Insight for Living

The Bible-Teaching Ministry of Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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2016

Gloria in Excelsis Deo Concert

Have the songs of the season left you tone deaf to the real tune of Christmas? It’s time to saturate your senses with the melody of the Incarnation and the joy of welcoming God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

This Christmas, celebrate God’s perfect gift of grace with Chuck Swindoll and the Stonebriar Community Church Choir and Orchestra’s Gloria in Excelsis Deo holiday concert. When life gets overwhelming, this presentation of special messages and beautiful music will remind you that the King of Glory stepped into humanity to give you abundant life . . . now!

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James: Hands-On Christianity

“Practice what you preach!” 

Nobody trusts a phony or a hypocrite. As representatives of Christ, we sully His name when we live hypocritically. We’re called to a higher standard. 

Hypocrisy existed even in the early days of Christianity. In this series Chuck Swindoll encourages you to pursue authentic faith in God, provides you a clear and biblical how-to for authentic living as he exposits the book of James, and explains how to live without hypocrisy in your speech, actions, and relationships. 

This series will assist you to live what you believe. 

“Practice what you preach!” is the underlying theme of the book of James. While other New Testament books focus on deep theology, James addresses the “hands-on” reality of daily Christian living. In this 16-part series, Chuck Swindoll provides a clear, biblical roadmap for authentic faith. We learn how to handle persistent troubles, control our tongues, overcome prejudice, and respond to unfair treatment. James challenges us to move past a merely intellectual belief to a life where our actions, speech, and relationships consistently reflect the character of Christ.

Message 1: A Case for Practical Christianity

Overview: Pastor Chuck Swindoll introduces the Book of James, emphasizing its reputation as the most “hands-on” book of the New Testament. This message sets the stage for a study on how faith must transition from a theoretical concept to a practical lifestyle. James challenges believers to move beyond intellectual assent and demonstrate their devotion through tangible actions.

  • Key Fact: James was likely the half-brother of Jesus and wrote this letter to Jewish Christians scattered by persecution to encourage “faith in overalls.”
  • Scripture Reference: James 1:1

Message 2: When Troubles Won’t Go Away

Overview: Life is often defined by trials that seem relentless. Chuck explores James’ radical command to “count it all joy” when facing diverse testings. This message explains that trials are not meant to destroy us, but to produce “staying power” and spiritual maturity by refining our character through the heat of adversity.

  • Key Fact: God uses trials to develop hupomone (steadfastness)—the ability to remain under pressure without breaking.
  • Scripture Reference: James 1:2–12

Message 3: Plain Talk about Temptation

Overview: This sermon distinguishes between the “tests” that come from God and the “temptations” that arise from our own desires. Chuck provides a clear look at the anatomy of temptation, explaining how an internal itch can lead to external sin and, ultimately, spiritual death if not addressed at the root.

  • Key Fact: God never tempts us to evil; temptation is a predictable process of being “lured and enticed” by our own inner cravings.
  • Scripture Reference: James 1:13–18

Message 4: The Great Divorce

Overview: Chuck addresses the dangerous disconnect between being a “hearer” of the Word and a “doer.” This message illustrates how many Christians “divorce” their Sunday learning from their Monday living. True spiritual health is found in looking into the “mirror” of Scripture and immediately making the necessary adjustments to one’s life.

  • Key Fact: Religion that God accepts as “pure and faultless” involves looking after those in distress and keeping oneself unstained by the world.
  • Scripture Reference: James 1:19–27

Message 5: Prejudice Is a Sin

Overview: James pulls no punches regarding favoritism within the church. Chuck examines how human nature tends to cater to the wealthy and influential while overlooking the poor. This message calls the church to reflect God’s impartial heart, reminding us that showing partiality is a direct violation of the “Royal Law” of love.

  • Key Fact: To show favoritism is to judge by external appearance, which is a direct contradiction to the Gospel that offers grace to all.
  • Scripture Reference: James 2:1–13

Message 6: You Can’t Have One without the Other

Overview: In one of the most debated passages in the New Testament, Chuck clarifies the relationship between faith and works. He explains that while we are saved by faith alone, the faith that saves is never alone. Genuine, living faith naturally produces “good works” as an evidence of a transformed heart.

