Value of Christ
Value of Christ3
The Treasure and the Pearl
By Charles Finney0MAT 13:44Charles Finney emphasizes the immense value of finding Christ, likening Him to a hidden treasure and a precious pearl. He explains that true discovery of Christ requires a deep understanding of one's spiritual needs and a genuine desire for redemption. Finney warns against superficial knowledge of Christ, urging believers to seek a transformative relationship that leads to self-renunciation and a complete embrace of Christ's glory. He highlights the necessity of prayer, self-examination, and reliance on the Holy Spirit to truly appreciate the richness of Christ. Ultimately, he calls for a heartfelt pursuit of Christ, which will result in a life that values Him above all else.
The True Convert
By Thomas Brooks0PSA 73:25MAT 13:44JHN 6:35PHP 3:8COL 2:9Thomas Brooks emphasizes that a true convert values Christ above all else, declaring that while ordinances, saints, and heaven are sweet and precious, Christ surpasses them in glory and worth. The believer's deepest longing is for Christ, desiring not only to possess Him but to be filled with His fullness. Brooks contrasts the desires of the ambitious, the pleasure-seeker, and the covetous with the singular desire of the believer, which is solely for Christ. This sermon calls believers to prioritize their relationship with Christ above worldly pursuits and pleasures.
Because You Ate the Loaves
By Thomas Brooks0PSA 73:25MAT 6:33JHN 6:26JHN 15:13ROM 8:182CO 5:17EPH 2:8PHP 3:8COL 3:21PE 2:7Thomas Brooks emphasizes that Christ is precious only to those who truly believe, urging Christians to value Him above all earthly duties, privileges, and benefits. He draws a distinction between those who love Christ for His personal qualities and those who seek Him merely for the benefits He provides. Brooks highlights that true believers appreciate Christ for His inherent beauty and glory, rather than for the material or spiritual gains they might receive. He warns that many professing Christians follow Christ primarily for the 'loaves'—the blessings—rather than for a genuine love of His person. Ultimately, he calls for a deeper, more authentic relationship with Christ that transcends mere transactional faith.