Verse
Context
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And he withdrew himself into the wilderness - Or rather, He frequently withdrew into the desert. This I believe to be the import of the original words, ην ὑποχωρων. He made it a frequent custom to withdraw from the multitudes for a time, and pray, teaching hereby the ministers of the Gospel that they are to receive fresh supplies of light and power from God by prayer, that they may be the more successful in their work; and that they ought to seek frequent opportunities of being in private with God and their books. A man can give nothing unless he first receive it; and no man can be successful in the ministry who does not constantly depend upon God, for the excellence of the power is all from him. Why is there so much preaching, and so little good done? Is it not because the preachers mix too much with the world, keep too long in the crowd, and are so seldom in private with God? Reader! Art thou a herald for the Lord of hosts? Make full proof of thy ministry! Let it never be said of thee, "He forsook all to follow Christ, and to preach his Gospel, but there was little or no fruit of his labor; for he ceased to be a man of prayer, and got into the spirit of the world." Alas! alas! is this luminous star, that was once held in the right hand of Jesus, fallen from the firmament of heaven, down to the Earth!
John Gill Bible Commentary
And he withdrew himself into the wilderness,.... Into a desert place, that he might have rest from the fatigues of preaching and healing diseases; and being alone, and free from company, might have an opportunity for private prayer to God, for so it lows: and prayed; this is to be understood of Christ, as man: as God, he is the object of prayer, and petitions are often addressed unto him; and as mediator, he offers up the prayers of all saints, and presents them to his Father; which are acceptable to him, through the incense of his mediation; and as man, he prayed himself: what he now prayed for, is not known; sometimes he prayed for his disciples, and for all that should believe; for their conversion, sanctification, union, perseverance, and glorification; and sometimes for himself, that the cup might pass from him, and he be saved from death; but always with submission to the will of his Father.
The Leper’s Prayer
15But the news about Jesus spread all the more, and great crowds came to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.16Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(John - Part 26): Jesus Walking on Water
By A.W. Tozer4.4K56:22ExpositionalPSA 46:10MAT 14:23MRK 1:35LUK 5:161TH 5:17JAS 4:81PE 5:7In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that according to the Bible, human society is lost and under divine sentence. He highlights the powerful influence and magnetic attraction that society has over individuals. The preacher also mentions the need for believers to frequently retire from society in order to break its hold on their lives and to come back as masters, not slaves. The sermon emphasizes the importance of conversion and being born again in Christ Jesus to overcome the corrupting power of society.
Religiosity or Spirituality - Listening to the Spirit
By Zac Poonen3.4K56:21ReligiosityISA 30:21MAT 6:33LUK 5:16LUK 10:38JHN 17:4In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and fulfilling the specific work that God has given us. He uses Jesus as an example, highlighting how Jesus obediently completed the tasks assigned to him, including spending thirty years making stools and benches and preaching for three and a half years. The speaker also emphasizes the significance of spending time alone with God, drawing attention to Jesus' habit of going into the wilderness to pray early in the morning. The sermon concludes with the speaker encouraging listeners to prioritize hearing from God and being obedient to His word, even if it means sacrificing certain things or potentially offending others.
(Genesis) - Part 11
By Zac Poonen1.7K58:56GenesisGEN 9:21LUK 5:16In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of self-control and discipline in our lives, using biblical examples. He emphasizes that even though we may have the likeness of God within us, sin can detach us from that image. However, the presence of conscience in both believers and non-believers serves as a reminder of our connection to God. The preacher warns against using this as an excuse to sin, but rather encourages believers to resist temptation and find encouragement in their struggles. The sermon concludes by highlighting the example of Jesus, who maintained self-control and sought solitude in prayer despite gaining fame and popularity.
