Self-Abandonment
Miles J. Stanford's sermon on self-abandonment emphasizes the necessity of relying on the Cross and living fully in Christ rather than pursuing self-improvement.
Miles J. Stanford emphasizes the importance of recognizing our death to self through the Cross of Jesus Christ, cautioning against the trap of self-improvement which denies the crucifixion of our old nature. He highlights the need to have the Lord Jesus constantly before us, rather than focusing on self-correction, to avoid the intrusion of the flesh. Stanford reminds believers that God does not expect us to find goodness within ourselves but to rely on Him completely, acknowledging our irreparable flesh and our need to depend on God's sovereignty over evil. Ultimately, he encourages the congregation to reckon themselves alive unto God through Jesus Christ, embracing a life surrendered to the Lord.
Text
"Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin" (Romans 6:11a).
All of the cults, from TM to ST to SDA, are simply self-improvement aberrations. The Cross alone provides death to self and life in the Lord Jesus Christ. "God forbid that I should glory, except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Galatians 6:14).
"What becomes us now is to have the Lord Jesus before us, and not the correction of the old man. The snare of trying to improve oneself is very common, and it is important to see, that however well-meaning it may be, it is really a denial that our old man has been crucified, and a revival of that which has been judged in the death of the Cross.
"It is plain that if you are clear of the domination of the old man you can have no man before you but the Lord Jesus, and the more sensible you are of how ready the flesh is to intrude."
"God never means me to be able, with the Pharisee, to thank Him for the goodness that I find in myself. If I will be at it, He leaves me to find in this irreparable flesh, which cannot be mended, what I may break my heart over, but never alter.
"It is a quicksand which spoils all my building--a morass impracticable to cultivation; and God uses this, in His sovereignty over evil, to wean me from self-confidence and self-complacency, and to cast me upon Himself."
"Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be. . . alive unto God through Jesus Christ, our Lord" (Romans 6:11b).
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Understanding self-abandonment
- The role of the Cross in our lives
- The danger of self-improvement
-
II
- The significance of being dead to sin
- Living in the reality of Christ
- The importance of focusing on Jesus
-
III
- The futility of self-reliance
- God's purpose in our weaknesses
- Embracing God's sovereignty
-
IV
- The transformation through reckoning
- The call to live alive in Christ
- The impact of faith on daily living
Key Quotes
“God forbid that I should glory, except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” — Miles J. Stanford
“It is a quicksand which spoils all my building--a morass impracticable to cultivation.” — Miles J. Stanford
“Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be. . . alive unto God through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” — Miles J. Stanford
Application Points
- Recognize the futility of self-reliance and embrace your dependence on God.
- Focus on Jesus daily to overcome the distractions of the old self.
- Allow your weaknesses to draw you closer to God and strengthen your faith.