If Any Man Hear My Voice, and Open the Door
The Holy Spirit's presence is experienced when we give out the blessing we have and keep our hearts open to His touch.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the necessity of sharing the blessings we receive from the Holy Spirit, suggesting that many are spiritually starving because they hoard their blessings instead of giving them away. He encourages believers to engage in larger plans for service, assuring them that as they do so, the Holy Spirit will precede them with abundant blessings. Simpson illustrates this concept with the metaphor of an Aeolian harp, which produces beautiful music when touched by the wind, likening it to how our hearts can resonate with the Holy Spirit's influence when we remain open and ready to serve.
Text
Some of us are starving and wondering why the Holy Spirit does not fill us. We have plenty coming in, but we do not give it out. Give out the blessing you have, start larger plans for service and blessing and you will soon find that the Holy Spirit is before you. He will prevent [precede] you with blessings of goodness (Psalm 21:3) and give you all that He can trust you to give away to others. There is no music so heavenly as an Aeolian harp. The Aeolian harp is nothing but a set of stretched strings arranged in harmony and then left to be touched by the unseen fingers of the wandering winds.
As the breath of heaven floats over the chords, notes almost divine float out upon the air as if a choir of angels were wandering around and touching the strings.
And so it is possible to keep our hearts so open to the touch of the Holy Spirit that He can play upon them at will, as we quietly wait in the pathway of His service.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Giving Out the Blessing
- The Holy Spirit's Presence in Our Lives
- Keeping Our Hearts Open to the Holy Spirit
- Quietly wait in the pathway of His service
- Keep our hearts open to the touch of the Holy Spirit
Key Quotes
“Give out the blessing you have, start larger plans for service and blessing and you will soon find that the Holy Spirit is before you.” — A.B. Simpson
“There is no music so heavenly as an Aeolian harp.” — A.B. Simpson
“As the breath of heaven floats over the chords, notes almost divine float out upon the air as if a choir of angels were wandering around and touching the strings.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- Make a conscious effort to give out the blessings you have, and you will soon find the Holy Spirit's presence in your life.
- Keep your heart open to the touch of the Holy Spirit by quietly waiting in the pathway of His service.
- Start larger plans for service and blessing to experience the Holy Spirit's presence in your life.