What Drives You?
The sermon emphasizes the importance of living for God, being a witness for Christ, and having a passion to lead others to Christ, as these will determine where we will spend eternity.
Erlo Stegen emphasizes the importance of understanding what drives us in life, urging believers to reflect on their motivations and passions. He shares the experiences of Dr. Rawlings, who encountered both heavenly and hellish visions after near-death experiences, highlighting the reality of judgment and eternity. Stegen challenges the congregation to consider whether their lives are focused on leading others to Christ or consumed by worldly desires. He stresses that true Christians should be actively engaged in God's business, sharing the Gospel and living out their faith in their immediate surroundings. Ultimately, he calls for a heart of wisdom that recognizes the urgency of preparing for eternity.
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Summary of sermon by Erlo Stegen, 28 Oct 2012
2 Cor 11
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Dr Rawlings was a heart surgeon that had to do with people that experienced death. He said that he had amazing experiences with people that had died and came back to life. Some meet up with green meadows and an amazing peace, but more than half experience something radically different. Dr Rawlings was an atheist. He didn't believe and thought Christianity was rubbish, but he said that because if his experiences he came to believe in Christ. He experienced people being cast into the lake of fire and met up with horrific creatures with the faces of demons. Some of these people would never tell anyone what they experienced after they've recovered.
Ps 33 13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind.
We should constantly remind ourselves of this fact. God is constantly recording what we do and on the day of Judgement we will have to give account of everything.
Death is not the end of the story at all; in fact it is only the beginning, the beginning of eternity, either in heaven or in hell. Each of us still has to appear before the Judgement throne of God whether we have done good or evil.
Troubled are people who always have to fit in and run after the latest fashion of the world.
We should be able to stand and do what's right. There are those that mock but it will be a fearful day when they appear before Him.
Moses taught us to pray to number our days that we might obtain a heart of wisdom.
You might doubt many things but there's one thing that's certain that you will die and give account for your life to your Creator.
We don't know our day of death. Have you prepared for that day? Are you ready? All your secrets will be revealed, your secret slandering and other sins.
God has appointed a day for you to die, and when God appoints a day it never misses the mark, it will surely happen. Man might plan something and not get it right but not with God.
Paul's passion was to present and unite people to Christ as a pure virgin. Do you know this passion Paul is speaking about? Do you experience it in your heart? Or do have other fires burning in your heart, lust, money etc.?
What is it that drives and motivates you? That will determine where you will spend eternity.
After I met Christ my driving passion was to lead others to Christ. One day I returned home full of joy and the others asked me why I was so full of joy. They thought I got a large buck because I was fond of hunting. I told them that I was so happy becuase I could speak to someone about Christ and lead him to Christ.
How many have you brought to Christ? None? Then how can you call yourself a Christian?
Jesus, when He was twelve years old, was busy in the temple. When his parents asked him where He was he could respond that He was busy in His Father's business.
Are you busy with God's business or are you too busy with your own things?
After I got converted the Holy Spirit would remind me of different people I wronged and I could write to them or visit them and apologise.
Do you have this burning desire to tell others of Christ and spread the Gospel?
What are you busy with all day long? Are you simply busy with your own things and even slandering others in stead of telling others of Christ?
Jesus said to the disciples, stay in Jerusalem until you are imbued with power from on high. Then you will be My witnesses. Don't start in China. Start right where you are at your home and family. Then it will show who you are and if you are truly following Christ. If you're not a light where you are you won't be a light anywhere else.
Be a witness right where you are and that will show if God has truly called you.
Sermon Outline
- God's Omniscience and Judgement
- The Reality of Death and Eternity
- The Importance of Living for God
- The Passion of Paul and Our Own Passion
- Being a Witness for Christ
- We should be busy with God's business, not our own things
- We should tell others of Christ and spread the Gospel
Key Quotes
“Death is not the end of the story at all; in fact it is only the beginning, the beginning of eternity, either in heaven or in hell.” — Erlo Stegen
“We should constantly remind ourselves of this fact. God is constantly recording what we do and on the day of Judgement we will have to give account of everything.” — Erlo Stegen
“What is it that drives and motivates you? That will determine where you will spend eternity.” — Erlo Stegen
Application Points
- We should constantly remind ourselves of God's omniscience and Judgement, and make sure we are living for God, not the world.
- We should have a passion to lead others to Christ, and be busy with God's business, not our own things.
- Being a witness for Christ is essential, and we should start right where we are, at home and with our family.