Sermon Illustration: Why Saying, “I Will Just Let My Life Be My Testimony” is Ridiculous

Last updated on: June 23, 2017 at 2:58 pm by Matt Pearson

Sermon Illustration: Why Saying, “I Will Just Let My Life Be My Testimony” is Ridiculous 2017-06-09T17:05:24-05:00 Matt Pearson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I hear many well-meaning, well-intentioned people say things like, “I don’t have to share theÂ gospel, I will just let my life speak for me.” I have heard an ancient preacher (I have no idea who actually said this) quoted as saying, “Wherever you go, preach the gospel. When necessary, use words.” If you think about it, this one of the most absurd claims ever made.

We don’t do that with anything else, do we? With anything else that excites us and is changing us, we joyfully talk about what that thing is.

Think about it this way. You find a restaurant that you didn’t know existed. You give it a try. You love everything about it. You love the atmosphere. You love the service. You love the menu. You love the prices. You love the bread they bring out prior to the meal. You enjoy every morsel of your entree. You are floored by the dessert choices and the one you chose to devour. You leave incredibly excited about your new find and are beyond certain you will return on multiple occasions.

Now,Â when you leave the restuarant you go to a friend’s house. The friend ask you where you have been. You tell your friend you just found the most amazing restaurant that, prior to tonight, you didn’t even know existed. Your friend says, “Wow. Tell me about it.” You respond by saying, “No way. I don’t need to tell you about it. Lean in and smell my breath. That will tell you all you need to know.”

Absurd. Ridiculous. Crazy. Gross.

When your friend asks you to talk about it, you are going to open your mouth, not to breathe on them, but to tell them everything that impacted your opinion of your new find. It’s what we do. When we are impacted by something, we share what it is that is affecting us.

The same thing is true of our relationship with Jesus. When someone asks what is going on with us, we tell them. When we are experiencing the richness of God’s love and grace in our hearts, we want others to get in on it.

Fridays are For Illustrations

Previous Post

June 21, 2017

Extending the Invitation

Next Post

June 30, 2017 Sermon Illustration: Sent Church vs. Sent Culture

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Biblical Reflections Devotions Fridays are For Illustrations General Challenge General Preaching Resources Letters to West Franklin Preparing to Preach Table Talk Questions The Preaching Event Top Ten Quotes Uncategorized West Franklin West Franklin Talks

Select a Month March 2023 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 September 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Jesus Moses Paul David