Testimony and Experience

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John 4:35-38

Say not you, There are yet four months, and then comes harvest? behold, I say to you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields…

I. HUMAN TESTIMONY IS FREQUENTLY MADE THE MEANS OF PRODUCING FAITH IN MEN'S HEARTS. A large number owe their conversion to the personal and practical testimony of others. To encourage others to testify note that this was that of —

1. A woman. A woman was the founder of the Church in Samaria; a woman was the first convert in Europe. Let none of our sisters, therefore, refrain from giving their testimony.

2. A sinful woman. Now the very life which had else been so just a cause for silence became an impelling motive for witness-bearing. The more mischief we have done, the more good we should try to do. The chief of sinners became the chief of apostles.

3. Her testimony was personal, and that was the secret of her power. She did not discuss or quote the opinion of others, as some preachers do. If we wish to win souls there is nothing like telling them what the Lord hath done for our souls.

4. Her testimony was delivered very earnestly. If our sermons are icicles they are not likely to melt the ice in your minds. If in speaking to a man you treat your conversion as commonplace, or aim at his conversion as though it was a matter that didn't much signify, you might as well be silent.

5. Notice the judiciousness of her testimony. She did not say, "I am sure He is the Christ." If you positively assert a thing, it is very likely some one will deny it, although they would draw the same inference if left alone. In fishing for souls you need as much judgment as in angling. We must be wise to win souls.

6. Observe the result. Many believed because of the woman's speech. Her heart was in it, and therefore God blessed her.

7. Your not believing in Jesus does not arise from want of testimony. You have had the best testimony — of a mother, a wife, a minister.

II. FAITH MAY ARISE APART FROM THE TESTIMONY OF MEN. When you have borne testimony to a man, and he doesn't yield to it, don't despair of him. God has other ways of working besides the testimony of His servants.

1. Some of the Samaritans who had not received the testimony of the woman believed because of His own word. We have God's Word amongst us now, and it will work in hearts quickened by the Spirit to remember what they learned in the Sabbath school.

2. Sickness, poverty, and other ills are God's servants, and sin itself has led men to the Saviour.

III. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE ECLIPSES HUMAN TESTIMONY.

1. It is far more convincing.

2. More essential. A doctor's medicine may have overwhelming testimonials, but that will do no good unless you take it.

3. More complete. Testimony may tell you something about Christ, but not much compared with what you may learn by going to Him yourself. The Queen of Sheba did not learn half of what she saw.

4. More enduring. What you receive from others you may give up, but only experience can make you faithful unto death.

5. More persuasive to others. This woman had first of all a personal experience herself. In conclusion. It is a serious thing to reject the personal witness of others, but it is false not to try for yourself whether Jesus is what He professes to be.

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