A Tender Heart, a Soft Hand, an Iron Memory
Consider your life as a time of reaping, where your actions and decisions will be rewarded or punished in the end.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the significance of viewing our dying day as a time of reaping the rewards of our prayers, tears, good words, and deeds. He assures that all our struggles and sacrifices will yield a glorious harvest in eternity, as Christ, with His tender heart and soft hand, remembers every sorrow and service. The sermon highlights the certainty of divine reward, reminding believers that their efforts are not in vain and that Christ will return to give each according to their works.
Text
Look upon your dying day as your reaping day.
Now you shall reap the fruit of . . .
all the prayers that ever you have made, and
of all the tears that ever you have shed, and
of all the sighs and groans that ever you have fetched, and
of all the good words that ever you have spoken, and
of all the good works that ever you have done, and
of all the great things that ever you have suffered.
When mortality shall put on immortality, you shall
then reap a plentiful crop, a glorious crop, as the
fruit of that good seed, which for a time, has seemed
to be buried and lost.
As Christ has a tender heart and a soft hand, so He
has an iron memory. He precisely remembers . . .
all the sorrows, and
all the services, and
all the sufferings of His people,
to reward them and crown them.
"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me,
and I will give to everyone according to what he
has done." Revelation 22:12
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of a Reaping Day
- Consider your life as a time of reaping
- Your prayers, tears, sighs, and good works will be rewarded
- A plentiful crop awaits those who have sown good seed
Key Quotes
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” — Thomas Brooks
“When mortality shall put on immortality, you shall then reap a plentiful crop, a glorious crop, as the fruit of that good seed, which for a time, has seemed to be buried and lost.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Reflect on your life and consider how your actions will be rewarded or punished in the end.
- Remember that God precisely remembers and rewards those who have suffered for Him.
- Strive to have a tender heart and a soft hand, like Christ, and live a life of compassion and mercy.