Your Life Is Hid
The sermon emphasizes the importance of humility in ministry, encouraging listeners to let go of self and let others be prominent, just as Christ did.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the beauty of humility in Christian service, contrasting those who seek recognition for their efforts with those who serve quietly and selflessly. He illustrates that true ministry reflects Christ's hidden life, where the Holy Spirit works through individuals without seeking personal glory. Just as branches bear fruit while remaining connected to the vine, Christians are called to support one another through love and prayer, often remaining in the background. Simpson encourages believers to embrace a life of obscurity, mirroring the humility of the seraphim who serve God while veiling themselves. Ultimately, the closer we draw to Christ, the more we desire to diminish our own visibility for the sake of others.
Text
Some Christians rise in larger proportion than is becoming. They can tell, and others can tell, how many souls they bring to Christ. Their labor seems to crystallize and become its own memorial. Other Christians seem to blend so completely with their fellow workers that their individuality can scarcely be traced. Yet, this is the most Christlike ministry of all, for even the Master Himself does not appear in the work of the Church except as her hidden Life and ascended Head, and the Holy Spirit is lost in the vessels that He uses. The vine does not bear the fruit, it is the little branches which bear all the clusters and seem to have all the honor of the vintage.
Even the sap is unseen in its ceaseless flow.
And so, the nearer we come to Christ the more we are willing to lose sight of ourselves, and let others be more prominent. We uphold them by the silent ministry of our love and prayer. Lord, let me be like the veiled seraphim before the throne, who cover their faces and their feet, and hide themselves and their service while they fly to obey Thee.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Humility in Ministry
- The Role of the Holy Spirit
- The Call to Humility
- Letting Go of Self
- Upholding Others
- The Silent Ministry of Love and Prayer
Key Quotes
“The vine does not bear the fruit, it is the little branches which bear all the clusters and seem to have all the honor of the vintage.” — A.B. Simpson
“Even the sap is unseen in its ceaseless flow.” — A.B. Simpson
“Lord, let me be like the veiled seraphim before the throne, who cover their faces and their feet, and hide themselves and their service while they fly to obey Thee.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- As you serve in ministry, be willing to lose sight of yourself and let others be more prominent.
- Uphold your fellow workers through the silent ministry of your love and prayer.
- Seek to be more like Christ in your ministry by being selfless and obedient to God's will.