Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Benevolence; Church Attendance; Community Impact; Compassion; Generosity; Giving; Godliness; Poverty; Sacrifice; Secularism; Self-denial; Self-discipline; Social Action; Stewardship; Tithing References: Deuteronomy 15:7; Proverbs 19:17; Malachi 3; Matthew 19:21; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:7 Conservative Christians put their money where their mouth is when it comes to giving. That’s according to a study from Syracuse University … Continue reading “CONSERVATIVE
CHRISTIANS GIVE MORE”

Topics: Contentment; Finances; Generosity; Giving; Greed; Luxury; Materialism; Perspective; Possessions; Prosperity; Riches; Stewardship; Stinginess; Tithing References: Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 25:14–30; Luke 12:48; 16:13; 2 Corinthians 9:6–8 A man once came to Peter Marshall, former chaplain of the Unites States Senate, with a concern about tithing. “I have a problem,” he said. “I have … Continue reading “A
TITHE TOO MUCH”

Topics: Cost; Finances; Generosity; Giving; Materialism; Missions; Needs; Poverty; Social Action; Stewardship; Tithing References: Deuteronomy 15:11; Proverbs 11:25; 22:9; Malachi 3:8–10; 2 Corinthians 9:5–11; 1 Timothy 6:8 If church members in the United States increased their giving to 10 percent of their income, there could be an additional $86 billion available for overseas missions. And … Continue reading “THE
CURE FOR WORLD POVERTY”

Topics: Childlike Faith; Children; Contentment; Example; Friendship; Generosity; Giving; Kindness; Sharing; Stewardship; Tithing References: Leviticus 27:30; Proverbs 11:24–25; Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 9:6–8 You remember Smarties, a row of multicolored, chalklike, bite-size candies wrapped in clear plastic, about ten to twelve pieces in a pack? They are perfect for sharing. I … Continue reading “SMARTIES
TO SHARE”

Topics: Dependence on God; God’s Faithfulness; Needs; Providence; Provision; Trust References: Genesis 22:14; Isaiah 61:1–4; Matthew 8:23–27; 17:27; Mark 4:35–41; Luke 8:22–25 On a recent service trip to the Hurricane Katrina-ravaged coast of Mississippi, we worked at a home that was owned by a retired United Methodist pastor. Rev. Jones said he and his wife … Continue reading “A
TIMELY GIFT”

Topics: Benevolence; Generosity; Giving; Money; Possessions; Stewardship References: Matthew 6:19–21; 2 Corinthians 9:6–10; 1 Peter 4:10 During John Wesley’s life (1703–91), Britain experienced rapid urbanization and the beginnings of industrialization. This caused the collapse of rural economies and problems in city centers, such as overcrowding, disease, crime, unemployment, debt, substance abuse, and even insanity (London … Continue reading “WESLEY’S
GIVING”

Topics: Forgiveness; Grace; Mercy; Pardon References: Matthew 6:14–15; Luke 7:36–50; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12–13 The parents of Matthew Shepard, the young gay man who was murdered in Wyoming in 1998, rejoiced over the guilty verdicts a Laramie jury handed down to Matthew’s murderers in November 1999. The judge told a packed courtroom that the jury’s … Continue reading “FORGIVING
MURDERERS”

Topics: Enemies; Forgiveness; Grace; Love; Tragedy Reference: Matthew 5:43–48 In May 1987, thirty-nine American seamen were killed in the Persian Gulf when an Iraqi pilot hit their ship, the USS Stark, with a missile. The son of one of these seamen, John Kiser, age five, stood with his hand on his heart as his father’s … Continue reading “NO
GRUDGE”

Topics: Bigotry; Conflict; Forgiveness; Hatred; Racism; Reconciliation References: Matthew 5:43–48; 6:14–15; 18:21–35; 2 Corinthians 5:18–20; Hebrews 12:14–15 Vivian Malone, a young black woman, enrolled as a student at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 1963. Federal troops helped ensure her entrance into the school, but Governor George Wallace tried to block her way. When … Continue reading “FORGIVING
BIGOTRY”

Topics: Change; Confession; Conscience; Consequences; Emptiness; Forgiveness; Guilt; Honesty; Integrity; Pardon; Reconciliation; Shame References: Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; Ezekiel 18:31; Acts 3:19; Romans 6:16; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Hebrews 10:22; 1 John 1:9 After John Jefferson robbed a Krispy Kreme Doughnut store in Kingsport, Tennessee, in 1999, he bought dope. But he couldn’t enjoy it because … Continue reading “RELIEVED
OF STOLEN MONEY”