Religion That Changes Us
The sermon emphasizes the importance of love in our lives, highlighting its transformative power and the need to cultivate it in our relationships and daily interactions.
Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of putting on love above all things, as it is the bond of perfectness according to Colossians 3:14. She highlights how God rekindles love in souls that are darkened by discord, making them one again. Tileston challenges believers to examine their hearts and question their religion if it does not produce gentleness, forbearance, and forgiveness, cleansing them of bitterness, spite, and wrath. She stresses the need to let the love of God flood our hearts, driving out anger, malice, and hatred, as true love should prevail in all relationships.
Text
And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.
--COLOSSIANS 3:14 (R. V.)
THOU hatest hatred's withering reign;
In souls that discord maketh dark
Dost Thou rekindle love's bright spark,
And make them one again.
--PAUL GERHARDT
WE have cause to suspect our religion if it does not make us gentle, and forbearing, and forgiving; if the love of our Lord does not so flood our hearts as to cleanse them of all bitterness, and spite, and wrath. If a man is nursing anger, if he is letting his mind become a nest of foul passions, malice, and hatred, and evil wishing, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
--HUGH BLACK
Love me always, boy, whatever I do or leave undone. And--God help me--whatever you do or leave undone, I'll love you. There shall never be a cloud between us for a day; no, sir, not for an hour. We're imperfect enough, all of us, we needn't be so bitter; and life is uncertain enough at its safest, we needn't waste its opportunities.
--JULIANA HORATIA EWING
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Love in Our Lives
- The Character of a Loving Person
- The Relationship Between Love and Anger
- The Power of Unconditional Love
- Love that endures despite imperfections
- The importance of living in the present
Key Quotes
“Thou hatest hatred's withering reign; In souls that discord maketh dark Dost Thou rekindle love's bright spark, And make them one again.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Love me always, boy, whatever I do or leave undone. And--God help me--whatever you do or leave undone, I'll love you.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- We should strive to be gentle, forbearing, and forgiving in our relationships with others.
- We need to forgive and cleanse ourselves of bitterness, spite, and wrath in order to truly love.
- Unconditional love is a powerful force that can bring people together and overcome even the greatest of challenges.