In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a family who recently joined their church. The family had faced difficulties in their previous church but had learned about the sovereignty of God during their time at the new church. Shortly after joining, they received news that their son had a serious health issue. Despite the challenges they faced, the husband continued preaching, relying on the sovereignty of God. The speaker also references a scene from "The Pilgrim's Progress" where the protagonist realizes he has a key called promise that can unlock any lock in Doubting Castle. The sermon emphasizes the need to trust in God's sovereignty even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

This sermon emphasizes the importance of finding joy and hope in God, even in the midst of suffering and trials. It shares powerful stories of individuals facing challenges, highlighting the need to lean on God's strength and find purpose in difficulties. The message encourages listeners to embrace suffering, persevere with joy, and look forward to the ultimate hope of being united with God in eternal joy and peace.

In this sermon, the speaker discusses the life and sufferings of John Bunyan, a 17th-century English writer and preacher. Bunyan experienced numerous hardships, including the death of his mother and sister, military service, and struggles with his faith. However, he had a transformative moment when he realized that his righteousness came from Jesus Christ alone. Despite enduring imprisonment, criticism, and personal challenges, Bunyan remained steadfast in his faith and ministry. The speaker emphasizes the importance of trusting in God rather than relying on oneself, drawing from 2 Corinthians 1:9.

In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not forgetting who we truly are in Christ. He highlights the reality of Satan's attempts to distract and deceive us, but encourages believers to trust in God and not in themselves. The preacher draws from the example of the apostle Paul, who experienced suffering and persecution but found comfort and deliverance in God. He also discusses the concept of fire and light, explaining how death can be transformed into blessing and power. Overall, the sermon emphasizes the need to continually die to self and rely on God's strength in the midst of trials.

Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the necessity of undergoing spiritual transformation through the metaphor of Moses' life, illustrating how God works to remove unpleasing traits from us, such as stubbornness and impatience, by placing us in challenging situations. He highlights that as children of God, we are under a 'sentence of death' that compels us to rely on God rather than ourselves, ultimately leading us to a deeper relationship with Him. The sermon encourages believers not to settle for anything less than God's highest calling for their lives, urging them to seek a profound understanding of their identity in Christ. Beach draws parallels between Moses' journey and the Christian experience, stressing the importance of looking to God for strength and guidance rather than being distracted by the opinions of others. He concludes with a call to recognize areas in our lives where we may be settling for less than God's best, inviting us to trust in His transformative work.

J.C. Philpot preaches about the experience of having the sentence of death in oneself, leading to a deep affliction that cuts off self-confidence and fosters trust in God who raises the dead. He emphasizes the need to go through trials and temptations to realize our utter dependence on God's power and grace for deliverance. Philpot highlights the continuous work of God in delivering His people from various spiritual struggles, leading to a growing faith and hope in future deliverance, even in the face of death.

William Gurnall preaches about the importance of strengthening one's faith in the almighty power of God. He emphasizes the need for Christians to rely on God's strength in times of trials and temptations, as God's power is engaged for their defense and help. Gurnall highlights the near relation God has with his saints, his deep love for them, and the covenant he has made with them, ensuring that his almighty power is always available to protect and support them.

T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the transformative significance of Pentecost, marking the beginning of a new spiritual era governed by the Holy Spirit. He contrasts the spiritual life that God desires with established religious practices, urging believers to heed the voice of the Spirit rather than conforming to worldly religious norms. Sparks highlights Abraham's role as a model for spiritual lineage, asserting that true children of Abraham are those who are spiritually alive and governed by the Spirit, not merely by natural descent. He stresses that the promise of God is linked to a spiritual seed, exemplified by Isaac, and that believers are called to live in the power of resurrection, which is foundational to their identity in Christ. Ultimately, he calls for a community of believers who are distinctively spiritual, marked by a heart circumcised for God, and responsive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes that prophetic ministry is an eternal function rooted in God's divine counsel, not merely a role one can adopt. He illustrates this through the symbolism of the Cherubim and the life of Moses, highlighting that true prophets are shaped by their experiences and must undergo a process of self-emptying to embody God's thoughts. Sparks argues that the identity of the prophet is inseparable from their message, and that genuine prophetic ministry arises from a deep, personal relationship with God, rather than academic training. He stresses the importance of humility and the necessity for prophets to be molded by their trials, ultimately becoming living expressions of God's truth. The sermon concludes with the idea that prophetic ministry is a life lived in alignment with God's will, rather than a set of teachings or doctrines.