  • Key Fact: Faith without works is “dead,” just as a body without a spirit is a corpse; works are the vital signs of a living relationship with Christ.
  • Scripture Reference: James 2:14–26

Message 7: Bridling the Beast in Your Body

Overview: This message focuses on the small but mighty power of the tongue. Chuck uses James’ vivid metaphors—bits, rudders, and fires—to show how our speech can direct our lives and destroy our relationships. He offers practical wisdom on how to bring our words under the control of the Holy Spirit.

  • Key Fact: The tongue is the most difficult member of the human body to tame; it is a “restless evil” that requires constant divine supervision.
  • Scripture Reference: James 3:1–12

Message 8: The Wise, the Unwise, and the Otherwise (Part 1)

Overview: Chuck explores the contrast between “earthly wisdom” and the “wisdom from above.” This first part identifies the symptoms of worldly wisdom: bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, and disorder. True wisdom is not measured by IQ, but by the peace and humility it produces in one’s life.

  • Key Fact: Earthly wisdom is characterized by a “me-first” attitude that leads to confusion and every evil practice.
  • Scripture Reference: James 3:13–16

Message 9: The Wise, the Unwise, and the Otherwise (Part 2)

Overview: Continuing the study of wisdom, Chuck details the characteristics of heavenly wisdom: purity, peace, gentleness, and mercy. This message provides a checklist for believers to evaluate whether their decisions and attitudes are truly being guided by the Spirit of God.

  • Key Fact: Godly wisdom is “easy to be entreated,” meaning it is approachable, reasonable, and willing to listen.
  • Scripture Reference: James 3:17–18

Message 10: How Fights Are Started and Stopped

Overview: James addresses the “wars and fightings” that occur among believers. Chuck traces the source of conflict back to “unmet inner cravings” and selfish desires. The solution is found in a fourfold process: submit to God, resist the devil, draw near to God, and humble yourself.

  • Key Fact: Conflict with others is almost always a symptom of an internal conflict with God and our own misplaced desires.
  • Scripture Reference: James 4:1–10

Message 11: The Peril of Playing God

Overview: This sermon warns against the arrogance of judging others and making plans without God. Chuck discusses the sin of “slander” and the presumption of assuming we control our own future. We are reminded that our lives are a “vapor” and every plan should be submitted to “If the Lord wills.”

  • Key Fact: Judging a brother or sister is an act of putting oneself above the Law of God; it is a form of spiritual pride.
  • Scripture Reference: James 4:11–17

Message 12: Warnings to the Wealthy

Overview: Chuck tackles James’ stern warning to those who hoard wealth and exploit workers. This message isn’t an indictment of having money, but of the misuse of money and the reliance on riches rather than God. It serves as a sober reminder of the transitory nature of material possessions.

  • Key Fact: God hears the “cries” of those who are treated unfairly by the powerful; justice is delayed but never denied.
  • Scripture Reference: James 5:1–6

Message 13: Doing Right When You’ve Been Done Wrong

Overview: When facing injustice, the natural reaction is retaliation. Chuck provides James’ antidote: patient endurance. Using the examples of the farmer and the prophets, this message encourages believers to “strengthen their hearts” because the Lord’s return is near.

  • Key Fact: Patience is not passive waiting; it is a “steadfast endurance” that refuses to give in to bitterness while waiting for God to act.
  • Scripture Reference: James 5:7–12

Message 14: Suffering, Sickness, Sin—and Healing

Overview: This message delves into one of the most complex passages in James regarding prayer for the sick. Chuck carefully explains the roles of the elders, the “prayer of faith,” and the importance of confession. He provides a balanced, biblical view of how God works through physical and spiritual healing.

  • Key Fact: The “anointing with oil” in James 5 likely refers to both a symbolic act of consecration and a practical application of medicinal care.
  • Scripture Reference: James 5:13–16a

Message 15: The Power of Effective Kneeling

Overview: Using the prophet Elijah as a model, Chuck illustrates the power of “fervent prayer.” This message encourages believers that prayer is not for “super-saints,” but for ordinary people with “a nature like ours” who serve an extraordinary God.

  • Key Fact: The “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man” accomplishes much because it aligns the believer’s heart with God’s power.
  • Scripture Reference: James 5:16b–18

Message 16: How to Handle Straying Saints

Overview: In the series conclusion, Chuck addresses the responsibility of the church to go after those who wander from the truth. This final message emphasizes that “practical Christianity” ends where it began: with a focus on restoration, mercy, and the covering of sins through the Gospel.

