Small May Be Our Strength
Horatius Bonar emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful to Christ amidst societal pressures and the promise of eternal rewards for such faithfulness.
Horatius Bonar emphasizes that although our strength may seem small in these challenging times filled with error and worldliness, God's grace is sufficient to uphold us. He warns against conforming to societal pressures and encourages faithfulness to Christ and His truth, especially when faced with persecution or disdain. Bonar reassures believers that the rewards for standing firm in faith far outweigh any temporary contempt or enmity they may face. He calls for a steadfast commitment to the old truths of the Gospel, reminding us that the glory at Christ's return will far surpass earthly honors.
Text
Small may be our strength in these last days. The tide of error, and sin, and worldliness may be running very strong. It may not be easy to confess Christ, or to hold fast His truth. But His grace is sufficient for us; and woe be to us if we give way to the errors of the age, or conform to its vanities, or seek to please its multitudes, either under the dread of public opinion, or the fear of not being reputed 'men of progress,' or the shrinking from more direct persecution and hatred! Faithfulness to Christ, and to His truth, is everything, especially in days when iniquity shall abound, and the love of many shall wax cold.
Fear not! The reward is glorious; the honour is beyond all earthly honours. The contempt and enmity are but for a day; the dignity and the blessedness are forever and ever.
Though men call you narrow-minded for cleaving to old truth,--now obsolete, as they say; for 'worship of a book,' or biblioatry, as they call it; for the stern refusal to lower our testimony to our glorified Lord and coming King? Let us be content to bear reproach for Him and His word. The glory to be given us at His appearing will more than compensate for all.
-Taken from Light & Truth: Bible Thoughts & Themes, Vol. V, 1872.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Acknowledgment of current challenges to faith
- Recognition of the strength of grace
- Call to resist conforming to societal pressures
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II
- Importance of faithfulness to Christ
- Consequences of iniquity in society
- The coldness of many hearts
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III
- Encouragement to not fear public opinion
- The temporary nature of earthly contempt
- The eternal reward for faithfulness
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IV
- The value of holding onto old truths
- Facing reproach for the sake of Christ
- Anticipation of glory at Christ's return
Key Quotes
“His grace is sufficient for us.” — Horatius Bonar
“The contempt and enmity are but for a day; the dignity and the blessedness are forever and ever.” — Horatius Bonar
“Let us be content to bear reproach for Him and His word.” — Horatius Bonar
Application Points
- Stay true to your beliefs, even when faced with criticism or societal pressure.
- Remember that the challenges of today are temporary compared to the eternal glory that awaits.
- Embrace the strength that comes from God's grace to resist conforming to worldly values.