Art Katz emphasizes the profound significance of Israel's suffering as a means to reveal the true church and the true God to the nations. He highlights that only the righteous are willing to suffer for others, particularly for Israel, who is both a suffering servant and a reflection of Christ's own sacrifice. Katz calls for a deeper understanding of God's purposes through suffering, urging the church to identify with Israel and participate in their journey. He warns against reducing the church's calling to mere programs, advocating instead for a prophetic and apostolic stature that embraces suffering for the sake of God's glory and Israel's redemption. The sermon concludes with a prayer for the church to awaken to its eternal destiny and the necessity of suffering in fulfilling God's redemptive plan.

In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the Christian ministry and the role of the messenger. He highlights the need for ministers to focus on the message they are bringing to the people, stating that many churches today are struggling because they are not delivering a true biblical message. The speaker warns against misrepresenting God and emphasizes the seriousness of standing before people as God's representative. He concludes by emphasizing the accountability ministers will have before God for how they represented Him.

In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the challenges faced by believers during times of war and upheaval. He shares personal experiences of living through World War II and witnessing the mobilization of nations for war. The speaker emphasizes the need for believers to be prepared for the coming of the Lord and to live in expectation of His return. He encourages believers to study the events happening around the world but also acknowledges that these events are constantly changing, highlighting the importance of being rooted in the Word of God.

This sermon emphasizes the invitation of Jesus for those who are thirsty and longing for a deep relationship with Him. It highlights the promise of peace amidst tribulations for true disciples, the expectation of persecution for standing with Christ, and the need to cultivate a profound connection with Jesus to remain unshaken in the face of trials.

This sermon emphasizes the theme of persecution and opposition faced by the early church in the Book of Acts, highlighting how the power of God through His church attracts resistance from the enemy. It explores the reactions of the church to persecution, illustrating the importance of standing firm in faith and continuing to proclaim the Gospel despite challenges and threats. The sermon encourages believers to rely on God's empowerment and boldness in the face of opposition, rather than succumbing to fear or compromise.

This sermon emphasizes the importance of missions, highlighting the need for believers to embrace suffering and sacrifice for the sake of spreading the gospel to unreached peoples. It underscores the biblical truth that suffering is a normal part of the Christian life, as Jesus and the apostles endured persecution. The sermon also stresses the significance of prayer in empowering the work of missions, connecting prayer to warfare and the refining of faith. Ultimately, the goal is to bring glory to God through joyful endurance and faithful service.

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 preacher describes a moment when people in downtown Brooklyn were curious about him and gathered to see what he was about. Despite the temptation to say something that would make them stay, the preacher felt compelled to speak the truth. He shares a personal story of receiving threats for his faith and the pressure he faced to deny Jesus. The preacher also discusses the early church's poverty and affliction, emphasizing that God knows and understands their struggles.

In this sermon, the preacher discusses the revolutionary nature of the truth found in the teachings of Jesus. He uses a football game as an analogy to explain the different approaches of offense and defense in winning a game. The preacher emphasizes that Jesus did not come to simply offer a motivational message or temporary solutions, but to revolutionize the world with the radical truths of the kingdom of heaven. He highlights the aggressive nature of the gospel, both through the working of the Holy Spirit in convicting people of sin and through the true church spreading the message. The preacher also references the Apostle Paul's teachings in Romans to support the idea that God has given all of humanity a conscience and a testimony of His existence.

C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the challenges of maintaining faith amidst hostility, particularly from those closest to us. He encourages believers to embody grace and purity, likening their struggle to that of David in Saul's court, where unsullied character protected him from accusations. Spurgeon urges young people facing scorn for their faith to embrace their trials as a mark of honor, rather than seeking to escape them. He calls for a deep spiritual life that enables them to withstand persecution and remain steadfast in their commitment to Christ. Ultimately, he reminds them to rejoice in suffering for the sake of their Savior.

K.P. Yohannan emphasizes that Jesus’ life serves as our model for embracing suffering as part of our Christian journey. He challenges the modern notion of following Christ without the willingness to endure hardship, highlighting that suffering for Christ is a privilege and a necessary aspect of our faith. Yohannan points out that Jesus experienced suffering throughout His life, not just at the crucifixion, and that His example teaches us to deny ourselves and accept our own struggles. By following Christ's example, we can become agents of redemption, understanding that our suffering can lead to greater purposes in God's plan. Ultimately, the call is to align our will with God's, just as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane.

George Whitefield preaches on the inevitability of persecution for those who choose to live godly in Christ Jesus, drawing from the teachings of Jesus and the apostle Paul. He emphasizes the importance of examining oneself to determine if they are truly living godly in Christ Jesus, as persecution is a mark of genuine discipleship. Whitefield also addresses those considering following Christ, urging them to count the cost and be prepared to endure persecution for His sake. Additionally, he speaks to ministers, encouraging them to be willing to suffer for the gospel and to pray for strength and faithfulness in the face of persecution. Lastly, he warns persecutors of the consequences of their actions and calls them to repentance and faith in Christ.

Andrew Murray emphasizes that Jesus serves as the ultimate model of perfection for humanity, demonstrating that despite our limitations, we can strive to reflect God's perfection through Him. He highlights that Jesus, who faced temptation and humiliation, invites us to live in Him and emulate His character. The true disciple embodies both outward humility and inward servitude, aspiring to mirror the Master in all aspects of life. This journey towards perfection involves embracing the challenges of being despised and serving others, ultimately leading to a deeper relationship with Christ.

