
Thomas a Kempis
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Restlessness of Soul -- Directing Our Final Intention Toward God
6PSA 86:11PRO 4:25MAT 6:22COL 3:2JAS 1:6Thomas a Kempis preaches about the importance of maintaining a steadfast spirit and unwavering intention towards God, despite the changing feelings and circumstances in life. He emphasizes the need to focus on the desired end goal and to stand undivided and unshaken in faith, even amidst various storms and distractions. A pure and single-hearted intention towards God is highlighted as essential, as many are often drawn to self-seeking or external attractions rather than seeking God for His sake alone.
The Longings of Our Hearts Must Be Examined and Moderated
5ROM 8:51CO 10:31GAL 5:24PHP 2:13COL 3:5Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of aligning our desires with God's will, warning against selfishness and urging us to be earnest doers of God's will. He cautions against being driven by desires that do not honor God, reminding us to discern whether our actions are for His glory or our own benefit. Kempis advises exercising restraint in pursuing desires, resisting temptations, and disciplining the flesh to be in submission to the spirit, even if it requires force and chastisement.
Every Trial Must Be Borne for the Sake of Eternal Life
4MAT 5:11ROM 8:181CO 2:92CO 4:17REV 21:4Thomas a Kempis preaches about enduring trials and labor for the sake of eternal life, encouraging believers to find strength and consolation in God's promises. He emphasizes the temporary nature of earthly struggles and the eternal rewards awaiting those who faithfully serve in God's vineyard. The sermon highlights the joy and peace that will come in the everlasting kingdom, where all sorrows will cease, and believers will experience perpetual light, infinite brightness, and lasting peace in the presence of God and His saints.
Trust in God Against Slander
4PSA 62:8PRO 3:5ROM 12:2JAS 4:101PE 5:6Thomas a Kempis preaches about the importance of trusting in God's judgment over the opinions of men, emphasizing the need for humility, endurance, and reliance on God's mercy. He highlights that true strength comes from God and that seeking validation from the world reveals a lack of true humility and death to worldly desires. Kempis encourages seeking God in every decision, acknowledging His omniscience and righteous judgment that surpasses human understanding.
Loving Jesus Above All Things
2PSA 118:8PRO 3:5JER 17:5MAT 22:37JHN 14:6Thomas a Kempis preaches about the importance of loving Jesus above all else, despising oneself for His sake, and giving up all other affections for His love. He emphasizes that human affection is deceitful and inconstant, while the love of Jesus is true and enduring, providing strength and eternal life. Kempis urges believers to cling to Jesus in life and death, trusting in His unmatched help and glory. He warns against placing trust in worldly things or people, as they will ultimately disappoint, but finding true fulfillment and purpose in seeking Jesus above all else.
Self-Abasement in the Sight of God
2PSA 18:1ROM 5:82CO 12:9EPH 2:4JAS 4:10Thomas a Kempis preaches about the humility and self-abasement required to experience God's grace and light. By acknowledging our nothingness and weaknesses, we open ourselves to be lifted up and embraced by God's love, which sustains us in all circumstances. Through seeking and loving God above all else, we find our true selves and deepen our dependence on Him, recognizing His infinite goodness and mercy even when we are unworthy.
Few Love the Cross of Jesus
1MAT 16:24LUK 9:23LUK 14:33LUK 17:10PHP 3:8Thomas a Kempis preaches about the importance of true, selfless love for Jesus, emphasizing the willingness to bear the cross, endure trials, and forsake all self-interest for the sake of Christ. He contrasts those who seek only consolation and profit with those who love Jesus for His own sake, even in the midst of suffering and without receiving comfort. True spiritual wealth lies in completely renouncing oneself and all private affections, considering oneself an unprofitable servant, and being stripped in spirit to the point of feeling alone and poor.
Having a Humble Opinion of Self
1PRO 1:7PRO 27:2ECC 12:12MAT 7:11CO 8:21CO 13:2PHP 2:3JAS 4:6Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of humility, fearing God, and serving Him rather than seeking knowledge for the sake of pride. He warns against the vanity of intellectual pursuits that do not lead to salvation and the danger of being judgmental towards others. Kempis encourages a focus on living a good life, maintaining a clean conscience, and acknowledging one's limitations and ignorance. He advocates for selflessness, despising self, and thinking highly of others as the path to true wisdom and understanding.
