Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Death; Government; Health; Insensitivity; Law; Mortality References: Psalm 49:5–15; Romans 5:12–19; 6:20–23; Hebrews 9:27–28 If someone in your family dies too young, your family could get fined or put in jail. That’s the legislation Pereira da Silva, mayor of Biritiba-Mirim, in Brazil, is trying to pass to force the city’s 28,000 residents to get … Continue reading “FINED
FOR DYING YOUNG”

Topics: Beauty; Body; Contentment; Coveting; Faultfinding; Intimacy; Judging Others; Lust; Perfection; Pornography; Satisfaction; Self-centeredness; Sex; Vanity References: 1 Samuel 16:7; 2 Samuel 11:2–5; Proverbs 6:25; 31:30; John 7:24; Galatians 2:6; 1 Peter 3:3–5 A woman is beautiful—or not—depending on who she’s with. That’s according to psychologists Sara Gutierres and Douglas Kenrick of Arizona State University, … Continue reading “SCALE
OF BEAUTY”

Topics: Appetites; Behavior; Change; Consequences; Desires; Fear; Growth; Habits; Motivation; New Life; Repentance; Spiritual Direction; Temptation References: Genesis 4:7; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 12:1 Several years ago, I chewed long-cut Wintergreen Skoal. I know, I know. It causes cancer of the mouth and is bad for your heart and your breath, and girls are never … Continue reading “SCARED
OFF OF CHEWING TOBACCO”

Topics: Arrogance; Dependence; Depravity; Healing; Helplessness; Idealism; Limitations; Powerlessness; Self-reliance; Sinful Nature; Weakness References: Exodus 15:26; Proverbs 14:12; Ecclesiastes 7:20; 8:8; Isaiah 5:21; Hosea 6:1; Romans 3:1–26; 1 Corinthians 1:18–31; 8:2 A global day of healing on December 8, the anniversary of John Lennon’s death: that’s what Yoko Ono asked for in a full-page ad … Continue reading “SELF-HEALING
ARROGANCE”

Topics: Adversity; Body; Crisis; Disease; Healing; Health; Illness; Miracles; Overcoming; Power; Struggles; Testing References: Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 103:3; 145:8–9; Isaiah 64:3; Romans 10:8–13; James 1:2–4 Scott Adams, the creator and writer of the Dilbert cartoons, suffered from a vocal disorder—spasmodic dysphonia. With this rare disorder, a certain section of the brain simply shuts down, paralyzing … Continue reading “DILBERT
CREATOR GETS VOICE BACK”

Topics: Addiction; Appetites; Bondage; Food; Foolishness; Gluttony; Greed; Limitations; Self-control; Temptation References: Proverbs 23:1–3, 21; John 8:34; Galatians 5:1; Philippians 3:19; 1 Timothy 6:9; 2 Peter 2:19 Raynald III, a fourteenth-century duke in what is now Belgium, was grossly overweight. His Latin nickname, Crassus, means “fat.” Raynald’s younger brother Edward revolted against Raynald’s rule. Edward … Continue reading “PRISONER
OF APPETITE”

Topics: Advice; Appearance; Choices; Guidance; Marriage; Relationships; Spouses; Trust References: Proverbs 12:15; Colossians 1:18; 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:12 When finding the right fit for clothing, women trust the advice of the following people: self: 37 percent husband/significant other: 26 percent friend: 13 percent daughter: 11 percent mother: 5 percent sister: 5 percent other: 3 percent … Continue reading “FASHION
ADVISERS”

Topics: Advice; Attitudes; Body; Change; Commitment; Food; Gluttony; Goals; Health; Lifestyle; Overcoming; Stewardship; Transformation References: Proverbs 23:2; Romans 6:13; 1 Corinthians 6:12–20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Dr. Nick Yphantides used to tell his patients, “Do as I say, not as I do.” That’s because he weighed 470 pounds. But then God spoke to him about being … Continue reading “DOC
TAKES OWN ADVICE”

Topics: Beauty; Character; Christian Life; Consequences; Death; Deception; Evil; Foolishness; Salvation; Satan; Sin; Temptation References: Matthew 4:1–11; Romans 6:23; James 1:13–15; 1 John 2:15–17 The Huntington River Gorge, near Richmond, Vermont, is beautiful but deadly. In the last forty years, twenty persons (mostly young adults in their twenties and thirties) have lost their lives in … Continue reading “DEADLY
BEAUTY”

Topics: Beauty; Happiness; Lust; Modesty; Pleasure; Purity; Respect; Seduction; Stumbling Blocks References: Matthew 5:27–28; 1 Timothy 2:9–10; 1 Peter 3:3–4 When asked in Paris about the conservative nature of his 2006 fall collection, world-famous designer Miuccia Prada replied, “The super-exposure of nudity seems not to have given much happiness to women.” —Kate Betts, “Looks Like … Continue reading “BRINGING
BACK MODESTY”