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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.
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Sermon Summary
J.R. Miller emphasizes the significance of Sunday as a day dedicated to God, a time for rest and spiritual renewal. He expresses gratitude for this day, recognizing it as a blessing that helps keep God at the forefront of our lives. Miller prays for peace and the expulsion of worldly distractions, asking for God's presence to sanctify the day's privileges. He seeks guidance, comfort, and wisdom through prayer and scripture, aiming to strengthen love for God and foster a spirit of service to others. The sermon concludes with a heartfelt plea for the mind of Christ to be instilled in us.
Scriptures
Prayer - We Begin This Sunday With You, Our Father
We begin this Sunday with You, our Father. It is Your day. You claim it for Yourself, and we desire to make it Yours indeed. You have given it to us, not as a hardship, a burdensome observance — but a day of blessing. We need its rest that we may keep well and strong; we need its spiritual privileges that our hearts may be kept warm and loving. If we had no Sunday, we would soon let You slip out of our thoughts, out of our life. So we thank You for the day which You have ordained in love for us. May this Sunday be full of blessing for us. We would leave the world outside. Help us to keep the day so as to please You and receive good for ourselves. In the quiet around us may we hear Your voice of gentle stillness speaking to us words of love. May our home life be made sweet by Your presence with us. Our minds have been ruffled and distracted by the cares of the week. Give us Your peace this morning. May all fret and anxiety be taken out of our hearts. If the world has gotten too strong a hold on us in the six days past, may Your grace now so possess us that You shall rule again supreme in our lives. May our love for You be strengthened, so as to expel the love of the world. Sanctify to us, all of this day's privileges. As we read Your word, may its lessons be made plain to us. Help us to receive its instruction into our hearts, so that our lives shall be controlled by it. As we pray, may Heaven's blessings be given to us: comfort for our sorrow, strength for our weakness, guidance for our feet, and wisdom for our ignorance. As we seek to be a blessing to others — may we receive the mind that was in Christ Jesus. We ask all in Jesus' precious name. Amen.
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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.