Series Details
Charting a course through the stormy, uncertain seas of our lives can be difficult. It’s impossible without a reliable compass, an accurate set of maps, and some sturdy examples of faith and courage.
In this series, Chuck Swindoll introduces you to many of these courageous and stronghearted individuals. With each message, Chuck invites you to look closely into their lives and discover how to carefully apply to your life what they learned about overcoming challenges. As you fasten yourself to the mainstay of God’s Word, you, too, will stay upright through whatever storms come your way.
Message 1: Sustaining Enthusiasm
Sermon Overview The longer a believer spends engaged in church activities and spiritual routines, the more they are stalked by a dangerous, invisible thief: overexposure. Charles R. Swindoll warns that becoming overly familiar with spiritual truth can lead to boredom, monotony, and a cynical loss of awe for God. Using the ancient Israelites in 1 Corinthians 10 as a warning, he shows how an entire generation experienced daily miracles like manna and the parting of the sea, yet died in the wilderness because they became jaded and craved evil things. Turning to Joshua 1, Swindoll outlines God’s four directives for sustaining enthusiasm: be strong and courageous within, carefully obey all instructions without deviating, continually study and meditate on the Word, and remember that God is always with you.
Key Facts
- The Danger of Overexposure: Without intentional effort, believers and ministry leaders can easily lose their excitement for the glory of God, reducing the Bible to a mere manual and ministry to a joyless obligation.
- A Tragic Warning: The Israelites were all guided by the cloud, baptized into Moses, and fed spiritual food, yet God was not pleased with most of them because they lost their enthusiasm and turned to idolatry and grumbling.
- Nothing Great Without Enthusiasm: Quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson, Swindoll emphasizes that enthusiasm is essential for achieving anything great; believers must give their all and leave the final results to God.
Scripture References
- Joshua 1:1–9
- 1 Corinthians 10:1–11
Message 2: Overcoming Failure
Sermon Overview Two of the most difficult words a person can say are “I failed”. Whether in a marriage, an academic course, a business, or ministry, failure brings immense shame and self-disappointment. Swindoll looks at the agonizing failure of the Apostle Peter, who boldly boasted he would die for Jesus, only to deny even knowing Him three times just hours later under the pressure of a hostile courtyard. When the rooster crowed and Jesus looked at him, Peter left weeping bitterly, completely crushed by his actions. However, Swindoll provides profound hope by tracing Peter’s restoration at the Sea of Galilee, proving that failure need not disable a believer forever.
Key Facts
- Satan’s Sifting: Satan relentlessly plans for a believer’s failure, actively looking to “sift” them like wheat by targeting their unique weaknesses.
- The Danger of Smugness: Believers must never arrogantly say “never” to sin; pride goes before destruction, and everyone is only one stumble away from a fall.
- Signs of Recovery: True recovery from failure involves a sudden jolt of awareness, a heartbreaking rush of anguish and tears, a quiet acknowledgment of God’s full forgiveness, and a sensitive realization of renewed purpose.
Scripture References
- Luke 22:31–34, 54–62
- Mark 16:5–7
- John 21:1–17
- 1 Corinthians 10:6–12
Message 3: Never Quitting
Sermon Overview Living in a post-Christian culture requires enormous determination, because society will constantly urge believers to back off, compromise, and fall in line. In his final letter from a dark Roman dungeon, the Apostle Paul issues a passionate charge to his young protégé, Timothy, to never quit. Paul accurately describes the “last days” as savage and menacing times filled with people who love themselves and reject the truth. In response, Paul commands Timothy to stand firm and faithfully preach the Word of God, correcting and rebuking without apology. Swindoll emphasizes that faithful biblical exposition is the necessary “strong medicine” for a sick society, warning against churches that substitute truth for “warm and fuzzy” entertainment.
Key Facts
- Savage Times: The Greek word for “difficult” times in 2 Timothy 3:1 was used to describe fierce, wild animals and raging storms, perfectly depicting the menacing, depraved culture believers face today.
- The Pastoral Job Description: Pastors are strictly commanded to preach the word, be prepared in all seasons, correct, rebuke, and encourage their congregations with immense patience.
- No Retirement from Life: Though society encourages people to “retire” and withdraw in their later years, believers are called to stay engaged and run the race fully until the very end.
