Epistle 203
George Fox's Epistle 203 emphasizes our identity in Christ, the importance of community, and the power of God's eternal life within us.
George Fox preaches about reigning as kings in the Father's hand, following the King of kings who gives abundant life, and experiencing the endless kingdom and dominion with joy and comfort. He encourages dwelling in the light, minding the seed of God, and being diligent in serving the Lord to be a blessing and sweet savour unto Him. Fox emphasizes feeling and knowing the power of an endless life, a kingdom with no end, and a dominion over all dominions, leading to possessing everlasting life and meeting together to wait upon the Lord.
Text
What, Friends! Do ye reign as kings [1 Cor 4:8]? Can they pluck never a one (of you) out of the Father's hand [John 10:20]? Are ye put forth? Do ye witness that scripture fulfilled; put forth to follow the King of kings [Rev 19:16), (the shepherd,) who gives life abundantly [John 10:10f]? In that let your joy be still, and your comfort remain; in which ye will feel the endless kingdom and dominion [Psa 145:13, Dan 4:3,34]. In that the Lord be with you, who is your strength, comfort, and fulness for evermore, world without end [Eph 3:21]! And, friends, mind the light, and dwell in it, and it will keep you atop of all the world; and mind the seed of God, and know it, and in it be content.
Dwell in the power of truth [1 Esd 4:40], and be not negligent in that, but diligent, serving the Lord, every one in your measures; that to the Lord God every one of you may be a blessing [Gen 12:2], and a sweet savour [2 Cor 2:15] unto him in your creation and generation, feeling and knowing the Lord's power every one in yourselves, yea, the power of an endless life [Heb 7:16], and of a kingdom that hath no end [Luke 1:33], and of a dominion that is over all dominions. <200>
And in the power of the Lord God everlasting, ye may feel the seed of God in every particular of you raised up, which doth inherit the same; that ye may sit down in your own possession of everlasting life. And in that meet together, waiting upon the Lord [e.g. Isa 40:31], and in it keep your meetings, where ye may feel the chief shepherd leading you into pastures of life [Psa 23:2, Ezek 34:14]. And so the blessing of the Lord be with you!
G. F.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Understanding our identity as kings in Christ
- The assurance of being held in the Father's hand
- The call to follow the King of kings
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II
- Experiencing joy and comfort in God's kingdom
- The significance of God's eternal dominion
- The importance of dwelling in the light
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III
- The necessity of diligence in serving the Lord
- Being a blessing and sweet savor to God
- Recognizing the power of an endless life
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IV
- The call to meet together in faith
- Waiting upon the Lord for guidance
- Receiving the shepherd's leading into life
Key Quotes
“Dwell in the power of truth, and be not negligent in that, but diligent, serving the Lord.” — George Fox
“In that meet together, waiting upon the Lord, and in it keep your meetings.” — George Fox
“The blessing of the Lord be with you!” — George Fox
Application Points
- Reflect on your identity as a king in Christ and live with confidence.
- Commit to regular fellowship with other believers to strengthen your faith.
- Pursue a deeper understanding of God's light and allow it to guide your life.