In this sermon, the speaker begins by urging the audience to humble themselves before God and seek His guidance. He mentions that his books, available in the foyer, are more comprehensive and anointed than his spoken words. The main topic of the sermon is the Holocaust and the speaker emphasizes the magnitude of the devastation caused by the systematic genocide of six million Jews. He highlights the shocking aspect that this atrocity did not occur in a primitive or uncivilized area, but in a supposedly civilized society. The speaker calls for a deeper understanding of the gravity of the situation and a realization that we are living beneath the glory of God. He references the story of Moses and how God called him because he turned aside to see, suggesting that we too need to turn aside from our shallow existence and truly see God.

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 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.

Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes God's faithfulness during trials, encouraging believers to recognize that afflictions can lead to spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God. He discusses how past failures and mistakes can create bitterness, but through God's grace, we can find healing and learn to rejoice in our weaknesses. The sermon highlights the importance of understanding that our struggles are part of God's divine plan to mold us into vessels of honor, ultimately leading to a greater appreciation of His goodness. Beach encourages the congregation to embrace their afflictions as opportunities for growth and to trust in God's perfect timing and wisdom.

Thomas Watson preaches about finding consolation in affliction by acknowledging God's kindness and faithfulness towards His people. Despite the challenges and heavy afflictions faced by the righteous, God deals well with them by being their God, making them grow wiser and promoting holiness through affliction, providing promises and preventing sin. Afflictions are seen as acts of love from a caring Father, moderating His correction, preventing sin, and leading His children to heaven where eternal glory awaits.

John Bunyan emphasizes that true strength and holiness in Christians often emerge during times of affliction, as seen in the lives of Noah, Lot, and David. He reflects on how adversity can lead to spiritual growth and deeper service to God, while prosperity may lead to idleness. Bunyan encourages believers to embrace their trials with patience, recognizing that these experiences are essential for their spiritual development. He concludes by urging the faithful to accept God's word and the challenges presented by others with a humble and patient heart.

Thomas Watson preaches about how the worst things, such as afflictions, temptations, desertions, and sins, can be overruled by God for the good of His people. He explains how afflictions work for good by teaching valuable lessons, refining character, and drawing believers closer to God. Similarly, temptations are turned into opportunities for prayer, self-examination, and reliance on Christ's strength. Desertions lead to a deeper appreciation of God's presence and a longing for heaven. Even the sense of sinfulness in the godly serves to humble, purify, and drive believers to seek God more fervently.

C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that sickness has a divine limit set by God, who uses it not for destruction but for the instruction and growth of His people. He reassures that every aspect of our suffering is under God's sovereign control, designed to match our strength and purpose. Spurgeon highlights that God's afflictions are measured with precision and compassion, ensuring that we are never overwhelmed beyond what we can bear. The message conveys deep comfort in knowing that God, like a skilled surgeon, administers healing with care and wisdom, never inflicting pain without necessity.

Charles Finney emphasizes the blessedness of enduring temptation, explaining that trials serve to test and develop our character, revealing our true selves and dependence on God. He discusses the nature and design of temptation, asserting that they are not meant for harm but for our good, ultimately leading to spiritual growth and salvation. Finney highlights that enduring temptation is essential for true Christians, distinguishing them from those who succumb to self-indulgence. He encourages believers to view trials as opportunities for growth and to trust in God's promises, assuring them that perseverance through temptation leads to the crown of life.

James Bourne shares a personal testimony of experiencing God's presence followed by a season of intense affliction and spiritual struggle. He describes feeling overwhelmed, battling with rebellion, self-will, and secret anger towards God, and the realization of his need for meekness and submission. Through this trial, he learns the importance of humility and surrendering to God's will, acknowledging his own pride and need for God's refining fire to humble him.

Charles Mchatton preaches about how God refines and chooses His children in the furnace of affliction, using trials, oppression, and humiliating experiences to purify their hearts and prepare them for higher ministry. Just like how automobiles are tested before being put on the market, God tests His children to reveal weaknesses and refine them. Through the examples of Moses, Joseph, and the three Hebrew children, it is evident that God chooses and refines His workers in times of distress and difficulty, enlarging them for effective ministry when they remain faithful in the midst of trials.

A.B. Simpson emphasizes that God's providence often appears dark and challenging, yet it holds deeper secrets for those who fear Him. He illustrates that just as diamonds are hidden in rough packages, God's blessings may be concealed in difficult circumstances. The sermon encourages believers to trust in God's goodness, recognizing that valuable treasures of love and wisdom are often found within seemingly unappealing situations. By looking beyond the surface, we can uncover the hidden meanings of God's dealings with us. Ultimately, faith allows us to appreciate the richness of God's providence, even when it is wrapped in trials.

