========================================================================
  THE DIRTY LANE
  by Thomas Brooks
========================================================================

Summary: Death is not an end, but a gain, leading to incomparable
rewards and a glorious kingdom with Christ.

Topics: "Death", "Eternal Life"
Scripture References: Luke 12:32, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Philippians 1:21, Philippians 1:23, 2 Timothy 4:8, Hebrews 12:28, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4, Revelation 2:10

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound gain that comes through death for
a Christian, as expressed in Philippians 1:21. He argues that while life
in Christ is valuable, being with Christ after death is the ultimate
blessing, as highlighted in Philippians 1:23. Brooks encourages
believers to view death as a necessary passage to receive eternal crowns
and a glorious kingdom, portraying it as the 'dirty lane' that leads to
everlasting joy and peace. He reassures that through death, Christians
transition from mortality to immortality, ultimately joining the
marriage-supper of the Lamb.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

"For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Phil. 1:21

Look upon your dying day as a gainful day. There is

no gain compared to that which comes in by death.

A Christian gets more by death, than he does by life.

To be in Christ is very good--but to be with Christ

is best of all, "I desire to depart and be with Christ,

which is better by far!" Phil. 1:23. It was a mighty

blessing for Christ to be with Paul on earth--but it

was the top of blessings for Paul to be with Christ

in heaven! Seriously consider these things--

By death you shall gain incomparable crowns!

A crown of life, Rev. 2:10; James 1:12;

A crown of righteousness, 2 Tim. 4:8;

An incorruptible crown, 1 Cor. 9:24-25;

A crown of glory, 1 Pet. 5:4.

There are no crowns compared to these crowns!

By death you shall gain a glorious kingdom!

"It is your Father's pleasure to give you a kingdom!"

We must put off our rags of mortality--that we may

put on our robes of glory. There is no entering into

paradise--but under the flaming sword of this angel,

death--who stands at the gate. Death is the dirty

lane through which the saint passes . . .

to a kingdom,

to a great kingdom,

to a glorious kingdom,

to a peaceful kingdom,

to an unshaken kingdom,

to a durable kingdom,

to a lasting kingdom, yes,

to an everlasting kingdom!

Death is the dark, short way, through which the

saints pass to the marriage-supper of the Lamb!

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/the-dirty-lane/
========================================================================