In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the transformation that occurred in the early apostles after they received the Holy Spirit. The church's mission and influence in the world were only possible when the Spirit filled them and gave them a new character. The speaker highlights the contrast between the apostles' previous state of fear and darkness and their current state of boldness and light. The importance of seeking the glory of God rather than the approval of men is also emphasized, drawing from John 5:44.

In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the powerful work of Brother Bakht Singh, who had led many souls to God without any publicity or gimmicks. Brother Bakht Singh was a man of praise and hunger for God, spending hours in prayer and seeking God's heart. The speaker shares a personal experience of listening to a tape of Indian music from Brother Bakht Singh's holy convocation and being transported to Madras in his mind. The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God's presence and fellowship, rather than relying on human theories or Christian activities.

In this sermon, the preacher discusses the variety of ways in which God deals with sinners. He emphasizes that conversion and assurance of salvation do not always happen instantaneously, using the example of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. The preacher also mentions how God can speak to individuals through sermons, even when they are not seeking spiritual guidance. He concludes by highlighting that there is no set pattern for how God works in the lives of individuals, comparing it to opening a locked door in different ways.

Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes that God seeks individuals who are humble, weak, and willing to be used for His purposes in a world filled with pride and self-reliance. He highlights the importance of being foolish enough to depend on God's wisdom, weak enough to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, and base enough to seek no honor from men. The preacher calls for believers to embrace these qualities to be part of God's end-time army, as He prepares to pour out His Spirit in a powerful way. The message serves as a reminder that true strength comes from recognizing our weaknesses and relying on God.

R.A. Torrey explores the events surrounding Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles, emphasizing the disbelief of His own brothers and the mixed reactions of the people. He highlights how Jesus, aware of the danger posed by the Jewish leaders, chose to go to the feast secretly and teach in the temple, demonstrating His divine authority and the need for true understanding of His message. Torrey discusses the importance of seeking God's glory rather than personal recognition, and how Jesus' teachings challenge the status quo, often leading to misunderstanding and opposition. The sermon underscores the unreasonableness of unbelief and the necessity of a surrendered will to truly grasp the teachings of Christ.

Andrew Murray emphasizes the vital connection between humility and faith, arguing that pride obstructs true belief in God. He illustrates how Christians often see the promises of God but feel hindered from receiving them due to pride, which makes faith impossible. Murray points out that faith is rooted in humility, as it requires a recognition of our dependence on God and a surrender of self. He encourages believers to seek humility as the path to deeper faith and communion with God, asserting that true faith flourishes in an environment of lowliness and trust in God's glory. Ultimately, he calls for a shift in focus from seeking human approval to seeking the glory that comes from God alone.

Bryan Anthony preaches on the chronic sense of inferiority plaguing the Church, emphasizing the need for believers to be built up in the reality of God's love and accepted in the Beloved. He highlights how the powers of darkness strive to hinder believers from experiencing God's favor and love, leading them into a constant pursuit of worldly acceptance and approval. Anthony urges believers to seek a deeper understanding and awareness of God's love, emphasizing that His love is not based on performance but on His compassionate nature. He encourages believers to still their hearts before the Lord, receive His unfailing love, and live with a new consciousness of being accepted in the Beloved.

Zac Poonen preaches on the danger of seeking honor from people, drawing from Jesus' teachings on the Pharisees who prayed publicly to be noticed by others. He emphasizes the importance of genuine, humble prayer directed towards God, rather than seeking recognition from men. Zac highlights the need for preachers to evaluate their motives and continually improve the quality of their preaching, focusing on delivering messages that glorify God rather than seeking applause from the audience. He warns against seeking honor in various aspects of life, such as writing reports or showcasing work, stressing the importance of seeking God's approval above all else to avoid falling into the trap of Phariseeism.

G.D. Watson preaches on the importance of faith and the hindrances that can prevent us from fully trusting in God. He delves into the story of Peter walking on water and how his doubt stemmed from looking at his surroundings instead of focusing on Jesus' promises. Watson also highlights how seeking honor from men and the unbelief of those in positions of authority can hinder our faith. Additionally, he emphasizes the necessity of personal consecration to God as a key factor in strengthening our faith.

Favell Lee Mortimer preaches about the rejection of Christ by the chief Jews, emphasizing how Jesus, like a two-edged sword, convicts the conscience of those who do not love God. Men despised Christ because He did not cater to their worldly desires and did not promise earthly rewards. Similarly, people today reject Christ because His holiness does not align with their sinful preferences, preferring idols and worldly pleasures over a spiritual Savior.

George Fox preaches against the customs and titles of the world, emphasizing that true manners come from avoiding evil words and following God's law, rather than outward gestures of respect. He highlights the importance of not seeking honor from one another, as it indicates unbelief and a love for worldly praise, contrasting this with the humility and reverence shown by prophets and apostles towards God. Fox stresses the need for Christians to have Christ as their spiritual head and master, serving and worshiping Him above all else, in contrast to those who worship worldly powers and seek vain glory.

Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of learning submission to spiritual authority, humility, and brokenness from a young age to fulfill God's purpose for effective ministry later in life. He warns that failure to submit to spiritual authority can lead to missing out on the ministry God has planned. Poonen highlights the danger of pride, stating that Bible knowledge alone cannot give grace, as seen in the blindness of the Pharisees despite their deep knowledge of Scriptures. He stresses the need for humility to understand God's Word, receive grace, and manifest Christ's character in victory over sin.

Martin Luther preaches about the importance of serving God rather than men, highlighting the dangers of seeking approval and honor from others instead of God. He warns against teaching or following doctrines that please men but go against God's Word and our conscience. Luther emphasizes the need to endure reproach, slanders, and even death for the sake of pleasing God, rather than seeking peace and security through pleasing men.

G.W. North explores the profound lessons from John 5, particularly the healing at the pool of Bethesda, emphasizing Jesus' obedience to the Father and the significance of His miracles as signs pointing to His divine identity. He illustrates how Jesus, despite the multitude of sick individuals, chose to heal only one man, demonstrating His dependence on the Father's will and the importance of faith in the healing process. North highlights that true discipleship requires a commitment to live in accordance with God's will, renouncing self-will and embracing a life of obedience and humility. The sermon calls believers to recognize their identity as sons of God and to reflect Christ's life in their own, emphasizing the high standards Jesus sets for His followers. Ultimately, North encourages a deeper understanding of Jesus' life and teachings as the foundation for authentic discipleship.

Charles Finney addresses the unreasonableness of unbelief, emphasizing that it contradicts the natural human inclination to trust testimony and the overwhelming evidence of God's character and promises. He argues that unbelief is not only irrational but also injurious, as it denies God's integrity and undermines the foundation of faith and obedience. Finney highlights the Atonement as the ultimate demonstration of God's love, which should inspire unwavering confidence in His promises. He identifies various causes of unbelief, including selfishness, pride, and a lack of understanding of faith, ultimately calling it the most grievous sin against God. The sermon serves as a powerful reminder of the necessity of faith in experiencing the fullness of God's grace and promises.

Greek Word Studies delves into the concept of 'kenodoxia', which refers to empty conceit or vain glory, describing the pursuit of personal praise and self-promotion that lacks eternal value. This sermon emphasizes the dangers of seeking empty glory, contrasting it with humility, as seen in individuals like Diotrephes who sought preeminence over others. The Scriptures warn against selfish ambition and empty conceit, highlighting the importance of humility and considering others as more significant than oneself.

T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the profound difference between merely hearing the words of the prophets and truly understanding their significance, as illustrated by the tragic blindness of Israel to the presence of Jesus, the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies. He highlights three key factors leading to this spiritual blindness: prejudice, self-interest, and inaction, which prevent people from recognizing and responding to divine truth. Sparks connects Isaiah's vision of the Lord with the ultimate revelation of Christ as the Lamb, underscoring the importance of believing and acting upon the light we receive. The sermon serves as a warning against the dangers of hardening our hearts and neglecting the call to obedience. Ultimately, it points to the Lamb on the throne as the ultimate authority and fulfillment of God's promises.

Andrew Murray emphasizes the necessity of self-denial for true discipleship, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 16:24. He explains that self-denial involves mortifying our sinful nature, denying our own will, understanding, honor, power, and interests to allow the new life of God to flourish within us. Murray encourages Christians to embrace this path, asserting that while it may seem severe initially, it leads to profound joy and heavenly blessings. He reminds believers that true life comes from imitating Christ and prioritizing His will over our own. Ultimately, self-denial is a daily commitment to affirming 'Not I, but Christ' in our lives.

John Chrysostom preaches about the dangers of seeking worldly glory and the importance of focusing on God's approval rather than the applause of others. He emphasizes the detrimental effects of vainglory, which blinds individuals to truth, leads to dishonor, and causes them to prioritize the opinions of the crowd over God's will. Chrysostom urges his audience to reject the empty pursuit of human honor and instead seek the true honor that comes from living according to God's standards, reminding them that God rewards those who seek His approval above all else.

Charles Finney addresses the dangers of seeking honor from men rather than from God, emphasizing that this mindset leads to spiritual blindness, unbelief, and a contempt for God. He outlines how this state of mind manifests in various behaviors, such as prioritizing human approval over divine approval, and ultimately concludes that true faith is impossible when one is preoccupied with the opinions of others. Finney warns that this common form of depravity can lead to a loss of piety and a corrupted relationship with God, urging believers to seek God's honor above all else.