Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas

Sermon Illustrations

LIFE WITH ETERNAL VALUE

I was talking with a Jewish friend at work the other day. She said "I don't like evangelicals!" I said that it was unfortunate because I was one, and that she was working for an evangelical organisation. She said "I don't like people trying to convert me!" I said that as I share with people about Christ in my life and live out my genuine faith in Christ that I hoped that those around me will see in me something they will also want to have in their lives. She accepted that explanation of being an evangelical. She just didn't want to be FORCED. I can understand that. I hope she understands that I want my influence to have eternal value.

What would it look like if I were to LIVE MY LIFE in such a way that people could see the PRESENCE OF GOD in me? Abraham lived his life like this. At one point a king called Abimelech comes to him and says, "God is obviously with you, helping you in everything you do." (Genesis 21:22 NLT)

2 Corinthians 8:21 (NLT) says "We are careful to be honourable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to SEE that we are honourable." What is it that people see in me that indicates the PRESENCE OF GOD?

If you had asked Abimelech about his INITIAL IMPRESSIONS of Abraham were when he first met him, he would say that he was a LIAR and lacked integrity, untrustworthy and a believer who didn't seem to have much trust in God, someone willing to put everyone in danger to save his own neck. Proverbs 12:19-20 (NLT) says "TRUTHFUL WORDS stand the test of time, but LIES are soon exposed. DECEIT fills hearts that are plotting evil; JOY fills hearts that are planning peace!" Proverbs 11:11 (NLT) says "Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper..."

Related Sermon Illustrations

Related Sermons