Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Career; Dependence on God; Devotional Life; Example; Godliness; Integrity; Prayer; Righteousness; Service; Spiritual Disciplines; Temptation; Weakness; Work References: Psalm 25:21; Matthew 6:9–13; Luke 11:1–4; Ephesians 6:18–19; Colossians 4:2 Here’s some advice from Israel Gaither, national commander for the Salvation Army, on how to instill employees with a sense of mission: •     Begin the day with … Continue reading “INSTILLING
MISSION IN WORKERS”

Topics: Ambition; Behavior; Desires; Fruitfulness; Hypocrisy; Integrity; Leadership; Motivation; Name; Reputation References: Matthew 3:10; 7:15–20; 20:20–28; Luke 3:9; 6:43–44; John 15:5–8; Romans 12:1–8; Philippians 2:4–11; Colossians 1:10 In the spring of 1970, when I was twenty-nine, I learned I had won a fellowship from the American Council on Education, which would allow me to serve … Continue reading “DOING
THE PRESIDENCY”

Topics: Assumptions; Authority; Conflict; Confrontation; Expectations; Fear; Power; Relationships; Rights; Strength; Vindictiveness; Weakness References: Psalm 37:7; Romans 8:31–39; 1 John 4:18 One day a bus driver was driving along his usual route when a big hulk of a man got on. He was six feet eight inches tall, built like a wrestler, and his arms … Continue reading “CONFRONTING
BIG JOHN”

Topics: Discernment; Foolishness; Human Condition; Ignorance; Warnings References: 1 Samuel 25:25; Psalm 14:1; 53:1; Proverbs 6:27; 10:23; 18:2; Ecclesiastes 10:2; Matthew 7:24–27 The following warnings were found on consumer products: •     on a Duraflame fireplace log: “Caution: Risk of Fire.” •     on a Batman costume: “Warning: Cape does not enable user to fly.” •     on a bottle of … Continue reading “WARNING
FOOLS”

Topics: Abundant Life; Apathy; Diligence; Husbands; Leisure; Lifestyle; Meaning; Purpose; Retirement; Self-discipline; Self-indulgence; Television; Wives References: Ecclesiastes 2:24; Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 3:13–14; 2 Thessalonians 3:11–12 At a community prayer breakfast, I sat with a group of men who began talking about retirement. The man next to me, who appeared to be in his early fifties, … Continue reading “RETIRING
TO DEATH”

Topics: Career; Change; Contentment; Dissatisfaction; Jobs; Opportunity; Satisfaction References: Genesis 4:12; Psalm 62:5; Ecclesiastes 3:22; 4:4–8 “If you could start your career over in a completely different field, would you?” That was the question asked in a 2006 study of 1,733 executives conducted by Korn/Ferry International. The results: Yes: 51 percent Maybe: 24 percent No: … Continue reading “STARTING
OVER”

Topics: Achievement; Career; Family; Fulfillment; Goals; Happiness; Joy; Meaning; Money; Motivation; Prosperity; Purpose; Relationships; Satisfaction; Self-worth; Success References: Jeremiah 29:11; Matthew 6:19–21; 16:26; Mark 8:36; Luke 9:25; Romans 12:2; 1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5 Our views of what success in business means vary. According to a study by Success magazine in 2006, 60 percent of … Continue reading “FINDING
SUCCESS AT WORK”

Topics: Absolutes; Bible; Culture; Entertainment; Media; Morality; Opposition; Religion; Scripture; Secularism; Television; Tolerance; Truth References: Matthew 5:10–12, 18; John 14:6; 15:20; 16:33; Acts 4:12; Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 6:14–16; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16 NBC added VeggieTales—a popular and thoroughly Christian cartoon—to its Saturday morning lineup in 2006. But before showing any episodes, … Continue reading “TAKING
THE TALE OUT OF “VEGGIETALES””

Topics: Ambition; Busyness; Career; Competition; Consequences; Depression; Greed; Materialism; Money; Prosperity; Riches; Stress; Suicide; Values References: Matthew 11:28–30; 16:26; Luke 12:22–34; Philippians 4:11–12; 1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Peter 5:2 In 2006, Japanese workers had higher rates of anxiety, mental illness, depression, and suicide than ever before, partly due to Western culture. In previous … Continue reading “STRESSING
JAPANESE WORKERS”

Topics: Compromise; Control; Goals; Greed; Insensitivity; Marriage; Motives; Sacrifice; Self-centeredness; Unselfishness References: Acts 20:35; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Ephesians 5:21–33; Philippians 2:3–4; Colossians 3:18–19; 1 Peter 3:7 I’ve asked my wife through the years to support me in various ventures. When we were first married, I was a youth pastor and was taking classes at the … Continue reading “REVERSING
OUR ROLES”