God Knows
The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing our limitations and finding comfort in God's omniscient guidance in our struggles with sin.
John Henry Newman emphasizes the human struggle with sin and the darkness within ourselves, highlighting our inability to manage our hearts and the comfort found in looking up to God who sees and understands us completely. He points out the necessity of relying on God's spiritual influence to change and strengthen us in our ongoing battle against sin and Satan.
Text
"Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not" (Matt. 21:28-30).
We are in the dark about ourselves. When we act, we are groping in the dark, and may meet with a fall any moment. Here and there, perhaps, we see a little; or, in our attempts to influence and move our minds, we are making experiments (as it were) with some delicate and dangerous instrument, which works we do not know how, and may produce unexpected and disastrous effects. The management of our hearts is quite above us.
Under these circumstances it becomes our comfort to look up to God. "Thou, God, seest me!" Such was the consolation of the forlorn Hagar in the wilderness. He knoweth whereof we are made, and He alone can uphold us. He sees with most appalling distinctness all our sins, all the windings and recesses of evil within us; yet it is our only comfort to know this, and to trust Him for help against ourselves. To those who have a right notion of their weakness, the thought of their Almighty Sanctifier and Guide is continually present. They believe in the necessity of a spiritual influence to change and strengthen them, not as a mere abstract doctrine, but as a practical and most consolatory truth, daily to be fulfilled in their warfare with sin and Satan.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - '{''A'': ''We often act without full awareness of ourselves.'', ''B'': ''Our actions can lead to unexpected consequences.'', ''C'': ''The management of our hearts is beyond our control.''}' - Understanding Our Limitations
- II points: - '{''A'': ''God sees us clearly, including our sins.'', ''B'': ''This knowledge is both daunting and comforting.'', ''C'': ''We can trust God to help us against our weaknesses.''}' - The Comfort of God's Knowledge
- III points: - '{''A'': ''Recognizing our need for divine assistance.'', ''B'': ''Spiritual influence is essential in our daily struggles.'', ''C'': ''This belief is a practical truth in our fight against sin.''}' - The Role of Spiritual Influence
Key Quotes
“Thou, God, seest me!” — J.H. Newman
“He knoweth whereof we are made, and He alone can uphold us.” — J.H. Newman
“To those who have a right notion of their weakness, the thought of their Almighty Sanctifier and Guide is continually present.” — J.H. Newman
Application Points
- Acknowledge your weaknesses and seek God's help daily.
- Trust in God's knowledge of your struggles to find peace.
- Embrace the necessity of spiritual influence in your life.