In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the danger of curiosity and fascination with evil things. He encourages believers to be simple and ignorant about the evil in the world, as it can lead them into dangerous places. The preacher also highlights the role of afflictions sent by God as a means to protect and guide His people. He references Psalm 1, which describes the blessings of delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating on it day and night. The sermon concludes by focusing on the importance of afflictions in teaching believers God's statutes and keeping them on the right path.

This sermon focuses on the healing power of afflictions, emphasizing the importance of trusting God in times of suffering. The speaker shares personal experiences and biblical examples to illustrate how afflictions can lead to spiritual growth, restoration, and a deeper understanding of God's love and mercy.

In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Joseph and his brothers in the land of Canaan. Joseph, who had been sold into slavery, has risen to power in Egypt and is now testing his brothers to see if they have truly changed. Through various trials and tests, Joseph is trying to bring them to conviction and repentance for their past sins. The preacher emphasizes the importance of the little experiences in our daily lives, such as how we treat our family and friends, as these are the things that truly matter in our faith. The sermon also highlights the prolonged discipline that God puts his people through in order to build a strong foundation of grace and repentance.

In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having the gospels as a record of Jesus' life and teachings. He suggests that having the gospels is almost better than being physically present with Jesus because they provide a complete and inspired account of his actions and words. The speaker also highlights the role of trials in deepening our love, trust, and enjoyment of Jesus. He encourages the audience to physically express their hunger and thirst for more of Jesus and prays for the Spirit of God to awaken them to this desire. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that Jesus is the unifying factor in our affections and that our love and belief in him should lead to rejoicing and enjoyment.

In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a Biblically balanced knowledge of God. He explains that we need to know God as He has revealed Himself and not overemphasize one truth about Him over another. The speaker also highlights the need for a personal reality of knowing God, citing Hebrews 5:14 which talks about discerning good and evil through the exercise of our senses. The sermon then shifts to discussing the priesthood of Jesus Christ and how He is our high priest after the order of Melchizedek. However, the speaker notes that further explanation is difficult because the audience has become dull of hearing, indicating a decline in their love for God. The sermon concludes with a call for revival and the importance of constantly practicing and cultivating a deeper understanding of our own hearts and spiritual patterns.

The sermon transcript discusses the concept of mercy and its role in restoring individuals who have sinned. The speaker references biblical stories, such as that of David, to illustrate how grace can restore and ultimately bring about a happy ending. The transcript also emphasizes the importance of humility and repentance in receiving God's restorative mercy. It highlights the idea that God's mercy is abundant and that individuals should have confidence in seeking it. The transcript concludes by encouraging listeners to pray for mercy and have faith that God will respond.

Thomas Reade preaches on the topic of affliction, emphasizing that God afflicts His people out of love, with the purpose of correcting, healing, and ultimately doing them good. Affliction serves to draw believers closer to God, revealing their need for Him and leading them to a deeper level of sanctification. Through affliction, believers learn to value their relationship with Jesus above all earthly possessions, find comfort in God's promises, and experience the sweetness of His love even in the midst of trials. Reade highlights that affliction, when sanctified by God's grace, transforms natural evils into spiritual blessings, fostering humility, gratitude, and a deeper dependence on God.

Sadhu Sundar Singh preaches about the meaning and purpose of the cross, explaining that through Jesus bearing the cross, heaven was opened to believers, and by believers taking up their cross, they enter heaven and experience unbounded bliss. Pain and suffering exist due to man's rebellion against God's laws, meant to prepare them for an eternal home. God uses suffering as bitter medicine to promote spiritual health and awaken believers to their true home in heaven. The cross, though bitter outwardly, reveals spiritual peace and joy to those who bear it, just as Jesus shared in the sufferings of His followers to bring them relief and eternal safety.

Smith Wigglesworth emphasizes the transformative power of God's Word in his sermon 'Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?', illustrating how faith can lead to healing and wholeness. He recounts the story of the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda, highlighting the importance of focusing on Jesus rather than earthly solutions. Wigglesworth encourages believers to claim their healing as part of their inheritance in Christ, asserting that sin can be a barrier to receiving God's blessings. He shares testimonies of miraculous healings, reinforcing the message that faith in Jesus can bring about complete restoration. Ultimately, he poses the question, 'Wilt thou be made whole?' inviting listeners to respond to God's call for healing and wholeness.

