Sermons on John 6:38

John 6:38 Interpretation:

Understanding Christ's Eternal Mission and Divine Love (Alistair Begg) interprets John 6:38 as a declaration of Jesus’ pre-existence and his conscious submission to the Father’s will, emphasizing that the true marvel is not merely that Jesus came from heaven, but that he came with a specific mission rooted in a pre-temporal agreement within the Trinity. Begg uniquely frames Jesus’ statement as the outworking of a “pre-time pre-incarnational agreement” between Father and Son, where the Son agrees to fulfill a redemptive task and the Father promises to uphold and reward him. This interpretation is distinguished by its focus on the intra-Trinitarian covenant and the idea that Jesus’ obedience is not just exemplary but the very means by which salvation is accomplished. Begg also uses the analogy of Jesus as “a man with a mission,” whose every action is shaped by this divine purpose, and he draws out the contrast between sentimental or moralistic reductions of Jesus’ coming and the robust, redemptive intent of the incarnation.

Living Out the Father's Will in Our Lives (Impact Community Indonesia) interprets John 6:38 as a model for Christian living, emphasizing that Jesus’ purpose was to do the Father’s will, not his own, and that this should be the believer’s highest priority. The sermon draws a direct application from Jesus’ statement, urging listeners to examine whether they are truly seeking and living out God’s will in their own lives, rather than merely pursuing personal ambitions or religious activity. The preacher uses the story of a prominent pastor who, despite great ministry success, is told by God, “You do not really know me,” to illustrate that knowing and doing the Father’s will is the true mark of relationship with God, not outward achievement. This analogy is unique in its existential and pastoral focus, warning against self-deception and urging a deep, personal alignment with God’s desires.

Seeking God's Will: The Path to Christ's Glory (SermonIndex.net) offers a distinctive interpretation by calling John 6:38 the “autobiography of Jesus’ life,” asserting that Jesus’ entire existence is summed up in his refusal to do his own will and his total commitment to the Father’s will. The preacher insists that even the redemptive acts of Jesus (such as dying for sin) are subsumed under this greater principle of obedience. He uses the metaphor of a police radio—always on, waiting for the Father’s instructions—to illustrate Jesus’ moment-by-moment dependence and responsiveness to God’s will. This analogy is particularly vivid and sets this interpretation apart by focusing on the practical, daily discipline of listening and responding to God, rather than simply knowing doctrine or performing religious acts.

Enduring the Race: Following Jesus with Humility (SermonIndex.net) offers a notably detailed and unique interpretation of John 6:38, describing it as Jesus’ “autobiography in one sentence.” The sermon emphasizes that Jesus’ entire earthly life—beyond just his death for sin—was characterized by a continual denial of his own will in favor of the Father’s. The preacher draws a distinction between a biography (written by others) and an autobiography (written by oneself), highlighting that John 6:38 is Jesus’ own summary of his life’s purpose. The sermon also explores the Greek nuance of “will” (thelema), connecting it to the rending of the veil (Jesus’ self-will) and the daily, moment-by-moment denial of self as the “new and living way.” The analogy of baptism is used to illustrate submission and the willingness to be “put to death” by others, trusting God for resurrection, paralleling Jesus’ own submission to the Father’s will. The preacher further likens the process to carrying “the dying of Jesus” in one’s body, making the connection between John 6:38 and the practical, daily crucifixion of self-will as the essence of Christian living.

Faithfulness in Stewardship: Embracing God's Gifts and Opportunities (SermonIndex.net) provides a fresh analogy by connecting John 6:38 to the parable of the minas/talents, arguing that Jesus’ “one mina” was his self-will, which he denied every day, producing infinite spiritual fruit. The sermon interprets John 6:38 as the model for how believers should use their “one mina”—their will and 24 hours each day—not for self, but for God. The preacher uniquely frames Jesus’ daily denial of self-will as the ultimate “business” or “profit” in God’s eyes, and uses the language of “trading” and “profit” to make the point practical and vivid. The Gethsemane episode is highlighted as the ultimate test of Jesus’ will, but the preacher insists that this daily choice was made throughout Jesus’ life, not just at the cross.

