Insight for Living

The Bible-Teaching Ministry of Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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2017

Listener Favorites, Volume 4

Some messages settle into our souls like a salve, providing healing where our deepest hurts and fears reside. Others remind us, through the fiercest storms, that we CAN be secured by a hope that won’t disappoint.

Hear two of Chuck Swindoll’s most-requested messages, from the What If . . .? series, which are also included in Listener Favorites, Volume 4: Our Best for His Highest. These messages cover challenges like dealing with unrepentant people and facing that terrifying fear: death.


This collection features some of Pastor Chuck Swindoll’s most requested and impactful messages. From practical advice on breaking the habit of worry to profound theological explorations of suffering and mortality, these sermons provide a spiritual “salve” for deep hurts and a firm anchor for life’s fiercest storms. This volume addresses the difficult “what if” questions of life, offering biblical clarity and hope for believers facing relentless challenges.

1. Stop Worrying and Start Trusting

  • Overview: Addresses the “addiction” of worry that plagues many within the body of Christ. Chuck offers biblical strategies for moving from a state of nagging anxiety to a posture of radical trust in God’s provision.
  • Key Fact: Worry is a relentless habit that defies quick solutions, but it can be overcome by intentionally shifting our focus to the character and promises of God.
  • Scripture: Matthew 6:25–34 – “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.”

2. Stop Shaming and Start Honoring

  • Overview: Explores the destructive nature of shame within the community of faith. This message encourages believers to trade judgmental attitudes for a culture of honor and grace.
  • Key Fact: Shaming others is a barrier to spiritual growth; honoring others reflects the heart of Christ and fosters true reconciliation.
  • Scripture: Romans 12:10 – “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.”

3. When Troubles Won’t Go Away

  • Overview: A message for those in the “long haul” of suffering. Chuck discusses how to maintain faith and perseverance when circumstances do not change and the “thorns” remain.
  • Key Fact: God’s grace is most clearly displayed when our trials are persistent, proving that His strength is perfected in our continued weakness.
  • Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”

4. Suffering, Sickness, Sin—and Healing (James 5:13–16)

  • Overview: Tackles the complex relationship between physical health and spiritual life. Chuck provides a balanced, biblical perspective on prayer, confession, and the sovereign work of God in healing.
  • Key Fact: While not all sickness is a result of specific sin, the prayer of faith and the practice of confession are vital components of the believer’s response to suffering.
  • Scripture: James 5:16 – “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.”

5. What If You Were to Die Tonight?

  • Overview: Addresses the universal fear of death with the “blessed assurance” of the Gospel. This message provides a clear roadmap for how to prepare for eternity and find peace in the face of mortality.
  • Key Fact: The fear of death is removed when we understand that for the believer, to be “absent from the body” is to be “at home with the Lord.”
  • Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:8 – “We are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.”

6. What If a Person Is an Unrepentant Troublemaker?

  • Overview: Provides wise counsel on how to handle toxic or divisive individuals within the church or family. Chuck outlines the biblical steps for confrontation, boundaries, and protection.
  • Key Fact: Loving someone doesn’t mean allowing them to continually cause chaos; biblical love include the courage to address unrepentant behavior.
  • Scripture: Titus 3:10 – “Reject a factious man after a first and second warning.”

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God Knows What He’s About

When we consider the vastness of the universe, much less the seven billion souls inhabiting our planet, we can struggle to believe that God cares about our circumstances.

We can trust that God knows us, and His plans are woven in the fabric of our everyday lives. By studying the prophet Jonah and Saul of Tarsus,  we will learn that even when we doubt, rebel, and display our weakness of pride, God knows what He’s about. His plans will not be thwarted.


In this five-part holiday series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the unshakable certainty of God’s sovereignty. Whether through the precise fulfillment of ancient prophecies or the dramatic transformation of a stubborn heart, these messages demonstrate that God is never surprised and never sidelined. By looking at the lives of Mary, Jonah, and Saul of Tarsus, we see that God’s plans are woven into the fabric of history and our individual lives, reminding us that even in chaos, He knows exactly what He is about.

1. God Keeps His Promises (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7; Micah 5:2)

  • Overview: Examines the staggering accuracy of Messianic prophecies. It establishes that if God kept His word regarding the first coming of Christ, we can be certain He will keep every other promise in Scripture.
  • Key Fact: Prophecies about Christ’s birth were given hundreds of years in advance, pinpointing the lineage, the nature of the birth, and the specific location (Bethlehem).
  • Scripture: Micah 5:2 – “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah… from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.”

2. God Chooses His Servants (Luke 1:26–38)

  • Overview: Focuses on the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary. It highlights God’s tendency to choose the obscure and the humble to fulfill His greatest purposes.
  • Key Fact: Mary’s response (“Behold, the bondslave of the Lord”) is the ultimate model of availability and trust in God’s sovereign plan.
  • Scripture: Luke 1:38 – “And Mary said, ‘Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.'”

