Sermons & Devotionals by Classic Christian Writings

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Rev. 22:12). We live in times when souls are more exposed to danger than at any previous period of church history. One needs to read only a few passages on the state of the church at the end of... Read More

China experienced wonderful revivings in the years that preceded World War II and the later takeover of China by the Communists. Andrew Gih was a Chinese brother greatly used of God in ministry during those years. In the article below is Gih’s account of the beginning days of revival at Bethel Missi... Read More

What a beautiful phrase! Yet how many of us have almost forgotten the expression "A Passion for Souls." For years it was a tremendous motivating force for God’s children. Today with the emphasis upon such terms as church growth, counseling, Christian education and youth ministries we have almost for... Read More

"Choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom….They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:3,5). Spiritual leadership requires Spirit-filled people. Other qualities are important; to be Spirit-filled is indispensable. The book of Acts ... Read More

For prayer to be effective we must know how to get access to God. Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.” It is as we come to God with thanksgiving and praise that we have access into His presence. In Isai... Read More

Two common responses to sin are (1) hiding from it and its consequences, that is, behaving as if all is in order and (2) accusation of the other. A third response is less easy to understand, and that is euphemism in the face of sin, to downgrade it and excuse it. This often happens when the culprit ... Read More

Every individual is responsible for his or her own behavior. The Bible is very clear when it comes to personal accountability. Romans 14:12 says "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." The feeble excuses of men will not suffice when we are called to account before the Almight... Read More

Never lose sight of the responsibility to be carried as a parent. Keep the spiritual welfare and interests of the child uppermost. Be more concerned to build character and integrity in the child than to make him merely acceptable to others. Seek to keep the atmosphere of the home free from strife an... Read More

The victories won by prayer, By prayer must still be held; The foe retreats, but only when By prayer he is compelled. We will only advance in our evangelistic work as fast and as far as we advance on our knees. Prayer opens the channel between a soul and God; prayerlessness closes it. Prayer release... Read More

How marred must have been the face of the Holy One of God from His crown of thorns! How lacerated the form of His sacred body from the scourging of the soldiers…Look at yonder pillar, black with the blood of murderers and rebels…Look at the rude and barbarous beings who busily surround their victim.... Read More

Presbyterian Missionary to Manchuria and China 1888-1935 Upon returning to China in the fall of 1901, after having recuperated from the harrowing effects of the Boxer Rebellion, I began to experience a growing dissatisfaction with the results of my missionary work. In the early pioneering years I ha... Read More

When God has shown us something that He is going to do, we should never let down in faith until He has fulfilled what He has promised. “Cast not away therefore your confidence…For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:35-36). Go... Read More

Many an active and willing helper in the work of God is too often an unconscious hinderer of the Gospel. A vexation arises, and our expressions of impatience hinder others from taking it patiently. Disappointment, ailment, or even weather depresses us, and our look or tone of depression hinders othe... Read More

"Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup" (1 Cor. 11:28). Does my will clash with God’s? Am I willing for His will, or delighted without it? Do I have an unbroken record of, "Yes, Lord," given gladly? Can God write, "Victory" over my life (a) where other ey... Read More

“They that stood by … said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them? Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the Man” (Matthew 26:73,74). “Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, loves thou Me more than these? He said unto Him, Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee. He s... Read More

A number of years ago, a dear British brother was speaking in our area of Illinois to a group of pastors, and he said that Martin Luther was used by the Holy Spirit as an instrument in the conversion of the entire theological faculty at Wittenberg University in Germany. These men as a unit, he said,... Read More

A missionary once remarked apologetically to me: “I have always longed for revival; but my station is so out-of-the-way that it is impossible for me to obtain the services of an evangelist.” As if the Spirit of God Is necessarily limited in His workings to a select few! We wish to state most emphati... Read More

A missionary once remarked apologetically to me: "I have always longed for revival; but my station is so out-of-the-way that it is impossible for me to obtain the services of an evangelist." As if the Spirit of God is necessarily limited in His workings to a select few! We wish to state most emphati... Read More

To know the reality and power of the Second Coming of Christ is to live triumphantly for the Lord day by day. The early Church carried this message near and far. It gave her members courage and joy even in the darkest night. One time D. L. Moody was asked the secret of his power and intensity and he... Read More

"Behold the bridegroom cometh: go ye out to meet him" (Mt. 25:6). We stand breathlessly on the eve of Christ’s return. Every moment draws us nearer. The darkness of earth’s midnight hour is overspreading. The coming of the Bridegroom is at hand. The bride is putting on her robes. The fig tree is bud... Read More