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Sermon Illustrations: Relationship / s

When you see someone driving towards you on your side of the road, and they're drunk, doing 130kmh, and swerving all over the place, you don't just think, "Well, I'm sober and doing the speed limit. I'm in the right, let them move." Paul Newsham

John Wesley was specifically instrumental in forming the Wesleyan or Methodist church. Another great reformer of his day, George Whitfield worked with him in the early days, but their differing doctrinal position over the free-will or otherwise of man caused a rift in their cooperative working. Whitfield and Wesley parted company to work separately. They preferred integrity and dignity to conflict. Once, Whitfield was approached by somebody who may have expected him to criticise Wesley. "Do you think you will see John Wesley in heaven?" Whitfield was asked. "Oh no", came Whitfield's reply, "Wesley will be so close to the throne of God I won't be able to see him."1

This century has produced more dispensable items than all the preceding centuries put together. Cutlery and crockery, cigarette lighters, cars (they're not really made to last and you understand that when you buy one - in fact you'd count yourself lucky if you got through the first 12 months without anything going wrong). Clothes - they used to mend them in the old days (like darning socks) - today we just throw them away. It's the throw-away society. And it's the same with relationships - if you're sick of your partner, you just divorce them - it's easier than ever. If your kids are sick of you they can leave and the government will support them on Young Homeless Allowance.

A friend asks, "Do you know Mel Gibson?" You say yes. But what you really mean is that you know of him, and know a little bit about him. But you've never met him, never spoken to him, and you don't have a relationship with him. But if you asked his wife that same question, she'd say, "Of course I know him. I'm married to him." That's the difference between knowing about God, and really knowing Him.

The word "abide" in Jn 15:4 means to remain or to dwell. It's as clear as dwelling in a house - you're either in the house, or outside of the house - you can't be both at the same time.

When we went to Malaysia in 2002, my son and I bought an electric shaver each. One of the good things about the shaver is that it has a rechargeable battery, meaning you can use it unplugged. But when you do, it gives off a low buzz. But if I plug it in it immediately steps up the revs and emits a high buzz. Unplugged it does a passable job. But plugged in it does a very good job - it works the way it was meant to. If you don't know Jesus, you can get along in everyday life without ever acknowledging Him. You can be an atheist, and get along fairly well. Before I knew Jesus Christ, I thought I was fine - but that's because I didn't know any better. I was like the unplugged shaver. I could never really do what I had been designed to do, fulfil my full potential, the plan of God for my life. There are lots of people who are getting by, but they don't realise they're not plugged into the power source. To plug into the power source, you have to be connected to God Himself through Jesus Christ.

… country and western music titles: My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend, and I Sure Do Miss Him; How Can I Miss You If You Won't Go Away?; I Flushed You From The Toilets Of My Heart; Mama Get The Hammer (There's A Fly On Papa's Head); You're The Reason Our Kids Are So Ugly; You Done Tore Out My Heart And Stomped That Sucker Flat; Get Your Tongue Outta My Mouth 'Cause I'm Kissing You Goodbye. R.D. December 2004 p 14

Desperate and lonely for female company, a frog telephoned a psychic telephone service to find out what his future held. The person on the other end of the line said, "You will meet a beautiful young woman who will find you very interesting and want to know all about you." Excited and amazed, the frog asked excitedly, "That's wonderful! Where will I meet her? At work? At a party?" "No," said the psychic. "In a biology class."

1 Herald, Ivan The Other Face Of Conflict p110