The Scholar's Knowledge
True knowledge and understanding come from personal experience and salvation, not just from books and discourses.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the distinction between theoretical knowledge and experiential knowledge of God, arguing that mere intellectual understanding, like that of scholars, is insufficient for salvation. He warns that such knowledge can lead to spiritual death, as seen in figures like Judas and the Pharisees. In contrast, true experiential knowledge, gained through a relationship with Christ, reveals the profound truths about sin, God's favor, and the joy of communion with Him. Brooks illustrates that only through personal experience can one truly appreciate the richness of God's promises and the necessity of a humble heart. Ultimately, he stresses that knowledge without experience can lead to greater guilt and torment.
Text
What is the scholar's knowledge of the strength, riches,
glories, and sweetness of far countries, obtained by maps
and books--compared to their knowledge, who daily see
and enjoy those things?
Truly, that knowledge which is only notional, speculative,
and general; which is gathered out of books, discourses,
and other outward advantages, is such a knowledge that
will make men sit down in hell, as it did Judas, Demas,
the scribes and pharisees, etc.
A man who has that experimental knowledge which
accompanies salvation, will from his experience tell you,
that sin is the greatest evil in the world--for he has found
it so, Rom. 7; that Christ is the one thing necessary--for
he has found Him so, Psalm 27:4; that the favor of God
is better than life--for he has found it so, Psalm 63:3; that
pardoning mercy alone makes a man happy--for he has
found it so, Psalm 32:1-2; that a wounded spirit is such
a burden that none can bear--for he has found it so, Prov.
18:14; that a humble and a broken heart is an acceptable
sacrifice to God--for he has found it so, Psalm 51:17; that the
promises are precious pearls--for he has found them so,
2 Pet. 1:4; that the smiles of God will make up the lack of
any outward mercies--for he has found it so, Psalm 4:6-7;
that only communion with God can make a heaven in a
believer's heart--for he has found it so, Psalm 48:10; that
if the Spirit is pleased and obeyed, He will be a comforter
to the soul--for he has found it so, John 16:7; but if His
motions and laws are slighted and neglected, He will stand
far off from the soul, He will vex and gall the soul--for he
has found it so, Lam 1:16; Isa 63:10-11.
That knowledge which is not experimental, will only increase
your guilt and torment, as it did the Scribes' and Pharisees'.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Scholar's Knowledge vs. Experimental Knowledge
- A. Notional knowledge gathered from books and discourses
- B. Experimental knowledge that accompanies salvation
- II. The Value of Experimental Knowledge
- A. Sin is the greatest evil in the world
- B. Christ is the one thing necessary
- III. The Benefits of Pardoning Mercy
- A. Pardoning mercy alone makes a man happy
- IV. The Importance of Humility and Communion with God
- A. A humble and broken heart is an acceptable sacrifice
- B. Communion with God can make a heaven in a believer's heart
Key Quotes
“That knowledge which is only notional, speculative, and general; which is gathered out of books, discourses, and other outward advantages, is such a knowledge that will make men sit down in hell, as it did Judas, Demas, the scribes and pharisees, etc.” — Thomas Brooks
“A man who has that experimental knowledge which accompanies salvation, will from his experience tell you, that sin is the greatest evil in the world--for he has found it so, Rom. 7;” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Develop a deeper understanding of God's promises through communion with Him and obedience to the Spirit.
- Recognize the value of pardoning mercy and its role in bringing joy and comfort to the soul.
- Cultivate humility and a broken heart, which is an acceptable sacrifice to God.