Freely Come; Freely Abide
The sermon emphasizes the importance of abiding in Christ, trusting in His redeeming love, and yielding to God's work in our lives.
Miles J. Stanford emphasizes the importance of abiding in the Lord Jesus, highlighting that it is not about our own works but about yielding, trusting, and waiting for Him to work in and through us. He contrasts the common misconception of grace as merely a starting point for Christian living with the truth that abiding in Jesus is a continual act of letting Him work in us through His redeeming love. Stanford stresses the significance of God's testimony about His Son rather than focusing on our own shortcomings, leading to peace and glorifying the Name of the Lord Jesus in our lives.
Text
"That our God may make you worthy of His call, and by His power fully satisfy your every desire for goodness" (2 Thessalonians 1:11a, Wms.).
If we are born into the Lord Jesus by sheer grace, surely He can manifest Himself in us on the same principle.
"It is this quiet expectation and confidence, resting on the Word of the Lord Jesus that in Him there is an abiding place prepared, which is so sadly wanting among Christians. The idea many have of grace is that their conversion and pardon are God's work, but that now, in gratitude to Him, it is their work to live as Christians. There is always the thought of work (law) that has to be done, and even though they pray for help, still the work is theirs. They fail continually, and become helpless; and the despondency only increases the helplessness.
"Abiding in the Lord Jesus is not a work that we have to do as the condition for enjoying His salvation, but a consenting to let Him do all for us and in us, and through us. It is a work He does for us-the fruit and power of His redeeming love. Our part is simply to yield, to trust, to abide, and to wait for what He has engaged to perform. As it was the Lord Jesus who drew thee when He said 'Come,' so it is the Lord Jesus who keeps thee when He says 'Abide.'" -A.M.
"The heart is constantly looking to God to give a testimony about itself; but the Father is giving a testimony concerning His Son, and not about what we are; if He were to give a testimony about us, it must be about our sin and unbelief of heart. But no; and it is of great importance in this day of infidelity to see that if the Father gives a testimony, it is about His Son, and what He is to the sinner. If you believe that, you will have peace." -J.N.D.
"And complete every activity of your faith, so that the Name of our Lord Jesus might be glorified in you" (2 Thessalonians 1:11b, Wms.).
Sermon Outline
- The Principle of Abiding
- The Heart's Expectation
- The Purpose of Faith
- Faith is not just a means to salvation, but a means to glorify God
- God completes every activity of our faith to glorify His Name
Key Quotes
“Abiding in the Lord Jesus is not a work that we have to do as the condition for enjoying His salvation, but a consenting to let Him do all for us and in us, and through us.” — Miles J. Stanford
“The heart is constantly looking to God to give a testimony about itself; but the Father is giving a testimony concerning His Son, and not about what we are;” — Miles J. Stanford
Application Points
- We must yield to God's work in our lives and trust in His redeeming love.
- We should focus on God's testimony about His Son rather than our own testimony about ourselves.
- Faith is not just a means to salvation, but a means to glorify God and complete every activity of our faith.