Embracing God's Voice: The Journey of Discipleship (SermonIndex.net) interprets John 6:38 as the “one-sentence autobiography” of Jesus, but adds a unique metaphor: the “footstool” for Jesus’ feet, drawn from Hebrews 10. The preacher explains that the only enemy God cannot defeat without our cooperation is our self-will, and that the Christian life is a process of “carving up” our will, piece by piece, to lay it as a footstool for Christ. The analogy of carpentry (Jesus as a carpenter, us as spiritual carpenters) is used to illustrate the daily, incremental surrender of self-will. The preacher also references George Müller’s statement about dying to self as the secret of service, integrating it with John 6:38’s call to do the Father’s will alone.

Embracing Faith: Building a Legacy in the Church (SermonIndex.net) offers a nuanced interpretation by distinguishing between the humility of a sinner (rooted in awareness of sin) and the humility of Jesus (rooted in never doing his own will). The preacher asserts that true humility is seen in Jesus’ statement in John 6:38—never doing his own will, but only the Father’s. This is presented as the mark of a saint living in victory, not just a sinner aware of failure. The sermon also links this to Romans 15:3 (“Christ did not please himself”) and 2 Corinthians 5:9 (Paul’s ambition to please the Lord), arguing that the essence of humility and spiritual maturity is a life wholly surrendered to God’s will, as modeled by Jesus.

Embracing the Cross: Pathway to True Fellowship (SermonIndex.net) offers a distinctive interpretation of John 6:38 by framing it as Jesus’ “one-sentence autobiography,” emphasizing that the cross is not just the physical crucifixion but a daily, inward death to one’s own will. The sermon uses the analogy of the cross as “death to my own will” and connects it to the Tree of Life, arguing that the only way to true fellowship with God and others is through this daily self-denial. The preacher highlights that Jesus’ perfect fellowship with the Father was maintained by never doing his own will, and that this is the model for believers. The cross, then, is not just a historical event but a present, ongoing reality in the Christian’s life, shaping every relationship and act of fellowship.

Aligning Our Will with God's Purpose (SermonIndex.net) provides a unique perspective by focusing on the humanity of Jesus in John 6:38, arguing that the verse proves Jesus had a genuinely free human will, which he continually submitted to the Father. The sermon uses the metaphor of the “ladder” from Jacob’s dream (John 1:51) to illustrate that Jesus came all the way down to the lowest rung—fully identifying with humanity—so that he could be our example, not just our substitute. The preacher stresses that Jesus’ denial of his own will is the foundation for Christian discipleship, and that the Holy Spirit’s indwelling is what enables believers to have the “mind of Christ” and follow this example.

Embracing God's Will: The Path to True Discipleship (SermonIndex.net) interprets John 6:38 as the clearest statement of Jesus’ earthly mission: to deny his own will and do the Father’s will. The sermon uses the analogy of the cross as the intersection where man’s will crosses God’s will, and asserts that every temptation is an invitation to do one’s own will. The preacher draws a direct line from Jesus’ struggle in Gethsemane to the daily struggles of believers, emphasizing that only the power of the Holy Spirit can enable a person to “put the flesh to death.” The sermon also uses the narrative arc of John 6 (from multitudes to a few disciples) as a metaphor for the costliness of true discipleship, which is rooted in self-denial.

Living to Please God: Lessons from Jesus' Life (SermonIndex.net) offers a nuanced interpretation by connecting John 6:38 to Jesus’ baptism. The preacher argues that, for Jesus, baptism was not about repentance but about publicly declaring his lifelong commitment to never do his own will, but only the Father’s. The sermon uses the analogy of standing in the line of sinners at the Jordan as a symbol of Jesus’ willingness to be misunderstood for the sake of obedience. The preacher also links John 6:38 to Romans 15:3 (“Christ did not please himself”), framing Jesus’ entire life as a continual death to self-will, which is the true meaning of baptism for him.