  • Key Fact: Restoring a wandering believer is a high calling that “covers a multitude of sins” and saves a soul from the consequences of death.
  • Scripture Reference: James 5:19–20

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The Greatest Words (2016)

Romans 11:33–36

King Nebuchadnezzar gloried in his majesty and power . . . until God cut him down to size and showed him who was the true King. God is the One who directs the affairs of humankind. He is the One who is moving things toward His goals and purpose.

Listen to Pastor Chuck Swindoll teach about God’s sovereignty from Nebuchadnezzar’s experience in Daniel 4 and Paul’s declaration in Romans 11:33–36.

What a comfort to know that God is in charge and at work in your life. He will use you to fulfill His plan and purpose in the world.


In this four-part holiday series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the most profound and life-altering concepts found in Scripture. By focusing on God’s sovereignty, reassurance, the gift of Christ, and the hope of the believer, these messages provide a theological anchor for the soul. Whether navigating a difficult season or celebrating a holiday, these “greatest words” remind us of the unshakeable foundation we have in God.

1. Life’s Greatest Comfort (Romans 11:33–36)

  • Overview: Addresses the doctrine of God’s sovereignty. Using the humbling of King Nebuchadnezzar as a backdrop, Chuck explores how knowing that God is in charge provides the ultimate comfort in an unpredictable world.
  • Key Fact: Sovereignty means God has the right and power to do as He pleases, yet He always acts in accordance with His perfect wisdom and love.
  • Scripture: Romans 11:33 – “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”

2. Our Greatest Reassurance (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Focuses on the security found in God’s promises. This message explores how believers can move from a place of anxiety to a place of rest by leaning on the character of God.
  • Key Fact: Reassurance isn’t found in a change of circumstances, but in the unchanging nature of the One who holds the circumstances.
  • Scripture: Lamentations 3:22–23 – The reminder that God’s compassions never fail and are “new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

3. God’s Greatest Gift (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: A Christmas-focused study on the Incarnation. Chuck examines the magnitude of God becoming man and the “indescribable” nature of the gift of Jesus Christ.
  • Key Fact: The gift of Christ was a sacrificial gift—the Giver gave of Himself to meet a need (salvation) that humanity could not meet for itself.
  • Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15 – “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

4. Believer’s Greatest Hope (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Discusses the future-facing hope of the Christian, specifically the promise of Christ’s return and the eternal life that awaits those who believe.
  • Key Fact: Biblical hope is not a “wish,” but a confident expectation based on the proven reliability of God’s Word.
  • Scripture: Titus 2:13 – Looking for the “blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.”

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Simple Faith

Real Christianity. Where is it? What does it look like? Many Christians are wondering that these days—especially those who once based their faith on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ but have since become trapped in the rat race of performance-based faith . . . caged by the self-imposed demands of works, works, and more works. As a result, many now wonder, “What is real Christianity?”

Simple Faith is about gaining freedom from tyrannical expectations and rediscovering the beauty of what Christ really taught. It’s about getting out of the cage and winging your way back to freedom, peace, and rest in Jesus. Simple Faith recounts the real message of the Sermon on the Mount—what it means to live an authentic, uncomplicated life. In short, it is a call to simple faith.


In a world that complicates Christianity with rules, performance-based demands, and religious “pizzazz,” Pastor Chuck Swindoll calls us back to the basics. Based on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), this 14-part series explores what it means to live an authentic, uncomplicated life. Simple Faith is about trading the “rat race” of religious works for the freedom, peace, and rest found in Jesus Christ.

Message 1. Let’s Keep It Simple (Matthew 5–7 Intro)

  • Overview: Introduces the most famous sermon ever preached. Jesus moves past the surface-level traditions of the Pharisees to get to the heart of real spiritual life.
  • Key Fact: Simple faith is not shallow; it is profound and penetrating, stripping away the “extra” to focus on the essential.
  • Scripture: Matthew 5:1–2 – “He went up on the mountain… and He opened His mouth and began to teach them.”

