Freedom by Grace
True freedom is found in trusting in God's grace and guidance, and surrendering to His will in all aspects of life.
Mary Wilder Tileston, in her sermon, emphasizes the importance of diligently attending to little duties with steadfastness and effort, as they require a continuous listening to God's guidance and a watchfulness against anything that may offend Him. She encourages a free, childlike spirit in serving God, without anxiety but with trust and focus on Him. Tileston reminds believers to have faith in God's grace to lead them in both small and great things, keeping them aligned with His law of love.
Text
I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy precepts.
--PSALMS 119:45
To be made with Thee one spirit,
Is the boon that I lingering ask,
To have no bar 'twixt my soul and Thine;
My thoughts to echo Thy will divine,
Myself Thy servant for any task.
--LUCY LARCOM
THERE is more effort, more steadfastness, involved in a diligent attention to little duties than appears at first sight, and that because of their continual recur.rence. Such heed to little things implies a ceaseless listening to the whispers of grace, a strict watchful.ness against every thought, wish, word or act which can offend God ever so little, a constant effort to do everything as perfectly as possible. All this, however, must be done with a free, childlike spirit, without restlessness and anxiety. He does not ask a fretted, shrinking service. Give yourself to Him, trust Him, fix your eye upon Him, listen to His voice, and then go on bravely and cheerfully, never doubting for an instant that His grace will lead you in small things as well as great, and will keep you from offending His law of love.
--JEAN NICOLAS GROU
Sermon Outline
- The Freedom of Grace
- The Importance of Little Duties
- Trust and Surrender
- Give yourself to God, trust Him, and listen to His voice
- Go on bravely and cheerfully, trusting in His grace
- A constant effort to do everything perfectly
Key Quotes
“There is more effort, more steadfastness, involved in a diligent attention to little duties than appears at first sight.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Give yourself to Him, trust Him, fix your eye upon Him, listen to His voice, and then go on bravely and cheerfully,” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Make a conscious effort to listen to God's voice in all aspects of life, even in small and seemingly insignificant tasks.
- Trust in God's goodness and love, and surrender to His will, even when faced with uncertainty or doubt.
- Cultivate a free spirit, unencumbered by anxiety or doubt, and go on bravely and cheerfully, trusting in God's guidance.