John Flavel on SermonAudio

John Flavel in the 5th Volume of his Works begins on Page 437 and continues to Page 494 in relating 12 Cases in which a Christian may keep his own heart under many different situations. In our previous Sessions we have looked at Cases 1 and 2 . Case 1 – How a Christian may keep his heart from pride and carnal security, under the smiles of providence, and constancy of creature-comforts. And Case 2 – How a Christian under great afflictions may keep his heart from repining, or desponding under the hand of God? Under this 2nd Case he gives us nine special helps. (We have looked at 6 special helps under this 2nd Case) Tonight I will attempt to go through helps 7 & 8. Help # 7 says – Again, It may stay your heart, if you will consider that in these troubles, God is about that work which you saw the design of it, your soul would rejoice. Help # 8 – Farther, It would much conduce to the settlement of your hearts, to consider, That by fretting and discontent, you do yourselves more injury than all the afflictions you lie under could do; your own discontent is that which arms your troubles with a sting; it is you that make your burden heavy, by struggling under it.

Jacob's heart was exceedingly set on Joseph. His very life was bound up in the life of the lad. Now, when the supposed death of the child was brought to him, how did he respond? And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him (Genesis 37:34-35). Here, as in a looking glass, the effects of excessive love for a child are represented.

When the Lord saw the moaning and weeping of this distressed mother, he was moved in tender compassion and had more pity in his heart for her than could be in her heart for her dear and only son. In these words, we will consider both the condition of the woman and the counsel of Christ concerning her condition. The Condition of the Woman She appears to be very heartbroken and distressed.

The sermon centers on Christ's prophetic office of spiritual illumination, emphasizing that true understanding of Scripture is not merely intellectual but requires divine opening of both mind and heart by the Holy Spirit. It argues that natural reason and even diligent study cannot produce saving knowledge, as spiritual truths are beyond human comprehension apart from Christ's supernatural work, which alone dispels spiritual blindness and enables the soul to perceive the glory of Christ. The text underscores the necessity of Christ's personal intervention—through the Word and Spirit—to transform the heart, making the gospel effectual, and contrasts the temporary, prideful light of worldly wisdom with the humbling, life-changing, and eternal light of saving grace. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to recognize their dependence on Christ for illumination, to respond with gratitude and obedience, and to labor diligently in the means of grace, knowing that only He can open eyes to see the light of salvation.

A study of the Nicene Creed.

John Flavel in the 5th Volume of his Works begins on Page 437 and continues to Page 494 in relating 12 Cases in which a Christian may keep his own heart under many different situations – In our previous two Sessions we have looked at Cases 1 and 2 – Case 1 – How a Christian may keep his heart from pride and carnal security, under the smiles of providence, and constancy of creature-comforts. And Case 2 – How a Christian under great afflictions may keep his heart from repining, or desponding under the hand of God? Under this 2nd Case he gives us nine special helps. (We have only looked at one so far.) The 1st Help – That by these cross providences, God is faithfully pursuing the great design of electing love upon the souls of His people, and He orders all these afflictions as means sanctified to that end. Now tonight we will look at Help # 2. Help # 2 – Though God hath reserved to Himself a liberty of afflicting His people, yet he hath tied up His own hands by promise never to take away His lovingkindness from them.

John Flavel in the 5th Volume of his Works begins on Page 437 and continues to Page 494 in relating 12 Cases in which a Christian may keep his own heart under many different situations – Last time we looked at Case # 1 – How a Christian may keep his heart from pride and carnal security, under the smiles of providence, and constancy of creature-comforts. Now we will look at Case # 2, which is this – How a Christian under great afflictions may keep his heart from repining, or desponding under the hand of God? He gives us nine special helps. (We will only look at the 1st.) The 1st Help – That by these cross providences, God is faithfully pursuing the great design of electing love upon the souls of His people, and orders all these afflictions as means sanctified to that end.

John Flavel goes on now to relate, from P. 437-494, 12 Cases in which he opens us for us how a Christian may keep his own heart under many different situations – Case 1. How a Christian may keep his heart from pride and carnal security, under the smiles of providence, and constancy of creature-comforts. And here he gives 7 Choice Helps under this first Case, to secure the heart from the dangerous snares of prosperity. 1st Choice Help – To consider the dangerous ensnaring temptations attending a pleasant and prosperous condition; few yea, very few of those that live in the pleasures and prosperity of this world escape everlasting perdition. 2nd Choice help. It may keep us yet more humble and watchful in prosperity, if we consider that among Christians many have been much the worse for it.

