Do Not Be Overawed
Do not be overawed by the worldly success of others, for it is fleeting and will not bring true comfort or wealth.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the futility of envying the wicked, who may appear carefree and prosperous in life but face dire consequences in death. He reflects on Psalm 73, illustrating that true understanding comes from entering God's sanctuary, where one realizes the ultimate fate of the wicked. Brooks warns that worldly wealth and glory provide no comfort in the afterlife, urging believers to focus on eternal values rather than temporary riches. The sermon serves as a reminder that material possessions are fleeting and should not overshadow one's spiritual journey.
Text
"This is what the wicked are like--always carefree, they
increase in wealth. When I tried to understand all this,
it was oppressive to me--until I entered the sanctuary
of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely
You place them on slippery ground; You cast them down
to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely
swept away by terrors!" Psalm 73
When the bodies of the wicked are rotting in their graves,
and their souls are roaring in hell, none of their worldly
greatness, pomp, state, glory, gallantry, riches, houses,
or revenues, shall descend after them to administer one
drop of comfort to them! Therefore never envy their
outward prosperity or worldly glory.
"Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when
the splendor of his house increases; for he will take
nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not
descend with him." Psalm 49:16-17
Sermon Outline
- The Wicked and Their Fate
- The Folly of Envy
- A Word of Caution
- Do not be overawed by worldly success
- Remember that true wealth is spiritual
Key Quotes
“When the bodies of the wicked are rotting in their graves, and their souls are roaring in hell, none of their worldly greatness, pomp, state, glory, gallantry, riches, houses, or revenues, shall descend after them to administer one drop of comfort to them!” — Thomas Brooks
“Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We should not envy the worldly success of others, but rather focus on our own spiritual growth and wealth.
- True wealth is not measured by material possessions, but by our relationship with God and our spiritual well-being.
- We should not be overawed by the success of others, but rather remain humble and focused on our own spiritual journey.