 | When the Jail House Rocked Acts
16:20-33 (Redick) Perhaps one of the reasons churches are so inclined to make their worship services a big, entertaining production today in order to attract people is that we, for the most part, lack the kind of courage that was attracting these hardened sinners in this hell-hole prison! |
| Three Magnificent Moms Various
Texts (Redick) A good mom must be brave at times even if her child doesn’t grow up to be a Moses. She must occasionally stand against the flow of events. She must stand up and say "no" when it seems every other human being in the world is saying "yes." Her children must be cared for in a manner that only she can provide. She is their earliest defender. She is their first-line advocate. God has placed within her that "natural affection" that gives her courage beyond her own fear when it is necessary. Sometimes she must love her children even more than her own life. |
| My Husband, My Abuser Various
Texts (Redick) I have been involved with church members and their spouses, both men and women, who were perpetrators of domestic violence. I recall one incident in which my family and I were threatened physically by an abuser for intervening on behalf of his wife. The threat was serious enough that the local police department patrolled the vicinity of our home for a time. In another incident I was threatened with a lawsuit in a situation where, allegedly, a Christian wife took a baseball bat to her new Christian husband. It is often difficult to know precisely what happens behind closed doors, and how much of this kind of thing actually happens in Christian homes, but I believe the problem is significant enough to merit our attention. Even one case of domestic violence is too many in my view, especially when it happens in a home where Christians live. |
| The Party Doesn't Have to be Over Various
Texts (Redick) Nothing is said in the Bible specifically about dating. The culture in which the Scripture was written knew nothing of it as we do today. In that day, a couple saw very little of each other until they were actually husband and wife. So, unless we would wish to go back to parent-arranged marriages, we are left to deduce and apply general principles rather than specific ones in order to get our guidelines. But that's OK. That is precisely what makes the Bible the piece of timeless instruction that it is. |
| Why Do We Baptize People? Matthew
28:19-20 (Helt) There are many things that we do in church that might seem a bit "odd" to people who didn’t grow up going to church. If you think about it, many of the things that we do here are quite a bit different than what is the norm in our society. Even such a simple thing as "non-performance singing" isn’t something people do very often. We’re very used to people performing music, but who sits around campfires singing songs anymore? Nobody. In what other context do people come together and spend time singing, when they’re not practicing for performance or making a fool of themselves at a karaoke bar? |
| Be the Parent God Wants You to Be
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (Helt) This is a sermon preached on Mother's Day. It could easily be adapted for Father's Day as well - or for a general message on parenting. |
| Fathers - Don't Exasperate Your Children!
Colossians 3:21; Ephesians 6:4 (Redick) These words mean more than that we just teach our children about the things of the Lord. They go beyond teaching them all the right things, though that is important. They address the manner in which we go about our teaching and discipline. We need to apply the same manner of discipline and instruction to our children that the Lord does to His. |
| Secret Service Matthew
6:1-6; 16-18 (Redick) Deeds of righteousness done only to draw attention to self or to glorify the doer of the deed will have no heavenly reward. Said another way, if one's motives for doing deeds of righteousness go no further than to gain the approval of others for selfish reasons, that one should expect nothing in return from God. |
| In Defense of Men Various
Texts (Helt) Men, we have a perception problem. Many people have come to think of all of us as somewhat lazy, obsessed with superficiality, unintelligent, self-centered, uncaring, and, in many ways, more trouble than we’re worth. It’s kind of like the little girl who asked her mother: "Mommy, if Santa Claus brings our presents, and God gives us our daily bread, and Uncle Sam gives us Social Security, why do we keep daddy around?" |
| Jason and Amber's Wedding (Redick) We make this available after numerous requests from Preacher's Study subscribers to provide guidance for conducting weddings. An order of service that was used in this wedding is also provided. |
| Devotion vs. Duty Luke
10:38-42 (Helt) Mary’s example is great. We need to focus on being devoted to God; but Martha will keep us honest and remind us that we still live in this world, with its physical needs, concerns, and with people who don’t yet know how great it is to sit at Jesus’ feet. |
| How to Get Your Financial Life in Order
Proverbs 3:9-10 (Redick) Actual ownership versus caring for the property of another changes the attitude. For instance, it’s much harder to be stingy if you don’t own anything. It’s much more difficult to worry or get stressed out when the property isn’t yours. It’s also much easier to give away or share that which belongs to another than that which belongs to yourself. |
| Holes: What to Do When God Won't Take Your
Troubles Away 1 Corinthians 12:1-10 (Redick) "If it weren’t for this difficulty, this hole in my life, I’d be really happy and could serve God to the fullest. But as it is I’m not a full person. I can’t serve God effectively and I don’t understand why God doesn’t do something to change things. Why doesn’t He deliver me? Why doesn’t He take this problem away?" |
