SermonIndex Audio Sermons
SermonIndex - Promoting Revival to this Generation

Give To SermonIndex
Text Sermons : ~Other Speakers G-L : Thomas a Kempis : 

“Thomas

Thomas a Kempis (1380 - 1471)

Read freely text sermons and articles by the speaker Thomas a Kempis in text and pdf format. Was a canon regular of the late medieval period and the most probable author of The Imitation of Christ, which is one of the best known Christian books on devotion. His name means "Thomas of Kempen", his hometown, and in German he is known as Thomas von Kempen. He also is known by various spellings of his family name: Thomas Haemerken; Thomas Hammerlein; Thomas Hemerken and Thomas Hämerken.

His first tenure of office as subprior was interrupted by the exile of the community from Agnetenberg (1429). A dispute had arisen in connection with an appointment to the vacant See of Utrecht. Pope Martin V rejected the nomination of Bishop-elect Rudolf van Diepholt, and imposed an interdict. The Canons remained in exile in observance of the interdict until the question was settled (1432). During this time, Thomas was sent to Arnhem to care for his ailing brother. He remained there until his brother died November, 1432. Thomas spent his time between devotional exercises, composition, and copying. He copied the Bible no fewer than four times,[3] one of the copies being preserved at Darmstadt, Germany in five volumes. In its teachings he was widely read and his works abound in Biblical quotations, especially from the New Testament.

showing from 1 to 50 of 99 articles

A MAN OUGHT NOT TO CONSIDER HIMSELF WORTHY OF CONSOLATION, BUT RATHER DESERVING OF CHASTISEMENT
      THE DISCIPLE LORD, I am not worthy of Your consolation or of any spiritual visitation. Therefore, You treat me justly when You leave me poor and desolate. For though I could shed a sea of tears, yet I should not be worthy of Your consolation. Hence, I ... read more

A MAN SHOULD NOT BE TOO DOWNCAST WHEN HE FALLS INTO DEFECTS
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, patience and humility in adversity are more pleasing to Me than much consolation and devotion when things are going well. Why are you saddened by some little thing said against you? Even if it had been more you ought no ... read more

A MAN SHOULD NOT BE UNDULY SOLICITOUS ABOUT HIS AFFAIRS
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, always commit your cause to Me. I will dispose of it rightly in good time. Await My ordering of it and it will be to your advantage. THE DISCIPLE Lord, I willingly commit all things to You, for my anxiety can profit ... read more

ABOVE ALL GOODS AND ALL GIFTS WE MUST REST IN GOD
      THE DISCIPLE ABOVE all things and in all things, O my soul, rest always in God, for He is the everlasting rest of the saints. Grant, most sweet and loving Jesus, that I may seek my repose in You above every creature; above all health and beauty; above ... read more

ACQUIRING PATIENCE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CONCUPISCENCE
      THE DISCIPLE PATIENCE, O Lord God, is very necessary for me, I see, because there are many adversities in this life. No matter what plans I make for my own peace, my life cannot be free from struggle and sorrow. THE VOICE OF CHRIST My child, you ... read more

ALL HOPE AND TRUST ARE TO BE FIXED IN GOD ALONE
      THE DISCIPLE WHAT, Lord, is the trust which I have in this life, or what is my greatest comfort among all the things that appear under heaven? Is it not You, O Lord, my God, Whose mercies are without number? Where have I ever fared well but for You? Or ... read more

ALL MEN ARE NOT TO BE BELIEVED, FOR IT IS EASY TO ERR IN SPEECH
      THE DISCIPLE GRANT me help in my needs, O Lord, for the aid of man is useless. How often have I failed to find faithfulness in places where I thought I possessed it! And how many times I have found it where I least expected it! Vain, therefore, is hope ... read more

ALL OUR CARE IS TO BE PLACED IN GOD
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, allow me to do what I will with you. I know what is best for you. You think as a man; you feel in many things as human affection persuades. THE DISCIPLE Lord, what You say is true. Your care for me is greater than al ... read more

