If This Does Not Humble You
The sermon emphasizes the importance of dwelling on God's mercy and love to keep our souls humble.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound impact of God's mercy and love on the human heart, arguing that reflecting on these attributes is essential for maintaining humility. He illustrates this through the story of a notorious sinner in Luke 7, who, overwhelmed by Jesus' mercy, expresses deep love and repentance. Brooks encourages believers to meditate on the various aspects of God's love--its firstness, freeness, greatness, fullness, unchangeableness, everlastingness, and ardency--as a means to cultivate a humble spirit. He asserts that if contemplating God's love does not humble us, nothing else will. Ultimately, he calls for a deep appreciation of God's gifts and the eternal glory He has prepared for us.
Text
Dwell much upon the greatness of God's mercy and
goodness to you. Nothing humbles and breaks the
heart, like God's mercy and love. In Luke 7, the Lord
Jesus shows mercy to that notorious sinner, and then
she falls down at His feet, and loves much and weeps
much, etc.
Oh, if ever you would have your souls kept humble,
dwell upon the free grace and love of God to you in
Christ! Dwell upon . . .
the firstness of His love,
the freeness of His love,
the greatness of His love,
the fullness of His love,
the unchangeableness of His love,
the everlastingness of His love, and
the ardency of His love.
If this does not humble you, there is nothing
on earth which will do it. Dwell upon what God has
undertaken for you. Dwell upon the choice and
worthy gifts which He has bestowed on you. Dwell
upon that eternal glory and happiness which He has
prepared for you--and then be proud if you can.
Sermon Outline
- Dwell upon the greatness of God's mercy and goodness points: - Nothing humbles and breaks the heart like God's mercy and love
- The firstness of God's love points: - God's love comes before all else - It is the foundation of all His other attributes
- The freeness of God's love points: - God's love is not earned, but freely given - It is a gift, not a reward
- The greatness of God's love points: - God's love is boundless and infinite - It surpasses all human understanding
- The fullness of God's love points: - God's love is complete and perfect - It meets all our needs and desires
- The unchangeableness of God's love points: - God's love remains constant and unwavering - It is not affected by our actions or circumstances
- The everlastingness of God's love points: - God's love is eternal and forever - It will never fade or disappear
- The ardency of God's love points: - God's love is passionate and intense - It burns brightly and warmly in our hearts
Key Quotes
“Nothing humbles and breaks the heart, like God's mercy and love.” — Thomas Brooks
“If this does not humble you, there is nothing on earth which will do it.” — Thomas Brooks
“Dwell upon the free grace and love of God to you in Christ!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Dwell on the free grace and love of God to you in Christ to keep your soul humble.
- Focus on what God has undertaken for you, the gifts He has bestowed on you, and the glory and happiness He has prepared for you.
- Recognize the boundless and infinite nature of God's love and let it humble you.