The March of Time
The sermon emphasizes the importance of waiting on the Lord and following on to know Him in order to grow and carry out God's purposes.
Miles J. Stanford emphasizes the importance of waiting on the Lord and allowing His Spirit to work in us to bring about true growth and execution of His truths in our lives. He highlights the difference between merely knowing Jesus as Savior and truly experiencing Him as Life, a journey that takes time and surrender to God's timing and guidance. Stanford encourages believers to trust in God's perfect timing and to remain in the circle of His interests, even if the fulfillment of their purposes is delayed, drawing parallels to Moses' forty-year wait before his purpose was fully realized on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Text
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him " (Psalm 37 7).
The difference between knowing the Lord Jesus as Savior and knowing Him as Life, is the better part of a lifetime; even for the hungriest of hearts. "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).
"In receiving the Word of God by faith, there is first, light; then exercise of conscience; third, prayer-you are cast on God; fourth, the work of the Spirit to lead you into it.
"Not one of us is beyond the work of the Spirit in us. Many think, because they have the light of a truth that they are in the power and reality of it. No! you may have all the Bible, have much light, but there is no growth beyond the measure of the Spirit's work in us.
"Conception of a truth is one thing, and execution is quite another. Grace may have been furnished you with a true conception, but you must wait on the Lord to carry it out by His Spirit. The working out of a true conception is the real discipline."
"Do not be discouraged because you may not carry out your purpose at once; God will carry it out, but you must keep in the place where you will be preserved, in the circle of His interests.
"Moses had to wait forty years to carry out his purpose, which was a right one, though in the first flush the flesh sought to carry it out; but in the Lord's time, how fully every purpose of his heart was met-all the way to the Mount of Transfiguration!"
"Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord. (Hosea 6:3).
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Waiting on the Lord
- The Process of Receiving God's Word
- The Role of the Holy Spirit in Growth
- Carrying Out God's Purposes
- Knowing the Lord
- Following on to know the Lord
- The importance of continuous growth and knowledge
- Prayer and dependence on God
Key Quotes
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” — Miles J. Stanford
“Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord” — Miles J. Stanford
“Conception of a truth is one thing, and execution is quite another” — Miles J. Stanford
Application Points
- Wait on the Lord for growth and guidance, rather than trying to force it through your own efforts.
- Be patient and persevere in following God's will, even when you don't see immediate results.
- Follow on to know the Lord, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you and give you the light and exercise of conscience to make decisions.