David Wilkerson emphasizes the transformative power of afflictions in his sermon 'Healing Afflictions,' asserting that such challenges can lead us closer to God's Word and deepen our faith. He reflects on his own experiences of pain, recognizing that afflictions can serve as a reminder of our dependence on God and can ultimately be a source of healing. Wilkerson argues that pain should not be viewed as purely negative, as it has historically produced great men of faith. He encourages believers to cast their cares upon God, acknowledging that every blessing comes with its own set of challenges. The sermon highlights the importance of embracing both afflictions and blessings as integral parts of spiritual growth.

Richard Baxter preaches about the folly of seeking rest in earthly enjoyments rather than in God, highlighting the tendency to prioritize material blessings over spiritual growth. He emphasizes the importance of enduring troubles as a means to stay on the path to eternal rest, and the danger of idolizing temporary comforts. Baxter urges believers to consider the unreasonableness of desiring continual prosperity and the necessity of facing present troubles with faith and perseverance, rather than seeking rest in worldly pleasures. He also addresses the reluctance to die and the need to shift our focus from earthly comforts to the eternal rest and joy found in God's presence.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes that God's severe judgments serve as a wake-up call for individuals and nations to cease from sin and return to Him. He illustrates that God's corrections are meant to instruct and purify us, revealing the hidden sins in our hearts during times of prosperity. Just as rust is removed from iron through fire, so too are we awakened to our true selves through fiery trials. Brooks notes that in moments of affliction, our sins become evident, allowing us to confront our pride, unbelief, and discontent. Ultimately, he asserts that afflictions act as a mirror, reflecting both the greatness of God and the vileness of sin.

James Smith preaches about the importance of humility, highlighting that true humility is a fruit of the Spirit and a mark of God's children. He describes how a humble Christian is honored, blessed, and grows in likeness to God, avoiding snares and receiving many blessings. Smith explains that humility is known by a deep sense of the evil of sin, a high esteem of the righteousness of Christ, submission under afflictions, gratitude for divine mercies, meekness under reproaches, contentment with one's station, and love for prayer and divine appointments.

John Piper delivers a sermon addressing the question of whether various forms of chastisements in a Christian college can be an effective instrument of God's grace to save people from destruction and cultivate goodness. He explores the biblical perspective on discipline, emphasizing the redemptive use of chastisements by God in both the Old and New Testaments. Piper reflects on the biblical teachings regarding the family, government, and church's use of chastisements for the good of individuals, highlighting the importance of discipline in these spheres. He concludes that while a Christian college differs from these institutions, there are structural overlaps that justify the application of biblical principles of chastisement for redemptive purposes.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes that afflictions are a divine tool used by God to instruct His people, revealing the bitterness of sin and the sweetness of holiness. He explains that through troubles and trials, believers are taught to detach from worldly desires and prepare for eternity, recognizing the emptiness of created things compared to the richness of communion with God. Brooks highlights that even God's dearest children face significant afflictions, which serve to purify and strengthen their faith, ultimately conforming them to Christ's image.

J.C. Philpot preaches about the sanctifying power of affliction, highlighting how it works to produce a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory for believers. He emphasizes the temporary nature of earthly afflictions compared to the eternal glory that awaits those who endure with faith. Philpot encourages believers to shift their focus from the temporal things seen in this world to the eternal things unseen, such as the glory of God and the promise of heaven, as sanctified affliction purifies their eyes and hearts to prioritize spiritual realities over earthly distractions.

