Pastor Ralph Diehl » witness

SALESMANSHIP

pastordiehl — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 12:00:25 +0000

In America, General Motors marketed a new auto model under the name “Nova”. That name reflected the ultra scientific and space-age technology that had been designed into the car. The name seemed to be an asset in marketing that model in a modern world.

That worked well until GM tried to sell Chevy Nova’s south of the border. You see, in Spanish, the no va means “does not go”. Not the kind of image you want to hang on a multi-million dollar car launch.

What image do you, as a Christian, broadcast to others of your faith? Are you portraying the bright side of new life in Christ, or the dark side of a system of laws that take all the fun and excitement out of life?

I remember, as a young unchristian man, being spoken to by Christians who were trying to straighten out my behavior without straightening out my heart. Their witnessing techniques turned me off at the time. They were speaking in concepts attractive to themselves, but it was like no va to me.

What has been your past experience with poor Christian salesmanship?

IS JESUS SHOWING?

pastordiehl — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 12:00:10 +0000

Children were arranging the figures of Mary, Joseph, and the Christ Child in the little manger scene. They lighted two candles and carefully tried them in various positions until the light fell exactly where they wanted it. One child excitedly said, “Be sure that Jesus shows!”

What if that thought could be foremost in our daily lives – “Be sure Jesus shows.” Like the candles, we can direct attention to Christ in our daily actions and proclaim to our neighbors that we are genuine Christians.

What are you going to do today to make sure Jesus shows?

CONVICTION (Part 2)

pastordiehl — Sat, 02 May 2009 12:00:11 +0000

H. C. Morrison was the founder of Asbury Theological Seminary. Morrison came to Christ as a farm worker, plowing in a field one day, when he saw an old Methodist preacher coming by on his horse. Morrison knew the elderly gentleman to be a gracious, godly man. As he watched the old saint go by, a great sense of conviction of sin came over Morrison and he dropped to his knees. There between the furrows in his field, alone, he gave his life to God.

Reflecting on this testimony, Billy Graham earnestly prayed, “Oh, God, make me a holy man.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if ordinary people could so dedicate our lives to Christ, that when we walked or drove past people would come under conviction by the Holy Spirit within us. That’s my goal and desire.

“If these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:8).

THEY’RE WATCHING

pastordiehl — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:28:05 +0000

In the early days of America missionaries came from Europe to evangelize the native Americans. In 1805 a number of Indian chiefs and warriors met in council at Battle Creek, New York, to hear a presentation of the Christian faith by a Mr. Cram of the Boston Missionary Society. It is said that after Mr. Cram made an excellent presentation of the Gospel, and the life-changing power it holds, one of the chiefs, Red Jacket, got up to speak.

Red Jacket said, “Brother, we are told that you have been preaching about the Great Spirit to the white people who are our neighbors. We are well acquainted with our neighbors. We will wait a little while and see if the effect of the Great Spirit is upon them. If we find it does them good, makes them honest and less inclined to cheat and belittle Indians, then we will certainly consider what you say.”

People are watching. When was the last time you became aware that non-Christians were watching you?

CURRIER’S PLIGHT

pastordiehl — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:00:22 +0000

In his book The No-Guilt Guide for Witnessing, George Sweeting tells of a man named John Currier who in 1949 was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Later he was transferred and paroled to work on a farm near Nashville, Tennessee.

In 1968, Currier’s sentence was terminated, and a letter carrying the good news was sent to him. But the owner of the farm never delivered the letter nor informed John of his release. Life on that farm was hard and without promise, yet John kept doing what he was told even after the farmer for whom he had worked had died.

After another ten years, a state parole officer learned about Currier’s plight, found him, and told him that his sentence had been terminated. He was a free man.

Where would your life be today if no one had delivered the message that your Sin had been forgiven? That important message needed to be delivered. And it still needs to be delivered to so many. Let’s keep our eyes open for the God-appointed opportunities.