3. God Sends His Son (Luke 2:1–20)

  • Overview: A Christmas message detailing the “quiet entry” of the Savior. It explores how God used a Roman census and a pagan emperor to ensure the Messiah was born exactly where prophecy predicted.
  • Key Fact: The “fullness of time” included the perfect political and social conditions for the arrival of the King of kings.
  • Scripture: Luke 2:7 – “And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger.”

4. God Bends a Stubborn Will (Jonah 1–4)

  • Overview: Traces the reluctant journey of Jonah. It illustrates that while we can run from God’s call, we cannot outrun His reach or His determination to accomplish His mission.
  • Key Fact: God is more interested in the transformation of His servant than just the delivery of a message to Nineveh.
  • Scripture: Jonah 2:9 – “Salvation is from the Lord.”

5. God Humbles a Proud Heart (Acts 9:1–19)

  • Overview: The dramatic conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. This message proves that no heart is too hard for God to break and no past is too dark for God to redeem.
  • Key Fact: Saul went from “breathing threats and murder” to being a “chosen instrument” to carry God’s name before kings and Gentiles.
  • Scripture: Acts 9:15 – “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings.”

Common Questions: God Knows What He’s About

1. How can I trust God’s plan when my life feels out of control? As Pastor Chuck explains in “God Keeps His Promises,” our trust is based on God’s track record. When we see how He managed the complex details of Christ’s birth through multiple world empires and centuries of time, we can rest knowing He is equally capable of managing the details of our lives today.

2. Why does God often choose “ordinary” people for extraordinary tasks? In “God Chooses His Servants,” it is noted that God chooses the humble so that His power—not human talent—gets the glory. Like Mary, our greatest “qualification” is our willingness to be available for whatever He asks.

3. Does God still “bend” wills like He did with Jonah? Yes. In “God Bends a Stubborn Will,” the series teaches that God’s “severe mercy” often involves allowing us to reach the end of ourselves (the “belly of the whale”) so that we finally look to Him. His “bending” is always an act of love to bring us back to His purpose.

4. What can the conversion of Saul teach us about difficult people in our lives? The message “God Humbles a Proud Heart” reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. If God could transform the church’s greatest persecutor into its greatest apostle, He can reach the most “impossible” person in your life.

5. How does the “sovereignty of God” help with New Year’s anxiety? The series conclusion emphasizes that because “God knows what He’s about,” we don’t have to know every detail of the future. We can enter a new year with confidence, not because we know what the year holds, but because we know who holds the year.

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Cultivating a Dynamic Ministry

God designed His church to be a reliable refuge . . . a steadfast pocket of resilience and charm . . . a welcoming place where people can rebuild broken relationships, share their grief, discover godly wisdom, and weather life’s fiercest storms.

Do you long to be a part of such a place?

God’s Word holds the key to believers’ becoming the light He intends us to be as we journey through life together!

In this two-message set, Chuck Swindoll looks to Scripture to help you diagnose problems and cultivate the essentials of worship, fellowship, and time in the Word. First, drawing warnings from Ezekiel, Chuck alerts us to the dangers of spiritual decay. Then he takes us to 1 Corinthians to discover the vital characteristics of a thriving church.

And the most important characteristic? “Do everything with love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).


The church was designed by God to be a reliable refuge—a place of resilience, charm, and wisdom where broken people can find healing and community. In this two-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores how to move away from spiritual decay toward a thriving, vibrant ministry. By diagnosing the signs of a “dying” ministry and highlighting the essentials of a “dynamic” one, this series provides a roadmap for any believer or church leader who longs for their spiritual community to be the light God intended.

1. Discouraging Signs of a Dying Ministry (Ezekiel 8)

  • Overview: Drawing sobering warnings from the book of Ezekiel, Chuck identifies the internal symptoms of spiritual rot. Just as the temple in Ezekiel’s day became corrupted by secret idolatry and spiritual apathy, modern ministries can lose their life when they prioritize image over integrity.
  • Key Fact: A dying ministry often looks successful on the outside, but is defined by a lack of genuine worship and the presence of “hidden” idols in the hearts of its people.
  • Scripture: Ezekiel 8:12 – “Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are practicing in the dark, each man in his room of carved images?'”

2. Encouraging Essentials for a Dynamic Ministry (1 Corinthians 16)

  • Overview: Shifts from warning to inspiration, using Paul’s closing instructions to the Corinthians to define a healthy church. A dynamic ministry is characterized by alertness, strength, and above all, a commitment to love.
  • Key Fact: The “secret sauce” of a thriving ministry is not a better program or a bigger building, but the quality of love that permeates every action.
  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13–14 – “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”

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A Living Hope

We can navigate the placid waters of life one moment and get tossed by the storms of trials and tribulations the next. That’s why we need hope. Hope illumines and warms our souls on cold, dark days. Hope is a lighthouse when we’re storm tossed.

