Insight for Living

The Bible-Teaching Ministry of Pastor Chuck Swindoll

You are here: Home / Archives for 2013

2013

New Years 2013 Message

As we stand at the threshold of a new year, I want to ask you: Are you truly living, or are you just passing the time? Many of us approach a new calendar with a list of resolutions, hoping to change our habits, but Jesus came to offer us something much deeper than a habit change. He came so that we might have life, and have it abundantly.

In this message, ‘Living the Life,’ we look at what that abundance really means. It isn’t about the size of your bank account or the absence of trials. In fact, some of the most ‘abundant’ lives I’ve ever seen were lived in the middle of deep suffering. Abundant living is the life of Jesus Christ being lived out through you. It’s the shift from a ‘scarcity mindset’—where we fight for what we want—to an ‘abundance mindset,’ where we rest in what He has already provided. My friend, don’t settle for a dull, boring, or futile existence this year. Let’s look at how to step out of our small shells and into the expansive, joyful life that only the Savior can provide.


As the calendar turns, many of us feel the pressure to reinvent ourselves through resolutions that rarely last. In this special New Year’s message, Chuck Swindoll offers a different approach. Rather than focusing on temporary changes, we are challenged to “get a life”—specifically, the life God intended for us to live. This series serves as a spiritual reset, encouraging us to trade the frantic pursuit of the “next big thing” for a steady, meaningful walk with the Lord.

Message 1: Another Year . . . Get a Life!

Sermon Summary The arrival of a new year often brings a mix of nostalgia for the past and anxiety for the future. Chuck addresses the tendency to drift through life without a clear sense of purpose or divine direction. By examining what it truly means to have “life” in the biblical sense, this message provides a roadmap for living with intentionality, joy, and spiritual vitality. We learn that a life well-lived isn’t about the quantity of our activities, but the quality of our connection to the Author of Life.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Spiritual Intentionality: Moving from a passive existence to a proactive pursuit of God’s will.
  • The Gift of Time: Recognizing each new year as a stewardship opportunity granted by God.
  • Vitality in Christ: Understanding that true life is found in a relationship with Jesus, not in external achievements or resolutions.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • John 10:10: The promise that Christ came so that we might have life and have it abundantly.

Common Questions about Starting a New Year (FAQ)

Why do New Year’s resolutions often fail? Most resolutions fail because they focus on outward behavior modification rather than inward heart transformation. True change begins when we align our desires with God’s Word and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than just our own willpower.

How can I find my purpose for the coming year? Finding your purpose begins with seeking God’s kingdom first. Instead of asking what you want to achieve, ask how God wants to use your specific gifts and circumstances to honor Him and serve others in the year ahead.

Is it biblical to plan for the future? Yes, stewardship involves wise planning. However, the Bible reminds us to hold our plans loosely, always submitting them to the sovereignty of God and acknowledging that He directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9).

How do I overcome the regrets of the previous year? The Gospel provides the ultimate solution for regret: grace and forgiveness. By confessing past failures and embracing God’s mercy, you can move into the new year with a clean slate, leaving the “trash” of the past at the foot of the Cross.

Written by

Easter 2013

Chapters in this service:

  1. Prelude: Overture for Easter Morning (4:59)
  2. Introduction—Chuck Swindoll (0:59)
  3. An Easter Symphony (1:09)
  4. Alleluia! Alleluia! (1:36)
  5. Rejoice, the Lord Is King (2:42)
  6. Crown Him with Many Crowns (4:19)
  7. Scripture Reading—Chuck Swindoll (4:16)
  8. Opening Prayer—Chuck Swindoll (3:32)
  9. Arise (4:23)
  10. Chuck Swindoll—The Morning They Shouted: ‘He Is Risen!’”
  11. Christ Is Risen! Alleluia! (3:42)


Resurrection changes everything. It is the hinge upon which all of human history and the hope of every Christian turns. In this special Easter service, Chuck Swindoll explores the dramatic shift from the fear and despair of the tomb to the shouting joy of the empty grave. Through a blend of powerful scripture, prayer, and teaching, we are reminded that because Jesus is risen, we no longer serve a dead historical figure, but a living Savior who intercedes for us in heaven today.

Message 1: The Morning They Shouted

Sermon Summary After Jesus was crucified, the disciples were paralyzed by fear, cowering behind locked doors. But the morning of the resurrection changed their world—and ours—forever. In this message, Chuck looks at the transformative encounter with the risen Lord at the Sea of Galilee. We see how the physical reality of the resurrected body of Jesus provided the evidence and the energy the disciples needed to turn the world upside down. This message is a call to move from the shadows of doubt into the bright light of the shouting joy: “He is risen!”

Key Facts & Themes

  • From Fear to Faith: Analyzing the dramatic emotional and spiritual shift in the disciples following the resurrection.
  • The Physical Resurrection: The importance of Jesus appearing in a resurrected body that could be seen, touched, and experienced.
  • A Living Hope: Understanding that the resurrection isn’t just a past event, but the foundation for our current life and future glory.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • John 21:1–14: Jesus appearing to the disciples by the Sea of Galilee and the miraculous catch of fish.

Written by

Passion for the Gospel

“I don’t have the gift of evangelism.” “I’m not a preacher.” “I don’t have enough time.”

