Strong to the End
To be strong to the end, one must identify their weak points, watch and pray, and strive for full obedience to God.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the importance of standing firm in faith, being courageous, and strengthening oneself with the armor of God to face spiritual battles. She emphasizes the need to identify and address our weaknesses, as they are the areas where we are truly tested in our faith and obedience to God. Tileston urges constant prayer for God's grace to help overcome these weaknesses and to diligently seek out any deficiencies in our obedience that may affect our spiritual discernment.
Text
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 CORINTHIANS 16:13
STAND then in His great might,
With all His strength endued;
But take, to arm you for the fight,
The panoply of God.
Leave no unguarded place,
No weakness of the soul;
Take every virtue, every grace,
And fortify the whole.
CHARLES WESLEY
LET every one consider what his weak point is; in that is his trial. His trial is not in those things which are easy to him, but in that one thing, in those several things, whatever they are, in which to do his duty is against his nature. Never think yourself safe because you do your duty in ninety-nine points; it is the hundredth which is to be the ground of your self-denial. It is with reference to this you must watch and pray; pray continually for God's grace to help you, and watch with fear and trembling lest you fall. Oh that you may (as it were) sweep the house diligently to discover what you lack of the full measure of obedience! for, be quite sure, that this apparently small defect will influence your whole spirit and judgment in all things.
JOHN HENRY NEWMAN
Sermon Outline
- Be Strong in the Faith
- Identify Weak Points
- Watch and Pray
- Sweep the House
- Discover what you lack of full obedience
- Influence on spirit and judgment
Key Quotes
“Take, to arm you for the fight, The panoply of God.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Leave no unguarded place, No weakness of the soul;” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Oh that you may (as it were) sweep the house diligently to discover what you lack of the full measure of obedience!” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Identify your weak points and pray for God's grace to help you overcome them.
- Watch and pray continually to stay strong in the faith and prevent falling.
- Strive for full obedience to God by sweeping the house and discovering areas for improvement.