Be Still and Be Filled
The sermon emphasizes the importance of stilling the mind to receive God's fullness and become a channel for His unlimited resources.
E. Stanley Jones emphasizes the importance of stillness and receptivity in preaching, highlighting the need to quiet the mind and repeat the verse 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you' to become receptive to God's message. Preaching is not about striving but about being a channel for God's unlimited resources, allowing His grace to fill and sustain us. By being still and connecting with God, we tap into His abundant fullness and receive His life.
Text
Whenever I am about to speak I ask the audience to bow their heads in silent prayer. In that silence I always repeat my verse. "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." The stilling of the mind by the repetition of that verse makes it receptive. I am living in the passive voice. Preaching then is not eager straining, it is receptivity ending in release. The speaker is no longer a reservoir with just so much to give; he is a channel attached to unlimited resources.
The stilling of the mind reminds you not of your pitiful little store, but of the fact that you are now harnessing yourself to God's illimitable fullness.
Prayer is like the fastening of the cup to the wounded side of a pine tree to allow the resin to pour into it. You are now nestling up into the side of God -- the wounded side, if you will -- and you allow his grace to fill your cup. You are taking in the very life of God.
"Be still and know," and you will be full. Be unstill and you will not know; you will remain empty.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Stilling the Mind
- The Source of Power
- The Nature of Prayer
- The Result of Being Still
- We will be full
- We will know God
Key Quotes
“The stilling of the mind reminds you not of your pitiful little store, but of the fact that you are now harnessing yourself to God's illimitable fullness.” — E. Stanley Jones
“Prayer is like the fastening of the cup to the wounded side of a pine tree to allow the resin to pour into it.” — E. Stanley Jones
“Be still and know, and you will be full.” — E. Stanley Jones
Application Points
- Make time to still your mind and focus on God's fullness.
- Recognize that you are not a reservoir, but a channel for God's resources.
- Pray with receptivity, allowing God to fill you up and guide you.