Illustrated Sermons
As the world faces calamities, believers are called to set their faith, stabilize it, and live out their faith in the midst of disasters, illustrating God's hope to the world.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the urgency of living out our faith in a world filled with fear and calamity. As believers face increasing unrest, they are called to stabilize their faith and demonstrate an unshakable trust in God, serving as a living testimony to the world. While many are consumed by anxiety, Christians are encouraged to look up and rejoice, knowing their redemption is near. Wilkerson stresses that the world needs to see faith in action, not just hear sermons about it, as this illustrated faith can provide hope to the lost. Ultimately, our steadfastness in trials can affirm our testimony and inspire others to seek God.
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As the world witnesses one calamity after another and unrest increases, people's "hearts [are] failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth" (Luke 21:26). There have been many prophetic warnings about such calamities -- earthquakes, famines, plagues -- and interest in the rapture and end times has increased. Yet, to many, God has been left completely out of the equation. Believers have been stirred to pray and prepare, but sinners seem to shrug their shoulders. The ungodly simply are not listening.
Jesus told us that when we begin to see these things come to pass, we are to look up and rejoice, for our redemption draws near (see Luke 21:28). As Christians, we are to "set" our faith, which means to "stabilize, make unshakable." Scripture says it is within our power to do this: "Let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord" (James 1:6-7).
God is telling us, in essence, "When the world looks at my people in these days of trembling and anxiety, they must be able to see a faith that remains solid and unshakable. So, believer, anchor your faith! Take a fixed position and never give it up."
The world does not need more sermons on faith. Unbelievers need to see an illustrated sermon: the lives of men and women who are living out their faith before the world. They need to see servants of God go through the same disasters they are facing and not be shaken by them.
"For by [faith] the elders obtained a good testimony" (Hebrews 11:2). When we hold our faith position through hard times, we have the same affirmation from the Holy Spirit: "Well done. You are God's testimony to the world. Others can look at you and proclaim that there is hope."
Sermon Outline
- The World's Fear and Expectation
- God's Call to Believers
- Illustrating Faith to the World
- The Reward of Faith
- Good testimony from the Holy Spirit
- Affirmation of hope to the world
Key Quotes
“When the world looks at my people in these days of trembling and anxiety, they must be able to see a faith that remains solid and unshakable.” — David Wilkerson
“For by faith the elders obtained a good testimony” — David Wilkerson
“Well done. You are God's testimony to the world. Others can look at you and proclaim that there is hope.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Anchor your faith by taking a fixed position and never giving it up, even in the midst of hard times.
- Live out your faith in the midst of disasters and not be shaken by them, illustrating God's hope to the world.
- Hold your faith position through hard times and receive affirmation from the Holy Spirit, becoming a good testimony to the world.