John 12:1-11 USING OUR INFLUENCE FOR CHRIST
Intro.-
*Lazarus was dead, and Jesus Christ raised him back to life
*The same thing has happened to us spiritually (same thing!)
Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
*Lazarus used his influence, (that was gained for what Christ did for him), for the cause of Christ.
*Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
(Use what Christ had done for us for His glory!)
NOTICE HOW THIS INFLUENCED WAS USED:
1. The First step is get Jesus to a meeting place
(They made a supper for Jesus vs. 1,2)
--In your home – A wealthy man purchased at a high cost a famous picture of Jesus. He sought, with difficulty, an appropriate place for it on the walls of his home. At last he called in an architect who, after carefully examining the house and the picture, said: “Man, you cannot fit this picture into your home! You must make a home to fit it!” We must so order our home life that it would be a place Jesus would abide.
1) Put some Bibles out
2) Get some Bible Verses or thoughts on the wall
3) Use your decor and your demeanor to announce to all that Christ is in this Home!!
--In our Church-JR Caldwell said: “I find that the greatest hindrance to the Gospel and the greatest hindrances to many precious truths taking effect in the hearts and consciences of the unbelievers is the un-Christ-like lives of those who profess the truth. O, give me a hundred people that are making it the business of their lives to be “like Christ.” ; reading His word and crying to God to show them the right way—and I will show you a place where there will be permanent blessing.”
**Church is where we only talk of Christ; it’s where we walk with Him and learn to better do so!
--In wherever you find yourselves- “Lazarus…. Sat at the table with him.”
“Years ago Dr. Temple in an address to a group of newly-ordained ministers said: “Young men, believe me, you will make more people Christians by being Christians yourselves than you will by all the sermons you will ever preach.”
B. The Second Step is to Invite Others to where Jesus is!
-To your home --To your Church --Share Your Faith in Christ
2. The Second Step is to use your influence to get them where Jesus is!
The Presence of Jesus brought some people, but the presence of Lazarus brought the rest.
*There is power in a transformed life by Jesus Christ!!
*Some Come for Jesus—*Saved people come because of Jesus!
*Some Come because of what Christ has done for your life!
(How are you using that?)(getting saved at 9!picThousands saved!)
John 4:39 “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.”
*Realize your Influence for Christ isn’t always appreciated vs. 10
John 15:18 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me beforeit hatedyou.” Get them to where Jesus is! Home, Church, Yourself!!
4. The third step is to realize your Influence CAN make an eternal difference in the lives of others vs. 11
L.R. Scarbouraugh, a famous preacher, tells how “a fine college student, a senior, said to me after I preached a series of evangelistic sermons… “I have heard all of your sermons on the deity of Christ, the inspiration of the Scriptures, the efficacy of the atoning blood and can answer the logic of everyone of them; but a few weeks ago as I stood with our mourning family by the grave of my invalid mother, and loving friends lowered her crippled little body into the ground, I said, “I cannot answer the argument and logic of that wonderful life.” He said, “I want that which made my mother what she was.” And in a few minutes he found that Saviour, not by the power of logic, but by the power of a quiet, godly life.”
(Evidence that demands a Verdict)
The testimony of Josh McDowell. Raised in an abusive home. Father would beat his mother and often the children as well. Mother died an early death. Josh hated his dad. Dreamed of killing him. Went to college, never wanted to see his father again. Saw a group of students studying their Bibles. Felt like they were fools! Met a young lady he was attracted to… she was a member of the Bible group. How foolish!
Have you examined the evidence? What evidence?? He decided to write his thesis for his Master’s degree on why Jesus was not the Son of God. He told the story of how he traveled to investigate the Historical Jesus. It was in a small library in Europe with ancient books that he remembers shutting the book and saying: It’s all true! Jesus is the Son of God! BUT… still he did not get saved. Because he knew that if he became a Christian, he could not hate his father. So after weeks of conviction, he finally said, God, I give up! He accepted Christ as His Savior. A few weeks later, he found out his father was sick and in the Hospital. He went, knocked on the door, and entered to see his father staring at him in disbelief. He went to his father, held his hand and said: Dad, I’ve become a Christian, and I love you. His father broke down weeping and said: Son, if you can love me after all of the wicked things I’ve done, then I want what you have! He trusted Christ as his Savior and like a switch of a light switch, he became a different man. The worst man ever, to the best man ever. The power of Christ having transformed Josh McDowell, made all of the difference.
*Hasn’t Christ Made a Difference in Your Life??
*How are You Using Your Influence for the Cause of Christ??