The Eternal End
We are called to serve in the Kingdom of God, advancing its frontiers and spreading the Spirit of Christ, by being quick to God's touch and ready for His needs.
Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of believers growing in unity and maturity in Christ, becoming living instruments for God's greater purpose. Our personal salvation is not just for our own benefit but to equip us for service in God's eternal plan to redeem the world. Instead of focusing solely on our own experiences, we are called to participate in expanding the Kingdom of God, allowing the Spirit of Christ to work through us to advance His ministry and bring about growth and love in the body of believers.
Text
That we . . . may grow up in all things into Him, which is the head, even Christ; from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.
EPHESIANS 4:14-16 (R. V.)
WE become the living means to a great end; and all our inner salvation--our finding of Jesus--is seen, not to centre in ourselves, in our own gain, our own rescue, our own peace; but to lead out beyond itself; to have been our qualification for use and office, without which we could not be taken up, as workers with God, into that eternal husbandry whereby He sets Himself to win over the stubborn and thorny field of the world. Our eyes are taken off ourselves; we are not absorbed in rehearsing our own experiences, however blessed. We are caught up into the counsels; we serve to widen the frontiers of the Kingdom; through us, correlated as we are, by joints and bands, into the articulated body, the Spirit of Christ can get abroad, can take a fresh step forward. We are become its vantage-ground from which it can again advance. Oh, that we were more quick to His touch, more ready for His needs, more serviceable in His ministry!
HENRY SCOTT HOLLAND
Sermon Outline
- The Eternal End
- The Importance of Being Used by God
- The Role of the Body of Christ
- Correlated into the Articulated Body
- The Spirit of Christ Working Through Us
- Advancing the Kingdom of God
Key Quotes
“We become the living means to a great end; and all our inner salvation--our finding of Jesus--is seen, not to centre in ourselves, in our own gain, our own rescue, our own peace; but to lead out beyond itself;” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“We are caught up into the counsels; we serve to widen the frontiers of the Kingdom; through us, correlated as we are, by joints and bands, into the articulated body, the Spirit of Christ can get abroad, can take a fresh step forward.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Oh, that we were more quick to His touch, more ready for His needs, more serviceable in His ministry!” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- We should be willing to be used by God in His work, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones.
- Our inner salvation is not just about personal gain, but about being qualified to serve in the Kingdom of God.
- We should strive to be more serviceable in God's ministry, being quick to His touch and ready for His needs.