The sermon transcript is a message from C.H. Spurgeon delivered at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. The main theme is the importance of having a clear and focused purpose in life. Spurgeon uses the analogy of Peter walking on water to illustrate the need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and not be distracted by past mistakes, present circumstances, fears, or doubts. The sermon emphasizes the need to diligently guard our hearts and all aspects of our nature to avoid sin. Spurgeon encourages listeners to have a straight and persevering path in life, following the right way with determination and concentration.

In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of the eye gate and how easily it can be manipulated in today's technologically advanced world. He highlights the three spiritual atmospheres that the world consists of: the desires of sinful man, the lust of the eyes, and the boasting of material possessions. The preacher warns against the seductiveness of the advertising industry and its ability to deceive through visual stimuli. He uses the example of David's downfall, starting with just a look at Bathsheba, to illustrate the destructive consequences of giving in to lustful desires. The sermon concludes with a call to turn away from worthless things and fix one's gaze on God's word.

This sermon emphasizes the potential dangers of the internet as a distraction from spending time with God, cautioning against allowing social media and other online platforms to consume more time than reading the Bible. It highlights the importance of keeping priorities in check, ensuring that technology serves as a tool rather than a master, and warns against the various ways the devil can use online distractions to hinder one's effectiveness for God.

In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the tremendous pressure that families face and how easily it can lead to disaster. He highlights the importance of the cross as the answer to these challenges. The speaker also discusses the struggle of not getting distracted and staying focused on God's plan for our lives. He mentions the difficulty of finding balance in various aspects of life, such as studying and serving others. Overall, the sermon encourages listeners to worship God, trust in His greatness, and seek strength and clarity from Him.

In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision and mission in spreading the gospel. He quotes Proverbs 4:25, urging listeners to keep their eyes focused on the Lord and to turn away from negative influences. The preacher also references Matthew 28:18-20, where Jesus commands his disciples to go into the world and preach the gospel. He emphasizes that having a vision without a mission is pointless, and that a mission without a vision can become burdensome. The preacher encourages listeners to let their vision of Christ lead them to take deliberate action in sharing the gospel with others.

Thomas a Kempis preaches about the importance of maintaining a steadfast spirit and unwavering intention towards God, despite the changing feelings and circumstances in life. He emphasizes the need to focus on the desired end goal and to stand undivided and unshaken in faith, even amidst various storms and distractions. A pure and single-hearted intention towards God is highlighted as essential, as many are often drawn to self-seeking or external attractions rather than seeking God for His sake alone.

Russell DeLong emphasizes the importance of focusing on the essentials and majors in life, rather than getting caught up in incidentals and nonessentials. He warns against majoring on minors, where individuals prioritize insignificant things over what truly matters. DeLong highlights the need to seek God's kingdom first and foremost, as stated in Matthew 6:33, and to press towards the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, as mentioned in Philippians 3:13. The sermon urges listeners to reorient themselves, prioritize their relationship with God, and avoid majoring in minors to prevent losing sight of what is truly important.

Ed Wrather preaches about the importance of refocusing our lives on seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, as stated in Matthew 6:33, to ensure that all other aspects fall into place according to God's plan. By considering Jesus' endurance in Hebrews 12:3, we are reminded of the dangers of losing focus and becoming weary and discouraged in our souls. The sermon emphasizes the need to realign our priorities with God's Word, especially in times of busyness and distraction, to avoid negative consequences and experience God's blessings.

Edward Bouverie Pusey preaches about the challenges faced by the Church in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, particularly during the time of Queen Elizabeth, in navigating the complexities of the Reformation. He highlights the struggles of the reformers, such as Cranmer, in attempting to unite the discordant elements of Protestantism into one Episcopal body, leading to vacillation and confusion. Pusey emphasizes the importance of preserving the true doctrine amidst the turbulent times, acknowledging the difficulties faced by those who sought to uphold the faith while combating both Roman Catholic corruptions and Protestant innovations. He underscores the need for a calm and steady adherence to the principles of the Church Catholic, despite the challenges and temptations to compromise.

