Sermon Illustrations

Love as Evangelism

When Henry Stanley went out in 1871 and found Dr. Livingstone, (remember: "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?") he spent some months in his company, but Livingstone never spoke to Stanley about spiritual things. Throughout those months Stanley just watched the old man.

Livingstone’s habits were beyond his comprehension, and so was his patience. He could not understand Livingstone’s sympathy for the Africans. For the sake of Christ and His gospel, the missionary doctor was patient, untiring, eager, spending himself and being spent for his Master.

Stanley wrote, “When I saw that unwearied patience, that unflagging zeal, those enlightened sons of Africa, I became a Christian at his side, though he never spoke to me about it.”

I would say that David Livingstone served in that dark continent out of love; love for the Lord and love for lost souls. HIS WAS A LABOR OF LOVE. Praise the Lord!

From a sermon by Steve Shepherd, "I Thank God For You" 8/1/2008

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