In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of rejoicing in faithfulness during trials and afflictions. He refers to 1 Peter chapter 4 verses 12-14, which encourages believers not to consider trials as strange occurrences but to rejoice in them as they are partakers of Christ's sufferings. The preacher also highlights the purpose of these afflictions, stating that they are necessary to make believers more useful for God's service and a source of blessing to others. He further discusses the concept of unseen things, which are more real and eternal, and how suffering can make these unseen things more precious and dear to believers. The sermon concludes with a list of the Apostle Paul's sufferings, emphasizing the endurance and perseverance required in the Christian journey.

In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal journey of seeking reality in his faith and how God has led him in India. He emphasizes the importance of honesty and transparency in our relationship with God and with one another. The speaker highlights the need for husbands and wives to walk in the light and be honest with each other. He also mentions the danger of giving young people the impression that Christians don't face the same struggles they do. The sermon references Psalm 51 and Romans 7 to illustrate the importance of honesty and the transformation that can come through the new covenant.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the critical nature of holiness in the life of believers, asserting that without it, no one will see the Lord. He discusses the fall of man and the resulting loss of personal holiness, which alienates humanity from God. Tozer explains that God’s primary concern is restoring holiness within us, achieved through various means, including chastisement and resistance. He illustrates this process through biblical examples, highlighting that true growth in holiness requires unlearning false teachings and embracing God's discipline. Ultimately, Tozer calls for a sincere pursuit of holiness over mere blessings, urging believers to seek a pure heart aligned with God's will.

Charles Finney emphasizes the significance of God's promises, explaining that they are designed to make believers partakers of the divine nature, which includes moral attributes and sanctification. He clarifies that while we do not become divine beings, we can embody God's moral perfections through the Holy Spirit. Finney contrasts the Old and New Covenants, asserting that the New Covenant provides the means for complete sanctification and perfect obedience, which was unattainable under the Old Covenant. He encourages believers to embrace the transformative power of God's promises, which lead to holiness, love, joy, and peace. Ultimately, Finney reassures that the promises of God are sufficient for our spiritual growth and sanctification in this life.

Thomas Watson expounds on 'The Lord's Prayer,' particularly the petition 'Deliver us from evil,' emphasizing the need for divine protection from the evils of the world, our own hearts, and the devil. He illustrates how the world is defiling, ensnaring, deadening, and vexing, urging believers to seek deliverance from its temptations and troubles. Watson also highlights the importance of recognizing the heart as a source of sin and the necessity of prayer for strength against Satan's schemes. He concludes by reminding the congregation of the eternal consequences of sin and the need for God's grace to overcome it.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes that God uses severe providences and fiery trials to purify His people and promote their growth in grace. He illustrates that just as a candle shines brighter when trimmed, believers often flourish spiritually during times of affliction. Brooks reassures that while trials may seem harmful, they ultimately serve to deepen our relationship with God and enhance our holiness. He encourages Christians to embrace their struggles, recognizing that they can lead to greater humility, compassion, and faithfulness. The sermon concludes with the promise that God disciplines us for our good, allowing us to share in His holiness.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes that God's discipline is ultimately for our good, as it allows us to share in His holiness. He illustrates that afflictions can lead to the flourishing of grace, much like how spices release their fragrance when bruised. Brooks points out that throughout history, God's people have thrived in times of suffering, as trials often revive and strengthen their faith, love, and hope. He uses various metaphors, such as stars shining in darkness and gold shining brighter after being scoured, to convey that hardships can lead to spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God.

