Who Makes You Differ From Thousands?
The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing the distinguishing grace of God that sets believers apart from others and leads them to salvation and eternal bliss.
Anne Dutton preaches about the transformative power of God's grace in opening our eyes to our sinfulness and the preciousness of Jesus as our Savior. She challenges the listener to reflect on how they came to realize their need for Christ and the immense value of their soul's salvation. Anne emphasizes the gratitude we should have for being chosen by God to see the truth while others remain blinded by sin. She encourages a deep devotion to Jesus, acknowledging Him as the source of eternal joy and fulfillment.
Text
Dear Madam,
Permit me to ask, my dear sister--who told you that you were miserable, wretched, blind, and naked, sin-ruined, and law-condemned, and must perish forever without a saving interest in precious Jesus? Who showed you the worth of your immortal soul, that if your soul was safe for eternity, it did not much matter how things were as to your body, during this momentary state of your little inch of time? Who gave you such a high esteem of Christ, the Friend of sinners?
Have you always had such a living sensation of these things? If not, how did you come by this? Who gave it to you? Who makes you differ from thousands, on your right hand and on your left, who, insensible of their own misery as sinners, and of the excellency of Christ as the Savior, seek no higher happiness than the empty enjoyments of this perishing life?
Oh, dear Madam, have not you cause to adore the rich, free, distinguishing grace of God to you--which opened your eyes, while numbers round about you are blinded by sin and Satan? You have seen your unspeakable misery without Christ, and His immense and eternal excellency to make you incomparably happy unto endless glory!
You have been drawn by His all-conquering love, and changed in some measure into His image, and have given yourself up to Him, to be entirely and forever His. The altogether lovely Jesus is your beloved, and He is your friend--and in Him you have, and shall have, a well of life, and ocean of inexhaustible and eternal bliss!
Sermon Outline
- The Question of Who Makes You Differ
- The Reality of Distinguishing Grace
- The Response to Distinguishing Grace
- You have been drawn by His all-conquering love
- You have given yourself up to Him, to be entirely His
Key Quotes
“Who makes you differ from thousands, on your right hand and on your left, who, insensible of their own misery as sinners, and of the excellency of Christ as the Savior, seek no higher happiness than the empty enjoyments of this perishing life?” — Anne Dutton
“Oh, dear Madam, have not you cause to adore the rich, free, distinguishing grace of God to you--which opened your eyes, while numbers round about you are blinded by sin and Satan?” — Anne Dutton
“The altogether lovely Jesus is your beloved, and He is your friend--and in Him you have, and shall have, a well of life, and ocean of inexhaustible and eternal bliss!” — Anne Dutton
Application Points
- Recognize the distinguishing grace of God that has opened your eyes to your miserable state as a sinner and the worth of your immortal soul.
- Respond to distinguishing grace by giving yourself up to God, to be entirely His, and by drawing on His all-conquering love.
- Cultivate a deep appreciation for Christ's love and the eternal bliss He provides.