Take No Thought for Your Life
God can use anyone, regardless of their reputation, and will provide for those who seek His will and glory.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes that God often uses those who are despised and unpopular, reminding us that true recognition comes from God rather than man. He encourages believers to embrace their calling, even in the face of misunderstanding and prejudice, as many of God's greatest blessings lie beyond societal acceptance. Simpson asserts that the Holy Spirit is not ashamed to work through those who are marginalized, and that seeking God's will and glory should be our primary focus. He calls for courage to follow Christ, even when it means bearing reproach, assuring us that God will ultimately honor those who serve Him faithfully.
Text
The Lord is still using the things that are despised. The very names of Nazarene and Christian were once epithets of contempt. No man can have God's highest thought and be popular with his immediate generation. The most abused men are often the most used. There are far greater calamities than to be unpopular and misunderstood. There are far worse things than to be found in the minority. Many of God's greatest blessings are lying behind the devil's scarecrows of prejudice and misrepresentation. The Holy Spirit is not ashamed to use unpopular people. And if He uses them, what need they care for men? Oh, let us but have God's recognition and man's notice will count for little, and God will give us all we need of human help and praise.
Let us only seek God's will, His glory, His approval.
Let us go for Him on the hardest errands and do for Him the most menial tasks. It will be honor enough that He sends us and uses us. Let us not fear in this day to follow Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. By-and-by he will own our worthless name before the myriads of earth and heaven.
Sermon Outline
- God's Use of Unpopular People
- The Importance of Seeking God's Approval
- Following God Outside the Camp
- Don't fear to follow God in difficult tasks
- God will honor our service
Key Quotes
“The Lord is still using the things that are despised.” — A.B. Simpson
“The most abused men are often the most used.” — A.B. Simpson
“Let us only seek God's will, His glory, His approval.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We should prioritize seeking God's will and glory over seeking man's approval.
- God will provide all we need, even if we're unpopular with men.
- Following God outside the camp, even in difficult tasks, is an honor and a privilege.