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Seeing Clearly

Spiritual Blindness Evangelism Discipleship

Source: Various

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2024-01-02

Scripture: Mark 8:23 ; Matthew 4:16

Author: Illustration Exchange
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ILLUSTRATION

It is estimated that there are approximately 10 million people in the U.S. and upwards of 36 million people worldwide who are actually blind, i.e., totally unsighted and living in darkness.

In addition to those with complete blindness, the WHO estimates:

- Globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a near or distance vision impairment. In at least 1 billion of these, vision impairment could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed.

- The leading causes of vision impairment and blindness at a global level are refractive errors and cataracts [a cloudiness which grows over the lens of the eye].

- It is estimated that globally only 36% of people ... have received access to an appropriate intervention.

While millions live in complete spiritual darkness, and millions (nay billions!) more live with some measure of blindness, it is safe to say, biblically speaking, that ALL men walk in spiritual blindness, absent the "Light" of Jesus and His restorative, regenerative, and salvific work on their behalf.

 

APPLICATION

“And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.” - Mark 8:23-25 ESV

God calls us to bring Jesus' Light to those who live in darkness, and to not just bring His Light and truth, but to disciple them into clarity of a mature and fruitfal walk with the Savior. 

It’s one miracle to go from blindness to sight. It’s another to go from seeing to seeing clearly. We need Jesus to help us see things clearly.

"... the people living in darkness have seen a great light ..." - Matthew 4:16, NIV

Making Allies of Enemies

Evangelism Enemies History

Source: "Liechtenstein’s Army Returned Home From War With More Men Than it Left With" by Matthias Pappas, published on warrhistoryonline.com, 2/21/19, retrieved 12/4/23

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2023-12-19

Scripture: Matthew 28:19 ; Proverbs 11:30

Author: Illustration Exchange
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ILLUSTRATION

Being the small country it is, Liechtenstein never had much of an army. In fact, the last time it had one was in 1868. But in 1866, during the Austro-Prussian War, Liechtenstein sent 80 men to guard the Brenner Pass between Austria and Italy. When the war was over, 81 men (not 80!) returned.

Where did the extra man come from? History offers many versions, with most suggeting the extra man was a defector who either simply "liked" the Liechtensteiners or decided life and work in Liechtenstein was preferable to whichever country he was from. Either way, this soldier decided to turn his back on his past and ally himself with the Liechtenstein forces.  As such, the army enjoyed a net gain of one man from marching into "battle."

APPLICATION

As Christians, we are at constant odds with the world around. As we march into battle do we see the unsaved as enemy combattants to be conquered, dragged away as prisoners of war? Or do we see them as potential allies, whom we can welcome into our ranks, marching home from battle arm-in-arm with them?

In a world at war, be a Liechtensteiner!


"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations ..." (Matthew 28:19a, ESV)

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30, ESV).

"My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20, ESV).

 

Seasoned Talk

Communication Evangelism Word of God

Source: Mashed.com

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Marcelle Smith | Date Posted: 2023-09-23

Scripture: Colossians 4:6 ; 1 Peter 3:15

Author: Marcelle Smith / Illustration Exchange
1

ILLUSTRATION

There are a lot of "seasoning salts," but there is only one "Seasoned Salt": Lawry’s! 

The history of Lawry’s Seasoned Salt goes back over 80 yrs to 1938 when the famous restaurant, Lawry’s The Prime Rib, opened in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. Lawrence Frank, the inventor, developed the blend initially for prime rib, but his family was pleased to find that the salt didn’t only season prime rib to perfection, but enhanced the taste of many other foods as well. The blend contains salt, sugar, paprika, turmeric, onion, and garlic. 

Once the blend was perfected, they put Lawry’s Seasoned Salt on the table right next to the salt and pepper. The new seasoning was so popular that guests took to stealing it and bringing it home with them. People just couldn't get enough of this stuff.

APPLICATION

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (Colossians 4:6, NIV).

Are the words we speak, especially in our witnessing, so appealing that others just can't get enough? Are others so blessed by their interactions with us that they just keep coming back for more? Or do our words repulse and repel others, like spoiled milk, or maybe just leave them "meh" and unchallenged, like tasteless porridge? 

The Apostle Paul thought our words should be well seasoned! As one commentator put it, "our words should be tasty and delightful," having a positive influence on all who hear them, that they might even keep coming back for more!

This can only come from preparation. Just as the folks at Lawry's worked hard to perfect their blend of spices, we must work to prepare ourselves to be ready to share the Gospel message in a way that challenges and entices the hearer. "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15, NIV).

As we share God's Word with a spiritually hungry world, let's challenge them, as did the Psalmist, saying, "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!" (Psalm 34:8, NIV).

 

 

Cover the Earth in Salt

Witness Influence Evangelism

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2023-09-05

Scripture: Matthew 5:13 ; Colossians 4:6

Author: Illustration Exchange
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Test the Ice

Faith Evangelism Apologetics

Contributed By: Jeff Hage | Date Posted: 2023-06-22

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1 ; Romans 1:20

Author: Jeff Hage
0

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Dig Out the Dying

Evangelism Heroism Hopelessness

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2023-04-12

Scripture: Luke 10:33 ; Mark 16:15

Author: Illustration Exchange
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Eudardo, Come and Find Juan Cruz!

Evangelism Community Church/Body of Christ

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2022-09-29

Scripture: Luke 19:10 ; Matthew 9:37

Author: Illustration Exchange
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A Passion for Barney

Passion Influence Evangelism

Contributed By: Rob Tucker | Date Posted: 2018-02-20

Scripture: John 1:45 ; John 4:29

Author: Rob Tucker
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Fishing For A Friend?

Loneliness Evangelism Friendship

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2017-11-09

Scripture: Matthew 4:19

Author: Illustration Exchange
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Sharing Trade Secrets Or Sharing The Wealth?

Outreach Evangelism Unity

Contributed By: Neal Pollard | Date Posted: 2017-08-03

Scripture: Philippians 1:18

Author: Neal Pollard
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