Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Consecration; Preparation; Prisons; Service; Stewardship; Study; Television; Wasting Time References: Matthew 10:39; Philippians 3:7–14; 2 Timothy 2:15 Most of the death row inmates at Mississippi’s Parchman Prison were in their bunks, wrapped in blankets and staring blankly at little black-and-white TV screens, killing time. But in one cell a man was sitting on his … Continue reading “USING
LAST DAYS”

Topics: Calling; Discipline; Evangelism; Goals; Missions; Passion; Self-discipline References: Psalm 37:4; 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 He was just a shoemaker, after all, and an average one at that. But in the evenings, after work, he studied Greek, Hebrew, and a variety of modern languages. He devoured Captain Cook’s Voyages to expand his horizons, which, because of … Continue reading “SHOEMAKER’S
CALLING”

Topics: Calling; Experiencing God; Gospel; Ministry; Preaching; Scripture; Service; Spiritual Perception References: Jeremiah 1:5–10; Acts 9:9–19; Romans 1:16; Philippians 3:7–8 Several denominational leaders were visiting the campus where I teach. In one meeting with faculty, we asked this diverse group about their call to the ministry. Some of them had extraordinary experiences. For others, their … Continue reading “CALLING
BY THE THROAT”

Topics: Fatherhood; Leadership; Men; Parenting; Servanthood References: Matthew 20:20–28; John 13:1–17; 1 Peter 5:3 Dad and I padded through the tall pines, our feet quiet on the carpet of brown pine needles. We had come to New Hampshire, just the two of us, something that had never happened before. I knew then that I, eleven … Continue reading “MOPPING
UP THE MESS”

Topics: Calling; Career; Dedication; Love; Ministry; Sacrifice; Vocation Reference: Matthew 18:5–6 Jack Martens is a band teacher of teens in San Francisco. For thirty-three years he has braved the challenges of less-than-ideal teaching conditions at Ben Franklin Middle School to live out his faith. Over 50 percent of Martens’s students are from broken homes, on … Continue reading “TEACHING
MORE THAN MUSIC”

Topics: Christian Life; Ministry; Servanthood; Service References: Matthew 6:1–4; 20:25–28; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Colossians 3:23–24 There are no such things as prominent service and obscure service; it is all the same with God. —Oswald Chambers, So Send I You (Discovery House, 1993)

Topics: Jesus Christ; Leadership; Ministry; Pastors; Service Reference: 2 Corinthians 5:18 The foundation of ministry is character. The nature of ministry is service. The motive for ministry is love. The measure of ministry is sacrifice. The authority of ministry is submission. The purpose of ministry is the glory of God. The tools of ministry are … Continue reading “DEFINING
MINISTRY”

Topics: Blessings; Fidelity; Husbands; Intimacy; Love; Pleasure; Spirituality; Wives References: Genesis 2:24; Song of Songs 4; 7; 1 Corinthians 7:1–7 A 2006 survey conducted by Beliefnet.com indicates a link between sex and spirituality. According to the survey results, a majority of religious people do not see sex as guilt inducing or sinful, but rather as … Continue reading “BLESSING
SEX”

Topics: Courtship; Love; Marriage; Patience; Waiting References: 2 Peter 3:8–9; Revelation 3:20 A man and woman spotted each other on the morning air shuttle. Sparks flew, but no words were exchanged as they stood together in the taxi line at Washington National. She got in a cab, looked back, and saw him running after her. … Continue reading “WAITING
FOR LOVE”

Topics: Companionship; Marriage; Relationships; Self-centeredness References: John 13:1–17; Ephesians 5:22–33; 1 John 3:16–18 A man had been dating a woman for several years, and she was wondering if they would ever marry. He told me he didn’t know if he could marry her because she didn’t make him happy. I asked him why not, which … Continue reading “GOLDFISH
WIFE”