Archives: Sermons

Be as Stubborn as a Mule (1 John 2:18-25)

I read this week that mules are some of the hardest working creatures on many farms. Mules often have the best of characteristics of their parents: horses and donkeys. Mules are quite strong, being able to carry between 200 and 350 pounds, and can carry this load for up to 15 miles without resting. Wikipedia claims that they are “more patient, sure-footed, hardy and long-lived than horses, and they are considered less obstinate, faster, and more intelligent than donkeys.” So if mules are so great, how did the saying “stubborn as a mule”…continue reading →

It Matters Whether You Win or Lose (1 John 2:12-17)

Finish the saying, "It doesn't matter whether you win or lose, but it's _________." Fathers have comforted their children with these words for many generations. And it's true when it comes to sports and games where nothing is at stake. A couple nights ago, Abby and I played monopoly after the kids went to bed. Something you have to understand about us is that we're very competitive people. Well, she beat me. She almost always does. But that's okay, because it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, but it's how you play…continue reading →

Don’t Get Mad, Get Even (1 John 2:7-11)

Have you heard this expression before? “Don't get mad, get even.” Usually what's meant by this expression is that we shouldn't let hateful actions of others bother us, but that we should do something equally hateful back to them. I read a story about an artist who had a dog that meant more to him than anything in the world. One day the dog broke its leg, and the artist was panic-stricken. He ran to the phone and called a friend of his, a skilled surgeon, to come quick, because “it was a…continue reading →

Don’t Get Mad, Get Even (1 John 2:7-11)

Have you heard this expression before? “Don't get mad, get even.” Usually what's meant by this expression is that we shouldn't let hateful actions of others bother us, but that we should do something equally hateful back to them. I read a story about an artist who had a dog that meant more to him than anything in the world. One day the dog broke its leg, and the artist was panic-stricken. He ran to the phone and called a friend of his, a skilled surgeon, to come quick, because “it was a…continue reading →

For You (1 Peter 5:5-7)

There's only one phrase left to talk about in 1 Peter 5:7 - the last two words of the verse. Jesus not only cares for all people, He cares for you specifically. The message of the gospel isn't merely for everybody in general, it's for you specifically. I wish I could sit down with each one of you one on one and tell you how much Jesus cares for you. It seems like the intimate, personal touch of Christ's love gets forgotten when preached before so many people. Imagine that you're the only…continue reading →

Because He Cares (1 Peter 5:7)

A big question that teenagers have is, "Do people care about me?" Nearly every teenager asks this question. A woman went to a psychiatrist once and told him that she had a inferiority complex. She said, "I don't have any friends, I don't have a job, and I don't do anything but sit at home and watch Oprah." After listening to her complain for an hour about all her problems, he thought for a moment and said, "Well, the good news is, I don't think you have a complex about it at all!"…continue reading →

Upon Him (1 Peter 5:7)

Who do you run to when you're exhausted and tired? Why do you run to them? I remember when my older brother was about 7 years old, he stepped on a bees nest and was stung by over 300 bees. He ran straight for mom. He knew she would take care of him. She'd make it all better. Who we run to when we're burdened clearly shows a great deal about our heart. I hope to impress on all of you the importance of running to Jesus. “Cast all your cares upon Him,…continue reading →

Cast All Your Cares (1 Peter 5:7)

I'm also extremely burdened for you all. So many teenage girls live life on an emotional roller coaster. I love some roller coasters, but some of them just scare me to death. My goal isn't so much to get you off the roller coaster, but to show you that while you're on it, you don't have to worry about the next curve around the bend. You can trust God, and know that He will be with you throughout the ride. I have three children: two girls and a boy. My girls will be…continue reading →

Don’t Believe in Yourself (1 John 2:1-6)

It seems like the message of modern psychology is that we should have good self-esteem. We're told, “Follow your heart!” “Trust your instincts!” “Believe in yourself!” But the truth is, we are a sinful people. The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) The Bible's message is not that we should believe in ourselves, but to believe in Jesus! “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have…continue reading →

Don’t Believe in Yourself (1 John 2:1-6)

It seems like the message of modern psychology is that we should have good self-esteem. We're told, “Follow your heart!” “Trust your instincts!” “Believe in yourself!” But the truth is, we are a sinful people. The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) The Bible's message is not that we should believe in ourselves, but to believe in Jesus! “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have…continue reading →