Let the passion of teachers Chuck Swindoll and Greg Laurie ignite a fire in your church—and your own life—to get out of the pews and into the streets to reach others with the good news of Jesus Christ. No more excuses!


“I don’t have the gift of evangelism.” “I’m not a preacher.” We’ve all used these excuses to avoid sharing our faith. In this powerful series, Chuck Swindoll and Greg Laurie challenge us to move beyond our comfort zones and into our communities. Passion for the Gospel is a call to action, reminding us that the mission of reaching the lost belongs to every follower of Christ. Through biblical instruction and practical insights, you’ll discover how to trade your excuses for a burning compassion for those who do not yet know the Savior.

Message 1: “Mr. Smith, Meet Your Substitute”

Sermon Summary At the heart of the Gospel is the concept of substitution. Just as a substitute teacher or athlete stands in for another, Jesus Christ stood in for us on the Cross. This message dives into Romans 3 to explain the mechanics of salvation: how a holy God can justify sinful people through the sacrificial work of His Son. Understanding the depth of this “great exchange” is the first step in developing a passion to tell others about it.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Necessity of a Substitute: Exploring why our own efforts can never satisfy the requirements of a holy God.
  • Justification by Grace: Understanding that our right standing with God is a gift received through faith, not earned through works.
  • The Reality of Sin: Facing the truth of our condition to fully appreciate the magnitude of the Cure.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • Romans 3: A deep look at God’s righteousness and the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Message 2: Interview: Chuck Swindoll and Greg Laurie

Sermon Summary In this unique conversation, Pastor Chuck Swindoll sits down with evangelist Greg Laurie to discuss the “why” and “how” of modern evangelism. They share personal stories and pastoral insights on what it takes to maintain a heart for the lost in a culture that is increasingly indifferent or hostile to the message of Christ.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Overcoming Fear: Practical advice on moving past the anxiety of being rejected.
  • Cultural Relevance: How to present timeless truths in a way that resonates with a modern audience.
  • The Role of the Local Church: Why every congregation should be a “sending” station for the Gospel.

Message 3: How Can I Become a Christian?

Sermon Summary Before we can share the Gospel, we must be certain of it ourselves. This message strips away religious jargon and complicated rituals to explain the simple, biblical steps to salvation. Chuck outlines the path of recognizing one’s need, turning from self-sufficiency, and placing total trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The ABCs of Salvation: A clear, step-by-step explanation of the conversion process.
  • Repentance vs. Regret: Distinguishing between feeling sorry for sin and turning away from it toward God.
  • Assurance of Salvation: How to know for sure that you belong to Christ.

Message 4: How Can I Begin the Christian Life?

Sermon Summary Answering the call to follow Christ is the beginning of a journey, not the end. This message focuses on the crucial first steps of the Christian life. From the importance of God’s Word to the necessity of Christian fellowship, Chuck provides a roadmap for the new believer to grow deep roots and build a life that reflects the glory of God.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Spiritual Nourishment: The role of the Bible in the growth of a new believer.
  • Foundational Habits: Establishing prayer and worship as central pillars of life.
  • Identity in Christ: Understanding who you are now that you have been born again.

Message 5: No Compassion—No Harvest

Sermon Summary Why is the “harvest” so small in many of our lives? Often, it’s because we lack the compassion that Jesus felt for the crowds. In this final message, we look at the heart of the Savior—who saw people as “sheep without a shepherd.” Chuck reminds us that without genuine love and empathy for the lost, our evangelism will be hollow and ineffective.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Seeing as Jesus Sees: Training our eyes to see the spiritual needs beneath the surface of people’s lives.
  • The Cost of Compassion: Why reaching out requires us to be “interrupted” and inconvenienced.
  • The Urgency of the Mission: Recognizing that the time to share the Gospel is now.

Written by

Daniel, Volume 2: God’s Plan for the Future

The book of Daniel tells us God’s plan for the future.

Daniel’s mystifying visions of beasts, angelic warfare, and mysterious prophecies find both their explanation and application in Chuck Swindoll’s series.

Prophecy doesn’t have to be a mystery. Once understood, it can change your life.


While the first half of Daniel focuses on personal integrity in a pagan culture, the second half (Chapters 7–12) shifts toward the mysterious and the prophetic. In this 9-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll helps demystify Daniel’s visions of beasts, world empires, and angelic warfare. By providing a clear framework for understanding these end-times prophecies, Chuck shows how God’s sovereign control over the future provides absolute stability and hope for His people today.

1. A Prophetic Collage (Daniel 7)

  • Overview: Daniel’s vision of four great beasts emerging from the sea, representing a succession of world empires. It introduces the “Ancient of Days” who remains sovereign over all human kingdoms.
  • Key Fact: Prophecy is not intended to scare us, but to prepare us by showing that every human empire has a beginning and an end, while God’s kingdom is eternal.
  • Scripture: Daniel 7:14 – “And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom… His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.”

2. The Final World Dictator (Daniel 7:15–28)

  • Overview: A closer look at the “little horn” that arises from the fourth beast—a figure commonly identified as the Antichrist who will speak out against the Most High.
  • Key Fact: Despite the temporary power of this final dictator, his dominion will be taken away and destroyed forever by the judgment of God.
  • Scripture: Daniel 7:25 – “He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints… but the court will sit for judgment.”

