
J. Oswald Sanders
- Sermons
- Bio
Intimacy With God
7.9K37:59Intimacy With GodEXO 33:7EXO 33:18EXO 34:6PSA 27:8MAT 6:33JAS 4:8In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of spending time alone with God. He uses the example of Moses, who spent six days alone with God on the mountain and became radiant as a result. The speaker suggests that our lack of closeness to God may be due to not prioritizing time with Him. He challenges the audience to be willing to pay the price of spending time with God in order to experience intimacy with Him.
How to Rise Above Discouragement
6.7K38:07Discouragement2CO 4:16In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on the eternal rather than the temporary things of this world. He encourages the audience to lift their gaze and not be discouraged by the war, crime, and violence they see in the world. The speaker highlights four reasons why we should not lose heart, including walking by faith and not by sight, being content to leave the body behind and go home to the Lord, and being engrossed with the eternal rather than the circumstances around us. The speaker also mentions that Paul, in his ministry, realized the mercy of God and how being in the ministry was a marvelous thing despite his past persecution of the church.
Finishing the Course Well
6.3K1:04:36Finishing WellISA 54:2JHN 1:14JHN 1:50ACT 2:41CO 9:24EPH 3:201TI 4:72TI 4:6HEB 12:2In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being active participants in our faith rather than passive observers. He compares our tendency to be "TV athletes" who watch sports without actually participating, to how many of us approach our spiritual lives. The speaker encourages us to have a single-minded focus on our relationship with God and to pour all of our energy and effort into it. He gives examples of individuals who achieved great things by dedicating themselves to a specific goal, and challenges us to have the same ambition in our Christian walk.
The Servant Leader
4.7K40:21Servant LeadershipISA 42:1MAT 6:33MRK 10:35In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of love and optimism in leadership. He uses Jesus as an example of a good leader who faced discouragements but remained optimistic until the end. The preacher also discusses the qualities of a servant leader, including the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the willingness to minister to the frail and erring. He highlights the need for leaders to be prepared to suffer and sacrifice for effective service. Overall, the sermon emphasizes the importance of optimism and hope in fulfilling God's purposes.
The Maturity of a Spiritual Leader
4.7K43:13Spiritual LeadershipMAT 6:33ROM 12:11EPH 4:11COL 1:28In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having someone behind us pouring on oil to keep us moving and generating power in our leadership positions. He encourages leaders to be kept at boiling point by the Holy Spirit and to serve the Master faithfully. The speaker then focuses on the qualities of a leader, particularly in the areas of speech, life, love, faith, and purity. He highlights the significance of setting an example in these areas, as it will make people listen and follow, regardless of age. The sermon concludes with a discussion on how to react to dashed hopes, adversity, and sorrow, emphasizing the need to trust in God's sovereignty and maintain a mature and Christ-like attitude. The sermon references Paul's letter to the Ephesians, specifically chapter 4, to support the teachings on leadership and maturity.
The Power of a Master Ambition
4.3K33:46Desiring GodPHP 3:13In this sermon, the speaker shares a testimony of a girl who held up a blank sheet of paper with only her signature on it, symbolizing her complete surrender to God's plan for her life. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being fully abandoned to the Lord and allowing Him to guide and direct our lives. He encourages listeners to examine their own lives and identify any areas where they may be "leaking" or not fully aligned with God's plan. The speaker also challenges listeners to have a clearly defined goal in life and to integrate their entire lives into that goal.
Improving Leadership Effectiveness
4.3K59:54LeadershipPSA 69:92CO 4:1In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of leadership and delegation in various areas of life. He emphasizes the need to delegate work properly in order to avoid a one-man show. The speaker also addresses the issue of periods of depression and losing heart, providing four reasons why he doesn't lose heart based on 2 Corinthians 4:1. These reasons include being entrusted with a ministry, the importance of the work of God, the responsibility to God and fellow members, and the need to maintain healthy personnel relationships by "oiling the wheels" when they stick. The sermon references Hudson Taylor, a simple yet astute man who had the gift of saying profound things in simple language.
Disciplines to Maturity
4.0K45:44MaturityHEB 12:5HEB 12:9In this sermon, the preacher discusses the mysterious ways in which God works and how we should trust in His grace rather than relying on our own understanding. He uses examples from the Bible, such as the experiences of James and Peter, to illustrate how God's plans may not always align with our desires or expectations. The preacher emphasizes the importance of having faith and seeking God's will, even in times of disappointment or inequality. Ultimately, he encourages listeners to worship and trust in the sweet will of God, knowing that He has a purpose for every situation.