Message 2. The Qualities of Simple Faith (Matthew 5:1–12)

  • Overview: A study of the Beatitudes. Jesus defines “blessing” in ways that contradict the world’s standards, emphasizing poverty of spirit, mourning, and meekness.
  • Key Fact: The Beatitudes are not “entry requirements” for heaven, but descriptions of the character developed in those who live under God’s kingdom.
  • Scripture: Matthew 5:3 – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Message 3. A Simple Counterstrategy: Shake and Shine (Matthew 5:13–16)

  • Overview: Explores the believer’s role as “salt” and “light.” Simple faith doesn’t hide; it influences the world by simply being what God intended it to be.
  • Key Fact: Salt must stay salty (preserved character) and light must stay visible (public testimony) to be effective.
  • Scripture: Matthew 5:13 – “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?”

Message 4. Simplicity Starts from Within (Matthew 5:17–20)

  • Overview: Jesus explains that He didn’t come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. He demands a righteousness that goes deeper than the external “letter of the law.”
  • Key Fact: External obedience without internal transformation is merely acting; simple faith starts in the heart.
  • Scripture: Matthew 5:20 – “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Message 5. Simple Instructions on Serious Issues (Matthew 5:21–32)

  • Overview: Jesus addresses anger and lust, showing that the root of murder and adultery starts in the mind and the heart.
  • Key Fact: Simple faith involves “radical surgery” on the thoughts and attitudes that lead to sinful actions.
  • Scripture: Matthew 5:28 – “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Message 6. Simple Advice to the Selfish and Strong-Willed (Matthew 5:33–48)

  • Overview: Challenges us to be people of our word, to go the “extra mile,” and to love our enemies rather than seeking retaliation.
  • Key Fact: Perfecting our love means reflecting the indiscriminate kindness of God, who sends rain on the just and the unjust.
  • Scripture: Matthew 5:44 – “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Message 7. Beware! Religious Performance Now Showing (Matthew 6:1–6, 16–18)

  • Overview: A warning against “hypocrisy”—the act of doing spiritual things (giving, praying, fasting) specifically to be seen by others.
  • Key Fact: If you do it for the applause of people, that applause is the only reward you will ever get.
  • Scripture: Matthew 6:1 – “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them.”

Message 8. Prayer and Fasting Minus All the Pizzazz (Matthew 6:7–15)

  • Overview: Jesus provides the “Lord’s Prayer” as a model of simple, direct communication with God, devoid of meaningless repetition or showmanship.
  • Key Fact: Prayer is about aligning our will with God’s, not about impressing Him with our vocabulary.
  • Scripture: Matthew 6:9 – “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.'”

Message 9. When Simple Faith Erodes (Matthew 6:19–24)

  • Overview: Discusses the danger of materialism. When we start storing up treasures on earth, our focus shifts and our faith becomes complicated and anxious.
  • Key Fact: You cannot serve two masters; your heart will always follow your treasure.
  • Scripture: Matthew 6:21 – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Message 10. The Subtle Enemy of Simple Faith (Matthew 6:25–34)

  • Overview: A deep dive into the problem of anxiety. Jesus points to the birds and the lilies to show that God is a reliable Provider who can be trusted for tomorrow.
  • Key Fact: Anxiety is “striving” for what God has already promised to provide; simple faith is “seeking first” His kingdom.
  • Scripture: Matthew 6:34 – “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.”

Message 11. If You’re Serious About Simple Faith, Stop This! (Matthew 7:1–5)

  • Overview: The command to “judge not.” Simple faith involves looking in the mirror to remove the “log” from our own eye before pointing out the “speck” in someone else’s.
  • Key Fact: We are called to be discerners, not self-appointed judges of other people’s motives.
  • Scripture: Matthew 7:1 – “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.”

Message 12. The Most Powerful of All Four-Letter Words (Matthew 7:6–12)

  • Overview: Focuses on “G-I-V-E.” Jesus encourages persistence in prayer (Ask, Seek, Knock) and concludes with the Golden Rule.
  • Key Fact: God is a “Good Father” who delights in giving good gifts to His children who ask Him.
  • Scripture: Matthew 7:12 – “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you.”

Message 13. Simple yet Serious Warnings for Complicated Times (Matthew 7:13–23)

  • Overview: Discusses the “narrow gate” and the danger of false prophets. Simple faith requires discernment because not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” truly knows Him.
  • Key Fact: The “fruit” of a person’s life is the ultimate test of their spiritual authenticity.
  • Scripture: Matthew 7:16 – “You will know them by their fruits.”

