Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Evangelism; Light; Missions; Witnessing References: Matthew 5:14–16; 28:18–20; John 8:12 A missionary, home on leave, was shopping for a globe of the world to take back to her mission station. The clerk showed her a reasonably priced globe and another one with a light bulb inside. “This is nicer,” the clerk said, pointing to … Continue reading “ILLUMINATING
THE WORLD”

Topics: Courage; Gratitude; Testimony; Thanksgiving References: Philippians 2:2–3; 1 John 2:6 Thirty-five years ago, I was a young second lieutenant who had just married after graduating from the Naval Academy. My wife and I went down to Quantico, Virginia, home of the school where officers learn about honor, courage, and commitment. I shared a room … Continue reading “A
MARINE’S FINAL THANKS”

Topics: Anger; Complaining; Happiness; Joy; Piety; Witnessing References: Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 9:1–2; Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 5:13–16; John 10:10 I once asked a deeply religious man if he considered himself a truly pious person. He responded that while he aspired to be one, he felt that he fell short in two areas. One was his not … Continue reading “THE
PROBLEM OF HAPPINESS”

Topics: Born Again; Christian Life; Kingdom of God; Power; Receiving Christ; Repentance; Salvation References: Mark 1:15; John 3:3–5; Romans 1:16 As a child I lived in an area of southern Missouri where electricity was available only in the form of lightning. We had more of that than we could use. But in my senior year … Continue reading “THE
ELECTRIC KINGDOM”

Topics: Behavior; Believers; Church Attendance; Devotional Life; Faith and Works; Good Deeds; Habits; Ministry; Prayer; Spiritual Disciplines; Spiritual Growth; Witnessing References: Acts 2:42–47; 1 Timothy 4:7–16 A significant increase can be seen in five of the seven core religious behaviors that the Barna Group has studied over the past decade. •     In 1995, 31 percent of … Continue reading “CHRISTIAN
CONDUCT ON UPSWING”

Topics: Cross; Evangelism; Example; Great Commission; Jesus Christ; Simplicity; Testimony; Witnessing References: Matthew 5:16; 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16; Colossians 4:6; 1 Peter 2:12; 3:15 On a recent road trip, I stopped at a McDonald’s. After placing my order, I came to the drive-up window to pay. I noticed an attractive, hand-carved cross hanging from … Continue reading “DRIVE-THROUGH
WITNESS”

Topics: Evangelism; Great Commission; Islam Reference: Matthew 28:18–20 Hafsa, a Muslim, lives down my street. I have met her son, Mousa, who skateboards with my son and talks about religion. I told Mousa that I would like to meet his mother. He gave me her phone number, and I called her. She was not home. … Continue reading “BEFRIENDING
MUSLIMS”

Topics: Conversion; Evangelism; Great Commission References: Matthew 9:12–13; 28:18–20; Mark 2:13–22; Luke 19:10 I was at a banquet in a secular setting. A group of us were sitting at a table when a guy sat down in the one empty seat. He was smooth. He said to the very attractive woman on one side, “Well, … Continue reading “WRITING
HIM OFF”

Topics: Compassion; Evangelism; Incarnation References: Luke 10:30–37; Romans 10:14 Today high school students can get through biology class without smelling like formaldehyde. That’s because they can now dissect frogs digitally. Digital Frog International Inc. sells an interactive CD-ROM for $170 that allows students to probe a croaker’s internal workings without lifting a scalpel. The impetus … Continue reading “DIGITAL
FROG DISSECTION”

Topics: Abundant Life; Evangelism; Fellowship with God; Joy; Knowing God; New Life References: Matthew 5:13–16; John 10:10; Titus 2:9–10; 1 Peter 3:15 Evangelism is not what we tell people, unless what we tell is totally consistent with who we are. It is who we are that is going to make the difference. If we do … Continue reading “CATCHING
THE FIRE”