Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Character; Conflict; Decisions; Marriage; Relationships; Unity; Values Reference: Colossians 3:15 A young, ambitious guy at Amoco got a promotion that required a transfer to Cairo. He went home to his new wife and young baby and said, “Great news, we’re moving to Cairo.” Appalled, his wife said, “You’re moving alone. I’m going home to … Continue reading “WORKING
IT OUT”

Topics: Conflict; Cooperation; Diversity; Love; Marriage; Self-centeredness; Stubbornness; Submission References: Ephesians 5:25–33; Philippians 2:3–4; Colossians 3:18–19 Castleward, a stately home, was built in the 1760s about thirty miles from Belfast, Ireland. The original owners of the house were Bernard Ward, the first Viscount of Bangor, and his wife, Lady Anne. One of the most striking … Continue reading “HOUSE
OF DIFFERENCES”

Topics: Commitment; Illicit Sex; Marriage; Relationships Reference: Ephesians 4:19 The late Wilt Chamberlain had great numbers as a professional basketball star, but the number he will probably be remembered for most is twenty thousand. That is how many women Chamberlain, who never married, claimed to have slept with. What few may remember though, says columnist … Continue reading “ONE
WOMAN FOR KEEPS”

Topics: Anniversaries; Giving; God; Worship References: Psalm 95:6; John 4:23–24; Hebrews 12:28–29 Early in our marriage, I gave my wife a terrific anniversary gift. At least I thought it was a great gift. Susan, after all, is a farmer’s daughter and keeps close watch on the weather. I envisioned her delight and nostalgia while tracking … Continue reading “GIVING
A RAIN GAUGE”

Topics: Commitment; Family; Fatherhood; Parenting; Sports References: Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21 A wedding video on a recent TV show cracked me up. The video was shot from the back of the church looking up the aisle toward the bride and groom. Because of the camera angle, you could see several members of the congregation. During … Continue reading “GETTING
THE SCORE”

Topics: Dying to Self; Giving; Marriage; Sacrifice; Self-centeredness; Singleness References: Acts 20:35; Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Galatians 2:20 The biggest drawback to living alone is having nobody to forgive, says author D. J. Waldie. It’s not that you don’t get certain things, such as companionship, sex, and somebody to share the chores; it’s that … Continue reading “FINDING
FREEDOM IN MARRIAGE”

Topics: Adultery; Guilt; Marriage; Unfaithfulness Reference: Hebrews 13:4 “Cheating was the worst mistake I ever made in my life,” said a husband who admitted being unfaithful. “I don’t know that we wouldn’t have gotten a divorce, but I felt really bad that I cheated on my wife. “I didn’t really want a divorce. I didn’t … Continue reading “HIS
CHEATING HEART”

Topics: Adultery; Character; Children; Divorce; Family; Hypocrisy; Love; Parenting Reference: Ephesians 6:4 “He was a hypocrite. Dad could talk about peace and love out loud to the world, but he could not show it to the people who supposedly meant the most to him: his wife and son,” said Julian Lennon, who was abandoned at … Continue reading “BEATLE
LOVE”

Topics: Commitment; Communication; Faithfulness; Gender Differences; Love; Marriage; Respect Reference: Hebrews 13:4 Men and women vary about what factors are most important in a successful marriage. A research report by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) points to these factors: Mutual respect and trust: men, 90 percent; women, 95 percent Open, regular communication: men, 82 percent; women, … Continue reading “MARRIAGE
SUCCESS FACTORS”

Topics: Commitment; Cooperation; Marriage; Relationships; Teamwork Reference: Matthew 19:3–12 Side Show is a musical based on the true story of the Hilton twins. The Hiltons were Siamese twins who rose from poverty as a sideshow attraction to become a singing and dancing vaudeville act in the 1930s and, later, stars of some B-grade films. One … Continue reading “JOINED
AT THE HIP”