Insight for Living

The Bible-Teaching Ministry of Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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1 Corinthians

Things to Stop and Start

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.

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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 2015

On the first Easter morning, when the stone was rolled away from Christ’s tomb, hope dawned and grace shone brighter than it ever had. For us, though, the monotony and troubles of daily life seem far removed from the miraculous impact of that glorious morning two thousand years ago.

But we don’t have to feel that way!

In this Easter message, Chuck Swindoll will help you to live with hope and joy no matter how dark your days may get.


On the first Easter morning, when the stone was rolled away from Christ’s tomb, hope dawned and grace shone brighter than it ever had. While the troubles and monotony of daily life can often make the miraculous events of two thousand years ago feel distant, the resurrection remains the most relevant truth for our modern world. In this series, Chuck Swindoll explores how the victory of Jesus Christ over the grave provides a foundation for unshakeable joy, regardless of how dark our circumstances may become.

Message 1: No Morning Was Ever Brighter

Sermon Summary Is the ancient greeting “Christ is risen!” still significant today? In this message, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the timeless relevance of the resurrection. We look back at the moment when the heavy fog of despair was lifted from the disciples, replaced by the brilliant light of an empty tomb. This message challenges us to move beyond a mere historical acknowledgment of Easter and to embrace the living hope that transforms our perspective on suffering, death, and the future.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Brightness of Grace: How the resurrection serves as the ultimate display of God’s favor toward humanity.
  • Hope Amidst Darkness: The practical power of the resurrection to sustain us through life’s most difficult trials.
  • Timeless Relevance: Why the news of the empty tomb is just as urgent today as it was on that first morning.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • The Resurrection Narrative: Exploring the accounts of the empty tomb and the risen Savior.

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Easter 2014

At some point, everyone encounters the devastating weight of hopelessness—whether through a difficult diagnosis, the loss of a loved one, or the reality of mortality. This Easter series explores the monumental shift from despair to life that occurred when the presence of hope arose through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Message 1: When the Presence of Hope Arose

  • Overview: This message addresses the universal experience of hopelessness and the profound transformation that occurs when we encounter the risen Christ. Pastor Chuck Swindoll explains how the resurrection serves as the ultimate antidote to the “no hope” scenarios of life.
  • Key Fact: The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian hope; without it, faith is empty, but because He lives, believers have a guaranteed hope that transcends the grave.
  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12–26 – “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.”

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Easter 2012

He Is Risen…He Is Risen Indeed!

Death is one of the greatest fears in life! Many people would do anything to escape death—even if it means denying it all our days. Thankfully, Jesus offers life to those who believe in Him!

In this Easter message, Chuck Swindoll reminds us that Jesus Christ has overcome death—and through faith in Him, we will continue to live after we die. Christ’s resurrection proved that we, too, can have victory over death!


Death remains one of the greatest and most universal fears in human experience. While many seek to escape or deny its reality, the message of Easter provides a definitive answer. In this series, Chuck Swindoll explores the triumphant victory of Jesus Christ over the grave. By establishing the historical and spiritual reality of the resurrection, we discover that death has lost its sting. Through faith in the risen Savior, believers are offered the promise of eternal life, proving that Christ’s victory is ultimately our victory as well.

Victory on a Triumphant Morning

Sermon Summary “He is risen… He is risen indeed!” This traditional greeting carries a profound weight for those facing the reality of mortality. This message focuses on the core of the Gospel as presented in 1 Corinthians 15. Chuck discusses the essential nature of the resurrection—that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. We learn that without the resurrection, our faith would be futile; however, because Christ lives, we have a sure foundation for hope that extends beyond the grave.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Overcoming the Fear of Death: How the resurrection provides a spiritual antidote to the fear of the grave.
  • The Essentials of the Gospel: Identifying the death, burial, and resurrection as the non-negotiable pillars of faith.
  • Victory Over the Grave: Recognizing that Christ’s resurrection is the “firstfruits” and a guarantee of our own future resurrection.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • 1 Corinthians 15:3–53

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God’s Masterwork, Volume Six

Do you need a biblical pick-me-up? The New Testament contains 13 letters written by the apostle Paul that explain theology, correct faults, encourage godly living, and outline the structure and function of the church. God’s Masterwork, Volume Six: Letters to God’s People—A Survey of Romans–Philemon describes how these topics apply to your life today.