In this uplifting series, you’ll be inspired by our eternal Hope—Jesus—by listening in on the always winsome and grace-filled messages from Chuck Swindoll. Learn how the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and that transformed a gruff fisherman like Peter into the eloquent “Rock” of the church energizes us to let our lights brilliantly shine with hope for a dark world.


Hope is the lighthouse that guides us through life’s most violent storms. In this two-part Easter series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the transformative power of the Resurrection. By looking at how the empty tomb changed the course of history and the character of the Apostle Peter, these messages demonstrate that the same power that “untied the death ropes” is available today to energize our faith and turn our darkness into light.

1. When God Untied the Death Ropes (Acts 2:22–24; Matthew 26:31–35)

  • Overview: Explores the transformation of Peter from a fearful, hot-tempered denier to a bold proclaimer of the Gospel. It highlights the reality of the Resurrection as the event that broke the power of death and despair.
  • Key Fact: Peter’s boldness on the Day of Pentecost was not a result of his own willpower, but a direct consequence of witnessing the resurrected Christ.
  • Scripture: Acts 2:24 – “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.”

2. Marching Orders from the Master (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Focuses on the “living hope” that believers possess because of the empty tomb. It provides practical “marching orders” for how to live as people of the Resurrection in a world that is often devoid of hope.
  • Key Fact: The Resurrection is not just a historical fact to be believed, but a current power to be lived out through our witness and character.
  • Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Common Questions: A Living Hope

1. Why is the hope of a Christian called a “living” hope? In the series, Pastor Chuck explains that a “living hope” is dynamic and active. Unlike “dead hope” (wishful thinking), a living hope is anchored in the person of the resurrected Jesus. It grows stronger as we walk with Him and provides constant warmth even on life’s coldest days.

2. How did the Resurrection change Peter’s character? Before the Resurrection, Peter was impulsive and easily intimidated, as seen in his denial of Jesus. After seeing the risen Lord, Peter became “The Rock”—eloquent, steadfast, and willing to face persecution. The “death ropes” were untied not just from Jesus, but from Peter’s spirit.

3. What does it mean that it was “impossible” for death to hold Jesus? Drawing from Acts 2:24, Chuck teaches that because Jesus was sinless and was God in the flesh, death had no legal or spiritual claim on Him. The Resurrection was the inevitable triumph of Life over the temporary shadow of the grave.

4. How can I find this hope when I’m in the middle of a “storm”? The series uses the imagery of a lighthouse. When you are storm-tossed, you don’t look at the waves; you look at the Light. By standing on the “strong foundation of God’s Word,” you can endure calamities because you know the end of the story—victory in Christ.

5. What are our “marching orders” as Resurrection people? Our orders are to let our lights “brilliantly shine.” This means being grace-filled and winsome in our communication, bold in our witness, and confident in our future, knowing that the same power that raised Jesus is at work in us.

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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.

A Case for Practical Christianity

Sermon Summary While books like Romans lay the theological foundation, James builds the practical structure of the Christian life. This opening message introduces James—the half-brother of Jesus—as a leader who valued reality over religious theory. Chuck establishes the “case” for why our faith must be visible and active, setting the stage for a study that moves from the head to the hands.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Identity of James: Understanding the unique perspective of the Lord’s brother.
  • Authenticity vs. Hypocrisy: Why the world rejects a “phony” faith.

When Troubles Won’t Go Away

Sermon Summary Life is full of “various trials” that often seem to linger far longer than we’d like. This message explores how to respond when troubles won’t go away. Chuck discusses the purpose of trials—to produce endurance and maturity. We learn that joy in the midst of suffering is not an emotion, but a conscious choice to trust that God is doing a perfect work through our persistent difficulties.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Purpose of Trials: Recognizing that God uses pressure to develop character.
  • Choosing Joy: Understanding joy as a matter of perspective, not circumstances.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • James 1:2–12

Plain Talk about Temptation

Sermon Summary Temptation is a universal struggle, but its source is often misunderstood. This message provides “plain talk” on where temptation comes from and how it leads to sin. Chuck warns against blaming God for our struggles, showing instead that temptation takes root in our own desires. We learn the practical steps to resist the pull of the flesh by focusing on the “perfect gifts” that come from the Father.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Anatomy of Temptation: How desire leads to sin and sin to death.
  • God’s Character: Why the Father of lights only gives good and perfect gifts.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • James 1:13–18

The Great Divorce

Sermon Summary There is a “great divorce” that often occurs in the lives of believers: the separation of hearing the Word from doing the Word. This message addresses the danger of self-deception—listening to truth but never allowing it to change our behavior. Chuck encourages us to look into the “perfect law of liberty” and become “effectual doers,” proving that our religion is not worthless.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Hearing vs. Doing: The danger of being a “forgetful hearer.”
  • Pure Religion: Defining authentic faith as compassion for the vulnerable and moral purity.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • James 1:19–27

