Sermons & Devotionals by Classic Christian Writings

That fasting is for us can hardly be denied. The testimony of Scripture is clear. Who can read the words of Jesus with unbiased mind and yet deny that Jesus placed fasting alongside of almsgiving and prayer in the godly life? He tore away the pharisaical externals, but not for a moment did He condem... Read More

The best starting point for a study of the Christian discipline of fasting is to be found in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 6:1-18 Christ gives instructions to His disciples on three related duties: giving alms, praying, and fasting. In each case He places His main emphasis upon the motive, and... Read More

In early Church history, fasting was considered one of the pillars of the Christian religion. When the Church had power, fasting was an essential part of the faith. Fasting is not mere abstinence from food or from any other pleasure, in itself. It is abstinence with a purpose. Fasting means that you... Read More

When personal and national problems weigh upon us, fasting besides prayer may be needed. When it is done under a heavy sense of burden and divine guidance, it has a quieting and beneficial effect on body, mind, and spirit. There is plenty of precedent for it in Scripture. The following godly people ... Read More

Fasting appears to be on the increase among earnest Christians. However, many seem to enter into this exercise without understanding its spiritual essence or value. If we fail to comprehend the type of fasting God chooses, we risk being of no effect like the New Testament Pharisees or guilty of fast... Read More

A friend with whom I once lodged claimed the blessing of a clean heart, and testified to it at the breakfast table the next morning. He said he had doubted whether there was such an experience, but he had been led to study the Bible, and to observe the lives of those who professed it, and he had sin... Read More

Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God, in every part with praise, That my whole being may proclaim Thy being and Thy ways Not for the lip of praise alone, nor e’en the praising heart I ask, but for a life made up of praise in every part! Praise in the common words I speak, life’s common looks and tones, ... Read More

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14). We hear much about prayer today as the means of bringing a reviva... Read More

There is a different color of beauty in different precious stones. God may be burnishing one man to the sparkle of the diamond, while another He is deepening to the glow of the ruby. For this reason there are such different temperaments in Christian character, and varying circumstances in Christian ... Read More

Most who know themselves may observe a humbling difference between their knowledge and their practice. To hear a believer speak of the evil of sin, the vanity of the world, the love of Christ, the beauty of holiness, or the importance of eternity, who would not suppose him strong against temptation?... Read More

The practice of fasting under the guidance of the Holy Spirit is a means of spiritual power in the devotional life of the Christian. It humbles the spirit, disciplines the body, gives time for self-examination, and casts the soul in humble dependence upon the Lord. It is an evidence of an earnest qu... Read More

Among the early followers of Christ were those who found some of His sayings "hard" (John 6:60)--tough, severe. This issue of Herald of His Coming has what some will term "hard sayings" in it. Words such as "repent," "obey," "do My will," "serve," "take up thy cross," are not welcome in many hearts ... Read More

Reader, I love your soul, and want it to be saved. I am therefore going to speak to you about Hell. There is such a place as Hell. Let no one deceive you with vain words. What men do not like they try hard not to believe. There is such a place as Hell! When the Lord Jesus Christ comes to judge the w... Read More

"Look Up!" (Luke 21:28). As our redemption draws nearer we should be looking up to Jesus for strength, victory and deliverance. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). If our interests are God’s, we will engage in prayer and intercession, especially while the spiritu... Read More

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). "Be careful for nothing." This by no mean... Read More

How can I be free from the self-life? What is it to be dead with Christ? How can I practically enter into this death with Christ? The great characteristic of Christ is His death. From eternity He came with the commandment of the Father that He should lay down His life on earth. He gave Himself up to... Read More

Let us look at this great apostolic word, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). Let us note the grammar involved in that word “be filled,” for it has helpful lessons to teach us. First it is in the imperative mood, that is, it is a command. It is... Read More

"I am deepened in my conviction, that if we are to be instruments in such a work [revival], we must be purified from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. O, cry for personal holiness, constant nearness to God, by the Blood of the Lamb. Bask in His beams--lie back in the arms of love--be filled wi... Read More

"Christians are God’s people, begotten by His Spirit, obedient to Him, enkindled by His fire; His blood is their glory." "In order to preach aright, take three looks before every sermon: one at thine own sinfulness; another at the depth of human wretchedness all around thee; and a third at the love ... Read More

During the great Welsh revival a minister was said to be very successful in winning souls by one sermon that he preached. Hundreds were converted. Far away in a valley the news reached a brother minister of the marvelous success of this great sermon. He desired to find out the secret of this man’s g... Read More