In God’s Masterwork, Volume Six, Chuck Swindoll reminds listeners that even though the apostle wrote during the first century AD, Paul’s epistles comprise God’s inspired, inerrant Word, which applies to your life today. So, you can read these New Testament letters as if Paul addressed them to you!

Enjoy God’s Masterwork, Volume Six, and grow in your love and obedience to Christ.


In this sixth volume of the God’s Masterwork survey, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the thirteen New Testament epistles written by the apostle Paul (Romans through Philemon). These letters form the theological core of the Christian faith, addressing everything from the mechanics of salvation and the mystery of the church to practical instructions for leadership, marriage, and handling conflict. By studying these “letters to God’s people,” we discover that the ancient wisdom provided to the early church is exactly what we need to thrive in the modern world.

Message 1. Romans: Cornerstone of Christian Truth

  • Overview: A grand theological treatise that methodically explains the gospel, beginning with humanity’s need for a Savior and ending with the practical outworking of grace in daily life.
  • Key Fact: Romans has been the primary instrument God has used to shape the minds of history’s greatest theologians, from Augustine to Martin Luther.
  • Scripture: Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”

Message 2. 1 Corinthians: Conflicts at Church

  • Overview: Paul addresses a “problem church” struggling with division, lawsuits, and moral compromise, providing the timeless corrective of love and spiritual discipline.
  • Key Fact: The famous “Love Chapter” (1 Corinthians 13) was originally written as a corrective for a church that was abusing spiritual gifts and neglecting character.
  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:13 – “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Message 3. 2 Corinthians: A Man and His Ministry

  • Overview: The most personal of Paul’s letters, where he defends his apostolic authority and explains the beauty of God’s power being displayed through human weakness.
  • Key Fact: This book teaches that our “jars of clay” (weakness) are intentional so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be seen as from God and not us.
  • Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”

Message 4. Galatians: Letter of Liberation

  • Overview: A fierce defense of the gospel of grace against legalism. Paul argues that we are justified by faith alone and called to live in spiritual freedom.
  • Key Fact: Galatians is often called the “Magna Carta of Christian Liberty” because it liberates the believer from the burden of trying to earn God’s favor through the Law.
  • Scripture: Galatians 5:1 – “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”

Message 5. Ephesians: True Portrait of the Church

  • Overview: Focuses on the “mystery” of the church—the body of Christ. It details our high position in the heavenly places and our calling to walk in a manner worthy of that position.
  • Key Fact: The first three chapters focus on our wealth in Christ (position), while the last three focus on our walk for Christ (practice).
  • Scripture: Ephesians 2:8–9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God; not as a result of works.”

Message 6. Philippians: Joy in Abundance

  • Overview: Written from a prison cell, this “letter of joy” emphasizes that true contentment is found in Christ, regardless of external circumstances.
  • Key Fact: The word “joy” or “rejoice” appears sixteen times in just four short chapters.
  • Scripture: Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”

Message 7. Colossians: Christ, Our All in All

  • Overview: A powerful declaration of the supremacy and preeminence of Jesus Christ, written to combat early forms of Gnosticism and legalism.
  • Key Fact: Paul argues that because “in Christ all the fullness of Deity dwells,” we are made complete in Him and need no other secret knowledge or ritual.
  • Scripture: Colossians 1:18 – “He is also head of the body, the church… so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.”

Message 8. 1 Thessalonians: A Heart-to-Heart Talk

  • Overview: A warm, encouraging letter to a young church, focusing on their growth in faith and the comforting hope of Christ’s return (the Rapture).
  • Key Fact: Every single chapter in 1 Thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming of Jesus Christ.
  • Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16 – “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ will rise first.”

Message 9. 2 Thessalonians: Christ’s Coming . . . My Response

  • Overview: Written to correct a misunderstanding that the “Day of the Lord” had already come, Paul urges the believers to stay busy and remain steadfast.
  • Key Fact: This letter clarifies that while we wait for Christ, we must avoid being “undisciplined” or idle, but should work and serve faithfully.
  • Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:15 – “So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught.”

Message 10. 1 Timothy: Wise Counsel for Shepherds

  • Overview: The first of the “Pastoral Epistles,” giving Timothy instructions on church leadership, sound doctrine, and the qualifications for overseers and deacons.
  • Key Fact: Paul wrote this letter to ensure that Timothy knew “how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God.”
  • Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12 – “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather… show yourself an example.”

