In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of the prodigal son and relates it to the journey of a Christian. He emphasizes the importance of patience and endurance in the Christian walk, comparing it to a race. The preacher highlights that receiving a reward or recognition quickly does not necessarily indicate true value or maturity. He also emphasizes that it takes time and refinement from God to develop a person into a strong and faithful servant.

In this sermon, the preacher discusses the mysterious ways in which God works and how we should trust in His grace rather than relying on our own understanding. He uses examples from the Bible, such as the experiences of James and Peter, to illustrate how God's plans may not always align with our desires or expectations. The preacher emphasizes the importance of having faith and seeking God's will, even in times of disappointment or inequality. Ultimately, he encourages listeners to worship and trust in the sweet will of God, knowing that He has a purpose for every situation.

In this sermon, the speaker shares his experiences of preaching the word of God and traveling across the nation. He recalls a powerful encounter with a man who commended him for fearlessly preaching the unadulterated word of God. The speaker also mentions witnessing the devastation of families who have lost their children and how they turn to the words of Job in their grief. He shares a story of a man who wrote a heartfelt letter to his parents, seeking forgiveness and reconciliation, and how his parents had been praying for him daily, not knowing if he was alive or dead.

Norman Grubb explores the profound questions of life: what it is, how to live it, and why we live it, emphasizing that true humanity is found in self-forgetfulness and spontaneous expressions of God's love. He asserts that Jesus Christ is the embodiment of life and love, and that our existence is meant to be a reflection of God's self-giving nature. Grubb highlights the importance of recognizing our relationship with God as one of union, where we live not for ourselves but for others, embodying the love that God has poured into our hearts. He concludes that the essence of Christianity is not about self-improvement but about allowing God to live through us, transforming our lives into expressions of His love.

George Fox emphasizes the importance of living in the life and power of God, which teaches self-denial and keeps believers from strife and deceit. He encourages the faithful to remain in the light, where actions can be judged by the pure spirit, and to cultivate a deep fear of the Lord that leads to love and unity among one another. Fox warns against confusion and actions contrary to the light, urging believers to serve diligently and to wait for the power of God to transform their earthly nature. He reassures them that through faith and the spirit of promise, they can witness the eternal kingdom of God filled with love, joy, and peace. Ultimately, he calls for unity and growth in God's grace as they gather together in His name.

George Fox emphasizes the importance of being partakers of God's power and the heavenly gift, which fosters unity, peace, and a kingdom without end. He warns against the division caused by those who possess the words of scripture but lack the spirit and power that originally inspired them. Fox encourages believers to remain faithful, obedient to the truth, and to spread it widely, addressing the witness of God in all people. He stresses the necessity of coming together in one body through the baptism of the Spirit, and the importance of resolving conflicts privately to maintain the integrity of the truth. Ultimately, he calls for wisdom that preserves unity and peace among believers.

T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the transformative impact of the Holy Spirit in establishing a new spiritual order following the coming of Christ, contrasting it with the old Jewish dispensation that relied on physical senses. He explains that the new order is characterized by spiritual faculties, enabling believers to perceive and understand divine truths beyond mere physical experience. Sparks highlights the necessity of being born of the Spirit to access this new reality, where spiritual sight, hearing, and discernment replace the limitations of the old system. He warns against reverting to a soulish Christianity that neglects the leading of the Holy Spirit, urging believers to embrace the spiritual nature of their faith. Ultimately, he calls for a return to a Spirit-led existence that reflects the true essence of the new covenant.

John Wesley emphasizes the biblical command for children to obey their parents, highlighting that this principle is universally recognized and rooted in both natural law and divine revelation. He explains that obedience is not only a duty but also brings blessings, as it is pleasing to God and is the first commandment with a promise. Wesley urges parents to instill this obedience from a young age, warning against the dangers of indulgence and the consequences of allowing children to act on their own will. He calls for a serious commitment from both parents and children to uphold this commandment, framing it as essential for spiritual well-being and familial harmony.

C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the profound relationship between God and His people, who are both His creation and His adopted children through Christ. He highlights the privilege of addressing God as 'Our Father,' which carries both authority and affection, urging believers to respond with loving obedience rather than servile fear. Spurgeon illustrates the depth of a father's love, asserting that just as earthly fathers care for their children, our heavenly Father provides and protects us with even greater devotion. The sermon calls for a joyful and willing service to God, recognizing His mercy and love as the foundation of our relationship with Him. Ultimately, the term 'Father' encapsulates all our needs and desires, offering a glimpse of heaven itself.

John Chrysostom emphasizes the connection between sin, grief, and God's cure for humanity, highlighting the destructive nature of sin and the importance of mourning for sin alone. He delves into the passage of Genesis 1:1, showcasing God's forethought and mercy in creation, even in chastisement, as seen in His compassionate call to Adam. Chrysostom concludes with a strong admonition against the casual use of oaths, urging for reverence in speech and a deep respect for the name of the Lord.

John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of children obeying and honoring their parents, as it is the first commandment with a promise of well-being and long life. He highlights the gradual progression of authority from husband to wife to children, stressing the need for children to obey their parents in the Lord, following God's commandments. Chrysostom urges fathers not to provoke their children to wrath but to nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, emphasizing the significance of spiritual upbringing over worldly wealth and status.

H.J. Vine preaches about the glorification of the redeemed bodies by our Lord Jesus Christ in the twinkling of an eye upon His return, emphasizing the care God provides for our spirits, enabling us to respond with praise and thanksgiving. Believers are encouraged to be in subjection to the Father of spirits, resulting in holiness and peaceable fruit of righteousness. The sermon highlights the necessity of a divine operation in man's spirit for true transformation and the importance of being born again to be right with God.

George Fox preaches about living in the power of God, which brings unity, peace, and joy, and overcomes strife and the works of the devil. He emphasizes the importance of dwelling in the truth, answering it in every person, and maintaining fellowship in the spirit of God. Fox encourages believers to pray, praise, and glorify God in the spirit of wisdom, avoiding actions that grieve or quench the spirit of God. He urges them to be led by the spirit, keep their fellowship with God, and preserve their meetings in the spirit against worldly influences.

Samuel Davies preaches about the nature and universality of spiritual death, emphasizing the dreadful state of the soul separated from God, dead in transgressions and sins. He vividly describes the ghastly countenance, convulsive agonies, and insensibility of physical death, paralleling it with the spiritual death that separates the soul from God's presence and leads to everlasting misery. Davies highlights the need for God's mercy and grace to make sinners alive with Christ, underscoring the inability of individuals to quicken themselves due to their deadness in sin. He urges both the spiritually alive and dead to reflect on their condition, calling for repentance, gratitude, and a recognition of salvation by grace alone.

T. Austin-Sparks preaches on the importance of spirituality as the key to understanding all that belongs to God. He emphasizes the necessity of being reconstituted as spiritual beings to grasp the things of God, highlighting the gulf between the natural and the spiritual. The sermon delves into the counterfeit spirituality that often masquerades as true spirituality, cautioning against relying on external rituals or forms for spiritual growth.

Greek Word Studies for an aid_number 33756 delves into the concept of 'paideutes' as a corrector or discipliner, drawing parallels to the role of a pedagogue in ancient Greek culture who oversaw the moral and ethical development of a child. The term is used in Hebrews 12:9 to emphasize the discipline and correction provided by earthly fathers and the need to submit to the Father of spirits for spiritual growth and life.