--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Someone once asked Gandhi for a sermon…" description: "\"“Someone once asked Gandhi for a sermon, and his reply was, “My life is my sermon.” In the same way, we see how Jesus chose to live his adult life as p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e4/benjamin-l-corey-43948_adult-life_someone-once-asked-gandhi-for-a-sermon-a_78986.jpg" --- # Someone once asked Gandhi for a sermon, and his reply was… ![“Someone once asked Gandhi for a sermon, and his reply was, “My life is my sermon.” In the same way, we see how Jesus chose to live his adult life as perhaps one of his most potent sermons of all. While our contemporary Christian culture places value on the unholy trinity of buildings, bodies, and…” quote by Benjamin L. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e4/benjamin-l-corey-43948_adult-life_someone-once-asked-gandhi-for-a-sermon-a_78986.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e4/benjamin-l-corey-43948_adult-life_someone-once-asked-gandhi-for-a-sermon-a_78986.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e4/benjamin-l-corey-43948_adult-life_someone-once-asked-gandhi-for-a-sermon-a_78986.jpg) > ““Someone once asked Gandhi for a sermon, and his reply was, “My life is my sermon.” In the same way, we see how Jesus chose to live his adult life as perhaps one of his most potent sermons of all. While our contemporary Christian culture places value on the unholy trinity of buildings, bodies, and bucks, Jesus—the wisest teacher who ever lived and central figure in human history—was a homeless man who instead lived his life investing in authentic community with twelve close friends. We see them wrestle with the radical nature of his message together, share meals together, serve the poor and hungry together, and share life’s burdens with one another.”” [Benjamin L. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-l-corey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leadership is demonstrated through lived example rather than preaching; authentic community and service embody true teaching. **In simple terms:** Live your values as your message. Key Takeaway Actions speak louder than words. Themes Authentic leadership Community building Servant leadership Spiritual practice Social justice Mood Inspirational Reflective Hopeful Type Spiritual Philosophical Motivational When to use this quote - Pastoral counseling - Faith‑based outreach - Leadership training - Community organizing Key Concepts Embodied teaching Radical hospitality Collective responsibility Practical Applications - Mentoring through example - Designing community‑focused ministries Questions to Reflect On - How can you embody your core values daily? - What community practices reflect your deepest convictions? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adult life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adult-life/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Close Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/close-friend/) [Close friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/close-friends/) [Contemporary christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemporary-christian/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Sermon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sermon/) ## Related quotes > [Contemporary Christianity, diverse and complex as we find it, actually may show more unanimity than the Christian churches of the first and second centuries.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-pagels/contemporary-christianity-diverse-and-complex-as-we-find-it-actually/) [Elaine Pagels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-pagels/) > [“I find it impossible, therefore, to imagine a growing and maturing church or individual Christian doing without the Psalms. And that is why (to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright/i-find-it-impossible-therefore-to-imagine-a-growing-and-maturing/) [N.T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright/) > [Do I think all contemporary Christian music is good? No.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-grant/do-i-think-all-contemporary-christian-music-is-good-no/) [Amy Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-grant/) > [It's so funny being a Christian musician. It always scares me when people think so highly of Christian music, Contemporary Christian music especially. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-so-funny-being-a-christian-musician-it-always-scares-me-when/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Suddenly contemporary Christianity sales pitches don't seem adequate anymore. Ask Jesus to come into your heart. Invite Jesus to come into your life. Pray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/suddenly-contemporary-christianity-sales-pitches-don-t-seem-adequate/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [Contemporary Christian proclamation is faced with the question whether, when it demands faith from men and women, it expects them to acknowledge this mythical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-bultmann/contemporary-christian-proclamation-is-faced-with-the-question/) [Rudolf Bultmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-bultmann/) > [But Stacie Orrico was my childhood hero. I was about 12 when I found her music. She is a contemporary Christian artist, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-grimmie/but-stacie-orrico-was-my-childhood-hero-i-was-about-12-when-i-found/) [Christina Grimmie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-grimmie/) > [Writing songs is about trying to connect with people on a deeper spiritual level - but I'm not a fan of contemporary Christian music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-tedder/writing-songs-is-about-trying-to-connect-with-people-on-a-deeper/) [Ryan Tedder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-tedder/) > [I grew up in the church and loved contemporary Christian music. I go back to the early days of when it first started with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-demarcus/i-grew-up-in-the-church-and-loved-contemporary-christian-music-i-go/) [Jay DeMarcus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-demarcus/) > [“As a result of these broad trends, contemporary Christian ethicists appear in public as figures struggling with the paradoxical task of articulating the insights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-m-kapic/as-a-result-of-these-broad-trends-contemporary-christian-ethicists/) [Kelly M. Kapic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-m-kapic/) > [“The Greek word pistis, generally rendered “faith” or “belief,” as it pertains to Christian salvation, quite simply has little correlation with “faith” and “belief”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-w-bates/the-greek-word-pistis-generally-rendered-faith-or-belief-as-it/) [Matthew W. Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-w-bates/) > [The contemporary Christian mind is starved, and as a result we have small, impoverished souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-p-moreland/the-contemporary-christian-mind-is-starved-and-as-a-result-we-have/) [J.P. Moreland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-p-moreland/) > [Consider the cost when Christians ignore Jesus commands to sell their possessions and give to the poor and instead choose to spend their resources…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/consider-the-cost-when-christians-ignore-jesus-commands-to-sell-their/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [“Paul's portrayal of Jesus as Christ may sound familiar to contemporary Christians—it has since become the standard doctrine of the church—but it would have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/paul-s-portrayal-of-jesus-as-christ-may-sound-familiar-to/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [“The slightest overview of historical Christian thought from the Reformers to the present reveals that there is a great contrast between the gospel of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-slightest-overview-of-historical-christian-thought-from-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Benjamin L. Corey > [“saying out loud and naming what you don’t believe anymore breaks the power that fear holds over you. When you do this, you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-l-corey/saying-out-loud-and-naming-what-you-don-t-believe-anymore-breaks-the/) [Benjamin L. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-l-corey/) > [If one takes a public stand against, say, most any sin you can think of, one is considered "courageous" and a "defender of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-l-corey/if-one-takes-a-public-stand-against-say-most-any-sin-you-can-think-of/) [Benjamin L. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-l-corey/) > [Justice is only achieved in beautiful fullness when the oppressed has been elevated back to their rightful place, and when those who were guilty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-l-corey/justice-is-only-achieved-in-beautiful-fullness-when-the-oppressed-has/) [Benjamin L. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-l-corey/) > [“When we look at the undiluted, radical message of Jesus, we see that it was never about wearing a theological label, subscribing to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-l-corey/when-we-look-at-the-undiluted-radical-message-of-jesus-we-see-that-it/) [Benjamin L. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-l-corey/) > [“Like the religious elite of Jesus’ time, we are destined for a life of being barrier makers and line drawers if we insist on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-l-corey/like-the-religious-elite-of-jesus-time-we-are-destined-for-a-life-of/) [Benjamin L. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-l-corey/) > [“The undiluted Jesus is someone who invites us to actually follow him—to do the things that he did—and to be willing to set aside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-l-corey/the-undiluted-jesus-is-someone-who-invites-us-to-actually-follow-him/) [Benjamin L. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-l-corey/) > [The Bible isn't a choose your own adventure book where everyone can just make up their own meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-l-corey/the-bible-isn-t-a-choose-your-own-adventure-book-where-everyone-can/) [Benjamin L. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-l-corey/) > [“I continued to find myself in a constant process of attempting to deconstruct values that were cultural and replace them with the legitimate teachings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-l-corey/i-continued-to-find-myself-in-a-constant-process-of-attempting-to/) [Benjamin L. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-l-corey/) [Explore all 9 Benjamin L. Corey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-l-corey/) ## More Adult life quotes > [“Not very long ago I was driving with my husband on the back roads of Grey County, which is to the north and east…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-munro/not-very-long-ago-i-was-driving-with-my-husband-on-the-back-roads-of/) [Alice Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-munro/) > [I have spent my entire adult life trying to make Liberty University the world-class Christian university that was envisioned at its founding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-falwell-jr/i-have-spent-my-entire-adult-life-trying-to-make-liberty-university/) [Jerry Falwell, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-falwell-jr/) > [I spent close to a decade as an undercover officer in the CIA and have spent most of my adult life collecting intelligence and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hurd/i-spent-close-to-a-decade-as-an-undercover-officer-in-the-cia-and/) [Will Hurd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hurd/) > [I have been in relatively high-risk businesses all of my adult life. Few