Message 11. 2 Timothy: Paul’s Swan Song

  • Overview: Paul’s final letter, written from a cold Roman dungeon shortly before his execution. He urges Timothy to “preach the word” and stay faithful until the end.
  • Key Fact: This book contains Paul’s “final words,” where he famously declares, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.”
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.”

Message 12. Titus: Talk for Pastors

  • Overview: Written to Titus on the island of Crete, this letter focuses on the importance of “good deeds” as the natural fruit of sound doctrine.
  • Key Fact: Paul emphasizes that the church’s leadership must be strong to silence “rebellious men” and “empty talkers.”
  • Scripture: Titus 2:11–12 – “For the grace of God has appeared… instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires.”

Message 13. Philemon: An Appeal for Grace and Forgiveness

  • Overview: A personal postcard to a slave-owner named Philemon, asking him to receive back his runaway slave, Onesimus, no longer as a slave but as a beloved brother.
  • Key Fact: This short letter is a masterpiece of Christian diplomacy and a beautiful illustration of the power of reconciliation.
  • Scripture: Philemon 1:17 – “If then you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me.”

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Staying Pure in a World Gone Wild

Drive down any highway, and your eyes will be assaulted by scantily clad women on billboards. Sit down to watch a football game, and you’ll want to change the channel when the commercials come on. And we haven’t even mentioned the Internet or reality television! It’s not easy remaining moral when the world is so immoral. But Chuck Swindoll offers help in this series of four timely and practical messages on sexual purity. It’s a series for the married or single, man or woman. It’s a series for anyone who wants to learn how to keep from falling into immorality and for those who have already fallen. It’s a series for all who desire to walk with God without shame.


Our modern world is an obstacle course of moral challenges. From billboards and television to the constant accessibility of the internet, the pressure to conform to a culture of promiscuity is relentless. In this four-part series, Chuck Swindoll addresses the essential topic of sexual purity with directness and grace. Whether you are single or married, man or woman, these messages offer practical help for guarding your heart, resisting temptation, and—for those who have already stumbled—finding the path back to a walk with God without shame.

Message 1: A Plea for Morality

Sermon Summary Sexual promiscuity is as old as humanity, yet it always attempts to disguise itself with new, more “palatable” labels. In this message, Chuck strips away the modern euphemisms to look at the timeless biblical plea for morality. We explore why our bodies are not our own but are temples of the Holy Spirit, purchased at a great price. Understanding this sacred ownership is the first step in living a life that honors God’s design for human sexuality.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The High Cost of Immorality: Recognizing that sexual sin carries unique spiritual and emotional weight.
  • Divine Ownership: Shifting our perspective to see our bodies as belonging to the Lord.

Primary Scripture References

  • 1 Corinthians 6:15–20: Paul’s instruction to flee from sexual immorality and glorify God in the body.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:1–7: The call to live a life of sanctification and self-control.

Message 2: How to Say “No” When Lust Says “Yes”

Sermon Summary Temptation often speaks with a loud, demanding voice. This message provides practical, tactical advice for the moment of decision. Chuck discusses the importance of setting boundaries, guarding our “eye gates,” and developing a proactive strategy for resistance. We learn that saying “no” to lust is only possible when we have already said a greater “yes” to the satisfaction found in Christ.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Strategy of Resistance: Identifying “danger zones” and creating escape routes.
  • Internal Transformation: The role of the mind and the heart in overcoming external temptation.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • Proverbs 5: Solomon’s practical warnings and instructions regarding the pitfalls of adultery.

Message 3: Creating a Legacy of Moral Purity

Sermon Summary Our moral choices do not happen in a vacuum; they affect the generations that follow. In this message, we look at the long-term impact of a commitment to purity. Chuck encourages us to see our integrity as a vital part of our family legacy, providing a model of faithfulness and security for our children and those who look to us as examples.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Power of Example: How a consistent walk of purity builds a foundation for others.
  • Long-Term Vision: Shifting focus from immediate gratification to a lasting spiritual heritage.

Message 4: Who Says the Honeymoon Must End?

Sermon Summary The best defense against immorality is a healthy, vibrant, and joyful marriage. In this series finale, Chuck focuses on the proactive side of purity: cultivating intimacy and romance within the bonds of matrimony. By prioritizing the marriage relationship and keeping the “honeymoon” spirit alive, couples can create a fortress that protects them from the lures of the world.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Cultivating Intimacy: Practical ways to deepen the connection between husband and wife.
  • The Joy of Faithfulness: Celebrating the beauty of God’s design for sexual expression within marriage.

