Sermons on Discipline
2 Chronicles 33:1-20, 2 Kings 21:1-18
Manasseh: The King with a Nose Ring Introduction: The story of Manasseh, king of Judah, is an incredible story of rebellion, repentance, and restoration. Rarely has anyone fallen as far into sin and depravity as this man fell. Rarely has anyone been rescued and restored as thoroughly as this man. But it is also true that rarely have the lasting consequences of sin been so obvious as in the story of Manasseh, the King with a Nose Ring. We have enjoyed two very encouraging…
Romans 8:1-11
The Believer’s Emancipation Proclamation Introduction: Tony Campolo writes the following account of a little girl he knew: A friend of mine has an adorable four-year-old daughter. She is bright and she is talkative. If tryouts were being held for a modern-day Shirley Temple, I think she would win hands down. One night there was a violent thunderstorm. The lightning flashed and the thunder rumbled. It was one of those terrifying storms that forces everyone to stop and tremble a bit. My friend ran upstairs to his daughter’s…
1 Cor. 4:14-21
Marks of a Good Discipler Note: This sermon was preached at First Free in Wichita in 1985. Introduction: Last words are important words. I don’t care if it’s the last words a coach says to his team before they take the field in the championship game, or the last words a President says before he leaves office, or the last words a loved one whispers before he dies. No words are considered more important than last words. Is it any surprise, then, that the…
Luke 12:35-48
Are You Ready for the Second Coming? Introduction: Friends, Jesus is coming again. We sang about it this morning. We believe it! The second coming is one of the fundamental, foundational truths of the Christian faith. It is not possible to read the Scriptures with any sort of objectivity without seeing Jesus’ return as a major theme, expectation, and hope. And we need to be ready for it! The second coming is the culmination of the person and work of Jesus Christ. As a member of the…
Revelation 2:18-29
To Thyatira: The Church of Compromise Just ten days ago on June 6, 2001, there was a feature story in U.S.A. Today entitled, “Protestants face annual sexual divide.” The subtitle was “Same-sex unions, gay clergy, female leaders divide faithful.” Listen to the opening paragraphs: Forget how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. How many views on gender, sexuality and church authority can fit under one church steeple? Should gay clergy be ordained? Are same-sex unions blessed before God the same as the marriage…
Hebrews 12:1-13
The Absolute Supremacy of Jesus Christ Many word pictures are used in the Bible to describe the adventure that is the Christian life. It is spoken of in agricultural terms (planting and harvesting), military terms (fighting the good fight), stewardship terms (faithful management), and even slavery terms (we are bond slaves to God), but no word picture is used more frequently or effectively than that of the athlete, and particularly the runner. The author of Hebrews follows up his brilliant exhibition…
2 Cor. 1:3-11
No Preferential Treatment Last Lord’s Day we launched a six-month study of the book of 2 Corinthians. I would encourage you to listen to that message if you happened to be out of town over the holidays. We provided lots of important background information for the book and talked about what we can expect to gain from this study. This morning I would like to review just a couple of important points made last Sunday. Second Corinthians is a very personal and emotional…
2 Cor. 2:5-11
Satan’s Greatest Scheme What would you say is the most representative symbol of the Church of Jesus Christ? Would you suggest a cross? If so, you’re probably in the majority. What about a fish? The ICTHUS symbol of the early Christians would not be far off either. Or maybe you think of the open Bible or the Bread and the Wine or the helping hand. All of these are positive, even sacred, symbols of the Church, and they have profound meaning and significance for all who…
2 Corinthians 13:1-14
Spiritual Authority Is for Building Up, Not Tearing Down Please turn this morning to the last chapter of the book of 2 Corinthians as we wrap up our six-month study of this powerful letter from the hand of the Apostle Paul to the church at Corinth. Please stand with me as I read God’s Word: This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” I already gave you a…