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  ISAIAH 66:8
  by Chuck Smith
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of travail, or painful
effort, in achieving success in one's spiritual life and in building the
church.

Topics: "Commitment to Christ", "Travail"
Scripture References: Romans 8:26, Galatians 4:19

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DESCRIPTION
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Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of travail in achieving success,
particularly in the context of Christianity. He illustrates how the
church was built through the painful efforts of Christ, the apostles,
and the Holy Spirit, highlighting that true success in faith requires
earnestness and a willingness to suffer for the sake of others. Smith
calls for Christians to engage in self-denial, intercession, and
witnessing, stressing that dry-eyed Christians cannot effectively reach
the world for Christ. He reminds the congregation of the urgency of
souls perishing around them and the need for passionate commitment to
the Gospel.

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CONTENT
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Toil, especially painful effort or exertion, suffering.

I. TRAVAILING THE SECRET OF SUCCESS IN ANYTHING.

A. Doctor, Lawyer, Businessman, Scholar.

B. Even more true of religion.

II. TRAVAIL BUILT THE CHURCH.

A. Christianity born in travail.

1. "Being in agony, he sweat as it were."

B. God travailed when He sent His Son.

C. Christ travailed in garden and on cross.

D. Holy Spirit now travailing.

E. Apostles travailed.

1. Paul - "I bear in my body."

F. Early Christianity travail.

III. TRAVAILING CHRISTIANS GREATEST NEED TODAY.

A. In earnest, enthusiastic about everything but Christ.

B. Dry eyed Christians will never win world for Christ.

IV. SOULS PERISHING ALL ABOUT US.

A. Jesus can save them.

B. Me expects us, appeals to us.

V. WE NEED.

A. Travail of self-denial.

B. Travail of intercession.

C. Travail of witnessing.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/chuck-smith/isaiah-668/
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