The Long Fight
The sermon emphasizes the importance of perseverance and trust in God in the face of spiritual combat.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the importance of perseverance in the spiritual battle, emphasizing the need to continuously fight against sin and to trust in God's strength. She highlights that even with traces of negative traits or sins, believers must not cease from the battle but instead persist in their efforts and trust in God's power to overcome. Tileston encourages Christians to be strong, courageous, and to keep moving forward under the banner of the Lord, who will subdue all foes and provide for their needs.
Text
The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
--PSALMS 78:9
Be thou strong, and very courageous.
--JOSHUA 1:7
Go forward, Christian soldier,
Beneath His banner true!
The Lord Himself, thy Leader,
Shall all thy foes subdue.
His love foretells thy trials;
He knows thine hourly need;
He can with bread of heaven
Thy fainting spirit feed.
--LAWRENCE TUTTIETT
WHILE there is left in you a trace of ill-temper, or of vanity, of pride, or of selfishness; while there is left in you a single sin, or germ of sin, you must not rest from the battle. God does not require from you to be sinless when you come before Him, but He does require you to be unceasing in your perseverance. He does not require that you shall never have fallen; but He does require unwearied efforts. He does not require you to win, but He does require you to fight.
--FREDERICK TEMPLE
Still fight resolutely on, knowing that, in this spiritual combat, none is overcome but he who ceases to struggle and to trust in God.
--LORENZO SCUPOLI
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Perseverance
- The Nature of Spiritual Combat
- The Role of Trust in God
- Trust in God is essential for spiritual victory
- We must continue to trust in God even in the face of adversity
Key Quotes
“Go forward, Christian soldier, Beneath His banner true!” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“His love foretells thy trials; He knows thine hourly need; He can with bread of heaven Thy fainting spirit feed.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Still fight resolutely on, knowing that, in this spiritual combat, none is overcome but he who ceases to struggle and to trust in God.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- We must continue to fight and persevere in our spiritual journey, even when faced with adversity.
- Trust in God is essential for spiritual victory and growth.
- Unceasing efforts and perseverance are required to overcome sin and achieve spiritual growth.