preach, quite another.” -  Richard Cecil.

“The three essentials for great preaching are: truth, clarity and passion.” -  G.C. Morgan.

A MILLIONAIRE’S REFLECTION

One of the most influential men in Great Britain is Lord Beaverbrook, who owns the London Daily Express & a number of other daily papers. He is the son of a preacher.

He made a fortune in Canada & then went to England, where he has forged ahead & made money & a name for himself. Some years ago he was elevated to the peerage.

Recently, he wrote, "The evangelist is the man who has the greatest opportunity for doing good & if I were in a position to influence the life of a sincere young man today, I would say to him, 'Rather choose to be an evangelist than a cabinet minister or a millionaire.'

When I was a young man I pitied my father for being a poor man & a humble preacher of the Word. Now that I am old, I envy him, his life & career."

- (moreillustrations.com)

2 Tim 4:5 (CSB): “But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

“We should always look upon ourselves as God's servants, placed in God's world, to do His work; and accordingly labor faithfully for Him; not with a design to grow rich and great, but to glorify God, and do all the good we possibly can.” -  David Brainerd.

“You had better be a poor man and a rich Christian, than a rich man and a poor Christian.”  -  Thomas Brooks.

BE FOCUSED

A certain minister is said to have been unable to say, "No," to any request that came to him. He was invited to speak for other ministers & at clubs & banquets & other gatherings, until his own church had but a small fraction of his time & his home was neglected.

One day, while walking alone by a lake, he met a man who was about to drown a small dog. "What's wrong with the dog?" he inquired.

"Well, you see," said the man, "When Gipsy was a pup, he was all right. But he has grown to be a regular nuisance. We are always losing him. He follows everyone. And a dog that follows everybody is no good to anybody."

The last sentence struck the minister like a blow. He begged for the dog & took him home, saying, "Gipsy, you & I will learn faithfulness together!"

And then & there began a new era in his life & usefulness.

- Sunday School Times. (moreillustrations.com)

“No horse gets anywhere until he is harnessed. No stream or gas drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined.” -  Harry Emerson Fosdick.

Pro 17:24 (GNT): “An intelligent person aims at wise action, but a fool starts off in many directions.”

A WARNING

I was reading the story of a railway switch-man who testified that he swung his lantern at the crossing as an automobile sped toward a fast train.

In spite of the warning, the car sped on & the driver was killed. The switch-man was acquitted. He later confided to a friend that he had no light in his lantern.

What an awful guilt would be upon me if I didn’t give you a fair warning of 3 things.

First, a man must die: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). Thousands die daily & if our Savior tarries, all must die.

Second, a man must meet God: “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12). Both the saint & sinner must stand at the judgment & face God.

Third, a man must be born again to see Heaven. There is only one hope for Heaven & that is found in Jesus Christ.

To sum up, Christ died for you! He took your place upon the cross! He paid the penalty for your sin! He offers you salvation through His death on the cross.

What must you do? Receive Him as Savior. “Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life” (John 6:47).

Source: 'The Gold Mine' - Dr. Lee Roberson (ministry127.com)

SELF-CONTROL

Samuel Stokes, an American missionary, walked through the Punjab, carrying only a water-bottle & blanket, trusting wholly to native hospitality.

In one village he was given a particularly hostile reception. The headmen of the village sat in chairs in a circle, smoking, leaving him the whole evening sitting on the floor. When he asked if he might nurse their sick & teach them, they hurled horrible insults at him; but he made no reply.

Then they gave him stale crusts in a filthy bowl. He thanked them courteously & ate. For two days this lasted.

On the third day, the headman laid his turban at Stokes' feet as a token of respect. He explained that they had heard that Jesus' disciples were commanded to love their enemies & had decided to put him to the test.

The result had amazed them. Now they brought him their choicest food & were eager to hear his teaching. 

If he had lost his temper, he would have lost his chance.

- Gospel Herald. (moreillustrations.com)

Lord Jesus said: “But I tell everyone who is listening: Love your enemies. Be kind to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who insult you.” (Luke 6:27&28 NOG)

ATHEISTS…

The Bible says: That man is a fool who says to himself, “There is no God!” Anyone who talks like that is warped and evil and cannot really be a good person at all. (Ps 14:1 TLB)

“For all their raving, ranting, and name-calling, these atheists will stand before God one day - and they will exist for eternity, though sadly they will be separated from God unless they repent and receive the free gift of salvation.” -  Ken Ham.

