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  THEY HEARD, AND WERE NEVER THE BETTER
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: The word of God will not profit those who hear it unless it is
mixed with faith, which is the key to making every truth work for their
advantage.

Topics: "Faith", "Spiritual Growth"
Scripture References: Matthew 17:20, Mark 9:23, John 15:7, Romans 10:17, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 4:2, James 1:22, 1 John 5:4

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes that the word of God does not benefit those who
hear it unless it is mixed with faith. He points out that the issue lies
not with unbelievers, but with those who possess faith yet fail to
actively exercise it. The preacher's words are likened to a sweet potion
that lacks effectiveness without the ingredient of faith. Brooks asserts
that faith is essential for spiritual growth and that without it,
believers cannot reap the full benefits of God's truth. Ultimately, he
encourages the congregation to actively engage their faith to experience
the transformative power of the Word.

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CONTENT
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"The word did not profit those who heard it, because

it was not mixed with faith." Hebrews 4:2

He does not speak here of unbelievers--but of those

who had faith in the soul--but not in the exercise; and

therefore the word did not profit them. They heard,

and were never the better. And what was the ground

of it? Why, it was because they did not exercise faith

upon the word. The words which fell from the preacher's

lips into their ears, were a sweet potion--but they did not

work effectually, because they lacked the ingredient of

faith. Faith is one of those glorious ingredients, which

makes every sermon, every truth, work for their souls'

advantage. Nothing will work for a believer's good, for

his gain--if it is not mixed with faith. Nothing makes a

man rich in spirituals, like the frequent and constant

actings of faith.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/they-heard-and-were-never-the-better/
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