Exercising Simple Faith
The sermon emphasizes the importance of exercising simple faith in our daily lives, trusting in God's presence and power, and rejoicing in Jesus Christ amidst challenges and failures.
Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of finding strength, revelation, and God's work through stillness, allowing His love and light to flow through us to reach others. She highlights the need to rest, receive day by day, and rejoice in Jesus amidst failures, rather than being consumed by despondency. Tileston encourages seeking God in the present moment through simple faith, even in the midst of confusion and imperfections.
Text
In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.
--ISAIAH 30:15
BE Still, MY soul--for just as thou art still,
Can God reveal Himself to thee; until
Through thee His love, and light, and life can freely flow.
In stillness God can work through thee and reach
The souls around thee. He then through thee can teach
His lessons--and His power in weakness show.
--BESSIE PORTER
WE are always wanting to be doing, to be giving, to be planning for the future, to be mapping out all our life; instead of resting and receiving day by day, leaving the morrow to our God, and rejoicing in Jesus Christ amidst all our falls and failures. Instead of going on rejoicing in Jesus, we are tempted to de.spond, and to go on desponding, after every failure, negligence, and sin.
--GEORGE H. WILKINSON
We seek God afar off, in projects perhaps altogether unattainable, and we do not consider that we possess Him now in the midst of confusion, by the exercise of simple faith, provided we bear humbly and bravely the annoyances which come from others, and our own imperfect ions.
--FRANCOIS DE LA MOTHE FÉNELON
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Quietness and Confidence
- The Dangers of Constant Activity
- The Power of Simple Faith
- We can possess God in the midst of confusion through simple faith
- Humility and bravery are key to exercising simple faith
Key Quotes
“In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“BE Still, MY soul--for just as thou art still, Can God reveal Himself to thee;” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“We seek God afar off, in projects perhaps altogether unattainable,” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Practice humility and bravery in the face of challenges and annoyances.
- Trust in God's presence and power, rather than trying to control and manage everything yourself.
- Rejoice in Jesus Christ and trust in His love and forgiveness, even in the midst of failure and sin.