“The atheist can't find God for the same reason that a thief can't find a police officer.” - Author Unknown.

“If there were no God, there would be no atheists.” -  G.K. Chesterton.

THE LIKENESS OF HIS RESURRECTION

Dr. W. A Criswell, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas Texas, said on one occasion on an airplane flight he found himself seated beside a well-known theologian.

He desperately wanted to start a conversation & they did get to talk. The man told Dr. Criswell about how he had recently lost his little boy through death.

Dr. Criswell listened as he told his story: He said he had come home from school with a fever & we thought it was just one of those childhood things, but it was a very cruel form of meningitis. The doctor said we cannot save your little boy. He'll die.

And so this seminary professor, loving his son as he did, sat by the bedside to watch this death vigil.

It was the middle of the day & the little boy whose strength was going from him & whose vision & brain was getting clouded said, "Daddy, it's getting dark isn't it?" 

The professor said to his son, "Yes son it is getting dark, very dark."

Of course it was very dark for him. He said, "Daddy, I guess it's time for me to go to sleep isn't it?"

He said, "Yes, son, it's time for you to go to sleep."

The professor said the little fellow had a way of fixing his pillow just so & putting his head on his hands when he slept & he fixed his pillow like that & laid his head on his hands & said, "Good night Daddy. I will see you in the morning."

He then closed his eyes in death & stepped over into heaven.

Dr. Criswell said the professor didn't say anymore after that. He just looked out the window of that airplane for a long time.

Then he turned back & he looked at Dr Criswell with the scalding tears coming down his cheeks & he said, "Dr. Criswell, I can hardly wait till the morning."

Let's face it...

We will all face trials that will test our patience & faith in God.

There will be times that we can't explain why we're going through such enormous pain.

And the only thing that we can do in this situation is...

...to stay strong in our faith in our Creator.

- (aksermonillustrations.blogspot.in)

“He who is able to accept everything gladly from the Lord - including darkness, dryness, flatness - and completely disregard self is he who lives for Him.” -  Watchman Nee.

Rom 6:5 (LEB): “For if we have become identified with him in the likeness of his death, certainly also we will be identified with him in the likeness of his resurrection.”

CHRIST, THE LIVING SAVIOR

A missionary in Turkey wished to teach to a group of people the truth of the resurrection of Christ.

He said: "I am traveling & have reached a place where the road branches off in two ways; I look for a guide & find two men: one dead & the other alive. Which of the two must I ask for direction, the dead or the living?"

"Oh, the living," cried the people.

"Then," said the missionary, "why send me to anyone who is dead, instead of to Christ, who is alive!"

- Christian Endeavor World. (moreillustrations.com)

Luke 25:5 (RSVCE): The men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.”

“Let us consider this settled, that no one has made progress in the school of Christ who does not joyfully await the day of death and final resurrection.” -  John Calvin.

THE DARKEST HOUR

What was the darkest hour that ever struck for this sinful earth?

When was it that God seemed most to be absent, and the powers of darkness to have their way & their will?

It was when the Son of God hung on the cross & when even from His lips there broke the mysterious cry:  "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46.)

Yet out of that darkest hour came the world's brightest light & the soul's fondest hope.

Now we know that God was not absent, but present, when Christ died on the cross, for God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.

- (moreillustrations.com)

“God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, I LOVE YOU." -  Billy Graham.

“In the darkest of nights cling to the assurance that God loves you, that He always has advice for you, a path that you can tread and a solution to your problem - and you will experience that which you believe. God never disappoints anyone who places his trust in Him.” -  Basilea Schlink.

           

CHRIST’S PRAYER

Heb 5:7 (GNT): “In his life on earth Jesus made his prayers and requests with loud cries and tears to God, who could save him from death. Because he was humble and devoted, God heard him.”

Comment on the above verse: “Christ’s prayer was not that He might be saved from dying; after all, to die for sinners was His very purpose in coming to the world. His prayer was that He might be delivered out of death that His soul might not be left in Hades. This prayer was answered when God raised Him from the dead.” - (MacDonald; Believer's Bible Commentary)

 
Lord Jesus said: “Now my heart is troubled - and what shall I say? Shall I say, ‘Father, do not let this hour come upon me’? But that is why I came - so that I might go through this hour of suffering.” (John 12:27 GNT)

1 John 5:14 (NIV) says: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

DEMONS FEAR IT

I met an Indian gentleman who was over here to study law & languages. He went over to Paris, got in with Madame Blavatsky's set, became a theosophist, then a Spiritist & was much used as a medium.

