========================================================================
  I CALLED HIM ALONE, AND BLESSED
  by A.B. Simpson
========================================================================

Summary: God plants us in the nursery of life, allowing us to grow in
clusters, but eventually calls us to be transplanted into situations
where we must trust in Him and develop our faith.

Topics: "Trust in God's Provision", "Spiritual Growth"
Scripture References: Jeremiah 17:7

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

A.B. Simpson illustrates the spiritual growth process through the
metaphor of rice cultivation in the Orient, emphasizing that just as
rice plants must be transplanted to thrive, believers are called by God
to step out of their comfort zones and rely on His grace. This
transition often involves facing significant responsibilities that
compel us to lean on God's limitless resources. Simpson highlights the
importance of trusting in the Lord, as those who do will flourish like
trees planted by water, drawing strength and sustenance from Him. The
sermon encourages believers to embrace the challenges of growth and
transformation in their faith journey.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Raising rice in the Orient is a beautiful process. The rice is sown on a
morass of mud and water ploughed up by great buffaloes. After a few
weeks the pale green shoots spring up, appearing above the water. The
seed has been sown very thickly and the plants are clustered together in
great numbers. The farmer can pull up a score in a single handful. At
that point the shoots are ready for transplanting. So God first plants
us and lets us grow very close to some of His children. We may be in
great clusters in the nursery or the hothouse. But when we reach a
certain stage we must be transplanted or come to nothing.

God calls us out by His Spirit and Providence into situations where we
have to lean directly on Him.

He puts upon us a weight of responsibility so great that we are thrown
upon the limitless resources of His grace and have an opportunity to
develop. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope
the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that
spreadeth out her roots by the river (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ab-simpson/i-called-him-alone-and-blessed/
========================================================================