Heart to Heart
Miles J. Stanford's sermon 'Heart to Heart' explores the deepening relationship with Christ and the transformative power of His love in our lives.
Miles J. Stanford preaches about the journey of spiritual growth and maturity, likening it to a transition from a superficial 'puppy-love' to a deep 'bridal-love' relationship with Christ. He emphasizes the importance of accepting God's arrangements and gifts to help us detach from worldly concerns and focus on heavenly things, where we find true fulfillment and joy. Stanford encourages believers to not just see Jesus as a reliever of burdens but as the ultimate desire and attraction of their hearts, leading to a profound knowledge and experience of Christ's love and grace.
Text
"That I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12).
Our spiritual puppy-love is soon lost, to be replaced through the years by our bridal-love. The bride always gravitates to her Bridegroom. "My beloved spoke, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away" (Song of Solomon 2:10).
"All of our Father's arrangements for us, if rightly accepted, will lead us above, instead of binding us to what is here below. His gifts come down to ease us in a world like this, that our hearts may rise the easier to the scene where He displays the fullness of His love for us.
"And if there be chastening in the circumstances here, it is only to detach us the more effectively from all here, and to lead us to the place where He has given all to us. So that seeing the things above ensures every good thing for us in every condition."
"You may know the Lord Jesus as your relief-for what He has done; but it is quite another thing to know Him as your resource-for what He is. It is one thing to know Him as the One who has relieved you from every pressure, it is another thing to know Him as the One attraction of your heart." -J.B.S.
"The Lord grant that you may know the wonderful blessing, and portion of light and joy we are brought into, instead of going through the world trying to overcome this and that, and saying, 'I must give up this thing and the other.' It is not a question of giving up at all; but I have something better, greater, brighter, and I just let it drop."
"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord" (Philippians 3:8).
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Understanding our relationship with Christ
- The transition from puppy-love to bridal-love
- The significance of being apprehended by Christ
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II
- God's arrangements lead us upward
- The purpose of God's gifts
- Chastening as a means of detachment
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III
- Knowing Jesus as our resource
- The difference between relief and resource
- The attraction of Christ in our hearts
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IV
- The joy of knowing our blessings in Christ
- Letting go of lesser things
- Counting all things as loss for Christ
Key Quotes
“That I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” — Miles J. Stanford
“You may know the Lord Jesus as your relief-for what He has done; but it is quite another thing to know Him as your resource-for what He is.” — Miles J. Stanford
“Yea doubtless, 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 your relationship with Christ and seek to deepen it beyond initial affection.
- Recognize and embrace God's gifts as tools to elevate your spiritual journey.
- Let go of worldly attachments by focusing on the greater joy found in knowing Christ.