Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Christian Life; Example; Faith; Family; Neglect; Parenting; Regret References: Deuteronomy 6:6–9; 1 Samuel 2:12–25; Matthew 18:5–6; Ephesians 6:4 Former Hollywood bad boy Martin Sheen says watching his son, Charlie Sheen, lead a similarly decadent life fills him with remorse. He worries that he learned to be a father too late. He particularly regrets his … Continue reading “LIVING
WITH DECADENCE”

Topics: Cross; Fathers; Heroes; Jesus Christ; Love; Redeemer; Sacrifice; Salvation; Unselfishness References: John 15:13; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:15 David Saunders, forty-two, waited on the driveway of his home in Hanover, Michigan, for his daughter Danielle, four, to get off the school bus. A pickup truck was stopped behind the bus. Saunders crossed the street … Continue reading “HEROIC
RESCUE”

Topics: Commitment; Cross; Love; Miracles; Mothers; Sacrifice; Self-denial References: John 10:11; 15:13; 1 John 3:16 Years ago, a mother was walking across the hills of southern Wales carrying her baby when she was overtaken by a blizzard. When the storm subsided, her body was found beneath a mound of snow. Before she died, however, she … Continue reading “GIVING
ALL FOR BABY”

Topics: Affection; Caring; Compassion; Death; Disease; Love; Medical Care; Misery; Motherhood; Sickness References: Matthew 3:17; Romans 8:35; Ephesians 2:4–5; 3:14–19; 1 John 3:1; 4:18 Princess Alice, daughter of Queen Victoria, had a little boy who became very sick with black diphtheria. Doctors quarantined the boy and told the mother to stay away. She tried, until … Continue reading “COSTLY
LOVE”

Topics: Attitudes; Challenges; Courage; Destiny; Determination; Discouragement; Family; Overcoming; Perspective; Reputation; Respect; Strength; Trials References: Job 23:10; Romans 5:3–5; James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 5:10 In 1958, a baby boy was born into the Lane family. Robert, the father, chose to name the boy Winner. How could the young man fail to succeed with a name … Continue reading “NAMING
BLOOPER”

Topics: Caring; Compassion; Family; Gratitude; Honor; Influence; Love; Mothers; Nurture; Sacrifice References: Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16; Proverbs 31:28; Ephesians 6:1–2 Anna Maria Reeves-Jarvis of Grafton, West Virginia, organized a club of women to nurse wounded soldiers from the North and South during the Civil War. After the war, Reeves-Jarvis started “Mothers’ Friendship Days” to reconcile … Continue reading “CELEBRATING
MOTHER’S DAY”

Topics: Children; Contentment; Discontent; Envy; Family; Greed; Materialism; Media; Money; Peer Pressure; Possessions; Prosperity; Riches; Television; Values; Worldliness References: Matthew 6:19–21; Luke 12:15–33; 1 Timothy 6:17–19 Kids are significantly targeted and influenced by advertising. Following are some findings reported in U.S. News & World Report in 2004: •     Twenty-six percent of kids ages two and under … Continue reading “INDULGING
KIDS”

Topics: Affirmation; Attitudes; Children; Feelings; Longing; Love; Mothers; Needs; Relationships; Self-esteem References: Exodus 20:12; Isaiah 66:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Dan Baber honored his mother by posting an auction on eBay titled “Best Mother in the World.” The winning bidder would receive an email from his mom, Sue Hamilton, that would “make you feel like you … Continue reading “AUCTIONING
MOM’S TOUCH”

Topics: Busyness; Children; Fathers; God as Father; Love; Priorities; Relationships; Schedules References: Matthew 6:21; Luke 11:11–13; Colossians 3:21 Several months ago, I talked to a man who described one of the most painful experiences of his life. When he was seventeen years old, he was a star on his high school football team. But his … Continue reading “TOO
BUSY”

Topics: Affection; Assurance; Death; Fathers; Regret; Suicide References: Genesis 31:28; Ecclesiastes 9:7–10; Luke 15:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 His eighteen-year-old son committed suicide near the end of the 2005 football season. At the funeral service, Tony Dungy, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, offered a heartbreaking appeal to fathers. “God can provide joy in the midst … Continue reading “HUGGING
YOUR KIDS”