Final Chapters and Final Thoughts

By -
Image
The Bruised Reed (TBR) has been on my “to read” list for many years and I’m glad to have finally read it. I have profited greatly by doing so. With that said, I know there is so much I missed along the way, and much I failed to convey in my chapter summaries. But like any good book, I'm sure a reread would open new vistas of understanding. Perhaps I will do that someday. But for now, here are a few of my highlights from the final two chapters. One recurring theme that I found particularly encouraging in TBR was a long view of Christian growth and sanctification. Sibbes repeatedly reminds us of small beginnings and growth over time. See a flame in a spark, a tree in a seed. See great things in little beginnings. Look not so much to the beginning as to the perfection, and so we shall be, in some degree, joyful in ourselves, and thankful to Christ.[i] Another thing I appreciate about Sibbes is that, although he recognizes our frailty, sin, and weakness, there is no coddling of sin. He...
Post a Comment

Feeling Bruised?

By -
2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (NKJV) — Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.





Here are a few quotes I would like to share from chapter one of The Bruised Reed: 

God's children are bruised reeds before their conversion and oftentimes after. Before conversion all… are bruised reeds, yet in different degrees, as God sees fit. And as there are differences with regard to temperament, gifts and manner of life, so there are in God's intention to use men in the time to come; for usually he empties such of themselves, and makes them nothing, before he will use them in any great services.[1]

After conversion we need bruising so that reeds may know themselves to be reeds, and not oaks. Even reeds need bruising, by reason of the remainder of pride in our nature, and to let us see that we live by mercy.[2]

Hence we learn that we must not pass too harsh judgment upon ourselves or others when God exercises us with bruising upon bruising. There must be a conformity to our head, Christ, who `was bruised for us' (Isa. 53:5) that we may know how much we are bound unto him.

Ungodly spirits, ignorant of God's ways in bringing his children to heaven, censure broken hearted Christians as miserable persons, whereas God is doing a gracious, good work with them. It is no easy matter to bring a man from nature to grace, and from grace to glory, so unyielding and intractable are our hearts.[3]

The theme running through chapter one reminded me of a sermon Pastor Mike preached a few weeks ago (You Are Not Alone). If you recall, we looked at a disillusioned Elijah (1 Kings 18:46-19:21). After a great victory over the false prophets on Mount Carmel, Israel seemed poised for revival. But it soon became evident that King Ahab, Jezebel, and Israel were recalcitrant in their sin. Not only did they fail to genuinely repent, Jezebel decided to double down with a vow to kill Elijah. Although this turn of events was deeply discouraging to Elijah, God was with him through it all. 

Two things that jumped out at me from Pastor Mike’s sermon outline (below) were: 
· Dismay is Plan A 
· God Builds Broken Servants
It is comforting to know that God is Sovereign and that He is accomplishing much in our pain, trials, and brokenness. It is encouraging to know that these things are not unfortunate detours, but part of the plan. And it is beyond comforting to know that God matures us, sustains us, and walks with us in our trials. Nothing is lost or wasted with God.

Romans 8:28–30 (NKJV) — And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.




________________

[1] The Bruised Reed (p. 7). Kindle Edition. 
[2] The Bruised Reed (p. 8). Kindle Edition. 
[3] The Bruised Reed (p. 9). Kindle Edition. 




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bound Hand and Foot by Satan

By -
Image
Hello everyone, I would like to highlight one portion of Sibbes’ introduction, To the Christian Reader , that gives me much comfort and food for thought. (By the way, I don't think Puritans believed in paragraphs 😉): The more glory to God, and the more comfort to a Christian soul, arising from the belief and application of these things , the more the enemy of God's glory and man's comfort labours to breed misconceptions of them, that if he cannot keep men from heaven, and bring them into that cursed condition he is in himself, yet he may trouble them in their passage. Some, and none of the worst, Satan prevails with so far as to neglect the means, upon fear they should, being so sinful, dishonour God and increase their sins; and so they lie smothering under this temptation, as it were bound hand and foot by Satan, not daring to go to Christ, and yet are secretly upheld by a spirit of faith, showing itself in hidden sighs and groans unto God. These are abused by false...
Read more

...in Christ Mystical?

By -
Image
There is no more shocking truth about believers than that God has loved them even as He has loved His own Son.[1] – The Moody Bible Commentary This week we are reading chapters one and two of The Bruised Reed. In Chapter one there is a curious phrase that was unfamiliar to me:  For his love rests in a whole Christ, in Christ mystical , as well as Christ natural, because he loves him and us with one love.[2]   What is meant by "Christ mystical"? In our day and age, it sounds kind New Agey. If you Google Christ mystical (and Googled it I did) you will find a long list of aberrant teachings about “Christian mysticism”. You will also find that the term was popularized by Pope Pius XII in 1943. However, after some searching, I came upon another passage from Sibbes that was more helpful.  Does God delight thus in Christ, in his person, or considered mystically? I answer; both. God loves and delights in Christ mystical, that is, in Christ and his members, in whole Christ. 'Thi...
Read more

Help in Time of Trouble

By -
Image
Psalm 46:1 (ESV) — 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Once again, I offer the following quote without comment. It is from chapter eight of The Bruised Reed . OVERCOMING DISCOURAGEMENTS Suffering brings discouragements, because of our impatience. `Alas!', we lament, `I shall never get through such a trial.' But if God brings us into the trial he will be with us in the trial, and at length bring us out, more refined. We shall lose nothing but dross (Zech. 13:9). From our own strength we cannot bear the least trouble, but by the Spirit's assistance we can bear the greatest. The Spirit will add his shoulders to help us to bear our infirmities. The Lord will give his hand to heave us up (Psa. 37:24). 'Ye have heard of the patience of job,' says James (James 5:11). We have heard of his impatience too, but it pleased God mercifully to overlook that. It yields us comfort also in desolate conditions, such as contagious sicknesses and the like,...
Read more