Bridling the Beast in Your Body

Sermon Summary The smallest member of our body—the tongue—can cause the greatest destruction. This message focuses on James’ vivid imagery of bits, rudders, and fires. Chuck discusses the impossibility of taming the tongue by human effort alone. We learn the necessity of bringing our speech under the control of the Holy Spirit to avoid “restless evil” and “deadly poison” in our relationships.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Power of Words: Recognizing the impact of our speech for good or evil.
  • Spiritual Discipline: Why taming the tongue is a mark of true maturity.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • James 3:1–12

The Power of Effective Kneeling

Sermon Summary The book of James concludes with a powerful emphasis on prayer. This message explores what it means to be a “righteous person” whose prayers are effective. Using the example of Elijah, Chuck shows that prayer is not about religious formula, but about fervent, sincere communication with God. We learn that “effective kneeling” can change circumstances, heal the sick, and restore the wandering.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Prayer of Faith: Trusting God’s power to intervene in physical and spiritual needs.
  • Elijah as Example: Why a person “with a nature like ours” can see miraculous results.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • James 5:13–18

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Gaining a Fresh Perspective

Grudges grind friendships to a halt. Bitterness turns marriages into marathons of misery. Misunderstandings build walls of resentment between neighbors who erect high fences. Even churches aren’t immune to the painful results of hurtful words and unmet expectations.

Are you stuck in the disappointment of a broken relationship? Desperate to break free from the chains of bitterness and anger? A fresh perspective is the place to start, and that’s God’s specialty. His Word provides the hope and help you need.

In Gaining a Fresh Perspective: Seeing Relationships through New Eyes, Chuck Swindoll uses the lens of Scripture to offer you a hope-filled outlook on your relationships. The Lord is ready to restore and renew! Discover how His grace can provide genuine healing and lasting transformation.


Relationships can be the source of our greatest joy or our deepest misery. Grudges, bitterness, and unmet expectations often build walls of resentment that seem impossible to scale. In this series, Gaining a Fresh Perspective: Seeing Relationships through New Eyes, Chuck Swindoll explores how the lens of Scripture can transform our outlook. By applying God’s curative power of forgiveness, we can break free from the chains of anger and move toward a life characterized by restoration and renewal.

Message 1: Looking Back: Clearing Away the Trash We Regret

Sermon Summary Many of us live with a “rearview mirror” filled with regret over the messes we’ve made in our own lives or the wreckage of broken relationships. In this message, Chuck uncovers wisdom from the book of Joel, showing how God’s tender mercies are activated through our grief and repentance. We learn that “clearing the trash” of the past is a necessary step before we can move forward into the healing God has planned for our future.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Necessity of Repentance: Understanding how a heart turned toward God opens the door to mercy.
  • Facing the Truth: The courage required to address the failures and regrets that we often try to hide.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • The Book of Joel: A study of God’s restoration following a season of national and personal brokenness.

Message 2: Looking Back: Finding Healing Through Forgiveness

Sermon Summary Forgiveness is the most powerful curative agent in the human experience, yet it is often the hardest to apply. This message focuses on the practical and spiritual dimensions of releasing others from the debts they owe us. By looking back at our injuries through the lens of God’s grace, we discover that forgiveness isn’t just for the offender—it is the key that unlocks our own prison of bitterness and allows genuine healing to begin.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Curative Power of Grace: How letting go of grudges restores spiritual and emotional health.
  • Lasting Transformation: Why forgiveness is the foundation for renewed friendships and marriages.

Primary Scripture References

  • Ephesians 4:31–32: The call to let go of bitterness and forgive as God in Christ forgave us.
  • Colossians 3:13: Bearing with one another and maintaining a heart of forgiveness.

Common Questions about Relationship Healing (FAQ)

What is the first step toward fixing a broken relationship? The first step is often gaining a “fresh perspective” by looking at the situation through God’s eyes rather than our own hurt feelings. This involves an honest evaluation of our own part in the conflict and a willingness to prioritize reconciliation over being “right.”

Does forgiving someone mean I have to trust them again immediately? No. Forgiveness and trust are two different things. Forgiveness is a gift of grace given freely to the offender to release your own bitterness. Trust is a quality that must be rebuilt over time through consistent, faithful behavior.

How do I handle a regret that keeps coming back to haunt me? Scripture tells us to “clear away the trash” by confessing it to God and accepting His complete forgiveness. When regrets resurface, remind yourself that God’s mercy is new every morning and that in Christ, your past does not define your future.

What if the other person doesn’t want to reconcile? As believers, we are called to live at peace with everyone so far as it depends on us (Romans 12:18). You can offer forgiveness and extend an olive branch, but you are not responsible for the other person’s response. Your healing is found in your obedience to God, regardless of the outcome.

