Letter 125.
James Bourne's sermon emphasizes finding comfort and strength in Christ during trials and the importance of truth and community support in healing.
James Bourne, in a letter dated 18 May 1837, expresses his own trials and the troubles of the church, finding comfort in sheltering in Christ's wounded side. He emphasizes the necessity of standing on the firm Rock of Christ, where even the weakest believers find strength. Bourne shares about seeking the Lord in times of trouble and experiencing sweet support and strength, leading to a deep understanding of truth and the way. Despite hindrances, he remains undeterred, believing that blessings often come after pressing through difficulties.
Text
[To the Rev. B. G.] London, 18 May 1837.
My dear Friend,
- The spirit of your letter comforted me greatly. I myself am under many trials, and am often cast down because of the way. The troubles of our church fill me with much grief, and being ignorant, I know not how to handle them. I have some fearful apprehensions of the necessity of sheltering in Christ's wounded side. It is on this firm Rock alone that believers stand. The weakest of all weak worms shall stand there, even when towers fall.
My letter to Mrs. H. can be no grief of heart to you; nor can there be any other gospel than that which I have showed to M. C. B. Being much in trouble myself, I had much sought the Lord for myself, and had found at times such sweet supporting strength as I cannot describe; and those two letters were written when I was like a weaned child, under the sweet influence and power of these things. The true light shone; the TRUTH and the WAY were discovered; and therefore I felt so free in heart to point out the snares of the devil, and the sly soft insinuations of natural affection, which always forbid a probing of the wound, and therefore of consequence, a sound healing. But truth will come out at such a time; and if it meet with rickety children, they cannot bear shaking; and if with sound and healthy, they receive it, and it confirms their spiritual health.
The hindrances to my visiting you appear great, yet I am never disheartened by such things, nor do I ever find them to be the sign; for often the sweetest blessings are found, after pressing through the thickest crowd.
Many here join me in kind remembrances to your little church. Nothing comes so sweet as what we get at through the difficulties you describe; it is rest to the weary, bread to the hungry, and to them "every bitter thing is sweet."
Yours very affectionately, J. B.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to trials and comfort in Christ
- The importance of sheltering in Christ
- The strength found in weakness
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II
- The nature of grief in the church
- Seeking the Lord during difficult times
- The role of truth in healing
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III
- The significance of community support
- Blessings found through difficulties
- The sweetness of spiritual sustenance
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IV
- Understanding the snares of the devil
- The importance of probing wounds for healing
- The response of healthy believers to truth
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V
- Overcoming hindrances to fellowship
- Finding blessings in adversity
- Encouragement for the weary
Key Quotes
“It is on this firm Rock alone that believers stand.” — James Bourne
“Nothing comes so sweet as what we get at through the difficulties you describe.” — James Bourne
“The true light shone; the TRUTH and the WAY were discovered.” — James Bourne
Application Points
- Seek shelter in Christ during times of trouble for true comfort.
- Engage with your community to find strength and encouragement in difficult seasons.
- Embrace the truth, even when it is challenging, as it leads to healing.