He Does It Through Life
God builds His church through the testimonies of light shining forth from those who live the life of Christ.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that God brings people into His house and saves them through the lives of His faithful servants. He illustrates that the light of Christ shines through those who live righteously and selflessly, serving as examples of God's mercy in their communities. Wilkerson shares a testimony of two women from his church whose Christ-like behavior at work caught the attention of their CEO, demonstrating that true light comes from living out the life of Christ. He stresses that it is essential for believers to embody the message they preach, as their actions can lead others to seek the source of their light. Ultimately, the sermon calls for Christians to remember that even small acts of kindness can reflect God's love and draw others to Him.
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Let me tell you how God brings people into his house, how he speaks to them, and how he saves them. He does it through life. The Lord builds his church through the testimonies of light shining forth from those who love him. And he's able to do this not because these servants use the right methods, but because they live the life.
Christ's life produces light in homes, in neighborhoods, in cities, in workplaces. How is this life obtained? It comes down to every saint living right, beyond reproach, as examples of God's mercy. Such servants deal honestly, selflessly, with no dark part in them. They lead lives wholly devoted to Jesus, and are ready to serve others at all times.
Paul speaks of servants who "knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness" (Romans 2: 18-19). Such saints as Paul describes are to be commended.
Let me give you an example of such light. Recently, the CEO of a company in New York called our church. Pastor Neil took the call. The CEO told Pastor Neil about two women from our church who work for him. He said they weren't like the others in his office. These two women were always courteous, smiling, helpful to others, never complaining or backbiting. "There's something different about them," he said. "I would like to meet with you to find out what the difference is."
These women were heavenly candlesticks, placed in their jobs by Jesus. And the light they shone lit up the entire workplace. How? They had the life of Christ in them. Their boss recognized it as something beyond what this world has to offer.
That CEO was Jewish. Do you think he would have responded to an invitation to a revival meeting? Would he have read a packet of materials produced by a church? No, he would have tossed it all into "File 13" and never looked at it again. This man responded to true light--a light born of lives hid in Christ, and being lived out daily by two humble women.
We are only able to bring light to our communities as we are full of Christ's life ourselves. We have to live out the message we bring, if we are to preach it with any power. God help us to remember that the light shines through in the little things of life.
Sermon Outline
- I. God Builds His Church Through the Testimonies of Light
- A. The Lord uses those who live the life
- B. Their lives are a shining example of God's mercy
- C. They deal honestly and selflessly with others
- II. The Life of Christ Produces Light
- A. It comes from living right and being an example
- B. Saints who know God's will and live it are a guide to others
- III. The Power of Living the Life
- A. It attracts others to God
- B. It shines through in the little things of life
Key Quotes
“He does it through life.” — David Wilkerson
“The life of Christ produces light in homes, in neighborhoods, in cities, in workplaces.” — David Wilkerson
“We are only able to bring light to our communities as we are full of Christ's life ourselves.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We must live out the message we bring if we are to preach it with any power.
- The power of living the life of Christ is that it attracts others to God.
- We can bring light to our communities by being full of Christ's life ourselves and living out the message we bring.