Frank W. Boreham preaches on the eighth beatitude, emphasizing that persecution for righteousness' sake is a universal experience for all Christians throughout history. He highlights how Jesus expanded the definition of persecution to include reviling, persecution, and false accusations, ensuring that no believer feels excluded from this final blessing. Boreham explains that every true Christian has faced one or more forms of persecution, whether through harassment, reviling, or defamation, ultimately leading them to the blessedness of the kingdom of heaven.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who left heaven and endured immense suffering for humanity's redemption. He challenges believers to embrace their own sufferings and take up their crosses, reflecting on the disparity between Christ's trials and the comforts many seek. Brooks urges that if Christ, who was sinless, faced such hardships, then believers should not shy away from their own challenges. He calls for a willingness to part with worldly attachments and comforts in order to follow Christ faithfully. Ultimately, the sermon is a call to recognize the depth of Christ's love and sacrifice and to respond with a life of commitment and sacrifice for Him.

Anton Bosch preaches about the common experience of despair and loneliness faced by many men of God throughout the Bible, including Elijah, Moses, Job, the prophets, John the Baptist, Paul, and even Jesus. He emphasizes that true Christians and leaders are not measured by popularity but by faithfulness to God, as demonstrated by the examples of Noah, the Israelites, and the small number of faithful individuals in various situations. Bosch encourages believers to find comfort in the promise of God's presence and faithfulness, even in times of discouragement, disappointment, and abandonment.

Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of following Christ, as exemplified in Luke 9:51, where Jesus resolutely heads to Jerusalem despite knowing the suffering that awaits Him. He reflects on how Jesus viewed Jerusalem with a mix of sorrow and hope, understanding both its impending destruction and future glory. Smith discusses the challenges of discipleship, highlighting that true loyalty to Christ may require sacrificing personal comforts and familial ties. He urges believers to not let anything hinder their commitment to follow Jesus, as He Himself faced hardships without looking back. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a steadfast heart focused on the victory that lies beyond present struggles.

C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that the act of Simon carrying the cross symbolizes the Church's role as a cross-bearer after Jesus. He reminds Christians that while Jesus bears the weight of sin, believers are not exempt from suffering; rather, they are called to endure it as they carry Christ's cross. Spurgeon encourages believers to find comfort in the fact that they share in Christ's burdens, and that their trials are temporary compared to the eternal glory that awaits them. He highlights the importance of partnership in bearing the cross, suggesting that while believers carry a lighter burden, Christ bears the heavier part. Ultimately, Spurgeon calls for a loving acceptance of the cross, as it leads to lasting honor and glory.

Bob Hoekstra preaches about the promise of persecution for those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus, emphasizing that this guarantee is often unpopular in a church culture that values comfort and popularity. The promise of persecution is given to those who seek to live a life of godliness, as it is the will of the Lord for His people, and it is accompanied by the promise of blessings for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Jesus Himself warned that those who desire to follow Him will face persecution, as He did, and this promise is all-encompassing with no exceptions.

Richard E. Bieber preaches on the importance of understanding God's timing in our lives, using examples from Jesus' life to illustrate different seasons and purposes under heaven. He emphasizes the need for believers to be aware of the present time, to discern God's calling for them, and to align themselves with God's kingdom agenda. Bieber warns against impatience, vanity ambitions, and missing divine visitations due to distractions or sleepiness. He urges believers to wake up, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and be prepared for the signs of the times, including increased confusion, people seeking God, the blind searching for answers, and the likelihood of persecution.

K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the importance of arming ourselves for spiritual battles, reminding us that our struggles are not against people but against spiritual forces. He highlights how initial excitement in serving God can fade due to conflicts and disappointments, leading to bitterness if we forget the true nature of our battle. Drawing from 1 Peter, he urges believers to embrace a mindset of suffering as Christ did, understanding that this suffering is a privilege that enables us to be agents of redemption. Yohannan encourages us to follow Jesus' example of self-denial and to remain steadfast in our service, regardless of external challenges. Ultimately, he challenges us to prepare ourselves for suffering in the name of Jesus and His kingdom.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound connection between God and His people, illustrating that those who harm God's followers are, in essence, striking at God Himself. He draws from Zechariah 2:8 to highlight the sacredness of God's people, likening them to the apple of His eye, which is fiercely protected. Brooks warns persecutors that their actions against believers will not go unpunished, as God is deeply aware of their suffering and will respond with justice. He reminds us that Christ, in His glorified state, continues to bear the griefs of His saints, reinforcing the intimate bond between Him and His followers. The sermon serves as a stern warning to those who afflict God's people, urging them to reconsider their actions.

Allan Halton preaches about the need for Christians to be valiant and faithful for God's truth in the midst of trials and persecution, drawing inspiration from the early Quakers who suffered for their faith. He highlights the shifting winds of persecution in Western lands and the deeper manifestation of Christ in His people that will provoke coming persecution. Halton emphasizes the importance of being prepared for the suffering and persecution that may come with a deeper reality of God's Spirit in our lives, urging believers to arm themselves with the same mind as Christ and be ready for the consequences.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes the humble and poor condition of Jesus Christ, who lived without a home and died in poverty, contrasting His life with the worldly wealth that many seek. He reminds believers that Christ's lowly state serves as a model for their own struggles, encouraging them to find solace in their hardships by recognizing that they are not worse off than their Lord. Brooks urges Christians to reflect on Christ's humility to cultivate a spirit of contentment and resilience in the face of their own trials.