He then believed in Christ and was saved. Then it was that the evil spirits distressed him. For months he was awakened by them night after night, rarely getting half an hour's consecutive sleep. Tangible hands touched him & terrible manifestations of their presence afflicted him.

He prayed to God, but got no relief. At last a voice appeared to say to him, "Mention the blood." He then spoke to them, commanding them by the precious blood of Jesus Christ to leave him. Every time he mentioned the blood they left him & by that means he obtained complete deliverance.

- Bible League Quarterly (moreillustrations.com)

Luke 11:24-26 (GNT):  “When an evil spirit goes out of a person, it travels over dry country looking for a place to rest. If it can't find one, it says to itself, ‘I will go back to my house.’ So it goes back and finds the house clean and all fixed up.  Then it goes out and brings seven other spirits even worse than itself, and they come and live there. So when it is all over, that person is in worse shape than at the beginning.”

“The most solemn truth in the gospel is that the only thing Christ left down here is His blood.” -  D.L. Moody.

FREE GIFT

One night a young man came into a Gospel meeting earnestly inquiring, "What must I do to be saved?"

"You are too late," said a friend to the anxious inquirer.

"Oh, do not say that," exclaimed the young man, "for I earnestly desire salvation; I would do anything or go anywhere to obtain it."

"I cannot help it," said the other; "you are too late, for your salvation was completed many hundred years ago in the person of Jesus Christ & it is a finished work. All you have to do is simply to accept it; for you have done nothing & can do nothing, to merit salvation. It is a free gift to all who will accept it."

- The King's Business (moreillustrations.com)

“A man can accept what Christ has done without knowing how it works: indeed, he certainly would not know how it works until he has accepted it.” -  C.S. Lewis.

Heb 2:3 (CEV): “So if we refuse this great way of being saved, how can we hope to escape? The Lord himself was the first to tell about it, and people who heard the message proved to us that it was true.”

               

CHRIST - The King of kings & the Lord of lords

When Julian the Apostate, who sought to light again the fires on the altars of the pagan gods & thus destroy Christianity, was on the march with his army in the campaign against Persia, in the year 363, one of the soldiers of his army said to a Christian who was being abused by the soldiery, "Where is your carpenter now?"

"He is making a coffin for your emperor," was the reply of the Christian.

A few months afterward Julian received a mortal wound in battle. The rumor spread through the army that the wound was inflicted by a Christian soldier in the ranks of the Roman army.

Julian, realizing that his death was near, dipped his hand in the blood of his wound & threw the blood toward heaven, exclaiming as he did so, "Thou hast conquered, O Galilean!"

Yes, the carpenter of Nazareth, exalted to the right hand of God, is making a coffin for all the kings & kingdoms of this world. One by one they flourish & are gone. But Christ's is an everlasting kingdom.

All that is not obedient to Him & subject to Him shall perish. That alone endures which belongs to Him.

- (moreillustrations.com

Phil 2:11 (CSB): “And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

A PLEASANT YOKE

Billy Bray was a Cornish miner who accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in 1823 at the age of 29. He lived a life of drunkenness & debauchery before his salvation, but he became such an outgoing witness & testimony for God that he became known as “God’s glad man.”

One time he was digging potatoes from his garden & felt the devil oppressing him. It seemed to him that the devil said, “Billy Bray, God doesn’t love you. If He did, He wouldn’t give you such tiny potatoes & so few.”

But Billy Bray didn’t listen to the devil’s temptation, he talked back to him. He said, “I served you long & true, Devil, and no better servant could a master ever have than I was to you. But when I served you, you didn’t give me any potatoes. When I served you, you didn’t give me anything good for my efforts.”

Billy Bray reminded himself that the burden he had serving Christ was lighter than the one he had serving the devil. The yoke that he wore in partnership with & submission to Jesus was easier than the yoke he wore as one of the devil’s disciples.

- (ministry127.com)

“My yoke is pleasant, and my burden is light.” -  Lord Jesus Christ (Mat 11:30 ISV)

Ps 34:10 (GNT): “Even lions go hungry for lack of food, but those who obey the Lord lack nothing good.”

