Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Caring; Comfort; Help; Holy Spirit Reference: John 14:16–18 The Karre language of equatorial Africa was difficult for the translators of the New Testament, especially when it came to the word Paraclete. How could they describe the Holy Spirit? One day the translators saw a group of porters going off into the bush carrying bundles … Continue reading “FALLING
DOWN BESIDE US”

Topics: Circumstances and Faith; Comfort; Fear; Jesus Christ; Peace; Trust References: John 14:27; 1 Peter 5:7 During a recent conflict in the Middle East, Ron and Joke Jones, who serve with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Israel, wrote in their prayer letter: The result of the fighting and killing has left a profound sense … Continue reading “A
SHEPHERD’S COMFORT”

Topics: Jesus Christ; Resurrection Reference: Acts 1:3 Science says that if there is any such thing as infallible proof, it is the repetition of the same experiment. Experiment 1: Jesus rose from the dead, and Mary Magdalene encountered him. Experiment 2: The women encountered the risen Christ. Experiment 3: The disciples encountered Christ. Experiment 4: … Continue reading “RESURRECTION
PROOF”

Topics: Bible; Christ’s Love; Christ the King; Word of God Reference: John 1:14 Bouch, a waiter at a tavern in Chicago, wrote to the king of his homeland, Morocco. King Mohammed VI, who often interacts with his subjects in public and has freed political prisoners as well as helped the poor and disabled, wrote back. … Continue reading “LETTERS
FROM THE KING”

Topics: Birth of Christ; Christmas; Incarnation; Jesus Christ References: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 2:1–7 When asked, “If you could select any one person across all of history to interview, who would it be?” talk-show host Larry King said he would like to interview Jesus Christ. When asked, “What would you like to ask him?” … Continue reading “INTERVIEWING
CHRIST”

Topics: Caring; Compassion; Generosity; Homelessness; Humility; Hunger; Ministry; Poverty; Presence of God; Sacrifice; Service; Sharing; Stewardship References: Proverbs 29:7; Matthew 10:42; 25:31–46; Luke 6:20–21; 12:32–34; Acts 2:45; Galatians 2:10; 1 John 3:16–17 Shane Claiborne, who has taken the gospel beyond the streets of Philadelphia to the slums of Calcutta and the war zones of Iraq, … Continue reading “JESUS
IN THE HOMELESS”

Topics: Atonement; Cross; Disobedience; Good Shepherd; Rebellion; Salvation; Sin References: Isaiah 53:1–6; John 10:11; 1 Peter 2:24–25 It is the nature of sheep to stray and get in harm’s way, whether from hungry wolves or steep canyons. For centuries, shepherds have used various methods—from staff to dog—to keep sheep from straying from the safety of … Continue reading “THE
DANGERS OF STRAYING”

Topics: Atonement; Changed Heart; Evangelism; Ministry; Missions; Obedience; Outreach; Rewards; Sacrifice; Vision References: Matthew 6:19–20; 25:14–30; John 12:24; Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:6 Assemblies of God missionary J. W. Tucker knew he was at risk when anarchy broke out in the Belgian Congo in 1964, but he stayed where God … Continue reading “BLOOD
IN THE RIVER”

Topics: Adoption; Atonement; Blood of Christ; Gift of Righteousness; Rescue; Salvation References: John 1:29; Romans 8:15–17; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:22–24; Colossians 3:9–10; 1 Peter 1:18–21 If you go to Scotland or anywhere there are a lot of sheep, sooner or later you will see a little lamb running around the field with what looks like … Continue reading “SAVED
BY THE FLEECE”

Topics: Accepting Christ; Bible; Divine Power; Experiencing God; God’s Love; Grace; Jesus Christ; Missions; Resurrection; Spiritual Perception; Surrender; Truth References: Matthew 28:1–10; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–12; John 11:25; 14:6; 20:1–18; Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:17–20; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:3 When I was about age six, a tall, pale white man stumbled into my home … Continue reading “THE
LANGUAGE OF RESURRECTION”