Sermon Central
-
Our Greatest Need
Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Dec 20, 2012 (message contributor)
If we were to go out on the streets and ask people at random, “What is your greatest need?” we would probably get a number of different responses. We wouldn’t be surprised in this economy if we got several answers of people needing a job so they could provide for their home and family. If people were honest many would say they were lonely. Their greatest need is a friend or spouse. Some might say, “Peace in my home. My husband is abusive or negligent. The kids are defiant and disrespectful. The in-laws are impossible.”
Suppose we conducted those street interviews in another country like India or Haiti. The answers would center more on raw survival. It’d be more common to hear, “I’m starving. I need food.” “I’m dying. I need a doctor and medicine.” Over and over we’d hear young and old say, “I live on the streets. I need a place of shelter.”
But it is Christmas that gives the answer to our greatest need. Don’t think I’m being uncaring or uninformed of the great needs of people in this world, but our greatest need is to receive God’s salvation and forgiveness of sin. One reason this is our greatest need is we will live far longer in eternity than the brief dash of time we experience in this world.
I know it is easy to dismiss statements like this from a well-fed, comfortable American. So I point you to K.P. Yohannan. He grew up in India and didn’t wear shoes before he was 17. In his book Revolution in World Missions, he tells about his experience of preaching the gospel all across India. He is not oblivious to India’s oppressive poverty. Yet he strongly contends against getting distracted with meeting physical needs, while ignoring the spiritual needs. He says that India has seen 150 years of schools and hospitals brought to them by British missionaries, but it has not had any noticeable effect on either their churches or society.
Yohannan says that it is one of Satan’s lies that people will not listen to the gospel unless we offer them something else first. He has sat on the streets of Bombay with beggars who are about to die. He has told them that he does not have material goods to give them, but he has come to offer them eternal life, and he has seen many respond. He says:
There is nothing wrong with charitable acts—but they are not to be confused with preaching the Gospel. Feeding programs can save a man dying from hunger. Medical aid can prolong life and fight disease. Housing projects can make this temporary life more comfortable—but only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can save a soul from a life of sin and an eternity in hell!
He makes the point that social concern is a result of the gospel. We’re tempted to put the cart before the horse. So this Christmas by all means contribute to the Salvation Army bell ringers or any other charitable organization that ministers to the needs of people. But let it be a reminder that Christmas reveals that our greatest need is to receive God’s salvation and forgiveness of sin. (Idea: Steve Cole sermon, Heb. 2:16-18)
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
A 2 A.m. Miracle – Joni Eareckson Tada
Contributed by Greg Buchner on Oct 11, 2004
“A 2 a.m. Miracle” – Joni Eareckson Tada It was 2 a.m. and Ken, my husband was snoring softly beside me, not aware that I was biting my lip to keep from waking him up. The combination of my paralysis with middle-of-the-night insomnia always makes me feel claustrophobic. But this was different. ...read more
-
Moses Spend His First Forty Years Thinking He ... PRO
Contributed by Sheldon Boyd on Nov 30, 2004
“Moses spend his first forty years thinking he was somebody. He spend his second forty years learning he was a nobody. He spent his third forty years ...read more
-
Max Lucado, In His Book, "Six Hours One Friday," ... PRO
Contributed by Brad Bailey on Aug 3, 2004
Max Lucado, in his book, “Six Hours One Friday,” tells the story of a missionary in Brazil who discovered a tribe of Indians in a remote part of the jungle. They lived near a large river. The tribe was in need of medical attention. A contagious disease was ravaging the population. People were dying ...read more
-
I Mentioned Brian Mclaren's Book "A Generous ... PRO
Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Feb 21, 2005
I mentioned Brian McLaren’s book “A Generous Orthodoxy” last week. The chapter after “Would Jesus Be a Christian” is titled, “Jesus, Savior of What?” In this chapter he argues that while Jesus did come to save us as individuals, we in the west have placed such a strong emphasis on personal ...read more
-
30% Of An Average Person's Anxiety Is Focused On ... PRO
Contributed by Robbie Shivar on Jun 4, 2004
30% of an average person’s anxiety is focused on things about the past that can’t be changed. If we were honest with ourselves, we all would say that there is something in our past that we regret doing and ...read more
Related Sermons
-
The Grace Of God
Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Aug 14, 2017
God's grace as the avenue of salvation is sometimes seen as being in conflict with obedience of the believer as a requirement, without which salvation cannot be obtained. Which is it, or is it a combination? Can this dichotomy be satisfactorily resolved?
-
Hope In A Covenant Of Faith Series
Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 18, 2018
A Covenant of Faith and a man named Abraham. Romans 4:3, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
-
Three Characteristics Of Jonah Series
Contributed by Tom Shepard on Jan 22, 2015
This sermon looks a three characteristics of Jonah: 1. Jonah is STUBBORN 2. Jonah is REBELLIOUS 3. Jonah is a BELIEVER
-
When Jesus Passes By
Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Jun 13, 2015
A sermon examining the miracles that happen when Jesus comes on the scene!
-
Of All The Options For A Sign, Why Did God Choose Circumcision?
Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 23, 2013
God could have had Abraham put a tattoo on his arm or any one of a thousand other signs, but instead He chose the sign of circumcision? Why in the world? And, beyond that, what relevance does that have for Christians today?
