Such a Wretch You Would Have Been!
The sermon emphasizes the rarity of God's saving love and the importance of recognizing the gifts and knowledge that He has given us.
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.
Text
"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
Sermon Outline
- God's Saving Love
- The Difference God Makes
- The Consequences of Not Knowing God
- Inheriting the kingdom of God
- The wicked will not inherit
Key Quotes
“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?” — Thomas Brooks
“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.” — Thomas Brooks
“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.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Recognize the gifts and knowledge that God has given you and be thankful for them.
- Understand that without God's saving love, you would be considered wicked and would not inherit the kingdom of God.
- Make a conscious effort to live a life that honors God and reflects the knowledge and gifts that He has given you.