3. The Living End (Daniel 8)

  • Overview: Explores the vision of the ram and the goat, which historically predicted the clash between the Medo-Persian and Greek empires.
  • Key Fact: The precision of these prophecies (written years before the events) serves as an “authenticated signature” of God on the book of Daniel.
  • Scripture: Daniel 8:19 – “Behold, I am going to let you know what will occur at the final period of the indignation.”

4. True Confessions (Daniel 9:1–19)

  • Overview: After reading the prophet Jeremiah, Daniel is moved to a profound prayer of national confession and intercession for his people.
  • Key Fact: Prophecy should always lead to a life of prayer and holiness; knowing God’s plan for the future drives us to seek His face in the present.
  • Scripture: Daniel 9:3 – “So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.”

5. The Backbone of Biblical Prophecy (Daniel 9:20–27)

  • Overview: A study of the “Seventy Weeks” of Daniel—one of the most critical chronological prophecies in the entire Bible, mapping out the history of Israel and the coming of the Messiah.
  • Key Fact: This passage provides the “backbone” or skeletal structure upon which almost all other biblical prophecies are built.
  • Scripture: Daniel 9:24 – “Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression… and to anoint the most holy place.”

6. Supernatural Phenomena between Heaven and Earth (Daniel 10)

  • Overview: Pulls back the curtain on spiritual warfare. Daniel’s fasting and prayer trigger a cosmic conflict between angelic and demonic forces.
  • Key Fact: Our prayers play a vital role in a spiritual realm that is largely invisible to us, yet more real than the physical world.
  • Scripture: Daniel 10:12 – “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding… your words were heard.”

7. Wars and Rumors of War (Daniel 11:1–35)

  • Overview: Details an incredibly specific series of historical conflicts in the Middle East, confirming God’s detailed knowledge of every political and military move.
  • Key Fact: Because God knows the details of ancient wars with such precision, we can trust Him with the “rumors of war” in our own headlines.
  • Scripture: Daniel 11:32 – “But the people who know their God will display strength and take action.”

8. A Prophetic Quartet (Daniel 11:36–12:4)

  • Overview: Shifts from past history to the final “Time of the End,” focusing on the resurrection of the dead and the ultimate deliverance of God’s people.
  • Key Fact: In the end, those who are “wise” will shine like the brightness of the expanse of heaven.
  • Scripture: Daniel 12:3 – “Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven.”

9. The End of the Age (Daniel 12:5–13)

  • Overview: The series conclusion, where Daniel is told to “go your way” and rest, with the promise that he will rise again for his allotted portion at the end of the age.
  • Key Fact: The final message of prophecy is not “calculate the date,” but “be faithful until the end.”
  • Scripture: Daniel 12:13 – “But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

Common Questions: Daniel, Volume 2

1. Why are Daniel’s visions so full of “beasts” and strange symbols? As Pastor Chuck explains in “A Prophetic Collage,” symbols were used to represent the character of world empires. For example, a leopard with wings illustrated the incredible speed of Alexander the Great’s conquests. These symbols make the broad strokes of history memorable and vivid.

2. What is the significance of the “Seventy Weeks” prophecy? In “The Backbone of Biblical Prophecy,” it is noted that this prophecy gave the specific timeline for the first coming of Christ and sets the stage for the final seven-year period known as the Tribulation. It is the key to understanding the “calendar” of God’s redemptive plan.

3. Does Daniel 10 mean that our prayers are sometimes delayed by demons? The message “Supernatural Phenomena” suggests that while God hears us immediately, there is an active spiritual battle involving “princes” (fallen angels) that can affect the timing of God’s response. It encourages us to persist in prayer even when we don’t see immediate results.

4. How can I “display strength” in a world that seems to be falling apart? Drawing from Daniel 11:32, Chuck emphasizes that strength comes from knowing your God. When you understand His sovereignty and His plan for the future, you aren’t paralyzed by fear but are empowered to “take action” in His name.

5. What should be our main takeaway from the end of the book? The takeaway from “The End of the Age” is peace. Daniel was told to “go his way” and rest. We don’t need to have every prophetic puzzle piece perfectly placed to have peace; we just need to know the God who holds the puzzle.

Written by

Dropping Your Guard

Don’t Let Technology Drown Out Deep Relationships!

E-mail. Internet. Video. Texting. Tablets. Smart phones. The list never ends, does it? As technology advances, real human connection becomes harder and harder. If we’re not careful, each new gadget can draw us further away from the family of believers God designed us to be.

If you want to experience a close community with other Christians, the Dropping Your Guard series by Chuck Swindoll will challenge you to escape the trap of superficiality and to develop tight bonds that will feed your soul and mature your spiritual family. Keep your relationships connected . . . by dropping your guard.


In this transformative series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll addresses the “hidden” life of the believer. Many Christians live behind high walls of protection, fearing that if they are truly known, they won’t be loved. Dropping Your Guard is a call to biblical authenticity, vulnerability, and the “shared life” that God intended for His people. By moving from isolation to intimacy, we discover the freedom that comes from being real with God and with one another.

