HOW ARE PEOPLE DRAWN TO GOD?

I.INTRODUCTION

A.You have heard the term: “magnetic personality”

  1. The idea of a personality being “magnetic” and drawing people to them comes from the principle of a magnet - which has drawing power
  2. One can place a magnet into a box or sack of nails, and nails will be drawn to the magnet, and cling to it
  1. Did you know that the Almighty has ways of drawingpeople to Him as a magnet draws nails

II.The Bible reveals four ways that people are drawn to God

A.PEOPLE ARE DRAWN TO GOD BY CHRIST’S DEATH

  1. John 12:32-33
  2. There is drawing power in the blood of Jesus that was shed of Calvary
  1. Song: “Power in the Blood”

Would you be free from the burden of sin?

There is power in the blood, power in the blood

Would you o’er evil a victory win?

There is wonderful power in the blood

  1. It was necessary that Christ died on the cross and shed His blood so man might be drawn to God

1)Animal blood was offered under the Law of Moses - but this could not drawn men to God

2)It took the death of God’s Son to put this drawing power into effect

  1. Christ’s death draws us in two ways:
  1. It opens the door to God

1)In answering Nicodemus’ question of doubt -John 3:10-16

2)This is why Jesus says -John 10:9

3)John 14:6

  1. Secondly, Christ’s death appeals to those touched with His sacrifice

1)Romans 5:8-10

2)Knowing that Christ died for us should draw us to God through obedience to the cross of Christ

3)2 Corinthians 5:14-15

  1. PEOPLE ARE DRAWN TO GOD BY GOOD WORKS
  1. Matthew 5:16
  2. Good deeds touch the hearts of the needy, and others who see good deeds
  1. Good works soften hearts
  2. Good works arouse interest
  1. The world must see by our good works that we care
  2. It is God’s will that we be involved in good works -Galatians 6:10
  1. The text teaches that we are to have special concern toward other Christians
  2. It also teaches that we are to be concerned with those who are not a Christians
  1. 2 Corinthians 9:8 - When we engage in good works that God authorizes, it is actually God at work through us, as He enables us to work
  1. 2 Corinthians 9:10- It is God who multiplies the seed sown -
  2. 2 Corinthians 9:11-13- Then, doing good enables God to be glorified through thanksgiving 

C.PEOPLE ARE DRAWN TO GOD BY A GOOD LIFE

  1. 1 Peter 3:1-4
  1. By one’s faithfulness they may convert their unbelieving spouse
  2. Our manner of life teaches more than do our words
  1. Even though people have Bibles, or access to Bibles, few read them with any regularity
  1. Consequently, the good life of a Christian is the only Bible many will ever read, that may in turn cause them to read the written Bible

Song: “The World’s Bible” Annie Johnson Flint

  1. Christ has no hands but our hand to do His work today.

He has no feet but our feet to lead men in his way;

He has no tongue but our tongue to tell men how he died,

He has no help but our help to bring them to His side.

We are the only Bible this careless world will read,

We are the sinner’s gospel, we are the scoffer’s creed

We are the Lord’s last message given in deed and word

What if the type is crooked? What is the print is blurred?

What if our hands are busy with other things than this?

What if our feet are walking where sin’s allurement is?

What if our tongues are speaking of things His life would spurn;

How can we hope to help Him and welcome His return?

  1. By a good life people can be influenced to want to go to God
  1. Galatians 2:20 - Paul so lived that the world could see Christ living in him
  2. If Paul lied, gossiped, lacked love, or other sins, world would not have seen Christ in him
  3. Such conduct would have driven people away God and cause lost souls to remain lost
  1. Now, a regular magnet actually has two powers - drawing power and repelling power
  1. The drawing power is seen when it pulls small metal objects to it
  2. Its repelling power is seen when it pushes something away– Pos and Neg. Sides.
  1. Many times, if we are not careful we can be like the negative side of a magnet - pushing people away from the Lord
  1. Are you pushing people away from the Lord by your conduct or your speech?
  • What a tragedy to live in such a way as to repel people rather than draw them to the Lord
  1. What if everyone acted just like you?
  2. What kind of influence do you have on the church?
D.PEOPLE ARE DRAWN TO GOD BY THE WORD
  1. John 6:44-45
  2. So people may be drawn to God by Christ’s death, good works, good living… AND…
  • The message of the gospel that has already caused some to do good works,engage in good living, and know requirements for others to know salvation.
  1. In obeying the word of God, people are moving toward God
  1. Hebrews 11:6- In believing, one is coming toward God.
  2. 2 Corinthians 7:9-10- In repenting of sin, one is coming toward God.
  3. Romans 10:9-10- In confessing faith in Christ, one is coming toward God
  4. Gal. 3:27 - In being baptized, one reaches the destination – meeting God “in Christ”

III.Are you having any part in God’s way of drawing people to Him?