Message 14. The Simple Secret of an Unsinkable Life (Matthew 7:24–29)

  • Overview: The series concludes with the parable of the two builders. An “unsinkable” life is built not just on hearing the words of Jesus, but on doing them.
  • Key Fact: Storms come to everyone; the difference in the outcome is the quality of the foundation.
  • Scripture: Matthew 7:24 – “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Common Questions: Simple Faith

1. Is “Simple Faith” the same as being “simple-minded”? Not at all. As Pastor Chuck explains, simple faith is actually quite sophisticated because it requires the discipline to strip away the “religious clutter” that humans tend to add to God’s Word. It is a “refined” faith that focuses on the core teachings of Jesus.

2. How do I know if I’m trapped in “performance-based” faith? If your spiritual life feels like a “rat race” of trying to earn God’s approval through works, or if you feel a sense of “tyrannical expectation” from others, you might be in a performance trap. Simple faith is characterized by “rest” and “peace,” knowing that Christ has already done the work.

3. What does it mean to “shake and shine”? In “A Simple Counterstrategy,” this refers to being Salt (to preserve and sting) and Light (to illuminate). Simple faith doesn’t need to over-complicate its mission; it just needs to exist authentically in the world to make a difference.

4. Why is anxiety called the “subtle enemy” of faith? Anxiety is subtle because it often feels like “responsibility.” However, in Matthew 6, Jesus points out that anxiety is actually a lack of trust in God’s character as a Provider. It “erodes” simple faith by shifting our focus from God’s kingdom to our own survival.

5. What is the “simple secret” to surviving the storms of life? According to the final message, the secret is Obedience. The house built on the rock didn’t survive because the builder “knew” more than the other guy; it survived because the builder acted on what he heard. Simple faith is a “doing” faith.

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Encouraging Essentials for a Dynamic Ministry

No effort we make to achieve something great for God is promised perpetual success. Why? It’s all too easy for the slow, silent slip toward spiritual erosion to cool our love for God and diminish our effectiveness for the kingdom.

Thankfully, the Bible explains several essential ingredients that can give our lives and our ministries significance that outlives us.

Join Chuck Swindoll for this special message and learn not only how to prevent erosion in your life but also how to deepen your intimacy with God in a way that will overflow to others.


No effort made for God is promised perpetual success without intentionality. This series addresses the “slow, silent slip toward spiritual erosion” that can cool a believer’s love for God and diminish the effectiveness of a ministry. Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the essential biblical ingredients required to maintain vitality and ensure a ministry’s significance outlives its leaders.

Message 1: Encouraging Essentials for a Dynamic Ministry

  • Overview: Once a ministry is launched—whether it is a church, an evangelistic outreach, or a mission to the vulnerable—the challenge becomes maintaining its momentum. This message provides practical and biblical guidance on how to stay on mission and prevent the spiritual drift that leads to organizational and personal stagnation.
  • Key Fact: Maintaining a dynamic ministry is directly linked to the leader’s intimacy with God; vitality in public service is an overflow of a private, deepening relationship with the Lord.
  • Scripture: Acts 20:17–38 – “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers…”

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Growing Up in God’s Family

God’s Word describes the body of believers as “brothers and sisters” and “co-heirs” with Jesus, and when Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He began by saying, “Our Father.” Why?

We’re a family in Christ. And like any family, God’s family is filled with people in all stages of spiritual development: newborn believers, those still adolescent in their walk, and the spiritually mature.

Join Chuck Swindoll as he takes an in-depth look at the stages of growth that characterize the Christian walk.

Spiritual maturity is not an automatic result of time; it is a process of intentional growth. In this series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the “ages and stages” of the Christian life. By comparing spiritual development to human physical growth—from infancy to adulthood—Chuck provides a roadmap for identifying immaturity and pursuing the “solid food” of a deep, seasoned relationship with Christ.

Message 1: Analysis of a Crop Failure

  • Overview: Why do some Christians stop growing? Using the Parable of the Soils, Chuck analyzes the internal and external “choke points” that prevent the Word of God from producing a harvest in a believer’s life.
  • Key Fact: Spiritual “crop failure” is rarely a seed problem; it is almost always a soil problem involving the distractions of the world or a lack of depth in the heart.
  • Scripture Reference: Matthew 13:1–23

Message 2: Growing Up in God’s Family

  • Overview: An introduction to the family dynamics of the Kingdom. Chuck establishes that every believer enters God’s family as a “newborn” and outlines the biblical expectation for consistent maturation.
  • Key Fact: Just as physical growth is the natural result of health, spiritual growth is the natural result of a healthy connection to the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ.
  • Scripture Reference: 1 John 2:12–14

