Continue the Struggle by God's Grace
The sermon emphasizes the importance of continuing to struggle against sin through God's grace, offering hope and comfort to those in the midst of their battles.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the struggles and triumphs in the Christian journey, emphasizing that although believers may feel perplexed and cast down at times, they are not in despair or destroyed. Even when feeling faint, they should continue pursuing their faith. God promises to blot out transgressions and not remember sins, offering grace to perfect their efforts. While some may face intense battles with sin and hardship, those who persevere and fall while fighting towards God will find comfort and healing in His everlasting arms.
Text
Perplexed, but not in despair; cast down, but not destroyed.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:8,9
Faint, yet pursuing.
JUDGES 8:4
I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
ISAIAH 43:25
I don't think it is possible to overrate the hardness of the first close struggle with any natural passion, but indeed the easiness of after-steps is often quite beyond one's expectations. The free gift of grace with which God perfects our efforts may come in many ways, but I am convinced that it is the common experience of Christians that it does come. There may be some souls, whose brave and bitter lot it is to conquer comfortless. Perhaps some terrible inheritance of strong sin from the father is visited upon the son, and, only able to keep his purpose pure, he falls as fast as he struggles up, and still struggling falls again. Soft moments of peace with God and man may never come to him. He may feel himself viler than a thousand trumpery souls who could not have borne his trials for a day. For you and me is reserved no such cross and no such crown as theirs who falling still fight, and fighting fall, with their faces Zionwards, into the arms of the everlasting Father. "As one whom his mother comforteth" shall be the healing of their wounds.
JULIANA HORATIA EWING
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Understanding the struggle with natural passions - The significance of God's grace in our efforts
- II points: - The experience of Christians in their struggles - The role of inherited sin and personal battles
- III points: - The importance of perseverance in faith - Finding comfort in God's presence during trials
- IV points: - The contrast between falling and fighting - The promise of healing and restoration
- V points: - Encouragement for those feeling defeated - The hope of ultimate victory in Christ
Key Quotes
“Perplexed, but not in despair; cast down, but not destroyed.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Faint, yet pursuing.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“As one whom his mother comforteth shall be the healing of their wounds.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Recognize that struggles are a part of the Christian journey and seek God's grace to overcome them.
- Encourage others who are battling their own sins, reminding them they are not alone in their fight.
- Find solace in God's promises, knowing that healing and restoration are available to those who persist in faith.