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Abraham: One Nomad’s Amazing Journey of Faith

What does it mean to be “the friend of God”? Though he lived in a world at enmity with God, Abraham modeled an enviable walk of faith. When told to go, he went. When promised, he believed. When commanded, he obeyed—even when it seemed to make no sense at all.

Abraham wasn’t “the friend of God” (James 2:23) because of his intellect, his pedigree, or his fortune. Abraham was God’s friend because of his faith. Follow the great Patriarch on his epic adventure, and be challenged to answer life-changing questions. As you witness an imperfect man’s transformation into a hero of the faith, you’ll be warned by his failures and inspired by his trust . . . and you’ll learn what it really means to be a “friend of God.”


What does it take to be called the “friend of God”? In this 22-part epic study of Genesis, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the life of the great patriarch, Abraham. From his initial call to leave Ur to the ultimate test of faith on Mount Moriah, Abraham’s journey serves as a masterclass in trusting God’s promises when they seem impossible. By looking at his remarkable victories and his human failures, Chuck reveals that a life of faith isn’t about perfection—it’s about a persistent, adventurous walk with the living God.

1. A Patriarch in Panorama (Genesis 11:27–32; Acts 7:2–4)

  • Overview: Introduces Abram in the context of his family and his roots in Ur of the Chaldeans. It sets the stage for a man chosen from a pagan culture to become the father of a new nation.
  • Key Fact: Being a friend of God starts with hearing His voice in the middle of a world that has forgotten Him.

2. Going . . . Not Knowing (Genesis 12:1–9)

  • Overview: Explores the radical nature of Abraham’s call: to leave his country, his relatives, and his father’s house for a destination God had not yet revealed.
  • Key Fact: True faith is often characterized by obedience without a map; it is going where God says while trusting Him with the “how” and the “where.”
  • Scripture: Hebrews 11:8 – “By faith Abraham, when he was called… went out, not knowing where he was going.”

3. Never-to-Be-Forgotten Promises (Genesis 12:1–3)

  • Overview: A deep dive into the Abrahamic Covenant. God promises to make him a great nation, to bless him, and to make him a blessing to all the families of the earth.
  • Key Fact: God’s promises are the “unshakeable foundation” of the believer’s life; they provide security in a shifting world.

4. When the Faithful Fail (Genesis 12:10–20)

  • Overview: Addresses Abraham’s detour into Egypt during a famine. To protect himself, he lies about Sarah being his wife, showing that even heroes of the faith struggle with fear and self-preservation.
  • Key Fact: Failure is part of the journey of faith; God’s grace is big enough to recover us when we take matters into our own hands.

5. A Decision That Led to a Disaster (Genesis 13)

  • Overview: The conflict between Abraham’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen. Abraham chooses the path of peace, but Lot chooses the “well-watered plain” of Sodom, leading to future tragedy.
  • Key Fact: Decisions based solely on outward appearance and personal gain often lead to spiritual disaster.

6. Abram, the Greathearted (Genesis 14)

  • Overview: Abraham rescues Lot from captivity and meets the mysterious Melchizedek. He demonstrates a “greathearted” spirit by refusing to take the spoils of war for himself.
  • Key Fact: A person who trusts in God’s provision doesn’t need to grab for worldly wealth.

7. Can We Talk? (Genesis 15)

  • Overview: Abraham expresses his doubts and questions to God regarding his lack of an heir. God responds by showing him the stars and formalizing His covenant through a smoking oven and a flaming torch.
  • Key Fact: Honest questions and doubts do not disqualify you from faith; God welcomes “big-hearted” conversations with His friends.
  • Scripture: Genesis 15:6 – “Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.”

8. Running Ahead of God (Genesis 16)

  • Overview: The story of Hagar and Ishmael. Impatient for God’s promise, Abraham and Sarah try to “help” God out, resulting in centuries of family and international conflict.
  • Key Fact: Running ahead of God’s timing always creates more problems than it solves.

9. Deepening Our Roots with God (Genesis 17)

  • Overview: God reaffirms His covenant, changes Abram’s name to Abraham (“Father of a Multitude”), and institutes the sign of circumcision.
  • Key Fact: Deeper levels of faith require a “cutting away” of the old life and a formal commitment to the new identity God provides.

10. One of Those Upper-Downer Days (Genesis 18:1–15)

  • Overview: The visit of the three heavenly guests. They promise Sarah will have a son within a year, leading to her famous laugh of disbelief.
  • Key Fact: Nothing is too difficult for the Lord, even when our circumstances and biology say otherwise.

11. What Happens When We Pray? (Genesis 18:16–33)

  • Overview: Abraham’s bold intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah. It reveals the heart of a “friend of God” who cares about the judgment facing others.
  • Key Fact: Intercession is the privilege of standing in the gap for others based on the character of a righteous God.