Zac Poonen discusses the theme of Divine Discipline through the life of Jacob, emphasizing that God used severe chastening over twenty years to prepare Jacob for His promises. Jacob's experiences with Laban, who mirrored his own shrewdness, served to refine his character and teach him trust in God rather than relying on his cleverness. Despite facing challenges, including marrying Leah instead of Rachel and dealing with barrenness, Jacob continued to scheme until he was ultimately confronted with the consequences of his actions. Poonen highlights that God's discipline is purposeful and tailored to each individual's needs, aiming to cultivate trust and reliance on Him. The sermon concludes with the reminder that while discipline may be painful, it leads to growth in grace and character.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes the necessity of remaining silent and trusting in God's love during afflictions, arguing that true understanding of God's love in suffering can transform our perspective. He addresses common objections to silence in suffering, asserting that afflictions can draw us closer to God, teach us valuable lessons, and ultimately lead to spiritual growth. Brooks encourages believers to recognize that their trials are tailored to their strength and serve a divine purpose, urging them to focus on the eternal glory that awaits them rather than their temporary pain. He concludes that patience in suffering can lead to a deeper relationship with Christ and greater spiritual rewards.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes that God's discipline is always for our good, as illustrated in Hebrews 12:10. He explains that what God wills—whether it be sickness, weakness, poverty, reproach, or even death—is ultimately better for us than the opposite, as God's wisdom and goodness ensure that His plans are perfect. Brooks encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and remain silent before Him, recognizing that His ways are higher than our own.

Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes that holiness is the state of being like Jesus in moral and spiritual nature, achieved through complete deliverance from sin and the perfection of spiritual graces. He explains that holiness is not attained through works or growth, but as a gift from God through faith and consecration. Brengle encourages believers to ask Jesus for holiness, trust in His promises, and act in faith, regardless of feelings. He illustrates this with the story of the ten lepers, highlighting that obedience and trust lead to cleansing and transformation. Ultimately, he calls for a full surrender to God, assuring that holiness is possible and available to all who seek it earnestly.

Octavius Winslow emphasizes the profound sympathy of Christ for believers, illustrating that their afflictions are part of God's sovereign plan to refine and discipline them. He explains that believers are often chosen in the furnace of affliction, which serves to deepen their faith and reliance on God. Winslow encourages believers to view their trials as opportunities for spiritual growth and to recognize that Christ, having shared in human suffering, intimately understands their pain. He reassures that through these experiences, believers can find comfort in the unwavering love and sympathy of Jesus, who bears their burdens alongside them. Ultimately, Winslow calls for a response of trust and submission to God's will in the midst of trials.

Andrew Murray emphasizes the significance of chastisement in the life of a believer, illustrating that trials are a divine education aimed at holiness and spiritual growth. He encourages Christians to view their afflictions as blessings that lead to a deeper understanding of God's Word and a closer relationship with Jesus. Murray highlights the necessity of having a clear aim during trials, relying on Scripture, allowing Jesus to be our teacher, and being a willing pupil to learn from these experiences. He reassures that through chastisement, believers can partake in God's holiness and ultimately find joy in their trials. The sermon concludes with a heartfelt prayer of gratitude for the lessons learned through suffering.

Lewis T. Corlett preaches about the importance of holiness as the foundation for a solid and enduring life, emphasizing the need for young people to seek God's ideal for their lives and to become conscious of the solid foundation provided by holiness. Holiness is described as the moral character of God, requiring recognition of authority, giving man a concept of righteousness, presenting an ideal of morals, and contributing ideals to man's relationships and life. It is the only foundation that can provide man with a stable footing in moral values, harmonious living, purity of motives, and a personal Christian experience.

Edward Davies preaches on the holiness of God, emphasizing that holiness is an essential attribute of God's nature. God's holiness is demonstrated in the moral universe through His laws and commandments, promoting the well-being of those who obey them. The gospel reveals God's eternal abhorrence of sin and His love for purity, offering a way for humanity to be sanctified through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The holiness of God, reflected in the Trinity, serves as the foundation for all human holiness, flowing infinitely from the divine source.

