In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of avoiding not only sinful things but also unprofitable things in the Christian life. He specifically mentions the area of food, cautioning against becoming slaves to fancy or excessive eating. The speaker highlights the need for discipline in this area and encourages believers to eat only enough to sustain themselves. Additionally, he reminds listeners that their bodies are not their own, but rather members of Christ, and should be offered to God.

In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the distance between humanity and God. He shares a personal experience of praying with a friend on a hill, feeling both the darkness and the presence of God. The speaker also recalls a moment of nearness to God while praying under an apple tree with other preachers. He then references the Song of Solomon, highlighting the story of the bridegroom and the bride. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the uniqueness and beauty of Jesus, even in the face of adversity. Additionally, he challenges the audience to consider their own self-centeredness and self-indulgence, suggesting that there is enough potential resources within the audience to greatly support the church and missionary efforts.

In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the last words of Jesus on the cross, specifically focusing on the statement "I thirst." He emphasizes that even though it may seem like a simple statement, there are spiritual treasures to be found in it. The preacher highlights three portraits of Jesus that can be seen in this statement: the suffering Son of Man, the one who identifies with those in need, and the one who fulfills the hunger and thirst for righteousness. The sermon also draws parallels between the six hours Jesus spent on the cross and the six days of creation, emphasizing the significance of Jesus' work in the new creation.

In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being wise and cautious in our choices regarding entertainment and media. He warns about the potential dangers of movies, music, and other forms of art that can lead people back into sinful behaviors. The preacher encourages believers to consider the impact their choices may have on others and to prioritize love and edification over personal preferences. He also highlights the need to understand the continuity of the Apostle Paul's arguments in the Bible, rather than just focusing on individual chapters and verses.

In this sermon on Romans Chapter 15 and verse 3, the preacher emphasizes the importance of fellowship among believers in the body of Christ. He highlights that it is not necessary for everyone to agree on every small doctrine, but rather to have a desire to glorify God. The preacher points out that many Christian groups today fail to fulfill God's will because they do not give place for the teachings of Romans 14 and 15 in their churches. The conclusion of this section is that believers must be filled with knowledge in order to admonish one another and glorify God with one accord and one voice.

This sermon emphasizes the importance of preserving a pure testimony for God, focusing on the need to die to self, let go of personal opinions, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. It highlights the significance of being like a burning bush, where every impurity is burnt up, and God's presence dwells. The message calls for a deep commitment to live a life of holiness, free from worldly influences and distractions, and to seek a genuine encounter with God that transforms hearts and lives.

This sermon emphasizes the importance of judging oneself first before judging others, focusing on the need to live a life that pleases God by examining hidden areas of darkness and motives. It highlights the call to love righteousness and hate iniquity, seeking to be a new creature in Christ who does not live for self but for the Lord. The speaker urges believers to pursue a life of joy and freedom from sin, understanding the fear of the Lord and the significance of Christ's sacrifice in transforming our lives.

This sermon delves into the significance of the torn veil in the temple when Jesus died, symbolizing the opening of the way into God's presence. It explores the concept of man as a tabernacle of God with three parts - body, soul, and spirit, emphasizing the need to deny self-will to allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within. The torn veil represents the tearing of Jesus' self-will, paving the way for believers to follow the new and living way of denying self and obeying God's will. Obedience to God's commandments and love for others are highlighted as essential aspects of proving love for Christ.

This sermon emphasizes the importance of living a life that pleases God, focusing on the example of Jesus in his early years. It highlights the significance of submitting to imperfect authority, being willing to be misunderstood for the sake of obedience, and resisting temptation without sin. The message underscores the value of faithfulness in the seemingly small and hidden aspects of life, rather than seeking prominence or recognition in ministry.

Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of seeking God's approval over His blessings, highlighting that true spirituality involves living a life centered on God rather than oneself. He points out that many Christians remain self-centered, even in their religious practices, and often approach God with selfish motives. Poonen encourages believers to renew their minds to focus on what God desires from them, rather than what they can gain. He illustrates that true maturity in faith is demonstrated by a sacrificial, God-centered life, as exemplified by Jesus and the apostles. Ultimately, the goal is to have the testimony of pleasing God, akin to that of Enoch, rather than merely being blessed by Him.

