In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of self-denial and sacrificing our own desires for the sake of the cross and Calvary. He shares a personal story of his wife's visit to the largest slum in the world in Bombay, India, highlighting the dire living conditions and the need for Christians to plug into the reality of the world. The preacher urges believers to prioritize their love for God and to give all they have to reach the lost world, particularly in the 1040 window where billions of people have never heard the gospel. He encourages living a simple life and using resources to support missions work, sharing a testimony of a generous donor who gave $235,000 to purchase Jesus films for illiterate and unreached people. The preacher emphasizes the importance of accountability and the impact of sacrificial giving in contrast to the abundance in Western countries. He concludes by recommending a book he wrote about coming home to Jesus in the real world.

In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living a simple life and using our resources to reach the lost world. He shares a personal story of receiving a generous donation of $235,000 to buy the "Life of Jesus" film in different languages for illiterate and unreached people. The film had a significant impact, with a report stating that every month, at least 100,000 people were coming to faith in Jesus through watching it. The speaker challenges the audience to not be deceived by worldly desires and to embrace the cross of Christ, which involves self-denial and surrendering our own wishes for the sake of the gospel.

Richard Wurmbrand emphasizes the profound nature of prayer, contrasting prayers from the depths, which often focus on personal needs and desires, with prayers from the heights that seek God's will and the well-being of others. He illustrates this through the Hebrew term 'Hoshana,' meaning 'please help,' and encourages believers to move beyond self-centered prayers to a place of self-denial and communal concern. Wurmbrand shares personal experiences from his time in prison, highlighting the importance of seeing others' needs and suffering, and the transformative power of prayer that transcends individual ego. He calls for a collective approach to prayer, urging the congregation to embrace a spirit of unity and compassion, reflecting the heart of Jesus in their supplications. Ultimately, Wurmbrand's message is a call to elevate our prayers to align with God's purposes and to love others as Christ loves us.

In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of honoring God and not compromising on His demands. He highlights the need for justice and honor in our lives, and warns against following sinful ways. The preacher also emphasizes the honesty and truthfulness of Jesus and how we should strive to emulate that in our own lives. The sermon is based on the Gospel of Matthew, specifically chapter 16 verse 24, where Jesus speaks about the coming judgment and the rewards that will be given according to one's actions.

In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of living a godly life and denying worldly desires. He references Titus, where it is stated that the grace of God teaches us to live righteously and soberly. The preacher emphasizes the need to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and not indulge in the desires of the flesh. He also highlights the question posed in Romans 13:14 about the worth of gaining the whole world but losing one's soul. The sermon encourages listeners to prioritize their eternal salvation over worldly pleasures.

In this sermon, the speaker discusses the analogy of athletes preparing for the ancient games in Corinth. He emphasizes the rigorous training and discipline that these athletes underwent in order to compete and win the prize. The speaker then applies this analogy to the Christian life, highlighting the need for believers to be disciplined and prepared in their faith. He challenges Christians to not be half-hearted or out of shape in their witness to the lost, but to instead be focused and dedicated to God's purpose of glorification. The speaker also references C.S. Lewis' book, "The Screwtape Letters," to illustrate how the enemy can distract believers from spiritual things.

Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the necessity of self-denial and the acknowledgment of our sins in his sermon 'Beating Our Bodies.' He highlights the importance of confessing our shortcomings and the dangers of pride and denial, urging believers to recognize what they are truly trusting in instead of God. Through the lens of Hosea and 1 Corinthians, he calls for a deep, heartfelt repentance that leads to healing and a renewed desire for Jesus. The preacher stresses that true victory in Christ comes from beating our bodies into submission and living in constant dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the necessity of denying oneself to truly follow Christ, drawing from Ephesians 4 and Colossians 3. He highlights the importance of putting off the old self and embracing a new life in Christ, which involves rejecting earthly desires and excesses that lead to spiritual discontentment. The preacher calls for a deep introspection and repentance for covetousness and indulgence, urging believers to allow the Holy Spirit to govern their lives. He stresses that true love and forgiveness require self-denial and a willingness to be vulnerable, just as Christ demonstrated through His own suffering. Ultimately, the message is a call to live a life that reflects the love of God, free from the chains of self-centeredness and excess.

Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the vital role of the Holy Spirit in redirecting our focus from worldly struggles to Jesus Christ. He warns that there is a way that seems right to us, but ultimately leads to destruction, urging believers to deny themselves and follow Christ's example. The sermon illustrates how true life is found in surrendering our pride and self-will to God, allowing His wisdom to guide us. Beach encourages the congregation to recognize their need for humility and to seek a deeper relationship with Christ, which requires letting go of personal agendas. He concludes by inviting everyone to submit to God's transformative work in their lives, leading to spiritual maturity and freedom from self-centeredness.

Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the necessity of self-denial in following Jesus, urging believers to confront their pride and self-sufficiency that hinder their relationship with God. He calls for genuine repentance and brokenness, highlighting that true discipleship requires forsaking worldly pursuits and embracing a life of humility and obedience to Christ. The preacher stresses that following Jesus means laying down personal agendas and desires, and instead, being led by the Holy Spirit to fulfill God's will. He warns against the dangers of making excuses that prevent true discipleship and encourages a deep longing for God's presence in our lives and communities.

Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the necessity of denying oneself to truly follow Jesus, urging believers to seek truth and be taught by the Lord. He explains that God's love remains constant even during severe dealings in our lives, and that true freedom comes from abiding in His Word. The preacher warns against the dangers of modern Christianity that promotes self-indulgence rather than self-denial, and he calls for a return to the Scriptures as the ultimate authority. Beach encourages the congregation to reflect on their relationship with Christ and to actively deny their own desires in favor of God's will, highlighting that true discipleship requires a commitment to learning from Jesus and living according to His teachings.

A.B. Simpson emphasizes the necessity of denying ungodliness by rejecting the flesh, the world, and self-love, advocating for a life of holy self-denial that is essential for obedience to God. He highlights that true faith involves a significant commitment to say 'yes' to God while simultaneously saying 'no' to earthly desires and selfishness. Simpson points out that many commandments are framed as prohibitions, illustrating that love often manifests in what it does not do. The essence of consecration lies in recognizing that we do not belong to ourselves but to God alone, reinforcing the call to live a life dedicated to Him.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of self-denial in the Christian walk, urging believers to recognize the majesty of Christ and the importance of taking up their cross to follow Him. He challenges the modern notion of harmonizing Christianity with human nature, asserting that true discipleship requires a repudiation of self and a commitment to Christ's call. Tozer warns against the dangers of seeking reputation and comfort, reminding the congregation that following Jesus means embracing sacrifice and humility. He concludes by affirming that historic Christianity demands a radical transformation of the self in order to truly follow Christ.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the challenging nature of following Christ, highlighting that Jesus never promised an easy path. He points out that true discipleship requires self-denial and the willingness to bear one's cross, a message often softened in modern evangelism. Tozer challenges believers to confront the reality that loving righteousness necessitates hating sin and that accepting Christ involves rejecting self. He warns against the complacency of professed Christians who lack the moral strength to embrace the rigorous demands of faith. Ultimately, Tozer calls for a deeper understanding of the cost of discipleship and the necessity of choosing between God and the world.

Charles Finney emphasizes the necessity of removing temptations from our lives, even if they are lawful or important, as they can lead us into sin and spiritual bondage. He argues that if something causes us to stumble, it must be put away for our own good, as clinging to such things is tantamount to tempting God. Finney warns that allowing any form of temptation to dominate us can lead to eternal loss, and he calls for immediate action to sever ties with anything that hinders our relationship with God. He urges listeners to recognize the urgency of this decision, as procrastination can lead to dire spiritual consequences.

David Wilkerson emphasizes that being part of Jesus' church requires more than mere belief; it demands a life of self-denial and commitment to following Christ, even in the face of persecution and rejection. He highlights that true fulfillment comes from losing one's life for Jesus' sake, which leads to joy and peace. Wilkerson reminds us that the world will not accept those who hunger for Christ, but through faith and the Spirit, believers can experience new life and purpose. The sermon calls for a deep engagement with the Word of God as essential for spiritual sustenance.

John Gill emphasizes the vital role of self-denial in the life of a Christian, asserting that true humility and self-denial are intertwined. He explains that self-denial is not about rejecting one's identity or blessings but involves prioritizing Christ above all worldly pleasures, relationships, and even one's own life. Gill illustrates that self-denial is a command from Christ, exemplified by His own life, and is essential for anyone wishing to follow Him. He encourages believers to recognize the necessity of denying sinful and self-righteous tendencies to fully embrace the grace of God. Ultimately, Gill concludes that self-denial leads to true fulfillment and eternal rewards in Christ.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes the call to self-denial in following Christ, urging believers to reject sinful desires, natural inclinations, and even their own religious practices that may hinder true devotion. He explains that denying oneself involves relinquishing not only personal lusts and talents but also moral pretensions and familial attachments. This radical self-denial is essential for anyone who wishes to truly follow Jesus and bear their cross. Brooks highlights that such sacrifices are necessary to align oneself fully with Christ's teachings and mission.

