Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Ambition; Goals; Greed; Money; Possessions; Priorities; Purpose; Self-centeredness; Wealth References: Matthew 6:19–21; Mark 10:17–22 Paul Dinin, a twenty-year-old employee of Interland, a web-hosting company in Atlanta, Georgia, was asked what his prized possessions were. Dinin, a high school dropout, listed four cars, including a Jaguar and a 1981 DeLorean. When asked for his philosophy … Continue reading “ALL
ABOUT MONEY”

Topics: Money; Resourcefulness; Stewardship; Wisdom References: Matthew 10:16; 25:14–30 Before going to Europe on business, a man drove his Rolls-Royce to a downtown New York City bank, then went in to ask for a loan of $5,000. The loan officer requested collateral. The man said, “Here are the keys to my Rolls-Royce.” The loan officer … Continue reading “PARKING
THE ROLLS-ROYCE”

Topics: Atonement; Debt; Dependence on God; Grace; Guilt; Human Condition; Limitations; Powerlessness; Salvation; Spiritual Poverty References: Isaiah 64:6; Matthew 18:21–35; John 14:6; Romans 3:23; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9 When Yahaya Wahab’s father passed away in January 2006, Yahaya had his father’s phone disconnected and paid the final bill of 84 ringgit (approximately $23) to Telekom Malaysia. … Continue reading “CHECK
OUT THIS PHONE BILL”

Topics: Freedom; Grace; Prisons; Redemption References: Matthew 9:10–13; 22:1–14; Luke 4:14–19; Romans 5:6–8; Ephesians 4:7–8 The Republican Party mistakenly invited an Ohio prisoner to a $2,500-a-plate fund-raising dinner in Washington with President George W. Bush. The invitation and a letter from Vice President Cheney were sent to Robert Kirkpatrick at the Belmont Correctional Institution in … Continue reading “OOPS
INVITATION”

Topics: Accepting Christ; Behavior; Change; Conduct; Contentment; Desires; Eternal Life; Experiencing God; Foolishness; Knowing God; New Life; Prosperity References: Ezekiel 11:19; Romans 6:6–7; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22–24; 1 Peter 1:22–23 Thelma and Victor Hayes won more than $7 million in 2005 in Canada. When asked what the couple, who were then … Continue reading “SETTLING
FOR SOCKS”

Topics: Daily Bread; Grace; Gratitude; Holy Spirit; Light; Needs; Neglect; Neighbors; Poverty; Power; Powerlessness; Provision; Suffering; Weakness References: Psalm 37:18–19; Isaiah 58:11; John 4:14; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:20; 6:10 When a hurricane hit South Florida, Norena’s home was severely damaged. The elderly woman received an insurance settlement, and the repair work began. However, when the … Continue reading “NO
POWER FOR FIFTEEN YEARS”

Topics: Choices; Consequences; Cost; Foolishness; Mistakes; Past; Regret; Responsibility; Shame; Stewardship References: Ecclesiastes 6:2; Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5 Around the year 1900, two scientists from the Pacific Islands Company studied a piece of rock picked up on Nauru, a tiny Pacific Island east of New Guinea and twelve hundred miles from any … Continue reading “PACIFIC
ISLAND SELLS SOUL”

Topics: Abundant Life; Addiction; Appetites; Belonging; Conformity; Contentment; Emptiness; Identity; Lifestyle; Meaning; Possessions; Prosperity; Temptation References: Proverbs 15:16; Ecclesiastes 5:10; Isaiah 55:1–2; Matthew 6:24; Mark 4:19; Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5 Neil Boorman decided to burn every branded thing in his possession after he realized he was addicted to brands. He explained: From … Continue reading “BRAND
BURNING”

Topics: Ambition; Comparisons; Competition; Contentment; Coveting; Desires; Envy; Greed; Human Nature; Jealousy; Money; Pride; Prosperity; Riches; Service References: Proverbs 14:30; 27:4; Luke 9:25; 12:15; 17:18; 2 Corinthians 10:12–18; Galatians 5:26; 1 Timothy 6:6 I am talking with the head of a mighty American corporation. We’re in his window-lined office, high in midtown Manhattan. The view—silver … Continue reading “WHO
GETS WHAT”

Topics: Contentment; Generosity; Greed; Happiness; Possessions; Self-centeredness; Self-indulgence; Sinful Nature; Stinginess; Unselfishness References: Proverbs 15:27; 28:25; Ecclesiastes 5:10; Habakkuk 2:5; Luke 12:15; Ephesians 5:5; Hebrews 13:5 A little boy sat on the floor of the church nursery with a red rubber ball in each arm and three Nerf balls clenched on the floor between his … Continue reading “HOARDING
IS NO FUN”