12. When the Cesspool Overflows (Genesis 19:1–11)

  • Overview: A graphic look at the depravity of Sodom. It serves as a sobering reminder of what happens when a culture completely abandons God’s standards.
  • Key Fact: God’s judgment is eventually triggered when the “cup of iniquity” is full.

13. A Wail of Two Cities (Genesis 19:12–29)

  • Overview: The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the rescue of Lot’s family. Lot’s wife “looks back,” illustrating the danger of a heart still tethered to a sinful culture.
  • Key Fact: To be rescued by God, we must be willing to leave our old “cities” behind completely.

14. Overcoming Depravity’s Dangerous Undertow (Genesis 19:30–38)

  • Overview: The tragic aftermath of Lot’s life in the cave with his daughters. It shows how the influence of a corrupt culture can linger even after the city is gone.
  • Key Fact: You cannot flirt with depravity without it leaving a permanent mark on your legacy.

15. Disobedience Déjà Vu (Genesis 20)

  • Overview: Abraham makes the exact same mistake again with Abimelech that he made years earlier in Egypt, proving that old habits of fear die hard.
  • Key Fact: We are never so mature that we are beyond the reach of our old temptations; we need God’s grace every single day.

16. It’s a Boy! (Genesis 21:1–7)

  • Overview: The birth of Isaac. After 25 years of waiting, the promise is finally fulfilled, turning Sarah’s laugh of doubt into a laugh of joy.
  • Key Fact: God is never late; His promises are always worth the wait.

17. Forgiven Sin . . . Lingering Consequences (Genesis 21:8–21)

  • Overview: The painful departure of Hagar and Ishmael. It highlights the reality that while God forgives our sins, we often have to live with the consequences of our past mistakes.
  • Key Fact: Grace provides a future, but it doesn’t always erase the friction caused by past disobedience.

18. When God Says, “Let Go!” (Genesis 22:1–14)

  • Overview: The ultimate test—God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. Abraham demonstrates complete surrender, and God provides a ram in the thicket.
  • Key Fact: The greatest blessings of faith often lie on the other side of our most difficult acts of surrender.
  • Scripture: Genesis 22:14 – “Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide (Jehovah-Jireh).”

19. The Pleasures of Passing God’s Exams (Genesis 22:15–24)

  • Overview: After passing the test of Moriah, God reaffirms the blessing with even greater intensity. Chuck explores the “pleasure” and peace that follow total obedience.
  • Key Fact: Passing God’s “exams” leads to a level of spiritual intimacy and security that nothing else can provide.

20. On Finding Your Lifelong Companion (Genesis 24)

  • Overview: Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac. It provides a beautiful blueprint for seeking God’s guidance in major life decisions like marriage.
  • Key Fact: God is actively involved in the details of our lives, directing our steps through prayer and providential circumstances.

21. What a Way to Go! (Genesis 23; 25:1–11)

  • Overview: The death of Sarah and the final days of Abraham. He dies “at a good old age, an old man and satisfied,” leaving a legacy that still impacts the world.
  • Key Fact: A life of faith ends not in despair, but in the satisfaction of having walked with the King.

22. Portrait of a Hero . . . Warts and Everything (Summary)

  • Overview: The series conclusion, summarizing the “warts and all” life of Abraham. He was a hero not because he was perfect, but because he was a “friend of God” who never stopped trusting.
  • Key Fact: God uses ordinary, imperfect people to accomplish extraordinary, eternal purposes.

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What If . . . ?

What if . . . ? What a haunting, yet profound question. We’ve all found ourselves in situations where we have felt helpless to determine our next step if the unknown were to happen. Either due to lack of knowledge or lack of ability, we wonder what we should do.

And yet, that very act of wondering, of asking questions like, “What If You Suddenly Lose Everything?” or “What If You Need a Second Chance?” stands as a perfect opportunity to gain biblical wisdom about difficult subjects.

As you make your way through this series about the difficult questions and decisions we face, remember that it’s in wrestling with the questions that we come closest to the Lord.


Life is full of unexpected “what ifs”—moments that leave us feeling helpless, confused, or blindsided. In this 12-part series (plus a concluding conversation), Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores biblical answers to some of life’s most difficult scenarios. By diving into the lives of biblical figures and the wisdom of the Epistles, this series provides a practical roadmap for navigating the unknown with faith and resilience.

1. What If God Chooses You to Do Something Great? (Exodus 3:1–4:31)

  • Overview: Explores Moses’ encounter at the burning bush and the common tendency to offer excuses when God calls us out of our comfort zone.
  • Key Fact: Moses offered five distinct excuses to God; however, God focused on His own sufficiency rather than Moses’ inadequacy.
  • Scripture: Exodus 3:11–12 – God’s answer to “Who am I?” is the promise, “I will be with you.”

