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  ENTHRALLED WITH THE DOLL OR THE RATTLE
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: The sermon warns against being enthralled with the world and
encourages listeners to prioritize God's presence in all things.

Topics: "Seeking God", "Worldly Attachments"
Scripture References: Psalm 63:1

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the importance of seeking God above all worldly
pleasures and comforts, warning that if we become too attached to
earthly delights, we risk losing the presence of God in our lives. He
illustrates this with the analogy of a mother who stays away when her
child is preoccupied with toys, suggesting that God withdraws from those
who are enthralled by worldly things. Brooks urges believers to
recognize that without God's presence, all worldly gains are
meaningless, as the world is merely a barren wilderness without Him.

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CONTENT
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"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek You; my

soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry

and weary land where there is no water. I have seen

You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your

glory. Because Your love is better than life, my lips

will glorify You!" Psalm 63:1-3

Be sure you don't take up your greatest delight . . .

in any creature,

in any comfort,

in any contentment,

in any worldly enjoyment.

When the mother sees that the child is enthralled

with the doll or the rattle--she comes not in sight.

If you take up your rest in any of the dolls and rattles

--in any of the poor things of this world, God will

certainly keep out of sight. He will never honor them

with His gracious presence--who are enthralled with

anything below Himself, below His presence.

When you begin to be tickled and enthralled with

this and that worldly enjoyment, reason thus--"Here

is a gracious spouse, here are precious children, here

is a pleasant home, here is a wonderful climate, here

is a gainful trade, etc. But what are all these to me,

so long as God has withdrawn His presence from me?"

Remember this once for all--that the whole world

is but a barren wilderness--without the gracious

presence of God!

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/enthralled-with-the-doll-or-the-rattle/
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