What a Pitiful Perishing Portion Is That!
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the emptiness of a worldly portion and the eternal consequences of earthly choices.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the futility of placing one's hope and satisfaction in worldly things, describing how those who are worldly-minded have only the transient pleasures of this life as their portion. He warns that while they may enjoy comforts and joys now, their ultimate fate is one of torment and sorrow in the afterlife, contrasting their temporary gains with the eternal consequences. Brooks uses the parable of Dives and Lazarus to illustrate the stark difference between earthly satisfaction and heavenly reward, urging listeners to reconsider their priorities and seek a lasting portion in God.
Text
"Men of the world, whose portion is in this life."
Psalm 17:14
Certainly, men . . .
whose hearts are worldly,
whose minds are worldly,
whose spirits are worldly,
whose desires are worldly,
whose hopes are worldly,
whose main ends are worldly--
have only the world for their portion; and what a
pitiful perishing portion is that! Such men . . .
choose the world as their portion, and
delight in the world as their portion, and
trust to the world as their portion, and
in straits run to the world as their portion, and
take contentment and satisfaction in the world
as their portion.
Doubtless that word was a thunderbolt to Dives--
"Remember that during your life you received your
good things, just as Lazarus received bad things; but
now he is comforted here, while you are in agony!"
Wicked men have their best here, their worst is to come.
They have their comforts here, their torments are to come.
They have their joys here, their sorrows are to come.
They have their heaven here, their hell is to come.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Definition of worldly men - Characteristics of their hearts and minds - Consequences of choosing the world
- II points: - The illusion of worldly satisfaction - The fleeting nature of worldly pleasures - The ultimate emptiness of a worldly portion
- III points: - The contrast between the worldly and the godly - The fate of the wicked vs. the righteous - Eternal implications of earthly choices
- IV points: - The call to seek a heavenly portion - The importance of spiritual investment - Finding true contentment in Christ
Key Quotes
“Men of the world, whose portion is in this life.” — Thomas Brooks
“What a pitiful perishing portion is that!” — Thomas Brooks
“Wicked men have their best here, their worst is to come.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Reflect on what you prioritize in your life and consider the eternal implications.
- Seek true satisfaction in Christ rather than in temporary worldly pleasures.
- Invest in your spiritual life to secure a heavenly portion that lasts forever.