The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax | Richard Sibbes | Christian Audiobook Video
~ Audiobook Description ~
Bruising is needed so that reeds may know they are reeds, not oaks. Reeds need to be bruised because of the pride in our nature, the removal of which lets us live by mercy and faith. It is a difficult thing to bring a dull heart to cry for mercy. Our hearts, like malefactors, until they are beaten from all sides, never naturally cry for mercy from the Judge. But this bruising makes us set a high price upon Christ. It makes us more thankful and more fruitful in our lives.
Whatever claim sin has on a man, bruising or breaking is the end of it. This spark of hope, being opposed by doubts and fears arising from the corruption of sin, makes him as smoking flax. Thus, both these together, a bruised reed and smoking flax, make up the state of a poor, distressed man. Our Savior terms such a one as poor in spirit.
Christ will not break the bruised reed or quench the smoking flax. Though physicians put their patients through much pain, they will not destroy their patients' bodies but will do their best to heal them. Surgeons will cut, but not dismember. A mother will not cast away a sick or disobedient child. Shall we think there is more mercy in ourselves than in God, who plants the affection of mercy in us? To further declare Christ’s mercy to all bruised reeds, consider the comforting relationship He has taken upon Himself of husband, shepherd, and brother, which He will discharge to the utmost.
It cannot but cheer the heart of the church to consider, despite all the infirmities and miseries she is subject to, that she has a Bridegroom with a kind disposition. He knows how to give the honor of kindness to the weaker vessel and will be so far from rejecting her because she is weak that He will pity her all the more. He is kind at all times and will speak to her heart, especially when in the wilderness.
~ Contents ~
00:00 Opening Credits
00:16 To the General Reader
13:12 Ch. 1: The Reed and the Bruising
20:41 Ch. 2: Christ Bruises Those Whom He Loves
24:52 Ch. 3: Christ Will Not Break the Bruised Reed
32:26 Ch. 4: Signs of One Truly Bruised
42:57 Ch. 5: Grace Is Little at First
47:06 Ch. 6: Grace Is Mingled with Corruption
51:25 Ch. 7: Christ Will Not Quench Weak Beginnings
01:03:04 Ch. 8: Tenderness toward Young Beginners
01:12:09 Ch. 9: Tenderness toward Weak Christians
01:21:33 Ch. 10: Am I a Smoking Flax?
01:28:06 Ch. 11: Signs of Smoking Flax That Christ Will Not Quench
01:42:05 Ch. 12: Doubts Hindering Comfort Removed
01:49:39 Ch. 13: Perform Your Duties Despite Your Weaknesses
01:55:32 Ch. 14: Unwillingness and Discouragements Resolved
02:04:11 Ch. 15: How to Recover Lost Peace
02:13:42 Ch. 16: Doubts from the Enemy
02:23:09 Ch. 17: Do Not Quench the Spirit
02:43:19 Ch. 18: Christ’s Gracious Power
02:48:04 Ch. 19: Governed by Christ’s Mildness
02:53:07 Ch. 20: Judgment and Wisdom
03:02:54 Ch. 21: Where Christ Reigns
03:09:07 Ch. 22: Christ’s Government Is Victorious
03:27:26 Ch. 23: Victorious Grace
03:39:39 Ch. 24: All Should Side with Christ
03:43:23 Ch. 25: Christ’s Government Will Be Openly Victorious
03:51:42 Ch. 26: Christ Alone Advances This Government
04:00:44 Ch. 27: Victory, but Not without a Fight
04:08:25 Ch. 28: A Confident and Certain Prevailing
Updated and annotated. NASB Bible text - used by permission.
Narrated by Saethon Williams.
Copyright © 2023 by Aneko Press, 203 E Birch St., Abbotsford, WI 54405
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