An Aid to Memory
D.L. Moody emphasizes the vital role of the Holy Spirit in recalling the teachings of Jesus and empowering believers for effective testimony and prayer.
D.L. Moody emphasizes the vital role of the Holy Spirit in bringing the teachings of Jesus to our remembrance, highlighting that true power in testimony comes from being filled with the Word of God. He notes that many Christians lack effective testimony and prayer because they do not have the Word hidden in their hearts, which the Spirit can then illuminate. Moody encourages believers to seek the Spirit's guidance to speak with authority and to be channels of God's blessings. He reminds us that while we may not fully comprehend the wonders of Heaven, the Spirit reveals these truths to us, deepening our understanding of God's promises.
Text
It is a great comfort to us to remember that another office of the Spirit is to bring the teaching of Jesus to our remembrance. This was our Lord's promise, "He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance." - John 16:26
How striking that is. I think there are many Christians who have had that experience. They have been testifying, and found that while talking for Christ the Spirit has just brought into mind some of the sayings of the Lord Jesus Christ, and their mind was soon filled with the Word of God. When we have the Spirit resting upon us, we can speak with authority and power, and the Lord will bless our testimony and bless our work. I believe the reason why God makes use of so few in the Church, is because there is not in them the power that God can use. He is not going to use our ideas, but we must have the Word of God hid in our hearts, and then, the Holy Spirit inflaming us, we will have the testimony which will be rich, and sweet, and fresh, and the Lord's Word will vindicate itself in blessed results. God wants to use us; God wants to make us channels of blessing; but we are in such a condition He does not use us. That is the trouble; there are so many men who have no testimony for the Lord; if they speak, they speak without saying anything, and if they pray, their prayer is powerless; they do not plead in prayer; their prayer is just a few set phrases that you have heard too often. Now what we want, is to be so full of the Word, that the Spirit coming upon us shall bring to mind - bring to our remembrance - the words of the Lord Jesus.
In 1 Corinthians 2:9 it is written,
Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
We hear that quoted so often in prayer - many a man weaves it into his prayer and stops right there. And the moment you talk about Heaven, they say, "Oh, we don't know anything about Heaven; it hath not entered into the heart of man; eye hath not see; it is all speculation; we have nothing to do with it; and they say they quote it as it is written." Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." What next - "but God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit." You see the Lord hath revealed them unto us: "For the Spirit searches all things - yea, the deep things of God." That is just what the Spirit does.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The role of the Holy Spirit in remembrance
- The promise of Jesus regarding the Spirit
- The importance of being filled with the Word of God
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II
- The power of testimony when the Spirit is present
- The condition of many Christians lacking testimony
- The need for genuine prayer and testimony
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III
- Understanding the mysteries of Heaven
- The revelation of God through the Spirit
- The Spirit's role in searching the deep things of God
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IV
- The necessity of hiding God's Word in our hearts
- The results of being a channel of blessing
- The call to be used by God
Key Quotes
“He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance.” — D.L. Moody
“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” — D.L. Moody
“But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit.” — D.L. Moody
Application Points
- Hide the Word of God in your heart to enable the Holy Spirit to bring it to your remembrance.
- Seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit for a powerful and authentic testimony.
- Engage in genuine prayer that reflects a deep understanding of God's Word.