Abandoning Self
The sermon emphasizes the importance of completely surrendering oneself to God to receive His love and guidance.
Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of surrendering ourselves entirely to God, allowing Him to do with us as He pleases, renouncing anything at His call, and asking only for His infinite love and grace in return. She challenges the congregation to consider if they are willing to give themselves unreservedly to God, to follow wherever He leads, and to kneel before Him in complete surrender. Tileston highlights the strength found in abandoning oneself into God's hands and the eternal promise for those who do the will of God.
Text
He that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
1 JOHN 2:17
I am Thine, save me.
PSALMS 119:94
TAKE, O Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given it to me; to Thee, O Lord, I restore it; all is Thine, dispose of it ac-cording to Thy will. Give me Thy love and Thy grace, for this is enough for me.
Are we willing to give ourselves entirely to God; to let Him do with us whatever He pleases; to follow anywhere at His bidding; to renounce anything at His call; asking only, in return, that He will give us Him-self, with all His infinite love, to be ours from this time forever? If we are thus willing, let us kneel down this moment and tell Him so. Alone with God, let us give Him ourselves, all we have and are and shall be, to be unreservedly His.
WILLIAM R. HUNTINGTON
There is no stay so strong as an unreserved aban-donment of self into God's hand.
H. L. SIDNEY LEAR
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Understanding God's Will - The Importance of Abandonment - The Promise of Eternal Life
- II points: - Total Surrender to God - Renouncing Personal Desires - Receiving God's Love and Grace
- III points: - The Power of Prayer in Surrender - Living a Life Abiding in God - The Joy of Complete Devotion
Key Quotes
“He that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Are we willing to give ourselves entirely to God; to let Him do with us whatever He pleases?” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“There is no stay so strong as an unreserved abandonment of self into God's hand.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Reflect on areas in your life where you can surrender control to God.
- Make a commitment to pray regularly, asking for God's guidance in your decisions.
- Seek to live a life that prioritizes God's will over personal desires.