Relationship Evangelism

Topics: Evangelism , Riches

There is an old story told about a man by the name of Ali Facid. He had
a small farm and a family. One day, the story goes, a Buddhist priest
came by and said to Ali Facid: You know, there are valuable stones
called diamonds, and if you get one of these you could be a wealthy
man." Ali Facid went to bed that night, but the words of the old priest
haunted him. He was so obsessed that he felt that he must find him one
of these diamonds so that he could become a ruler. He sold his farm, put
his family out to neighbors and went out to find his acres of diamonds.
Months passed. He was broken in body and spirit. His funds were gone.
And at the Bay of Barcelona, he threw himself into the water, never to
walk this earth again.

Meanwhile, the man who bought his farm bent over one day and picked up a
little stone. He laid on the mantle that night not knowing what it was.
A few days later the old Buddhist priest cam by and saw it and
exclaimed: Ali Facid must be back from his search. No, came the
response. Then where did that diamond come from? The farmer replied: I
was out plowing in the garden and found it there. And friends, did you
know that from that very garden, for this is not a legend but a true
story, came the jewels and diamonds that today adorn the crown heads of
Europe and Russia. In Ali Facid's own back yard there were acres of
diamonds and he knew it not.

My friends, I know that the [your church's neighborhood] is not like
[name two neighborhoods in your area that are experiencing growth] in
terms of extensive growth. But friends, I also know that there are acres
of diamonds right here in our own back yard. There are people right here
in our area that do not have church families, who are not committed to
Christ, and who are waiting to be asked. We don't have to look to other
areas of the city. All we have to do is pick up the diamonds that are
right beneath us.

Sermon Illustrations, 1999