Message 1: Digging Deeper, Risking Change (Part One)

Overview: Pastor Chuck Swindoll introduces the essential need for biblical authenticity in an increasingly superficial world. This message explores the “hidden” life of the believer and the high walls of protection many Christians build to avoid being truly known. It challenges the “Lone Ranger” mentality and invites listeners to embrace the vulnerability required for genuine community.

  • Key Fact: Authentic fellowship begins only when we admit we are “cracked pots” in need of God’s grace and others’ support.
  • Scripture Reference: Ecclesiastes 4:13–16; 1 Corinthians 12:21

Message 2: Digging Deeper, Risking Change (Part Two)

Overview: Continuing the foundation of the series, this message focuses on the “ragged edge” of life and why we were never meant to walk it alone. Chuck discusses the specific risks involved in being real with others and how the rewards of intimacy—being fully known and fully loved—far outweigh the safety of isolation.

  • Key Fact: Human connection is the primary tool God uses to mature the spiritual family; without it, spiritual growth stagnates.
  • Scripture Reference: Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

Message 3: Getting Closer, Growing Stronger

Overview: This sermon provides the biblical argument for “the other.” Chuck outlines the four essential benefits of community: productivity, support during failure, comfort in cold seasons, and protection during spiritual attacks. As we grow closer to one another, we inherently become stronger in our faith.

  • Key Fact: A “threefold cord” is not easily broken; intentional proximity provides a defensive shield against the enemy.
  • Scripture Reference: Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

Message 4: Operation Assimilation

Overview: Moving from the “why” to the “how,” Chuck explores the process of integrating into the Body of Christ. This message addresses the fears of rejection that keep us from assimilating and highlights the beauty of a church that functions as a cohesive, supportive unit rather than a collection of strangers.

  • Key Fact: Assimilation requires a shift in focus from “What can I get?” to “How can I belong and contribute?”
  • Scripture Reference: Romans 12:4–5; Acts 2:42–47

Message 5: United and Invincible

Overview: Drawing from the accounts in Joshua and Psalm 133, this message illustrates that unity is a prerequisite for spiritual victory. Chuck shows that when God’s people pull together in one accord, they become a force the enemy cannot defeat. Unity is described as “precious oil” that soothes and consecrates the church.

  • Key Fact: Biblical invincibility is not about being superhuman; it is the result of God’s presence invited into harmony.
  • Scripture Reference: Psalm 133:1–2; Joshua 6:1–20; John 17:21–23

Message 6: When the Fellowship Breaks Down

Overview: No community is perfect, and conflicts are inevitable. Chuck addresses what happens when the “guard” is dropped and feelings are hurt. This message provides a roadmap for restoration, focusing on the need for a spirit of gentleness and the humility to admit when we are wrong.

  • Key Fact: Broken relationships are worth the “restoration cost”; the longer a breakdown lasts, the deeper the spiritual impact.
  • Scripture Reference: Galatians 6:1–5; Matthew 5:23–24

Message 7: Authentic Love

Overview: This message defines “authentic love” as a love that does not wear a mask. Chuck examines the “Love Chapter” (1 Corinthians 13) through the lens of transparency, showing how love acts as the “glue” that allows us to stay vulnerable even when relationships get difficult.

  • Key Fact: Authentic love is a choice to prioritize the spiritual health and well-being of others over our own personal freedom.
  • Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 13; Romans 12:9–10

Message 8: Needed: Shelter for Storm Victims

Overview: Life is filled with “whirlwinds”—job loss, illness, betrayal, and grief. Chuck describes the church’s role as a “shelter” for those picking up the pieces. This message emphasizes being a safe harbor where people can find comfort without judgment while they rebuild their lives.

  • Key Fact: Rebuilding after a storm begins with seeing God’s presence in the storm and His plan through it.
  • Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 1:3–4; Psalm 46:1

Message 9: Some Things Have Gotta Go!

Overview: To build deep relationships, certain “baggage” must be discarded. Chuck identifies the specific attitudes—such as legalism, judgmentalism, and pride—that act as barriers to intimacy and must be removed to create a “roomy” faith.

  • Key Fact: Vulnerability is only possible in an atmosphere of grace; legalism is the ultimate “guard” that prevents closeness.
  • Scripture Reference: Romans 14:1–13; Ephesians 4:31–32

Message 10: Choose for Yourself

Overview: Authentic community is not automatic; it is a choice. Chuck challenges listeners to decide whether they will remain in the safety of the “lobby” or move into the deeper, riskier, and more rewarding areas of shared life. This message is a call to action for personal commitment.

  • Key Fact: Close relationships are the direct result of time, energy, and intentional cultivation.
  • Scripture Reference: Joshua 24:15; Hebrews 10:24–25

Message 11: The Necessity of Accountability

Overview: Chuck challenges the “live and let live” philosophy of modern society. He argues that Christians are most vulnerable when they live in secrecy. Accountability is presented not as a burden of control, but as a “guardrail” that provides security and reassurance.

  • Key Fact: True accountability must be led by the Holy Spirit to remain a source of grace rather than a tool of legalism.
  • Scripture Reference: Proverbs 13:20; Proverbs 27:17; Romans 12:4–5

Message 12: A Hope Transplant: The Essential Operation

Overview: In the series finale, Chuck addresses those who have lost hope in relationships or the church. He describes “hope” as the prince and power of motivation. For a church to flourish, it needs an infusion of hope that comes from resting on the strong foundation of God’s Word.

