Things That Are Freely Given to Us of God
God's highest blessings are just as free as His lowest, and we must recognize this to truly understand the gospel.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes that the blessings of the gospel, both great and small, are freely given by God and cannot be earned through our own efforts or experiences. He warns against relying on personal feelings of salvation as a foundation, urging believers to recognize grace as an unmerited gift. Simpson illustrates this with the metaphor of a river, which remains free and accessible at all points along its course, symbolizing God's abundant grace. He highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit in helping us understand and appreciate these divine gifts. Ultimately, Simpson calls for a recognition of God's generosity, encouraging believers to embrace the fullness of His grace and love.
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The highest blessings of the gospel are just as free as the lowest; when you have served God ten years you cannot sit down and say, "I have an experience now and I count on that." We so often do that! We say, "Now I know I am saved, I feel it." And so we are building a different foundation-we build on something in ourselves. Always take grace as something you do not deserve, something that is freely bestowed. The long, deep, boundless river is free-as free at the mouth as it is at the little feeder stream. It is free all along its course; anybody can come and drink, and anybody can come and bathe in its refreshing waters. Do you believe that?
God has given us His Holy Spirit that we may know the things that are freely given to us of God.
It is a sad thing for a poor starving child to look longingly through the window and see a fire and the happy family sitting around a laden table. What is the good of knowing that there is warmth and love and light if it is not free? God has freely given all the goodness of His grace and love.
Sermon Outline
- The Freedom of God's Blessings
- The Nature of God's Grace
- The Availability of God's Blessings
- The Holy Spirit is available to all
- God's goodness is freely given
Key Quotes
“The highest blessings of the gospel are just as free as the lowest;” — A.B. Simpson
“Always take grace as something you do not deserve, something that is freely bestowed.” — A.B. Simpson
“God has given us His Holy Spirit that we may know the things that are freely given to us of God.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- Recognize that God's blessings are free and not earned through our own experiences.
- Come to God with a humble heart, acknowledging that you do not deserve His blessings.
- Understand the role of the Holy Spirit in helping us understand God's free blessings.