ALL THINGS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO GOD AS THEIR LAST END
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, I must be your supreme and last end, if you truly desire to be blessed. With this intention your affections, which are too often perversely inclined to self and to creatures, will be purified. For if you seek yourself in a ... read more

APPRECIATING GOD'S GRACE
      WHY do you look for rest when you were born to work? Resign yourself to patience rather than to comfort, to carrying your cross rather than to enjoyment. What man in the world, if he could always have them, would not readily accept consolation and spir ... read more

AVOIDING CURIOUS INQUIRY ABOUT THE LIVES OF OTHERS
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, do not be curious. Do not trouble yourself with idle cares. What matters this or that to you? Follow Me. What is it to you if a man is such and such, if another does or says this or that? You will not have to answer for ot ... read more

AVOIDING FALSE HOPE AND PRIDE
      VAIN is the man who puts his trust in men, in created things. Do not be ashamed to serve others for the love of Jesus Christ and to seem poor in this world. Do not be self-sufficient but place your trust in God. Do what lies in your power and God will ... read more

AVOIDING IDLE TALK
      SHUN the gossip of men as much as possible, for discussion of worldly affairs, even though sincere, is a great distraction inasmuch as we are quickly ensnared and captivated by vanity. Many a time I wish that I had held my peace and had not associated ... read more

BEWARE VAIN AND WORLDLY KNOWLEDGE
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, do not let the fine-sounding and subtle words of men deceive you. For the kingdom of heaven consists not in talk but in virtue. Attend, rather, to My words which enkindle the heart and enlighten the mind, which excite cont ... read more

CONFESSING OUR WEAKNESS IN THE MISERIES OF LIFE
      THE DISCIPLE I WILL bring witness against myself to my injustice, and to You, O Lord, I will confess my weakness. Often it is a small thing that makes me downcast and sad. I propose to act bravely, but when even a small temptation comes I find mysel ... read more

CONSIDER THE HIDDEN JUDGMENTS OF GOD LEST YOU BECOME PROUD OF YOUR OWN GOOD DEEDS
      THE DISCIPLE YOU thunder forth Your judgments over me, Lord. You shake all my bones with fear and trembling, and my soul is very much afraid. I stand in awe as I consider that the heavens are not pure in Your sight. If You found wickedness in the angel ... read more

CONTEMPT FOR ALL EARTHLY HONOR
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, do not take it to heart if you see others honored and advanced, while you yourself are despised and humbled. Lift up your heart to Me in heaven and the contempt of men on earth will not grieve you. THE DISCIPLE Lord, ... read more

DO NOT BE CONCERNED ABOUT OUTWARD THINGS
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, there are many matters of which it is well for you to be ignorant, and to consider yourself as one who is dead upon the earth and to whom the whole world is crucified. There are many things, too, which it is well to pass b ... read more

DO NOT LIGHTLY FOREGO HOLY COMMUNION
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST YOU must often return to the source of grace and divine mercy, to the fountain of goodness and perfect purity, if you wish to be free from passion and vice, if you desire to be made stronger and more watchful against all the temptat ... read more

EVERY TRIAL MUST BE BORNE FOR THE SAKE OF ETERNAL LIFE
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, do not let the labors which you have taken up for My sake break you, and do not let troubles, from whatever source, cast you down; but in everything let My promise strengthen and console you. I am able to reward you beyond ... read more

FEW LOVE THE CROSS OF JESUS
      JESUS has always many who love His heavenly kingdom, but few who bear His cross. He has many who desire consolation, but few who care for trial. He finds many to share His table, but few to take part in His fasting. All desire to be happy with Him; few wi ... read more

FOUR THINGS WHICH BRING GREAT PEACE
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, I will teach you now the way of peace and true liberty. Seek, child, to do the will of others rather than your own. Always choose to have less rather than more. Look always for the last place and seek to be beneat ... read more

GOD IS SWEET ABOVE ALL THINGS AND IN ALL THINGS TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM
      THE DISCIPLE BEHOLD, my God and my all! What more do I wish for; what greater happiness can I desire? O sweet and delicious word! But sweet only to him who loves it, and not to the world or the things that are in the world. My God and my all! These ... read more

