The Earnest of the Spirit in Our Hearts
The sermon emphasizes the importance of earnestness in our lives, highlighting its source in the Spirit and its result in consistent and lasting power.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the significance of living life earnestly, drawing inspiration from the life of Jesus and His apostles. He illustrates that while many good things may exist, they lack the binding power of earnestness, which is essential for a life of consistency and lasting impact. Simpson passionately calls for the baptism of the Holy Spirit to empower believers to live with a singular focus on love, sacrifice, and perseverance, mirroring Christ's heart. He encourages the congregation to embrace their sacred trust and remain steadfast in their divine mission, finding joy in being counted on by the Lord.
Text
Life in earnest-what a rare, what a glorious spectacle! We see it in the Son of God; we see it in His apostle; we see it in every noble, consecrated and truly successful life. Without it there may be a thousand good things, but they lack the golden thread that binds them all into a chain of power and permanence. They are like costly and beautiful beads, that fall in confusion from a broken string, and are lost in the end for want of the bond that alone could bind them into a life of consistent and lasting power. Oh, for the baptism of fire! oh, for the earnest, the Spirit! Oh, for lives that have but one thing to do or care for!
Oh, for the depth and everlasting strength of the heart of Christ within us, to love, to sacrifice, to realize, to persevere, to live and die like Him!
We are going forth with a trust so sacred, And a truth so divine and deep, With a message clear and a work so glorious, And a charge-such a charge-to keep. Let it be your greatest joy, my brother, That the Lord can count on you: And if all besides should fail and falter, To your trust be always true.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Earnestness
- The Source of Earnestness
- The Result of Earnestness
- Consistent and Lasting Power
- The Bond of Permanence
- The Depth of Christ's Heart
Key Quotes
“Oh, for the baptism of fire! oh, for the earnest, the Spirit!” — A.B. Simpson
“Let it be your greatest joy, my brother, That the Lord can count on you:” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We should strive to cultivate earnestness in our lives by seeking the baptism of fire and allowing the Spirit to guide and empower us.
- Demonstrating our trust in the Lord requires faithfulness and reliability, even in the face of challenges and difficulties.
- A life of earnestness is characterized by consistent and lasting power, and is a result of the depth of Christ's heart within us.