Sermons and Biblical Studies

Probably the most widespread and persistent problem to be found among Christians is the problem of retarded spiritual progress. Why, after years of Christian profession, do so many persons find themselves no farther along than when they first believed?… The causes of retarded growth are many. It would not be accurate to ascribe the trouble … Continue reading “KNOWLEDGE
OF GOD: NEGLECTED; KNOWLEDGE OF GOD: CONTINUOUS PURSUIT”

He has discovered Himself to some extent in nature, but more perfectly in the Incarnation. Now He waits to show Himself in ravishing fulness to the humble of soul and the pure in heart. The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God and the church is famishing for want of His presence. … Continue reading “KNOWLEDGE
OF GOD: NEGLECTED; GOD: HIS PRESENCE; COMMUNION WITH GOD”

I am convinced that the dearth of great saints in these times even among those who truly believe in Christ is due at least in part to our unwillingness to give sufficient time to the cultivation of the knowledge of God. We of the nervous West are victims of the philosophy of activism tragically misunderstood. … Continue reading “KNOWLEDGE
OF GOD: NEGLECTED; BUSYNESS”

God always acts like Himself, wherever He may be and whatever He may be doing; in Him there is neither variableness nor shadow of turning. Yet His infinitude places Him so far above our knowing that a lifetime spent in cultivating the knowledge of Him leaves as much yet to learn as if we had … Continue reading “KNOWLEDGE
OF GOD: DIVINE ENCOUNTER; WONDER”

Among Christians of all ages and of varying shades of doctrinal emphasis there has been fairly full agreement on one thing: They all believed that it was important that the Christian with serious spiritual aspirations should learn to meditate long and often on God. Let a Christian insist upon rising above the poor average of … Continue reading “KNOWLEDGE
OF GOD: CONTINUOUS PURSUIT; MEDITATION”

Come near to the holy men and women of the past and you will soon feel the heat of their desire after God. They mourned for Him, they prayed and wrestled and sought for Him day and night, in season and out, and when they had found Him the finding was all the sweeter for … Continue reading “KNOWLEDGE
OF GOD: CONTINUOUS PURSUIT; LONGING FOR GOD”

Oh, my friend, we are just beginning. God’s personality is so infinitely rich and manifold that it will take 1,000 years of close search and intimate communion to know even the outer edges of the glorious nature of God. When we talk about communion with God and fellowship with the Holy Spirit, we are talking … Continue reading “KNOWLEDGE
OF GOD: CONTINUOUS PURSUIT; COMMUNION WITH GOD”

There is a vast and important difference between a Pauline creed and a Pauline life.… Tens of thousands of believers who pride themselves on their understanding of Romans and Ephesians cannot conceal the sharp spiritual contradiction that exists between their hearts and the heart of Paul. That difference may be stated this way: Paul was … Continue reading “KNOWLEDGE
OF GOD: CONTINUOUS PURSUIT”

A great Christian of nearly 300 years ago, Nicholas Herman of Lorraine said that in his early Christian life he determined to cut through the tangle of religious means and “nourish his heart on high thoughts of God.” I have always treasured that expression. A cultivation of God through prayer, humble soul-searching and avid feasting … Continue reading “KNOWLEDGE
OF GOD: CHURCH’S NEED; CHURCH: APATHY”

.… Acquaint thyself with God. To regain her lost power the Church must see heaven opened and have a transforming vision of God. But the God we must see is not the utilitarian God who is having such a run of popularity today, whose chief claim to men’s attention is His ability to bring them … Continue reading “KNOWLEDGE
OF GOD: CHURCH’S NEED”