The Advantage of Humiliation
The sermon emphasizes the importance of lowliness and humility in becoming like Christ, and how it can render us obedient to God's will.
The preacher delves into the meaning of 'plousios' (richly) in the Bible, emphasizing its implications of abundance and value, both materially and spiritually. The sermon explores how letting the Word of Christ dwell richly within us involves quantity and degree, urging believers to apply and use it in all aspects of life. Various Bible verses are examined to illustrate the concept of dwelling in God's Word richly and the transformative impact it can have on individuals.
Text
LETTER I.
The advantage of humiliation.
I pray often to God that He would keep you in the hollow of his hand. The most essential point is lowliness. It is profitable for all things, for it produces a teachable spirit which makes everything easy. You would be more guilty than many others if you made any resistance to God on this point. On the one hand, you have received abundant light and grace on the necessity of becoming like a little child; and on the other, no one has had an experience fitter to humiliate the heart and destroy self-confidence. The great profit to be derived from an experience of our weakness, is to render us lowly and obedient. May the Lord keep you!
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The importance of lowliness - Lowliness produces a teachable spirit - Resistance to God's will is a sign of pride
- II points: - The role of humility in becoming like a child - Humility destroys self-confidence
- III points: - The profit of experiencing weakness - Humility renders us obedient
Key Quotes
“I pray often to God that He would keep you in the hollow of his hand.” — Francois Fenelon
“The most essential point is lowliness. It is profitable for all things, for it produces a teachable spirit which makes everything easy.” — Francois Fenelon
Application Points
- Recognize your dependence on God and humble yourself before Him.
- Practice lowliness and a teachable spirit to make everything easy.
- Overcome resistance to God's will by acknowledging your pride and seeking humility.