“By their fruit you will know them” (Matthew 7:10).
Everyone is looking for a good sermon. They just don’t know it.
I’m not talking about the spoken sermon, but the sermon that is lived out by an authentic follower of Christ, who, though he stumbles, always gets up. He doesn’t profess perfection, but progress. His life is an example of redemption and recovery. He is known by the fruit of his life more than by the words of his lips.
Charles Spurgeon said, “It is of no use for any of you to try to be soul-winners if you are not bearing fruit in your own lives. How can you serve the Lord with your lips if you do not first serve him with your lives?”
You can (and should) lead others to Christ and recovery. The words you say will matter – a lot. Just not as much as the fruit that you bear.
Recovery Step: Preach great sermons. When necessary, use words.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
