More Value
You are of more value to God than many animals, and He cares for you deeply.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the care and value God places on His creation, using the example of sparrows and herons to illustrate how God remembers and provides for even the smallest creatures. She emphasizes that if God cares for these birds, how much more does He care for us, His beloved children, who hold greater value in His eyes. Tileston encourages her audience to trust in God's provision and care, knowing that He watches over them with love and compassion.
Text
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
LUKE 12:6
Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
MATTHEW 10:31
The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon which He hath planted; where the birds make their nests; as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
PSALMS 104:16,17
IT was a beautiful sight to see the herons come home, rising into the golden sunlight above the hills I could not tell from whence, and sailing on the glorious arches of their wings, on and on--always alone, and each as he came down with outstretched neck and pendent legs ready to settle, taking one last sweep down, then up, on to the summit of the tall Scotch fir, to take a survey of the realm, and, as another approached, plunging into the thick heads of lower trees with a loud good-night to his neighbors, and to all the fair land and water round about him, and a Deo Gratias for all his day's happiness, pleasant unto the ear of his dear God, if not consciously addressed to Him.
MY HEAVENLY FATHER CARETH FOR THEM, I AM OF MORE VALUE THAN MANY HERONS.
EDWARD WHITE BENSON
Sermon Outline
- Value in God's Eyes
- Our Value Compared to Animals
- Our Value in God's Eyes
- We are precious to God
- Our worth is not measured by human standards
Key Quotes
“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“MY HEAVENLY FATHER CARETH FOR THEM, I AM OF MORE VALUE THAN MANY HERONS.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Recognize your worth and value in God's eyes, and live accordingly.
- Trust in God's care and provision for you, just as He cares for all creatures.
- Let the beauty and wonder of God's creation remind you of His love and value for you.