| The Little Big Brother Luke
15:25-32 (Rasmussen) Some children never get enough. Are you one of those? When did you last recognize a gift from the Lord? You didn’t make the sun rise today, did you? You didn’t provide your family with excellent health, did you? You didn’t secure your salvation for all eternity, did you? Or did you? |
| Sometimes You're Wrong! Acts
11:1-18 (Rasmussen) Do you see why we need to always be very careful with our criticism? We may be wrong! We can even think we’re defending the truth – and be wrong. |
| You Just Never Know Acts
9:1-9 (Rasmussen) Do you suppose anyone at all in that day was praying for Saul’s conversion? Did anyone in any of the Christians circles of that day even think to mention his name? As the brethren met for prayer, do you suppose there was a single piece of papyrus with his name of someone’s prayer list? |
| Why is there Pain, Suffering, and Death in
a World God Designed? Various Texts (Redick) It was man, not God, who brought pain, suffering, and death into the world. This is perhaps the most pernicious result of a naturalistic worldview. It has man shaking his fist and blaming God for what rightly belongs to himself. |
| Agent Ananias Acts
9:10-19a (Rasmussen) At first glance, even we might question the Lord’s sending Ananias. After all, this was Saul – the man who was to become the great Apostle Paul – the man who wrote nearly half of our New Testament. They couldn’t afford to blow this one. Shouldn’t this conversion involve a professional? Shouldn’t it be Peter who goes to Damascus, or maybe John? But instead God chooses one of the very ones Saul had been planning to persecute. |
| God's One Track Mind Acts
9:32-42 (Rasmussen) Think about where you work. I don’t care what you are – butcher, baker or candlestick maker – as far as God is concerned, you are employed where you are first and foremost as His messenger. It matters not what special gift you may have from God. You may be an encourager, and administrator, a mercy giver or something else. You may or may not have a special gift to be an evangelist. You need to know that God sees you first as one of His messengers. |
| Roots: Lessons from the Lineage of Jesus
Matthew 1:1-17 (Redick) Genealogical lists are found in Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Ruth, 1 Chronicles, Matthew, and Luke. Someone has commented that they are so dull, from the standpoint of our way of thinking that if we were writing a biography and started it with a genealogical list, our editor would cancel the book contract! They don’t make very good devotional reading. Yet they’re in the Word of God and every part of God’s word is important. So what are we to make of them? Why are they there? What would God have us learn from them? In this message I hope to put a sharper point on what most of us probably perceive as a very dull subject. |
| Fundamentals of the Christian Race
1 Corinthians 9:24 (Redick) There are fundamentals in the Christian race as well – basics that perhaps sound no less obvious or any more new and exciting than accelerating and steering on a modern race track. But they are necessary. |
| The Folly of Fighting God Acts
12:1-23 (Redick) To be sure, men have tried to oppose God. They have defied Him, mocked Him, and blasphemed His Holy Name. You don’t have to look far to find modern examples of it. Sometimes they seem to escape any kind of justice, but believe me, no one succeeds who takes God on. There may be delay sometimes, before justice comes. There is even grace. For a while it may appear that one who sets himself or herself against God is actually winning. But God will always have the final say and those who oppose will always be judged. |
| Seven Important Things to Remember About
the Christian Faith Various Texts (Redick) "...God, our Creator, has let us know what He is like and what He wants us to do. He has not left us to guess or to stumble around in the darkness. He has not told us everything there is to know but He has told us all we need to know in order to seek Him and find Him and have a relationship with Him. He has not left us to speculate or guess about the important things of life. God has spoken to man." |
| Keepers of the Springs Proverbs
4:23 (Redick) In every age, past, present, or future, there are those who are - indeed who must be - "Keepers of the Springs." These are people who make it their business to keep pure the vital currents that run through our lives and our culture, because if they don’t, there is soon a pollution about life that kills. |
| Getting a Better Grip on the Word of God 2
Timothy 2:15 (Redick) With his reading bogged down, Joe cannot buck the growing conviction that maybe he was wrong after all about understanding the Word of God for himself. After a few more days of difficulty, he closes his Bible and puts it aside. |
| Funeral Service for a Non-Christian
Husband and Father (Redick) In the family, a person has worth just because he is family. A man’s loved ones and relatives notice and appreciate the things that society skips over. While society might only remember the great speeches or great accomplishments of the few, family remembers the little things and the milestones that make a person what he is. |
| The World's Most Famous Thief Matthew
27:38-44; Luke 23:39-43 (Redick) So is the case of the thief on the cross the exception that nullifies all of these words spoken by Christ and His apostles - or could we be missing something |
| Faith and Works: How They Relate to Our
Salvation Romans 5:1 and other Passages (Redick) If you have been around Christianity and the Bible for very long, you know that one of the great controversies is the relationship between faith and works. If you haven’t noticed that yet, and you have an interest in Christ, rest assured, it will find you soon enough. |
| Fire in the Bones: Jeremiah's