How Not to Kill a Fly on the Forehead

By -
Image
Was chapter five of The Bruised Reed  a difficult read (no pun intended)? Don’t feel bad. So far, I found this chapter the most challenging to comprehend. The modern English edition was very helpful this week. Having said that, some of the quotes I furnish here will be from the modernized version. In previous chapters Sibbes examined how tenderly Christ shepherds us. In Chapter five, he considers how pastors should treat those they shepherd and how we should treat each other in light of who Christ is and how He deals with us. Christ came down from heaven and emptied himself of majesty in tender love to souls. Shall we not come down from our high conceits to do any poor soul good? Shall man be proud after God has been humble?[1] Christ is the ultimate example of humility (Phil. 2:5-8). He came from the highest heaven to dwell on earth among fallen men. Even more, He bore our sin and shame. Indeed, should we be proud after God has been humble? Sibbes also reminds us that, “Conscience...
Read more

Introduction

By -
Image
When the beauty of Christ is unfolded, it draws the wounded, hungry soul unto him. The preaching of the word doth that that shows the sweet love of God in Jesus Christ. – Richard Sibbes Richard Sibbes (1577 - 1635) was a Puritan lecturer, theologian, and pastor. Although a prolific writer (as were many Puritans) his best known work is The Bruised Reed.  Highly regarded for his pastoral heart and gracious manner, Sibbes became known as “the heavenly Doctor”. Among those who have been refreshed and profoundly moved by Sibbes’ writings include Richard Baxter, C. H. Spurgeon, and Martin Lloyd Jones. J. I. Packer wrote, “Sibbes concentrated on exploring the love, power and patience of Christ, and the riches of the promises of God. He was a pioneer in working out the devotional application of the doctrine of God’s covenant of grace.” * In terms of pages, The Bruised Reed is actually a rather short book. But in my limited experience reading the Puritans, the truth being communicated i...
Read more

Final Chapters and Final Thoughts

By -
Image
The Bruised Reed (TBR) has been on my “to read” list for many years and I’m glad to have finally read it. I have profited greatly by doing so. With that said, I know there is so much I missed along the way, and much I failed to convey in my chapter summaries. But like any good book, I'm sure a reread would open new vistas of understanding. Perhaps I will do that someday. But for now, here are a few of my highlights from the final two chapters. One recurring theme that I found particularly encouraging in TBR was a long view of Christian growth and sanctification. Sibbes repeatedly reminds us of small beginnings and growth over time. See a flame in a spark, a tree in a seed. See great things in little beginnings. Look not so much to the beginning as to the perfection, and so we shall be, in some degree, joyful in ourselves, and thankful to Christ.[i] Another thing I appreciate about Sibbes is that, although he recognizes our frailty, sin, and weakness, there is no coddling of sin. He...
Read more

Where Love and Mercy Meet

By -
Image
This week, in chapters nine and ten, Sibbes continues to encourage us to gaze at the tender mercies of Christ. As we see the best affections of mere men, be they father, husband, or brother, let us remember that these are but dim reflections of Christ’s benevolence toward us. We are the body of Christ, surely he will not mistreat His own. If the sweetness of all flowers were in one, how sweet must that flower be? In Christ all perfections of mercy and love meet. How great then must that mercy be that lodges in so gracious a heart? Whatever tenderness is scattered in husband, father, brother, head, all is but a beam from him; it is in him in the most eminent manner. We are weak, but we are his; we are deformed, but yet carry his image upon us. A father looks not so much at the blemishes of his child as at his own nature in him; so Christ finds matter of love from that which is his own in us. He sees his own nature in us: we are diseased, but yet his members. Who ever neglected his own m...
Read more

Small Beginnings

By -
Image
Greetings all, I hope you are having a blessed week. We are currently reading chapters three and four of The Bruised Reed.  Once again, I would like to share a couple of quotes (from chapter three). Things of greatest perfection are longest in coming to their growth. Man, the most perfect creature, comes to perfection by little and little; worthless things, as mushrooms and the like, like Jonah's gourd, soon spring up, and soon vanish. A new creature is the most excellent creature in all the world, therefore it grows up by degrees. We see in nature that a mighty oak rises from an acorn.[1]   Let us not therefore be discouraged at the small beginnings of grace, but look on ourselves as elected to be `holy and without blame' (Eph. 1:4). Let us look on our imperfect beginning only to enforce further striving to perfection, and to keep us in a low opinion of ourselves. Otherwise, in case of discouragement, we must consider ourselves as Christ does, who looks on us as those he inte...
Read more

Set Everything on Fire

By -
Image
Once again, offered without comment, a few of my favorate quotes from chapter six of The Bruised Reed : We must neither trust to false evidence, nor deny true; for so we should dishonor the work of God's Spirit in us, and lose the help of that evidence which would cherish our love to Christ, and arm us against Satan's discouragements. Some are as faulty in this way as if they had been hired by Satan, the `accuser of the brethren' (Rev. 12:10), to plead for him in accusing themselves.[1] We must remember that grace sometimes is so little as to be indiscernible to us. The Spirit sometimes has secret operations in us which we know not for the present, but Christ knows.[2] …fire, as much as it can, sets everything on fire. So grace labors to produce a gracious impression in others, and make as many good as it can. Grace also makes a gracious use even of natural and civil things, and spiritualizes them. What another man does only in a civil way a gracious man will do holily. Whe...
Read more