Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Anger; Bitterness; Confession; Hindrances; Repentance; Shame References: Psalm 90:8; Matthew 5:21–22; Ephesians 4:26 During World War II, Zinaida Bragantsova of Ukraine was sitting by the window sewing. Suddenly she heard a whistling noise. Then she was struck by a blast of wind. When she came to, her sewing machine was gone, and there was … Continue reading “THE
BOMB UNDER THE BED”

Topics: Dependence; Direction; Guidance; Prayer; Spiritual Perception; Trust References: Psalm 37:3–6; Proverbs 3:5–6 When John Kavanaugh, a renowned ethicist, went to work at “the house of the dying” in Calcutta, he was seeking a clear answer about how to spend the rest of his life. On the first morning there he met Mother Teresa. She … Continue reading “PRAYING
FOR CLARITY”

Topics: Attitudes; Challenges; Confidence; Fear; Panic; Preparation; Spiritual Warfare References: Luke 22:31–34; 1 Corinthians 10:11–13; Ephesians 6:10–18; 2 Timothy 1:7 On July 21, 1861, raw Yankee recruits marched toward the Confederate Army camping at Bull Run, thirty miles southwest of Washington. The Union soldiers were overconfident and acted as if they were headed toward a … Continue reading “FACING
FEAR”

Topics: Humility; Justice; Love; Mercy; Righteousness References: Micah 6:8; Matthew 16:24 “The only thing that God requires from us is to enjoy life—and love,” said singer Paul Simon in a February 2001 interview with Rolling Stone. “It doesn’t matter if you accomplish anything. You don’t have to do anything but appreciate that you’re alive. And … Continue reading “WHAT
IS REQUIRED OF US”

Topics: Determination; Discipline; Faithfulness; Humility; Imitation of Christ; Obedience; Self-discipline; Self-examination References: Mark 8:34–35; Philippians 1:9–10; James 4:10 Jonathan Edwards, the eighteenth-century revivalist, sat down at age seventeen and penned twenty-one resolutions by which he would live his life. He added to this list until, by his death, he had seventy resolutions. He put this … Continue reading “RESOLUTION
FOLLOW-UP”

Topics: Abundant Life; Behavior; Conduct; Freedom; Fulfillment; Fullness; Gratitude; Healing; Heart; Hope; Lifestyle; Sanctification References: Ezekiel 11:19; Romans 6:6–11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22–24; Colossians 3:5–10; Hebrews 9:13–15; 1 Peter 1:23 From his hospital bed on the eve of open-heart surgery, Pastor Bruce McIver asked his cardiologist, Dr. Dudley Johnson, “Can you fix my heart?” … Continue reading “HEART
FIX”

Topics: Christian Life; Cleansing; Purity; Renewal; Repentance; Sanctification; Spiritual Formation References: 2 Chronicles 29; Psalm 139:23–24; 2 Timothy 2:20–21 On the Style Channel’s Clean House, experts sweep into a cluttered home with the purpose of leaving it more comfortable, attractive, and livable. The experts face the challenges of clothes strewn across the floor, bulging cabinets, … Continue reading “CLEANING
MAKEOVER”

Topics: Behavior; Conduct; Depravity; Desires; Ethics; Habits; Human Nature; Lust; Morality; Pleasure; Sexual Immorality; Sinful Nature References: Romans 1:26–27; 12:1; 1 Corinthians 6:9–20; Galatians 5:17–23; Colossians 3:5; Titus 2:11–12 Many people justify a variety of behaviors by calling them “natural.” Here’s what M. Scott Peck says about that: “Calling it natural does not mean it … Continue reading “DOING
THE UNNATURAL”

Topics: Bible Reading; Devotional Life; Experiencing God; Fasting; Knowing God; Listening; Meditation; Quiet Time; Reflection; Seeking God; Self-discipline; Solitude; Spiritual Disciplines; Worship References: Matthew 6:1–18; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 9:24–27; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Hebrews 4:16 Experiences of God cannot be planned or achieved. “They are spontaneous moments of grace, almost accidental,” a rabbi … Continue reading “ACCIDENTS
WITH GOD”

Topics: Healing; Last Things; Potential; Regeneration; Restoration; Sanctification; Waiting on God References: Romans 8:18–39; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 1:6 A little girl in England, Josie Caven, was born profoundly deaf. She often felt isolated as a child because of her inability to hear, but that changed after she received a cochlear implant during the Christmas … Continue reading “HEARING
LESSONS”