Obey the Call
The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing and responding to God's call in our lives, leading to a deeper relationship with Him and a life of obedience.
Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of choosing life by loving the Lord, obeying His voice, and cleaving unto Him, as He is our source of life and the length of our days. She highlights God's gentle daily call to us, urging us not to delay our bliss and to choose the light of heaven over the dreary night. Tileston encourages obedience to God's call, leaving all to follow Him, and never disobeying any call within us to do His will, as each call is a gift from Him that draws us closer to Him.
Text
Choose life, . . . that thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him; for He is thy life, and the length of thy days.
--DEUTERONOMY 30:19,20
GOD gently calls us every day:
Why should we then our bliss delay?
He calls to heaven and endless light;
Why should we love the dreary night?
Praise, Lord, to Thee for Matthew's call,
At which he rose and left his all;
Thou, Lord, e'en now art calling me;
I will leave all, and follow Thee.
--WILLIAM WALSHAM HOW
OBEY His blessed call now, and, having obeyed it once, never again disobey any call within you, to do His will. While we mourn our neglect of past calls, our sorrow, which is still His gift and call within us, will draw down His gladdening look, which will anew call us unto Him. Pass we by no call which, however indistinctly, we may have, and He will cheer us with clearer and gladlier calls. Our very sorrow and fear will be our joy and hope; our very stumblings our strength, and dimness our light, while stumbling or in darkness we feel after Him who is our Stay, our Light, our Joy.
--EDWARD B. PUSEY
Sermon Outline
- The Call of God
- Recognizing God's Call
- Responding to God's Call
- The Consequences of Disobedience
Key Quotes
“Choose life, that thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him; for He is thy life, and the length of thy days.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“He calls to heaven and endless light; Why should we love the dreary night?” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Our very sorrow and fear will be our joy and hope; our very stumblings our strength, and dimness our light, while stumbling or in darkness we feel after Him who is our Stay, our Light, our Joy.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- We should respond to God's call by leaving our old lives behind and following Him.
- Even in our sorrow, God's gift and call within us can draw down His gladdening look and call us anew.
- We should trust that God will guide us and give us strength in our stumblings.