We have been looking at the truth of why Christians should make this the great business of their life; their learning to keep their heart with all diligence. The reason for this is given in the text itself – It is out of the heart that spring all the issues of life. All the matters of spiritual importance; everything related to trusting and obeying God. We have looked at 5 of the 6 reasons that John Flavel gives in his book by the same name: 1) That our keeping our heart is to God's glory. 2) That it establishes the sincerity of our profession. 3) – That the beauty of our walk with Christ arises from the heavenly frame and holy order of our spirits. 4) – That the comfort of our souls does much depend upon the keeping of our hearts; for he that is negligent in attending to his own heart is ordinarily a great stranger to assurance and the sweet comforts flowing from it. And 5th – It is upon the improvement of our graces that the keeping of our heart depends. Now, this evening, we will look at the 6th reason of why we should make this the great business of our life.

The sermon presents a powerful, multifaceted call to holy living, grounded in the believer's profound obligations derived from divine grace, personal conviction, and spiritual realities. It argues that Christians are uniquely bound to purity not only by God's redemptive work and the indwelling Spirit, but also by their own clear illumination, public profession of faith, repeated prayers, self-imposed moral judgments, and the spiritual well-being of their fellow believers. The preacher emphasizes that believers are supernaturally equipped with a new nature, exemplary models in Christ and the saints, constant divine assistance through the Holy Spirit, and even afflictions designed to restrain sin and purify the soul. Furthermore, the practical holiness of believers serves vital purposes: winning souls to Christ, restoring the honor of religion, encouraging faithful ministers, intimidating enemies, and ultimately condemning the ungodly in the final judgment. The sermon concludes with a solemn exhortation to live in accordance with these truths, warning that failure to do so renders all spiritual knowledge and redemption meaningless, and urging the listener to ensure that their life bears witness to a genuine, transformative encounter with Christ. This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

The sermon centers on the doctrine that Jesus Christ, exalted in heaven, is divinely appointed to judge both the living and the dead, a pivotal aspect of His sovereign glory and final triumph. Grounded in Scripture, it affirms the certainty, universality, and finality of this judgment, emphasizing its solemn nature as a day of exact, public, and irreversible reckoning where every secret deed and thought will be exposed. The preacher underscores that this judgment is not only a terrifying prospect for the unrepentant but a profound source of security and hope for believers, whose justification and union with Christ ensure their acquittal. The sermon calls all listeners to urgent self-examination, urging them to live holy, watchful, and faithful lives in light of this coming day, motivated by the deep obligations of divine love, Christ's atoning sacrifice, and the indwelling Holy Spirit's sanctifying work. This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

The sermon centers on Christ's exaltation at God's right hand as the climactic fulfillment of His redemptive work, emphasizing that His sitting down signifies the completion of His atonement, divine approval, and sovereign authority over all creation. Drawing from Hebrews, Psalm 110, and other Scripture, it unfolds the profound theological significance of Christ's session—highlighting His honor, power, nearness to God, and triumph over enemies, which establishes His supremacy in both heaven and earth. The passage underscores that Christ's exaltation not only glorifies His humanity but also secures the believer's future hope, as they are united with Him in heavenly places and will one day reign with Him. It calls for reverent worship, faithful endurance in suffering, and diligent service, reminding believers that rest is not found in this life but in the completion of God's work, just as Christ rested after finishing His mission. Ultimately, the sermon presents Christ's session as a source of comfort, assurance, and holy motivation for the Christian life. This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

The sermon centers on the theological significance of Christ's ascension as the pivotal second step in His exaltation, emphasizing that His departure was not a loss but a necessary act of divine provision for humanity. Drawing from John 20:17, it unfolds the ascension as a triumphant, public, and purposeful event—Christ ascending as forerunner, intercessor, and source of spiritual gifts—thereby securing salvation, enabling the Holy Spirit's outpouring, and opening heaven for believers. The sermon underscores that Christ ascended by His own divine power, not merely as a human, but as the Head of the Church, fulfilling prophecy, establishing His intercession, and preparing a place for His people. It calls believers to live with heavenly-mindedness, to value the Spirit's work, and to pursue holiness, knowing that Christ's ascension is both a promise of future glory and a present source of comfort, strength, and spiritual empowerment. This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

The resurrection of Christ is presented as the foundational truth of the Christian faith, confirmed by divine testimony, eyewitness accounts, and its indispensable role in justification, the believer's hope, and the ultimate triumph over death. It is portrayed not merely as a historical event but as a triumphant, self-quickening act of divine power, in which Christ, as the firstborn from the dead, rises with majestic authority, inaugurating a new era of life and victory over sin and death. His resurrection is the meritorious, efficient, and exemplary cause of the saints' future resurrection, securing their justification, guaranteeing their bodily renewal, and ensuring their conformity to His glorified body in substance, power, and eternal glory. The sermon applies this truth with pastoral urgency, calling believers to live with eternal perspective—using their bodies in service to God, preserving their sanctity, resisting worldly indulgence, and practicing generosity—while emphasizing that a genuine hope in the resurrection is evidenced by spiritual regeneration, union with Christ, heavenly-mindedness, earnest pursuit of holiness, and a life of faithful service. This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

