The Patience of the Saints
The sermon emphasizes the importance of patience and trust in God's timing and plan, even when we're not sure what's happening or what we're supposed to be doing.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the importance of resting in the Lord and waiting patiently for Him, emphasizing that even in times of darkness and difficulty, God provides a way to Him. She encourages believers to trust in God's will, knowing that as long as they are bearing the fruits of the Spirit, increasing in knowledge, and praying, they are not useless. Tileston highlights that God will always have a purpose for His children, whether it involves active service or patient waiting, and reminds them of the patience required of the saints.
Text
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.
--PSALMS 37:7
Is it the Lord that shuts me in?
Then I can bear to wait!
No place so dark, no place so poor,
So strong and fast no prisoning door,
Though walled by grievous fate,
But out of it goes fair and broad
An unseen pathway, straight to God,
By which I mount to Thee.
--SUSAN COOLIDGE
WE cannot be useless while we are doing and suffering God's will, whatever it may be found to be. And we can always do that. If we are bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit, we are not useless. And we can always do that. If we are increasing in the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, we are not useless. And we can always do that. While we pray we cannot be useless. And we can always do that. God will always find us a work to do, a niche to fill, a place to serve, nay, even a soul to save, when it is His will, and not ours, that we desire to do; and if it should please Him that we should sit still for the rest of our lives, doing nothing else but waiting on Him, and waiting for Him, why should we complain? Here is the patience of the saints.
--ANTHONY W. THOROLD
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Patience
- Fruitful Living
- God's Work in Our Lives
- Finding a Work to Do
- Serving and Saving Souls
Key Quotes
“Is it the Lord that shuts me in? Then I can bear to wait!” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“While we pray we cannot be useless.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Here is the patience of the saints.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Practice patience and trust in God's timing and plan, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable.
- Find ways to be useful to God, such as praying, increasing in the knowledge of His will, and bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit.
- Remember that God has a purpose and plan for your life, and waiting on Him is an essential part of that.