Questions to Put to Your Heart
Mary Wilder Tileston's sermon encourages deep self-reflection and honesty during the season of Lent to assess personal character and growth.
Mary Wilder Tileston, preaching on self-reflection during Lent, challenges the congregation to honestly assess their innermost thoughts, desires, and actions. She emphasizes the importance of self-examination, questioning if one's true character aligns with their outward appearance and if they are growing in devotion, unselfishness, and integrity. The sermon encourages individuals to seek God's guidance in revealing any hidden sins or shortcomings, and to strive for continual improvement in surrendering to duty, obeying conscience, and overcoming personal struggles.
Text
Search me, 0 God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
PSALMS 139:23,24
"AM I really what I ought to be? Am I what, in the bottom of my heart, I honestly wish to be? Am I living a life at all like what I myself approve? My secret nature, the true complexion of my character, is hidden from all men, and only I know it. Is it such as I should be willing to show? Is my soul at all like what my kindest and most intimate friends believe? Is my heart at all such as I should wish the Searcher of Hearts to judge me by? Is every year adding to my devotion, to my unselfishness, to my conscientiousness, to my freedom from the hypocrisy of seeming so much better than I am? When I compare myself with last year, am 1 more ready to surrender myself at the call of duty? am I more alive to the commands of conscience? have I shaken off my besetting sins?" These are the questions which this season of Lent ought to find us putting fairly and honestly to our hearts.
FREDERICK TEMPLE
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to self-examination - Importance of honesty in self-reflection
- II points: - Questions to ask oneself - Evaluating personal growth and character
- III points: - The role of conscience in daily life - Surrendering to duty and responsibility
- IV points: - Dealing with besetting sins - Striving for unselfishness and devotion
- V points: - The significance of Lent in personal reflection - Encouragement to lead a life of integrity
Key Quotes
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Am I really what I ought to be? Am I what, in the bottom of my heart, I honestly wish to be?” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“These are the questions which this season of Lent ought to find us putting fairly and honestly to our hearts.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Regularly ask yourself the tough questions to promote personal growth.
- Use the season of Lent as an opportunity for spiritual renewal and honesty.
- Commit to overcoming besetting sins by seeking help and accountability.