John 6:38 Theological Themes:

Understanding Christ's Eternal Mission and Divine Love (Alistair Begg) introduces the theme of the intra-Trinitarian covenant, where the Son’s mission is not an isolated act but the fulfillment of an eternal agreement within the Godhead. This theme is developed with the assertion that the will of God, which Jesus came to fulfill, is the actual, complete, and sure salvation of all whom the Father has given to the Son—a robust articulation of the doctrine of election. Begg’s treatment is unique in its insistence that the glory of the gospel is God-centered, not man-centered, and that the security of salvation rests in God’s eternal purpose rather than human effort or worthiness.

Living Out the Father's Will in Our Lives (Impact Community Indonesia) presents the theme that true knowledge of God is inseparable from doing his will, and that religious activity or even supernatural ministry is empty without this alignment. The sermon adds a fresh angle by warning that even those who are outwardly successful in ministry may be unknown to God if they do not prioritize his will, and it challenges listeners to seek God’s desires above all personal or material pursuits. The preacher also weaves in the theme of intercessory prayer and evangelistic responsibility, teaching that the Father’s will is for none to perish and that believers must actively participate in the salvation of others.

Seeking God's Will: The Path to Christ's Glory (SermonIndex.net) develops the theme that the essence of Christlikeness is the daily, practical dying to self-will and the pursuit of the Father’s will in every situation. The sermon uniquely connects this to the concept of “gaining the glory of Christ,” arguing that the manifestation of Jesus’ life in the believer is directly proportional to their willingness to die to their own desires. The preacher’s focus on the “autobiography” of Jesus as a template for Christian living, and the repeated call to moment-by-moment obedience, offers a distinctive, process-oriented theology of sanctification.

Enduring the Race: Following Jesus with Humility (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that the “better thing” God has provided in the New Covenant is not miracles or external acts, but the continual denial of self-will, as epitomized in John 6:38. The preacher develops the idea that the rending of the veil (Hebrews 10) is the rending of Jesus’ self-will, and that the “new and living way” is a life of perpetual self-denial, which alone brings fullness of joy and unbroken fellowship with God. The sermon also presents the idea that the authority and anointing of the Holy Spirit are directly tied to the willingness to deny self-will, and that true spiritual leadership (in home and church) is modeled on Jesus’ way of headship—exercising authority without self-assertion, but through humility and service.

Faithfulness in Stewardship: Embracing God's Gifts and Opportunities (SermonIndex.net) adds the distinctive theological theme that every believer has the same “self-will” and 24 hours as Jesus, and that the greatest “profit” in God’s eyes is the daily denial of self-will. The preacher applies John 6:38 to parenting, arguing that the greatest gift parents can give is to help children break their self-will, not just provide education or comfort. The sermon also introduces the idea that the ultimate reward in eternity is “closeness to Jesus,” which is determined by how much one has denied self-will in this life, not by external ministry or gifts.

Embracing God's Voice: The Journey of Discipleship (SermonIndex.net) presents the theme that the only “enemy” God cannot defeat without our cooperation is our self-will, and that the Christian life is a process of making our will a “footstool” for Christ, echoing John 6:38. The preacher emphasizes that the New Covenant is not about external acts or zeal, but about endurance in daily, radical obedience and purity, with Jesus’ own life as the standard. The sermon also stresses that humility in the New Covenant is not merely a response to sin, but is modeled after Jesus’ own humility—doing nothing from himself, but only what he sees the Father doing.

Embracing Faith: Building a Legacy in the Church (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that the humility of Jesus, as seen in John 6:38, is the true model for Christian humility—never doing one’s own will, but always seeking to please the Father. The preacher contrasts this with the humility of the sinner, and urges believers to grow into the humility of Christ, which is the foundation for receiving grace and spiritual growth.

