In this sermon, the preacher begins by describing a man who wanted to look presentable before going to a fine place. However, he was rejected because the artist wanted him as he was. The preacher then talks about two men who went to the temple to pray, emphasizing the importance of being honest and genuine in our prayers to God. He also mentions the need to continue praying regardless of our circumstances or feelings. The sermon concludes with a reference to a hymn that reminds us to trust in Jesus' name rather than relying on our own emotions or frames of mind.

The sermon transcript discusses the importance of the cross as the watchword for believers. It emphasizes that the strength in battle and the boast in victory come from the cross. The sermon also highlights the theme of mercy, both in the present life and in eternity. It warns against relying on human nature or morality alone for salvation, emphasizing the need for the breath of God's spirit to ignite a fire that spreads across the earth. The sermon concludes with a blessing and a reminder to not forsake the works of God's hands.

In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of praising God and parading to His will. He references a story from the Bible where King Jehoshaphat and his people faced a great army. Instead of being fearful, they appointed singers to go before them and praise the Lord. As they praised, God gave them victory over their enemies and they were able to gather abundant riches. The speaker encourages listeners to pray for God's will, praise Him even before seeing the answers, and parade to His will by trusting in His promises.

In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark chapter 4, verses 35 to 41. He emphasizes that it is common for believers to feel like their boat is sinking when faced with challenges and difficulties. The speaker shares his own experiences of feeling like nothing is being accomplished in his daily routine, but finding encouragement in Ecclesiastes 11:1, which encourages believers to cast their bread upon the waters and trust that it will be found after many days. He concludes by reminding the audience that in times of defeat and failure, they can find consolation in Christ and encourages them to thank the Lord for His love and faithfulness.

In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith teaches on the importance of giving thanks to God. He begins by discussing Psalm 136, which is an antiphonal Psalm meant to be sung back and forth between the priest and the congregation. The Psalm highlights God's mighty acts, such as dividing the Red Sea, leading the Israelites through the wilderness, and defeating great kings. Pastor Chuck emphasizes the enduring and deep mercy of God, which is demonstrated through His creative acts and His faithfulness to His people. He encourages listeners to recognize and give thanks for God's mercy, which endures forever.

In this sermon, the speaker shares two stories that illustrate the power of obedience and surrender to God. The first story is about a man who noticed a police car stationed at the entrance of his subdivision every day for six months. He later discovered that crime in the area had dropped significantly. The second story is about a man who turned himself in as a fugitive and ended up serving prison time. Despite feeling disappointed when no one showed up to his ministry launch, he realized that he had done it for God and not for people. The speaker then encourages the audience to pray for surrendered lives and to be moldable like clay in the hands of the potter.

In this sermon, Basilea Schlink emphasizes the importance of remembering and thanking God for his provision and miracles in our lives. She shares personal experiences of how God has always stepped in and provided everything needed, even in the last minute. Schlink encourages setting aside specific times, such as birthdays or the end of the year, to remember and give thanks to God. She highlights that through remembering, our faith is strengthened and we experience more of God's help and miracles. The sermon also references God's command to the Israelites to remember his mighty deeds and set up memorials as a testimony to his love.

In this sermon, Basilia Schling emphasizes the importance of thanking God for His love and the blessings He has bestowed upon us. She highlights how often we ignore or only half-heartedly love God, causing Him grief. Schling reminds us that God is a Father of love who has planned every beautiful aspect of the world for our enjoyment. She urges listeners to make a new start by expressing gratitude to God for both pleasant and unpleasant things, as this will draw us closer to His heart and bring Him happiness. Ultimately, a thankful heart has no room for sadness and despair, and thankfulness and praise can lead to a closer relationship with our heavenly Father.

Keith Simons teaches on Psalm 136, emphasizing the importance of giving thanks to God for His enduring mercy, which is highlighted throughout the psalm. He explains that the psalm lists 26 reasons to be thankful, starting with God's goodness and culminating in His acts of kindness towards Israel, including their deliverance from Egypt and provision in the wilderness. Simons notes that God's mercy is a central theme, repeated in every verse, reminding us of His eternal kindness and care for all creation. The psalm serves as a call to gratitude, recognizing God's sovereignty and love in both creation and redemption.

