Complete Devotion
The sermon emphasizes the importance of complete devotion to God, walking after Him, and obeying His voice, and the consequences of hesitation or disobedience.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the importance of walking after the Lord, fearing Him, keeping His commandments, obeying His voice, serving Him, and cleaving unto Him as stated in Deuteronomy 13:4. She emphasizes that when God brings new truths, opportunities, or insights, it always leads to a significant change in our lives, making us either better or worse. Tileston highlights that Divine visitations challenge us to obey divine impulses without hesitation, even if it leads to intense suffering. She encourages deep devotion and unwavering commitment to God, reminding us that even in martyrdom, true servants of God find unspeakable happiness.
Text
Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and ye shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him.
--DEUTERONOMY 13:4
GOD visits a soul when He brings before it a new vision of truth or duty, a new range of opportunities, a new endowment of force as well as insight, at some time to which all that precedes has led up, and from which all that follows depends in its solemn history. No Divine visitation leaves us where it found us; it always leaves us better or worse; if not better, then certainly worse.
--HENRY PARRY LIDDON
The issues are with God, and His servants know not the word disappointment, for they are incapable of reading His designs. Only this they know, that the slightest hesitation in obeying what they believe to be a divine impulse, produces a suffering more intense than any consequences which may accrue to them from the world.
--LAURENCE OLIPHANT
Never shrink from deep devotion, because you fear its trials or its sacrifices. Paul, in martyrdom, was unspeakably happier than God's half-hearted servants.
--WILLIAM R. HUNTINGTON
Sermon Outline
- The Call to Devotion
- Divine Visitation
- The Issues with God
- The Call to Deep Devotion
- Not Shrink from Trials or Sacrifices
- Paul's Example
- Cleaving unto Him
Key Quotes
“Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and ye shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“No Divine visitation leaves us where it found us; it always leaves us better or worse; if not better, then certainly worse.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Never shrink from deep devotion, because you fear its trials or its sacrifices.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- We must be willing to walk after the Lord and obey His voice, even if it means facing trials or sacrifices.
- A Divine visitation can leave us better or worse, depending on our response to God's call.
- We must not shrink from deep devotion, but rather be willing to surrender to God's will.