GOD'S GRACE IS NOT GIVEN TO THE EARTHLY MINDED
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, my grace is precious. It does not allow itself to be mixed with external things or with earthly consolations. Cast away all obstacles to grace, therefore, if you wish to receive its infusion. Seek to retire within yours ... read more

GOD'S GREAT GOODNESS AND LOVE IS SHOWN TO MAN IN THIS SACRAMENT
      THE DISCIPLE TRUSTING in Your goodness and great mercy, O Lord, I come as one sick to the Healer, as one hungry and thirsty to the Fountain of life, as one in need to the King of heaven, a servant to his Lord, a creature to his Creator, a soul in desol ... read more

GOODNESS AND PEACE IN MAN
      FIRST keep peace with yourself; then you will be able to bring peace to others. A peaceful man does more good than a learned man. Whereas a passionate man turns even good to evil and is quick to believe evil, the peaceful man, being good himself, turns al ... read more

GRACE MUST BE HIDDEN UNDER THE MANTLE OF HUMILITY
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST IT IS better and safer for you to conceal the grace of devotion, not to be elated by it, not to speak or think much of it, and instead to humble yourself and fear lest it is being given to one unworthy of it. Do not cling too closel ... read more

HAVING A HUMBLE OPINION OF SELF
      EVERY man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars. He who knows himself well becomes mean ... read more

HIGH MATTERS AND THE HIDDEN JUDGMENTS OF GOD ARE NOT TO BE SCRUTINIZED
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, beware of discussing high matters and God's hidden judgments -- why this person is so forsaken and why that one is favored with so great a grace, or why one man is so afflicted and another so highly exalted. Such things ar ... read more

HOW A DESOLATE PERSON OUGHT TO COMMIT HIMSELF INTO THE HANDS OF GOD
      THE DISCIPLE LORD God, Holy Father, may You be blessed now and in eternity. For as You will, so is it done; and what You do is good. Let Your servant rejoice in You -- not in himself or in any other, for You alone are true joy. You are my hope and my c ... read more

HOW ONE SHOULD FEEL AND SPEAK ON EVERY DESIRABLE THING
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, this is the way you must speak on every occasion: "Lord, if it be pleasing to You, so be it. If it be to Your honor, Lord, be it done in Your name. Lord, if You see that it is expedient and profitable for me, then grant th ... read more

HOW WE MUST CALL UPON AND BLESS THE LORD WHEN TROUBLE PRESSES
      THE DISCIPLE BLESSED be Your name forever, O Lord, Who have willed that this temptation and trouble come upon me. I cannot escape it, yet I must fly to You that You may help me and turn it to my good. Now I am troubled, Lord, and my heart is not at res ... read more

HUMBLY IMITATE CHRIST AND SUBMIT REASON TO HOLY FAITH
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST BEWARE of curious and vain examination of this most profound Sacrament, if you do not wish to be plunged into the depths of doubt. He who scrutinizes its majesty too closely will be overwhelmed by its glory. God can do more than ... read more

HUMILITY
      BE NOT troubled about those who are with you or against you, but take care that God be with you in everything you do. Keep your conscience clear and God will protect you, for the malice of man cannot harm one whom God wishes to help. If you know how to su ... read more

IMITATING CHRIST AND DESPISING ALL VANITIES ON EARTH
      HE WHO follows Me, walks not in darkness," says the Lord.[1] By these words of Christ we are advised to imitate His life and habits, if we wish to be truly enlightened and free from all blindness of heart. Let our chief effort, therefore, be to study the ... read more

IT IS PROFITABLE TO RECEIVE COMMUNION OFTEN
      THE DISCIPLE BEHOLD, I come to You, Lord, that I may prosper by Your gift and be delighted at Your holy banquet which You, O God, in Your sweetness have prepared for Your poor. Behold, all that I can or ought to desire is in You. You are my salvation a ... read more

