Legacy Youth Ministry Resources

Illustration texts

Success, But No Purpose

Ralph Barton, a cartoonist, wrote in his suicide note: "I have had few difficulties, many friends, great successes; I have gone from wife to wife, and from house to house, visited great countries of the world, but I am fed up with inventing devices to fill up 24 hours of the day."

Franklin on Saving Grace

Benjamin Franklin on saving grace -- "You will see in this my notion of good works, that I am far from expecting (as you suppose) that I shall ever merit Heaven by them. By heaven we understand a state of happiness, infinite in degree, and eternal in duration: I can do nothing to deserve such rewards: he that for giving a draught of water to a thirsty person, should expect to be paid with a good plantation, would be modest in his demands, compar'd with those who think they deserve heaven for the little good they do on earth. Even the mix'd imperfect pleasures we enjoy in this world, are rather from God's goodness than our merit; how much more such happiness of heaven." (Autobiography, p. 248, from his essays and letters)? Copyright 2002 Steve Miller - All Rights Reserved

Positive Impact of Religion

Does religion have a positive impact on people? The Gallop organization surveyed teens and found that "among the 75% of teens who reported that they were members of churches, 62% were also volunteers, and 55% were charitable contributors. By contrast, among those who reported no religious affiliation, far fewer were either volunteers (44%) or contributors (25%)." (From The Religious Life of Young Americans, by George Gallup) According to Gallup's surveys,"Americans of all ages who say religion is the most important influence in their lives, and those who receive a great deal of comfort from their beliefs, are far more likely than their counterparts to feel close to their family, to find their lives fulfilling, and to be excited about the future." (From The Religious Life of Young Americans, by George Gallup)

Choice or Destiny?

Someone said that when we arrive at the gates of heaven, we will see written on the outside, "Whosoever will may come." But once we enter, we will glance back at the gate to see written, "Chosen from the beginning of time."

Stay in Your Gifts and Calling

On staying true to your gift and calling: When Billy Graham was asked to speak at Cambridge, one of the great intellectual centers of the world, the Bishop of Barking, who was a Cambridge grad, gave Graham some advice by letter. He wrote: "Do not regard these men as 'intellectuals.' Appeal to their need. So many preachers fail at this point when they speak to university men. So, Billy, keep to the wonderful clear simple message God has qualified you to preach." Yet, Graham proceeded to put his messages in an intellectual framework, and saw little impact. Feeling inadequate and helpless, he hit his knees and turned to God. Then he realized the truth of what the Bishop had written. His gift was to present the simple gospel. And that was the student's greatest need. From then on, he began to preach simply, and God worked mightily in the students' lives.

Passing Grade: 100%

According to God's Word, all of us have sinned (Rom. 3:23) and the penalty for sin is death (Rom. 6:23). So there's no way we can escape eternal death by being good enough. I'll put it this way: Imagine that you're in Math class and your teacher gives you a test. The teacher explains, "Since you should all know this material my now, I'm making the passing grade 100%." Now, imagine that as you take the test, you realize that you've already missed a couple of problems that you don't understand. Now, no matter how many problems you get right from here on out, will you ever pass the test? (Let them respond.) No way. If the passing grade is 100%, then you've already flunked, no matter how well you do on the rest of the test. In the same way, the passing grade for heaven is 100%, and we have already flunked. Resolving to do better won't solve the problem. We need a Savior. ? Copyright 2002 Steve Miller - All Rights Reserved

Your Way Is Paid

Imagine that your school treated you so rotten this last year that you resolve to get even. So, late one night you torch the school, I mean you burn it to the ground. Somehow, they trace the crime back to you, and before long your case comes to trial. The jury finds you guilty and the judge sentences you to your choice of five years in prison, or $1,000,000 to rebuild the school. Not having the million, the judge sentences you, and you get a sinking feeling as you contemplate life behind bars. But unexpectedly, an extraordinary thing happens. The judge takes off his robe, steps from behind the bench, and writes a check for $1,000,000, then stamps it, "PAID IN FULL." The judge explains, "It would not be just for me as a judge to release you unless your penalty was paid. But as a wealthy man, and as your father, I can pay your way out." You see, that's what God did for us. The penalty for sin is death (Rom. 6:23), so God's justice demands death for your sin. But God, because of His love for you, sent His only Son to pay the price you deserved to pay. But it's not enough for someone to offer to pay the price. Going back to your courtroom scene, you weren't off the hook yet when the judge offered you the million dollar check. At that point, you could have either accepted or rejected his free gift. In the same way, it is only those who receive Christ (Jn. 1:12) who become children of God and obtain eternal life.? Copyright 2002 Steve Miller - All Rights Reserved

I'll Take His Place

I heard the substitutionary death of Christ illustrated this way at a conference: The speaker announced that the microphone had been stolen the night before, and he knew who did it. He said, "I'll give the thief the opportunity now to admit it." Someone in the audience somberly stood up to confess his guilt. The speaker said, "I'm sorry, but I'll have to ask you to leave the conference." But then another person stands up an says, "He really needs to be here." Let me go in his place." (After the illustration, make it clear that no one actually stole the mike and that everyone was acting. It's amazing how many people miss these things!) ? Copyright 2002 Steve Miller - All Rights Reserved

Gospel for Athletes

Many of you are in a fourth down with long yardage situation in your lives. To be born again means that the referee grants you a free first down, a fresh start, not because of anything you worked for or deserved, but because of God's grace.? Copyright 2002 Steve Miller - All Rights Reserved

Grace and Lordship

"Grace is God's willingness to commit Himself totally to us. Lordship is our willingness to commit ourselves totally to God." (Henrichsen)

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