Embracing the Cross: Pathway to True Fellowship (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that the cross is not merely a historical event but an ongoing, daily reality for believers, necessary for both vertical (with God) and horizontal (with others) fellowship. The sermon uniquely connects the cross to the Tree of Life, arguing that access to true spiritual life is only possible through daily self-denial, and that this is the missing key in much of contemporary Christianity’s teaching on the Holy Spirit and spiritual growth.

Aligning Our Will with God's Purpose (SermonIndex.net) presents the distinct theological theme that Jesus’ denial of his own will is the ultimate proof of his true humanity, and that the indwelling Holy Spirit is given not just for forgiveness but to transform the believer’s value system and mind into the likeness of Christ. The sermon also introduces the idea that predestination in Romans 8:29 is not about heaven or hell, but about being conformed to Christ’s character, making Christlikeness—not heaven—the true goal of salvation.

Embracing God's Will: The Path to True Discipleship (SermonIndex.net) adds the theme that the true mark of God’s blessing is not material prosperity or health, but increasing Christlikeness. The sermon critiques prosperity teaching and asserts that suffering, misunderstanding, and the loss of popularity are often the result of true discipleship, which is rooted in the daily denial of self-will.

Living to Please God: Lessons from Jesus' Life (SermonIndex.net) brings a fresh angle by arguing that Jesus’ baptism was a public declaration of his commitment to never do his own will, and that for believers, the essence of spiritual life is not ministry or outward accomplishment but a hidden life of obedience and submission to God’s will—even when misunderstood. The sermon also highlights the importance of submitting to imperfect authority as a key aspect of Christlike self-denial.

John 6:38 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Understanding Christ's Eternal Mission and Divine Love (Alistair Begg) provides detailed historical context by referencing the Council of Nicaea (AD 325) and its role in affirming the co-equality and co-eternality of the Father, Son, and Spirit, as well as the development of the doctrine of the Trinity. Begg explains how early church controversies (such as Unitarianism and modalism) shaped orthodox understanding of Jesus’ pre-existence and mission, and he contrasts these with modern reinterpretations that deny the real, eternal existence of Christ prior to the incarnation. This historical framing is used to underscore the significance of Jesus’ claim in John 6:38 and to distinguish orthodox Christianity from various heresies and cults.

Jesus' Mission: Fulfillment, Purpose, and Our Response (Alistair Begg) and "Jesus' Divine Mission: Hope and Salvation for Humanity" (Alistair Begg) both echo the same historical context as above, referencing the Council of Nicaea, the development of Trinitarian doctrine, and the contrast with Unitarian, Mormon, and Jehovah’s Witness teachings. These sermons emphasize the importance of understanding Jesus’ pre-existence and the Trinity as foundational to interpreting John 6:38, and they situate the passage within the broader theological debates of the early church.

Enduring the Race: Following Jesus with Humility (SermonIndex.net) provides historical context by explaining that chapter divisions in the Bible were not part of the original text, and that reading across chapters (from Hebrews 11 to 12) is essential to grasp the “better thing” God has provided. The sermon also discusses the cultural significance of baptism in Jesus’ time, noting that Jesus’ willingness to stand in line with sinners for baptism was a profound act of humility and identification, contrary to the expectations of a sinless person. The preacher further explains the structure of the Jewish Tabernacle (outer court, holy place, most holy place) as a metaphor for the human person (body, soul, spirit), and the rending of the veil as the rending of self-will, which was a radical concept in the first-century Jewish context.

Embracing the Cross: Pathway to True Fellowship (SermonIndex.net) provides historical context by discussing the symbolism of the Tree of Life and the sword in Genesis, explaining that in ancient times, a sword represented death and that access to the Tree of Life (eternal fellowship with God) was blocked by death until Christ’s cross. The preacher also references the cultural norm of baptism as a public act, noting that Jesus’ willingness to be baptized among sinners would have been socially misunderstood, yet he did so in obedience to the Father.

