Word Without Life
The sermon emphasizes the importance of walking in Truth and Love, avoiding Word without Life, and achieving sanctification through Obedience to the Spirit.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of walking in the Truth and Love of God, urging individuals to be guided by the inner voice of God to grow in wisdom and utilize their talents for His glory. He warns against empty words that lack life, which can lead one away from living in the power of Truth and disrupt their peace. Fox encourages submission to the divine guidance within each person, serving one another in love and being diligent in their respective callings.
Text
THEREFORE all Friends, walk in the Truth and in the Love of it up to God; and every one in particular mind your Guide, that ye may grow up in Wisdom, and improve your own Talents, and the Gift, which God hath given you. And take heed of Word without Life, for they tend to draw you out of the Power to live above the Truth, and out of your Conditions; which Nature will no have Peace, except it have Words: But every particular submit to that, which is of God in you, to guide you to God.
And be ye all Servants to the Truth, and diligent in your Callings, and serve one another in Love . . .
and do not lavish out your selves without the Fear of God; such are Clouds without Water, which have the Words, but not the Power, flowen up into the Air, which have a Light, and yet are as Wandring Stars, which lead up into the Presumption; and thou that art there, thy garments are defiled, for thou goest from the Spirit which should sanctifie thee; for ye are sanctified through Obedience to the Spirit. Therefore, every particular, Walk in the Spirit and obey it, then ye will have Unity one with another in the Spirit, and ye will see, Knowledge, Tongues and Prophecies will cease; but he that cometh to the end, to him who openeth all Truth, is blessed.
Sermon Outline
- Walking in Truth and Love
- Avoid Word without Life
- Serve the Truth and one another in Love
- Sanctification through Obedience to the Spirit
- Walking in the Spirit
- Unity in the Spirit
- Knowledge, Tongues, and Prophecies will cease
Key Quotes
“And take heed of Word without Life, for they tend to draw you out of the Power to live above the Truth, and out of your Conditions;” — George Fox
“such are Clouds without Water, which have the Words, but not the Power, flowen up into the Air, which have a Light, and yet are as Wandring Stars,” — George Fox
“for ye are sanctified through Obedience to the Spirit.” — George Fox
Application Points
- We must be diligent in our Callings and serve others with Love.
- Sanctification comes through Obedience to the Spirit and walking in the Spirit.
- Unity in the Spirit is achieved by walking in the Spirit and avoiding Word without Life.