Reflecting His Image
The sermon emphasizes the importance of reflecting God's image and following Christ closely to maintain a pure and unhindered life.
K.P. Yohannan reflects on the importance of maintaining the purity of our spiritual lives, comparing it to a once-clear river now polluted. He emphasizes that, like the river, our lives can become tainted due to negligence and the enemy's influence, leading to a lack of spiritual vitality. Yohannan urges believers to seek the source of living water, which is found in a close relationship with Christ, and to strive to reflect God's image as intended in Genesis 1:26. He encourages those who feel they have failed to find hope and renewal in their walk with the Lord. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deeper commitment to following Christ and understanding our true purpose.
Text
Growing up by a river flowing with crystal-clear water, we boys swam in it almost every day. Those times added much joy to my childhood. But that was long ago, and now that river is polluted. The fish in the river are dying, and hardly anyone goes swimming there anymore. How did this happen? Over the years the pollution that was dumped into the river caused this tragedy. This is true of our lives also. The Lord promised that out of us rivers of living water would flow--pure and unhindered, producing and sustaining life.
But unfortunately, due to both lack of watchfulness and lack of diligence on our part, the enemy has polluted our lives. Now instead of rivers of living water flowing out of us, our lives have been dragged down to mediocrity. But if we travel up from the foot of the mountain to the source of this river, we'll find the pure crystal-clear water flowing from it. Instead of being content with superficial Christianity, we need to learn the original purpose of God for our lives. In the Word of God, we clearly read in Genesis 1:26 that God made us so that we may reflect His image.
This book is a compilation of small chapters on many subjects--but they all center on the theme of following Christ closely. It is a small attempt to help those who are seeking to be real in their walk with the Lord. The last chapter is specifically written to give new hope to all who have failed and now wonder if God will ever use them again. Nothing in this book is new except the joy I have experienced in following the truths written here. Others have gone before me and experienced the Lord in ways I long to know and learn in this pilgrimage. I follow in their footsteps.
Sermon Outline
- The Pollution of Our Lives
- The Source of the River
- Following Christ Closely
- A compilation of small chapters on many subjects
- Following the truths written in the book
Key Quotes
“The Lord promised that out of us rivers of living water would flow--pure and unhindered, producing and sustaining life.” — K.P. Yohannan
“God made us so that we may reflect His image.” — K.P. Yohannan
“Nothing in this book is new except the joy I have experienced in following the truths written here.” — K.P. Yohannan
Application Points
- We must be watchful and diligent in our walk with the Lord to prevent the enemy's influence.
- Following the truths written in the book can help us follow Christ closely.
- God can still use us even after we have failed.