(Youth and the Fires of Devotion) the Fire of His Glory
By Denny Kenaston1.4K46:35DevotionPSA 46:10PSA 119:11MAT 6:33MAT 14:23MRK 1:35LUK 5:16JAS 4:8In this sermon, Brother Denny from Charity Ministries encourages listeners to prioritize their spiritual growth and devotion to God. He outlines a daily routine that includes prayer, Bible reading, memorization, meditation, and listening to sermons. He emphasizes the importance of developing a personal relationship with God and experiencing His presence and guidance. Brother Denny also encourages individuals to journal their thoughts and reflections and to make their own personalized routine for spiritual growth.
Prayer (Compilation)
By Compilations1.0K07:16CompilationMAT 6:33MAT 14:23LUK 5:16LUK 6:12LUK 18:1JHN 4:34In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer in the life of Jesus Christ. He highlights how Jesus would often slip away to the wilderness to pray, showing his deep desire to be in communion with God. The speaker emphasizes that a person's prayer life reveals more about their relationship with God than their preaching does. Jesus taught about prayer, emphasizing the need to pray at all times and not lose heart. The speaker encourages listeners to examine their own prayer lives and strive to be like Jesus, who was a man of prayer.
The Morning Watch
By Jim Cymbala86732:06PrayerPSA 5:1MAT 6:33MAT 14:23MRK 1:35MRK 6:46LUK 5:16LUK 11:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of daily communication with God. He compares it to forming a habit, where one act repeated over and over becomes a habit. The speaker shares personal anecdotes, such as being yelled at by a coach to look up while dribbling a basketball, to illustrate the need to be aware of our surroundings. He also mentions the importance of drawing a line in the sand and putting our faith in Jesus for salvation. The speaker highlights the promise of peace and guidance from God for his children.
(Clip) Why Doesn't God Use Me Anymore?
By Shane Idleman78206:39PSA 37:7ISA 40:31LUK 5:16ACT 1:4ROM 12:2HEB 12:1JAS 4:8REV 2:4REV 3:2This sermon emphasizes the need for believers to return to a place of surrender and waiting on God, drawing inspiration from the story of Duncan Campbell's revival experience. It highlights the importance of experiencing the power of God in our lives, waiting on Him for direction, and remembering and returning to our first love for God. The message calls for a posture of humility and a longing for God to move in our lives and in the church once again.
Prayer
By Hugh Morrison63044:251SA 12:23MRK 1:35LUK 5:16LUK 6:12ACT 6:4PHP 4:6COL 4:21TH 5:17JAS 5:16This sermon emphasizes the importance of giving attention to prayer in ministry, highlighting the example of the early church in Acts chapter 6. It challenges listeners to adjust their thinking, priorities, and whole life to prioritize prayer, as it is commanded by God, leads to communion with Him, and results in the greatest good being done. The sermon calls for repentance, determination, and a set focus on prayer as God's way for effective ministry.
The Christian Life
By Jim Cymbala60520:58Christian LifeMAT 6:33MAT 14:22MRK 6:45LUK 5:16JHN 6:1In this sermon, the preacher begins by emphasizing the urgency and importance of understanding the Christian life. He acknowledges that while the Christian life is different for each person, there are general truths that apply to all believers. The preacher uses the story of Jesus walking on water to illustrate the ups and downs of life and the challenges that believers may face. He highlights the importance of keeping our focus on Jesus and not allowing fear or distractions to cause us to sink, reminding listeners that even in the darkest moments, the sun will eventually rise.
The Difference Between a Congregation and a Church
By Zac Poonen5431:27:13GEN 14:18PSA 73:25PSA 84:11ISA 42:8LUK 5:161CO 1:27HEB 7:1HEB 7:17This sermon emphasizes the importance of being a humble servant in the church, focusing on the priesthood of Melchizedek as a model for serving others quietly and disappearing without seeking recognition. It highlights the need to listen to God, be sensitive to His leading, and bless others with words and actions without seeking credit. The goal is to build a church where Jesus is glorified, and individuals strive to be like Melchizedek, quietly blessing others and giving all glory to God.