The Examination of Conscience and the Resolution to Amend
1PSA 51:17EZK 18:23ROM 12:1HEB 10:221JN 1:9Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of approaching the Sacrament with humility, faith, and reverence, urging believers to cleanse their conscience through true contrition and confession. He encourages deep reflection on one's sins, expressing sorrow for worldly desires, lack of discipline, and other faults, and calls for a firm commitment to daily improvement and spiritual growth. Kempis highlights the significance of offering oneself as a sacrifice to God, trusting in His care, and finding redemption and cleansing through the Sacrament of the Body of Christ, emphasizing God's desire for repentance and forgiveness.
Remember the Innumerable Gifts of God
1PSA 119:33MAT 5:31CO 4:7PHP 2:3JAS 1:17Thomas a Kempis preaches about the importance of humility, gratitude, and contentment in recognizing that all good things come from God. He emphasizes the need to be thankful for even the smallest blessings, understanding that everything we have, whether physical or spiritual, is a gift from God's goodness and mercy. Kempis encourages believers to be humble, to not compare themselves to others in terms of blessings, and to find joy in God's will above all else, even if it means being despised or forgotten by the world.
The Imitation of Christ
1PSA 37:5PRO 3:5MAT 16:24JAS 4:71PE 5:7Thomas a Kempis preaches about the importance of forsaking oneself and fully surrendering to God in order to experience great peace and freedom in heart. He emphasizes the need to constantly resign from self and seek God's will in all things, without exceptions or reservations, to truly please God and grow in virtue. Kempis also highlights the significance of seeking counsel from God in all situations, turning inwardly to the heart for help through prayer, and committing all things to God's disposal for ultimate profit and well-being.
A Man Should Not Be Too Downcast When He Falls Into Defects
1PSA 34:17PSA 46:12CO 12:9JAS 1:21PE 5:6Thomas a Kempis, in 'The Voice of Christ,' emphasizes the importance of patience, humility, and trust in God during times of adversity. He encourages believers to endure trials with grace, reminding them that challenges are opportunities for growth and strengthening of faith. Kempis highlights the need to remain steadfast in the face of opposition, to control one's words and reactions, and to trust in God's constant help and consolation. He acknowledges human weakness but points to God as the source of rescue and divine grace in times of trouble.
We Ought to Deny Ourselves and Imitate Christ Through Bearing the Cross
1MAT 16:24MAT 19:21JHN 8:32JHN 14:211PE 2:21Thomas a Kempis preaches about the importance of surrendering to Christ, emphasizing the need to depart from self and fully embrace God's will without contradiction. He highlights that following Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life is essential for true living and eternal life. Kempis urges believers to keep Christ's commandments, deny themselves, and carry their crosses to find blessedness and true light.
Acquiring Patience in the Fight Against Concupiscence
1PSA 37:4MAT 5:11ROM 5:3JAS 1:2Thomas a Kempis preaches about the necessity of patience in the face of life's adversities, emphasizing that true peace is found in enduring tribulations and adversities for the sake of God. He warns against seeking fleeting worldly pleasures, highlighting the emptiness and bitterness that often accompany them, and encourages turning away from selfish desires to find true delight and comfort in the Lord. Although the journey may be filled with sadness, toil, and conflict, the ultimate reward of deep spiritual blessings and consolation from God awaits those who persevere.
Goodness and Peace in Man
0MAT 5:9ROM 12:18GAL 5:22PHP 4:7JAS 3:17Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of finding peace within oneself before being able to bring peace to others. He contrasts the behaviors of a peaceful man, who does good and turns all things to good, with those of a passionate and disturbed individual, who is quick to believe evil and neglects his own duties. Kempis urges self-reflection and humility, encouraging individuals to bear with others and seek peace even with those who are harsh or irritating.
Humility
0PSA 25:9PSA 46:1PRO 11:2PRO 22:4MAT 23:12JAS 4:6JAS 4:101PE 5:6Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of not being troubled by others' opinions or actions towards us, but rather focusing on having God with us in all we do. He encourages maintaining a clear conscience as God's protection surpasses any harm intended by man. Suffering in silence leads to experiencing God's help, as He knows the perfect time and way to deliver us. Humility is key, as acknowledging our faults and accepting rebuke leads to greater humility, making it easier to reconcile with others. God protects, loves, and consoles the humble, bestowing grace and revealing His secrets to them, inviting them to find peace and solace in Him.
Reading the Holy Scripture
0PSA 119:160PRO 2:11CO 1:25COL 3:162TI 3:16Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of seeking truth rather than eloquence when reading the Holy Scriptures, focusing on understanding the spirit in which each part was written to gain profit over polished diction. He encourages reading both simple and profound books with equal willingness, not being swayed by the authority of the writer but by the love of simple truth, as the truth of the Lord endures forever. Kempis warns against letting curiosity impede the reading of Scriptures by overanalyzing instead of reading with humility, simplicity, and faith, without seeking a reputation for being learned.