LISTEN HUMBLY TO THE WORDS OF GOD. MANY DO NOT HEED THEM
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, hear My words, words of greatest sweetness surpassing all the knowledge of the philosophers and wise men of earth. My words are spirit and life, and they are not to be weighed by man's understanding. They are not to be inv ... read more

Loving Jesus Above All Things
      BLESSED is he who appreciates what it is to love Jesus and who despises himself for the sake of Jesus. Give up all other love for His, since He wishes to be loved alone above all things. Affection for creatures is deceitful and inconstant, but the love ... read more

MAN HAS NO GOOD IN HIMSELF AND CAN GLORY IN NOTHING
      THE DISCIPLE LORD, what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You visit him? What has man deserved that You should give him Your grace? What cause have I, Lord, to complain if You desert me, or what objection can I have if You do n ... read more

MANY BLESSINGS ARE GIVEN THOSE WHO RECEIVE COMMUNION WORTHILY
      THE DISCIPLE O LORD my God, favor Your servant with the blessings of Your sweetness that I may merit to approach Your magnificent Sacrament worthily and devoutly. Lift up my heart to You and take away from me this heavy indolence. Visit me with Your sa ... read more

MEDITATION
      THE kingdom of God is within you," says the Lord.[8] Turn, then, to God with all your heart. Forsake this wretched world and your soul shall find rest. Learn to despise external things, to devote yourself to those that are within, and you will see the ... read more

OBEDIENCE AND SUBJECTION
      IT IS a very great thing to obey, to live under a superior and not to be one's own master, for it is much safer to be subject than it is to command. Many live in obedience more from necessity than from love. Such become discontented and dejected on the sl ... read more

OURSELVES
      WE MUST not rely too much upon ourselves, for grace and understanding are often lacking in us. We have but little inborn light, and this we quickly lose through negligence. Often we are not aware that we are so blind in heart. Meanwhile we do wrong, and t ... read more

PEACE IS NOT TO BE PLACED IN MEN
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, if you place your peace in any creature because of your own feeling or for the sake of his company, you will be unsettled and entangled. But if you have recourse to the ever-living and abiding Truth, you will not grieve if ... read more

PRUDENCE IN ACTION
      DO NOT yield to every impulse and suggestion but consider things carefully and patiently in the light of God's will. For very often, sad to say, we are so weak that we believe and speak evil of others rather than good. Perfect men, however, do not readily ... read more

PURE AND ENTIRE RESIGNATION OF SELF TO OBTAIN FREEDOM OF HEART
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, renounce self and you shall find Me. Give up your own self-will, your possessions, and you shall always gain. For once you resign yourself irrevocably, greater grace will be given you. THE DISCIPLE How often, Lord, s ... read more

PURITY OF MIND AND UNITY OF PURPOSE
      A MAN is raised up from the earth by two wings -- simplicity and purity. There must be simplicity in his intention and purity in his desires. Simplicity leads to God, purity embraces and enjoys Him. If your heart is free from ill-ordered affection, no ... read more

READING THE HOLY SCRIPTURE
      TRUTH, not eloquence, is to be sought in reading the Holy Scriptures; and every part must be read in the spirit in which it was written. For in the Scriptures we ought to seek profit rather than polished diction. Likewise we ought to read simple and de ... read more

REMEMBER THE INNUMERABLE GIFTS OF GOD
      THE DISCIPLE OPEN my heart, O Lord, to Your law and teach me to walk in the way of Your commandments. Let me understand Your will. Let me remember Your blessings -- all of them and each single one of them -- with great reverence and care so that hencef ... read more

RESTLESSNESS OF SOUL -- DIRECTING OUR FINAL INTENTION TOWARD GOD
      THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, do not trust in your present feeling, for it will soon give way to another. As long as you live you will be subject to changeableness in spite of yourself. You will become merry at one time and sad at another, now peaceful ... read more

1 | 2 Next >





©2002-2024 SermonIndex.net
Promoting Revival to this Generation.
Privacy Policy