2. What If You Suddenly Lose Everything? (Job 1:1–22)

  • Overview: A study of Job’s response to catastrophic loss, teaching us how to worship even through tears.
  • Key Fact: Job’s primary victory was not his patience, but his refusal to “charge God with wrongdoing” despite his immense grief.
  • Scripture: Job 1:21 – “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

3. What If You Are Being Stalked? (1 Samuel 24:1–22)

  • Overview: Using David’s flight from King Saul to illustrate how to handle persistent, unfair opposition without resorting to revenge.
  • Key Fact: David had a clear opportunity to kill his pursuer but chose to respect the “Lord’s anointed,” leaving the timing of justice to God.
  • Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:12 – “May the Lord judge between you and me… but my hand shall not be against you.”

4. What If a Longtime Friend Deceives You? (2 Samuel 15:1–16:14)

  • Overview: Examines the heartbreak of Ahithophel’s betrayal of David, offering a perspective on how to process the pain of a broken trust.
  • Key Fact: Betrayal is one of the deepest wounds a leader can face; David’s response was to pour out his heart in prayer rather than bitter retaliation.
  • Scripture: Psalm 55:12–14 – David’s lament over a “companion” and “familiar friend” who turned against him.

5. What If You Should Confront Someone in Sin? (Galatians 6:1–5)

  • Overview: Provides a biblical “how-to” for restoration, emphasizing the spirit of gentleness required when addressing a fellow believer’s failure.
  • Key Fact: The goal of confrontation is never punishment, but “restoration”—a word used in Greek for setting a broken bone.
  • Scripture: Galatians 6:1 – “Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”

6. What If Someone Kicks You When You’re Down? (2 Samuel 16:5–14)

  • Overview: David’s encounter with Shimei teaches us how to endure verbal abuse and personal attacks during our lowest moments.
  • Key Fact: David viewed Shimei’s insults as something God might be using for his own discipline, demonstrating incredible humility under fire.
  • Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:11 – David instructs his men to “let him alone” and let him curse, trusting God to repay with good.

7. What If You Need a Second Chance? (John 21:1–19)

  • Overview: The restoration of Peter after his denial of Christ serves as a powerful reminder that failure is not final.
  • Key Fact: Jesus asked Peter “Do you love Me?” three times—matching the three times Peter had denied Him—to fully reinstate him into ministry.
  • Scripture: John 21:17 – Peter’s humble confession: “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

8. What If You Struggle with a Permanent Disability? (2 Samuel 9:1–13)

  • Overview: The story of Mephibosheth illustrates God’s “hesed” (loving-kindness) toward those who feel broken or forgotten.
  • Key Fact: David sought out Mephibosheth not for what he could do, but because of a covenant made with his father, Jonathan.
  • Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:7 – David’s grace: “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you… and you shall eat at my table regularly.”

9. What If a Person Is an Unrepentant Troublemaker? (Titus 3:9–11)

  • Overview: Instruction on how to handle divisive individuals who cause dissension within a community or church.
  • Key Fact: Biblical wisdom suggests avoiding “foolish controversies” and giving a factual warning before breaking fellowship with a factious person.
  • Scripture: Titus 3:10 – “Reject a factious man after a first and second warning.”

10. What If You Talk Too Much? (James 3:1–12)

  • Overview: A sobering look at the power of the tongue and the necessity of verbal self-control.
  • Key Fact: The tongue is compared to a small rudder that steers a massive ship; though small, it dictates the direction of one’s entire life.
  • Scripture: James 3:5 – “So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!”

11. What If Your Boss is Unfair and Disrespectful? (1 Peter 2:18–25)

  • Overview: Biblical principles for workplace conduct, specifically how to respond to harsh or unreasonable authority figures.
  • Key Fact: Responding with grace to an unfair boss is “finds favor with God” and follows the example of Christ, who did not revile in return.
  • Scripture: 1 Peter 2:19 – “For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.”

12. What If You Were to Die Tonight? (Luke 12:13–21)

  • Overview: A challenge to evaluate one’s eternal readiness through the lens of the “Parable of the Rich Fool.”
  • Key Fact: The man in the parable was a success by worldly standards but was “not rich toward God,” focusing only on temporary security.
  • Scripture: Luke 12:20 – “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'”

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Paul’s Swan Song

Few things today are as needed as courage—the courage to stand against lies and error, to live godly lives in a godless culture, and to pass on the gospel to future generations.

But courage isn’t something you find just arou­­­­­­­nd the corner. It only comes from one place.

In this inspiring series, Chuck Swindoll will challenge you to stand strong in the faith and carry on the ministry of the gospel to those who follow. Best of all, it will point you to the One who can give you the courage to do so.


In this 14-part study of 2 Timothy, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the Apostle Paul’s final letter, written from a cold Roman dungeon. This series serves as a “last will and testament,” challenging believers to maintain courage, preserve the integrity of the Gospel, and pass the torch of faith to the next generation.