Take Heed to Yourself
3.5K35:36Take HeedROM 12:111TI 4:71TI 4:12In this sermon, Billy Graham reflects on the life of a man who dedicated himself to one thing rather than dabbling in many things. He emphasizes the importance of finding the one thing that unifies and integrates our lives, and giving the best of ourselves to God. Graham references Paul's instructions to Timothy, urging him to train himself to be godly and to watch his life and teaching closely. He encourages leaders to be diligent and enthusiastic in their service to God, setting an example for others to follow.
Jericho Relationships
3.4K57:03RelationshipsIn this sermon, the speaker highlights four things that have impressed him about the group he is addressing. Firstly, he commends the high level of commitment displayed by the group members. Secondly, he praises the depth of their work, emphasizing that it goes beyond mere quantity or area. Thirdly, he appreciates the importance given to scripture throughout the conference. Lastly, he acknowledges the wisdom and scripturalness of the leadership. The speaker then shifts his focus to the topic of relationships, emphasizing their significance in ministry. He mentions a survey that revealed 59% of returned missionaries cited relationships as a reason for their return. He emphasizes the importance of mutual respect and fervent love as the basis for relationships, particularly in a multi-racial context. The speaker encourages realistic but optimistic expectations of human nature, reminding the audience that while redeemed, humans are not yet fully sanctified. He shares a personal anecdote about a student in New Guinea to illustrate this point. Overall, the sermon emphasizes the importance of commitment, depth, scripture, and relationships in ministry, while also encouraging understanding and grace towards human imperfections.
Love - I Corinthians 13
3.3K33:28Love1CO 13:4In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of love as the motivating factor behind all actions. He explains that even if one were to give away all their possessions or sacrifice their own body, it would mean nothing if it is not done out of love. The speaker then goes on to describe the characteristics of love as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, highlighting how Jesus exemplified these qualities. He challenges the listeners to strive for these qualities in their own lives, as they are the qualities that God expects to find in His children.
Paul's Hymn of Love
3.3K22:18LoveEXO 14:13MAT 6:33ROM 12:211CO 13:11PE 4:8In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of love and patience in our lives. He uses examples from the Bible, such as Peter's question about forgiveness, to illustrate the need for patience and forgiveness towards others. The speaker also discusses the significance of love as the motive behind our actions, stating that even the greatest sacrifices are meaningless without love. He concludes by highlighting the characteristics of love, particularly its ability to refrain from certain actions, and encourages listeners to cultivate a patient and loving attitude in their lives.
Surrendering Your Rights
3.2K43:47Surrender1CO 9:3In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being willing to sacrifice leisure and pleasure in order to bless others. He discusses the right to receive material benefits for spiritual work and acknowledges that while he has this right, he has chosen not to exercise it. The speaker uses the analogy of a boxer who aims and strikes every blow, highlighting the importance of discipline and self-control in preaching the word of God. He also shares a story about a village that initially rejected the message of the preachers, but had a change of heart when they saw the physical toll it took on them. The sermon concludes with the message of not "killing the horse" or neglecting oneself, but also recognizing when it is necessary to push oneself and make sacrifices in service to God.
God's Provision for Personal Power
3.1K51:49Personal PowerMAT 6:33JHN 20:19ROM 10:9In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the destructive power of fire and hurricanes, emphasizing that these natural disasters should not be sentimentalized. The speaker then shares a personal experience of leading an evangelistic campaign in a Presbyterian church where he faced challenges due to the lack of preparation by the minister. However, through his preaching and the working of the Holy Spirit, several individuals, including the minister's son, responded and accepted Christ. The sermon then transitions to discussing God's provision for personal power, focusing on the story of Jesus appearing to his disciples after his resurrection and breathing the Holy Spirit upon them. The speaker highlights the importance of receiving the Holy Spirit and the authority to forgive sins.
Improving Leadership Effectiveness Ii
3.1K1:01:35Leadership2CO 4:16In this sermon, the speaker discusses four important aspects of leadership in the context of the ministry of the new covenant. Firstly, leaders are entrusted with the responsibility of spreading the word of God. Secondly, they are empowered by the Holy Spirit and receive new strength every day. Thirdly, leaders should prioritize eternal matters and walk by faith rather than sight. Lastly, leaders should focus on maintaining healthy relationships and use the Holy Spirit as a lubricant to resolve conflicts. The speaker emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the work of God over individual peace and the need for proper delegation in leadership.
