You Have a Greater Interest in Me, Than I Have in Myself
The sermon emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God's will and being willing to be at His disposal.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound act of surrendering oneself to God, illustrating that true godliness involves a complete relinquishment of personal desires in favor of divine will. He shares a poignant story of a woman who, even in sickness, chooses to defer her fate to God, showcasing the essence of a heart fully devoted to the Lord. Brooks contrasts the godly man's commitment to God with the worldly pursuits of ambition, pleasure, and materialism, asserting that God has a greater interest in us than we have in ourselves. He encourages believers to embrace their identity as God's own, ready to accept His will and the burdens He may place upon them. Ultimately, Brooks calls for a heartfelt resignation to God's sovereignty, trusting in His mercy and grace.
Text
The godly man gives himself up to God. The secret
language of the soul is this--'Lord, here am I; do with
me what You please, I give up myself to be at Your
disposal.'
There was a good woman, who, when she was sick, being
asked whether she were willing to live or die, answered,
'Whichever God pleases.' But, said one who stood by, 'If
God would refer it to you, which would you choose?' 'Truly,'
said she, 'if God would refer it to me, I would even refer it
right back to Him again.' This was a soul worth gold.
'Well,' says a gracious soul, 'The ambitious man gives himself
up to his honors, but I give up myself unto God. The voluptuous
man gives himself up to his pleasures, but I give up myself to God.
The covetous man gives himself up to his bags of money, but I
give up myself to God. The wanton man gives himself up to his
lust, but I give up myself to God. The drunkard gives himself up
to his cups, but I give up myself to God. The papist gives up
himself to his idols, but I give myself to God. The Turk gives up
himself to his Mahomet, but I give up myself to God. The heretic
gives up himself to his heretical opinions, but I give up myself to
God. Lord! lay what burden You will upon me--only let Your
everlasting arms be under me!
Strike, Lord, strike, and spare not, for I submit to Your will.
You have a greater interest in me, than I have in myself;
and therefore I give up myself unto You, and am willing to be
at Your disposal, and am ready to receive whatever impression
You shall stamp upon me.
O blessed Lord! have You not again and again said unto me,
as once the king of Israel said to the king of Syria, 'I am yours,
and all that I have is yours,' 1 Kings 20:4.
God says, "I am yours, O soul! to save you!
My mercy is yours to pardon you!
My blood is yours to cleanse you!
My merits are yours to justify you!
My righteousness is yours to clothe you!
My Spirit is yours to lead you!
My grace is yours to enrich you!
My glory is yours to reward you!"
"And therefore," says a gracious soul, "I cannot but
make a resignation of myself unto You. Lord! here
I am, do with me as seems good in Your own eyes.
I resign up myself to your will."
Sermon Outline
- I. The Godly Man Gives Himself Up to God
- A. The secret language of the soul is surrender to God
- B. The godly man gives up himself to be at God's disposal
- II. The Contrast Between the Godly Man and the Ungodly
- A. The ambitious man gives himself up to his honors
- B. The voluptuous man gives himself up to his pleasures
- C. The godly man gives himself up to God
- III. The Benefits of Surrendering to God
- A. God's mercy is available to pardon us
- B. God's blood cleanses us from sin
- C. God's merits justify us
- IV. The Gracious Soul's Resignation to God
- A. The soul surrenders to God's will
- B. The soul is willing to receive God's impression
Key Quotes
“The secret language of the soul is this--'Lord, here am I; do with me what You please, I give up myself to be at Your disposal.'” — Thomas Brooks
“You have a greater interest in me, than I have in myself; and therefore I give up myself unto You, and am willing to be at Your disposal, and am ready to receive whatever impression You shall stamp upon me.” — Thomas Brooks
“I am yours, O soul! to save you! My mercy is yours to pardon you! My blood is yours to cleanse you!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Surrender your will to God and be willing to receive His impression.
- Recognize that God has a greater interest in you than you have in yourself.
- Make a resignation of yourself to God and trust in His mercy, blood, merits, righteousness, Spirit, and glory.