From Here to There
The sermon emphasizes the importance of valuing Christ above all else and the process of spiritual growth through trials and communion with Him.
Miles J. Stanford preaches about the transformative power of surrendering all worldly gains and desires for the sake of Christ, emphasizing the need to shift our focus from material possessions to the eternal life found in Jesus. He highlights the process of pruning by God to help us bear more fruit and the importance of learning to rely on the Lord's presence and sustenance in times of trial. Stanford also discusses the Father's loving discipline to wean us from earthly dependencies and redirect our hearts towards conformity with Christ through hardships and challenges.
Text
"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ" (Philippians 3:7).
When we finally understand that the Lord Jesus is our life, we, with Paul, no longer think in terms of things.
"Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (John 15:2).
"One may eat with an appetite and feel revived, but the sense of life or sustainment from the food in the hour of toil, is a far greater and better thing. Thus, you have to learn now that the Lord is with you, however great may be the winds and the waves; and that He is with you to prove to you now the value of the truth about Himself, which He has heretofore taught you. The learning is at one time (head), the proving (heart) at another." -J.B.S.
"Our Father must wean us. Oh, what days and nights of bitter tears we shed when the soul is being weaned from some long enjoyed mercy. Is it that He who gave His Son for us would not indulge us? Is it that our Father would deny us anything? No, but He must wean us, or we shall never know what it is to depend on Him apart from any human or natural intervention."
"The Lord Jesus before our souls in the power of the Holy Spirit-the glorified Lord-is our Father's means for bringing us into conformity with His beloved Son. But then it is through the chastenings of His hand, through the trials and sufferings of our path, that He weans the hearts of His own from other objects, that the Lord Jesus Christ alone may fill the vision of our souls." -E.D.
"It is quite right to obtain a knowledge of Scripture, as to its general meaning. It is well to read and get knowledge, but unless you are in communion with the Lord Jesus, you will not grow in likeness to what you admire, as recorded in the Word."
"And I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord" (Philippians 3:8).
Sermon Outline
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I
- Understanding the value of Christ
- Counting losses for gains in Christ
- The transformation of perspective
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II
- The process of spiritual weaning
- The role of trials and sufferings
- Dependence on God
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III
- The importance of communion with Christ
- Growing in likeness to Christ
- Scripture as a tool for spiritual growth
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IV
- The glorified Lord as our focus
- Conformity to Christ through the Holy Spirit
- Filling our vision with Christ
Key Quotes
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” — Miles J. Stanford
“Our Father must wean us.” — Miles J. Stanford
“And I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord.” — Miles J. Stanford
Application Points
- Reflect on what earthly attachments you need to let go of to focus more on Christ.
- Engage in regular communion with Christ to deepen your relationship and understanding.
- Embrace trials as opportunities for spiritual growth and dependence on God.