This Is Not Your Resting-Place
The Christian life is not a place of rest, but rather a journey that will ultimately lead to rest in heaven.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that this life is filled with trials, troubles, and constant changes, preventing Christians from finding true rest until they reach the bosom of Christ. He likens the Christian life to a race and a warfare, highlighting that true rest cannot be found while still engaged in these struggles. Brooks warns that the world is polluted and unsuitable for rest, urging believers to remember that their ultimate rest is reserved in heaven, free from sin, sorrow, and afflictions. He concludes with the assurance that those who die in the Lord will be blessed and will finally rest from their toils and trials.
Text
This life is full of trials, full of troubles, and full of changes.
Sin within, and Satan and the world without, will keep a
Christian from rest, until he comes to rest in the bosom of
Christ. The life of a Christian is a race--and what rest have
those who are still a-running their race? The life of a Christian
is a warfare--and what rest have those who are still engaged
in a constant warfare? The life of a Christian is the life of a
pilgrim--and what rest has a pilgrim, who is still a-traveling
from place to place? The fears, the snares, the cares, the
changes, etc., which attend believers in this world, are such
that will keep them from taking up their rest here. A Christian
hears that word always sounding in his ears, "Arise, for this is
not your resting-place, because it is polluted." Micah 2:10.
A man may as well expect to find heaven in hell--as expect to
find rest in this world! Rest is a jewel very desirable on earth;
but we shall not wear it in our bosoms until we come to heaven.
Man's sorrows begin when his days begin, and his
sorrows are multiplied as his days are multiplied;
his whole life is but one continued grief:
labor wears him,
care tears him,
fears toss him,
losses vex him,
dangers trouble him,
crosses disquiet him,
nothing pleases him.
The rest reserved in heaven for
believers is a universal rest--
a rest from all sin;
a rest from all sorrow;
a rest from all afflictions;
a rest from all temptations;
a rest from all oppression;
a rest from all vexations;
a rest from all labor and pains;
a rest from all trouble and travail;
a rest from all aches, weaknesses, and diseases.
"Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on.
Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they
will rest from all their toils and trials!" Rev. 14:13
Sermon Outline
- I. The Christian Life is Not a Resting-Place
- A. Trials, troubles, and changes are constant
- B. Sin, Satan, and the world hinder rest
- II. The Christian Life is a Race, Warfare, and Pilgrimage
- A. No rest for those still running, fighting, or traveling
- III. The World is Not a Place of Rest
- A. Fears, snares, cares, and changes prevent rest
- IV. Rest is Reserved for Heaven
- A. A universal rest from all sin, sorrow, and affliction
Key Quotes
“A man may as well expect to find heaven in hell--as expect to find rest in this world!” — Thomas Brooks
“Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from all their toils and trials!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Recognize that the world is not a place of rest and that true rest is reserved for heaven.
- Seek to live a life that is focused on heaven and not on the temporary comforts of this world.
- Trust in God's promise of a universal rest in heaven, where all sin, sorrow, and affliction will be absent.