In this sermon, the preacher tells a story about a young man who committed his life to Christ despite his mother and grandmother's disapproval. The young man expressed his deep love for them but explained that his love for Jesus was greater and he must obey Him. The preacher then goes on to discuss the importance of understanding Jesus' words and teachings. He suggests that Jesus was more concerned with revealing the desperate need of people's hearts rather than just pleasing them. The preacher encourages the audience to consider the challenge of becoming a true disciple of Jesus rather than simply accepting Him for salvation.

In this sermon, the preacher tells a story about a man who finds himself in a dangerous situation. The man is hanging from a rope and realizes that his only chance of survival is to hold on tightly. He prays to God for help and jumps when the rope comes close enough. He manages to cling to a rock and discovers that there are birds and their chicks nearby. However, he realizes that the rope is slipping away from him and he fears being lost and exposed. The sermon emphasizes the importance of holding on to God's promises and not being distracted by worldly temptations.

This sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the true nature of the Church as seen by God, highlighting the tragic consequences of departing from the heavenly vision. It explores the contrast between the heavenly vision of Christ and the earthliness that can infiltrate the Church, leading to spiritual blindness, division, and a departure from God's intended purpose. The call is for the Church to return to its heavenly vision, rejecting earthly influences and embracing the fullness of the Holy Spirit for a true outpouring.

This sermon emphasizes the sacrificial nature of Jesus, who took on all impurity and wickedness to consume iniquity. It challenges believers to truly believe in Jesus, even when faced with doubts and betrayals, and to be willing to embrace the cross and separate from the world in order to receive the fullness of the Spirit.

In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the 40 days that Jesus spent on earth after His resurrection. He explains that during this time, Jesus trained His disciples to shift their focus from external things to internal revelation, from the flesh to the Holy Spirit, and from the law to life. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about a turbulent airplane ride to illustrate the need for Christians to rise above fear and rely on the Holy Spirit. He concludes by urging the audience to prioritize their personal encounter with the Lord and the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of manifesting Christ through walking in suffering love. He highlights the attitude of Jesus, who showed forbearance, kindness, and love even in the face of anger and retaliation. The speaker encourages listeners to present their bodies as living sacrifices to Jesus and to refrain from seeking revenge. The sermon also explores the implications of this teaching in various aspects of life, such as business, family, church, relationships, and even driving habits. The speaker urges believers to manifest the character, teachings, and spirit of Jesus in order to inspire a joyful, loyal, courageous, and heavenly patriotism.

This sermon emphasizes the importance of being fully surrendered to God, focusing on the need to be dead to the world and alive to the things of God. The title 'Dead Men See God' is explored in the context of discussing the rapture and Matthew 24. The sermon delves into the urgency of being prepared for Christ's return, highlighting the signs of the times and the need to be watchful. It stresses the concept of being dead to sin and the world to draw closer to God, urging believers to be vigilant in their spiritual walk and to starve sin to death.

In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of trusting in God and walking in His ways. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is used as an example of unwavering faith in the face of adversity. The preacher highlights three lessons from the story: the futility of fighting against God, the temptation to turn away from God, and the goodness of trusting in God. The sermon concludes with the reminder that those who live their lives hidden in Christ will have eternal life.

Shane Idleman emphasizes the call to a higher standard of living for those who wish to follow God wholeheartedly, stating that while others may indulge in worldly pleasures and compromise, true followers cannot if they desire to be filled with the Spirit of God. He warns against the dangers of entertainment and lifestyles that draw us away from God, advocating for a life of obedience and crucifixion of the flesh. Idleman highlights the joy found in a deep dependence on God, contrasting it with the fleeting pleasures of the world, and encourages believers to embrace the cost of discipleship.

