Deeper
The sermon emphasizes the importance of moving from a shallow to a profound nature, characterized by depth, purpose, and earnest desire to know and do duty, in order to receive God's deeper truths and mightier trusts.
Charles E. Cowman preaches on the parable of the sower, emphasizing the importance of having deep, honest hearts to receive God's Word. He contrasts shallow individuals, easily swayed by emotions and external influences, with those who have profound character, rooted in a deep purpose and desire to know and do God's will. Cowman urges believers to cultivate the soil of their hearts, seeking depth in their relationship with God to receive His deeper truths and mighty trusts.
Text
"Not much earth" (Matt. 13:5).
Shallow! It would seem from the teaching of this parable that we have something to do with the soil. The fruitful seed fell into "good and honest hearts." I suppose the shallow people are the soil without much earth--those who have no real purpose, are moved by a tender appeal, a good sermon, a pathetic melody, and at first it looks as if they would amount to something; but not much earth--no depth, no deep, honest purpose, no earnest desire to know duty in order to do it. Let us look after the soil of our hearts.
When a Roman soldier was told by his guide that if he insisted on taking a certain journey it would probably be fatal, he answered, "It is necessary for me to go; it is not necessary for me to live."
This was depth. When we are convicted something like that we shall come to something. The shallow nature lives in its impulses, its impressions, its intuitions, its instincts, and very largely its surroundings. The profound character looks beyond all these, and moves steadily on, sailing past all storms and clouds into the clear sunshine which is always on the other side, and waiting for the afterwards which always brings the reversion of sorrow, seeming defeat and failure.
When God has deepened us, then He can give us His deeper truths, His profoundest secrets, and His mightier trusts. Lord, lead me into the depths of Thy life and save me from a shallow experience!
On to broader fields of holy vision;
On to loftier heights of faith and love;
Onward, upward, apprehending wholly,
All for which He calls thee from above.
--A. B. Simpson
Sermon Outline
- The Shallow Nature
- The Profound Character
- God's Deeper Truths and Secrets
- Available only to those who have been deepened by God
- Bring mightier trusts and a deeper understanding of God's life
- Awaits the afterwards, which brings reversion of sorrow, seeming defeat, and failure
Key Quotes
“It is necessary for me to go; it is not necessary for me to live.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Lord, lead me into the depths of Thy life and save me from a shallow experience!” — Charles E. Cowman
“On to broader fields of holy vision; On to loftier heights of faith and love; Onward, upward, apprehending wholly, All for which He calls thee from above.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- Seek to know and do duty in order to avoid shallow experiences.
- Look beyond impulses, impressions, and surroundings, and move steadily on in faith and love.
- Be led by God into the depths of His life in order to receive His deeper truths and mightier trusts.