Common Questions about Purity and Morality (FAQ)

Is it really possible to stay pure in today’s digital culture? Yes, but it requires intentionality and a reliance on the Holy Spirit. Purity is not just the absence of sin; it is a proactive commitment to godliness. Utilizing accountability, internet filters, and—most importantly—a daily saturation in God’s Word are essential tools for modern believers.

What should I do if I have already fallen into immorality? There is hope and restoration in Christ. The first steps are honest confession to God, turning away from the sin (repentance), and seeking biblical counseling or accountability to walk the path of healing. God’s grace is sufficient to wash away the past and provide a new beginning.

Why is the Bible so strict about sexual behavior? God’s laws are not meant to steal our fun, but to protect us. Like a fireplace protects a house from the destructive power of fire, the boundaries of marriage protect the intimacy and power of sex from becoming a destructive force in our lives and families.

Does purity apply to my thoughts as well as my actions? Yes. Jesus taught that the heart is the source of our actions (Matthew 5:27–28). Cultivating purity of thought by meditating on what is true and honorable is the best way to ensure that our outward actions remain consistent with our faith.

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Best of 2009

“God . . . in control? Are you kidding? Look around; all you see is chaos and godlessness.”

David wrote in Psalm 12:8 that “the wicked freely strut about / when what is vile is honored among men” (NIV). There certainly seems to be a lot of strutting about these days, making it difficult for some believers to live lives of godliness and causing others to doubt God’s sovereignty. But Chuck Swindoll encourages us to stand fast in the faith and continue to trust in the truth that our God is in control, when he provides a “Survival Strategy for Our Times” and helps us recall “Timely Reminders of Timeless Truths.”


In a world that often feels chaotic and increasingly godless, it is easy for believers to feel “out of joint” or to doubt God’s sovereignty. This two-part collection of the most impactful messages from 2009 provides a spiritual anchor. Pastor Chuck Swindoll offers a clear “survival strategy” for modern times, reminding us that even when the wicked seem to thrive, God remains in absolute control. These messages serve as a vital encouragement to stand fast in the faith and rely on truths that never change.

Message 1. Survival Strategy for Our Times (1 Corinthians 16:13)

  • Overview: Addresses the fundamental spiritual unease that many experience in a shifting culture. Chuck provides four specific commands for survival: be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, and be strong.
  • Key Fact: Survival isn’t about hiding; it’s about a proactive, courageous stance rooted in the strength and love of Christ.
  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13 – “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

Message 2. Timely Reminders of Timeless Truths (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: A survey of the foundational biblical truths that provide stability during uncertain times. This message acts as a “spiritual reset,” bringing our focus back to God’s character and His promises.
  • Key Fact: When what is “vile” is honored in society, the believer’s best defense is to return to the timeless Word of God.
  • Scripture: Psalm 12:8 (NIV) – “The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.”

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Getting Through the Tough Stuff

Wouldn’t it be great if our days came with a “Do Over” button?

Ever had one of those days when nothing, absolutely nothing, goes according to plan? Well, Chuck Swindoll has had his share of days he’d like to do over. But since life doesn’t come with a “Do Over” button, Chuck shares how we can make the best of our days—even if it always seems that it’s one thing or another.

In this practical series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll addresses the reality that life doesn’t come with a “do-over” button. By looking at how Jesus and biblical figures handled crises, Chuck provides a roadmap for finding hope and resilience.

Message 1. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Temptation

  • Overview: No one is immune to the pull of temptation. By examining Jesus’ encounter with Satan in the wilderness, Chuck demonstrates that temptation is not a sin, but a test of our allegiances.
  • Key Fact: Temptation often strikes at our points of greatest physical or emotional weakness (the “chink in the armor”); the primary defense is a pre-determined reliance on Scripture.
  • Scripture Reference: Matthew 4:1–11; Hebrews 4:15

Message 2. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Misunderstanding

  • Overview: Jesus was misunderstood by the religious elite, his townsfolk, and even his own family. This message offers comfort for those who feel isolated or wrongly judged.
  • Key Fact: Being misunderstood is often the price of following God’s unique call on your life. Acceptance from God is more foundational than approval from people.
  • Scripture Reference: Mark 3:21; Mark 3:1–35

