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J.R. Miller

James Russell Miller (1840 - 1912). American Presbyterian pastor, author, and editor born near Frankfort Springs, Pennsylvania, to Irish-Scottish parents. Educated at Westminster College and Allegheny Theological Seminary, he was ordained in 1867, serving First United Presbyterian Church in New Wilmington. He pastored Bethany Presbyterian in Philadelphia, growing it from 75 to 1,200 members by 1878, then led churches in Illinois and at Hollond Mission and St. Paul Church in Philadelphia, reaching 1,397 members by 1912. Miller served as a U.S. Christian Commission agent during the Civil War, later becoming Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication in 1880. He authored over 80 books, including In Green Pastures, selling over two million copies in his lifetime. Married to Louise King in 1870, they had three children. His devotional writings, emphasizing practical faith and pastoral care, influenced millions globally.
Sermon Summary
J.R. Miller emphasizes the profound lesson of service as exemplified by Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve others selflessly. He illustrates that true greatness in the Christian life is measured by our willingness to perform even the most humble acts of service, just as Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. Miller challenges the notion of dignity, urging believers to embrace serving others without hesitation, regardless of the task's perceived menial nature. The sermon highlights that our resemblance to Christ is reflected in our love and service to others, reinforcing that every act of kindness, no matter how small, is significant in the eyes of God.
The Lesson of Service
"I am among you as one who serves." Luke 22:27 Serving is not an easy lesson to learn. But it is a lesson we must learn—if ever we would become like our Master. He did not come to be served—but to serve. He served to the uttermost, just as He loved to the uttermost. Anything that needed to be done for another, He did as naturally and as simply as He breathed. He loved people, and was interested in them, and was ready always to be helpful to them. It never mattered what the service was, whether it was the saving of a soul, the curing of a grievous sickness, or the giving of a cup of water—He did the least as graciously and as divinely, as the greatest. The washing of feet was the lowliest service any man could do for another. It was the work of the lowliest slave. Yet Jesus without hesitation, did this service for His own disciples. Thus He taught them that nothing anyone may ever need to have done by another, is unfit for the whitest hands. We begin to be like Christ—only when we begin to love others enough to serve them, without asking whether the service is something that we may do without the loss of dignity. One day a stranger entered an artist's studio in Milan. The artist was busy within. He was working at the head of a statue of Christ and appeared to take no notice of the stranger. At last he broke the silence, and said, "What do you think, sir, is it like Christ—or not?" There is no surer test of the genuineness of Christian life, than in this matter of serving others. "Is it like Christ—is it ever so little like the Master's serving?" We are too careful of our dignity. When we see the Son of God washing His disciples' feet, we should be ashamed ever to ask whether anything another may need to have done, is too menial for us to do. A king may do the lowliest kindness to the poorest peasant in his realm, and his honor will only be enhanced by it. "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet." John 13:14 "O blessed Jesus, when I see You bending, Girt as a servant at Your servants' feet, Love, lowliness, might—in zeal all blending, To wash their dust away and make them meet To share Your feast. I know not to adore, Whether Your humbleness or glory more."
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James Russell Miller (1840 - 1912). American Presbyterian pastor, author, and editor born near Frankfort Springs, Pennsylvania, to Irish-Scottish parents. Educated at Westminster College and Allegheny Theological Seminary, he was ordained in 1867, serving First United Presbyterian Church in New Wilmington. He pastored Bethany Presbyterian in Philadelphia, growing it from 75 to 1,200 members by 1878, then led churches in Illinois and at Hollond Mission and St. Paul Church in Philadelphia, reaching 1,397 members by 1912. Miller served as a U.S. Christian Commission agent during the Civil War, later becoming Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication in 1880. He authored over 80 books, including In Green Pastures, selling over two million copies in his lifetime. Married to Louise King in 1870, they had three children. His devotional writings, emphasizing practical faith and pastoral care, influenced millions globally.