January 27. Daily Duty
J.R. Miller teaches that true spiritual experiences should inspire believers to return with renewed diligence and faithfulness to their everyday duties.
In this devotional sermon, J.R. Miller emphasizes that genuine spiritual experiences are not escapes from daily responsibilities but sources of renewed strength and commitment. Using the example of the shepherds who returned to their flocks after witnessing Christ, Miller encourages believers to let their communion with God inspire faithful service in everyday life. The message challenges Christians to integrate their heavenly visions with practical living, demonstrating the beauty of Christ through diligent work.
Text
"The shepherds went back to their flocks" Luke 2:20
They might have been so enraptured with the sight of the Christ-child, that they would not have cared to go away again to their own dull work in the fields. Some people in their spiritual ecstasies, feel disinclined to devote themselves longer to the commonplace things of this tedious work-day life. Peter wanted to stay on the Transfiguration Mount; earthly life, with its toils and struggles, would be too tame, he thought, after such ecstatic visions. And surely no human eyes ever gazed on a more glorious vision than that these shepherds beheld that night. Yet they went back to their lowly toil, and no doubt they were just as faithful shepherds after that, as they had been before.
We need to learn a lesson here. All our spiritual enjoyments — ought to make us only the more diligent and faithful in the duties of our ordinary callings. It is not a true devotional experience — which draws us away from our daily duty. The nearer we get to Christ — the better should we do all our work! Our love for communion with God and with His people — should never make us negligent in the doing of the tasks that the common days bring to us. After our most heavenly experiences on the Sunday or in the closet of prayer — we should return to our work ever with fresh earnestness and zest.
God gives us our spiritual raptures, our glimpses of His face and His glory, our foretastes of celestial joy, our fragments of heavenly vision — for the very purpose of making us stronger and braver for commonplace duty. It will be sad indeed, then, if they make us less fit for life here with its burdens and cares. We should seek to bring the heavenly visions down, and give them reality in our lives, that others may see the beauty too, and be cheered by it. Our hours of communion with Christ — should leave some gleams of brightness on our faces, as we come to walk again in life\
Sermon Outline
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I
- The shepherds’ vision of Christ was glorious but temporary
- Spiritual ecstasies can tempt believers to avoid daily work
- Peter’s desire to stay on the Mount of Transfiguration illustrates this
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II
- True devotional experiences lead to greater diligence in daily duties
- Spiritual joy should not cause neglect of ordinary callings
- Closer communion with Christ should improve work performance
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III
- God’s spiritual gifts strengthen believers for everyday life
- Heavenly visions must be translated into practical living
- Our lives should reflect the brightness of communion with Christ
Key Quotes
“All our spiritual enjoyments ought to make us only the more diligent and faithful in the duties of our ordinary callings.” — J.R. Miller
“The nearer we get to Christ, the better should we do all our work!” — J.R. Miller
“God gives us our spiritual raptures... for the very purpose of making us stronger and braver for commonplace duty.” — J.R. Miller
Application Points
- Let your spiritual moments motivate you to serve faithfully in your daily tasks.
- Do not allow spiritual joy to cause neglect of your responsibilities.
- Reflect the brightness of your communion with Christ in your everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main lesson from the shepherds’ story?
The shepherds returned to their ordinary work after seeing Christ, teaching that spiritual experiences should motivate faithful service in daily life.
Why shouldn’t spiritual ecstasies keep us from daily duties?
Because true spiritual joy strengthens and equips us to be more diligent and faithful in our everyday responsibilities.
How does J.R. Miller describe the effect of communion with Christ on our work?
He says it should leave us with fresh earnestness and zest to perform our tasks better.
What example does Miller use to show the temptation to avoid daily duty?
Peter’s wish to remain on the Mount of Transfiguration rather than return to ordinary life.
How can spiritual experiences impact others according to the sermon?
By living out heavenly visions in daily life, believers can cheer and inspire others with the beauty of Christ.