We May Puff and Blow Our Hearts Out
Through Christ, we can be strong in our faith and trust God's work in our lives, even when our graces seem weak.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that our strength and ability to thrive in various circumstances come solely through Christ. He illustrates that despite our efforts to cultivate our spiritual lives, true growth and fragrance can only come from Christ's internal operation within us. Brooks reassures believers that their graces, though they may seem weak, are nurtured by God, who will not let them wither. He encourages Christians to trust in God's timing for the increase of their spiritual gifts and to remain hopeful in their journey of faith.
Text
"I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me."
I can be high or low, poor or rich, honorable or base,
something or nothing, etc., only through Christ who
strengthens me.
Canticles 4:16, "Blow upon my garden, that the spices
thereof may send forth a fragrant smell." We may puff
and blow our hearts out, and yet no fragrance will
flow forth--if Christ does not blow. Our graces thrive
and are upheld in life and power, in beauty and glory
--only by the internal operation of Christ in our souls.
Psalm 138:3, "In the day when I cried, You answered me,
and strengthened me with strength in my soul." Your graces,
Christians, are heavenly plants of God's own planting and
watering; and certainly the heavenly Farmer will never allow
such plants of renown to wither, for lack of heavenly sap.
He will strengthen, support, and nourish the work of His
own hand. He will cause the desires of His people to bud,
and their graces to blossom, and their souls to be like a
watered garden--green and flourishing. God is eminently
and fully engaged to carry on the work of grace in His
children's souls.
Therefore do not sit down and say--My light is but dim,
and my love but weak, and my joy but a spark which will
quickly go out, etc. But always remember, that those weak
measures of grace which you have, are a sure evidence of
greater measures which God will confer upon you in His
own time and in His own ways.
Sermon Outline
- Christ is the source of our strength
- God is engaged in carrying on the work of grace
- We must not doubt God's work in our lives
- Weak measures of grace are evidence of greater measures to come
- God will confer greater measures in His own time and ways
Key Quotes
“I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me.” — Thomas Brooks
“We may puff and blow our hearts out, and yet no fragrance will flow forth--if Christ does not blow.” — Thomas Brooks
“God is eminently and fully engaged to carry on the work of grace in His children's souls.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Remember that weak measures of grace are evidence of greater measures to come, and God will confer greater measures in His own time and ways.
- Trust God's work in your life, and do not doubt His ability to cause your graces to blossom and nourish the work of His own hand.
- Through Christ, you can be strong in your faith, regardless of your circumstances.