9 Sermon Illustrations on Separation From World

A converted Chinese gentleman, when in America on a visit, was unfavorably impressed with the little difference he saw between the style of living of many professing Christians and the men and women of the world. Referring to the matter on one occasion he said, making at the same time a large sweep with his arm, "When the disciples of my country come out from the world, they come clear out." A Child's Testimony A little child asked his father, "Daddy, is Satan bigger than I am?" "Yes, he is," answered the father. "Is he bigger than you, Daddy?" The father replied, "Yes, son, he is bigger than I am." Surprised, the boy blurted out, "Is the devil bigger than Jesus?" "No, not by a long shot, David. Jesus is bigger and stronger." The child thought for a while and said, "Then I'm not afraid of him because I have Jesus in me." The Correct Reading An atheist, who was also an invalid, sent his little daughter to live with friends who taught her to read. She proudly told her father when she came home, "I have learned to read." "Well," said he, "Let me hear you read that," pointing to a board at the foot of the bed on which he had printed in large letters, "God is nowhere." Carefully she spelled out the words in the way that seemed right to her, "God is now here." The unbelieving father was startled and perplexed, but God blessed that new reading to the salvation of his soul.

An ancient historian, mentioning the law which Charondas gave the Thurians, says, "He enacted a law with reference to an evil on which former lawgivers had not animadverted, — that of keeping bad company. As he conceived that the morals of the good were sometimes quite ruined by their dissolute acquaintance, that vice was apt, like an infectious disease, to spread itself, and extend its contagion, he expressly enjoined, that none should engage in any intimacy or familiarity with immoral persons; appointed that an accusation might be exhibited for keeping bad company; and laid a heavy fine on such as were convicted of it."

— Dean Bolton

Alexander the Great, when he was invited to run a race amongst the common multitude, gave them this answer, "Were I not the son of a king, I did not care what company I kept; but, being the son of a prince, I must employ myself in such company as is suitable to my birth and breeding." Thus stood he upon the honor of his family, and would not disgrace his princely nature so far as to be familiar amongst the vulgar rabble. So should Christians be separate from the world. Spencer.

Passing of Jordan type of Christian's death with Christ (Rom. 6:6-11; Col. 3:1-3). Passing from an old world into a new life

If you want real peace and rest to your soul, keep separate from the world.

I remember when I was a boy in Northfield, right near the old red schoolhouse there was an apple-tree that bore the earliest apples of any tree in town. They had a law in that town that fruit on a tree overhanging the street belonged to the public, and any fruit on the other side of the fence belonged to the property-holders. Half that apple-tree was over in the street, and it got more old brooms and brickbats and handles than any other tree in town. We boys used to watch to see when an apple was getting red. I never got a ripe apple from that tree in my life, and I don’t believe anyone else ever did. You never went by that tree that you didn’t see a lot of broom-handles and clubs up there.

Now, take a lot of Christians who want to live right on the line, with one foot in the world and one foot in the church. They get more clubs than anyone else. The world clubs them. They say, “I don’t believe in that man’s religion.” And the Christians club them. They get clubs both sides. It is a good deal better to keep just as far from the line as you can if you want power.