In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of spiritual exercise for believers. He compares the physical exercise done in the gymnasium to the spiritual exercise that believers should engage in. The world and everyday life are seen as the gymnasium where believers can exercise their spirits. The Holy Spirit is presented as the instructor who guides and teaches believers in their spiritual exercise. The speaker also highlights the need to listen to and exercise the conscience, as it helps in developing spiritual discernment. The sermon encourages believers to discipline their bodies and not be controlled by its passions, but rather be slaves to the righteousness of God. The overall message is that Christians should actively engage in spiritual exercises to grow in their knowledge of God and increase their spiritual discernment.

In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of love in the life of a believer. They highlight how the love of God fills the heart of a believer and is expressed in practical ways. The preacher also mentions the story of Paul and Silas being imprisoned and how their love for God led them to pray and praise Him even in difficult circumstances. The sermon emphasizes the need for love to continually grow and for believers to have spiritual discernment in order to choose what is excellent and to love even their enemies.

Leonard Ravenhill addresses the pressing issues of tongues, demons, and the state of the Catholic Church, emphasizing the moral decay in society and the church's failure to uphold true holiness. He warns against the dangers of false teachings and the blending of worldly influences with the gospel, urging believers to seek genuine spiritual power rather than mere emotional experiences. Ravenhill highlights the need for a return to biblical truth and the importance of discernment in the face of deception, asserting that the church must prepare for trials rather than expect an easy escape. He calls for a revival of true faith and a commitment to God's will, reminding listeners that the church is called to be a pure and holy bride for Christ.

Mark Greening emphasizes the message to the church of Ephesus from Revelation, highlighting their hard work and perseverance but also their critical failure of leaving their first love for Christ. He warns that busyness in ministry does not equate to spiritual health and urges believers to remember, repent, and return to their initial passion for Jesus. Greening illustrates the importance of love in the Christian life, stating that true faith must express itself through love for God and others. He concludes with a call to be overcomers, reminding the congregation that Jesus is coming soon and urging them to be ready.

Watchman Nee discusses the concept of the 'soulish man,' emphasizing that such individuals, whether unregenerated or soulish believers, lack spiritual discernment and understanding of God's truths. He highlights that soulish wisdom, derived from human intellect, leads to divisions and conflicts within the church, contrasting it with spiritual wisdom that is pure and peaceable. Nee warns that many Christians rely on their mental faculties to grasp spiritual truths, which ultimately results in ignorance of the Word of God. He calls for believers to seek wisdom from the Holy Spirit rather than relying on their own understanding, as true spiritual insight fosters unity among believers. The sermon serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual discernment in the life of a Christian.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of listening to God amidst the chaos of life, drawing inspiration from the biblical account of Samuel who responded to God's call with a willing heart. He prays for the ability to hear God's voice clearly, urging believers to cultivate a familiarity with it so that they can discern it above the noise of the world. Tozer's message encourages a deep, personal relationship with God, where one actively seeks to listen and respond to His guidance.

A.W. Pink expounds on the sixth Beatitude, 'Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God,' emphasizing that true purity of heart is not about sinlessness but about a sincere and genuine relationship with God. He critiques the false notion of complete eradication of sin in believers, pointing out that even the greatest saints struggled with sin. Pink explains that purity involves a transformation of character through regeneration, leading to a heart aligned with God's will. The promise of seeing God is both a present spiritual discernment and a future hope of intimate communion with Him. Ultimately, the pure in heart are those whose affections are set on God, leading to a deeper understanding and fellowship with Him.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the urgent need for prophetic insight within the church, arguing that true prophets understand the spiritual condition of their times and communicate God's message accordingly. He critiques religious leaders who merely recite scripture without addressing the current spiritual landscape, likening them to the scribes of Jesus' time. Tozer calls for preachers who possess the gift of prophecy, capable of discerning and interpreting the present religious climate rather than just predicting the future. He warns that without such prophetic voices, the church risks misunderstanding its own activities and the significance behind them. Ultimately, Tozer believes that a new breed of preacher, one who has encountered God and speaks boldly against societal norms, is essential for the rejuvenation of Christianity.

Horatius Bonar addresses the significant changes in the religious landscape, noting the growing divide between modern thought and traditional revelation. He emphasizes the dangers of constructing a personal religion that aligns with contemporary liberal ideas, warning against the multitude of false teachings that can lead believers astray. Bonar calls for spiritual discernment amidst the confusion, reminding us that while the path to life is narrow, the path to destruction is wide. He reassures that the divine strength that once empowered believers remains available today, urging the faithful to rely on the enduring power of the Holy Spirit.

