Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Children; Courage; Fear; Loneliness; Marriage; Mothers; Parenting; Relationships; Togetherness; Trust References: Genesis 15:1; Deuteronomy 1:21; Joshua 1:9; Luke 8:22–25 During a violent thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small boy into bed. She was about to turn off the light when he asked with a tremor in his voice, “Mommy, will you sleep with … Continue reading “CUDDLING
IN THE STORM”

Topics: Faith; Hope; Patience; Prayer; Trust; Waiting on God References: Psalm 25:1–10; 27:14; 31:15; Micah 7:7 The Flying Roudellas, who were trapeze artists, said there is a special relationship between flyer and catcher on the trapeze. The flyer is the one who lets go, and the catcher is the one who catches. As the flyer … Continue reading “WAITING
IN TRUST”

Topics: Assurance; Atonement; Choices; Dependence on God; Doubt; Faith; Gift of Righteousness; Grace; Help from God; Promises; Salvation; Trust References: Exodus 32:30; John 3:16; Romans 3:21–26; 5:11; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8–9; Titus 3:3–7; 1 Peter 1:17–19; 1 John 1:9 I was having breakfast with my dad and my younger son at the Real Food Café in … Continue reading “TAKING
CARE OF THE CHECK”

Topics: Assurance; Confidence; Provision; Trust References: Psalm 9:10; Proverbs 3:5 When our cat, Clement of Alexandria, goes outside, he looks around as though it’s a jungle, and he is terrified. But when he comes in the house, he lies on the floor between the kitchen and the dining room—where we walk most frequently—and falls asleep … Continue reading “TRUSTING
LIKE A CAT”

Topics: Fear; Provision; Trust; Vulnerability References: Psalm 91:2; Proverbs 3:5–6; Daniel 6:23 A young girl stands in a picturesque meadow. In another part of the field is a gigantic African rhinoceros, which begins charging toward the girl. Her serene and happy face remains unmoved. As the rhinoceros gets closer, the words appear on the screen, … Continue reading “FEARING
NOT THE RHINO”

Topics: Needs; Provision; Shepherd; Trust References: Psalm 23:1; Matthew 6:25–34; Philippians 4:19 The Allied soldiers gathered many hungry, homeless children after World War II and placed them in large camps. The children were abundantly fed and cared for. However, at night they did not sleep well; they seemed restless and afraid. Finally, a psychologist offered … Continue reading “HOLDING
COMFORT FOOD”

Topics: Children; Choices; Consequences; Danger; Discernment; Foolishness; Maturity; Sin; Temptation; Wisdom References: Matthew 7:13–14; Ephesians 5:15–18; 2 Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 5:14 Children will play with virtually anything they get their hands on. It’s no surprise, then, that when Dutch children in the town of Barneveld uncovered an unexploded World War II artillery shell, they played … Continue reading “PLAYING
WITH BOMBS”

Topics: Entertainment; Influence; Mind; Music; Thoughts References: Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Philippians 4:8 “I used to think this ain’t affecting me; you’d have to be weak-minded to let this stuff affect you—and the whole time it affected me.” So said Jamie Rouse on how music affected his behavior. On November 15, 1995, Rouse walked … Continue reading “MUSIC’S
EFFECT ON KILLER”

Topics: Appetites; Bondage; Eating; Gluttony; Moderation; Sinful Nature; Temptation References: Psalm 9:16; Proverbs 29:6; Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38; 1 Corinthians 10:13 A twenty-one-year-old man was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries after being trapped waist-deep in a vat of chocolate. The employee of Debelis Corporation, a company that supplies chocolate ingredients, told … Continue reading “WORKING
IN CHOCOLATE”

Topics: Addiction; Confession; Death; Entertainment; Guilt; Hypocrisy; Media; Murder; Parenting; Play; Stumbling Blocks; Violence References: Exodus 20:13; Ezekiel 8:17; 1 Timothy 3:2–3; 2 Timothy 3:1–5; 2 Peter 2:19 I have used swords and shotguns, handguns and grenades. I have shot, stabbed, and bludgeoned. I have crushed skulls with golf clubs and hammers and baseball bats. … Continue reading “MURDERING
BY VIDEO”