Proper Presentation
Proper presentation of truth involves presenting it in a way that is both certain and suitable to the audience, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Miles J. Stanford emphasizes the importance of passing down God's truth to faithful individuals who can teach others, highlighting the need to communicate truth with grace and love, ensuring it is suited to the recipients' readiness to receive it. He stresses the significance of serving under God's direction and according to His pleasure, rather than based on mere opportunities or needs, pointing out the value of being led by God to share truth tailored to the state of souls. Stanford encourages speaking not with human wisdom but with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, drawing on spiritual insights to convey God's message effectively.
Text
"The things that thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2).
Truth based upon law will be presented legally--it will be legislated. Truth based upon grace will be shared graciously, in love. "Adorn the doctrine of God" by "speaking the truth in love" (Titus 2:10; Ephesians 4:15).
"There are two things that have to be taken into account in communicating truth. Not merely should there be certainty that it is the truth from God, but it must also be suited truth to those whom you address. They might need it all, but they may not be in condition to receive it; and the more precious the truth, the greater the injury, in a certain sense, if it is presented to those who are not in a state to profit by it."
"We are to serve under His direction, and according to His pleasure; not just because opportunity or need offers. We require His direction, and the knowledge of His pleasure, however favorable the opportunity or the occasion. We see a servant in Acts 8 taken away from an interesting field of service, to meet one man in the desert. "It is not a question of how we succeed; but have we the assurance that we are doing the Lord's pleasure? Happy is the servant who is so led by Him that he always presents the measure of truth suited to the state of souls, and refuses to supply the knowledge that puffeth up."
"Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (1 Corinthians 2:13).
Sermon Outline
- I. Proper Presentation of Truth
- A. Based on law or grace
- B. Legislated vs. shared in love
- II. Two Aspects of Communicating Truth
- A. Certainty of truth from God
- B. Suitability of truth to the audience
- III. Serving Under God's Direction
- A. Seeking His pleasure
- B. Refusing to supply knowledge that puffs up
Key Quotes
“We are to serve under His direction, and according to His pleasure; not just because opportunity or need offers.” — Miles J. Stanford
“Happy is the servant who is so led by Him that he always presents the measure of truth suited to the state of souls, and refuses to supply the knowledge that puffeth up.” — Miles J. Stanford
“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual” — Miles J. Stanford
Application Points
- We should seek the Lord's pleasure and direction in presenting truth to others.
- We should be mindful of the state of the souls of those we are presenting truth to, and present it in a way that is suited to their condition.
- We should rely on the Holy Spirit to teach us how to present truth, rather than our own wisdom.