Series Details
Many of us spend our days saying, “I don’t have enough time!” Meanwhile, our cluttered closet stays cluttered, the thought of our estranged family member still stirs up resentment in our heart, and our time with God remains on the back burner.
Is it really true that we don’t have enough time? Or do we just need help prioritizing what truly matters?
Join Chuck Swindoll for this vital message series and learn:
- Why to say no to procrastination, blaming, drifting, and other negative traits
- How to say yes to following through, forgiving, digging into our faith, and more
Let’s start making the most of the time God has given us.
We often complain about not having enough time, yet we allow our lives to be cluttered with habits and attitudes that drain our spiritual energy. In this series, Chuck Swindoll challenges us to take an honest inventory of our lives. Following the biblical principle of “putting off” the old and “putting on” the new, we examine the practical shifts necessary for spiritual maturity. From stopping the blame game to starting a life of vulnerability, these messages offer a roadmap for making the most of the time God has given us.
Message 1: Stop Drifting Along and Start Digging In
Sermon Summary Getting older happens automatically, but growing up spiritually requires intentionality. Too many believers find themselves years into their faith but still shallow in their understanding of God’s Word. This message explores how to stop the passive drift of “easy” Christianity and start the disciplined work of digging deep into the scriptures.
Key Facts & Themes
- Intentional Growth: Why spiritual maturity is never accidental.
- The Danger of Shallow Faith: Moving beyond basic knowledge to a life-changing understanding of God.
Primary Scripture References
- Hebrews 5:11–6:1: The call to move past the elementary teachings and go on to maturity.
- 2 Peter 3:18: The command to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.
Message 2: Stop Procrastinating and Start Following Through
Sermon Summary Procrastination is often a mask for fear or a lack of discipline. It leaves us with a life full of “half-finished” projects and unkept promises to God. Chuck provides biblical motivation for honoring our commitments and the spiritual benefits of consistent follow-through.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Cost of Delay: How putting things off hinders our witness and spiritual effectiveness.
- Faithful Stewardship: Treating our time and tasks as a sacred trust from God.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Ecclesiastes 5:4–5: The importance of fulfilling the vows we make to God.
Message 3: Stop Shaming and Start Honoring
Sermon Summary Shame is a destructive tool that isolates and devalues people. In contrast, the biblical call is to honor one another. This message looks at how we can stop using shame as a weapon—whether against ourselves or others—and start reflecting the dignity that God places on every human being.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Grace Alternative: Moving from a culture of condemnation to one of restoration.
- Building Up vs. Tearing Down: The power of our words to reflect God’s heart.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Romans 12:10: The command to “outdo one another in showing honor.”
Message 4: Stop Blaming and Start Forgiving
Sermon Summary Blame is the enemy of growth because it refuses to take responsibility. By shifting the focus to others’ faults, we remain stuck in bitterness. Chuck explores how to break the cycle of blame by embracing the radical, freeing power of forgiveness—both for ourselves and those who have wronged us.
Key Facts & Themes
- Ownership: The necessity of taking responsibility for our own reactions and choices.
- The Freedom of Forgiveness: Why letting go of the “debt” is the only path to healing.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Colossians 3:13: Bearing with one another and forgiving as the Lord forgave us.
Message 5: Stop Worrying and Start Trusting
Sermon Summary Worry is a heavy burden that God never intended us to carry. It assumes that God is not in control or not concerned. This message contrasts the paralysis of anxiety with the peace that comes from actively trusting in the character and promises of our Heavenly Father.
Key Facts & Themes
- Anxiety vs. Assurance: Shifting focus from our problems to God’s power.
- Daily Dependence: The practice of “casting cares” on the One who cares for us.
Primary Scripture Reference
- 1 Peter 5:7: Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
Message 6: Stop Resisting and Start Submitting
Sermon Summary Our natural inclination is to fight for our own way, often resisting God’s leading and authority. Chuck examines the beauty and strength found in submission—recognizing that when we stop resisting God’s plan, we find the very protection and guidance we’ve been seeking.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Strength of Surrender: Why submission is a sign of spiritual power, not weakness.
- Trusting Authority: Finding peace in God’s sovereign direction for our lives.
Primary Scripture Reference
- James 4:7: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Message 7: Stop Acting Perfect and Start Being Vulnerable
Sermon Summary Many Christians feel the pressure to “have it all together,” which leads to hypocrisy and isolation. This message encourages us to drop the mask of perfection. When we are honest about our struggles and weaknesses, we create space for God’s power to work and for genuine community to flourish.
Key Facts & Themes
- Authenticity: The spiritual relief of being real about our needs.
- Grace in Weakness: How vulnerability invites God’s strength into our lives.
Primary Scripture Reference
- 2 Corinthians 12:9: God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.
Message 8: Stop Lying and Start Acknowledging
Sermon Summary Deception, even in “small” ways, erodes character and destroys trust. Chuck addresses the importance of total honesty, starting with acknowledging the truth about our own hearts before God. This message is a call to live a life of integrity where our outside matches our inside.
Key Facts & Themes
- Integrity: The foundational role of truth in the life of a believer.
- The Power of Confession: The healing that comes from bringing truth into the light.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Proverbs 28:13: “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”
Message 9: Stop Criticizing Earth and Start Contemplating Heaven
Sermon Summary It is easy to become cynical and hyper-critical of the world around us. In this series finale, Chuck encourages us to lift our gaze. By focusing on the reality and beauty of our eternal home, we find the perspective and hope needed to live faithfully and joyfully in the present.
Key Facts & Themes
- Eternal Perspective: How the hope of Heaven changes our priorities on Earth.
- Joyful Endurance: Moving from a critical spirit to a heart filled with anticipation.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Colossians 3:1–2: Setting our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