Charles Finney addresses the nature of excitement in religious revivals, emphasizing that true spiritual experiences often lead to physical prostration due to overwhelming clarity of divine truth, as seen in biblical figures like Daniel and Saul. He distinguishes between genuine excitement from the Holy Spirit, which promotes clear understanding and calmness, and the chaotic, emotional excitement often generated by loud preaching or sensationalism. Finney warns against confusing these two types of excitement, advocating for discernment in recognizing the work of the Holy Spirit in individuals' lives. He shares a personal observation of a camp meeting where superficial excitement overshadowed genuine truth, underscoring the need for a focus on clear manifestations of God's truth rather than mere emotional displays.

David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of discerning whether we are listening to men or to God, drawing parallels between the apostle John's revelation on Patmos and our own need for a 'Patmos' experience. He urges believers to set aside distractions and come boldly to God's throne, where they can receive mercy and grace. Wilkerson highlights that many Christians neglect this call, focusing instead on worldly activities, and stresses the necessity of prioritizing time alone with God to hear His voice. He reassures that one can maintain their responsibilities while still seeking a deeper connection with the Lord. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a commitment to listen to the Holy Spirit above all else.

Chuck Smith addresses the dangers of false prophets, emphasizing their ability to lead people into a false sense of security and trust in false hopes. He warns that these prophets often assure individuals that they are safe in their sins, neglecting the urgent call to repentance and the true message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Smith highlights the destructive consequences of following such misleading teachings, which can ultimately lead to spiritual ruin. He concludes with a strong admonition to be wary of those who seek to comfort in sin, manipulate for money, or add to the Word of God, reminding listeners that true salvation is found only in Christ.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes that spiritual truths can only be understood by those who are pure in heart, as they require divine illumination rather than mere intellectual comprehension. He references 1 Corinthians 2:14, highlighting that the natural man cannot grasp the things of the Spirit, which are often seen as foolishness to him. Tozer points out that this concept is crucial for understanding the teachings of Jesus as presented in the Gospel of John and throughout the New Testament. He also notes that the necessity for spiritual discernment is echoed in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, reinforcing the idea that true understanding comes from a heart aligned with God. Ultimately, Tozer calls for believers to seek spiritual enlightenment to fully appreciate the depth of divine truths.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes the importance of perceiving wicked individuals through the lens of the names given to them in Scripture, such as lions, bears, and vipers, which reflect their true nature. By understanding these descriptions, believers can be warned against the dangers of associating with such individuals, recognizing that their company should be a burden rather than a delight. The sermon encourages Christians to maintain a distance from wickedness and to seek the sweetness of divine love instead.

John Gill expounds on 2 Peter 2:17, illustrating the deceptive nature of false teachers who appear promising but ultimately provide nothing of substance, likening them to dry wells and clouds without rain. He emphasizes their ability to mislead through their outward appearances and empty promises, leading many into spiritual darkness and despair. Gill warns of their eventual judgment, which is described as a mist of darkness reserved for them forever, highlighting the seriousness of their error and the consequences of their actions. The sermon serves as a cautionary reminder of the importance of discernment in faith and the dangers posed by those who distort the truth.

T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of the consecrated ear in the life of a believer, illustrating how the blood of consecration marks a separation from the old ways and prepares one to hear God's voice. He explains that a blood-touched ear judges and refuses to accept anything that is not of God, while a spirit-anointed ear is open and sensitive to the Lord's guidance. The sermon warns against the dangers of listening to gossip and negativity, urging believers to be discerning about what they allow into their hearts. Sparks highlights the necessity of being attentive to the Holy Spirit, as many are too busy to hear God's direction. Ultimately, he calls for a balance of rejecting worldly influences while being receptive to divine communication.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the role of moral physicians in preaching, highlighting that truth must be tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the audience. He draws on examples from prophets, apostles, and Jesus, who adapted their messages to address the moral and spiritual conditions of their people. Tozer argues that today’s religious landscape requires skilled leaders who can discern the current spiritual ailments and prescribe appropriate remedies, rather than merely repeating doctrinal statements. He stresses the importance of being attuned to the Holy Spirit's guidance to effectively communicate God's message in a relevant way.

