And Said, Naked Came I Out of My Mother's Womb
The sermon emphasizes the importance of gratitude and patience in acknowledging God's sovereignty in all aspects of life.
John Calvin preaches about the importance of gratitude in prosperity, patience in adversity, and trust in God's provision for the future. He emphasizes attributing all blessings to God, whether received through people or nature, and recognizing God's hand in every aspect of life. Calvin encourages a mindset of thankfulness and reliance on God's sovereignty in both good and challenging times.
Text
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. --Job 1:21
The necessary consequences of this knowledge are, gratitude in prosperity, patience in adversity, and a wonderful security respecting the future. Every prosperous and pleasing event, therefore, the pious man will ascribe entirely to God, whether his generosity be received through the ministry of men, or by the assistance of inanimate creatures. For this will be the reflection of his mind, "It is certainly the Lord that has inclined their hearts to favor me, that has united them to me to be the instruments of his kindness towards me."
In an abundance of the fruits of the earth, he will consider, that it is the Lord who regards the heaven, that the heaven may regard the earth, that the earth, also, may regard its own productions; in other things he will not doubt that it is the divine benediction alone which is the cause of all prosperity; nor will he bear to be ungrateful after so many admonitions.
If any adversity befall him, in this case also he will immediately lift up his heart to God, whose hand is most capable of impressing us with patience and placid moderation of mind. --Institutes, I, xvii, vii
Sermon Outline
- The Necessity of Gratitude and Patience
- Gratitude in Prosperity
- Patience in Adversity
- Security in the Future
Key Quotes
“The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” — John Calvin
“It is certainly the Lord that has inclined their hearts to favor me, that has united them to me to be the instruments of his kindness towards me.” — John Calvin
“The Lord who regards the heaven, that the heaven may regard the earth, that the earth, also, may regard its own productions;” — John Calvin
Application Points
- As a Christian, I should ascribe all prosperous events to God, recognizing His divine providence.
- In times of adversity, I should lift up my heart to God, trusting in His ability to impress me with patience and moderation of mind.
- I should cultivate a spirit of gratitude, acknowledging God's sovereignty and divine benediction in all aspects of life.