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  LETTER 16
  by James Bourne
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of prioritizing God's
kingdom and righteousness above all else, and how this will lead to a
happy and successful outcome in life.

Topics: "Kingdom Living", "Spiritual Priorities"
Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 4:18

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DESCRIPTION
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James Bourne emphasizes the importance of seeking first the kingdom of
God and His righteousness in all decisions, including where to settle
and how to manage business. He contrasts the emptiness of prioritizing
worldly pursuits with the fulfillment found in seeking eternal things
and preserving spiritual life. Bourne encourages choosing a path that
involves fellowship with believers, hearing the gospel, and enduring
afflictions with God's people over a life of material abundance but
spiritual emptiness. He urges the listener to prioritize following God
and His people above all else for a truly fulfilling and blessed life.

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CONTENT
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[To a Friend.] London, 1821.

Dear Friend,

Whatever may be your thoughts, where you are to settle and how to manage
your business, they ought to rim in this channel - "Seek first the
kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be
added unto you." While I make business first, I find "death in the pot;"
everything goes counter, and I am as lifeless as a post; but when I am
earnestly seeking for a better portion, and eternal things are
uppermost, then I consider by what means God will preserve this
spiritual life, and what steps will be most conducive to it; whether a
distant country, where no fellowship with the saints is found, no sound
of the gospel is heard, no affliction with the people of God suffered,
but plenty of business, and plenty of admirers, and a soul as dark and
as dry as a potsherd; or to be content with the daily manna, watching
the hand of God, living with his people, and, like Ruth of old, saying,
Let nothing prevent me following the people of God - "Thy people shall
be my people, thy God my God; the Lord do so to me, and more also, if
aught but death part thee and me." So let all your plans and pursuits
be, and so shall they have an happy issue.

Yours faithfully, J. B.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/james-bourne/letter-16/
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