Can People See Jesus in You?
Key Text: John 13:34–35 (NASB 1995)
Supporting Texts: 1 Kings 17:8–24; 2 Corinthians 3:1–3; Acts 4:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Galatians 5:22–23; 1 Corinthians 13:1–8; Matthew 5:13–16; Ephesians 5:8–15; Galatians 6:2, 5, 17; Matthew 6:19–21; Hebrews 11:8; Philippians 1:21
Introduction
In 1 Kings 17, Elijah is sent by God to a widow who has only a little flour and oil left. She obeys God’s word through the prophet, and the Lord provides. Later, her son dies. Elijah prays, God restores the child’s life, and the woman says, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth” (1 Kings 17:24).
Her conclusion is important: by what she saw, she knew. The question for us is simple and searching: Can people see Jesus in you? In your home, at work, in public, in daily life—do people recognize that you have been with Jesus?
I. Christians Are Read by the World
A. Our lives are living letters
- “You are our letter… known and read by all men” (2 Corinthians 3:2–3).
- People may never read a Bible, but they read Christians every day.
B. The apostles were recognized as having been with Jesus
- “They began to recognize them as having been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
- Not because of education or status, but because of character and conduct.
Application: The question is not what you claim. The question is what your life communicates.
II. Love Is the Primary Mark of a Disciple
A. Jesus defined how His disciples would be known
- “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34–35).
- The context: Jesus washed the feet of men who would fail Him, deny Him, and betray Him.
B. The early church was known for love
- “You yourselves are taught by God to love one another” (1 Thessalonians 4:9).
- They gave even out of their own need to help others.
C. Love is essential to spiritual fruit
- The fruit of the Spirit begins with love (Galatians 5:22–23).
- It is not “fruits,” but “fruit.” If love is missing, the fruit is not complete.
D. Love is defined by Scripture, not feelings
- 1 Corinthians 13:1–8 shows what love is and what it is not.
- Love is patient, kind, not arrogant, not self-seeking, not easily provoked.
Rebuke: If we are impatient, unkind, jealous, arrogant, or rude, Jesus is not being seen in us.
III. Light Must Be Seen in Daily Life
A. Jesus commands visible godliness
- “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works” (Matthew 5:16).
- This is not showing off; it is showing Christ.
B. Light exposes darkness and displays righteousness
- “You were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light” (Ephesians 5:8–10).
- We do not participate in the deeds of darkness; we expose them (Ephesians 5:11).
Application: Christianity is not just for the church building. It must be seen in traffic, in stores, at work, and at home.
IV. Loyalty Shows Whom We Belong To
A. Loyalty to Christ
- “I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus” (Galatians 6:17).
- Paul’s scars proved his devotion. He did not belong to the world. He belonged to Christ.
B. Loyalty to one another
- “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
- Love is not talk. Love carries loads.
C. Loyalty to personal responsibility
- “Each one will bear his own load” (Galatians 6:5).
- We help others, but we also take responsibility for our own walk.
Encouragement: Faithful loyalty makes Christ visible in real, practical ways.
V. Longing for Heaven Shapes a Visible Faith
A. Where your treasure is, your heart will be
- “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19–21).
- A heart set on heaven lives differently on earth.
B. Faith looks forward, not backward
- Abraham obeyed, “not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).
- Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
C. A hopeful Christian is a powerful witness
- When your daily attitude is joy, endurance, and hope, people will ask why.
- The answer is simple: Christ and heaven.
Application: If people can see your hope, they will want to know your Savior.
Conclusion
Can people see Jesus in you? They should see Him in our love, in our light, in our loyalty, and in our longing for heaven. The world may never read a Bible, but it will read your life.
Let us live so that others can say what the widow said to Elijah: “Now I know.” May they know we belong to Christ because they can see Christ in us.
Slide Deck (12 Slides)
Slide 1 — Can People See Jesus in You?
Main Content:
- A searching question
- A visible faith
- A daily witness
Scripture (if applicable):
- John 13:34–35
Design Intent:
- Background tone: light
- Emphasis: serious
- Mood: reflective
Slide 2 — A Lesson from Elijah and the Widow
Main Content:
- God provided
- God restored life
- “Now I know…”
Scripture (if applicable):
- 1 Kings 17:24
Design Intent:
- Background tone: light
- Emphasis: instructive
- Mood: reverent
Slide 3 — Christians Are Living Letters
Main Content:
- Read by the world
- Known by conduct
- Seen in daily life
Scripture (if applicable):
- 2 Corinthians 3:2–3
Design Intent:
- Background tone: light
- Emphasis: clear
- Mood: thoughtful
Slide 4 — Recognized as Having Been with Jesus
Main Content:
- Not by education
- Not by status
- By character and courage
Scripture (if applicable):
- Acts 4:13
Design Intent:
- Background tone: light
- Emphasis: encouraging
- Mood: confident
Slide 5 — Love Identifies the Disciple
Main Content:
- A new commandment
- Love as Christ loved
- The mark of true disciples
Scripture (if applicable):
- John 13:34–35
Design Intent:
- Background tone: warm
- Emphasis: pastoral
- Mood: compassionate
Slide 6 — Love Is Essential to Spiritual Fruit
Main Content:
- Fruit, not fruits
- Love comes first
- Without love, it is incomplete
Scripture (if applicable):
- Galatians 5:22–23
Design Intent:
- Background tone: light
- Emphasis: doctrinal
- Mood: steady
Slide 7 — What Love Looks Like
Main Content:
- Patient and kind
- Not arrogant or rude
- Not self-seeking
Scripture (if applicable):
- 1 Corinthians 13:4–7
Design Intent:
- Background tone: light
- Emphasis: practical
- Mood: instructive
Slide 8 — Let Your Light Shine
Main Content:
- Seen good works
- Glory to God
- Faith beyond the building
Scripture (if applicable):
- Matthew 5:16
Design Intent:
- Background tone: light
- Emphasis: motivating
- Mood: encouraging
Slide 9 — Walk as Children of Light
Main Content:
- Leave darkness
- Expose what is wrong
- Live in goodness and truth
Scripture (if applicable):
- Ephesians 5:8–11
Design Intent:
- Background tone: light
- Emphasis: exhortation
- Mood: serious
Slide 10 — Loyalty Shows Who We Serve
Main Content:
- Loyalty to Christ
- Loyalty to one another
- Personal responsibility
Scripture (if applicable):
- Galatians 6:2, 5, 17
Design Intent:
- Background tone: light
- Emphasis: firm
- Mood: committed
Slide 11 — A Heart Set on Heaven
Main Content:
- Treasure in heaven
- Faith looks forward
- Hope changes daily life
Scripture (if applicable):
- Matthew 6:19–21
- Philippians 1:21
Design Intent:
- Background tone: warm
- Emphasis: hopeful
- Mood: uplifting
Slide 12 — Let Them See Jesus in You
Main Content:
- In love
- In light
- In loyalty and hope
Scripture (if applicable):
- John 13:35
Design Intent:
- Background tone: light
- Emphasis: decisive
- Mood: encouraging
[Scripture](1 Kings 17:24, 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, Acts 4:13, John 13:34-35, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, Matthew 5:16, Ephesians 5:8-11, Galatians 6:2, Galatians 6:5, Galatians 6:17, Matthew 6:19-21, Hebrews 11:8, Philippians 1:21)