T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the glory of God revealed through the resurrection of Lazarus, illustrating that Lazarus's death was part of God's divine plan to demonstrate His power over death and to establish a new Israel. The sermon highlights that Jesus allowed Lazarus to die to show that death is not the final word, and that true life comes from resurrection, not healing of the old nature. Sparks connects this to the broader narrative of Israel's rejection and the emergence of a new creation in Christ, where believers, regardless of their past, are united in His resurrection life. He encourages believers to live by the power of resurrection life, even amidst physical and spiritual weaknesses, as this is where God's glory is most evident.

A.B. Simpson emphasizes the profound truth of relying on God's strength rather than our own, as illustrated by Paul's experience of drawing life from Christ, who overcame death. He highlights the significance of being members of Christ's body, which serves as a source of divine strength and vitality. Simpson encourages believers to recognize the body as a vessel for the Lord, embodying the promise of resurrection and eternal life. He challenges the congregation to embrace this supernatural secret and live out the life of Christ in their own flesh. The sermon calls for a deeper understanding of God's sustaining power in our lives.

John Nelson Darby emphasizes the vital connection between obedience and dependence on God, illustrating that true strength comes from recognizing our own weakness and surrendering to Christ. He uses examples from the lives of Moses, Elijah, and Paul to demonstrate that without self-knowledge and the breakdown of self, we cannot effectively resist the power of Satan. Darby stresses that the expectation of Christ's return should shape the believer's life, urging Christians to remain vigilant and faithful while waiting for the Lord. He concludes that true apostolic succession is found in the gathering of believers in Christ's name, and that God's word provides guidance and strength in all circumstances.

T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes that resurrection is the ultimate answer to every challenge faced by humanity, highlighting its transcendent power over death, which is the greatest adversary to God's purpose. He illustrates that resurrection is not just a future promise but a present reality for believers, enabling them to experience new life and transformation in Christ. The sermon underscores that resurrection is a growing experience, manifesting in the lives of individuals and the Church, as they bear witness to the power of Christ's resurrection. Sparks warns against viewing resurrection merely as a future event, urging believers to recognize its immediate significance in their spiritual journey. Ultimately, he concludes that in Christ, all things are defined and transformed by the reality of resurrection.

T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the Apostle Paul's supreme ambition to know Christ intimately, highlighting that this desire persists even after profound revelations and experiences. Paul expresses a longing for a deeper, personal knowledge of Jesus, which transcends mere intellectual understanding. The sermon outlines four key aspects: the passion for knowing Christ, the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, and the process of being conformed to His death. Sparks illustrates that true knowledge of Christ is rooted in personal experience and is often accompanied by suffering, which ultimately leads to spiritual growth and resurrection power. This journey of knowing Christ is progressive and transformative, shaping the believer's life and ministry.

John Piper delves into the book of Job, highlighting the initial prosperity of Job and the subsequent trials he faced, showcasing his unwavering faith and refusal to sin against God despite immense suffering. The sermon focuses on the significance of Elihu's speech, emphasizing the importance of speaking under the guidance of the Spirit of God rather than relying on age or youth for wisdom. Elihu's characteristics of being slow to speak, expressing righteous anger, seeking relief in speaking God's truth, avoiding flattery, and providing genuine theological insight are outlined as valuable lessons for all believers.

Hans R. Waldvogel emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidence in God rather than in ourselves or worldly things, which are ultimately unreliable. He warns against the folly of trusting in our own hearts and encourages believers to draw near to God with boldness and confidence through faith in Jesus Christ. Waldvogel reminds us that true confidence comes from recognizing our weakness and relying on the Living God who raises the dead. He urges the congregation to cast away any confidence that is not rooted in Christ, as it is only through Him that we can find strength and assurance. The sermon concludes with a call to hope and trust in God's faithfulness, reinforcing that our confidence in Him will lead to great rewards.

William Gadsby preaches about the necessity of having the 'sentence of death' in ourselves to prevent self-trust and instead trust in God who raises the dead. He emphasizes the importance of going through tribulations and conflicts to lead us to fully rely on God's grace and mercy. Gadsby shares personal experiences of struggling with self-trust and the need to surrender to God's will, even when faced with trials and afflictions. He highlights the journey of weaning from self-reliance to complete trust in God for comfort, salvation, and endurance through sufferings.

David Wilkerson emphasizes that no one is above temptation, regardless of their spiritual state. He warns that loving Jesus makes believers targets for Satan, who seeks to instill guilt and fear. Wilkerson references Paul's teaching that trials are meant to redirect our trust from ourselves to God. He illustrates this with David's story, showing that even after severe sin, God's mercy prevails, and believers can find hope in God's faithfulness during temptations. Ultimately, he reassures that God provides a way to endure every trial we face.