Christ Is Best

by Richard Sibbes

Or Saint Paul's Straight

The Puritan preacher Richard Sibbes (1577-1635), the author of Christ is Best , really knew how to awaken and invigorate faith, love and joy in Christ in the hearts of his hearers. Taking Paul's words in Philippians 1:23,24, Sibbes ably shows that we will only begin to desire Christ above all else when we sense how much he loves us sinners, how much he has suffered for our forgiveness, and how unfathomably kind and merciful he is and has been. We love him, because he first loved us (I John 4:19).

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction

66 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2010

About the author

Richard Sibbes was born at Tostock, Suffolk, in 1577 and went to school in Bury St Edmunds. His father, 'a good sound-hearted Christian', at first intended that Richard should follow his own trade as a wheelwright, but the boy s 'strong inclination to his books, and well-profiting therein' led to his going up to St John's College, Cambridge in 1595. He was converted around 1602-3 through the powerful ministry of Paul Bayne, the successor of William Perkins in the pulpit of Great St Andrew's Church.

After earning his B.D. in 1610, Sibbes was appointed a lecturer at Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge. Later, through the influence of friends, he was chosen to be the preacher at Gray's Inn, London, and he remained there until 1626. In that year he returned to Cambridge as Master of St Catherine's Hall, and later returned to Holy Trinity, this time as its vicar. He was granted a Doctorate in Divinity in 1627, and was thereafter frequently referred to as 'the heavenly Doctor Sibbes'. He continued to exercise his ministry at Gray's Inn, London, and Holy Trinity, Cambridge, until his death on 6 July 1635 at the age of 58.

Reviews

[Angela Lin]

This is a pocket booklet of a sermon given by Richard Sibbes at a funeral of a fellow brother in the church. This was a very convicting sermon - do we desire Christ like Paul did? He had such a strong desire to depart because he knew what was at the end, not just the freedom from flesh and sin or even heaven, but Christ. As Sibbes said “the joys of heaven are not the joys of heaven without Christ”. Though we may want to depart, then he strikes with the other question: do we live our lives each and everyday to honor God? Are we fruitful with our days, dying to self to serve others out of the love that we have for Christ?

Good things to chew and meditate on and really think upon.

[Josh Miller]

Really enjoyed these words from Sibbes. It's no wonder that so many have lauded Sibbes as "the heavenly doctor." His words drive one to Christ. Perhaps, it should be said that they draw rather than drive one to Christ. Either way, you cannot help but get a better view of Christ when reading this short Pocket Puritan on "Christ is Best."

You will be better off for doing so.

[Reed Hasty]

If you are Christian that fears death, read this funeral sermon by Richard Sibbes one of my favorites

[Brian]

This sermon by Sibbes is good, but Michael Reeves’ introduction to Sibbes is even better.

[Miguel]

read it at the right time and place. i ended up doing a theological 180 on desires. i was like a lost boat on the sea that finally found the right shore to dock in for the first time.

[jsn.]

This small booklet was taken from a sermon given by Richard Sibbes during the funeral of Christopher Sherland in 1632.

Sibbes for the majority of the booklet preached Philippians 1:23-24. The main idea is that to be with Christ is much better than living in this world.

I highly recommend this book, especially to those who fear death. Sibbes in this book explains that a Spirit filled Christian will not fear death because true life is with Christ. Sibbes also gives advice for those who do fear death, and what they could do in order to remedy the problem.

In the last 10 pages of the booklet, Sibbes goes into detail about the life of Christopher Sherland before closing off. I found this section to be fascinating because it was a historical insight into another persons life who lived around 400 years ago.

If you do decide to read this book, I would recommend reading the Pocket Puritan edition released by the Banner of Truth Trust. I found that particular edition easier to read because they lightly edited the outdated grammar in order to make it more accessible to modern day readers.

[John Paul Arceno]

Richard Sibbes is truly a heavenly doctor. He has this skill of soothing even the thought of death. His sweet words penetrate one's heart with calmness and grace. This piece of his work written for a funeral service is still relevant for contemporary lives. Paul's idea of being with Christ in his death or being with Christ's people if not executed is marvelously Christ-centered. Both for himself and the church Christ is the best. Still, his self-denial of the boon of being in Christ's presence exemplifies how he put the interests of others before him.

A short bio of Sibbes' is also provided to locate him in a historical context. Praise God!

[Robert Luff]

Oh my goodness. So much encouraging, heartwarming advice that makes me want to be more fruitful for my Savior! Sibbes says so much about Christ's love transforming believers so that they become selfless people who do not belong to themselves. Wonderful, transformative stuff, in a very slim and short read.

[Caleb Walker]

Read if you struggle with contentment as a Christian.

Christ is the believer’s best portion—better than the world, better than sin, better than self—and the only source of true rest, righteousness, joy, and assurance. To know Him is heaven begun; to lose Him is misery. Therefore the Christian must choose, delight in, and cleave to Christ above all rivals.

[Matt Gurtler]

O scurtă expunere a Filipeni 1:23-24, care îl încurajează pe orice creștin să-și considere viața și moartea în lumina evanghelii. Uneori am pus semnul întrebării la ceva pe care a scris Sibbes, și ultimele pagini sunt mai ales despre prietenul său decedat, dar pe mare parte cartea a fost ziditoare, provocatoare, și bogată în înțelepciune scripturală.

[Sandu Andronic]

Banner of Turth, dar și alte edituri, au avut inițiativa de a publica într-o formă mai accesibilă unele scrieri alese ce aparțin puritanilor. Astfel au apărut aceste ediții „pocket", care conțin deobicei o predică sau un tratat mai scurt.

[TJ Ross]

Sibbes reminds us that in this little booklet about the triumph of Christ over our other desires.

[TJ Ross]

A sermon by Richard Sibbes that covers 66 pages. (Though the book is rather small) Sibbes pleads with his audience to see the triumph of Christ over human history.

[Tony Lee Ross Jr.]

A compilation of sermons from Puritan preacher, Richard Sibbes. Sibbes sermons give us a insight into the collective mindset of Puritan thinkers during this time.

[Joseph Abudar]

Outside of some of dated language,this is a classic example of why Richard Sibbes is go-to Puritan for scores of Christians, layman or leader. Sibbes dives deep to deliver pearls of truth

[Coyle]

After being a bit underwhelmed by The Bruised Reed, it was a delight to enjoy and (hopefully) benefit from this sermon by Sibbes. The sermon is published as one of the "Pocket Puritan" series by Banner of Truth, a booklet about 60 pages long and about the size of one of the old "little black books" that people used to carry around. Don't let the size fool you, however, this sermon is chock-full of Puritany goodness. As an example, this is a passage which has entered into the English language (which apparently Sibbes coined here):

We see that God reserves the best for last. God's last works are his best works. The new heaven and the new earth are the best; the second wine that Christ created himself was the best; spiritual things are better than natural. A Christian's last is his best. God will have it so, for the comfort of Christians, that every day they live, they may think, I am nearer heaven one day than I was before, I am nearer death, and therefore nearer to Christ. What a solace is this to a gracious heart! A Christian is a happy man in his life, but happier in his death, because he goes to Christ; but happiest of all in heaven, for then he is with Christ.

Highly recommended!

[Mark A Powell]

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul expresses a dilemma: he is ready to die and be with Christ, for that is far better than staying here. And yet, by staying here, he can encourage and strengthen fellow believers. In this booklet, Sibbes shows Christians how they ought to approach the prospect of their own impending death. Sibbes was a profound scholar and here he offers wisdom and insight that we would do good to heed.