  • Key Fact: Hope is to the church what the heart is to the physical body; without it, the community cannot survive.
  • Scripture Reference: Romans 15:4, 13; Lamentations 3:21–24

Written by

Questions Christians Ask

It’s Okay to Ask Questions

Even Christians have questions. Though many people think Christians have all the answers, we often struggle with sincere doubt when trials challenge our faith.

Roadblocks of sickness, heartache, and disappointment punctuate our journeys of faith and cause us to question whether or not we’re headed in the right direction. So where do you turn when doubt wages war against the fundamentals of your faith? In Questions Christians Ask, Chuck Swindoll addresses a dozen crucial questions that all believers must examine, such as the identity of Jesus Christ, the exclusivity of the gospel of Christ, God’s plan for the future, how to deal with worry, how to live a Spirit-guided, victorious life, and more.

Find biblical answers in Questions Christians Ask that will help you strengthen your walk with God and draw you closer to Him each day.


Even for the most faithful, the journey of life often brings sincere doubts and difficult questions. In this 12-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll tackles a dozen crucial inquiries that believers face—ranging from the identity of Jesus and the reality of the resurrection to practical struggles like worry, leadership, and conflict. By providing biblical answers to these honest questions, this series helps move the believer from a place of uncertainty to a position of strengthened faith and clear conviction.

1. Who Is This Jesus? (Matthew 21:1–17)

  • Overview: Explores the identity of Jesus during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. While the crowds were asking “Who is this?”, Jesus was demonstrating His identity as the authoritative and compassionate Son of God.
  • Key Fact: Jesus’ cleansing of the temple showed that His authority was not just political, but spiritual and absolute.
  • Scripture: Matthew 21:10–11 – “When He had entered Jerusalem, the all city was stirred, saying, ‘Who is this?’ And the crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.'”

2. Christ Is Raised, but What about Me? (1 Corinthians 15)

  • Overview: Addresses the personal implications of the resurrection. Because Christ rose from the dead, believers have a guaranteed future of hope and a new nature for today.
  • Key Fact: The resurrection is the “linchpin” of the Christian faith; without it, our preaching and our faith are in vain.
  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:20 – “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.”

3. How Can I Win Over Worry? (Matthew 6:25–34)

  • Overview: A practical look at Jesus’ teaching on anxiety. It contrasts the “striving” of the world with the “trusting” of a child of God.
  • Key Fact: Worry is described as “practical atheism”—acting as if God doesn’t exist or isn’t in control.
  • Scripture: Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

4. What’s Necessary for Victory? (Romans 8)

  • Overview: Discusses the components of a victorious Christian life, focusing on the power of the Holy Spirit and the assurance of God’s love.
  • Key Fact: Victory is not the absence of struggle, but the presence of the Spirit who intercedes for us and makes us “more than conquerors.”
  • Scripture: Romans 8:37 – “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”

5. Is My Neighbor Really Lost? (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Addresses the exclusivity of the Gospel. It provides a compassionate but firm biblical answer to whether there are other ways to God.
  • Key Fact: Biblical “lostness” is not a judgment on a person’s character, but a statement about their spiritual location apart from Christ.
  • Scripture: John 14:6 – “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.'”

6. What Makes a Rebel Return? (Luke 15:11–32)

  • Overview: A study of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, exploring the factors that lead a wanderer home and the father’s heart of grace.
  • Key Fact: The “rebel’s” return begins with “coming to his senses”—realizing that the father’s house is better than the pigpen of independence.
  • Scripture: Luke 15:20 – “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him.”

7. Can ‘Ordinary People’ Make a Contribution? (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Challenges the idea that God only uses “super-saints.” It shows how God specializes in using the “small” and “ordinary” to achieve His purposes.
  • Key Fact: God often chooses the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.
  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:27 – “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.”

8. Will You Lead or Lag? (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: A call to spiritual leadership and initiative. This message explores what it takes to step out in faith and influence others for the Kingdom.
  • Key Fact: Leadership is not a title; it is a lifestyle of influence that begins with self-discipline and obedience.
  • Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12 – “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example.”

9 & 10. Why Are We So Blessed? / What Is My Response? (Deuteronomy 8)

  • Overview: A two-part look at the “danger of prosperity.” It warns against the amnesia that often follows God’s blessings and provides a roadmap for gratitude.
  • Key Fact: The greatest threat to faith is not often poverty, but a wealth that leads us to say, “My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.”
  • Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:18 – “But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth.”

11. How Should We Interpret God’s Calendar? (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Addresses questions about the end times and God’s sovereign timing. It encourages “readiness” over “calculation.”
  • Key Fact: We are called to be “watchmen” who are busy with the Master’s work, not “accountants” trying to balance a prophetic ledger.
  • Scripture: Acts 1:7 – “He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.'”

12. Why Do We Throw Rocks at Each Other? (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Confronts the problem of internal conflict and criticism within the body of Christ.
  • Key Fact: “Rock-throwing” usually stems from pride or legalism; the remedy is a return to the grace that God has shown to us.
  • Scripture: Galatians 5:15 – “But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.”