Watchman Nee emphasizes the necessity of separation from the world and dedication to God as foundational principles of Christian living. He illustrates the stark contrast between Babylon, representing worldly values, and the New Jerusalem, symbolizing holiness and divine purpose. Nee argues that true understanding and revelation of God's plan require a spiritual ascent, urging believers to build a moral barrier against worldly influences. He highlights that the Cross of Christ signifies the world's judgment and calls Christians to recognize their crucifixion to the world and the world's crucifixion to them. Ultimately, he asserts that spiritual deliverance comes from seeing the world as doomed and aligning oneself with God's eternal purpose.

Andrew Murray emphasizes the conflict between the spirit of the world and the Spirit of God, illustrating how each kingdom influences the hearts and actions of humanity. He warns that the greatest danger for believers lies in the subtle and unconscious influence of worldly spirit, which can lead them away from God's will. Murray highlights that the fall of man resulted in a preference for the visible and temporal over the spiritual and eternal, causing a deep-rooted worldliness. He calls for believers to have their eyes opened to the true nature of the world and to seek complete possession by the Spirit of God to overcome this influence.

A.W. Pink emphasizes the Christian's relationship with the world, warning believers against conforming to its values and distractions. He explains that the world is an enemy of God, and Christians must resist its allure and focus on spiritual growth through the Scriptures. Pink encourages self-examination to determine if one's heart is truly aligned with God or entangled in worldly desires. He highlights that true faith enables believers to overcome the world and that Christ's sacrifice frees them from its bondage. Ultimately, Pink calls for a separation from worldly influences, urging Christians to find their joy and satisfaction in God alone.

Octavius Winslow emphasizes the necessity of separation from the ungodly world, urging believers to recognize their distinct identity as God's chosen people. He highlights that while Christians live in the world, they must not conform to its values or practices, as true discipleship requires a marked separation from worldly influences. Winslow draws parallels between the call of the captive Jews in Babylon and the modern Christian's call to depart from the unclean things of this world. He encourages believers to cultivate a closer union with Christ and the Church, which will further define their identity as followers of an unearthly Savior. Ultimately, he calls for a crucifixion to worldly desires, reminding that love for the world is incompatible with love for the Father.

In this sermon on love, the preacher delves into the concept of 'phileo' love, which is a friendship type of love based on emotions and personal attachment. 'Phileo' is a love that expects a response and is often seen in relationships where there is mutual affection and delight. This type of love is described as a warm affection that requires attention and thrives on a reciprocal nature. While 'phileo' love is conditional and based on finding qualities in another person admirable, 'agapao' love is selfless and originates from a sense of the preciousness of the object loved.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of choosing God as our primary focus, despite being misunderstood or criticized by the world. He argues that Christians should not apologize for their commitment to Christ, as this choice leads to a life of goodness and integrity. Tozer questions who has been harmed by a true Christian's presence, asserting that no one is worse off for knowing a follower of Christ. He highlights the joy and fulfillment that comes from walking with God, contrasting it with the emptiness of worldly pursuits. Ultimately, Tozer encourages believers to embrace their identity in Christ without shame.

J.C. Philpot reflects on the worldly distractions that consume people's lives, leading them to live solely for time, sense, and self, neglecting God's presence and glory in creation. He contrasts the purity of animals glorifying God with the debased nature of humanity, highlighting the depths of sin and shame mankind has fallen into. Despite the sinful state of the world, there is a divine and heavenly work happening behind the scenes, where God is rescuing His chosen ones from darkness and bringing them into the kingdom of His Son, Jesus, who reigns over a hidden but powerful kingdom of grace.

John Gill emphasizes the distinction between those who are born of God and the rest of the world, which lies in wickedness. He explains that true believers are recognized as children of God through the witness of the Holy Spirit and the evidence of their love for one another. In contrast, the majority of humanity remains unregenerate, ensnared by sin and under the influence of Satan, unable to grasp the promises of righteousness. This stark contrast serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle between good and evil that defines the human experience.