The sermon unfolds the profound and multifaceted purposes behind Christ's humiliation, emphasizing that His suffering and death were not in vain but achieved four weighty, divinely ordained ends: deliverance from God's wrath to come, reconciliation with God through atonement, the sanctification of believers by purging sin, and the ratification of the New Covenant. Each end is grounded in Scripture and illustrated with rich theological depth, showing how Christ's sacrifice secured eternal salvation by satisfying divine justice, restoring fellowship with God, transforming hearts through holy living, and confirming the irrevocable promises of grace. The preacher applies these truths with pastoral urgency, calling believers to respond with gratitude, humility, and holy living, while assuring them of the certainty and comfort found in Christ's exaltation, where His resurrection, ascension, and intercession guarantee the final triumph of His people. This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

The sermon meditates on the burial of Christ as a profound theological event that underscores His full humanity, divine purpose, and ultimate victory over death. Centered on John 19:41–42, it highlights the humility, secrecy, and urgency of Christ's funeral—performed by a few faithful disciples in a borrowed, unused tomb—emphasizing its necessity to confirm His genuine death, fulfill prophecy, complete His humiliation, and conquer death in its own domain. Though devoid of earthly pomp, the funeral was supernaturally honored by cosmic signs, including a miraculous eclipse, rending of the temple veil, and resurrection of saints, affirming Christ's divine identity. The sermon draws six practical applications: honoring the dead with decency, cautioning against despising the weak, deepening appreciation for Christ's abasement, finding profound comfort in death through Christ's prior victory, and recognizing that union with Christ transforms the grave into a place of rest and hope. Ultimately, the burial is not an end but a pivotal step in the redemptive drama, securing eternal life for believers by making death a conquered enemy and the grave a resting place secured by Christ's presence and power. This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

The sermon centers on Christ's final words from the cross—'Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit'—presenting them as a profound act of faith, comfort, and divine communion that serves as both a model and assurance for believers at death. It unfolds the theological depth of this moment, emphasizing Christ's role as the head of the Church who, in commending His spirit, secures the eternal destiny of all believers by uniting their souls with His in a covenant of grace. The sermon systematically explores the implications of this act: the soul's survival beyond death, its deep rest in God, the immense value of the soul, the transformative power of faith, and the believer's confidence grounded in God's creation, redemption, renewal, sealing, covenant faithfulness, intimate relationships with Christ, and unchanging love. These truths collectively affirm that dying believers are not only encouraged but fully warranted to entrust their souls to God, while also calling for holy living, faithful stewardship, and the cultivation of faith as the supreme grace that sustains both life and death. This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

The sermon centers on Christ's declaration, 'It is finished,' as the triumphant culmination of His redemptive mission, affirming that the entire work of salvation—fulfilling the law, satisfying divine justice, and securing eternal redemption—was completed through His perfect obedience, both active and passive, on the cross. Rooted in Scripture, particularly John 19:30, Hebrews 10:14, and John 17:4, the message emphasizes that Christ's work was necessary, difficult, and infinitely precious, accomplished not only in His death but also in His resurrection and ascension, which serve as divine confirmation of its completion. The sermon draws out profound theological implications: believers are justified not by their own imperfect efforts but by Christ's perfect righteousness, which is imputed to them; thus, faith in Christ is the most honorable and acceptable work before God. It calls Christians to imitate Christ's diligent, humble, and persevering life, urging them to finish their own God-given work with urgency, knowing that death ends all opportunity for repentance and service, and that only those who have completed their labor in faith can echo Christ's final words with peace and confidence. This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

The sermon centers on Christ's cry, 'I thirst,' from the cross, presenting it as a profound revelation of His physical and spiritual agony, which fulfilled Scripture and demonstrated the depth of His sacrificial love. It emphasizes that Christ's suffering—both corporeal and spiritual—was unparalleled, involving extreme bodily torment, the full weight of divine wrath, and the complete absence of comfort, all of which drained His very life force and caused Him to cry out in desperate thirst. This moment underscores the horror of sin, the severity of divine judgment, and the infinite cost of redemption, while also offering profound comfort: believers, having been redeemed by Christ's sacrifice, will never face eternal thirst, for their spiritual, natural, and penal thirsts will be fully satisfied in heaven. The sermon concludes with a powerful meditation on the incomparable love of God, who allowed His Son to endure such suffering for unworthy sinners, revealing a love that surpasses all understanding and calls for awe, gratitude, and worship. This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