Faithfulness in Preaching the Word of God Jeremiah 20:9 (Redick) This sermon was delivered at a summer camp called New Life Northwest in Washougal, Washington on June 23rd, 2004. The introduction, a mock resignation, apparently shook quite a few in the audience as rapt attention was paid to the rest of the sermon. At the end, someone spontaneously called for a standing ovation to all the preachers that were present. |
| The Age of Accountability Question Various
Texts (Redick) As I see it, two things are required to properly respond to the gospel: Understanding and commitment. One who obeys the gospel must understand issues like faith, repentance, and baptism. He or she needs to know both what these things mean and how they apply personally. While it may be easy for some young children to learn the facts of the gospel so as to be able to give the right answers when questioned, there is more involved than just repeating right answers. |
| A Lot About Lots Acts 1:21-26
(Redick) When we get into a spot of needing to make a decision and there is some risk involved, should we cast lots? |
| Victory Over the Disappointments of
Life Various Texts (Dailey) Wise counsel from a preacher who has experienced his share of disappointment. |
| When Anger Boils Over: The Story of Cain
and Abel Genesis 4:1-16 (Redick) Whether Cain’s murderous blow inflicted upon his brother, Abel, was premeditated or not, I don’t know. But it must have seemed strange for Cain to look down upon the still warm and bleeding corpse of his brother. Not desensitized yet to the shedding of human blood by years of wars and homicides and news of killings of passion, it must have seemed strange to Cain to have killed his brother. It was the first human on human violence that ever led to death. |
| What You Don't Know Can Hurt You Various
Texts (Redick) "...It seems these days that less and less is known about God and His word and people care less and less for any efforts that try to change this sorry state. They want to have fun. They want a light touch from a winsome preacher. They want to feel good with minimal effort. They don’t want to pursue knowledge because it requires more than they’re willing to give. 'Bible study? Come on! Isn’t that kind of old fashioned? We don’t need that. All we need is John 3:16 and a few religious bestsellers.'" |
| How to Be Your Own Worst Enemy Various
Texts (Redick) I'm kind of bored with the same old approach all the time of teaching you and trying to persuade you to adopt the things of God so I’m going to join the other side. Yes, you heard me right. This morning I’m going to be an advocate for the devil. |
| Peter and the "Great Eight":
Progressive and Active Christianity 2 Peter 1:5-9 (Walker) Peter wants us to grasp the basics - to get a firm grip on the basics. He's calling us today to Progressive and Active Christianity. But then when you think about that for a moment - what other kind of Christianity is there? |
| Coping with Painful Regrets: How an
Apostle Dealt with a Shameful Past 1 Timothy 1:12-17;
Philippians 3:12-14 (Redick) There are times, however, when getting beyond the regret of past issues is more difficult and may indeed seem impossible. Perhaps we’ve done or said something that had lasting consequences that haunt us even today – such that no matter how hard we try to forget, the painful memories continue to make us miserable. |
| The Word of the Cross 1
Corinthians 1:18-31 (Redick) Men expect God to come impressing them with great strength in signs and wonders or wowing them with wisdom that rivals the greatest thinking among men through the ages. Instead He shows up in a stable, grows up in a despised city, is scorned and rejected by the vast majority of those in the know. He is an instant hit with the common man but those stuck on themselves cannot abide Him for even a minute. |
| Bread Alone - It'll Never Do Matthew
4:4 (Walker) "Even here, hungry, with the undisputed power to turn the stones into a marvelous meal, Jesus knows there is something infinitely more important than bread." |
| How to Make the Thanksgiving Section
of Someone Else's Prayer List - Philemon Series: Part 1 of 3 Philemon
1-7 (Walker) Paul's words are "dear friend." Someone as close as a brother or sister. Someone who feels like family, but is not genetically related. No DNA match. But it doesn't matter. |
| How to Be Persuasive without Being a
Pest - Philemon Series: Part 2 of 3 Philemon 8-17 (Walker) Paul's was putting his friendship on the line, asking a big favor, asking for Philemon to do what he felt was the right thing. To either release Onesimus, or to at the very least, not punish him when he returned. Onesimus was the one probably carrying this letter. I wonder if he felt a little like Uriah carrying David's letter back to the front lines. |
| Jesus Has Made all the Difference in Our
Lives - Philemon Series: Part 3 of 3 Philemon 11-19 (Walker) Even if we chase the rainbow, the pot is empty. The yellow brick road doesn’t really lead to Oz. It leads to the desperate realization that life is just life. As we reach out to grab it as it goes hurriedly by us, we don’t seem to be able to hold on it to. Nothing we do slows it down. |
| Things We Can be Grateful For - Even in Our Time of Loss - A Funeral sermon (Redick) |
| Why All this Opposition to Christmas?
(Redick) What if, though we lament the state of things in our world around us, and wonder sometimes why God doesn’t intervene, we don’t care enough to carry our part of the load? We don’t pray for God’s will to be done on the earth. We don’t pray for kings and for all those in authority? |
| Twelve Fresh New Goals for the New Year
(Redick) Remember, you can't hit a target you don't aim at. You cannot move forward at more than a snails pace if you don't set goals that are beyond what you are currently doing.
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