The following sermon except is from Horace Bushnell. He lived from 1802-1876. The text of the message was John 20:8 and was titled, “Unconscious Influence.” His theme was the impact we have on others even when we are little aware of it. It blessed me. I hope it does you as well. “Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.” ~ John 20:8 “We must answer not only for what we do with purpose, but for the influence we exert. Men are ever touching unconsciously the springs of motion in each other; thus it is that one man, without thought or intention, is ever leading some after him. Little does Peter think as he goes straight into the sepulcher that he is drawing his brother apostle after him. Little does John think, when he loses his misgivings and goes after Peter, that he is following his brother. Just so, unawares to himself, is every man laying hold of his fellow man to lead him where otherwise he would not go. A Peter leads a John, a John goes after a Peter, both of them unconscious of any influence exerted or received. Thus our life and conduct are ever propagating themselves through the circles in which we live. The Bible calls the good man’s life a light, and it is the nature of light to flow out spontaneously in all directions and fill the world unconsciously with its beams. The Christian shines, not so much because he will, as because he is a luminous object. I verily believe that the insensible influences of good men are much more potent than their voluntary or active, as the great silent powers of nature are of greater consequence than her little disturbances and tumults. The true philosophy of doing good is here explained. It is, first of all, to be good—to have a character. In order to act with effect on others, he must walk in the Spirit, he must be akin to God and so filled with His disposition that he shall seem to surround himself with a hallowed atmosphere. And this, my brethren, is what God intends for you all.”
Posted on: Sun, 22 Sep 2013 15:06:14 +0000
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