A Worm, a Gnat, a Fly, a Hair, a Seed of a Raison, a Skin of a Grape
This sermon emphasizes the fleeting nature of life, the reality of death, and the hope of eternal life for true believers.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the fragility of life and the unpredictability of death, urging listeners not to boast about tomorrow as life is fleeting and full of unseen dangers. He illustrates how easily one can encounter death through seemingly trivial means, reminding us that our time on earth is limited and uncertain. Brooks reassures believers that even in death, they are merely transitioning from earthly struggles to eternal glory with God. The sermon serves as a poignant reminder to live each day with purpose and to seek a saving relationship with Christ before it is too late.
Text
"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know
what a day may bring forth." Proverbs 27:1
Who can sum up the many possible deaths which are
still lurking in his own body; or the innumerable hosts of
external dangers which beleaguer him on every side; or
the invisible arrows which fly about his ears continually!
How soon he may have his mortal wound given him by one
or another of them--who can tell? Now, how sad would it be
for a man to have a summons to appear before God in that
eternal world, before his heart and life are savingly changed!
The life of a man is but a shadow, a runner, a span, a vapor,
a flower, etc. Though there is but one way to come into
the world--yet there are many thousand ways to be
sent out of the world!
We carry about in our bodies, the material for a thousand
deaths, and may die a thousand different ways in several
hours. As many senses, as many members, nay, as many
pores as there are in the body--so many windows there are,
for death to enter in at!
Death needs not spend all his arrows upon us. A worm,
a gnat, a fly, a hair, a seed of a raison, a skin of a
grape, the stumbling of a horse, the trip of a foot, the
prick of a pin, the cutting of a fingernail, the cutting out
of a corn; all these have been to others, and any of them
may be to us--the means of our death within the space of
a few days; nay, of a few hours; nay, of a few moments!
I am sure that the worst of deaths, shall
but translate true believers . . .
from earth--to heaven,
from a wilderness--to a paradise,
from misery--to glory, and
from mixed and mutable enjoyments--to
the pure and everlasting enjoyments of God!
Sermon Outline
- The Fleeting Nature of Life
- The Improbability of Tomorrow
- The Reality of Death
- The Hope of Eternal Life
- True believers will be translated to heaven
- From a wilderness to a paradise
- From misery to glory
Key Quotes
“Death needs not spend all his arrows upon us. A worm, a gnat, a fly, a hair, a seed of a raisin, a skin of a grape, the stumbling of a horse, the trip of a foot, the prick of a pin, the cutting of a fingernail, the cutting out of a corn; all these have been to others, and any of them may be to us--the means of our death within the space of a few days; nay, of a few hours; nay, of a few moments!” — Thomas Brooks
“I am sure that the worst of deaths, shall but translate true believers . . . from earth--to heaven, from a wilderness--to a paradise, from misery--to glory, and from mixed and mutable enjoyments--to the pure and everlasting enjoyments of God!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Be mindful of your mortality and the uncertainty of the future, and live each day with purpose and intention.
- Recognize that even minor incidents can be fatal, and be grateful for each day you have.
- Trust in the hope of eternal life for true believers, and seek to live a life that honors God.