When Ye Go, Ye Shall Not Go Empty
God delights to fill us with Himself and the Holy Spirit when we are emptied of ourselves and trust in His ability.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the necessity of being emptied of self to be filled with God's presence and the Holy Spirit. He challenges believers to recognize their own insufficiency while acknowledging God's infinite ability to meet their needs. Simpson points out that many Christians understand their limitations but few grasp that their sufficiency comes from God alone. He illustrates this with the miracle at Cana, where the vessels had to be filled to the brim before the transformation occurred, highlighting God's desire for His children to have full hearts.
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When we are really emptied He delights to fill us with Himself and the Holy Spirit. it is very precious to be conscious of nothing good in ourselves; but are we also conscious of His great goodness? We may be ready to admit our own disability' but are we as ready to admit His ability? There are many Christians who can say, "I am not sufficient of [thyself) to think any thing as of [myself]; . . . but the number is very small who can say, [My] sufficiency is of God (2 Corinthians 3:5). Are you convinced that He is able to provide every want in you, or do you feel that you must supply it yourself?
Do you believe that God does supply every lack in your heart and life, so that all stumbling is taken away and you are endowed with power for His service?
Our Savior, at Cana, ordered the waterpots to be filled to the brim. Then the water was made into wine, but not until the vessels were full. God wants His children always to have a full heart.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Emptiness
- God's Sufficiency
- The Full Heart
- God's desire for His children
- The role of faith in receiving God's fullness
Key Quotes
“When we are really emptied He delights to fill us with Himself and the Holy Spirit.” — A.B. Simpson
“Our Savior, at Cana, ordered the waterpots to be filled to the brim.” — A.B. Simpson
“God wants His children always to have a full heart.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- Recognize your own disability and admit God's ability in your life.
- Trust in God's provision and supply, rather than relying on yourself.
- Seek to have a full heart, ready to receive God's supply and guidance.