Sermon Central
-
Mary's Friends
Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Jul 9, 2008 (message contributor)
MARY'S FRIENDS
Unsaved people in our society who accept Jesus as Savior have an average of 12 unsaved relatives and friends, all of whom are potential disciples. Let me tell you a story I heard in 1980, when I was in Fuller Seminary studying church growth. It happened in the First Baptist Church of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
In a Sunday evening service Mary, a divorcee in her early thirties, a cocktail waitress, came forward during the singing of "Just As I Am," announcing her desire to become a follower of Christ. First Baptist church members discovered that Mary needed to be baptized, so a service of baptism for her was scheduled for a Sunday evening several weeks later.
The friend who had originally brought Mary to the church did an interesting thing. She sent out engraved invitations, like those usually sent for a graduation or a wedding, to all the people in Mary's Albuquerque social network.
That Sunday evening several rows were filled with her friends from the bowling alley, friends from the beauty shop, fellow workers and friends from the cocktail lounge, neighbors, a parent, cousins, her former husband, her current boyfriend! That group must have represented most of her entire social network!
The pastor held a reception afterward. It was a celebration with much singing. He briefly shared with Mary's friends what had been happening in her life. He simply offered to them the resources and ministries of that congregation, including the friendship of Christ.
For the next six Sunday evenings, Mary walked down the aisle during the singing of the invitational hymn, on those occasions bringing into the faith one or more persons out of her social web. Thus it is rumored (although I cannot document the last point) that the people of that Baptist church in Albuquerque, New Mexico were chanting, "Hail, Mary, full of grace!"
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Dear God, So Far Today I've Done All Right. I ... PRO
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Oct 17, 2004
Dear God, So far today I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, I haven’t lost my temper, I haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or over-indulgent. I’m very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get ...read more
-
The Story Is Told Of The Pioneer Days In Our ...
Contributed by Fred Mueller on Dec 16, 2004
The story is told of the pioneer days in our country. A man was making his way west when he came to the Missouri River. It was winter and the ice covered the river from bank to bank. But how could the man be sure it would hold his weight? He knew people often drowned in that river when the ice ...read more
-
In His Retirement, Thomas Jefferson Founded The ... PRO
Contributed by Michael King on Jul 20, 2003
In his retirement, Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia. Because Jefferson trusted that students would take their studies seriously, the code of discipline was lax. Unfortunately, his trust proved misplaced when the misbehavior of students led to a riot in which professors who ...read more
-
During The Lunch Our, The President Of A Large ... PRO
Contributed by Joel Santos on Jan 11, 2005
During the lunch our, the president of a large factory wanted to talk to his company’s manger about an urgent matter, but the manager’s secretary said, “He can not be disturbed for he is in conference—as he is everyday at this time.” “But,” said the impatient official, “tell him the president wants ...read more
-
Video Clip: Dead Man Walking: From Videos That ...
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 18, 2000
Video Clip: Dead Man Walking: From Videos that Teach -- Fields and James page 52 Can anyone, no matter what they have done, become a child of God? The Movie: Drama R Sister Helen Prejan (Susan Sarandon) is a nun who receives a desperate letter from a death row inmate, Matthew Poncelet (Sean ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Come And See #2: I’ve Found Jesus Series
Contributed by Chris Jordan on Oct 9, 2012
After someone has tasted and seen that the Lord is good, their most natural response is to want to share Jesus with others.
-
How To Let Christ Shine Through You
Contributed by Greg Nance on Feb 25, 2013
God's purpose for our lives in Christ is clearly for His glory and our good. That begins NOW as we fulfill His purposes and let Christ shine through us to others.
-
Get Going! Series
Contributed by Paul Decker on Sep 28, 2008
Deliberately make committed followers of Jesus.
-
Evangelism Series
Contributed by Tyler Edwards on Apr 29, 2009
There are many things that keep us from carrying out the commission of God, how can we overcome those things to fulfill the great commission?
-
Stand Up For Jesus Series
Contributed by Jon Miller on Mar 2, 2011
This message is part of a series on the book of John. The focus of this message is to show how believers can take a stand for Jesus in a world that is sitting down.