Message 3: Ages and Stages of Growing Up

  • Overview: Chuck explores the distinct phases of spiritual life mentioned by the Apostle John: little children, young men, and fathers.
  • Key Fact: Each stage of spiritual growth has its own unique strengths (such as the energy of “young men”) and its own unique vulnerabilities.
  • Scripture Reference: 1 John 2:12–14

Message 4: Birth and Infancy: Survival Basics

  • Overview: Every believer starts at the same place: spiritual infancy. This message focuses on the “survival basics” of the new life in Christ, primarily the craving for the “pure milk of the word.”
  • Key Fact: Spiritual infants are characterized by a total dependence on others for “feeding” and a high need for protection and basic nurture.
  • Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 2:1–3

Message 5: Look . . . I’m Walking!

  • Overview: The transition from being a passive recipient of the Word to an active doer. Chuck discusses the first steps of spiritual obedience and the “wobbles” that often accompany early growth.
  • Key Fact: Spiritual “walking” begins when a believer moves from merely hearing the Truth to applying it in daily, practical decisions.
  • Scripture Reference: Hebrews 5:11–14

Message 6: The Delights of Childhood

  • Overview: Childhood is a season of wonder and simple trust. Chuck encourages believers to maintain a “childlike” faith—characterized by curiosity and dependence—without becoming “childish.”
  • Key Fact: Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God belongs to those who approach Him with the humility and openness of a child.
  • Scripture Reference: Mark 10:13–16

Message 7: Adult Talk about “Childish Things”

  • Overview: There is a point where a believer must “put away childish things.” Chuck identifies the behaviors that are appropriate for a child but indicate a lack of growth in an adult believer.
  • Key Fact: “Childishness” in the church is often manifested through divisiveness, jealousy, and a focus on self-interest rather than the needs of the Body.
  • Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Corinthians 3:1–3

Message 8: Three Proofs of Growth

  • Overview: How do you measure spiritual maturity? Chuck provides three objective benchmarks: a growing knowledge of Christ, an increasing discernment of truth, and a deepening stability in character.
  • Key Fact: Maturity is not measured by how much you know, but by how much your knowledge has transformed your character.
  • Scripture Reference: 2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:13–15

Message 9: Adolescents in Adult Bodies

  • Overview: A challenging message regarding spiritual “arrested development.” Chuck describes the frustration of being chronologically old in the faith but spiritually immature.
  • Key Fact: Spiritual adolescence is marked by a “know-it-all” attitude combined with a lack of consistent, sacrificial responsibility.
  • Scripture Reference: Hebrews 5:12; 1 Corinthians 3:1–4

Message 10: When Peter Pan Comes to Church

  • Overview: Drawing on the literary figure who refused to grow up, Chuck addresses the “Peter Pan syndrome” in the church—believers who want the benefits of the family without the responsibilities of adulthood.
  • Key Fact: A healthy church requires “fathers and mothers” in the faith who are willing to mentor the next generation rather than remaining perpetual consumers.
  • Scripture Reference: Philippians 3:12–16

Message 11: What’s Right about Adolescence?

  • Overview: While adolescence can be a time of turmoil, it also brings passion and strength. Chuck explores how the zeal of “young men” in the faith is vital for spiritual warfare and church health.
  • Key Fact: Spiritual adolescents often possess the “word of God abiding in them” and the strength to overcome the evil one in ways that more passive believers do not.
  • Scripture Reference: 1 John 2:14

Message 12: Reasons We Resist Becoming Mature

  • Overview: Why do we stay small? Chuck identifies the common hurdles to growth: the comfort of the familiar, a fear of what God might ask of us, and a lack of spiritual discipline.
  • Key Fact: Resistance to growth is often a subtle form of self-protection that keeps us from the “abundant life” Christ promised.
  • Scripture Reference: Hebrews 6:1–3; Galatians 5:1

Message 13: The Church: Who Needs It?