Scripture References
- 2 Timothy 3:1–5, 10–14
- 2 Timothy 4:1–5
- 2 Corinthians 11:23–28
Message 4: Thinking Biblically
Sermon Overview The Christian life is not a playground; it is a battleground where the primary fight is over the control of the mind. Swindoll explains that if the enemy can seize how a person thinks, he can dictate how they live. Using Romans 12, the message challenges believers to stop copying the behaviors, customs, and politically correct molds of the modern world. Instead, Christians must allow God’s Word to radically transform their thinking. To illustrate this, Swindoll highlights the heroic life of King Josiah. Despite inheriting a dark, idolatrous nation, Josiah sought the Lord as a teenager, purged the nation of idols, and led a massive spiritual reformation the moment he heard the newly discovered Book of the Law read aloud.
Key Facts
- The World’s Mold: The “world” (or age) consists of the floating mass of opinions, speculations, and immoral atmospheres that constantly attempt to squeeze believers into conformity.
- A Tender Heart: Unlike his wicked father and grandfather, Josiah cultivated a tender heart; when he finally heard the Scriptures at age 26, he tore his clothes in despair over the nation’s failure and immediately instituted change.
- How to Proceed: Learning to think biblically requires maintaining an open Bible daily, cultivating a tender heart that invites truth to impact daily decisions, and possessing a willingness to actually change and break ungodly traditions.
Scripture References
- Romans 12:1–2
- 2 Corinthians 10:3–5
- 2 Chronicles 34:1–33
- 2 Kings 22:1
Message 5: Demonstrating Wisdom
Sermon Overview Rash reactions driven by anger and emotion never lead to anything good, often leaving a trail of regret and destruction. Swindoll unpacks a tense, dramatic narrative from 1 Samuel 25 involving David, a wealthy fool named Nabal, and Nabal’s sensible wife, Abigail. When Nabal selfishly insults David’s men, David loses his temper and straps on his sword, intending to slaughter Nabal’s entire household. Disaster is averted only by the swift, tactical wisdom of Abigail, who intercepts David with a generous peace offering and a brilliant, calming speech. Her wisdom stops David from ruining his future legacy with an act of murderous revenge.
Key Facts
- The Folly of Insensitivity: Nabal, whose name literally means “fool,” represents the insensitive, ill-tempered spouse whose selfish actions bring unnecessary danger and heartache to their entire family.
- Wisdom in Action: Rather than arguing with her foolish husband, Abigail wasted no time; she gathered provisions, rode out to meet an angry David, and humbly took the blame to de-escalate the crisis.
- Intrinsic Motivation: Abigail wisely appealed to David’s long-term calling, reminding him that God would soon make him king and he did not want the permanent stain of needless bloodshed on his conscience.
Scripture References
- 1 Samuel 25:1–42
- Proverbs 16:7
Message 6: Taking Responsibility
Sermon Overview One of the most damaging concepts in modern Christianity is the false division between “secular” and “sacred” work. Swindoll dismantles this dichotomy by looking at the versatile life of Nehemiah. God is the creator and owner of all things, meaning every legitimate occupation is a sacred, God-given calling. Nehemiah faithfully wore three distinct hats for God’s glory: a servant’s hat as the trusted cupbearer to the Persian King, a hard hat as the construction supervisor who miraculously rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls in 52 days, and a politician’s hat as the governor who reformed the city’s corruption. Believers are challenged to be “all there” and live their specific occupational callings to the hilt.
Key Facts
- The Role of the Cupbearer: Nehemiah began as an officer who tasted the king’s wine to prevent assassination, a position of massive influence, trust, and intimacy with the most powerful ruler in the world.
- No Secular Jobs: Whether a person is a banker, pilot, teacher, or homemaker, they are a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ; their daily work is a spiritual assignment meant to be done willingly for God.
- Intrinsic Motivation: Nehemiah was not driven by money, personal glory, or public applause; he was driven by the deep internal conviction that the gracious hand of God was upon him to accomplish the task.
Scripture References
- Nehemiah 1:1–4
- Nehemiah 2:1–18
- Nehemiah 6:15
- Nehemiah 8:9
- Colossians 3:17, 23
Message 7: Standing Alone
Sermon Overview It is incredibly easy to feel insignificant in a crowded, busy world, but God’s historical plans consistently hinge on the power of one individual. Exploring the dramatic story of Queen Esther, Swindoll highlights the ultimate test of character: standing alone when no one else can do what you are positioned to do. When a Hitler-like official named Haman passes an irrevocable decree to slaughter every Jew in Persia, Esther is safely hidden in the royal palace. However, her cousin Mordecai challenges her to realize she may have been made queen for “such a time as this”. Risking her own execution, Esther bravely steps out of the safe harbor of theory to break the law and plead for her people’s survival.
