This sermon emphasizes the true meaning behind seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, clarifying that the promise of 'all these things will be added to you' in Matthew 6:33 refers to everything needed to glorify God, which may include challenges or suffering. The message challenges the common misinterpretation of this verse to justify material wealth and prosperity. It also draws on 2 Corinthians 9:8 and Philippians 4:19 to highlight that God's provision is tailored to our specific needs for His purposes, even if it involves hardships or a simple lifestyle.

This sermon delves into the book of Habakkuk, where the prophet wrestles with God over injustice, evil, and suffering. Habakkuk questions God's actions amidst the impending Babylonian invasion, highlighting the struggle of faith and deep praise that emerges. The sermon emphasizes God's use of painful experiences for His sovereign purposes, urging listeners to trust in God's timing and live by faith. It concludes with Habakkuk's profound declaration of finding joy and strength in God despite dire circumstances, pointing to the eternal victory found in Christ's suffering and resurrection.

In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that as disciples of Christ, we should not expect an easy path but rather face opposition and persecution from the world. He uses the analogy of a rough and difficult road to illustrate this point. The preacher encourages believers to have faith in God's word and trust in Him, even when circumstances are challenging. He also highlights the importance of finding joy in God, even in times of soul depression, and references the story of Jesus walking on water to illustrate this concept.

In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of discovering one's deepest heart's desire as a way to understand God's design for their life. The speaker provides five steps to help individuals get in touch with their heart's desires, including recognizing God's ownership and interest in their life, studying what God says about their purpose, yielding their body to God, and refusing to conform to the world's thinking. The speaker also encourages individuals to align their entire life with the desires of their heart and references biblical passages from David and Habakkuk to illustrate the power of following one's heart's desires. The sermon concludes with a preview of the next message, which will explore the seven motivational gifts and their impact in various scenarios.

In this sermon, Bishop Stuart Ruck shares a personal experience from nearly 30 years ago when he hitchhiked through Ireland. Despite a challenging day of hitchhiking, he felt drawn to an abandoned stone church. He describes this experience as a prophetic encounter. The sermon also emphasizes the importance of crying out to God for revival and references the biblical story of the Hebrides islands experiencing a powerful move of God in 1949.

In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of relying on the grace of Christ moment by moment and consulting God's ways in our daily lives. He emphasizes the need for integrity and hard work, allowing the principles of Scripture to shape our actions. The speaker also explores the shift in worship practices from the Old Testament to the New Testament, highlighting the essence of worship as finding delight and satisfaction in God. He references Luke 12:33 to illustrate the concept of storing treasures in heaven through acts of love and selflessness.

John Gill emphasizes that spiritual joy is a fruit of the Spirit, deeply rooted in the believer's relationship with God, rather than in worldly pleasures or achievements. He explains that true joy arises from knowing God, experiencing His love, and understanding the work of Christ, including His incarnation, atonement, and resurrection. Gill encourages believers to rejoice in their covenant relationship with God and the assurance of salvation, which brings profound joy even amidst trials. He highlights that this joy is constant, unspeakable, and ultimately rooted in the eternal promises of God. The preacher calls for a recognition of the sources of joy in the life of a believer, urging them to embrace and cultivate this spiritual joy.

Walter Beuttler preaches on the transformation of burdens into songs as seen in the book of Habakkuk. The prophet starts burdened and questioning, but through seeking God's answers and having faith in His character, he ends up singing praises despite unchanged circumstances. Habakkuk's journey teaches us to trust in God's integrity and find joy in who He is, not just in what He does or allows.

George Mueller preaches on the profound joy found in God despite life's trials, drawing from Habakkuk's declaration of faith amidst loss. He emphasizes that even when everything seems to fail, believers can rejoice because God Himself is their portion and strength. Mueller encourages the congregation to recognize their identity as children of God, heirs of His promises, and to trust in His unwavering love and provision. He highlights the importance of faith in Jesus for salvation and the peace that comes from being accepted in Him. Ultimately, Mueller calls for a deeper understanding of God's blessings and the joy that comes from a relationship with Him.

Thomas Reade preaches on the essence of Christian joy, emphasizing that it is a serene and composed state of soul rooted in faithfulness and grace of Jesus, independent of outward circumstances. He highlights the importance of right views of Jesus for maintaining this joy, as seen in John's refutation of heresies denying the humanity and divinity of Christ. Reade encourages believers to examine their faith and joy in light of the word of God, noting that holy joy enables believers to rise above troubles and find strength in God's salvation.

Andrew Bonar emphasizes that present afflictions can strip us of earthly comforts, leading us to recognize the greater value of Christ over His gifts. He reflects on how such afflictions, while momentary, can produce an eternal weight of glory, transforming our perspective on suffering. Bonar encourages believers to view their trials as blessings that draw them closer to Christ, who is ultimately better than all earthly comforts. He cites Paul’s view of affliction as light and momentary, urging us to adopt a similar mindset as we live within the veil of eternity.

Thomas Watson preaches about the Christian joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, which is a delightful passion arising from the feeling of God's love and favor, supporting the soul in troubles and guarding against future fears. He explains how this joy is wrought through the promises of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, and highlights five seasons when God usually gives divine joys to His people. Watson also contrasts worldly joys with spiritual joys, emphasizing that spiritual joys are inward, sweeter, purer, satisfying, stronger, unwearied, abiding, and self-existent, encouraging believers to seek after them through consistent spiritual living.