  • Overview: Growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Chuck makes a compelling case for the necessity of the local church as the “greenhouse” where spiritual maturity is cultivated through fellowship and accountability.
  • Key Fact: Isolation is the enemy of maturity; we are commanded to “provoke one another to love and good works” through regular gathering.
  • Scripture Reference: Hebrews 10:24–25

Message 14: A Story for Adults to Remember

  • Overview: Using a narrative approach, Chuck shares a powerful “story of growth” that illustrates the shift from self-centeredness to God-centeredness.
  • Key Fact: Biblical stories and parables serve as “mirrors” that allow us to see our own spiritual standing more clearly than abstract lists.
  • Scripture Reference: Luke 15:11–32

Message 15: A Song for Adults to Sing

  • Overview: A message on the role of worship and gratitude in the life of a mature believer. Chuck explores how our “song” changes as we grow deeper in the Lord.
  • Key Fact: The mature believer’s worship is rooted in the “theology of the soul” rather than just the emotions of the moment.
  • Scripture Reference: Psalm 40:1–3; Colossians 3:16

Message 16: Growing Up in God’s Family

  • Overview: The series finale. Chuck synthesizes the lessons learned into a final call to pursue Christ with everything we have, moving toward the goal of “fullness in Christ.”
  • Key Fact: The ultimate goal of growing up in God’s family is to reflect the character of the Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, to a watching world.
  • Scripture Reference: Ephesians 4:11–16

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Easter 2016

Have you ever felt lost and alone, like you’re stumbling through a dark tunnel and God’s light seems so far away?

So did the disciples. When the thick fog of disillusionment and disappointment settled after Jesus’ heartbreaking death, His disciples felt helpless and vulnerable. But when Christ rose from the dead, light broke through and dispelled their depression.

Join Chuck Swindoll for his Easter message, and allow the light of Christ’s resurrection to give you hope today. Remember that “weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5).


For the follower of Jesus Christ, there is no holiday grander than Easter. It represents the culmination of biblical prophecy and the very foundation of the Christian faith. In this message, Chuck Swindoll explores how the light of Christ’s resurrection dispels the thick fog of disillusionment, disappointment, and depression. Whether you are walking through a season of darkness or seeking to deepen your understanding of the empty tomb, this series offers the hope that comes from knowing that “weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

Message 1: As Dawn Arrived . . . He Arose

Sermon Summary The disciples once felt lost, alone, and vulnerable after the heartbreaking death of their Master. They were stumbling through a dark tunnel of despair until the morning light broke through with the news of the empty tomb. In this message, Chuck focuses on the account in Matthew 28, where the arrival of dawn coincided with the greatest event in human history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We explore the historical reality of the resurrection and its power to ignite a spiritual fire that continues to transform lives today.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Culmination of Prophecy: How the resurrection fulfills God’s long-standing promises to His people.
  • Dispelling Despair: The emotional and spiritual shift from the “night” of the crucifixion to the “morning” of the resurrection.
  • The Foundation of Faith: Why the resurrection is the central pillar of Christian belief and hope.

Primary Scripture References

  • Matthew 28:1–7: The account of the women at the tomb and the angel’s announcement that “He is not here; for He has risen.”
  • Psalm 30:5: The promise that joy arrives with the morning light.

Common Questions about the Resurrection (FAQ)

Why is the resurrection so important to Christianity? The resurrection is the validation of everything Jesus claimed to be. It proves that His sacrifice for sin was sufficient, that death has been defeated, and that eternal life is a reality for those who believe. Without the resurrection, the Christian faith would have no foundation.

How did the resurrection change the disciples? The disciples were transformed from a group of fearful, hidden men into bold witnesses who were willing to risk their lives to spread the Gospel. The resurrection turned their disillusionment into an unshakeable certainty.

Can the resurrection help me with my own depression or disappointment? Yes. The message of Easter is that no situation is too dark for God’s light to reach. Just as the resurrection dispelled the disciples’ despair, it serves as a reminder that God specializes in bringing life out of death and joy out of sorrow.

Is there historical evidence that Jesus actually rose from the dead? The empty tomb, the post-resurrection appearances to hundreds of witnesses, and the sudden, radical change in the behavior of the disciples all serve as significant historical evidence for the reality of the resurrection.

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Rules for Running a Rewarding Race

Are you the worrying type—fearful of the possibilities tomorrow may hold but also grieving mistakes of the past? As we stand at the beginning of a new year, we must admit that we can’t predict the future and we can’t change the past. Trying to do either is a waste of time and energy.

Join Chuck Swindoll for his New Year message and learn from Philippians 3 and Hebrews 12 how to keep your eyes focused on Jesus and run your race of faith this year.