“US ONLY”

Dr. H. A. Ironside told the following story at a Bible conference:

A small Christian sect of an exclusive temperament was holding a convention. Outside the auditorium there was displayed the motto, "Jesus Only."

A strong wind blew the first three letters away. "Us Only" is too often the spirit shown by Christians of narrow vision.

- Sunday School Times. (moreillustrations.com)

“We have within us a self that has its poison from Satan - from hell - and yet we cherish and nourish it. What do we not do to please self and nourish self - and we make the devil within us strong. Look at your own life. What are the works of hell? They are chiefly these three: self-will, self-trust, and self-exaltation.” -  Andrew Murray.

Pro 16:18 (HCSB): “Pride comes before destruction and an arrogant spirit before a fall.”

DISCIPLESHIP

Peter Waldo, the probable leader of the pious Waldensians, was a rich merchant of Lyons, France. He was saved through the death of a friend at a feast.

He then had the Scriptures translated by two erudite scholars into his own tongue & thereafter gave up all his wealth & followed his Lord.

Everywhere he went he preached the claims of Christ, using the words, “Look to Jesus! Listen to Jesus! Learn of Jesus!”

These are the prerequisites of discipleship.

Mat 16:24 (CEV): Then Jesus said to his disciples: “If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me.”

- (moreillustrations.com)

“If we are followers of Christ, we are His disciples and should have the primary devotion in our lives to see as He does, think as He thinks, and understand with His heart.” -  Rick Joyner.

CHILDREN

A disgruntled school-teacher handed in her resignation with the following comment:

“In our public schools today, the teachers are afraid of the Principals, the Principals are afraid of the board, the board members are afraid of the parents, the parents are afraid of the children, and the children are afraid of nobody.”

- Journal of Education (moreillustrations.com)

“You cannot control your children, you say. Then the Lord have mercy on you! It is your business to do it, and you must do it, or else you will soon find they will control you. No one knows what judgment will come from God upon those who allow sin in children to go unrebuked.” -  Charles Spurgeon.

Ep 6:4 (TLB): “And now a word to you parents. Don’t keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice.”

“Let thy child's first lesson be obedience, and the second may be what thou wilt.” -  Thomas Fuller.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

Dr. A. J. Gordon tells of a Welsh preacher who, having been scheduled to preach one night, asked to be allowed to withdraw for a time before the service. 

He remained in seclusion so long that the good man of the house sent his servant to request him to come & meet the waiting congregation.

As she came near the room she heard what seemed to be an indication of conversation between two parties & though in subdued tone of voice, she caught the words, "I will not go unless You go with me."

Without interfering, she returned & reported, "He will come all right & the Other will come, too."

And sure enough, when he came, the Other One came along & with such power that it proved a wonderful service in which many found newness of life.

It is both our privilege & duty thus to allow the Holy Spirit to work along with us as we endeavor to teach others about the Lord Jesus Christ.

- Christian Union Herald. (moreillustrations.com)

1 Thess 5:19 (AMPC): “Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit.”

“Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without the wind, branches without sap, and like coals without fire, we are useless.” - Charles Spurgeon.

OBEDIENCE

It is said that a tradesman once advertised for a boy to assist in his shop.

A few hours after the morning paper was circulating his office was thronged with all kinds of boys; and not knowing which to choose, he advertised again, as follows:

"Wanted, to assist in a shop, a boy who obeys his mother."

In response to this, there were only two boys who ventured to apply for the situation. This would still be a good test very likely.

- Gospel Herald (moreillustrations.com)

“Your faith level is determined by your obedience level.” -  Jack Hyles.

Ps 119:34 (ICB): “Help me understand, so I can obey your teachings. I will obey them with all my heart.”

“A ton of prayer will not produce what an ounce of obedience will.” -  Ed Cole.

TALKER

Be a good listener first, a good talker second and you will not "wish I hadn't said that."

Think twice & speak once, and you won't always be "shooting off."

- Elmer Wheeler (moreillustrations.com)

Pro 10:19 (ICB): “If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin. If you are wise, you will keep quiet.”            

“If we would talk more about the Lord and praise Him, we would have less time to talk about ourselves.” -  M.R. DeHaan.

“At the day of Doom men shall be judged according to their fruits. It will not be said then, Did you believe? But, Were you doers, or talkers only?” -  John Bunyan.