A.W. Tozer addresses the complexities of modern Christianity, cautioning against oversimplifying the church's issues by attributing them to a single cause. He emphasizes that the decline of true Bible religion is evident, yet identifying the root cause is challenging due to the interrelated nature of spiritual ailments. Tozer highlights a critical deficiency in the church: the lack of spiritual discernment among its leaders, suggesting that this lack may be the key to understanding and addressing the broader spiritual troubles faced by evangelical Christians today.

John Nelson Darby emphasizes the importance of understanding our current position and condition before God, as well as the implications of His grace in our lives. He draws parallels between the historical failures of Israel and the present state of the Church, highlighting that while God's faithfulness remains unchanged, human responsibility often leads to corruption and judgment. Darby urges believers to discern their spiritual state and to rely on the Word of God for guidance, especially in the face of growing evil and apostasy. He reassures that despite the Church's failures, the power of God through the Holy Spirit is still available to those who walk in faith. Ultimately, he calls for a return to the foundational truths of Scripture to navigate the challenges of the last days.

T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the importance of discerning the deeper voice behind the words of Scripture, particularly in the context of Ezekiel's prophecies. He highlights the tragedy of Israel's failure to hear the voice of the prophets, which leads to a lack of understanding and spiritual blindness. Sparks contrasts mysticism with true spirituality, asserting that genuine spirituality is practical and transformative, while mysticism often leads to deception. He calls for believers to cultivate an ear attuned to the Spirit, as the true message of Ezekiel and the prophets is often missed when only the literal words are heard. The sermon concludes with a plea for a deeper spiritual awareness, echoing the need for an open ear to God's whispers.

George Fox emphasizes the significance of the cross in overcoming the carnal nature, which is the source of falsehood and seduction. He explains that embracing the cross leads to a separation from worldly desires and opens the path to God, where true love and wisdom reside. Fox warns that those who love the world cannot possess the love of the Father, and he encourages believers to dwell in the eternal light to gain spiritual insight. He stresses the importance of living in the fear of the Lord to maintain a pure heart and to recognize the light that condemns evil deeds. Ultimately, Fox calls for vigilance in following God's guidance rather than succumbing to worldly temptations.

Jessie Penn-Lewis emphasizes the distinction between 'soul-force' and 'spirit-force', explaining that true spiritual power originates from the Holy Spirit and not from the flesh. She warns against the dangers of relying on psychic forces that masquerade as spiritual gifts, urging believers to depend solely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and empowerment. Penn-Lewis highlights that Jesus Himself stated, 'The Son can do nothing of Himself', illustrating the necessity of divine reliance in all actions. The sermon calls for a careful examination of one's spiritual practices to ensure they are rooted in the Spirit rather than in the soul's natural abilities. Ultimately, she encourages believers to seek a renewed mind and discernment to navigate the complexities of spiritual life.

A.W. Tozer emphasizes the urgent need for spiritual discernment among Christians, particularly leaders, in a time when Bible knowledge is abundant yet moral insight is lacking. He points out that this deficiency may be a significant cause of the decline in true Bible religion. Tozer calls for the emergence of Christian leaders with prophetic vision who can navigate the complexities of faith and discern good from evil. He warns that without such leaders, the spiritual state of the generation may deteriorate further, and acknowledges that those who speak truth may face persecution. Ultimately, he highlights the importance of seeking an understanding heart to fulfill God's purpose.

John Nelson Darby emphasizes the necessity of understanding our current spiritual state and the unchanging principles of God as we navigate through varying circumstances. He illustrates how God's relationship with His people remains constant, even as their conduct may change in different times of judgment. Darby warns against the dangers of complacency within the Church, urging believers to contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints, recognizing the need for spiritual discernment in the face of growing corruption. He reassures that despite the Church's failures, Christ remains sufficient and powerful, calling for a return to the Word of God as the ultimate authority. The sermon serves as a reminder of the importance of individual faith and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers amidst the challenges of the last days.

Horatius Bonar emphasizes the necessity of true spiritual discernment, urging believers not to confuse error with truth for the sake of charity. He warns against praising earnestness in error, highlighting that true earnestness must be rooted in truth, which is pleasing to God. Bonar calls for a clear distinction between good and evil, true and false, and critiques the modern notion of 'liberality' that blurs these lines. He reminds the congregation that discernment is a Christian grace that should be actively sought, as all error misrepresents God's character. Ultimately, Bonar stresses that truth holds immense value in God's eyes, regardless of human perception.