T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the importance of focusing our gaze on Jesus as the ultimate goal and prize of our faith. He warns against various distractions that can lead us off course, such as looking back, around, or inward, which can hinder our spiritual progress. The sermon highlights that our journey is not just about personal salvation but about aligning our lives with God's greater purpose. By keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can navigate through life's challenges with confidence, knowing that He has already paved the way for us. Ultimately, Sparks encourages believers to adjust their lives in accordance with God's eternal purpose, ensuring that every decision reflects this focus.

Heribert Rosweyde preaches on the wisdom and teachings of the early desert fathers as recorded in De Vitis Patrum Book V. The fathers emphasize the importance of living a life that pleases God by following rules such as keeping God before one's eyes, being temperate in speech and appetite, and submitting to necessity. They also stress the significance of inner stillness, solitude, and compunction in the monk's life, highlighting the need to avoid distractions, seek after quietness, and maintain a humble and contrite heart before God.

Gilbert K. Chesterton delves into the comparison between visionary religion and modern morality, emphasizing the contemplation of success in the fight towards ethical ideals. He contrasts the monk's focus on perfect health and happiness with the modern man's dread of insanity. Chesterton highlights the absence of vivid images of purity and spiritual triumph in modern ethics, pointing out the decline in clear idealism. He discusses the evasion of discussing what is good through phrases like 'liberty,' 'progress,' and 'education,' ultimately leading to a lack of definitive images of good in human consciousness.

Thomas Kelly challenges the notion that the complexity of our lives is solely due to our environment, highlighting that even in simpler settings, we can still struggle with busyness and distractions. He shares his experience of trying to find simplicity in the tropics but realizing that the same hectic pace followed him there. Kelly emphasizes that true simplification of life does not come from external changes but from a transformation within ourselves, where we prioritize what is truly needful over the many distractions that vie for our attention.

J.R. Miller emphasizes the importance of looking forward in life rather than dwelling on the past. He draws from Scripture, particularly Proverbs 4:25 and the Apostle Paul's words about forgetting what lies behind and pressing on toward the goal. Miller illustrates that life is a race where one must focus on the future, as the past cannot be changed or relived. He encourages believers to learn from their experiences but not to be hindered by them, urging a mindset of continual growth and hope. Ultimately, he asserts that true living is about making the most of each day and striving for a better tomorrow.

Edward Taylor preaches about the inner conflict of the soul, torn between decisions and indecision, urging the congregation to resolve to either stay or go, to fully commit and not be lukewarm. He uses vivid imagery of skies weeping showers and a heart like a Crabtree Cask, questioning the impact of wavering spirits. Taylor warns against being like a sparkling wildfire shop, where uncontrolled spirits can lead to destructive outcomes, emphasizing the need to avoid setting the house on fire with careless actions.

The preacher discusses the Greek word 'skopos,' which refers to a distant mark or goal that one aims to hit, emphasizing its importance as the first word in a Greek sentence. 'Skopos' is used in the Septuagint to denote an observer or watchman, highlighting the role of a man of God as a watchman for God. The sermon delves into the concept of 'skopos' as a moral and spiritual target, drawing parallels to an archer aiming at a target and a runner fixated on the finish line.

T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the importance of maintaining a focused spiritual gaze, urging believers to look straight ahead towards Jesus, the ultimate example of faith and purpose. He warns against various distractions such as looking backward, around, short-sightedly, downward, and inward, which can hinder spiritual progress. By keeping our eyes on Christ, we can avoid the pitfalls of nostalgia, discouragement, selfishness, and introspection, and instead embrace the divine purpose set before us. The sermon encourages believers to look off from earthly distractions and focus on the eternal values of God's calling. Ultimately, a sustained upward look towards Jesus is essential for spiritual growth and fulfillment of God's purpose in our lives.

Favell Lee Mortimer delves into the encounters of three individuals with Jesus, each revealing their true character and intentions. The first man offered to follow Jesus but was not willing to endure hardships, while the second man, despite appearing hesitant, showed a sense of duty and obedience that pleased the Lord. The last man, though expressing a desire to follow Jesus, was hindered by his attachment to earthly matters, indicating a heart not fully devoted to Christ. Mortimer challenges the listeners to examine their own hearts, questioning whether they are truly prepared to serve Christ wholeheartedly or if they are holding back due to worldly distractions.