The sermon centers on Christ's cry from the cross, 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?', exploring its profound theological significance as a moment of divine desertion that was both real and purposeful. It emphasizes that this forsaking was not a withdrawal of God's essence or love, nor a loss of Christ's holiness or divine support, but a penal experience of spiritual separation—bearing the full weight of sin's curse on behalf of humanity. The cry reveals the depth of Christ's suffering, not in physical torment alone, but in the agonizing absence of the Father's favor, which was essential for the satisfaction of divine justice. This desertion, though temporary and endured for the sake of redemption, becomes a source of profound comfort and hope for believers, who find in it assurance that their own times of spiritual darkness are not final, but sanctified by Christ's example. The sermon concludes with practical exhortations to cling to faith in God's presence even when His favor feels hidden, to trust in His ultimate return, and to view trials as opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on Christ. This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

The sermon centers on Christ's promise to the penitent thief—'Today shalt thou be with me in paradise'—as a profound demonstration of God's free grace, affirming that believers immediately enter eternal glory upon death. It establishes three key truths: first, that the soul passes into a future eternal state at death; second, that all believers are instantly received into heaven, not delayed until the resurrection; and third, that though God may sovereignly grant repentance even at the hour of death, such instances are extraordinary, not normative, and should not encourage neglect of the ordinary means of grace. The preacher underscores the urgency of repentance, the seriousness of death as a transition into eternity, and the necessity of preparing for that moment while time remains, especially for the young who delay their commitment to Christ. This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

The sermon centers on Christ's second word from the cross—'Behold thy mother'—presenting His selfless care for His mother amid His own agony as a divine pattern for children's duty toward parents. It emphasizes that Christ, though fully divine, exemplified perfect reverence, love, obedience, submission, faithfulness, and gratitude in His relationship with His mother, even in death, thereby establishing a standard for all believers. The preacher argues that these familial duties are rooted in both natural law and divine command, and that failure to honor parents is not merely a personal failing but a rebellion against God, with eternal consequences. Drawing from Scripture and historical examples, the sermon warns of the severe spiritual and temporal judgments awaiting disobedient children while exhorting godly ones to emulate Christ's example with humility and perseverance, especially in seeking their parents' spiritual salvation. Ultimately, the message calls for a life of intentional, grace-filled responsibility within family relationships, grounded in Christ's perfect model and the hope of eternal accountability. This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

The sermon centers on Christ's first word from the cross—'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do'—as a profound demonstration of divine mercy, theological instruction, and the Christian call to forgive enemies. It explores how ignorance, rooted in misinterpretation of Scripture, misunderstanding of Christ's humble nature, and reliance on flawed religious authorities, led to His crucifixion, yet even this profound sin is met with forgiveness through Christ's intercession. The sermon affirms that God's mercy extends even to those who oppose Him in ignorance, emphasizing that true forgiveness is a supernatural grace, not a natural virtue, and that the Christian life is marked by a forgiving spirit modeled after Christ. It concludes by exhorting believers to embody this grace, not only for the honor of Christ but for the peace and integrity of their own souls, as such meekness reflects God's character and brings true tranquility to the world. This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

The sermon centers on the profound patience and meekness of Christ in His suffering, emphasizing how His silence and submission on the cross were not passive resignation but a deliberate, divinely empowered triumph over injustice and agony. Drawing from Isaiah 53:7 and 1 Peter 2:22–23, it portrays Christ's suffering as both grievous—encompassing spiritual horror, physical torment, and public humiliation—and gloriously adorned with perfect patience, rooted in His holiness, wisdom, foreknowledge, faith, heavenly-mindedness, and complete obedience to the Father. The preacher argues that this divine patience is the ultimate model for believers, calling them to emulate Christ's calm endurance in trials by reflecting on God's sovereignty, the greater suffering of others, the internal work of grace, the scrutiny of observers, past deliverances, future glory, and the contrast with ungodly responses. Ultimately, the sermon presents Christ's patient death not merely as a historical event but as a living pattern for Christian perseverance, inviting believers to be transformed into 'lamb-like' followers who trust God's purpose even in the midst of affliction. This sermon was created with an artificial voice for the "Audiobook Initiative" on SermonAudio. There may be mispronunciations or occasional repetitions. To report a mistake, please email us at info@sermonaudio.com and include the sermon ID or title of the message and the time at which the error occurs. We will do our best to get it corrected for future listeners.

A new MP3 sermon from Audiobooks by John Flavel is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: 01 - The Mystery of Providence Subtitle: The Mystery of Providence Speaker: John Flavel Broadcaster: Audiobooks by John Flavel Event: Audiobook Date: 11/10/2025 Bible: Psalm 57:2 Length: 44 min.