Thomas 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.

Thomas 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.

Thomas 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.

Thomas a Kempis preaches on the importance of imitating the life and habits of Jesus Christ to be truly enlightened and free from blindness of heart. He emphasizes that understanding the words of Christ requires patterning one's entire life after Him, rather than just hearing the Gospel. Kempis highlights that true wisdom lies in seeking the kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world, warning against vanity in pursuing worldly riches, honor, and desires of the flesh.

Thomas 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.

Thomas 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.

Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of seeking truth as it truly is, beyond signs and fading words, cautioning against being deceived by opinions and senses. He highlights the folly of engaging in irrelevant and harmful discussions while neglecting profitable and necessary matters. Kempis encourages simplicity of heart, recollection, and self-mastery as paths to understanding sublime things and advancing in virtue, stressing the significance of living well over mere learning. He reminds listeners that on Judgment Day, actions and virtues will be weighed more than knowledge and eloquence, urging a focus on serving God and renouncing self for true greatness.

Thomas a Kempis preaches on the importance of not placing trust in worldly things or human abilities, but rather in God's grace and provision. He emphasizes humility, urging listeners to serve others out of love for Jesus Christ, to be content with seeming poor in the world's eyes, and to avoid boasting in personal achievements or possessions. Kempis highlights the value of recognizing God as the ultimate giver of all good things, encouraging a mindset of humility and gratitude in all aspects of life.

Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom and guidance from those who fear God, advising against sharing personal matters with everyone. He cautions against seeking the company of the rich and powerful, instead encouraging association with the humble, devout, and virtuous. Kempis stresses the need to focus on God and His angels, avoiding excessive intimacy with people. While advocating for charity towards all, he warns against becoming too familiar with everyone, as it may lead to misunderstandings and displeasure.

Thomas 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.

Thomas 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.

Thomas 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.

Thomas 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.

Thomas 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.

Thomas a Kempis, in 'The Disciple' sermon, humbly acknowledges his weaknesses, sins, and need for God's grace and mercy. He seeks comfort, help, and transformation through a deep, intimate relationship with God. Kempis desires to be consumed and transformed by God's love, to be united with Him in spirit, and to find his ultimate joy and fulfillment in God alone.

Thomas a Kempis preaches on the importance of simplicity and purity in a man's life, emphasizing that these qualities lead to God and enable one to enjoy His presence. He highlights that having a heart free from disordered affections makes good deeds easier and that seeking only God's pleasure and neighbor's welfare brings true freedom. Kempis also discusses how a pure heart allows one to see the goodness of God in all things, judge rightly, and experience joy even in the midst of affliction.

Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of not relying too much on ourselves, as grace and understanding are often lacking within us. He highlights the tendency to be blind in heart, excusing our wrongdoings and being quick to judge others while overlooking our own faults. Kempis stresses the need for self-reflection, silence regarding others' affairs, and focusing on God and oneself to achieve true peace and unity of purpose. He encourages prioritizing the eternal and infinite God over temporal concerns, finding satisfaction and joy solely in Him.

Thomas a Kempis preaches on the importance of maintaining a good conscience to experience true happiness and peace, contrasting the restfulness of a clear conscience with the restlessness of an evil one. He emphasizes that genuine joy comes from God and is rooted in truth, not in worldly recognition or fleeting glory. Kempis encourages humility, contentment, and a focus on God's approval rather than seeking validation from others.

Thomas 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.

Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the profound impact of having Jesus in our lives, highlighting the joy and consolation that comes when Jesus is near, and the emptiness and hardship experienced in His absence. He stresses the importance of keeping Jesus as our special love above all else, as living without Him is like a relentless hell, while living with Him is a sweet paradise. Kempis teaches that conversing with Jesus and keeping Him close requires humility, peace, and devotion, as losing His grace is a greater loss than losing the whole world.

Thomas a Kempis preaches about the importance of enduring trials and temptations without seeking human or divine consolation, but rather focusing on the honor of God. He emphasizes the need to willingly endure hardships for the love of Christ, following the example of martyrs like Lawrence who chose God's pleasure over human comfort. Kempis encourages humility, patience, and reliance on God's mercy and grace, highlighting that both spiritual consolation and temptation are part of the journey towards God.

Thomas 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.

Thomas 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.

Thomas 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.

Thomas a Kempis preaches about the importance of finding true peace of heart by resisting passions rather than satisfying them. He highlights how a man who desires things too much becomes ill at ease, while a humble and poor in spirit person lives in a world of peace. An unmortified individual is easily tempted and overcome by small evils, leading to a carnal and sensual inclination that causes inner turmoil. True peace is not found in earthly desires but in spiritual fervor and resistance to temptations.