Written by

Living on the Ragged Edge

In the never-ending quest for fulfillment, we sometimes convince ourselves that life would be better if we just had a different career . . . more education . . . a new spouse . . . a fresh start in another location. The good life is always just out of reach.

Do you want to know the secret to living the good life—a life of meaning and satisfaction? Solomon discovered that wearing a king’s crown didn’t keep him from the ragged edge of life. He had it all, but apart from God . . . he had nothing. In the Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming to Terms with Reality Classic Series, Chuck Swindoll explores the personal journal of King Solomon, the book of Ecclesiastes. If you struggle to find contentment and joy in life, then join Chuck as he shares wisdom for living at its best.


In this 24-part study of Ecclesiastes, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the raw, honest journal of King Solomon. Writing from the “ragged edge” of a life filled with wealth, power, and pleasure, Solomon concludes that life “under the sun”—when lived apart from God—is ultimately futile. This series provides a sobering look at reality while offering the ultimate secret to finding meaning, contentment, and joy in a world that often feels like it’s gone mad.

1. Journal of a Desperate Journey (Ecclesiastes 1:1–11)

  • Overview: Introduces Solomon’s philosophical search for meaning. He observes the repetitive cycles of nature and history, concluding that human effort often feels like “vanity.”
  • Key Fact: The term “under the sun” refers to a horizontal perspective of life that excludes God’s vertical involvement.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2 – “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”

2. Chasing the Wind (Ecclesiastes 1:12–18)

  • Overview: Solomon applies his great wisdom and education to solve life’s mysteries, only to find that knowledge alone increases grief.
  • Key Fact: Human intellect, while valuable, cannot straighten what God has made crooked or fill the “God-shaped vacuum” in the soul.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:18 – “For in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.”

3. Eat, Drink, . . . And Be What? (Ecclesiastes 2:1–11)

  • Overview: A record of Solomon’s experiment with hedonism—pleasure, wine, architecture, and extreme wealth. He finds that the “hangover” of pleasure-seeking is a sense of emptiness.
  • Key Fact: Solomon denied himself nothing his eyes desired, yet his verdict remained: “all was vanity and striving after wind.”
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:11 – “Thus I considered all my activities… and behold all was vanity and striving after wind.”

4. More Miles of Bad Road (Ecclesiastes 2:12–26)

  • Overview: Contrasts wisdom with folly and addresses the frustration of working hard only to leave one’s legacy to a “fool.”
  • Key Fact: The turning point in the book occurs when Solomon acknowledges that the ability to enjoy life’s basic gifts is “from the hand of God.”
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:24 – “There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God.”

5. Do You Know What Time It Is? (Ecclesiastes 3:1–15)

  • Overview: The famous poem regarding the seasons of life. Solomon argues that God has an appointed time for everything and has “set eternity” in our hearts.
  • Key Fact: Because God is in control of the seasons, we can find peace in His timing rather than fighting against the inevitable changes of life.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.”

6. Interlude of Rare Insight (Ecclesiastes 3:16–22)

  • Overview: Addresses the problem of injustice in the world and the reality that both humans and animals eventually face death.
  • Key Fact: Solomon encourages us to rejoice in our activities today, as God will eventually judge both the righteous and the wicked.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:17 – “I said in my heart, ‘God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man,’ for a time for every matter and for every deed is there.”

7. Confessions of a Cynic (Ecclesiastes 4:1–8)

  • Overview: Solomon looks at oppression, envy, and the loneliness that often accompanies the “rat race” for success.
  • Key Fact: The “handful of quietness” is far better than “two fists full of labor” that leads to striving after wind.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:6 – “One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.”

8. The Lonely Whine of the Top Dog (Ecclesiastes 4:13–16)

  • Overview: Discusses the isolation of power and the fleeting nature of popularity and political success.
  • Key Fact: Influence is temporary; a wise but poor youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:13 – “A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king.”

9. One Plus One Equals Survival (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12)

  • Overview: A classic teaching on the necessity of companionship and community to survive the “ragged edge” of life.
  • Key Fact: A “threefold cord” is not easily broken; having others to lift us up, keep us warm, and defend us is a gift of grace.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:12 – “And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”

10. What Every Worshiper Should Remember (Ecclesiastes 5:1–7)

  • Overview: Warns against casual or hypocritical religion. Solomon urges us to “guard our steps” when going to the house of God.
  • Key Fact: It is better to listen than to offer the “sacrifice of fools,” and making a vow to God is a serious matter that should not be delayed.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:1 – “Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools.”

11. Straight Talk to the Money-Mad (Ecclesiastes 5:8–20)

  • Overview: Exposes the “dead end” of materialism. Solomon observes that he who loves money is never satisfied with money.
  • Key Fact: Wealth brings “increased consumption” and anxiety, while the “sleep of the working man is sweet.”
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income.”

12. The Few Years of a Futile Life (Ecclesiastes 6:1–12)

  • Overview: A sobering look at those who have everything—wealth, honor, and long life—but lack the God-given ability to enjoy them.
  • Key Fact: Enjoyment is a separate gift from possession; without the former, the latter is “misery.”
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 6:2 – “A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor… yet God has not empowered him to eat from them.”