Living to Please God: Lessons from Jesus' Life (SermonIndex.net) offers detailed cultural context about first-century Jewish life, such as the difficulty of accessing Scripture (requiring visits to the synagogue and memorization), the communal nature of travel, and the public nature of baptism. The sermon also explains the social implications of Jesus standing in line with sinners for baptism, highlighting how this act would have been perceived as shameful or suspicious in that culture.

John 6:38 Cross-References in the Bible:

Embracing Salvation: The Gift of Christ's Love (Heaven Living Ministries HLM) references several passages to expand on John 6:38, including John 12:49 (“For I did not speak on my own but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken”), 1 John 4:9 (“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him”), John 3:17 (“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”), and Luke 4:43 (“I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent”). These references are used to reinforce the idea that Jesus’ coming was entirely in obedience to the Father’s will, and that this will is fundamentally loving, redemptive, and inclusive. The preacher uses these passages to assure listeners of God’s love and to encourage them to trust in the goodness of the Father’s will.

Understanding Christ's Eternal Mission and Divine Love (Alistair Begg) draws on John 5:30 (“for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me”), John 14:31 (“the world must learn that I love the Father and I do exactly what my Father has commanded me”), and John 17:4 (“Father, I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do”) to show the consistency of Jesus’ mission as obedience to the Father’s will. These cross-references are used to support the argument that Jesus’ entire life and ministry are shaped by this divine purpose, and that his obedience is the means by which salvation is accomplished.

Living Out the Father's Will in Our Lives (Impact Community Indonesia) references Luke 22:42 (Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane: “not my will, but yours be done”), Matthew 7:21 (“not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father”), Matthew 6:31-33 (“seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness”), John 3:16-17, John 6:40, Matthew 18:14 (parable of the lost sheep), Luke 15:7, James 5:20, Romans 6:23, 1 Timothy 1:15, and Jude 1:22. These passages are woven together to emphasize that the Father’s will is for none to perish, that doing God’s will is the true mark of discipleship, and that believers are called to active participation in the salvation and restoration of others.

Seeking God's Will: The Path to Christ's Glory (SermonIndex.net) references John 1:14 (the glory of Christ as “full of grace and truth”), Romans 15:3 (“Christ never pleased himself”), 2 Corinthians 4:16 (“the inner man is being renewed day by day”), and 2 Corinthians 4:10 (“always carrying in our body the dying of Jesus”). These references are used to illustrate the practical outworking of John 6:38 in the believer’s life, connecting Jesus’ obedience to the process of sanctification and the manifestation of his life in the Christian.

Enduring the Race: Following Jesus with Humility (SermonIndex.net) references several passages to expand on John 6:38: Hebrews 11:40 and 12:1-4 to frame the “better thing” as the way of the cross; Hebrews 4:15 to assert that Jesus was tempted in all things yet never did his own will; Hebrews 10:19-20 to interpret the rending of the veil as the denial of self-will; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12 to describe “carrying in our body the dying of Jesus” as the daily denial of self; Psalm 16:11 to define fullness of joy as found only in God’s presence; Romans 10 (word of Christ) to explain the source of faith; Revelation 3:21 to connect overcoming self-will with reigning with Christ; Ephesians 6:12 to stress that our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with spiritual forces; Matthew 4:4 and Isaiah 50:4 to highlight the importance of living by every word from God.

Faithfulness in Stewardship: Embracing God's Gifts and Opportunities (SermonIndex.net) cross-references John 6:38 with the parables of the minas (Luke 19) and talents (Matthew 25) to illustrate the stewardship of self-will and time; Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39) to show Jesus’ ultimate surrender of will; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 to emphasize the ambition to please God and the coming judgment; Acts 17:30 to encourage repentance and a new start; Revelation 22:12 to stress the reality of eternal rewards; Galatians 5 (flesh vs. Spirit) to define self-will as the “flesh.”