Thomas Reade preaches about the believer's path to glory, emphasizing the necessity of going through trials to enter the kingdom of God. He reflects on the importance of being guided by God, who knows what is best for us and promises to work all things for our good. Reade highlights the need for humility, thankfulness, contentment, and dependence on God, as well as the significance of learning from past experiences and looking forward with faith and hope. He encourages believers to trust in God's chastisements, which aim to mold our hearts into submission and holiness, ultimately leading us on the path to glory through faith, love, and obedience.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound privilege of having a sanctified heart, which allows all circumstances—whether trials or blessings—to contribute to one's holiness. He reassures believers that every situation, even those that seem bitter, can be sweetened through sanctification, transforming hardships into opportunities for growth. Brooks encourages Christians to recognize that their mercies, though fewer or lesser than others, are still precious when sanctified. He reminds them that every aspect of life, from daily sustenance to personal belongings, is sanctified for the holy person, providing comfort and joy amidst struggles. Ultimately, this understanding can turn sorrow into joy and trials into triumphs.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes that affliction serves as a divine tool to purify and strengthen believers, drawing them closer to God. He reflects on Psalm 119:67, illustrating how trials can lead to spiritual growth and deeper communion with God. Brooks notes that while initial reactions to affliction may include murmuring and struggle, understanding its purpose can lead to acceptance and gratitude, as expressed in Psalm 119:71. Ultimately, afflictions are portrayed as necessary for enhancing one's relationship with God and manifesting His love and grace.

J.R. Miller emphasizes the beauty and significance of the commonplace in Christian life, illustrating how ordinary acts of kindness and service can reflect God's glory. He encourages believers to find joy in daily tasks and to cultivate a heart of love and service, reminding them that true Christian living is not just about grand gestures but also about the small, loving actions that impact others. Miller highlights the importance of maintaining a close relationship with God, suggesting that our works should stem from a place of love and devotion rather than mere duty. He also reflects on the transformative power of suffering and how it can lead to spiritual growth and deeper faith.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes the significance of recognizing God's hand in our afflictions, urging believers to heed the rod of discipline that God appoints. He explains that the rod serves as a reminder of the gravity of sin, the fleeting nature of worldly comforts, and the glory of heaven and the preciousness of Christ. Brooks encourages the congregation to believe the report that the rod makes, which reveals the true nature of sin and the vanity of earthly pursuits. Ultimately, he calls for a deeper understanding of God's purposes in our trials and a greater appreciation for the eternal truths of faith.

K.P. Yohannan emphasizes that while we may feel equipped to handle life's challenges, discouragement is a common experience that can serve as a divine instrument for growth and reliance on God. He illustrates how God uses our struggles to draw us closer to Him, much like the Israelites who had to gather manna daily for sustenance. Yohannan encourages believers to maintain hope and a positive attitude, as seen in the lives of Paul and Joseph, who faced immense trials yet remained steadfast in their faith. Ultimately, he reminds us that our perspective and attitude towards difficulties can shape our journey and strengthen our relationship with God.

James Smith preaches on the loving discipline of God towards His children, emphasizing that believers are chastened out of love, not punishment, as they are under grace, not the law. God corrects His children for their willfulness, negligence, inattention, rebellions, and worldliness, all to form their character and draw them closer to Him. The Lord chastens His children through various means, such as frowning upon the soul, refusing to answer prayer, leaving them to themselves in ordinances, and through the dispensations of Providence, always with the intention of benefiting them and leading them to holiness.

C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that true greatness comes not from our own merits but from the goodness and gentleness of God. He reflects on how God's providence, humility, and discipline contribute to our growth and greatness, illustrating that God's condescension allows us to rise from our lowly state. Spurgeon encourages believers to recognize and appreciate the gentle ways in which God corrects, teaches, and draws us closer to Him. He calls for a heartfelt response of gratitude, humility, and love as we acknowledge God's role in our lives. Ultimately, we are reminded to cast our crowns at Jesus' feet, celebrating the gentleness that has made us great.

David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of the foundation of faith, questioning what it is built upon. He explains that faith is often tested through wilderness experiences, where God allows afflictions to refine and strengthen us. The sermon highlights that these trials, while painful, are ultimately for our good, as they lead us to a deeper understanding of God's Word and His presence in our lives. Wilkerson reassures that in our struggles, God is always there, holding our hand and guiding us through the storms. The message encourages believers to embrace their afflictions as part of their spiritual growth.