1. Urgent Words from a Dungeon (2 Timothy 1:1–2)

  • Overview: Sets the stage in the Mamertine Prison. Paul, facing imminent execution, writes to his protégé Timothy with a sense of urgency and affection.
  • Key Fact: Paul’s second imprisonment was far more severe than his first; he was treated as a common criminal (malefactor).
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1 – Paul emphasizes his apostleship is “by the will of God,” showing his submission even in suffering.

2. Tender Words from a Mentor (2 Timothy 1:3–7)

  • Overview: Focuses on the emotional bond between mentor and disciple. Paul encourages Timothy to “fan into flame” the spiritual gift within him.
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:5 – The importance of a godly legacy, citing Timothy’s mother Eunice and grandmother Lois.
  • Key Fact: God does not give a spirit of fear (timidity), but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

3. Straight Talk to the Timid and Reluctant (2 Timothy 1:8–12)

  • Overview: An appeal to not be ashamed of the Gospel or of those who suffer for it.
  • [0:00 – 10:00] Key Fact: Suffering is an inherent part of the Christian calling, not a sign of God’s displeasure.
  • [10:00 – 25:00] Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:12 – The basis of Paul’s confidence: “I know whom I have believed.”

4. Two Eternal Investments (2 Timothy 1:13–18)

  • Overview: Paul discusses the “standard of sound words” and the contrast between those who deserted him and those who refreshed him.
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:13–14 – The command to guard the “treasure” (the Gospel) through the Holy Spirit.
  • Key Fact: Paul highlights Onesiphorus as a model of loyalty who “often refreshed” him in chains.

5. Traveling a Rough and Rugged Road (2 Timothy 2:1–7)

  • Overview: Paul uses three metaphors—the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer—to describe the disciplined Christian life.
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:2 – The “Multiplication Principle” of leadership: entrusting truth to faithful men who will teach others.
  • Key Fact: Spiritual growth requires the endurance of a soldier and the hard work of a farmer.

6. Accurately Handling the Word (2 Timothy 2:8–15)

  • Overview: A call to diligence in biblical study to avoid the pitfalls of false teaching and “word-strife.”
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15 – The command to be a workman who does not need to be ashamed, “rightly dividing” the word of truth.
  • Key Fact: While the messenger (Paul) may be chained, “the word of God is not imprisoned” (2 Timothy 2:9).

7. Christian Leadership 101 (2 Timothy 2:16–26)

  • Overview: Instruction on how to handle opposition and “empty chatter” within the church.
  • Key Fact: False teaching spreads like “gangrene” if not addressed with biblical truth.
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:24–25 – The Lord’s servant must be kind to all, able to teach, and patient when wronged.

8. Depravity on Parade (2 Timothy 3:1–9)

  • Overview: A sobering look at the “perilous times” of the last days, characterized by a love of self rather than a love of God.
  • [0:00 – 12:00] Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1–5 – A list of 19 characteristics of societal and moral decay.
  • [12:00 – End] Key Fact: People will have a “form of godliness” but deny its actual power.

9. Making a Lasting Difference (2 Timothy 3:10–15)

  • Overview: Paul contrasts the behavior of deceivers with his own example of purpose, faith, and patience.
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12 – The guarantee that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
  • Key Fact: The primary safeguard against deception is a deep, lifelong grounding in the “sacred writings.”

10. God-Breathed Truth (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

  • Overview: An examination of the doctrine of Inspiration and the sufficiency of Scripture.
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is “theopneustos” (God-breathed).
  • Key Fact: The Bible is profitable for four things: teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.

11. Every Pastor’s Job Profile (2 Timothy 4:1–5)

  • Overview: Paul’s “charge” to Timothy in the presence of God to fulfill his ministry despite a culture with “itching ears.”
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2 – The core command: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.”
  • Key Fact: Biblical preaching involves reproving, rebuking, and exhorting with great patience.

12. Looking Back—No Regrets (2 Timothy 4:6–8)

  • Overview: Paul’s final triumphant testimony as he faces execution.
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.”
  • Key Fact: Paul views his death not as a tragedy, but as a “departure” and a “libation” (drink offering).

13. A Circle of Honor and Dishonor (2 Timothy 4:9–18)

  • Overview: Personal updates regarding Paul’s companions, including Demas’s desertion and Luke’s loyalty.
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:11 – Paul’s request for Mark, showing the beauty of restoration after their previous falling out.
  • Key Fact: Paul’s request for his “parchments” (4:13) shows his lifelong commitment to learning.

14. Grace to the Very End (2 Timothy 4:19–22)

  • Overview: Final greetings and a benediction that focuses on the presence of the Lord.
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:22 – The closing prayer: “The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.”
  • Key Fact: “Grace” is the bookend of Paul’s letters, beginning and ending his final communication with the same theme.

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