Zac Poonen emphasizes the contrast between the Israelites, with whom God was not well-pleased despite witnessing miracles, and Jesus, who was approved by the Father due to His faithful life and resistance to sin. The Israelites' unbelief led to their disapproval, while Jesus' character and obedience, even before His ministry began, earned Him God's favor. Poonen highlights that true approval from God is based on our character and faithfulness in daily life, rather than external accomplishments or miracles. He encourages believers to seek God's approval through integrity in their homes and workplaces, just as Jesus did. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a shift in focus from seeking recognition to valuing faithfulness in the face of temptation.

Zac Poonen emphasizes that our daily decisions shape our spiritual lives, urging us to follow Jesus' example of denying self-will to fulfill God's will. He illustrates how Jesus consistently chose to please the Father, even in the hidden years of His life, and challenges us to reflect on our own choices that either lead to spiritual maturity or carnality. Poonen warns that the accumulation of small decisions can lead to significant differences in our spiritual state over time, and he encourages young people to take their lives seriously, making choices that align with God's purpose. Ultimately, he calls for a commitment to self-denial and faithfulness in our walk with God, reminding us that time is precious and should not be wasted.

Horatius Bonar emphasizes the continuous journey of following Christ, urging believers to keep their focus on Jesus and His cross for spiritual health and growth. He warns against distractions from the world and the dangers of complacency in prayer and spiritual practices. Bonar encourages Christians to live a life of integrity, humility, and discernment, avoiding the pitfalls of self-indulgence and covetousness. He reminds the faithful that their lives are a book being written for eternity, and they must strive for holiness and righteousness in all aspects. Ultimately, Bonar calls for a deep, intimate relationship with God, urging believers to act in love and service, reflecting Christ's character in their daily lives.

J.H. Newman preaches about the importance of self-denial, mortification, and living a holy life in accordance with God's will. He emphasizes the need to deny ungodliness, worldly lusts, and to crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts, following the examples set by Paul and Christ. Newman highlights the necessity of self-denial in preparing the soul for grace, overcoming corrupt affections, and ultimately, finding true freedom and acceptance by God through fervent devotion, humility, and obedience.

Zac Poonen preaches on the importance of denying our own will and doing the will of God, just as Jesus did during His time on earth. He emphasizes that spirituality is the result of consistently choosing self-denial and obedience to God in every decision we make, whether big or small. Poonen highlights the impact of our daily decisions on our spiritual growth, urging believers to exercise their will to please God at all times and to be faithful in the little things. He warns against wasting time on self-indulgence and encourages a life of discipline and wholehearted devotion to God, especially for the younger generation.

Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of denying oneself and making decisions that please God rather than indulging in personal desires. He contrasts the outcomes of living to please oneself versus living a disciplined life focused on pleasing God, highlighting the significance of small daily choices in shaping one's character and spiritual growth. Poonen encourages believers to exercise their will to consistently choose God's will, illustrating how faithfulness in little decisions leads to maturity and discernment in distinguishing good from evil. He stresses the transformative power of radical repentance, wholehearted commitment to God, and learning from past failures to walk in God's grace.

Zac Poonen preaches on the secret of Jesus being approved by God, emphasizing that it was not based on His ministry success but on His faithful and sinless life for thirty years. Jesus was approved because He resisted temptation and never sought His own desires, pleasing the Father. Our character, specifically our attitude towards sin and self-centeredness, is what brings God's approval, not our external accomplishments. Both a world-traveling healer/preacher and a busy mother at home have equal opportunities to acquire God's approval, as it is based on our faithfulness in daily temptations.

Zac Poonen preaches about the two types of believers - those who seek only God's blessing and those who seek God's approval. He highlights the importance of seeking God's approval, which involves living a life centered on pleasing God rather than just receiving material blessings. Poonen emphasizes the need to mature spiritually by renewing our minds to focus on what God desires from us, rather than what we can gain from Him. True spirituality, according to Poonen, is about living a sacrificial, God-centered life like Jesus and the apostles did, seeking God's approval above all else.

In this sermon, the preacher delves into the meaning of 'insult' (oneidizo) in the Bible, which involves abusive words, slander, reviling, and unjustly finding fault in a way that demeans others. The message highlights how enemies reviled God, Israel, and the righteous in the Psalms, and how Jesus reproached cities and His disciples. The sermon emphasizes that Christians may face insults and ridicule for their faith, but they are blessed when reviled for the name of Christ. The preacher also explores the serious consequences of verbal abuse in Jewish culture and how insults were viewed as extremely harmful.