Meditation
0PSA 73:25MAT 6:19LUK 17:21JHN 14:23ROM 8:172CO 4:18PHP 3:20COL 3:1JAS 4:41JN 2:15Thomas a Kempis preaches about turning to God with all your heart, forsaking the world to find rest in the kingdom of God within you. He emphasizes preparing your heart as a dwelling place for Christ, who offers consolation, peace, and intimacy to those who love Him. Kempis urges believers to place their trust in God alone, as earthly things and relationships are fleeting and unreliable. He encourages focusing on heavenly things, meditating on Christ's passion, and being willing to suffer with and for Christ in order to reign with Him.
The Inward Conversation of Christ With the Faithful Soul
01KI 19:12PSA 46:10PSA 85:8JHN 10:27COL 3:2Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of listening to the Lord speaking within us, highlighting the blessings that come from receiving divine consolation and wisdom. He encourages focusing on the eternal truths taught within, rather than being distracted by the noise of the world. Kempis urges believers to close off their senses to external influences and instead seek to understand the mysteries of God, cutting off hindrances from the world to draw closer to Him and find true happiness.
Avoiding Idle Talk
0PRO 21:23EPH 4:29COL 4:61TH 5:11JAS 1:26Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of shunning gossip and worldly discussions, as they often lead to distractions and vanity. He reflects on the regret of engaging in unnecessary conversations that leave a troubled conscience, highlighting the tendency to seek comfort in idle chatter rather than in divine consolation. Kempis encourages the practice of watching, praying, and speaking words that edify, warning against bad habits and indifference that can lead to unguarded speech. He stresses the value of devout conversations on spiritual matters for personal and communal spiritual growth.
Prudence in Action
0PRO 11:14PRO 12:15PRO 18:13PRO 19:20JAS 3:5Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of not yielding to every impulse and suggestion, but rather carefully considering things in the light of God's will. He warns against speaking evil of others and encourages perfect men to be discerning and not readily believe gossip. Kempis advises against acting rashly, clinging obstinately to opinions, and spreading gossip, highlighting the wisdom in seeking counsel from wise individuals and being humble and subject to God for true wisdom and peace.
The Royal Road of the Holy Cross
0MAT 16:24LUK 9:23ROM 8:17PHP 3:101PE 4:13Thomas a Kempis preaches about the significance of embracing the cross and willingly enduring suffering for Christ, emphasizing that salvation, life, protection, heavenly sweetness, strength, joy, virtue, and holiness are found in the cross. He encourages believers to follow Jesus by carrying their cross, reminding them that through suffering and sharing in Christ's passion, they will also share in His glory and eternal life. Kempis highlights that the way of the holy cross and daily mortification is essential for true inward peace and spiritual progress, as it leads to a deeper love for God and a willingness to endure hardships for His sake.
Appreciating God's Grace
0PSA 138:6PRO 3:34ISA 57:15MAT 16:24PHP 2:31TH 5:18JAS 1:17JAS 4:61PE 5:5Thomas a Kempis preaches about the importance of embracing patience and carrying our crosses instead of seeking constant comfort and enjoyment. He emphasizes the superiority of spiritual joy and consolation over earthly pleasures, highlighting the need for humility and gratitude in receiving God's grace. Kempis warns against false freedom of mind and overconfidence, stating that grace is given to the humble and grateful, while the proud risk losing it. He encourages a mindset of humility, contrition, and gratitude towards God, attributing all good to Him and willingly accepting both His gifts and corrections.
Truth Speaks Inwardly Without the Sound of Words
01SA 3:9PSA 119:27PRO 3:5ISA 55:10JHN 6:68Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of seeking direct communication with God, rather than relying solely on the words of prophets or messengers. He urges for a personal connection with God, asking for His guidance, understanding, and enlightenment. Kempis highlights the transformative power of God's words in contrast to human teachings, emphasizing the need for God's direct instruction to inflame the heart, unlock mysteries, and provide strength for the journey of faith.
Obedience and Subjection
0PRO 11:2PRO 12:15ROM 13:1PHP 2:3JAS 3:17Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of humble obedience to authority, stating that it is safer to be subject than to command. He highlights that true peace of mind can only be found through wholehearted submission for the love of God, rather than from necessity. Kempis warns against seeking happiness in change and different places, as true rest can only be found in obedient humility. He encourages listeners to be open to listening to the opinions of others, even if it means setting aside their own for the sake of peace and love for God.