(Through the Bible) Luke - Part 1
By Zac Poonen53157:10LUK 1:15LUK 4:18LUK 5:16LUK 6:12This sermon delves into the Gospel of Luke, emphasizing the accuracy of Jesus' life events from conception to resurrection. It highlights the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit, resisting temptations, and using spiritual gifts for the benefit of others. The sermon also underscores the need for humility, prayer, and seeking God's guidance in ministry, while cautioning against pride and the dangers of seeking personal gain through spiritual gifts.
All That Jesus Taught Bible Study - Part 52
By Zac Poonen52224:49MAT 14:23LUK 5:16HEB 4:15HEB 5:7HEB 12:1This sermon delves into the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing the importance of following every aspect of His commands. It explores the humility of Jesus despite performing miracles, the significance of getting alone with God after being used by Him, and the lessons learned from Jesus walking on water, encouraging believers to focus on Christ amidst life's storms and to cry out to Him when sinking in doubt or failure.
Homiletics: The Preacher's Prayer Life - Part 4
By Tim Conway50227:26LUK 5:16ACT 6:42CO 2:16PHP 4:6JAS 5:16This sermon emphasizes the vital importance of prayer in the life of a preacher, highlighting the need for deep communion with God, dependence on Him, and the cultivation of a strong prayer life to handle the Word of God effectively. It stresses the significance of living a holy and distinct life, walking closely with the Lord, and seeking His guidance through prayer in all aspects of ministry.
(Living as Jesus Lived) 7. Living by the Power of God
By Zac Poonen5Dependence On GodPower of the Holy SpiritGEN 2:19LUK 4:1LUK 5:16JHN 15:5ROM 11:361CO 2:12CO 12:10EPH 5:18HEB 4:15REV 19:8Zac Poonen emphasizes the necessity of living by the power of God rather than relying on human soul-power, which can lead to deception and superficiality in Christian life and ministry. He illustrates how Jesus exemplified complete dependence on the Father through prayer and the Holy Spirit, rejecting the allure of human abilities and charisma. Poonen warns against the counterfeit practices in Christendom that mimic genuine spiritual gifts but ultimately serve to elevate human personalities instead of glorifying God. He encourages believers to recognize their weakness and seek the true power of God for effective ministry, highlighting that only what is done through God's power will endure. The sermon challenges listeners to evaluate whether they are truly living and laboring by the power of God.
The Equipment of Prayer
By D. M. McIntyre2PSA 55:17MAT 6:6LUK 5:16ROM 8:26HEB 10:19D. M. McIntyre preaches on the importance of finding a quiet place, hour, and heart for prayer, emphasizing that even in challenging circumstances, God understands and provides opportunities for solitude. He draws parallels to Jesus' own struggles to secure moments of prayer amidst a busy life, highlighting the necessity of consistent private prayer in a Christian's life. McIntyre stresses the significance of dedicating time to communicate with God, urging believers to prioritize prayer over other distractions and to seek quietness and seclusion for meaningful communion with the Father.
On the Character of Paul, as a Man of Prayer.
By Thomas Reade1MRK 1:35LUK 3:21LUK 5:16LUK 6:12LUK 9:28LUK 22:41ROM 8:152CO 1:101TH 5:17JAS 5:16Thomas Reade preaches on the character of Paul as a man of prayer and unbending integrity. He emphasizes the essence of prayer as a cry of the soul, a sign of penitence, and the breath of faith, highlighting Jesus' example of fervent prayer. Paul, a man of prayer, poured out his heart daily for the churches he planted, displaying the privilege of believer's adoption into God's family. Additionally, Paul's unwavering integrity is portrayed through his transparent character, seeking the testimony of conscience and faithfully preaching the Gospel with love and sincerity.
