The Inward Conversation of Christ With the Faithful Soul
The sermon encourages believers to prioritize listening to God's inner voice over the distractions of the world for true peace and happiness.
Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of listening to the Lord speaking within us, highlighting the blessings that come from receiving divine consolation and wisdom. He encourages focusing on the eternal truths taught within, rather than being distracted by the noise of the world. Kempis urges believers to close off their senses to external influences and instead seek to understand the mysteries of God, cutting off hindrances from the world to draw closer to Him and find true happiness.
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I WILL hear what the Lord God will speak in me."[24]
Blessed is the soul who hears the Lord speaking within her, who receives the word of consolation from His lips. Blessed are the ears that catch the accents of divine whispering, and pay no heed to the murmurings of this world. Blessed indeed are the ears that listen, not to the voice which sounds without, but to the truth which teaches within. Blessed are the eyes which are closed to exterior things and are fixed upon those which are interior. Blessed are they who penetrate inwardly, who try daily to prepare themselves more and more to understand mysteries. Blessed are they who long to give their time to God, and who cut themselves off from the hindrances of the world.
Consider these things, my soul, and close the door of your senses, so that you can hear what the Lord your God speaks within you. "I am your salvation," says your Beloved. "I am your peace and your life. Remain with Me and you will find peace. Dismiss all passing things and seek the eternal. What are all temporal things but snares? And what help will all creatures be able to give you if you are deserted by the Creator?" Leave all these things, therefore, and make yourself pleasing and faithful to your Creator so that you may attain to true happiness.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The importance of listening to God's voice
- The blessings of inward conversation
- The contrast between worldly distractions and divine whispers
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II
- The role of the soul in seeking God
- The necessity of closing off external influences
- The pursuit of understanding divine mysteries
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III
- The promise of peace in God's presence
- The futility of temporal pursuits
- The call to prioritize eternal values
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IV
- The relationship between faithfulness and true happiness
- The significance of preparing oneself for divine encounters
Key Quotes
“Blessed is the soul who hears the Lord speaking within her, who receives the word of consolation from His lips.” — Thomas a Kempis
“I am your salvation, says your Beloved. I am your peace and your life.” — Thomas a Kempis
“Dismiss all passing things and seek the eternal.” — Thomas a Kempis
Application Points
- Set aside time daily to listen for God's voice in your life.
- Identify and eliminate distractions that hinder your spiritual growth.
- Focus on eternal values to find true fulfillment and happiness.