13. Wise Words for Busy People (Ecclesiastes 7:1–14)

  • Overview: A series of proverbs that challenge our usual perspectives, suggesting that the “day of death” can be better than the “day of birth” because of the wisdom it brings.
  • Key Fact: Wisdom is a protection, just as money is a protection, but wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:1 – “A good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.”

14. Putting Wisdom to Work (Ecclesiastes 7:15–29)

  • Overview: Addresses the complexity of life, including why the righteous sometimes perish and the wicked sometimes prosper.
  • Key Fact: While there is not a single righteous man on earth who only does good, the fear of God allows one to avoid extremes.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:20 – “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.”

15. The Qualities of a Good Boss (Ecclesiastes 8:1–9)

  • Overview: Principles for handling authority and working under leadership with a “bright face” and a discerning heart.
  • Key Fact: Wisdom makes a person’s face shine and softens their “stern face” in the workplace.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 8:1 – “A man’s wisdom illumines him and causes his stern face to beam.”

16. Mysteries That Defy Explanations (Ecclesiastes 8:10–9:6)

  • Overview: Confronts the unfairness of life and the “common fate” of death that awaits everyone, regardless of their moral standing.
  • Key Fact: Because we cannot understand all of God’s work, we must live fully in the present and trust Him with the unknown.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 8:17 – “Man cannot discover the work which has been done under the sun.”

17. Have a Blast While You Last! (Ecclesiastes 9:7–10)

  • Overview: An exuberant call to enjoy life’s basic pleasures—food, clothing, and marriage—as a portion from God.
  • Key Fact: We are commanded to work with all our might today, for there is no activity or planning in the grave.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”

18. An Objective View of the Rat Race (Ecclesiastes 9:11–18)

  • Overview: Solomon observes that “the race is not to the swift” and that time and chance happen to everyone.
  • Key Fact: Quiet wisdom is more valuable than the strength of a city, even if the “poor wise man” is often forgotten.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:11 – “The race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors… for time and chance overtake them all.”

19. Be Sensible! (Ecclesiastes 10:1–11)

  • Overview: A collection of practical warnings about how “a little foolishness” can ruin a reputation, much like dead flies in perfume.
  • Key Fact: Wisdom is useful for “preparing the way” and making work more efficient (sharpening the axe).
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:10 – “If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.”

20. A Fool’s Portrait (Ecclesiastes 10:12–20)

  • Overview: A warning against the “vocal” foolishness of those who talk too much without substance or foresight.
  • Key Fact: A fool multiplies words and lacks the direction needed to find even a basic “road to the city.”
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:14 – “Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen.”

21. Be Bullish! (Ecclesiastes 11:1–6)

  • Overview: Encouragement to take calculated risks and live generously, rather than being paralyzed by watching the “wind and clouds.”
  • Key Fact: We are to “cast our bread upon the waters” and be diligent in our sowing, trusting God for the harvest.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:1 – “Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days.”

22. Enjoying Life Now, Not Later (Ecclesiastes 11:7–10)

  • Overview: A challenge to young people to rejoice in their youth and follow the “impulses of their hearts” within the boundaries of God’s judgment.
  • Key Fact: Joy is a command for the present, not a reward for the future.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:9 – “Rejoice, young man, during your childhood… but know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things.”

23. Gray Hairs, Fewer Teeth, Yet a Big Smile (Ecclesiastes 12:1–8)

  • Overview: A poetic and symbolic description of the aging process, urging us to “Remember your Creator” before the body breaks down.
  • Key Fact: Old age is the “winter” of life; it is best faced when one has spent their “spring and summer” rooted in God.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1 – “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come.”

24. Wrapping up a Ragged-Edge Journey (Ecclesiastes 12:9–14)

  • Overview: The series conclusion, summarizing Solomon’s final verdict on the meaning of life.
  • Key Fact: The “whole duty of man” is simplified into two commands: fear God and keep His commandments.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:13 – “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.”

Written by

Character Counts: Building a Life That Pleases God

Got Character?

Character is the moral, ethical, and spiritual fortification that keeps life steady through the tremors of compromise. Our character dictates the kinds of decisions we make and determines how we will treat those around us. Unfortunately, in today’s world, this important trait is in short supply.

More than anything, our culture needs men and women of God who are committed to character—to integrity in both their public and private lives. Join Chuck Swindoll for Character Counts: Building a Life That Pleases God as he helps you:

  • Understand your need for character and its impact on every aspect of life
  • Cultivate the essential traits of biblical character found in God’s Word

This series will help you to become a person distinguished by godly character so you can make a meaningful impact on the world around you.


Character is the moral and spiritual foundation that stabilizes our lives when the pressure to compromise arises. In this 12-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll draws from the lives of diverse biblical figures—from well-known heroes to obscure servants—to illustrate the essential traits of godly character. By examining their victories and struggles, we learn how to cultivate integrity, discernment, and faithfulness in a culture where these qualities are often in short supply.

Message 1. They, Being Dead, Still Speak (Hebrews 11:32–38)

  • Overview: An introduction to the “Hall of Faith,” highlighting that God uses flawed but faithful people to model character traits that transcend time.
  • Key Fact: God preserved the record of biblical lives not for entertainment, but as blueprints for our own moral and spiritual development.
  • Scripture: Hebrews 11:32 – Paul lists Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, and Samuel as examples of those who through faith “conquered kingdoms” and “performed acts of righteousness.”

