Bearing the Sting
The sermon emphasizes the importance of responding to trials and misunderstandings with grace, following Christ's example of endurance and trust in God.
Charles E. Cowman preaches on the importance of bearing misunderstandings and unkind judgments with grace, highlighting how trials reveal the true nature of our character. He emphasizes the need to trust in God's blessings hidden within our struggles, echoing David's response to cursing. Cowman warns against being consumed by grievances and enemies, urging listeners to focus on their life-work instead of petty warfare. He encourages embracing the spirit of Christ, who endured suffering without retaliation, committing Himself to God's righteous judgment.
Text
"He opened not his mouth" (Isa. 53:7).
How much grace it requires to bear a misunderstanding rightly, and to receive an unkind judgment in holy sweetness! Nothing tests the Christian character more than to have some evil thing said about him. This is the file that soon proves whether we are electro-plate or solid gold. If we could only know the blessings that lie hidden in our trials we would say like David, when Shimei cursed him, "Let him curse; . . . it may be . . . that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day."
Some people get easily turned aside from the grandeur of their life-work by pursuing their own grievances and enemies, until their life gets turned into one little petty whirl of warfare. It is like a nest of hornets. You may disperse the hornets, but you will probably get terribly stung, and get nothing for your pains, for even their honey is not worth a search.
God give us more of His Spirit, "who, when he was reviled, reviled not again"; but "committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." "Consider him that endureth such contradiction of sinners against himself."--A. B. Simpson
"Before you" He trod all the path of woe,
He took the sharp thrusts with His head bent low.
He knew deepest sorrow and pain and grief,
He knew long endurance without relief,
He took all the bitter from death's deep cup,
He kept not a blood-drop but gave all up.
"Before you" and for you, He won the fight
To bring you to glory and realms of light.
--L.S.P.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Understanding the nature of grace in trials - The importance of responding to misunderstandings with grace - The test of Christian character through adversity
- II points: - The dangers of focusing on grievances - The futility of engaging in petty conflicts - The metaphor of hornets and the cost of retaliation
- III points: - The example of Christ in enduring suffering - The call to commit ourselves to God in trials - The promise of blessings hidden in our struggles
Key Quotes
“He opened not his mouth.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Let him curse; . . . it may be . . . that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Consider him that endureth such contradiction of sinners against himself.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- Practice responding to misunderstandings with grace rather than anger.
- Focus on your life purpose instead of getting caught up in petty grievances.
- Trust in God's plan during trials, knowing that He can bring good from our suffering.