Charles Finney emphasizes the profound truth that 'God is love,' explaining that this means God is fundamentally benevolent and devoted to the highest good of all beings. He outlines the implications of this truth, asserting that God's actions are always aligned with His benevolent nature, and He never acts contrary to the ultimate good of creation. Finney argues that God's love is not merely an emotion but a constant, unchanging disposition that governs all His actions, ensuring that He does everything possible to promote the happiness and well-being of His creatures. He also addresses the existence of evil and suffering, explaining that they are incidental to God's benevolent plan, which ultimately results in greater good than harm. The sermon concludes with a call to recognize God's love in all circumstances and to trust in His benevolent intentions.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes that God desires all individuals to become Christlike, as this transformation allows them to receive His boundless love more fully. He explains that conformity to Christ's nature restores God's image within us, enabling a deeper experience of divine love. Despite the struggle of sinful individuals to accept God's love due to their conscience and moral failings, the Bible consistently affirms God's love for humanity. Tozer encourages believers to trust in God's declaration of love and to embrace the sanctifying grace of Christ to fully enjoy this love.

Bernard Fell emphasizes the importance of giving thanks to God in all circumstances, using a heartwarming story of a child in a hospital ward who reminds the nurse to say grace before meals. He highlights how easily we can forget to express gratitude for God's provision and blessings, urging listeners to cultivate a habit of thankfulness in their daily lives, even in the simplest things like meals. Through the story, he encourages a childlike faith and humility in acknowledging God's ownership of all things and His continuous provision for our needs.

John A. Broadus preaches on the habit of thankfulness to God, emphasizing its value in quelling repining, enhancing enjoyment, soothing distress, allaying anxiety, deepening penitence, brightening hope, and strengthening for endurance and exertion. He discusses the occasions of habitual thankfulness, highlighting the importance of being thankful for both pleasant and painful experiences, as they can lead to gratitude, character improvement, and a deeper understanding of divine compassion. Broadus encourages forming and maintaining the habit of thankfulness through consistent practice, self-control, and vigilance, drawing parallels to the discipline required in cultivating other habits like playing a musical instrument.

C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that Jesus will always remind His people of His love, ensuring they never forget the sacrifice He made on the cross. He draws parallels between a mother's love and Jesus' persistent reminders of His affection, urging believers to remember His eternal love and the history of His sacrifice. Spurgeon reflects on the depth of Jesus' love, from His incarnation to His resurrection, and the ongoing commitment He has to His people until they are safely gathered in heaven. The sermon encourages a response of remembrance and gratitude for the matchless love of Christ.

St. Benedict of Nursia outlines a structured order for the Night Office, beginning with a call to open lips in praise to the Lord, followed by the chanting of Psalms, the Ambrosian hymn 'Te Deum,' and additional Psalms with antiphons. The service includes readings from both the Old and New Testament, along with explanations from respected Catholic Fathers, interspersed with responsories. The Night Office concludes with recitation of Psalms, a lesson from the Apostle, and a litany petition for God's mercy.

Chuck Smith delivers a profound commentary on Psalms 136-150, emphasizing the enduring mercy of God as a central theme throughout the psalms. He highlights the importance of gratitude and praise, as seen in Psalm 136, where the refrain 'For His mercy endureth forever' is repeated, reminding the congregation of God's goodness and creative power. Smith also reflects on the emotional depth of the psalms, particularly in Psalm 137, where the sorrow of the Israelites in Babylonian captivity is palpable. He encourages believers to recognize God's omnipresence and mercy, urging them to seek a deeper relationship with Him through prayer and worship. Ultimately, Smith calls for a more uninhibited expression of praise, aligning with the psalmist's exhortation to worship God in various forms.

Chuck Smith discusses Jacob's return home after 20 years, emphasizing his desperate prayer to God as he faced the fear of his brother Esau approaching with 400 men. Jacob's motives for prayer stemmed from fear and a sense of helplessness, yet he grounded his plea in God's promises and acknowledged his unworthiness. Smith highlights the mercies of God, illustrating how Jacob, despite his past, was blessed and delivered through prayer. The sermon concludes with the miraculous reconciliation between Jacob and Esau, suggesting that God had softened Esau's heart in response to Jacob's earnest prayer.