Healing Silence
By A.W. Tozer1SilenceSolitude1KI 19:12PSA 46:10PSA 62:1ISA 30:15HAB 2:20MAT 6:6MAT 14:23MRK 6:46LUK 5:16JHN 10:27A.W. Tozer emphasizes the profound importance of silence and solitude in our spiritual lives, drawing on the example of Jesus who often withdrew to pray in silence. He critiques the modern evangelical tendency to fill life with noise, which reflects immaturity and a lack of understanding of the healing power of quietness before God. Tozer urges believers to seek the discipline of solitude, allowing their souls to be refreshed and renewed in the presence of the Father. He calls for a commitment to mastering this practice, regardless of life's busyness, to truly experience God's presence.
Christian Retirement
By Thomas Reade1PSA 46:10MAT 6:6MRK 1:35LUK 5:16PHP 4:6Thomas Reade emphasizes the importance of Christian retirement for believers to have intimate moments with God, away from the distractions of the world, in order to grow spiritually and draw strength from the Lord. He highlights the balance between active service and personal devotion, drawing inspiration from Jesus' life, who tirelessly served others but also took time to pray and seek God in solitude. Reade encourages a deeper connection with Jesus through daily communion and a genuine desire for spiritual growth, echoing the need for sincere love and obedience in all actions.
The Secret Closet
By David Wilkerson1PrayerIntimacy With GodPSA 91:1JER 29:12MAT 6:6MAT 14:23MAT 26:36MRK 1:35LUK 5:16PHP 4:61TH 5:17JAS 5:16David Wilkerson emphasizes the significance of having a 'secret closet' for prayer, a private space where one can connect deeply with God away from distractions. He explains that while we often find ourselves praying in various places due to life's demands, true intimacy with God requires a dedicated, quiet space, just as Jesus demonstrated by retreating to solitary places for prayer. Wilkerson challenges the excuses we make for not having a secret place, reminding us that if we truly love God, we will prioritize time alone with Him. He highlights that this practice is not about legalism but about nurturing a loving relationship with God, who desires to replenish us with His resources. Ultimately, the secret closet is where we can experience God's goodness and guidance in our lives.
Give Time to God
By A.W. Tozer0Time with GodSpiritual DisciplinePSA 46:10PSA 119:15ISA 40:31MAT 6:6LUK 5:16PHP 4:6COL 3:21TH 5:17HEB 4:16JAS 4:8A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of dedicating time to God for a deeper spiritual life, rejecting the notion of quick fixes in our fast-paced world. He argues that true acquaintance with God requires significant investment in meditation and prayer, mirroring the practices of saints and apostles throughout history. Tozer warns against the superficiality of modern Christian experiences, urging believers to slow down and truly value their relationship with God. He calls for a commitment to spiritual discipline as essential for genuine faith.
Secret Meals Make Fat Bodies
By Thomas Brooks0Private PrayerSpiritual GrowthPSA 27:8PSA 91:1MAT 6:6MAT 7:7LUK 5:16PHP 4:6COL 4:21TH 5:17HEB 4:16JAS 5:16Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound impact of secret duties, particularly private prayer, on the spiritual richness of believers. He compares secret meals that nourish the body to secret prayers that enrich the soul, suggesting that true spiritual wealth comes from intimate communion with God in private. Brooks argues that the most significant graces and experiences are cultivated in the quietness of one's closet, away from the distractions of public life. He illustrates that just as gentle dew nurtures plants more effectively than heavy rain, secret prayer fosters deeper growth in grace and holiness than public displays of faith, which can often be tainted by pride and hypocrisy.
God's Gentle Whisper
By A.W. Tozer0SilencePrayerUnion with GodEXO 14:141KI 19:12PSA 46:10PSA 62:1ISA 30:15MAT 6:6LUK 5:16JHN 15:4PHP 4:6JAS 4:8A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of silence and stillness in learning profound truths about God, contrasting it with the lessons learned in the chaos of life. He argues that while prayer often focuses on requests and obtaining things from God, the highest form of prayer is about entering into a deep union with God, transcending mere requests. Tozer highlights that true understanding and connection with God come from moments of quiet reflection and being still, as encouraged by the psalmist. This deeper communion with God is far more significant than any miraculous answers to prayer.