Brian Long preaches a powerful sermon on the importance of embracing God's call to martyrdom and suffering for His glory, emphasizing the need to surrender all to Jesus and pursue Him wholeheartedly. He challenges the congregation to turn to prayer, run with purpose in sharing the gospel, and seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit for power and boldness in witnessing. The sermon progresses from wrestling with the vision to receiving it and ultimately running with it in prayer and praise, trusting in God's mercy and strength.

J.R. Miller addresses the dangers of discouragement, emphasizing that it is often underestimated as a mere emotional state rather than a significant spiritual threat. He illustrates how discouragement can lead to rebellion against God, using the Israelites' journey through the wilderness as a cautionary tale. Miller encourages Christians to maintain a spirit of cheerfulness and to actively support one another, warning against the sin of being a discourager. He concludes that even in the face of hardships, believers should find strength in God and view challenges as opportunities for growth. Ultimately, he asserts that discouragement should never be allowed to take root in a believer's heart.

Samuel Davies preaches about the divine government, highlighting the blessings of wise and just rulers and the consequences of weak and tyrannical leadership. He emphasizes the necessity of a divine government over the universe for order, justice, and the management of both earthly and spiritual affairs. Davies explores the joy found in the Lord's reign through legislation, providence, grace, and future judgment, illustrating how God's laws, providential care, mediatorial grace, and righteous judgment bring about universal joy and justice.

A.B. Simpson emphasizes the importance of counting all experiences as joy, regardless of our feelings. He explains that the act of 'reckoning' is crucial, as it involves treating ourselves as dead to our old nature and choosing to rejoice in faith. Simpson encourages believers to fix their hearts on God and to develop a habit of rejoicing, which leads to a spirit of gladness and praise. He reminds us that even in times of hardship and lack, we can still find joy in the Lord, as our peace comes from knowing Jesus is in control. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a steadfast commitment to joy and faith amidst life's challenges.

J.C. Philpot delivers a New Year's Address in January 1866, emphasizing the importance of seeking spiritual profit in all aspects of life. He urges readers to assess whether their interactions, readings, and associations lead to soul enrichment or loss. Philpot highlights the need for deep repentance, faith in Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit to experience true spiritual profit, contrasting it with the emptiness of worldly gains. Amid societal challenges and spiritual decline, he encourages believers to seek wisdom, righteousness, and salvation in Jesus, the source of all spiritual blessings.

Charles E. Cowman preaches about maintaining faith and joy in God even in the midst of extreme calamity and distress, drawing inspiration from Habakkuk 3:17-18. He emphasizes the importance of turning to God in times of trouble, maintaining a composed spirit, and finding joy and hope in Him despite the challenges. The sermon highlights the heroic faith and unwavering love displayed by the speaker in the face of adversity, encouraging listeners to adopt a similar attitude of trust and confidence in God.

Charles Finney emphasizes the profound joy that comes from a deep understanding and relationship with God, as illustrated by the prophet Habakkuk's declaration of joy despite dire circumstances. He explains that true joy in God is rooted in perfect confidence, sympathy with God's will, and recognizing Him as the all-sufficient portion of the soul. Finney argues that this state of mind is essential for peace, salvation, and usefulness in the world, as it allows believers to rejoice in God's sovereignty regardless of their circumstances. He warns against the dangers of seeking happiness in external factors rather than in God Himself, urging believers to cultivate a heart that rejoices in God's character and will. Ultimately, Finney calls for a transformative knowledge of God that leads to unshakeable joy and peace.

Richard E. Bieber preaches about finding God's light, fulfillment, and joy in the midst of valleys, where everything seems to be going wrong. Using examples from the lives of Moses, John the Baptist, and Jesus, he emphasizes the importance of embracing difficult times as opportunities for growth and formation into the image of Christ. The sermon encourages believers to trust that God is in control, to seek His presence daily, to rejoice in Him regardless of circumstances, and to find strength in Him to eventually emerge from the valleys prepared for higher places.

A.W. Pink emphasizes that true joy can only be found in God through Christ, contrasting the futile pursuits of the ungodly with the joy that is a duty for Christians. He addresses misconceptions among believers who feel it is sinful to rejoice, urging them to embrace joy as a command from God. Pink highlights that joy is rooted in faith and is essential for spiritual strength, encouraging believers to maintain their joy despite life's challenges. He also warns against the hindrances to joy, such as unconfessed sin and worldly distractions, and stresses the importance of balancing joy with a sober awareness of sin and sorrow.

Thomas Reade preaches about the dangers of covetousness and the insatiable desire for more, warning that the pursuit of wealth can lead to destruction and idolatry. He emphasizes the importance of godliness with contentment as a remedy for covetousness, citing Paul's teachings on finding joy and strength in Christ regardless of circumstances. Reade highlights the contrast between worldly riches and spiritual blessings, urging believers to seek heavenly treasures and trust in God's provision. He cautions against the love of money, drawing examples from Scripture of those who fell into sin due to their desire for more, and encourages a holy desire for spiritual growth and dependence on God.

Chuck Smith emphasizes the concept of 'Dancing Faith' in Habakkuk 3:17, illustrating how a believer can rejoice in the Lord despite bleak circumstances, such as failing crops and lack of resources. He highlights that true joy comes from faith in God's promises, encouraging believers to focus on the Lord rather than their dire situations. Smith explains that faith allows one to experience joy even when there is no visible means of survival, as God has resources beyond our understanding. The sermon encourages a shift in perspective, reminding us that God is greater than our problems and that we should give glory to Him.