F.B. Meyer addresses the dangers of compromising our faith by aligning too closely with the ungodly, as exemplified by King Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab. He warns that wealth and worldly success can weaken our character and lead us to adopt the values of those who oppose God. Meyer emphasizes the importance of maintaining a distinct identity as followers of Christ, urging believers to cultivate a deep love for Jesus that will protect them from worldly influences. He challenges the congregation to reflect on their own lives and relationships, questioning whether they are inadvertently saying, 'I am as thou art' to the world. Ultimately, Meyer reminds us that true engagement with Christ is essential to avoid the pitfalls of worldly alliances and the resulting divine discipline.

A.W. Tozer warns against the dangers of worldly pollution, emphasizing that the world represents a sinful human society that opposes the love of God. He identifies key characteristics of this world, including unbelief, where individuals reject the authority of Scripture, and impenitence, where people acknowledge their sins but lack genuine sorrow for them. Tozer stresses that true Christians should maintain fellowship with fellow believers rather than with those who live in unbelief. The sermon serves as a call to recognize and resist the influences of the world that lead to spiritual adultery.

Denis Lyle preaches on how to deal with vandals, drawing parallels between the church under attack in Revelation and a modern-day church facing hostility. He discusses the story of Elisha facing opposition in Bethel, highlighting the vigorous hostility, vital ministry, and vocal antipathy he encountered. Lyle emphasizes the need for Christians to stand firm in the face of persecution, maintain a faithful ministry that balances grace and judgment, and uphold reverence for God and His servants.

John MacArthur preaches on the role of believers as ambassadors of Christ, emphasizing the threefold nature of being an ambassador: commissioning for a special assignment, representing the sender, and exercising the authority of the sender. Ambassadors of Christ are not always welcomed in a world opposed to God's truth, as warned by Jesus in John 15:19-20 and John 17:14. Paul exemplifies this role by being an ambassador in chains, boldly proclaiming the Gospel despite his circumstances, as seen in Ephesians 6:19-20.

A.W. Tozer challenges the notion that happiness comes from adjusting to societal norms, questioning the origins and authority of these standards. He argues that if the world demands conformity, it should provide evidence of its effectiveness through the happiness and prosperity of those who comply. Tozer highlights the lack of genuine fulfillment and contentment among those who follow these worldly standards, suggesting that the pursuit of happiness through adjustment is ultimately misguided. He calls for a critical examination of the values we adopt and their true impact on our lives.

John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of attentively listening to the divine message being delivered, comparing it to the eagerness people show towards athletes, musicians, and rhetoricians. He describes the Apostle John as a man speaking from heaven, proclaiming truths sweeter and more delightful than any music, urging the audience to cleanse their souls to fully receive the profound mysteries being shared. Chrysostom urges the listeners to approach the divine message with reverence and earnest will, likening the transformation of the soul to changing from clay to gold in an instant. He warns against indulging in worldly distractions and implores the audience to prioritize the spiritual nourishment offered by the divine message.

Theodore Epp emphasizes the danger of being friends with the world, equating it to spiritual infidelity against God. He references James 4:4 to illustrate that aligning with worldly values positions one as an enemy of God, and highlights the importance of true fellowship with God over worldly desires. Epp warns that a lifestyle consistent with worldly values indicates a lack of genuine faith in Christ, while also acknowledging that some believers may temporarily stray due to wanting Christ as Savior without fully submitting to Him as Lord. He concludes with a call to reject worldly love, citing 1 John 2:15.

Watchman Nee emphasizes the distinctiveness of believers in Christ, highlighting that their origin is from above, while the world is beneath. He explains that Christians are 'called-out ones,' chosen by God to live a life that is fundamentally different from the world, which cannot produce true Christians. Nee illustrates that this divine life within believers is a barrier against the world's influence, and that their identity is rooted in being part of the Body of Christ. He reassures that while Christians live in the world, they are not of it, and their distinctiveness is a safeguard against worldly absorption. Ultimately, believers are called to engage with the world, reflecting their heavenly origin and the life of Christ within them.