Message 2. The Discernment of Abigail (1 Samuel 25:1–35)

  • Overview: Abigail’s wisdom and quick action prevented a vengeful David from committing a grave mistake, illustrating the power of discernment under pressure.
  • Key Fact: Discernment is the ability to see through a situation to the heart of the matter and respond with grace and truth.
  • Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:32–33 – David’s gratitude: “Blessed be the Lord… and blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodshed.”

Message 3. The Refreshment of Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:15–18)

  • Overview: A look at the rare character trait of loyalty, as seen in a man who sought out a lonely Apostle Paul in a Roman dungeon.
  • Key Fact: Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul’s chains; he went out of his way to find and “refresh” him during his darkest hour.
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:16 – “The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.”

Message 4. A Plea for Integrity (Psalm 15)

  • Overview: David asks, “Who may abide in Your tent?” The answer is a character checklist focusing on honesty, reliability, and fairness.
  • Key Fact: Integrity is defined by “walking with integrity” and “speaking the truth in his heart,” even when no one is looking.
  • Scripture: Psalm 15:2 – “He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.”

Message 5. Reinstatement of a Runaway (The Book of Philemon)

  • Overview: The story of Onesimus and Philemon demonstrates the character traits of forgiveness, restitution, and the transformative power of the Gospel.
  • Key Fact: In Christ, a “useless” runaway slave becomes a “useful” brother, showing that character can be completely rebuilt by grace.
  • Scripture: Philemon 1:11 – “Who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.”

Message 6. Coping with the ‘Slough of Despond’ (Psalm 42)

  • Overview: Explores the character required to handle discouragement and depression, using the imagery of John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.
  • Key Fact: Character is tested most in the valleys; we must learn to “hope in God” even when the soul is in despair.
  • Scripture: Psalm 42:5 – “Why are you in despair, O my soul?… Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him.”

Message 7. Being a Balanced Woman of God (Proverbs 31:10–31)

  • Overview: A study of the “Excellent Wife,” emphasizing that her character is built on the fear of the Lord rather than fleeting charm or beauty.
  • Key Fact: True beauty is internal; a balanced woman is praised for her wisdom, diligence, and compassion.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 31:30 – “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”

Message 8. Beyond Charm and Beauty (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Expands on the idea that character is the only thing that withstands the test of time, contrasting external appearances with internal substance.
  • Key Fact: While society prizes the superficial, God looks at the heart and the “imperishable quality” of a gentle and quiet spirit.
  • Scripture: 1 Peter 3:3–4 – “Your adornment must not be merely external… but let it be the hidden person of the heart.”

Message 9. A Vote in Favor of Fatherhood (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Highlights the essential character traits of a godly father: provider, protector, and spiritual leader.
  • Key Fact: The greatest gift a father can give his children is the consistency of his own character.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 20:7 – “A righteous man who walks in his integrity—How blessed are his sons after him.”

Message 10. Top Temptations Fathers Face (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Addresses the specific character challenges that men face in a secular culture, from the lure of the workplace to moral compromise.
  • Key Fact: Temptation is not sin, but yielding to it reveals a lack of spiritual fortification.
  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13 – God provides a “way of escape” so that we can endure temptation.

Message 11. How to Make the Truth ‘Stick’ (Deuteronomy 6:1–9)

  • Overview: Explores the character of a teacher or parent in transferring truth to the next generation through a life lived out loud.
  • Key Fact: Truth is most “sticky” when it is modeled in the home through the natural rhythms of life.
  • Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:7 – “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way.”

Message 12. Survival Training for the School Jungle (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Provides character principles for students (and those in high-pressure environments) to stay true to their convictions in a hostile culture.
  • Key Fact: Like Daniel in Babylon, we can “purpose in our hearts” not to defile ourselves with the world’s standards.
  • Scripture: Daniel 1:8 – “But Daniel made up his mind [purposed in his heart] that he would not defile himself.”

Common Questions: Character Counts

1. Is character something you are born with or something you develop? As Pastor Chuck explains throughout the series, character is “built.” It is the result of thousands of small decisions to obey God rather than compromise. While we may have natural temperaments, biblical character is the work of the Holy Spirit transforming our hearts.

2. What is the difference between “reputation” and “character”? Reputation is what people think you are; character is who you are in the dark when no one is looking. The message on Psalm 15 clarifies that true character is rooted in the “truth in the heart.”

3. Why is Abigail considered a model of “discernment”? In “The Discernment of Abigail,” it is noted that she recognized David’s anger was leading him to a sinful act of vengeance. She used her wisdom to protect David’s future as king by providing a “way of escape” that was both humble and truthful.

4. How does Onesimus show that character can change? Onesimus was a runaway slave who had likely stolen from his master, Philemon. After meeting Paul and finding Christ, he returned to make restitution. This shows that the Gospel doesn’t just forgive our past; it reconstructs our character for a “useful” future.

5. How can I protect my character when I feel like I’m in a “school jungle” or a hostile workplace? Drawing from the example of Daniel, the series suggests “purposing in your heart” before the pressure starts. If you decide ahead of time what your non-negotiables are, you are far more likely to stand firm when tested.

Written by

© 2026 Insight for Living. All rights reserved.