Duty to All
The sermon emphasizes the importance of being watchful for opportunities to serve others and the consequences of neglecting this duty.
Mary Wilder Tileston, through the words of Elizabeth Taber King, emphasizes the importance of being watchful and attentive to the needs of others, highlighting the impact of neglecting those in need as neglecting Jesus Himself. The sermon underscores the danger of being engrossed in personal concerns to the point of missing opportunities to show love and compassion to others. It also warns against the potential consequences of failing to fulfill our duty to care for those around us, suggesting that our omissions may be more significant than our actions in the eyes of God.
Text
Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
MATTHEW 25:45
Abide ye here, and watch with me.
MATTHEW 26: 38 (R. V.)
IF to-day thou turn'st aside
In thy luxury and pride,
Wrapped within thyself, and blind
To the sorrows of thy kind,
Thou a faithless watch dost keep,
Thou art one of those who sleep.
ANNA C. LYNCH BOTTA
I HAVE been sorrowfully convinced that in what I thought necessary attention to home duties, my time and strength have been engrossed to a degree that I fear has interfered with my duty to others. It is a serious consideration, how much good we miss of doing by our want of watchfulness for opportunities, and our engrossment even in our lawful and necessary cares; and there is another way, too, in the influence we might continually exert over all who come in contact with us, and through them over others, to an extent of which we are probably not aware, if we continually kept in a meek and quiet spirit. Ah, it may be with some of us that it is more for what we leave undone than for what we do, that we shall be called to an account.
ELIZABETH TABER KING
Sermon Outline
- I. The Call to Watchfulness
- A. Recognizing the importance of being watchful for opportunities to serve others
- B. Avoiding engrossment in our lawful and necessary cares
- C. Exerting a positive influence over those we come into contact with
- II. The Consequences of Neglect
- A. Missing opportunities to do good
- B. Being called to account for what we leave undone
- III. The Key to Effective Watchfulness
- A. Maintaining a meek and quiet spirit
- B. Being aware of the impact we have on others
Key Quotes
“Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. MATTHEW 25:45” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Thou art one of those who sleep. ANNA C. LYNCH BOTTA” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Prioritize your time to serve others and take advantage of opportunities to help those in need.
- Maintain a meek and quiet spirit to exert a positive influence on those around you.
- Be aware of the impact you have on others and strive to do good in all your interactions.