Worshipers of the Golden Calf!
Thomas Brooks warns against the dangers of worldliness and the importance of prioritizing a relationship with God.
Thomas Brooks warns against the dangers of worldliness and earthly-mindedness among professing Christians, likening them to worshipers of the golden calf. He emphasizes that the allure of the world is deceptive and ultimately leads to spiritual decay, as true fulfillment can only be found in God. Brooks illustrates that an inordinate love for worldly things can sever one's communion with God, urging believers to seek a greater glory rather than being captivated by vanity. He reminds us that the things of this world are ultimately worthless in the eyes of eternity, and that true richness comes from a relationship with God.
Text
There is a great deal of worldliness, and earthly-mindedness,
and covetousness among the professing Christians of our day.
They are worshipers of the golden calf! O sirs! the world is
all shadow and vanity. The world is like Jonah's gourd--a man
may sit under its shadow for a time, but it soon decays and dies.
The main reason why many professors dote upon the world,
is because they are not acquainted with a greater glory. If
the heart of man is not filled with God--it will be filled with
the world, the flesh and the devil.
The world may well be resembled to the fruit which undid us
all--which was fair to the sight, smooth in handling, sweet in
taste--but deadly in effect and operation!
O sirs! if you can gather grapes off thorns, and figs off
thistles, then go on, and dote upon the world still. All the
things of this world are vain things--they are vanity of
vanities, Eccles. 1:2. All in heaven count them vain, and
all in hell count them vain; pearls are but as pebbles
in their eyes. Lazarus in heaven is now rich enough,
and happy enough; and Dives in hell is now poor enough,
and miserable enough. He who makes the world his god
while he is in the world--what will he do for a god when
he goes out of this world?
Well, sirs, remember this--an inordinate love of the world
will eat out all a man's communion with God. A man cannot
look up to heaven and look down upon the earth--at the
same time.
Sermon Outline
- The World is Vanity
- The Reason for Worldliness
- The Consequences of Worldliness
- Vain and empty things
- A hindrance to communion with God
Key Quotes
“The world is all shadow and vanity.” — Thomas Brooks
“He who makes the world his god while he is in the world--what will he do for a god when he goes out of this world?” — Thomas Brooks
“An inordinate love of the world will eat out all a man's communion with God.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We must prioritize a relationship with God over our love for the world.
- An inordinate love of the world will hinder our communion with God.
- We must seek a greater glory than the things of this world.