A Poor, Despised, Contemptible Thing
Christians should desire and long to get into heaven, seeing it as a glorious place with eternal glory and joy.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the importance of valuing heaven, urging Christians to desire and long for the eternal glory of the heavenly city, which is filled with unimaginable treasures and delights. He critiques the attitude of many believers who live as if heaven is insignificant or unworthy of pursuit. Brooks reminds his audience that the eternal nature of heaven adds to its beauty and worth, encouraging them to seek it earnestly.
Text
Most professors live as if there were no heaven,
or else as if heaven were not worth a seeking,
worth a desiring; as if heaven were a poor,
despised, contemptible thing.
But ah, Christians! be much in desiring and longing
to get into that glorious city, where streets, walls,
and gates are all gold--yes, where pearl is but as
mire and dirt; and where are . . .
all pleasures,
all treasures,
all delights,
all comforts,
all contentments,
and that forever!
This word "forever" is a bottomless depth, a conception
without end; it is a word which sweetens all the glory
above, and that indeed makes heaven to be heaven!
Sermon Outline
- The World's View of Heaven
- Professors live as if heaven is not worth seeking
- Heaven is seen as a poor, despised, contemptible thing
Key Quotes
“But ah, Christians! be much in desiring and longing to get into that glorious city, where streets, walls, and gates are all gold--yes, where pearl is but as mire and dirt;” — Thomas Brooks
“This word 'forever' is a bottomless depth, a conception without end; it is a word which sweetens all the glory above, and that indeed makes heaven to be heaven!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Christians should cultivate a desire for heaven and long to be with God.
- The concept of eternity should sweeten our view of heaven and motivate us to seek it.
- Heaven is a place of eternal joy and glory, and we should strive to see it as such.