Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Anger; Human Nature; Integrity; Regret; Reputation; Revenge; Self-control; Shame; Temper; Temptation; Victory References: Psalm 37:8; Proverbs 16:32; 25:28; Acts 20:24; Romans 12:19; 1 Corinthians 9:24; 2 Timothy 4:7; James 1:19–20 Zinedine Zidane led the French national team to a World Cup championship in 1998. Eight years later, Zidane reported that he would retire after … Continue reading “ANGER
FINISH”

Topics: Behavior; Darkness; Disobedience; Hiding; Lifestyle; Light; Sin; Temptation; Worldliness References: Genesis 3:8–10; John 3:19–21; Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Galatians 5:1, 13; Ephesians 2:3; 5:11; James 1:14–15, 22–25; 1 John 1:5–9 A little girl discovered the secret to making mud one day, which she called “warm chocolate.” After her grandmother cleaned up the mess, … Continue reading “DON’T
LOOK AT ME”

Topics: Conflict; Enemies; Fear; Fighting; Oppression; Persecution; Safety; Threats; Violence; Vulnerability; Youth References: Matthew 5:10–12; John 15:20; 16:33; Colossians 3:13 Bullies abound. According to the U.S. Department of Education, here are the stats on the number of students ages twelve to eighteen who were bullied at school during 2006: •     inside school: 79 percent •     outside on … Continue reading “MORE
BULLIES”

Topics: Appetites; Consequences; Desires; Greed; Idolatry; Thirst References: 2 Samuel 14:14; Proverbs 25:16–17; John 4:1–26; Ephesians 5:18 Jennifer Strange, twenty-eight, died trying to win a Nintendo. In January 2007, a radio station in Sacramento, California, staged a water-drinking contest, promising a Nintendo Wii video game system to the person whose bladder held out the longest. … Continue reading “WATER
INTOXICATION”

Topics: Alcohol; Consequences; Drunkenness; Foolishness; Judgment; Sowing and Reaping References: Proverbs 20:1; Romans 6:23; 13:13; Galatians 6:7–8; Ephesians 5:18 While preparing for a cookout July 3, 2006, a Delaware man decided to use gunpowder rather than charcoal or lighter fluid to get the coals glowing in his grill. The unorthodox fire preparation method blew up … Continue reading “UNORTHODOX
GRILL STARTER”

Topics: Achievement; Emptiness; Entertainment; Laziness; Sloth; Television; Time References: 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6–15 Suresh Joachim is the world’s most incredible couch potato. In September 2005, Joachim broke the Guinness Book of World’s Records’ previous mark of spending the longest time watching TV. Joachim spent sixty-nine hours and forty-eight minutes in front of the … Continue reading “TOP
COUCH POTATO”

Topics: Anger; Bitterness; Forgiveness; Rage; Vindictiveness References: Psalm 37:8; Ecclesiastes 7:9; Luke 6:28; Colossians 3:8; James 1:19–20 Of the seven deadly sins, anger is possibly the most fun. To lick your wounds, to smack your lips over grievances long past, to roll over your tongue the prospect of bitter confrontations still to come, to savor … Continue reading “EATEN
BY ANGER”

Topics: Arrogance; Good Deeds; Human Power; Hypocrisy; Legalism; Limitations; Pride; Sanctification; Self-reliance; Vices; Virtue References: Proverbs 16:18; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 4:2; 9:30–33; 1 Corinthians 5:6; Ephesians 2:8–9 Humanist Benjamin Franklin rejected the graces of religion and wrote his own. For example: Silence: “Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.” Frugality: … Continue reading “VIRTUES
LEADING TO PRIDE”

Topics: Choices; Decisions; Depravity; Discernment; Insight; Intelligence; Limitations; Mistakes; Understanding; Wisdom References: Proverbs 1:7; 3:13; 4:7; 9:10; 14:12; 16:25; 23:23; 1 Corinthians 1:18–31; 3:19 The world-famous geneticist William French Anderson was convicted of child molestation in July 2006. In a press conference, Anderson’s attorney said, “Nothing about having a 176 IQ means you have good … Continue reading “IQ
AND GOOD JUDGMENT”

Topics: Addiction; Desires; Drugs; Lawlessness; Pleasure; Teens; Temptation; Vices References: Romans 6:16; 12:2; 13:13–14; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 2:19 In 2003, 6.3 million people were misusing prescription drugs, such as stimulants, painkillers, sedatives, and tranquilizers. That’s more than twice the number of people who use cocaine, according to the U.S. National Survey … Continue reading “PRESCRIPTION
DRUG ABUSE RISES”