Embracing God's Voice: The Journey of Discipleship (SermonIndex.net) references Hebrews 10:12-13 (Jesus waiting for his enemies to be made a footstool), Romans 8:7 (the flesh as enmity with God), Galatians 5:24 (crucifying the flesh), Leviticus 1 (burnt offering as a metaphor for surrender), Hebrews 10:8 (God’s desire for obedience over sacrifice), John 6:38 (Jesus’ autobiography), Romans 6 (not sinning even once), John 5:18 (Jesus’ dependence on the Father), and Psalm 73:25 (desiring God alone).

Embracing Faith: Building a Legacy in the Church (SermonIndex.net) cross-references John 6:38 with Romans 15:3 (“Christ did not please himself”), 2 Corinthians 5:9 (ambition to please the Lord), John 5:19 (the Son can do nothing of himself), John 15:5 (apart from me you can do nothing), Philippians 4:13 (with Christ I can do all things), and 1 Timothy 3:15-16 (the church as the pillar of truth, Jesus as the model of godliness).

Embracing the Cross: Pathway to True Fellowship (SermonIndex.net) references Genesis 1 and 3 (creation, Tree of Life, and the sword), 2 Corinthians 4:6 and 11:3 (spiritual meanings of Old Testament symbols), Revelation 4:11 (purpose of creation), Luke 9:23 (taking up the cross daily), Matthew 11:28-29 (rest in Christ), John 13:34-35 (new commandment of love), 1 Peter 4:17 (judgment begins with the household of God), 2 Corinthians 4:16 (inner renewal), and 1 John 3:2-3 (hope of being like Christ). Each reference is used to reinforce the idea that the cross is a daily, inward death to self-will, and that this is the path to true fellowship and Christlikeness.

Aligning Our Will with God's Purpose (SermonIndex.net) cross-references John 1:51 (Jacob’s ladder), Philippians 2:5-7 (mind of Christ and self-emptying), 1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19 (body as temple of the Holy Spirit), Romans 8:28-29 (predestination to Christlikeness), John 13:29 (Jesus giving to the poor), and Romans 8:28 (all things work for our good, defined as Christlikeness). These passages are used to support the argument that the goal of salvation is conformity to Christ’s character, not just forgiveness or heaven.

Embracing God's Will: The Path to True Discipleship (SermonIndex.net) references John 6:53 (eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood as a metaphor for dying with Christ), Luke 9:23 (taking up the cross), John 13:34-35 (love as the mark of discipleship), John 14:12 (doing the works of Jesus), and 1 John 2:16 (definition of “the world”). These references are used to illustrate the cost of discipleship, the necessity of self-denial, and the true marks of Christian maturity.

Living to Please God: Lessons from Jesus' Life (SermonIndex.net) cross-references Luke 2:46-52 (Jesus’ youth and submission), Matthew 3:5-15 (Jesus’ baptism), John 6:38 (meaning of Jesus’ baptism), Romans 15:3 (Christ did not please himself), Hebrews 4:15 (Jesus tempted in every way), and Hebrews 5:7 (Jesus’ prayers with loud cries and tears). These passages are used to show that Jesus’ life was marked by obedience, submission, and self-denial, and that these are the true marks of a life pleasing to God.

John 6:38 Christian References outside the Bible:

Understanding Christ's Eternal Mission and Divine Love (Alistair Begg) explicitly references the Council of Nicaea (AD 325) as a pivotal moment in the development of Trinitarian doctrine, explaining its significance for understanding the relationship between the Father, Son, and Spirit. Begg also alludes to classic Christian hymnody, quoting lines such as “hail the Incarnate deity, pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel” and “My Song is Love unknown, my savior’s love to me, love to the loveless shown that I might lovely be,” to illustrate the theological depth and devotional response inspired by the incarnation. These references serve to root the interpretation of John 6:38 in the broader tradition of Christian worship and doctrinal reflection.

Faithfulness in Stewardship: Embracing God's Gifts and Opportunities (SermonIndex.net) explicitly references Sadhu Sundar Singh, quoting his statement that “this is the only life you believers have the opportunity to take up the cross every day,” and using it to reinforce the urgency of daily self-denial in light of John 6:38.

