In this sermon, the speaker expresses concern about the negative effects of the prosperity gospel and false prophets on believers. He describes witnessing people engaging in strange behaviors during church services, such as falling on the floor, laughing hysterically, and writhing like snakes. The speaker criticizes evangelists who claim to have the power to knock people down or impart the Holy Spirit through physical actions. He also highlights the spread of this distorted gospel message, including in South America and Cuba, and warns against the dangers of Ponzi and pyramid schemes within the church.

In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the tremendous upheaval and moral and social events that have shaped and defined the world of the graduating class of 2002. The speaker emphasizes the importance of redeeming time and recognizing its shortness. They also mention their personal experience of feeling humbled by others' skills in surfing, highlighting the passing of time. The sermon references Ecclesiastes 3, where Solomon describes the different seasons of life, including both joy and sorrow. The speaker acknowledges that trials are a part of life, often caused by our own mistakes and sins. They conclude by referencing Habakkuk, who encourages singing a song despite the impending loss of everything.

This sermon emphasizes the importance of responding properly to God's call, highlighting the consequences of improper responses seen in various biblical examples. It discusses the need to seek, inquire, obey, trust, and draw near to God in a way that aligns with His will, contrasting it with the dangers of disobedience, lack of correction, and failure to seek the Lord. The message urges a shift from improper responses to a proper, humble, and repentant attitude before God.

In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for revival and a genuine moving of God in the lives of believers. He prays for God to cure the warring madness and selfishness in His children and to grant them wisdom and courage. The preacher encourages the congregation to believe that the joy of the Lord grows sweeter as the years go by and that the younger generation needs to see this. He highlights the example of the disciples who, despite walking closely with Christ, recognized their propensity towards sin. The preacher warns that if a holy God were to look at the congregation, it would resemble hell itself, emphasizing the need for repentance and revival.

Charles E. Cowman preaches on the power of stillness and silence in knowing God, emphasizing the importance of quieting our hearts and minds to hear His voice. He describes the peace, strength, and deep rest that come from entering into a place of stillness with God, where His presence dwells in the midst of life's busyness. Through the imagery of a hushed tempest before a storm and the quiet center of a spinning wheel, he encourages listeners to seek God in the silence and experience His transformative love and renewal.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of prayer beyond mere requests, arguing that true prayer is about entering into a deep union with God. He warns against the tendency to treat prayer as a means to 'get' what we want, suggesting that the highest form of prayer transcends requests and leads to profound spiritual experiences. Tozer highlights the necessity of silence in prayer, encouraging Christians to embrace stillness to hear the voice of God. He cites the psalmist's call to 'Be still and know' as a vital practice for spiritual growth and understanding. Ultimately, Tozer calls for a deeper, more contemplative approach to prayer that fosters a closer relationship with the Eternal God.

Christian Weiss preaches on the importance of waiting on God in prayer, highlighting the concept of stillness and silence before the Lord as a crucial aspect of genuine prayer. He emphasizes the need to quiet our hearts, search our inner thoughts, and humble ourselves before God during this time of waiting. Weiss explains that silent waiting on God allows for communion with Him, where we listen for His voice before presenting our petitions, and encourages believers to practice this both in private and public prayer.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes the importance of being silent before the Lord and patiently waiting for Him, urging the soul to refrain from muttering, murmuring, and complaining during times of affliction. He commands the soul to find peace and stillness, recognizing that there is no justifiable reason to quarrel against God's righteous hand. Brooks encourages believers to lay their hand upon their mouth and embrace a quiet spirit, as inner turmoil can lead to accountability for our discontent.

Charles E. Cowman preaches about the significance of God's revelation to Isaac in the night when he reached Beer-sheba, emphasizing that the timing of divine encounters is not accidental but purposeful. The sermon highlights the importance of finding rest and stillness in our souls to hear God's voice clearly, as He speaks in the silence of our spirits. It encourages listeners to quiet their hearts, trust in God's timing, and seek solace in solitude to experience the mysterious and beautiful revelations that come when we are undisturbed by the noise of the world.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the profound importance of silence and solitude in our spiritual lives, drawing on the example of Jesus who often withdrew to pray in silence. He critiques the modern evangelical tendency to fill life with noise, which reflects immaturity and a lack of understanding of the healing power of quietness before God. Tozer urges believers to seek the discipline of solitude, allowing their souls to be refreshed and renewed in the presence of the Father. He calls for a commitment to mastering this practice, regardless of life's busyness, to truly experience God's presence.

Andrew Murray emphasizes that the glory of God can only be revealed to us through divine revelation, urging believers to prepare their hearts like imaging sensors to receive this glory. He draws a parallel between the vastness of the starry heavens and the need for a still and pure heart to perceive God's presence. By silencing our own thoughts and waiting upon God, we open ourselves to His transformative glory, which can bless both ourselves and others. Murray encourages a humble offering of our spirits to God, trusting that He will manifest His love and glory in our lives.

Donald S. Whitney preaches on the importance of silence and solitude in the Christian life, drawing examples from Moses, the Apostle Paul, and Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the need for balance between engaging with others for God-given responsibilities and withdrawing into disciplines of silence and solitude to hear the voice of God better, express worship, demonstrate faith, be restored physically and spiritually, seek God's will, and learn control of the tongue.

James Bourne emphasizes the importance of seeking God wholeheartedly, especially in private, to avoid spiritual death and confusion. He warns against giving to man what rightfully belongs to God, as it may lead to God hiding His face and causing darkness in our path. Bourne encourages minimal conversation, filled with godly fear and free from wrath and bitterness, to avoid contention and maintain righteousness. He shares his personal struggles with daily crosses and petitions to avoid backsliding, highlighting the acceptance of God's discipline and the renewal of strength through repentance and divine intervention.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes the importance of maintaining a silent and humble spirit during afflictions, drawing from Psalm 39:9, where David acknowledges God's sovereignty in his suffering. He encourages Christians to recognize God's hand in their trials and to respond with a calm and quiet heart, rather than with complaints or despair. Brooks outlines various forms of silence, distinguishing between unholy and holy silence, and stresses that true silence involves a deep understanding of God's justice and mercy. He reassures believers that afflictions serve a purpose in their spiritual growth and that God’s love remains constant even in hardship. Ultimately, Brooks calls for a patient waiting on the Lord, trusting in His goodness and timing.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of waiting on God rather than being overly busy in religious activities. He critiques the tendency of Christians to rush into action without seeking divine guidance, using the example of Peter who was instructed to wait for the Holy Spirit before preaching. Tozer suggests that the Church would benefit from a period of inactivity to truly listen for God's direction, similar to the waiting period before Pentecost. He encourages believers to pause and seek God's will, recognizing that true power comes from being spiritually prepared. The sermon calls for a deeper reliance on God rather than mere busyness in ministry.