Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Healing; Perseverance; Preaching; Protection; Sorrow; Strength; Tears References: 1 Corinthians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 12:9–10; Galatians 6:9 John Claypool, pastor of the Crescent Hill Baptist Church in Louisville, had a little daughter with leukemia. When she went into remission, everybody thought God had healed her. On an Easter Sunday morning she had a recurrence. In … Continue reading “THE
BEST OF WORST TIMES”

Topics: Accomplishments; Courage; Love; Priorities; Success Reference: Amos 5:18–24 The question to ask at the end of life’s race is not so much “What have I accomplished?” but “Whom have I loved, and how courageously?” —Geoff Gorsuch, “Journey to Adelphos,” Discipleship Journal, issue 14 (March/April 1983)

Topics: Danger; Distractions; Indifference; Neglect; Responsibility; Warnings; Witnessing References: Matthew 28:16–20; Luke 24:45–49; John 3:16–21; Acts 1:8; Romans 6:23; 10:14–15; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23; 1 Peter 3:15 In March 2007, in the Kuban region of southern Russia, at least sixty-two people were killed by a fire that quickly blazed through a home for the elderly. The … Continue reading “DISARMING
TO DEATH”

Topics: Character; Compassion; Endurance; Leadership; Legacy References: Deuteronomy 15:7–8; Proverbs 21:13; Micah 6:8; Matthew 25:31–46; Galatians 2:10; James 1:26–27; 1 John 3:16–18 In August 2006, Fox News featured a television special titled “Can Rick Warren Change the World?” Throughout the show, reporters interviewed Warren about his bestselling book The Purpose Driven Life, his ministry at … Continue reading “EPITAPH
FOR RICK WARREN”

Topics: Abortion; Babies; Culture; Family; Government; Justice; Morality; Parenting; Politics; Values References: Exodus 20:13; Psalm 139; Proverbs 31:8; Isaiah 59:14; Jeremiah 1 Public support for the Roe v. Wade decision to legalize abortion continues to decline. According to a survey reported by a Harris poll in May 2006, only 49 percent of more than one … Continue reading “ABORTION
SUPPORT DECREASES”

Topics: Depravity; Faults; Final Judgment; Guilt; Redemption; Sin; Sinful Nature References: Matthew 5:30; 10:28; 25:34; Mark 9:43; 2 Corinthians 5:10 After several months of pain in my right thumb, I went to a hand specialist. As the doctor examined my hand, a nurse stood by with a clipboard. The doctor looked closely at my hand, … Continue reading “MY
ERRANT THUMB”

Topics: Betrayal; Forgiveness; Redemption; Relationships; Restoration; Stealing; Trust References: Matthew 6:12–15; 18:21–35; Colossians 3:12–14 Mark Gagnon worked as a clerk in a store owned by James Brazeau. Brazeau had promised to bring Gagnon a New England Patriots hat when he returned from the football game. Brazeau arrived as promised, hat in hand, only to discover … Continue reading “TOPPING
THE SENTENCE”

Topics: Hell; Judgment; Justice; Punishment References: Genesis 18:25; Psalm 9:7–8; Romans 11:33–36; 14:9–13 Imagine tuning into a TV courtroom trial. You can see only what the camera shows you. You don’t hear all the testimony. You don’t get to question the witnesses. You don’t get to see all the evidence. You don’t hear the instructions … Continue reading “JUDGING
THE JUDGMENT”

Topics: Family; Happiness; Morality; Self-control; Sexual Immorality; Suicide References: Jeremiah 31:31–34; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–8 Let’s face it; we are not a happier society as a result of the liberalization of the seventies. We have record rates of divorce, record rates of suicide, record rates of teenage pregnancy, record rates of youth crime, record rates of … Continue reading “AFTERMATH
OF ANYTHING GOES”

Topics: Freedom; Law; Obedience Reference: James 1:25 When I was in third grade, I was condemned to live under a law of nearsightedness. My eyes went bad, and today I am considered legally blind. I am not free; I am in bondage to this law. I hate it. But it doesn’t matter. There is no … Continue reading “SUBMITTING
TO A HIGHER LAW”