of the others, however, had the possibility of direct gains in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-armstrong/i-have-been-in-relatively-high-risk-businesses-all-of-my-adult-life/) [Neil Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-armstrong/) > [“I have spent most of my adult life in a ghetto among countless other outsiders who have also learned how to talk through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamake-highwater/i-have-spent-most-of-my-adult-life-in-a-ghetto-among-countless-other/) [Jamake Highwater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamake-highwater/) > [Mike Bloomberg may be a Republican these days. But he has been a Democrat for most of his adult life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randi-weingarten/mike-bloomberg-may-be-a-republican-these-days-but-he-has-been-a/) [Randi Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randi-weingarten/) > [“She could not remember ever being truly happy in her adult life; her years with her mother had been built up devotedly around small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-jackson/she-could-not-remember-ever-being-truly-happy-in-her-adult-life-her/) [Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-jackson/) > [“So, I begin each day with a gesture of cynicism, and close it with a gesture of faith; or, if you prefer, begin it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barth/so-i-begin-each-day-with-a-gesture-of-cynicism-and-close-it-with-a/) [John Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barth/) > [I was pretty poor for a long time. Not \*poor\* poor. But college student poor. I lived for most of my adult life living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/i-was-pretty-poor-for-a-long-time-not-poor-poor-but-college-student/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [Hillary Clinton is tough, clever, and formidably well briefed, and has been politically ambitious all her adult life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-colley/hillary-clinton-is-tough-clever-and-formidably-well-briefed-and-has/) [Linda Colley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-colley/) > [I was really poor for most of my adult life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-leonard/i-was-really-poor-for-most-of-my-adult-life/) [Zoe Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-leonard/) > [“When I heard Zizek’s statement, I have to admit that I reacted strongly against it. For the first twenty-five years of my adult life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaddhaka-linn/when-i-heard-zizek-s-statement-i-have-to-admit-that-i-reacted/) [Vaddhaka Linn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaddhaka-linn/) > [“In his commencement address at Kenyon College, the novelist and social critic David Foster Wallace eloquently said, “In the day-to-day trenches of adult life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mark-comer/in-his-commencement-address-at-kenyon-college-the-novelist-and-social/) [John Mark Comer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mark-comer/) > [“We are all, of course, wayfaring strangers on this earth. But coming out of the rainbow tunnel, the liminal portal between Marin and San…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-hutchins/we-are-all-of-course-wayfaring-strangers-on-this-earth-but-coming-out/) [Scott Hutchins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-hutchins/) > [“The struggle of the sexes to know each other, to see each other, and to communicate deeply - a struggle which may be more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kegan/the-struggle-of-the-sexes-to-know-each-other-to-see-each-other-and-to/) [Robert Kegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kegan/) [Browse all 431 Adult life quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adult-life/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Someone once asked Gandhi for a sermon, and his reply was, “My life is my sermon.” In the same way, we see how Jesus chose to live his adult life as perhaps one of his most potent sermons of all. While our contemporary Christian culture places value on the unholy trinity of buildings, bodies, and bucks, Jesus—the wisest teacher who ever lived and central figure in human history—was a homeless man who instead lived his life investing in authentic community with twelve close friends. We see them wrestle with the radical nature of his message together, share meals together, serve the poor and hungry together, and share life’s burdens with one another.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Benjamin L. Corey" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-l-corey/someone-once-asked-gandhi-for-a-sermon-and-his-reply-was-my-life-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Adult life" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-l-corey/someone-once-asked-gandhi-for-a-sermon-and-his-reply-was-my-life-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e4/benjamin-l-corey-43948_adult-life_someone-once-asked-gandhi-for-a-sermon-a_78986.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e4/benjamin-l-corey-43948_adult-life_someone-once-asked-gandhi-for-a-sermon-a_78986.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e4/benjamin-l-corey-43948_adult-life_someone-once-asked-gandhi-for-a-sermon-a_78986.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Someone once asked Gandhi for a sermon, and his reply was, “My life is my sermon.” In the same way, we see…” — Benjamin L. Corey", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Benjamin L. Corey", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-l-corey/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Someone once asked Gandhi for a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-l-corey/someone-once-asked-gandhi-for-a-sermon-and-his-reply-was-my-life-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-l-corey/someone-once-asked-gandhi-for-a-sermon-and-his-reply-was-my-life-is/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```