Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Evil; Hatred; Human Condition; Human Nature; Inexplicability of Evil; Sin; Violence References: Romans 1:18–32; 3:9–20 Former United Nations leader Kofi Annan traveled the world visiting areas of some of the worst violence and cruelty in human history. He often wonders about man’s cruelty to man. “I’m still struggling with evil,” he says. “I still … Continue reading “DUMBFOUNDED
BY EVIL”

Topics: Apology; Conflict; Negligence; Reconciliation; Relationships; Self-control; Tongue; Unity; Words References: Proverbs 16:27; James 3:1–12 More than a thousand firefighters battled a wildfire for two weeks in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The fire started August 24, 2000, and was not contained until September 8. Meanwhile, more than eighty thousand acres of valuable timber … Continue reading “WILDFIRE
OF WORDS”

Topics: Conscience; Crime; Parenting; Prisons; Youth References: Romans 2:12–16; 3:9–26; 1 Timothy 4:1–3; Titus 1:15 More than ever before in American history—indeed in Western history—we are witnessing the near-death of conscience. An incident in Indiana a few years ago brought this home to me. I had visited the prison several times before, but that day … Continue reading “UNFORMED
CONSCIENCES”

Topics: Blame; Free Will; Invitation; Salvation; Sin; Suffering References: Isaiah 55:1–3; Matthew 23:37–39; Romans 2:4–5; 1 Timothy 2:1–6; James 1:13–15; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 22:17 A preacher and a barber were walking through city slums. “If God was as kind as you say, he wouldn’t permit all this poverty, disease and squalor,” the barber said. … Continue reading “BLAMING
GOD FOR EVIL”

Topics: Human Condition; Human Nature; Original Sin; Sin References: Romans 5:12–21; 1 Corinthians 15:19–26 In Oregon’s Malheur National Forest, a fungus has spread through tree roots across twenty-two hundred acres, making it the largest living organism ever found. The Armillaria Ostoyae, also called “honey mushroom,” started from a single microscopic spore. Yet it has been … Continue reading “SPREADING
HONEY MUSHROOM”

Topics: Devil; Discernment; Evil; Satan; Truth References: Genesis 3:1–7; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 2:11; 11:14–15; Ephesians 6:10–18; 1 Peter 5:8 In a Twilight Zone episode from 1960, an American on a walking trip through Central Europe gets caught in a raging storm. Staggering through the blinding rain, he sees an imposing medieval castle, which is … Continue reading “RECOGNIZING
SATAN”

Topics: Adultery; Marriage; Sex; Sin; Temptation References: Exodus 20:14; Romans 1:21–32; Hebrews 13:4 A publisher’s review of a recent book describes it as “a thoughtful, detailed discussion of every aspect of considering, preparing for, beginning, and conducting a successful and emotionally fulfilling extramarital affair.” The name of the book is Affair! How to Manage Every … Continue reading “LIES
FOR SALE”

Topics: Christian Life; Compromise; Convictions; Courage; Evil; Sacrifice References: 2 Timothy 1:8; 3:12 Martin Niemoeller, a World War I hero in Germany as a U-boat captain, was later imprisoned for eight years by Hitler on charges of treason. From 1937 to 1945, he spent time in prisons and concentration camps, including Dachau. Still, Hitler realized … Continue reading “JAILED
FOR A CAUSE”

Topics: Confession; Conscience; Guilt; Honesty; Integrity; Repentance; Restitution; Stealing References: Exodus 20:15; Matthew 6:24; Ephesians 4:28 A shoplifter wrote to a department store, saying, “I’ve just become a Christian, and I can’t sleep at night because I feel guilty. So here’s $100 that I owe you.” He signed his name then added a little PS: … Continue reading “GUILT
CHECK”

Topics: Addiction; Bondage; Desires; Drugs References: Romans 6:16; 8:5; 1 Peter 1:13–16; 2 Peter 2:19 Support for legalizing marijuana is at its highest level in more than thirty years, according to a USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll. The poll found that 34 percent of American adults favor legalizing marijuana use while 62 percent oppose it. That’s the … Continue reading “LEGALIZING
MARIJUANA”