First Gave Their Own Selves to the Lord
To be successful in Christian work, one must prioritize a deep relationship with God and cultivate unity with others.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the necessity of loyalty to both God and the work of ministry for successful Christian service. He notes that a deep relationship with the Lord fosters better relationships with others, contrasting mature Christians with superficial ones who may struggle with eccentricity. Simpson highlights the example of the Corinthians, who first dedicated themselves to the Lord, making it easier for them to support His apostle. He encourages believers to cultivate a spirit of soundness and a heart for service, reminding them of the joy and rewards that come from helping others through prayer, love, and song.
Text
In order to be successful in Christian work, it is essential that a person be loyal not only to Go d but to the work with which he or she is associated. The more deeply a person knows the Lord, the easier it is for him to get along with others. Superficial Christians are apt to be eccentric. Mature Christians are so near the Lord that they are not afraid of missing His guidance. They are not always trying to promote their loyalty to God by their independence from others.
The Corinthians, who had given themselves first to the Lord, had no difficulty in giving themselves to His apostle by the will of God. it is delightful to work with true hearts who can be utterly depended upon.
May God give us the spirit of a sound mind and a heart to "help along." You can help by holy prayer, Helpful love and joyful song; Oh, the burdens you may bear; Oh, the sorrows you may share; Oh, the crowns you may yet wear, If you help along.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Importance of Loyalty to God and the Work
- A. Being deeply rooted in the Lord facilitates relationships
- B. Superficial Christians struggle with independence
- II. Characteristics of Mature Christians
- A. They are not afraid of missing God's guidance
- B. They prioritize unity over personal loyalty
- III. The Example of the Corinthians
- A. They gave themselves first to the Lord
- B. This enabled them to give themselves to others
Key Quotes
“The more deeply a person knows the Lord, the easier it is for him to get along with others.” — A.B. Simpson
“Mature Christians are so near the Lord that they are not afraid of missing His guidance.” — A.B. Simpson
“May God give us the spirit of a sound mind and a heart to 'help along.'” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- Prioritize a deep relationship with God to facilitate relationships with others.
- Cultivate unity with others in Christian work for effective collaboration.
- Seek guidance from the Holy Spirit to navigate challenges and make decisions.