Gain or Loss
The sermon emphasizes the importance of gaining the Kingdom of God and the consequences of losing it, encouraging listeners to make the most of the time they have to gain spiritual growth and confront rebellion and besetting sins.
Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of striving to be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, urging believers to daily seek victory over their own evil inclinations and self-will, and to express gratitude to the Lord for His mercies. She highlights the significance of engaging in selfless acts, overcoming selfishness, fulfilling responsibilities faithfully, and battling against passions and sins to ultimately secure or lose the Kingdom of God.
Text
That ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God.
2 THESSALONIANS 1:5
FEAR not, for He hath sworn;
Faithful and true His name;
The glorious hours are onward borne;
'Tis lit, th'immortal flame;
It glows around thee; kneel, and strive, and win
Daily one living ray--'twill brighter glow within.
JOHN KEBLE
COUNT that day lost (though thou mayest have despatched much business therein) in which thou hast neither gained some victory over thine own evil inclinations and thy self-will, nor returned thanks to thy Lord for His mercies.
LORENZO SCUPOLI
Between dawn and dark there is time enough for the collisions of disinterestedness with selfishness in our dealings with our fellow-creatures, in the life of our own homes; time enough to meet or to evade the demands of homely faithfulness in our several work, time enough to confront the sturdy rebellion of passions and besetting sins against our spiritual nature, time enough to win or to lose heaven in.
HENRY WILDER FOOTE
It is no small matter to lose or to gain the Kingdom of God.
THOMAS À KEMPIS
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of the Kingdom of God
- Counting the Day Lost
- The Opportunity for Spiritual Growth
- The Consequences of Losing Heaven
- The time available for spiritual growth
- The importance of confronting rebellion and besetting sins
- The seriousness of losing the Kingdom of God
Key Quotes
“It is no small matter to lose or to gain the Kingdom of God.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“COUNT that day lost (though thou mayest have despatched much business therein) in which thou hast neither gained some victory over thine own evil inclinations and thy self-will, nor returned thanks to thy Lord for His mercies.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Between dawn and dark there is time enough for the collisions of disinterestedness with selfishness in our dealings with our fellow-creatures, in the life of our own homes; time enough to meet or to evade the demands of homely faithfulness in our several work, time enough to confront the sturdy rebellion of passions and besetting sins against our spiritual nature, time enough to win or to lose heaven in.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Make the most of the time you have by using it to gain spiritual growth and confront rebellion and besetting sins.
- Prioritize faithfulness in your daily life to live in a right relationship with God.
- Return thanks to the Lord for His mercies and recognize the importance of gratitude in your spiritual journey.