Many people spend their lives either paralyzed by the fear of an unpredictable future or weighed down by the grief of past mistakes. In this focused New Year’s message, Pastor Chuck Swindoll uses the imagery of an athletic race to provide a strategy for spiritual endurance. By applying the “rules” found in the writings of Paul and the author of Hebrews, Chuck teaches us how to strip away the distractions of “yesterday” and “tomorrow” so we can run with purpose and focus in the “today” that God has provided.

1. Rules for Running a Rewarding Race (Hebrews 12:1–2; Philippians 3:12–14)

  • Overview: Addresses the spiritual exhaustion that comes from carrying unnecessary baggage. Chuck identifies the two primary weights: an unchangeable past and an unpredictable future. He encourages believers to “lay aside every encumbrance” and focus exclusively on the “Author and Perfecter” of our faith.
  • Key Fact: A rewarding race is not won by the fastest runner, but by the one who stays in their lane and keeps their eyes fixed on Jesus.
  • Scripture: Hebrews 12:1 – “…let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

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Listener Favorites, Volume 3

Your spiritual life may feel like a spiritual couch potato that sprouts an occasional spud. It doesn’t need to be that way! God has a wonderful workout plan for you.

This series of four of Chuck Swindoll's recently most requested messages outlines a spiritual fitness regimen for your walk with God. Messages include:

  • “Strengthening Your Grip on Purity”
  • “Simplicity Starts from Within”
  • “What Happens When We Pray”
  • “The Qualities of Simple Faith”


A healthy spiritual life should be more than a stagnant routine. In this collection of “Listener Favorites,” Chuck Swindoll outlines a spiritual fitness regimen designed to move you from a state of lethargy to a vibrant, active walk with the Lord. These four recently most-requested messages address the foundational areas of purity, prayer, and simple faith. By applying these biblical principles, you can strengthen your spiritual roots and experience the growth and vitality God intends for every believer.

Strengthening Your Grip on Purity

Sermon Summary We live in a society where sexual temptations abound and moral purity is often scoffed at. This message takes us back to the first century to explore the apostle Paul’s perspective on living a holy life in a pagan culture. Chuck discusses the necessity of setting clear boundaries and maintaining a “tight grip” on purity. We learn that holiness is not an outdated concept but a vital protection for the believer’s heart and a powerful witness to a watching world.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Challenge of Culture: Navigating a society that welcomes sin with gladness.
  • Paul’s Practical Counsel: Understanding the biblical mandate for sexual purity.
  • Guarding the Heart: The importance of intentionality in maintaining a holy walk.

Primary Scripture References

  • Matthew 18:15–17
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:1–5

Simplicity Starts from Within

Sermon Summary Our lives are often cluttered with external noise and internal complications. This message emphasizes that true simplicity is not just about our surroundings, but about our hearts. Chuck explores how a simple faith begins with an internal focus on Christ. By quieting the inner chaos and centering our thoughts on God’s Word, we can experience a life of clarity and peace that the world cannot provide.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Inner Simplicity: Trading internal complication for a focused devotion to Christ.
  • Quietness and Confidence: Finding strength through a centered heart.
  • Deepening Roots: Why internal growth is the prerequisite for external simplicity.

What Happens When We Pray?

Sermon Summary Prayer is one of the most powerful tools available to the believer, yet it is often misunderstood or neglected. This message explores the dynamic reality of what occurs in the spiritual realm when we communicate with God. Chuck discusses how prayer changes our perspective, aligns our will with God’s, and invites divine intervention into our circumstances. We learn that prayer is not just a duty, but a vital life-link to our heavenly Father.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Power of Intercession: Understanding the impact of our requests before God’s throne.
  • Aligning with God’s Will: How prayer transforms our desires to match the Father’s.
  • Divine Connection: Recognizing prayer as the essential heartbeat of a healthy spiritual life.

The Qualities of Simple Faith

Sermon Summary What does it look like to walk with “simple faith”? This message identifies the core qualities of a life that is truly dependent on God. Chuck moves past religious complexity to the hallmarks of a child-like trust: humility, obedience, and an unshakeable confidence in God’s character. We are encouraged to strip away the “added extras” of religious tradition and return to the beauty and power of a simple, sincere faith in Jesus Christ.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Child-like Trust: Embracing a posture of humility and dependence.
  • Hallmarks of Faith: Identifying the visible traits of a life lived for God.
  • Stripping Away Complexity: Returning to the foundational truths of the Gospel.

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