The Flowers That Never Fade
We can experience eternal praise and glory in God now by cultivating lovely thoughts and memories.
John Henry Jowett emphasizes the eternal nature of God's inheritance compared to temporary possessions on earth, using the example of taking the landscape of Arran with him wherever he goes. He contrasts the fading praise of men with the enduring praise of God, which grows more beautiful with time and is a source of comfort even in death. Jowett encourages wearing the 'garland of God's praise' by cultivating a mindset aligned with Christ's.
Text
1 PETER i. 1-9.
"An inheritance incorruptible." I am writing these words in the Island
of Arran. To-morrow I shall leave the land behind, but I shall take the
landscape with me! It will be with me in the coming winter, and I shall
gaze upon Goat Fell in the streets of New York. The land is a temporary
possession, the landscape abides!
The praise of men often dies with the shout that proclaims it. Another
idol appears and the feverish worship is transferred to him. The world's
garland begins to fade as soon as it is laid upon the brow. The morning
after the coronation I possess a handful of withering leaves. But the
garland of God's praise acquires new grace and beauty with the years. It
is never so fresh and flourishing as just when everything else is fading
away. It is glorious in the hour of death! The soul goes, wearing her
garland, into the presence of the gracious Lord who gave it.
We can begin even now to wear the flowers of Paradise. We can begin even
now to furnish our minds with lovely thoughts and memories. We can have
"the mind of Christ."
Sermon Outline
- I. The Impermanence of Earthly Praise
- A. The world's garland fades quickly
- B. The praise of men is fleeting
- II. The Permanence of God's Praise
- A. God's praise acquires new beauty with time
- B. It is glorious in the hour of death
- III. The Possibility of Eternal Praise
- A. We can begin to wear the flowers of Paradise now
- B. We can cultivate lovely thoughts and memories
Key Quotes
“The world's garland begins to fade as soon as it is laid upon the brow.” — John Henry Jowett
“It is glorious in the hour of death!” — John Henry Jowett
“We can have 'the mind of Christ'.” — John Henry Jowett
Application Points
- We can begin to wear the flowers of Paradise by cultivating lovely thoughts and memories.
- Having the mind of Christ means having lovely thoughts and memories that bring us closer to God.
- God's praise is glorious in the hour of death and acquires new beauty with time.