James Bourne shares a heartfelt letter expressing his struggles with illness, spiritual coldness, and the fear of death, yet finding comfort in God's mercy and kindness. He acknowledges his need for God's guidance, mercy, and instruction, recognizing the depth of sin revealed during his trials. Through his sharp conflict, he discovers a newfound sincerity, honesty, and earnestness in seeking God's will for his life.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes that love empowers believers to endure hardships by interpreting afflictions as divine tools for spiritual growth. He asserts that love helps the soul view trials not as punishments but as opportunities to experience God's glory and sweetness. Afflictions, according to love, are friends that refine us and lead us closer to God, ultimately resulting in greater heavenly joy. Brooks encourages believers to embrace their struggles with the understanding that they serve a higher purpose in God's plan.

David Smithers preaches about the transformative power of affliction in the life of Gilbert Tennent, a Presbyterian minister who experienced a deep spiritual awakening during a time of illness, leading to a fervent dedication to God's kingdom. Tennent's preaching was marked by a fearless proclamation of God's judgment and a urgent call to repentance, contrasting with the popular preaching style of his time that lacked emphasis on the necessity of regeneration and the terrors of violating God's law. His ministry, alongside other revivalists like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield, sparked a powerful revival in the American colonies, emphasizing the need for a genuine revelation of eternity and a fervent prayer for revival.

Clement of Rome emphasizes the importance of praying for those who have fallen into sin, urging for meekness and humility so they may submit to the will of God. He encourages receiving correction with gratitude, as it leads to unity with God's will. Clement highlights that God's chastisement is a sign of His love, bringing restoration and protection to those who accept His discipline.

Zac Poonen preaches on the importance of obedience to God's commandments under the New Covenant, emphasizing that God's laws are meant to set us free and are proof of His intense love for us. He highlights that obedience is often misunderstood due to a lack of understanding of God's love and grace, leading to a perception of His commandments as burdensome. Poonen explains that suffering is a crucial part of our spiritual education, necessary for our growth and maturity, and that God disciplines us out of love to share in His holiness, as seen in the life of Jesus.

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.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes that divine discipline is a sign of God's love, illustrating this through the experience of Munster, who viewed his afflictions as precious jewels bestowed by God. He highlights that all afflictions faced by believers are ultimately rooted in God's love and serve a purpose in their spiritual growth. Munster's perspective on his suffering reflects a deep understanding of the value of trials, echoing the sentiment that afflictions can lead to greater spiritual maturity. Brooks encourages Christians to embrace their hardships, recognizing them as opportunities for divine refinement.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes that while God had only one Son without corruption, all His children face temptation. He explains that temptations serve to mold Christians into the likeness of Christ, as they draw closer to Him through their struggles. The more a Christian is tempted, the more they reflect Christ's qualities such as meekness and holiness. Tempted souls look to Jesus for support, and through this reliance, they experience transformation and growth in their faith. Ultimately, temptations help believers to see sin as more detestable and the world as less appealing.

Thomas Brooks addresses the question of unending pain and suffering, emphasizing that while God has reasons for His actions, He is not obligated to reveal them to us. He warns against questioning God's decisions, asserting that God, as the ultimate authority, has the right to afflict without explanation. Brooks encourages believers to accept their afflictions with silence and trust, recognizing that God's purposes are ultimately for their benefit, including the purification of their lives and souls. He reminds Christians that the hidden reasons for suffering belong to God alone, urging them to focus on the revealed truths in Scripture.

C.H. Spurgeon warns against the dangers of prosperity, emphasizing that even the most devout Christians can fall into presumption when surrounded by success and comfort. He reflects on the biblical example of David, who declared, 'I shall never be moved,' and cautions that such confidence can lead to spiritual complacency. Spurgeon encourages believers to recognize the value of afflictions and challenges, as they keep us grounded and reliant on God. He asserts that without trials, we risk becoming intoxicated by pleasure and losing our awareness of spiritual dangers. Ultimately, he praises God for the lessons learned through hardship, reminding us that afflictions are often sent in mercy.

Bishop M.A. Lalachan preaches on the importance of finding purpose and focus in times of deep suffering, drawing inspiration from David's experiences of affliction and hardship. Despite facing extreme trials, including the loss of loved ones and betrayal, David found hope and peace by meditating on God's character and Word. Lalachan emphasizes that challenges come to refine and purify us, removing what is not of God in our lives. He encourages embracing problems as opportunities for growth and creativity, highlighting that our response to adversity showcases our identity as citizens of God's Kingdom.

Thomas Watson preaches about the transformative power of God's love and mercy in the lives of believers, highlighting how afflictions, when sanctified, draw them closer to God, teach them valuable lessons, and make them more upright. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining love for God, being thankful in all circumstances, and using prayer as a powerful tool to connect with God and receive His blessings. Watson also discusses how God's mercies humble, melt, and make the heart fruitful and thankful, while His power subdues and breaks the stronghold of sin in believers' lives.