Key Facts
- A Book Without God’s Name: Esther is the only book in the Bible where God’s name is completely absent, yet His sovereign, invisible hand of providence is clearly seen orchestrating every detail.
- “Such a Time as This”: Mordecai warned Esther that her palace walls would not save her, urging her to recognize that her entire life trajectory was likely designed by God for this exact heroic moment.
- The Courage to Act: Esther requested three days of fasting from her people before delivering her famous resolution: “I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die”.
Scripture References
- Esther 3:8–13
- Esther 4:1–17
Message 8: Respecting Authority
Sermon Overview In a modern era dominated by an arrogant spirit of entitlement, society constantly urges people to question and rebel against authority. Swindoll delivers strong, counter-cultural advice: believers are called to humbly respect authority, even when those in charge are unfair. Looking at the life of David, the message traces his years as a fugitive fleeing from the insanely jealous, murderous King Saul. Even when David found Saul completely vulnerable in a cave at En-gedi, David refused to draw his sword, stating he would never harm the Lord’s anointed. David’s profound restraint illustrates that believers must refuse to fight in the flesh and leave all vengeance to the righteous anger of God.
Key Facts
- The Burden of Jealousy: Though David was a loyal, successful teenage military commander, King Saul was so intimidated by David’s popularity that he became obsessed with murdering him.
- Sparing the Enemy: Urged by his men to kill Saul in the cave, David only cut off a piece of Saul’s robe, and his conscience immediately bothered him for even showing that minor disrespect to the king.
- Vengeance Belongs to God: The biblical mandate is to never take personal revenge; believers are commanded to leave room for God’s justice and to overcome evil by doing good to their enemies.
Scripture References
- 1 Samuel 24:1–22
- Romans 12:19–21
- Romans 13:1–5
- Proverbs 16:7
Message 9: Cultivating Humility
Sermon Overview True humility is a desperately rare commodity in a world driven by ego, resume-building, and self-promotion. Swindoll identifies John the Baptist as the ultimate biblical model of an authentic, humble leader. Though John was a sensation who drew massive crowds to the Judean wilderness, he never manipulated his authority or sought the spotlight. When people asked if he was the Messiah, he bluntly said “no,” identifying himself merely as a voice preparing the way for Christ. As Jesus’s ministry grew and John’s disciples began leaving him, John rejoiced like a best man at a wedding, establishing the ultimate life motto for every believer: “He must increase, I must decrease”.
Key Facts
- Acting “Medium”: Humility is not denying your gifts or walking around acting worthless (false humility); it is simply not calling attention to yourself, a concept Swindoll summarizes as choosing to “act medium”.
- A Contented Witness: John performed no miracles and wore bizarre clothing, yet he perfectly fulfilled his calling to be the “lamp” pointing people to the true “Light” of the world.
- The Cure for Envy: Envy thrives in the church and corporate world, but true humility finds genuine joy in the success and promotion of others, happily stepping into the shadows so God gets the glory.
Scripture References
- John 1:6–8, 19–37
- John 3:25–30
- Matthew 11:11
Message 10: Studying Hard
Sermon Overview Ignorance of the Bible breeds superstition, fear, and instability; conversely, digging deeply into the Scriptures produces immense joy, peace, and spiritual strength. Following 70 years of exile in Babylon, the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem severely disconnected from their spiritual heritage. Swindoll focuses on Ezra, a scribe and priest who devoted his life to carefully studying, obeying, and teaching the Word of God. In Nehemiah 8, Ezra stands on a wooden platform at the Water Gate and reads the scroll from morning until noon. Because Ezra and the Levites clearly explained the meaning of the text, the people finally understood God’s truth, resulting in a magnificent celebration and national revival.
Key Facts
- Three Return Companies: The Jews returned from Babylon in three waves: Zerubbabel returned to rebuild the temple, Ezra returned to reestablish the worship and the Law, and Nehemiah returned to rebuild the city wall.
- Ezra’s Determination: Ezra’s profound success was rooted in a conscious, disciplined decision to study the Scriptures, apply them to his own life, and accurately teach them to a generation that had forgotten them.