Andrew Murray emphasizes that God created the world for His own joy and glory, and the sin and suffering within it deeply grieve Him. Despite the pain caused by human free will, God's love is unwavering, demonstrated through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. This profound love is beyond human understanding, yet it is available to all who seek to experience it. Murray encourages believers to open their hearts to God's compassion and to recognize their part in His divine nature. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deeper connection with God's love and a commitment to share it with others.

John Nelson Darby explores the Fifth Book of Psalms, emphasizing God's enduring mercy amidst Israel's struggles and failures after their return to the land. He highlights the significance of the ark being brought back to Zion by David, which marked a restoration of worship and a reminder of God's sovereign grace. The Psalms recount Israel's vicissitudes, their cries for help, and God's faithfulness, culminating in the proclamation that 'His mercy endureth for ever.' Darby connects the themes of redemption, divine judgment, and the exaltation of Christ, illustrating how these Psalms reflect both Israel's history and prophetic future. Ultimately, he underscores the importance of recognizing God's mercy as a constant in the face of adversity.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of tracing our blessings back to their true source, God, rather than expressing vague gratitude. He reflects on an old couple who, despite not being Christians, showed genuine thankfulness for their lives, yet their gratitude lacked a direct recipient. Tozer contrasts this with modern individuals who express joy without acknowledging God, highlighting a common fear of openly directing gratitude to Him. He suggests that many people, like Adam, hide from God due to shame or fear of judgment, leading to a generalization of their thankfulness instead of a personal acknowledgment. Ultimately, Tozer calls for a more intentional and personal expression of gratitude towards God.

R.A. Torrey emphasizes the profound truth encapsulated in the phrase 'God is love' from 1 John 4:8, asserting it as the greatest sentence ever written. He explains that this simple declaration reveals the essence of the Bible and God's relationship with humanity, highlighting His willingness to forgive, punish, sympathize, give, and sacrifice for us. Torrey illustrates how God's love is demonstrated through His actions, including the ultimate sacrifice of His Son for our salvation. He urges listeners to reflect on their response to God's love, encouraging acceptance rather than rejection. The sermon serves as a powerful reminder of the depth and implications of God's love for each individual.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of expressing gratitude, noting that while everyone feels gratitude at some point, many fail to adequately thank those who deserve it, especially God. He reflects on the biblical account of the ten lepers, highlighting the disappointment of Christ when only one returned to give thanks. Tozer points out that this tendency to overlook gratitude towards God is prevalent in modern society, where thanks are often given to people but not to the Creator. He encourages believers to cultivate a habit of thanking God, contrasting it with the instinctive gratitude shown by others. The sermon serves as a reminder to acknowledge God's blessings and express our thanks sincerely.

Chuck Smith emphasizes the assurance that God will perfect the work He has begun in us, highlighting that our salvation is entirely God's work and not our own. He encourages believers to focus on their spiritual concerns rather than earthly matters, reminding them of God's enduring mercy that guarantees their salvation. Smith stresses the importance of prayer and active participation in God's work, as believers must invite God into their lives for transformation. Ultimately, he reassures that God's mercy is unchanging and everlasting, providing a foundation for our confidence in Him.

David Wilkerson emphasizes the significance of God's mercy as represented by the ark of the covenant in ancient Israel, which ultimately finds its fulfillment in Christ. He warns against mocking God's mercy, highlighting that such actions lead to swift judgment, as demonstrated by the Philistines' fate when they captured the ark. Wilkerson reflects on America's current state, suggesting that the nation has been spared judgment due to God's enduring mercy, which he believes is a call for repentance. He encourages believers to remain hopeful despite the corruption and mockery of God's truth, affirming that God's mercies are everlasting and His control is absolute.

William Law discusses the nature of God as an infinite source of love, emphasizing that God's essence is unchanging and cannot include wrath or anger. He argues that all creatures exist to manifest God's love and goodness, and that any notion of divine wrath arises only from the fallen state of creation, not from God's nature. Law asserts that true goodness and happiness can only be found in the union of the divine life with human existence, and that the concept of wrath attributed to God in scripture must be understood in the context of human disobedience and separation from divine love.