Embracing God's Voice: The Journey of Discipleship (SermonIndex.net) explicitly references George Müller, recounting Müller’s statement that the secret of his service was the day he “died to George Müller,” and integrating this with the message of John 6:38. The preacher also quotes A.W. Tozer, who warns that much prayer for revival is wasted if it does not lead to moral action and obedience, reinforcing the call to radical obedience and humility found in John 6:38. Additionally, the preacher references Sadhu Sundar Singh’s story of the mother bird and the fire as an illustration of sacrificial love, connecting it to Jesus’ surrender of his will.

John 6:38 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Seeking God's Will: The Path to Christ's Glory (SermonIndex.net) uses the vivid analogy of a police cruiser’s radio to illustrate Jesus’ constant attentiveness to the Father’s will. The preacher explains that just as a police officer’s radio must always be on, ready to receive instructions at any moment, so Jesus lived in a state of perpetual readiness to hear and obey the Father’s voice. This metaphor is used to encourage believers to cultivate a similar posture of moment-by-moment dependence and responsiveness to God, making the practical application of John 6:38 tangible and relatable for a modern audience.

Faithfulness in Stewardship: Embracing God's Gifts and Opportunities (SermonIndex.net) uses the analogy of business and profit to illustrate the daily denial of self-will. The preacher compares the Christian’s opportunity to deny self to a businessman’s opportunity to make a profit, arguing that missing a chance to deny self is like missing a lucrative business deal. The sermon also uses the example of a husband whose wife throws plates at him, and his gentle response, as a practical illustration of denying self-will in daily life.

Embracing God's Voice: The Journey of Discipleship (SermonIndex.net) employs the metaphor of carpentry, referencing Jesus’ earthly trade, to describe the process of “carving up” one’s will to make a footstool for Christ. The preacher also uses the analogy of IT/cloud computing (“number of nines” for service availability) to illustrate the reliability of God’s promises, and contrasts it with the guarantees offered by tech companies. Additionally, the preacher recounts a story from Sadhu Sundar Singh about a mother bird sacrificing herself in a fire to save her chicks, using it as a vivid metaphor for Jesus’ sacrificial love and the call to lay down one’s will.

Embracing the Cross: Pathway to True Fellowship (SermonIndex.net) uses a vivid secular analogy of two neighbors who always fought every morning, but when one died, the fighting stopped—illustrating that conflict ceases when one party “dies to self.” The preacher also uses the metaphor of a cup, bucket, tub, lake, and river to describe increasing spiritual capacity as one chooses the way of the cross daily, likening spiritual growth to the expansion of a vessel’s capacity.

Aligning Our Will with God's Purpose (SermonIndex.net) employs the analogy of a light bulb and electricity to explain the relationship between the believer and the Holy Spirit: the bulb (believer) cannot shine without the electricity (Holy Spirit), emphasizing that transformation is God’s work, not human effort.

Embracing God's Will: The Path to True Discipleship (SermonIndex.net) uses the analogy of a police officer with a walkie-talkie to describe Jesus’ moment-by-moment obedience to the Father’s directions, and the story of Isaac Newton and the computer to illustrate how, with the Holy Spirit, believers can do “greater works” than Jesus—not because they are greater, but because they have greater resources. The sermon also uses the image of two bullocks yoked together to describe partnership with Christ in ministry, and the metaphor of a dead man who cannot be provoked by praise or criticism to illustrate what it means to be “dead to the world.”

Living to Please God: Lessons from Jesus' Life (SermonIndex.net) uses the analogy of a father writing a long letter to his son to illustrate the importance of valuing and studying God’s Word, and the image of a child crying for milk to describe the natural spiritual hunger of a truly born-again person. The preacher also uses the scenario of standing in line at the railway station to explain the public nature of Jesus’ baptism, and the story of a one-eyed man being king among the blind to describe the appointment of imperfect leaders.