The Witness of Yesterday
The sermon emphasizes the importance of witnessing to our children and sharing our experiences with God to enrich their lives.
John Henry Jowett emphasizes the importance of passing down our faith experiences to the next generation, teaching them about the pitfalls we faced, the grace we received, and the wonders of God's providence. He highlights the need for our lives to be a witness of God's faithfulness to our children, guiding them through their own trials and uncertainties. Jowett encourages believers to draw from the rich reservoir of God's past miracles and interventions to find inspiration and strength for today's challenges.
Text
PSALM lxxviii. 1-8.
Our yesterdays are to be the teachers of our children. We are to take them
over our road, and show them the pitfalls where we stumbled and the snares
that lured us away. And we are to show them how we found the springs of
grace, and how the Lord made Himself known to us in daily providence and
care. We are to relate His exploits, "His wonderful dealings with the
children of men." We must make our life witness of God to our children,
and when their minds roam over our road they must see it radiant with the
grace and mercy of the Lord.
The best inheritance I can give my child is a steadfast witness of my
knowledge of God. The testimony of a light that never failed may give him
the needful wisdom when his own way becomes troubled with clouds and
darkness. And what a story it is, this story of the deeds of our gracious
God. It is full of quickening for weary and desponding souls. It is a
perfect reservoir of inspiration for those whose desire has failed, and in
whose lives the wells of impulse have become dry. Let us bring forward
yesterday's wealth to enrich the life of to-day. "Do ye not remember the
miracle of the loaves?"
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Witnessing to Our Children
- The Best Inheritance We Can Give
- The Story of God's Deeds
- Full of quickening for weary souls
- A reservoir of inspiration for those who have lost their way
Key Quotes
“The best inheritance I can give my child is a steadfast witness of my knowledge of God.” — John Henry Jowett
“Let us bring forward yesterday's wealth to enrich the life of to-day.” — John Henry Jowett
“Do ye not remember the miracle of the loaves?” — John Henry Jowett
Application Points
- We should take our children over our road and share our struggles and triumphs with them.
- A steadfast witness of our knowledge of God is the most important inheritance we can give our children.
- We can enrich the life of today by bringing forward yesterday's wealth and sharing our experiences with God.