Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Deliverance; Enemies; Hymns; Jesus Christ; Mercy; Protection References: Psalm 20:1; Proverbs 18:10 Ira Sankey was traveling on a steamer in the Delaware River when he was recognized by some passengers who had seen his picture in the newspaper and knew he was associated with evangelist D. L. Moody. When they asked him to sing … Continue reading “SANKEY
AND THE SNIPER”

Topics: Forgiveness; Opportunity; Salvation References: 1 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 3:7–8 Gift cards often come with expiration dates. Sometimes I will stuff one in my wallet and forget about it. A gift card can be worth $100 one day, and then the next day you might as well throw it in the garbage because it has … Continue reading “REDEEMING
FORGIVENESS”

Topics: Assurance; Danger; Fear; Hell; Protection; Safety; Security in God; Seen and Unseen; Trust References: Ezra 9:8–9; Psalm 91; 118; Luke 4:9–11 The construction of the Golden Gate Bridge was so risky that newspaper reporters dubbed it “Dance of Danger.” Workers on top of swaying catwalks and high towers, sometimes hundreds of feet in the … Continue reading “DANCING
WITH DANGER”

Topics: Beliefs; Choices; Curiosity; Decisions; Faith; Longing; Questions; Seekers; Witnessing References: Matthew 16:24–28; Luke 9:23–26; Hebrews 4:12 A man once appeared at my office door asking for some quick points on Christianity to help make sense of the dinner conversations he was having with his wife, a recent convert. He made it clear that he … Continue reading “REFUSING
BULLET-POINT FAITH”

Topics: Commitment; Conversion; Discipleship; Encouragement; Evangelism; Friendship; Influence; Mentoring; Ministry; Purpose; Spiritual Direction; Spiritual Growth References: John 15:15; Proverbs 17:17; 18:24 Gerald R. Ford found Christ with the help of a Hollywood director. When Ford was a young congressman in Michigan, Billy Zeoli, a gospel film executive, stopped by Ford’s office and gave him a … Continue reading “SPIRITUALLY
DIRECTING THE PRESIDENT”

Topics: Bondage; Confession; Culture; Depravity; Guilt; Human Condition; Regret; Shame; Sin; Vices References: 2 Chronicles 7:14; Ezra 10:1–16; Proverbs 28:13; Matthew 7:6; James 5:16; 1 John 1:9 In 2006, two performing artists named Laura Barnett and Sandra Spannan created an exhibit in a storefront in Manhattan that allowed passersby to alleviate their guilt. The two … Continue reading “GOING
PUBLIC WITH SIN”

Topics: Accepting Christ; Apathy; Assurance; Complacency; Eternal Life; Grace; Neglect; Righteousness References: John 3:16; 14:6; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9; Hebrews 2:3; 12:25; Revelation 22:17 One of five gift-card recipients never used their cards in 2005, representing about $972 million in unredeemed cards. According to Consumer Reports National Research Center, the top reasons for not using … Continue reading “LEAVING
GIFTS UNCLAIMED”

Topics: Atonement; Cross; Depravity; Grace; Jesus Christ; Justification; Redemption References: John 3:16; 19:30; Romans 3:21–26; Ephesians 2:13 Author James Herriot tells of an unforgettable wedding anniversary he and his wife celebrated early in their marriage. His boss had encouraged Herriot to take his wife to a fancy restaurant, but Herriot balked. He was a young … Continue reading “TAKING
CARE OF DINNER”

Topics: Fathers; Identity; Lying; Providence; Restoration; Satan; Worth References: Proverbs 19:5; Luke 15:20–24; John 10:10–15 In 1996, a thirty-eight-year-old security guard at a Pennsylvania middle school convinced Tanya Kach, fourteen, to leave her father and live with him. For the next ten years, the security guard kept Tanya captive in the home he shared with … Continue reading “WANTING
TO BE WANTED”

Topics: Acceptance; Arrogance; Body of Christ; Cooperation; Envy; Neighbors; Pride; Relationships; Self-righteousness; Unity References: Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 8:9–13; James 2:1–4 When we see ourselves as “pretty good,” we misunderstand the gravity of sin and our desperate need for grace. We place ourselves above others, become their judges, and give them the power to disappoint … Continue reading “SHRINKING
IN GOD’S LIGHT”