Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Communication; Evangelism; Gospel; Opportunity; Purpose; Witnessing References: Matthew 28:19–20; John 3:16; Ephesians 3:6–7; 5:15–16; Colossians 4:5; 2 Timothy 4:1–5 Billy Graham was so focused on bringing his message into every endeavor—even in something so simple as a sound check—that he would somehow always find a way to do it. “One of the distinctives of … Continue reading “SOUND
CHECK FOR BILLY”

Topics: Anxiety; Courage; Evangelism; Fear; Guidance; Hearing God; Leading of the Holy Spirit; Seekers; Witnessing References: Matthew 28:18–20; Mark 16:15; Luke 19:9–10; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16; 1 Peter 3:15 On the flight from Chicago to Lincoln, Nebraska, I sat next to a Saudi Arabian guy, Ali, who was on his way to start college in … Continue reading “EXHILARATING
WITNESS”

Topics: Evangelism; Prayer; Testimony; Witnessing References: Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; 3:1–8; 5:20; 1 Peter 3:15 The biggest hindrance for a lot of us in sharing Christ is that we don’t see a natural and gracious opportunity to do that. I do a lot of evangelism at Einstein’s Bagels, where I hang out for … Continue reading “COFFEE
SHOP WITNESS”

Topics: Courage; Decisions; Enemies; Evangelism; Love; Ministry; Persecution; Sanctification; Spiritual Formation; Witnessing References: Matthew 5:43–44; Luke 6:27, 35; Acts 7:55–60; Romans 12:20 Bible college professor Yohanna Katanacho, who pastors a small church in Jerusalem, is subjected to much persecution. Israeli soldiers who patrol the city looking for potential terrorists impose spontaneous curfews on Palestinians and … Continue reading “A
PALESTINIAN PASTOR’S RADICAL LOVE”

Topics: Conduct; Culture; Evangelism; Humility; Judging Others; Lifestyle Evangelism; Ministry; Missions; Preaching; Seekers; Service; Teaching; Vision; Witnessing References: Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:14; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23; 1 Peter 3:15 When Matteo Ricci, an Italian Jesuit scholar, finally gained permission to enter China in 1583 (the Chinese authorities generally didn’t allow Europeans to enter at … Continue reading “WISDOM
SEEKER WINS CHINESE”

Topics: Beliefs; Evangelism; Judging Others; Legalism; Preaching; Religion; Teaching; Testimony; Witnessing References: Matthew 6:5; 7:12; 28:19–20; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23; 1 Peter 3:15 Every day, at exactly the same time, Margaret would go to the bathroom cabinet, open it, and take out a huge bottle of castor oil. Then she would head to the kitchen to … Continue reading “CASTOR
OIL LOVE”

Topics: Boldness; Evangelism; Gospel; Israel; Jesus Christ; Judaism; Messiah; Missions; Testimony; Witnessing References: Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11; 1 Peter 3:15 In the summer of 2006, two hundred missionaries with Jews for Jesus worked the streets of New York City, which has the largest Jewish population in the world … Continue reading “TAKING
JESUS TO THE STREETS”

Topics: Calling; Children; Creativity; Defeat; Direction; Encouragement; Fear; Goals; Influence; Mediocrity; Parenting; Peer Pressure; Purpose; Self-worth; Vision References: Proverbs 3:27; Romans 15:2; Ephesians 4:29; 6:4; Colossians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Timothy 4:12 For more than thirty years, Gordon MacKenzie worked at Hallmark. Along with challenging corporate normalcy at the card company, MacKenzie did a … Continue reading “VALIDATING
CREATIVITY”

Topics: Beauty; Humanism; Naturalism; Nature; New Age; Worldview Reference: Romans 1:18–23 The main point of Christianity is this: Nature is not our mother; Nature is our sister. We can be proud of her beauty, since we have the same Father; but she has no authority over us; we have to admire, but not to imitate. … Continue reading “ADMIRING
SISTER NATURE”

Topics: Awe; Creation; Holiness; Spiritual Perception; Vision; Wonder; Worship References: Exodus 3:5; Romans 1:20 Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees takes off his shoes— The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries. —Elizabeth Barrett Browning, from “Aurora Leigh”