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Thomas Watson

God's school for His children!

Hebrews 12; Psalm 119
Thomas Watson • December, 22 2015 • Audio
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The sermon "God's School for His Children" by Thomas Watson emphasizes the theological doctrine of divine discipline and its role in the sanctification of believers. Watson argues that affliction is a necessary part of the Christian experience, as it teaches obedience and forms virtuous character, referencing Hebrews 5:8 and Hebrews 12:10 to illustrate how even Christ learned obedience through suffering. He highlights that afflictions are instruments that draw believers closer to God, foster prayer, and instill a love for Scripture, citing Psalm 119 as supporting evidence of how the Word becomes precious during trials. The practical significance of this teaching lies in encouraging believers to view their trials as opportunities for spiritual growth and divine favor, asserting that God's discipline ultimately works for their good.

Key Quotes

“Affliction is God's flail to thrash off our husks.” — Thomas Watson

“There are no lessons so useful as those learned in the school of affliction.” — J. C. Ryle

“These afflictions work for us an exceeding weight of glory. And shall we be discontented?” — Thomas Watson

“Let any Christian view his own life and see how nearly his whole spiritual progress has been made in the seasons of trial.” — R.L. Dabney

What does the Bible say about affliction and suffering?

The Bible teaches that affliction serves as a means to learn obedience and grow in holiness.

The Bible, particularly in Hebrews 5:8 and Hebrews 12:10, indicates that affliction is fundamental in the life of believers. Just as Christ learned obedience through suffering, we too are called to embrace trials as a form of divine discipline. These experiences help us grow in grace and align our hearts with God's purposes, ultimately teaching us valuable lessons that refine our character and deepen our faith.

Hebrews 5:8, Hebrews 12:10

Why is affliction important for Christians?

Affliction is important because it purifies our nature and teaches us to rely on God.

Afflictions are not mere challenges but are seen in Reformed theology as tools used by God to mold and purify His people. Through trials, believers often come to a deeper understanding of Scripture and their own spiritual lives. As noted by figures like Martin Luther and Thomas Watson, afflictions draw us closer to the grace of God and help us appreciate His word more deeply. These experiences can lead to spiritual growth and the development of virtues that might not emerge in more comfortable circumstances.

Psalm 119, Hebrews 12

How do we know God's discipline is for our good?

God's discipline is for our good because it leads us to share in His holiness as stated in the Bible.

In Hebrews 12:10, we learn that God's discipline is not arbitrary; it serves a purpose. It is designed to help us partake in God's holiness. The trials we face are not simply punitive but are expressions of God's love, aimed at refining us and guiding us toward His perfect will. This understanding emphasizes that even painful experiences can result in significant spiritual benefits, aligning with the comfort found in Romans 8:28, which assures us that all things work together for good for those who love God.

Hebrews 12:10, Romans 8:28

Sermon Transcript

Auto-generated transcript • May contain errors

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God's school for his children. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from the things which he suffered. Hebrews chapter 5 verse 8. Our Savior learned obedience by the things which he suffered, and so must we.

Affliction, if patiently endured and sanctified to us, is a great purifier of our corrupted natures. It will teach us excellent things. George Whitefield.

Christian experience is only learned in the school of affliction. George Whitefield.

God loves his own children too well to exempt them from affliction. It is a blessed thing when our trials cure our earnest love for perishable worldly things. —William S. Plumer

Affliction is the school in which great virtues are acquired, in which holy characters are formed. —Hannah Moore

Afflictions are sent for this end, to bring us to the throne of grace, to teach us to pray, and to make the word of God's grace precious to us. It has always been to the advantage of God's people to be afflicted. Many are taught with the briars and thorns of affliction who would not learn otherwise. Matthew Henry

No man, without trials and temptations, can attain a true understanding of the Holy Scriptures. I never knew the meaning of God's Word until I came into affliction. I have always found it to be one of my best schoolmasters. Martin Luther

If this experimental acquaintance with the Bible is the result of affliction, then welcome the discipline whose rod of correction blossoms into such golden fruit. Let God's dealings with us be ever so dark, painful, and afflicting, it is utterly impossible that anything can be against the best interests of a believer in Christ. Octavius Winslow

Affliction is God's flail to thrash off our husks. Thomas Watson

Let any Christian view his own life and see how nearly his whole spiritual progress has been made in the seasons of trial. It is by their private afflictions chiefly that individuals grow in grace. R.L. Dabney

I bear my willing testimony to the blessing that affliction and trial have been to me. I owe more to God's furnace and the phial than I can ever describe. C. H. Spurgeon

There are no lessons so useful as those learned in the school of affliction. J. C. Ryle

We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him. Learn how little cause we have, then, to be discontented at outward trials and afflictions. What shall we be discontented at that which works for our good? If one friend should throw a bag of money at another, and in throwing it should graze his head, he would not be troubled much, seeing by this means he had got a bag of money. So the Lord may bruise us by afflictions, but it is to enrich us. These afflictions work for us an exceeding weight of glory. And shall we be discontented? Thomas Watson

we are only scholars it rests with the great teacher to decide which lesson shall come next a hard one or an easy one William Ward

God disciplines us for our good that we may share in his holiness Hebrews chapter 12 verse 10 you
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