Summary: Is our Life in Christ real or a facade? Our Life in Christ will be proven/exposed before others...But what are some proofs of life in Christ? 8 arenas in which life in Christ is proven. Part 1 of a 2-part sermon.

PROOF OF LIFE—Luke 8:40-56

or Exposing Life

Jesus gave life to a girl.

Christian life will be exposed before others.

What are some proofs of Christian life?

10 arenas in which life Christian is proven.

1—Life is proven in

ANTICIPATION(:40-42a)

—Explanation:(:40-42a)

:40—“And as Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him.”

:41—“And behold, there came a man named Jairus, & he was an official of the synagogue; & he fell at Jesus’ feet, & began to entreat Him to come to his house;...”

:42—“...for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, & she was dying....”

—Argumentation:

Jn. 1:3-4—“All things came into being by Him, & apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, & the life was the light of men.”

Rom. 8:18-25—“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans & suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”

—Illustration:

Matthew’s skateboard order/Waiting for mail order to arrive/ ANTICIPATION

—Application:

?ANTICIPATION leave your Life exposed?

?Your Life Proven/Exposed?

2—Life is proven in

HINDRANCES(:42b)

—Explanation:(:42b) Pressure/

:42—“for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, & she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes were pressing against Him.”

Daughter/12 yrs.—Loved one who would not understand death....PRESSURE!

—Argumentation:

Rom. 1:13—“And I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (& have been prevented thus far) in order that I might obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.”

1Thess. 2:17—3:3—“For we wanted to come to you--I, Paul, more than once--& yet Satan thwarted us. For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory & joy. Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone; & we sent Timothy, our brother & God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen & encourage you as to your faith, so that no man may be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.”

—Illustration:

Family left from their visit with us/Unfamiliar territory/Called from Tifton—Not the way home!/8.5 hr. trip took 12 hrs./Called—Whole bunch rolling with laughter/ HINDRANCES handeled with right attitude

Waiting in Atlanta traffic/Anticipating release to continue journey/HINDRANCES

—Application:

?HINDRANCES leave your Life exposed?

?Your Life Proven/Exposed?

3—Life is proven in

DISAPPOINTMENT(:49)

—Explanation:(:49) Hopelessness/Depression

:49—“While He was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.””

Our thought—These hindrances have ruined my life!

—Argumentation:

?Anyone here ever been disappointed?

—Illustration:

Our trip to Tallahassee Museum/2 cars/Ladies & men/Men in front—walkie talkies/To Wal-Mart or Publix/Men pass Publix & Ladies turn in/Miller & I separated— DISAPPOINTMENT

—Application:

?DISAPPOINTMENT leave your Life exposed?

?Your Life Proven/Exposed?

4—Life is proven in

PROPOSITION(:50)

—Explanation/Argumentation:(:50) Reminder/Suggestion/ / Hint

:50—“But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, “Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, & she shall be made well.”

“Afraid”—Fear of permanent loss

“Believe”—Trust

“Made well”—Saved

Jesus’ proposition is either an encouragement or foolish.

—Illustration:

Andrew’s geode bought from Tallahassee Museum of Science & History/Spherical non-descript gray rock/Inside—Beautiful crystals & colorful agate/Sold on promise that 90% of them have such inside/PROPOSITION made to buyer

—Application:

?Jesus’ PROPOSITION prove/expose your Life?

?Your Life proven?

—CONCLUSION—

Action:

Life is exposed in...

ANTICIPATION(:40-42a)

HINDRANCES(:42b)

DISAPPOINTMENT(:49)

PROPOSITION(:50)

CHILDREN— ‘Proof’

Someone to play dead

Are they really dead?

What can we do to prove they are alive?

Tickle

There are also some ways in which we know that a church has life in Christ.

Presented 05/23/02am to:

Providence Baptist Church

975 Providence Road

Whigham, GA 39897