Message 3. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Anxiety

  • Overview: Anxiety “strangles” our perspective. Using the story of Mary and Martha, Chuck shows how to slow down, simplify, and prioritize our relationship with Christ over “much serving.”
  • Key Fact: The “Mathematics of Worry” involves adding expectations, subtracting God’s presence, multiplying problems through imagination, and dividing life into sacred and secular.
  • Scripture Reference: Philippians 4:6–7; Luke 10:38–42

Message 4. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Shame

  • Overview: Shame is “naked guilt”—a public exposure that whispers “you are worthless.” Chuck looks at the woman caught in adultery to show how Jesus offers grace over condemnation.
  • Key Fact: Jesus was the only person qualified to condemn the woman, yet He chose to defend her, becoming our “shame-bearer” on the cross.
  • Scripture Reference: John 8:1–11; Hebrews 12:2

Message 5. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Doubt

  • Overview: A look at “Doubting Thomas.” Chuck explains that faith does not always come easily and that God is patient with our sincere struggles to believe.
  • Key Fact: Doubt is not the opposite of faith, but an invitation to a deeper, more personal encounter with the risen Christ.
  • Scripture Reference: John 20:24–29

Message 6. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Divorce

  • Overview: Chuck provides a careful biblical analysis of marriage permanence while addressing the painful reality and grace available when a marriage breaks.
  • Key Fact: While divorce was never God’s ideal, Jesus addressed the reality of its occurrence with truth and a call to a necessary acceptance.
  • Scripture Reference: Matthew 19:3–12; Mark 10:1–12

Message 7. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Remarriage

  • Overview: This message focuses on the grace-filled possibility of a fresh start. Chuck explores the biblical parameters and the “new creature” reality for those seeking to move forward.
  • Key Fact: It is theologically inconsistent to believe Christ’s death atones for all sins except a failed marriage; God is the God of new beginnings.
  • Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 7:12–15

Message 8. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Confrontation

  • Overview: Conflict is inevitable in a fallen world. This message explores the “Jesus way” of responding to injustice and the importance of healthy, biblical confrontation.
  • Key Fact: A non-retaliatory spirit can lead to personal freedom and a more powerful witness than returning blow for blow.
  • Scripture Reference: Matthew 18:15–17; Galatians 2:11–14

Message 9. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Pain

  • Overview: Explores Jesus as the “Man of Sorrows.” When we are in the crucible of physical or emotional pain, we find a Savior who is intimately acquainted with grief.
  • Key Fact: Pain signals unseen trouble and, spiritually, helps us grow into mature people of faith by teaching us daily dependence on God.
  • Scripture Reference: Isaiah 53:3; Hebrews 5:7–8

Message 10. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Prejudice

  • Overview: Prejudice is a deep-seated sin problem rooted in the human heart. Chuck identifies the antidote in Christ’s interaction with the Samaritan woman.
  • Key Fact: Prejudice is a learned trait that keeps people in spiritual darkness and binds them to the past, preventing them from seeing others as God does.
  • Scripture Reference: Mark 7:18–23; Matthew 27:27–44

Message 11. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Hypocrisy

  • Overview: Chuck confronts the “disease of the soul” where religious activity becomes a theatrical performance for public applause.
  • Key Fact: A hypocrite is literally “one who speaks from behind a mask.” The remedy is an authentic life characterized by private worship rather than public display.
  • Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:1–18; Matthew 23:13–33

Message 12. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Inadequacy

  • Overview: The Great Commission was given to “frightened and incompetent” men. This message shows how God uses our weaknesses to achieve the impossible.
  • Key Fact: Our inadequacy is the “stage” upon which God displays His power through the Holy Spirit.
  • Scripture Reference: Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:16–20

Message 13. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Disqualification

  • Overview: For those who feel they have “blown it” beyond repair, Chuck shares how God’s grace is larger than our greatest failures.
  • Key Fact: Restoration is the heartbeat of the Gospel. Failure does not mean the end of one’s usefulness in the Kingdom of God.
  • Scripture Reference: John 21:15–19; Psalm 51

Message 14. Getting Through the Tough Stuff of Death

  • Overview: Addressing the final “tough stuff,” Chuck provides hope for those facing the loss of a loved one or their own mortality.
  • Key Fact: Because Christ conquered the grave, death for the believer is not an end but a transition to the presence of God.
  • Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 15:54–57; John 11:25–26

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