- The Blueprint for Exposition: True biblical preaching involves reading the literal text of the Bible, clearly explaining its meaning, and helping the congregation understand how to practically apply it to their lives.
Scripture References
- Ezra 7:1–10
- Nehemiah 8:1–14
- 2 Chronicles 36:14–20
Message 11: Modeling Integrity
Sermon Overview Integrity is an essential character quality defined as wholeness, soundness, and being entirely the same in private as you are in public. Swindoll looks at the life of Daniel, an eighty-year-old statesman who maintained a flawless record of integrity through several corrupt Babylonian and Persian regimes. When King Darius planned to promote Daniel to oversee the entire empire, jealous officials tried to find dirt on him but found absolutely nothing. Consequently, they manipulated the king into signing an irrevocable law making prayer illegal. Unfazed, Daniel went home and prayed to God just as he always had, fully accepting the terrifying consequence of the lions’ den.
Key Facts
- Authenticity, Not Perfection: Being a person of integrity does not mean a person never sins; rather, it means they are completely authentic, quick to admit wrong, and live without the dualistic hypocrisy of a double life.
- Consistency Under Pressure: Daniel did not panic or suddenly start praying because of the new law; his integrity was proven by his steady, unbroken habit of praying and giving thanks to God three times a day “as usual”.
- The Rewards of Character: Living a life of integrity brings the continued relief of a clear conscience, personal intimacy with God, and the priceless inheritance of a lingering legacy for your children.
Scripture References
- Daniel 6:1–28
- Proverbs 10:9
- Proverbs 20:6–7
Message 12: Extending Grace
Sermon Overview We have all been unfairly wounded, and the natural human instinct is to nurse bitterness and plot revenge. However, Swindoll teaches that the grinding feelings of resentment are only resolved by extending grace. To illustrate this, he examines the life of Joseph, who endured 13 years of horrific victimization: he was hated by his brothers, thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape, and forgotten in an Egyptian dungeon. Decades later, as the powerful Prime Minister of Egypt, Joseph possessed absolute authority over the brothers who ruined his youth. Instead of executing them, Joseph wept, forgave them, and provided for them, recognizing that God had sovereignly orchestrated the entire ordeal.
Key Facts
- Grace in Action: Grace means doing what is best and right when you have been done wrong, and responding with a forgiving attitude even if the guilty party never genuinely repents.
- Refusing to Play God: When Joseph’s brothers cowered in fear, Joseph extended grace by asking, “Am I God?” He recognized that taking vengeance and punishing others is a role reserved strictly for the Lord.
- The Divine Perspective: Joseph was freed from bitterness because he grasped the overarching sovereignty of God, telling his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good”.
Scripture References
- Genesis 37:2
- Genesis 39:1–23
- Genesis 50:14–21
- Romans 8:28
Message 13: Encouraging Others
Sermon Overview Encouraging others is not merely a nice idea; according to the New Testament, it is a strict, vital command for every believer. Swindoll introduces a man named Joseph from Cyprus, who was so exceptional at lifting others up that the apostles officially nicknamed him Barnabas, meaning “Son of Encouragement”. Barnabas’s life provides a practical blueprint for how believers can inject courage into a hurting world. He modeled financial generosity by selling his land to provide for persecuted Christians, and he bravely risked his reputation to endorse the newly converted (and highly feared) Saul of Tarsus. Ultimately, Barnabas demonstrated the profound grace of giving a “second chance” when he stubbornly refused to give up on the young defector, John Mark.
Key Facts
- The Power of Endorsement: When the apostles in Jerusalem rightfully feared Saul because of his violent past, Barnabas spontaneously stepped forward, took Saul by the arm, and vouched for the authenticity of his conversion.
- Unselfish Teamwork: When a revival broke out in Antioch, Barnabas did not hoard the spotlight; he traveled 100 miles to Tarsus to find Saul, bringing him back so they could share the ministry load together.
- Second Chance Encouragement: Paul and Barnabas had a massive, sharp disagreement over John Mark, who had previously deserted them. While Paul refused to travel with a quitter, Barnabas’s commitment to encouraging the fallen ultimately salvaged Mark’s ministry.
Scripture References
- Acts 4:32–37
- Acts 9:19–28
- Acts 11:19–26
- Acts 15:36–41
- Hebrews 10:23–25
- Job 4:3–4
