Jim Gross was a drug dealer in Akron. He described himself as a ong-haired hippie, but then he got saved. He dropped alcohol immediately, and promiscuity. Marijuana was harder. Jim went to read the Bible in the woods and smoke a joint; which made him feel close to God. He put down his Bible to smoke and was feeling very mellow. Half of his joint was left. He didn’t want to read the Bible then, but he felt convicted. His Bible opened to Ephesians 5:18 – “Do not get drunk on wine, … but be filled with the Spirit.” This convinced Jim to stop smoking dope.
However, he did not get rid of the last half of the joint but stashed it in his garage. Later he dug it out and smoked it but felt very guilty. Cigarettes also took him a long time to give up. He and his wife spent $1,400 a year on cigarettes; he smoked two packs a day. He quit, then started, quit, started. He stored them on top of the air duct in his garage and was always tempted by them. Jim decided he must rid his house of them completely if he would have victory. He smoked one more time, taking two puffs to show someone how dirty the filter became; it almost made him sick to his stomach. To really be a Christian you must give all of yourself to him.
[Talk given to Senior High Baptist Youth Fellowship of the First Baptist Church of West Lafayette, Ohio]]
******************************************************************************
Version in Sermons:
C. Example of Jim Gross:
Jim Gross used to be a long-haired hippie.
He was a drug dealer in Akron.
Became saved.
Dropped alcohol immediately, and promiscuity.
Marijuana was harder.
Went to read Bible in woods and smoke a joint; made him feel
close to God.
Put down Bible to smoke, was feeling very mellow.
Had half his joint left.
Didn’t want to read Bible then, but felt convicted.
Opened to Ephesians 5:18 – “Do not get drunk on wine, … but
be filled with the Spirit.”
Convinced him to stop smoking dope.
However, he did not get rid of last half of joint but stashed it
in his garage.
Later he smoked it but felt very guilty.
Cigarettes also took him a long time to give up.
He and wife spent $1,400 a year on cigarettes; he smoked
two packs a day.
He quit, then started, quit, started.
He stored them on top of air duct in garage and was tempted by them.
Decided he must rid his house of them completely if he would
have victory.
He found out to really be a Christian and feel the spiritual power
you must give all of yourself to Jesus.