Do You Want an Answer?
The sermon emphasizes the importance of approaching God's word with a humble and honest heart to find refuge and solutions to life's problems.
Elisabeth Elliot emphasizes the importance of seeking honest solutions to our problems by turning to the Word of God rather than seeking mere audience for our grievances and excuses. She highlights the need to approach God's Word with a willingness to obey, as it provides refuge for the honest and humble heart, while causing dismay to those who do evil. Elliot challenges listeners to honestly seek the direct answers found in Scripture, even when it may require humility and self-examination.
Text
This is the question we need to ask ourselves when we are seeking "solutions" to our problems. Often we want only an audience. We want the chance to air grievances, to present our excuses, to make an explanation for our behavior, rather than a cure. More often than not the clearest and most direct answer can be found in the Word, but it must be sought honestly.
"The way of the Lord gives refuge to the honest man, but dismays those who do evil" (Prv 10:29 NEB).
We can approach God's word with a will to obey whatever it says to us about our present situation, or we can avoid it and say to anyone who would try to point us to it, "Don't throw the Book at me." The latter is an evasion, which supports our suspicion that our problems are, in fact, insoluble. The honest (i.e., humble) heart will indeed find the Lord's way to be a refuge.
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Seeking Solutions
- The Power of God's Word
- Approaching God's Word
- With a Will to Obey
- With an Evasion of Accountability
Key Quotes
“The way of the Lord gives refuge to the honest man, but dismays those who do evil.” — Elisabeth Elliot
Application Points
- When seeking solutions to your problems, approach God's word with a will to obey whatever it says to you.
- Avoid evading accountability by reading and applying God's word to your life.
- A humble heart will find refuge in God's word, while an evil heart will be dismayed by it.