Real Beauty - 2 Tim. 3:5
True beauty and loveliness come from faith and the power of Christ, not just outward appearances.
Bernard Fell preaches about the danger of having a form of godliness but denying its true power, likening it to plastic flowers that lack the essence of life and grace. He emphasizes that true beauty and goodness come from a heart transformed by faith in Christ, where noble deeds are rooted in love and praise to God. Through the illustration of a radiant rose perfumed with tender love, he highlights the impact of a life filled with the presence of the Son of God, spreading light and beauty wherever it goes.
Text
Having a form of godliness,
but denying the power thereof.
2 Timothy 3:5
I saw a rose the other day
As radiant as a queen;
It never sprang from tiny bud,
Nor graced a garden green.
Gay daffodils, whose trumps of gold
Ne'er danced to springtime's breeze;
And lifeless blooms without sweet scent
Or nectar for the bees.
There is a captivating charm
Much like the plastic flowers;
In outward form gives great delight,
Yet with its moral powers,
The light of heaven never shines
Behind the smiling face:
The life of God is wanting still,
The sweet perfume of grace.
Without the Christ e'en noble deeds
Appear in lifeless form:
The seeds of love must germinate
In hearts redeemed and warm.
True loveliness springs out of faith,
The fruitful ground of praise;
Then deeds of kindness in His name
Live on through endless days.
I saw a rose the other day
Perfumed with tender love;
It shed its fragrance everywhere
With sunshine from above;
It brighten'd many a gloomy place,
With beauty sweet and rare,
And in the face of that dear saint,
The Son of God was there!
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Form Without Power
- The Contrast of True Beauty
- The Power of Christ
- The seeds of love must germinate in hearts redeemed and warm
- The fragrance of love shines through
- The Son of God is present in true beauty
Key Quotes
“It never sprang from tiny bud, Nor graced a garden green.” — Bernard Fell
“There is a captivating charm Much like the plastic flowers;” — Bernard Fell
“The life of God is wanting still, The sweet perfume of grace.” — Bernard Fell
Application Points
- We must ensure that our deeds are not just outwardly beautiful but also spring from a heart of faith.
- True kindness and love can only be shown through the power of Christ.
- Our lives should be a reflection of the sweet perfume of God's grace.