Whatever Cloud May Fall
The sermon emphasizes the importance of hearing God's voice during life's challenging 'clouds' of doubt and uncertainty.
William M. Clow preaches on the importance of listening to Jesus, as highlighted in Matthew 17:5, where God commands us to hear His beloved Son. In times of doubt, uncertainty, rebellion, or fear, we are urged to listen to Jesus, who reveals the Father's love, kindness, and provision. No matter the challenges we face, Jesus has a word for every hour, guiding us through guilty conscience, faith struggles, and loneliness, ultimately teaching us the significance of the cloud, the fear, and His voice.
Text
"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him"
(Matt. 17:5).
Hear Him." This is the message which in some form is given to men who fear as they enter the cloud. Out of every cloud which shall fall over men, on their knowledge, or faith, or understanding of God's will, or interpretation of His ways, there comes this one word, "Hear Him." When God's being has become dim and uncertain, and the cloud of doubt so overshadows your heart that you cannot pray, hear Him who calls, "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father." When God's character seems dark and unlovely, and your heart rebels against some grim word which has been taught you by men who have not considered God's great mind, and the cloud overshadows you, hear Him who saith, "He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil." When God's providence seems estranged, and the cloud has fallen upon your daily life, and all that makes it gracious has been taken away hear Him who saith, "If God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" If the will of God seems hard and stern and bids you pass through a baptism, until you find the cloud upon your spirit and you lie under its fear, hear Him who saith, "I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you." Whatever cloud you enter, the cloud of guilty conscience, of a chilled faith, of a searching loneliness, as you fear, hear Him who has a word f or every hour. In time to come, if not while trembling under the shadow, you will learn the significance of the cloud, the fear, and the voice.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to the concept of clouds in life
- The importance of hearing God's voice
- Scriptural foundation: Matthew 17:5
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II
- Understanding clouds of doubt
- God's character amidst uncertainty
- The call to 'hear Him'
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III
- Clouds of daily life and providence
- Trusting God's provision
- Encouragement for those with little faith
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IV
- Facing the will of God
- Examples from Jesus' life
- Finding strength in His example
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V
- Personal clouds: guilt, loneliness, fear
- Hearing God's word in every situation
- The significance of clouds in spiritual growth
Key Quotes
“Hear Him who calls, 'He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father.'” — William M. Clow
“Hear Him who saith, 'He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.'” — William M. Clow
“Hear Him who saith, 'If God so clothe the grass of the field... shall He not much more clothe you?'” — William M. Clow
Application Points
- In times of doubt, actively seek to listen for God's guidance.
- Reflect on Jesus' example to find strength in difficult situations.
- Remember that every cloud can lead to spiritual growth if we choose to hear God's voice.