Love's Legacy
The sermon emphasizes the importance of resting in God to overcome anxiety, fretting, and fussing, and to experience perfect peace and spiritual growth.
Miles J. Stanford emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's power and love rather than giving in to fear and anxiety. He highlights the significance of finding rest in the Lord and patiently waiting for Him to act, as anxiety drains spiritual energy and hinders Christians. Stanford reminds believers that God's actions towards them are always rooted in love and grace, even when correction or chastening is involved, ultimately leading to their holiness and blessing.
Text
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God" (Philippians 4:6).
Ignorance insures insecurity; scriptural knowledge secures strength. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).
"In mechanics, wobbling is weakness. Power issues from God's restfulness. Are we resting in the Lord? Can we wait patiently for Him to act? Anxiety reduces spiritual energy. Lack of rest of heart is one of the most serious hindrances to Christians.
"Fret of soul when wronged, or fuss over financial or other concerns, is a depletion of power, a dissipation of energy. From the rock basis of rest in Him we can put forth the whole of our energies. Perfect peace is our promised portion."
"Martha gets instruction; we all get that, for our Lord neglects none of us; but she did not get His company; company is what gives rest to the heart."
"Nothing can separate the believer from the love of God, and under no circumstances whatever can he come under the infliction of wrath from God. He may have to correct His saints for their sins, and where there has been no failure He may chasten (child train) them for their profit, that they may become partakers of His holiness; but all this is in love, not in wrath. Every action of God toward His saints is in grace and blessing; it is ever the outcome of His love."
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Rest in God
- The Dangers of Fretting and Fussing
- The Promise of Perfect Peace
- The Nature of God's Actions
- God's actions towards His saints are in love and blessing
- God's corrections are for our profit and growth
Key Quotes
“In mechanics, wobbling is weakness. Power issues from God's restfulness.” — Miles J. Stanford
“Nothing can separate the believer from the love of God, and under no circumstances whatever can he come under the infliction of wrath from God.” — Miles J. Stanford
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” — Miles J. Stanford
Application Points
- We must prioritize resting in God to overcome anxiety and experience spiritual growth.
- Fretting and fussing deplete our power and energy, and we must avoid them to be effective in our Christian walk.
- God's corrections are for our profit and growth, and we should trust in His love and goodness.