K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the necessity of dying to oneself in order to produce life, using the metaphor of a grain of wheat that must die to bear fruit. He reflects on Jesus' choice to embrace the cross for the sake of bringing many to glory, and parallels this with Paul's declaration of dying daily to his own desires for the kingdom's sake. Yohannan asserts that true life in others can only come through our willingness to sacrifice and endure hardships, as exemplified by Paul's life and legacy. The message encourages believers to embrace daily death to self, leading to a fruitful life in Christ.

Chuck Smith emphasizes the call of Jesus in Mark 8:34, urging believers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. He challenges the audience to reflect on their ambitions and the true value of their souls, highlighting that worldly gains are meaningless compared to eternal life. Smith explains that true fulfillment comes from submitting to God's will and losing one's life for Christ's sake, which ultimately leads to finding true identity. He encourages believers to stand firm in their faith, even in a world that may ridicule them for their beliefs.

A.B. Simpson emphasizes that the transformation described by Ezekiel involves not just a new heart, but a heart filled with the Holy Spirit, empowering believers to follow God's commandments. This pivotal moment in a Christian's life is marked by God's presence dwelling within, leading to a profound awareness of one's own unworthiness and a deep sense of self-denial. Rather than elevating one's spirit, this experience often results in a humbling realization of our nothingness before God. The true essence of holiness is found in self-renunciation, as the Holy Spirit displaces self-centeredness and brings about a life of righteousness. Simpson calls believers to embrace this transformative work of the Spirit for a deeper walk with God.

Hans R. Waldvogel emphasizes the readiness of Jesus for His people, contrasting it with the unpreparedness of many to embrace Him fully. He laments that while people seek blessings, they often miss the essence of Christ, who is the ultimate gift and source of life. Waldvogel calls for a deep recognition of our need for Jesus, urging believers to empty themselves of self-love and spiritual pride to allow Christ to be formed within them. He illustrates that true spirituality comes from loving Jesus and living for Him, rather than striving to please Him through our own efforts. The sermon challenges listeners to make room for Christ in their lives, highlighting that only through His presence can they find true rest and fulfillment.

J.R. Miller addresses the question of self-denial, emphasizing that it should not be practiced for its own sake but rather as an expression of love and duty. He critiques the notion of self-denial that leads to self-inflicted suffering, arguing that true sacrifice is rooted in love and service to others, as exemplified by Christ. Miller warns against over-helping, which can foster selfishness in others, and encourages individuals to bear their own burdens while also being ready to serve those in need. He concludes that self-denial is essential in living a life that reflects Christ's love, urging believers to balance helping others with encouraging them to grow independently. Ultimately, true self-denial is about loving and serving others without losing sight of one's own responsibilities.

A.W. Pink emphasizes the necessity of cross-bearing in the Christian life, explaining that true discipleship requires self-denial, taking up one's cross, and following Christ. He highlights that the Christian journey is not merely about adhering to doctrines but involves a deep, personal relationship with Jesus, marked by obedience and sacrifice. Pink warns against the distractions of the world and self, urging believers to fully commit to following Christ, which includes enduring the world's hatred and living a life surrendered to God's will. He illustrates that the cross symbolizes both the reproach from the world and the call to vicarious sacrifice, ultimately leading to true life in Christ. The sermon calls for a serious reflection on what it means to bear one's cross and the implications of discipleship.

Andrew Murray emphasizes the necessity of entering a life of full obedience to Christ, warning against merely calling Him 'Master' without following His commands. He encourages believers to seek the Holy Spirit's conviction to recognize their disobedience and to confess humbly for cleansing. Murray highlights that true obedience, exemplified by Christ's own sacrifice, is essential for living a Christ-like life characterized by mercy, forgiveness, and self-sacrifice. He calls for a commitment to deny oneself and embrace the transformative power of obedience unto death. Ultimately, he urges believers to trust in Christ to perfect this obedience within them.