Consider the Lilies of the Field, How They Grow
Spiritual growth occurs through a life of self-unconsciousness, trusting in God's provision and living on Christ's life.
The preacher discusses the Greek word 'skopos,' which refers to a distant mark or goal that one aims to hit, emphasizing its importance as the first word in a Greek sentence. 'Skopos' is used in the Septuagint to denote an observer or watchman, highlighting the role of a man of God as a watchman for God. The sermon delves into the concept of 'skopos' as a moral and spiritual target, drawing parallels to an archer aiming at a target and a runner fixated on the finish line.
Text
It is said that a mother found her small boy standing beside a tall sunflower, with his feet stuck in the ground. When she asked, "What in the world are you doing there?" he naively answered, "Why, I am trying to grow to be a man." His mother laughed heartily at the idea of his being planted in the ground in order to grow like the sunflower. Then, patting him gently on the head, she said, "Why, Harry, that is not the way to grow.
You can never grow bigger by trying. just come right in and eat enough good food and have plenty of play and you will soon grow to be a man without trying so hard." Harry's mother was right.
There could not be a better answer to the question: "How do the lilies grow?" than Hannah Whitehall Smith's comment, "They grow without trying." Our deepest spiritual life is the life of self unconsciousness through which we become united to Christ. We live continually on His life, being nourished, fed and constantly filled with His Spirit and presence and all the fullness of His imparted life.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Futility of Self-Attempted Growth
- A. Trying to grow through effort alone is ineffective
- B. We must learn to let go and trust in God's provision
- II. The Secret of Spiritual Growth
- A. It is a life of self-unconsciousness
- B. We become united to Christ through this life
- III. The Source of Spiritual Nourishment
- A. We live on Christ's life
- B. We are fed and filled with His Spirit and presence
Key Quotes
“They grow without trying.” — A.B. Simpson
“Our deepest spiritual life is the life of self unconsciousness through which we become united to Christ.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We must learn to trust in God's provision and let go of self-attempted growth.
- Our spiritual nourishment comes from living on Christ's life and being fed and filled with His Spirit and presence.
- Becoming united to Christ through a life of self-unconsciousness is key to spiritual growth.