In the Heavenly Places
As Christians, our rightful place is to be seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, where we can experience quiet spirit and stillness, and let God's spiritual forces work through us.
Charles E. Cowman emphasizes the importance of being seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, highlighting the rarity of individuals who truly experience this spiritual reality in the midst of life's turmoil. He stresses the value of maintaining a quiet spirit in all activities, as it allows the hidden spiritual forces to work effectively. Cowman encourages embracing stillness and trust, as there is immense power in being silent before the Lord, letting His Spirit work out desired outcomes. He shares the wisdom that by being peaceful and safe in God, one can find rest and strength even in the midst of life's storms.
Text
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ . . . and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:4-6).
This is our rightful place, to be "seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus," and to "sit still" there. But how few there are who make it their actual experience! How few, indeed think even that it is possible for them to "sit still" in these "heavenly places" in the everyday life of a world so full of turmoil as this.
We may believe perhaps that to pay a little visit to these heavenly places on Sundays, or now and then in times of spiritual exaltation, may be within the range of possibility; but to be actually "seated" there every day and all day long is altogether another matter; and yet it is very plain that it is for Sundays and week-days as well.
A quiet spirit is of inestimable value in carrying on outward activities; and nothing so hinders the working of the hidden spiritual forces, upon which, after all, our success in everything really depends, as a spirit of unrest and anxiety.
There is immense power in stillness. A great saint once said, "All things come to him who knows how to trust and be silent." The words are pregnant with meaning. A knowledge of this fact would immensely change our ways of working. Instead of restless struggles, we would "sit down" inwardly before the Lord, and would let the Divine forces of His Spirit work out in silence the ends to which we aspire. You may not see or feel the operations of this silent force, but be assured it is always working mightily, and will work for you, if you only get your spirit still enough to be carried along by the currents of its power. --Hannah Whitall Smith
"There is a point of rest
At the great center of the cyclone's force,
A silence at its secret source;
A little child might slumber undisturbed,
Without the ruffle of one fair curl,
In that strange, central calm, amid the mighty whirl."
It is your business to learn to be peaceful and safe in God in every situation.
Sermon Outline
- I. Our Rightful Place
- A. Seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:4-6)
- B. A place of quiet spirit and stillness
- II. The Possibility of Stillness
- A. Not just for Sundays or times of spiritual exaltation
- B. But for everyday life in a world of turmoil
- III. The Power of Stillness
- 'A. A great saint''s words: ''All things come to him who knows how to trust and be silent'''
- B. A knowledge of this fact can change our ways of working
Key Quotes
“All things come to him who knows how to trust and be silent.” — Charles E. Cowman
“There is a point of rest At the great center of the cyclone's force, A silence at its secret source;” — Charles E. Cowman
“It is your business to learn to be peaceful and safe in God in every situation.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- Make it your business to learn to be peaceful and safe in God in every situation.
- Get your spirit still enough to be carried along by God's power.
- Trust and be silent, and let God's spiritual forces work through you.