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  SUCH A WRETCH YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN!
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the rarity of God's saving love and the
importance of recognizing the gifts and knowledge that He has given us.

Topics: "Transformation in Christ", "God's Grace"
Scripture References: Psalm 103:10-12, Jeremiah 31:3, John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, 1 John 4:19

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound difference that God's everlasting
love and grace make in the lives of believers. He reflects on the rarity
of God's saving love and the gifts of knowledge and purity that set
Christians apart from the wicked. Brooks urges the congregation to
recognize their former state of wretchedness without Christ and to
appreciate the transformative power of His grace that has washed,
sanctified, and justified them. He calls for gratitude towards God for
the glorious gifts bestowed upon them, which they did not earn but
received through His loving-kindness.

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CONTENT
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"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have

drawn you with loving-kindness." Jeremiah 31:3

There are but few upon whom God bestows His saving love.

Tell me, are not the gifts which Christ has given you--rare

gifts? What would you have been--if Christ had not made

a difference between you and others--by those glorious gifts

which He has conferred upon you? You look upon some, and

see they are very ignorant of spiritual truth. O! What would

you have been--if God had not bestowed saving knowledge

upon you? You look upon others who are unclean, profane,

and filthy. Why! such a wretch you would have been--if

the Lord had not made a difference between you and them,

by bestowing Himself, His grace, and Spirit upon you.

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom

of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor

idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual

offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers

nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what

some of you were! But you were washed, you were sanctified,

you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by

the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/such-a-wretch-you-would-have-been/
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