The More Christ Has Suffered for Us
The sermon emphasizes the importance of loving Christ above all things, as His sufferings demonstrate His infinite love for us.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that the depth of Christ's sufferings should correspondingly deepen our love for Him. He urges believers to prioritize their love for Christ above all earthly desires, relationships, and even life itself, recognizing that His immense sacrifices warrant a superlative love in return. Brooks illustrates how Christ's journey from heaven to earth, His servitude, and ultimate sacrifice should ignite a passionate love within our hearts. He calls for a heartfelt response to the sufferings of Christ, encouraging us to let His love and sacrifice be the driving force in our lives.
Text
The more Christ has suffered for us--the dearer Christ
should be unto us. The greater and the bitterer Christ's
sufferings have been for us--the greater and the sweeter
should our love be to Him. O my friends! there is no love
but a superlative love, which is any way suitable to the
transcendent sufferings of dear Jesus. Oh,
love Him above your lusts,
love Him above your relations,
love Him above the world,
love Him above all your contentments and enjoyments;
yes, love Him above your very lives!
Certainly the more Christ has suffered for us,
the more dear Christ should be unto us. The more
bitter His sufferings have been for us, the more
eminent should be our love to him. Oh, let a
suffering Christ lie nearest your hearts!
Christ is that golden pipe through which the golden
oil of salvation runs! Oh, how should this inflame our
love to Christ! Oh, that our hearts were more affected
with the sufferings of Christ! Who can tread upon these
hot coals, and his heart not burn in love to Christ?
Oh, the infinite love of Christ--that He should leave His
Father's bosom, and come down from heaven--that He
might carry you up to heaven; that he who was a Son
should take upon Him the form of a servant; that you
slaves should be made sons; that you enemies should
be made friends, that you heirs of wrath should be made
heirs of God; that to save us from everlasting ruin, Christ
should be willing to be made flesh, to lie in a manger, to
be tempted, deserted, persecuted, and to die upon a
cross! Oh what flames of love to Christ, should these
things kindle in all our hearts.
Sermon Outline
- The Greater Christ's Sufferings, the Greater Our Love points: null
- Superlative Love for Christ points: null
- Christ as the Golden Pipe of Salvation points: null
- The Infinite Love of Christ points: null
Key Quotes
“The more Christ has suffered for us--the dearer Christ should be unto us.” — Thomas Brooks
“Oh, love Him above your lusts, love Him above your relations, love Him above the world, love Him above all your contentments and enjoyments; yes, love Him above your very lives!” — Thomas Brooks
“Oh, the infinite love of Christ--that He should leave His Father's bosom, and come down from heaven--that He might carry you up to heaven;” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We should love Christ above all our earthly desires and attachments.
- We can show our love for Christ by surrendering our lives to Him and obeying His commands.
- We should be more affected by Christ's sufferings and seek to understand the depth of His pain.