Pressing On
Pressing on towards our spiritual goals requires us to forget our past mistakes, cultivate a sincere and genuine spirit of aspiration, and trust in God's plan and will for us.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the continuous pursuit of spiritual growth and improvement, emphasizing the importance of leaving past mistakes behind and focusing on progressing towards spiritual maturity. She highlights the power of pure desires, high hopes, and sincere aspirations in guiding individuals towards a life filled with love and divine purpose. Tileston encourages believers to wholeheartedly will and desire great things, even if they may seem unattainable, as their intentions and aspirations reflect their true essence. She reminds the audience that while human capabilities may be limited, the depth of one's will and desire can lead them closer to God, urging them to embrace contentment in their journey of spiritual growth and surrender to God's will.
Text
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark.
--PHILIPPIANS 3:13,14
TILL, as each moment wafts us higher,
By every gush of pure desire,
And high-breathed hopes of joys above,
By every sacred sigh we heave,
Whole years of folly we outlive,
In His unerring sight, who measures Life by Love.
--JOHN KEBLE
WHAT we can do is a small thing; but we can will and aspire to great things. Thus, if a man can.not be great, he can yet be good in will; and what he, with his whole heart and mind, love and desire, wills to be, that without doubt he most truly is. It is little we can bring to pass; but our will and desire may be large. Nay, they may grow till they lose themselves in the infinite abyss of God. And if ye cannot be as entirely His as ye fain would be, be His as much as ye may attain unto; but, whatever ye are, be that truly and entirely; and what ye cannot be, that be contented not to be, in a sincere spirit of resignation, for God's sake and in Him. So shall you peradventure possess more of God in lacking than in having.
--JOHN TAULER
Sermon Outline
- Pressing On
- The Power of Desire and Aspiration
- Embracing Resignation and Sincerity
- Being Content with What We Have
- Possessing More of God in Lacking
Key Quotes
“Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Whole years of folly we outlive, In His unerring sight, who measures Life by Love.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“It is little we can bring to pass; but our will and desire may be large.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- We should focus on our spiritual goals and strive to achieve them, forgetting our past mistakes and reaching forward to the future.
- We should cultivate a sincere and genuine spirit of aspiration and longing for God, and trust in His plan and will for us.
- We should learn to let go of our limitations and desires, and trust in God's provision and guidance in our lives.