Our Relationship With Christ
2.9K55:20RelationshipsEXO 33:7EXO 33:18EXO 34:5MAT 6:33MRK 3:14LUK 10:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking intimacy with God. He uses the example of Joshua, who sought the presence of God in the tent and was able to ascend higher into the mountain than his contemporaries. The speaker also mentions the four circles of intimacy in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, which grew out of a clearer revelation of God's character. He highlights the need for a divine perspective and for allowing God to work through us in our service to others.
The Mind of Christ
2.8K1:03:42ChristEXO 32:32MAT 6:33GAL 2:20PHP 2:2PHP 2:7In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living a life that is attractive and different from the world in order to make an impression on others. He uses the example of Jesus washing the disciples' feet to illustrate the concept of self-sacrifice and self-denial. The speaker also shares a story of missionaries in Italy who left behind only 45 believers after years of work, but later discovered that there were actually 15,000 believers who had been impacted by their ministry. The sermon concludes with a challenge for listeners to imitate the mind of Christ and strive for self-sacrifice in their own lives.
The Faces of Jesus
2.8K55:11JesusPSA 27:8ISA 52:14MAT 25:342CO 3:182CO 4:61JN 3:2REV 21:23In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of catching a vision of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. This vision will ignite a lifelong zeal to make Jesus known. The speaker encourages the audience to turn their eyes upon Jesus and focus on his wonderful face, as this will cause the things of earth to fade away in comparison to his glory and grace. The sermon also highlights the patience and love of God, as well as the significance of Jesus' marred face and scarred body in revealing the love and glory of God to humanity.
I Don't Lose Heart
2.2K44:09DiscouragementEncouragementPerseverance in FaithMAT 11:28ROM 8:282CO 3:182CO 4:162CO 5:4GAL 6:9EPH 1:3PHP 4:13HEB 10:23J. Oswald Sanders emphasizes Paul's message of encouragement in the face of discouragement, drawing from 2 Corinthians 4. He reflects on his own experience of feeling pressured while serving in a challenging mission field, and how Paul's assurance of not losing heart stems from the mercy of God, the strength provided through the Holy Spirit, and the promise of eternal glory. Sanders highlights that despite outward struggles, believers can find renewal and courage by focusing on the unseen and trusting in God's timing for harvest. Ultimately, he encourages the congregation to embrace their ministry and remain steadfast in faith, knowing that God is at work even when results are not immediately visible.
Mary, Martha and Lazarus
2.0K1:36:35LazarusLUK 10:38LUK 10:40JHN 11:62CO 1:41TI 6:8In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of materialism and the desire for constant upgrades in our society. He emphasizes that the Bible teaches principles rather than specific rules, and one of these principles is to be content with what we have. The speaker encourages Christians to resist the temptation of constantly seeking something better and instead find contentment in their current circumstances. He also shares personal experiences of dealing with loneliness and highlights the importance of learning to be content in all situations.
Things Which Limit Our Ministry
1.6K59:56MinistryGAL 5:13EPH 5:18COL 3:16In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the corrupt nature of the world we live in and the difficulty of maintaining purity. He highlights a verse that speaks of God's power to deliver us from temptation and provide a way to escape. The preacher shares a personal story of a young man who faced a powerful temptation but was able to resist by abiding in Christ and listening to his master's voice. The sermon also touches on the importance of knowing God's voice and the need to protect oneself against sin. The passage in Galatians 5:13 is referenced, reminding believers to use their freedom to serve one another in love.
Peculiar Perils of Leadership
0LeadershipHumilityNUM 11:28PRO 16:5MAT 23:12LUK 10:201CO 3:42CO 10:12GAL 6:3PHP 2:3JAS 4:61PE 5:5J. Oswald Sanders addresses the subtle perils faced by spiritual leaders, emphasizing the dangers of pride, jealousy, popularity, infallibility, and the emotional extremes of elation and depression. He warns that pride can lead to self-congratulation and spiritual blindness, while jealousy can arise from insecurity about one's position. Sanders highlights the importance of humility and the need for leaders to focus on God's glory rather than their own prestige. He also discusses the challenge of balancing the roles of prophet and leader, urging leaders to prioritize their spiritual calling over popularity. Ultimately, he calls for leaders to remain grounded in their faith and reliant on God's grace.