As to the Lord
The sermon emphasizes the importance of performing daily duties with the intention of honoring God, transforming mundane tasks into spiritual opportunities.
Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of consecrating even the smallest daily duties to God, viewing them as opportunities for spiritual growth and advancement. She encourages believers to approach each task with a perfect heart, seeking to find delight in serving God each day. By weaving the idea of dedicating all actions to God into the fabric of our spiritual lives, even mundane tasks like social courtesies can become avenues for drawing closer to Him.
Text
I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
--PSALMS 101:2
TEACH me, 0 God, Thy holy way,
And give me an obedient mind;
That in Thy service I may find
My soul's delight from day to day.
--WILLIAM TIDD MATSON
AS far as human frailty will permit, each little trifling piece of duty which presents itself to us in daily life, if it be only a compliance with some form of social courtesy, should receive a consecration, by setting God--His will, word, and Providence--before us in it, and by lifting up our hearts to Him in ejacu.latory prayer, while we are engaged in it. The idea must be thoroughly worked into the mind, and woven into the texture of our spiritual life, that the minutest duties which God prescribes to us in the order of His Providence--a casual visit, a letter of sympathy, an obligation of courtesy, are not by any means too humble to be made means of spiritual advancement, if only the thing be done "as to the Lord, and not to men." --EDWARD MEYRICK GOULBURN
Learn to commend thy daily acts to God, so shall the dry every-day duties of common life be steps to heaven, and lift thy heart thither.
--EDWARD B. PUSEY
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to daily duties - The importance of intention in actions - Consecration of everyday tasks
- II points: - Understanding God's will in small acts - The role of prayer in daily life - Seeing God in mundane activities
- III points: - Spiritual advancement through obedience - The connection between duty and delight - Living 'as to the Lord' in all things
- IV points: - Examples of daily acts of service - The impact of a perfect heart - Encouragement to uplift others
Key Quotes
“I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Learn to commend thy daily acts to God, so shall the dry every-day duties of common life be steps to heaven.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“The minutest duties which God prescribes to us... are not by any means too humble to be made means of spiritual advancement.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Approach every task with a mindset of worship to elevate its significance.
- Incorporate short prayers throughout your day to maintain focus on God's presence.
- Recognize that even small acts of kindness can be powerful expressions of faith.