James Smith preaches on the loving discipline of God towards His children, emphasizing that believers are chastened out of love, not punishment, as they are under grace, not the law. God corrects His children for their willfulness, negligence, inattention, rebellions, and worldliness, all to form their character and draw them closer to Him. The Lord chastens His children through various means, such as frowning upon the soul, refusing to answer prayer, leaving them to themselves in ordinances, and through the dispensations of Providence, always with the intention of benefiting them and leading them to holiness.

Zac Poonen preaches on the transformative power of being broken before God, using the life of Jacob as an example. He emphasizes the importance of surrendering our self-life to allow Christ to manifest His glory within us. Through Jacob's journey of being broken, we learn that God's discipline and honesty with Him are essential for experiencing His fullness and blessings. The sermon highlights that true power with God and men comes when we are earnest, hungry for God, and completely honest in our brokenness before Him, leading to a life of dependence and worship.

Zac Poonen preaches on the holiness of God and the call for believers to also walk in holiness. Through the example of Jesus, who faced and overcame every temptation without sin, believers are encouraged to follow His path of obedience and self-denial. Jesus, as our Forerunner, paved the way for us to run the race of faith with endurance, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome sin and live in victory. The life of Jesus demonstrates that through obedience to God's Word and a life of godliness, believers can partake in the divine nature and experience the joy of walking as Jesus walked.

Zac Poonen preaches about the importance of obedience to God, emphasizing that under the new covenant, God writes His laws in our hearts so that we not only obey but love to obey Him. Obedience is essential for fellowship with God, and all of God's commandments stem from His perfect love for us, meant to set us free and lead us to maturity. Suffering is part of our spiritual education, designed to mold us into holiness and share in God's holiness, as seen in Jesus' life of obedience and suffering.

Miles J. Stanford preaches about the purpose of God's processing and trials in our lives, emphasizing that even when we do not understand His ways, we should trust that He knows what is best for us. He highlights the importance of consenting to God's leading through difficult processes, as He carefully matches our suffering to our specific needs for spiritual growth and holiness. Stanford encourages surrendering to God's will in the midst of suffering, believing that every trial is meant to conform us to the image of Christ and lead us to a deeper relationship with Him.

Miles J. Stanford emphasizes the importance of not taking lightly the Lord's discipline, comparing it to a father's discipline for the good of his children. He explains that God's discipline is meant to lift us up and mold us into His holy character, not to bring us down. Stanford highlights that through trials and pressure in service, God purges us to bring forth more fruit, leading us to depend on Him for greater answers than we could imagine. Just like the prodigal son found more than sustenance in his father's house, God's discipline and guidance exceed our expectations, showing His love for us.

Zac Poonen preaches on the importance of obedience to God's commandments under the New Covenant, emphasizing that God's laws are meant to set us free and are proof of His intense love for us. He highlights that obedience is often misunderstood due to a lack of understanding of God's love and grace, leading to a perception of His commandments as burdensome. Poonen explains that suffering is a crucial part of our spiritual education, necessary for our growth and maturity, and that God disciplines us out of love to share in His holiness, as seen in the life of Jesus.

Charles E. Cowman preaches about the transformative power of hardships and struggles in our lives, using the story of Gwen and the parable of the canyon to illustrate how God uses difficult circumstances to cultivate virtues like gentleness, meekness, and longsuffering in us. Just as the canyon, with its rough rocks, eventually blossomed into a beautiful place filled with flowers and greenery, our trials and tribulations can lead to the growth of spiritual fruits like love, joy, and peace, albeit in a richer and more fragrant manner. Even in the midst of our rocky canyons, God promises that one day, our barren landscapes will bloom with His beauty and grace.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes that God's discipline is rooted in love and aims to help us share in His holiness. He reassures believers that while God is the only one who is absolutely holy, we are invited to reflect His nature and grow in grace. Tozer encourages Christians to pursue holiness, understanding that it is a privilege to be shaped into the likeness of Christ. He reminds us that God, knowing our human frailty, desires for us to become more like Jesus each day. This call to holiness is not a burden but a loving invitation from our heavenly Father.