Tag Archives: conviction

“What Real Faith Looks Like” (Introduction to the Book of James)

Some time ago I was visiting with a pastor in another state, and he was talking about how there are well over 30 churches in just their small community.  He said, “You know how it is here; everyone says they … Continue reading

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Genesis 32:22-32 Teacher’s Overview of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson for 4/14/23, “Wrestled”

(A brief overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of Genesis 32:22-32, “Wrestled,” for Sunday, April 14, 2024. Includes a sample lesson introduction, outline, text highlights, illustrations, questions for your class, and … Continue reading

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“Suffering Servant, Glorious King: The Message” (Isaiah 53:1 sermon)

In the mid-1900s, a young English college student by the name of Brown Patterson went to Oxford to study English literature. Before classes began, he went out for a walk. There he saw a middle-aged man, wearing  baggy corduroy trousers, … Continue reading

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Teacher’s Overview of Lifeway “Explore the Bible” lesson of John 15:1-17, “Remain In Me”

A brief overview for Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders, of Lifeway’s “Explore the Bible” lesson of John 15:1-7 for Sunday, April 2, 2023, with the title, “Remain In Me.” (A video version of this overview is available on … Continue reading

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“I John’s Tests of Your Salvation”

Last week Cheryl & I went to the anniversary celebration at Challenger Aviation, Mike Challenger’s aviation business at Hobby Airport. Mike’s wife Mikelle’s dad is on staff at Sagemont Baptist in Houston, and we really enjoyed visiting with him and … Continue reading

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“Commissioned By His Glory” (Isaiah 6 sermon)

I’ve made it a personal tradition each Independence Day the past several years to read David McCullough’s classic, 1776, which chronicles that famous year in America’s history. One of the opening paragraphs describes George III, the King of England, proceeding … Continue reading

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“The Revelations of Psalm 19”

Olaudah Equiano grew up in Africa in the 1700’s and was sold into slavery. He eventually was able to buy his own freedom, became educated, and even published a book. But as a young man he was a servant to … Continue reading

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“Returning To The Shepherd” (I Peter 2:25 sermon)

I saw the cutest video this week: a farmer in Wales (United Kingdom) had his whole flock of about 250 sheep get out of the field they were supposed to be in, and they went into another field, which they … Continue reading

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“Pursuing Holiness” (Hebrews 12:14 sermon)

The old Puritans of England in the 1500-1600’s have gotten what J.I. Packer calls “a bad rap.” Usually if someone calls a person a “Puritan”, or says that something is “Puritanical”, they mean it as an insult: that the person … Continue reading

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“Comforting or Convicting? 4 Tests of Genuine Salvation” (I John sermon)

One of the most common questions people in our churches have is, “How can I know for sure if I’m really saved?” That’s NOT a silly question. If there really is life after death — and the Bible tells us … Continue reading

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