Luke 5:16-26. the Paralytic Let Down Through the House-Top.
By Favell Lee Mortimer0MAT 9:2MAT 9:22MRK 2:3LUK 5:16JAS 5:16Favell Lee Mortimer preaches on the importance of prayer and faith in Jesus, using the story of the paralytic man lowered through the roof as an example of unwavering faith and determination. Jesus, perceiving the spiritual desire of the man, first forgives his sins before healing him, highlighting the value of spiritual blessings and the depth of Jesus' compassion. The friends of the paralytic show great determination and ingenuity in bringing their friend to Jesus, emphasizing the need for persistence and creativity in seeking spiritual growth and blessings.
Secret Prayer
By Thomas Brooks0The Power of PrayerSpiritual NourishmentPSA 91:1MAT 6:6LUK 5:16ROM 12:12EPH 6:18PHP 4:6COL 4:21TH 5:17HEB 4:16JAS 5:16Thomas Brooks emphasizes the vital importance of secret prayer in a Christian's life, asserting that it is as essential as food and life itself. He describes secret prayer as the most enriching and sustaining practice, providing spiritual nourishment and encouragement. Throughout history, despite facing persecution and adversity, saints have maintained their commitment to secret prayer, demonstrating its power and necessity. Brooks encourages believers to devote themselves to this practice, highlighting its role in deepening one's relationship with God.
Satanic Interruptions!
By David Wilkerson0Spiritual WarfarePrayerJOB 23:12ISA 53:3MAT 6:6LUK 5:16ACT 6:4ROM 12:2EPH 6:12PHP 4:61TH 5:17JAS 5:16David Wilkerson addresses the pervasive issue of 'satanic interruptions' that hinder Christians from deepening their relationship with God. He emphasizes that while many conspiracies may exist in the world, the true threat lies in the distractions that keep believers from prayer and communion with God. Wilkerson shares personal experiences of how he has been sidetracked by various interruptions, urging Christians to prioritize their time with God above all else. He calls for a recognition of the spiritual battle against these distractions and encourages believers to reclaim their prayer time as sacred. Ultimately, he stresses that a devoted prayer life is essential for spiritual strength and effectiveness in ministry.
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And he withdrew himself into the wilderness - Or rather, He frequently withdrew into the desert. This I believe to be the import of the original words, ην ὑποχωρων. He made it a frequent custom to withdraw from the multitudes for a time, and pray, teaching hereby the ministers of the Gospel that they are to receive fresh supplies of light and power from God by prayer, that they may be the more successful in their work; and that they ought to seek frequent opportunities of being in private with God and their books. A man can give nothing unless he first receive it; and no man can be successful in the ministry who does not constantly depend upon God, for the excellence of the power is all from him. Why is there so much preaching, and so little good done? Is it not because the preachers mix too much with the world, keep too long in the crowd, and are so seldom in private with God? Reader! Art thou a herald for the Lord of hosts? Make full proof of thy ministry! Let it never be said of thee, "He forsook all to follow Christ, and to preach his Gospel, but there was little or no fruit of his labor; for he ceased to be a man of prayer, and got into the spirit of the world." Alas! alas! is this luminous star, that was once held in the right hand of Jesus, fallen from the firmament of heaven, down to the Earth!
John Gill Bible Commentary
And he withdrew himself into the wilderness,.... Into a desert place, that he might have rest from the fatigues of preaching and healing diseases; and being alone, and free from company, might have an opportunity for private prayer to God, for so it lows: and prayed; this is to be understood of Christ, as man: as God, he is the object of prayer, and petitions are often addressed unto him; and as mediator, he offers up the prayers of all saints, and presents them to his Father; which are acceptable to him, through the incense of his mediation; and as man, he prayed himself: what he now prayed for, is not known; sometimes he prayed for his disciples, and for all that should believe; for their conversion, sanctification, union, perseverance, and glorification; and sometimes for himself, that the cup might pass from him, and he be saved from death; but always with submission to the will of his Father.