The Meritorious Cause of All Our Sorrows and Sufferings
Our sorrows and sufferings are a result of our own sin, and we must examine our ways and return to the Lord to overcome them.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that our sorrows and sufferings are often a direct result of our sins, urging believers to reflect on their actions rather than complain about their afflictions. He encourages Christians to recognize that when they face hardships, it is their own sinful nature that has led to these trials. Brooks calls for a return to the Lord, advocating for patience and self-examination in the face of God's discipline. He highlights the importance of acknowledging our pride, worldliness, and backsliding as contributors to our suffering, ultimately pointing to the need for repentance and humility.
Text
"Why should any living man complain when punished
for his sins? Let us examine our ways and test them,
and let us return to the Lord." Lamentations 3:39-40
"I will be patient as the Lord punishes me, for I
have sinned against Him." Micah 7:9
Sins is the meritorious cause of all our sorrows
and sufferings. In all our sorrows we should read
our sins! When God's hand is upon our backs, our
hands should be upon our sins.
When a Christian is under the afflicting hand
of God, he may well say, 'I may thank . . .
this proud heart of mine,
this worldly heart of mine,
this froward heart of mine,
this formal heart of mine,
this dull heart of mine,
this backsliding heart of mine,
this self-seeking heart of mine--for . . .
this cup so bitter,
this pain so grievous,
this loss so great,
this disease so desperate,
this wound so incurable!
It is my own self, my own sin--which has caused
these floods of sorrows to break in upon me!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Meritorious Cause of All Our Sorrows and Sufferings
- A. Sins is the root cause of all our troubles
- B. We must examine our ways and return to the Lord
- II. The Importance of Self-Examination
- A. We must identify the source of our sorrows
- B. We must acknowledge and repent of our sins
- III. The Role of the Heart in Our Sufferings
- A. A proud, worldly, or formal heart can lead to suffering
- B. We must seek to have a humble and contrite heart
Key Quotes
“Sins is the meritorious cause of all our sorrows and sufferings.” — Thomas Brooks
“When God's hand is upon our backs, our hands should be upon our sins.” — Thomas Brooks
“It is my own self, my own sin--which has caused these floods of sorrows to break in upon me!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- You should examine your heart and consider how it may be contributing to your suffering.
- You must identify the source of your struggles, acknowledge and repent of your sins, and seek to have a humble and contrite heart.
- You should reflect on your actions and consider how they may be contributing to your suffering.