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The Bible-Teaching Ministry of Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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Hebrews

What Every Believer Must Never Forget!

Times were hard—very hard. A corrupt government and a covetous judiciary made life miserable for all living in a nation that was once strong and stable. Idolatry was rampant, leaving the land with no spiritual vitality. What is worse, the prophets, who would normally guide the people toward righteousness, were weak and shamelessly compromising.

Most of these horrid conditions could be traced back to the failure of King Uzziah, who had once been a strong and competent leader. His extraordinary fame and success resulted in pride and arrogance. In the backwash of all this, a young, very-concerned prophet named Isaiah turned to the Lord to gain understanding. What happened to that young prophet leaves us with four truths we must never forget.


In this powerful study of Isaiah chapter 6, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores a pivotal moment in the life of the prophet Isaiah. Set against a backdrop of national corruption, political instability, and spiritual apathy, Isaiah’s vision of the Lord provides four foundational truths that act as an anchor for every believer. This message serves as a reminder that when earthly leaders fail and culture crumbles, God remains sovereign, holy, and in absolute control.

1. God and God Alone (Isaiah 6:1–9a)

  • Overview: Isaiah’s vision occurs in the year King Uzziah died—a time of great national mourning and uncertainty. In the midst of this vacuum of earthly leadership, Isaiah sees the true King seated on His throne.
  • Key Fact: The death of an earthly leader often provides the “clear air” necessary for us to see the Lord in His rightful place of authority.
  • Scripture: Isaiah 6:1 – “In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.”

2. The Holiness of the Lord (Isaiah 6:2–4)

  • Overview: Describes the seraphim and their cry of “Holy, Holy, Holy.” This repetition in Hebrew denotes the superlative degree, emphasizing God’s total set-apartness from sin and His absolute perfection.
  • Key Fact: God’s holiness is His defining attribute; it is the “atmosphere” of heaven and the standard to which His people are called.
  • Scripture: Isaiah 6:3 – “And one called out to another and said, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.'”

3. The Conviction of Sin (Isaiah 6:5)

  • Overview: When confronted with God’s holiness, Isaiah does not feel empowered or “good about himself”; he feels “undone” and deeply convicted of his own impurity.
  • Key Fact: True worship begins with a realistic assessment of our own unworthiness in the presence of a holy God.
  • Scripture: Isaiah 6:5 – “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips… for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”

4. The Provision of Grace and Call to Service (Isaiah 6:6–9a)

  • Overview: God provides the solution to Isaiah’s guilt through the coal from the altar, leading to Isaiah’s immediate and voluntary response to God’s call.
  • Key Fact: God does not just convict; He cleanses. And once cleansed, the believer is ready to say, “Here am I. Send me!”
  • Scripture: Isaiah 6:8 – “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!'”

Written by

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.

Written by

God’s Masterwork, Volume Seven

When was the last time you read any of the General Epistles? Hebrews, with its references to Old Testament sacrifices and Jewish feasts, might seem outdated. Jude’s record of a cosmic battle over the body of Moses might fit best in a sci-fi movie. And Revelation, with its strange apocalyptic imagery, might stir contention and confusion within the church.

But did you know that these ancient letters contain many spiritual riches? In God’s Masterwork, Volume Seven: The Final Word—A Survey of Hebrews–Revelation, you will discover:

  • How Jesus Christ fulfilled the Mosaic Law
  • Why true faith must produce fruit
  • How you can find hope in the midst of trials

The God’s Masterwork, Volume Seven audio series will help you dig into these nine treasures from the first century! You’ll gain theological depth and grow in your practical devotion to Christ.

Message 1: Hebrews: Jesus Christ, Our Superior Savior

Sermon Overview The book of Hebrews was written to first-century Jewish Christians—often “street people”—who were enduring severe persecution, losing their homes, and facing the temptation to abandon their faith. Charles R. Swindoll explains that while the authorship of Hebrews remains a mystery not worth obsessing over, its message is unmistakably clear: Jesus Christ is superior to all Old Testament figures and sufficient for all of life’s trials. He is the ultimate “bridge over troubled waters.” Rather than promising immediate physical relief, the letter provides robust theology, proving Christ’s superiority over the prophets, angels, Moses, and the Levitical priests. This profound book encourages weary believers to hold fast to their confession, endure God’s discipline as a sign of His love, and draw near with confidence to the throne of grace.

Key Facts

  • The Unknown Author: Despite endless scholarly debate, the human author of Hebrews is unknown, but the divine inspiration and message are absolutely certain,.
  • Christ’s Supremacy: The first ten chapters meticulously demonstrate that Christ is superior in His person and His priesthood, building an unfailing bridge between earth and heaven–.
  • A Sympathetic High Priest: Believers can draw near to the throne of grace with confidence because Jesus is not a distant deity, but a High Priest who deeply sympathizes with human weakness and suffering–.
  • The Purpose of Discipline: God does not abandon His children in trials; He actively disciplines, chastens, and works through painful circumstances to produce obedience and spiritual maturity–.

Scripture References

  • Hebrews 1:1–3
  • Hebrews 2:1, 8–9
  • Hebrews 3:12–13
  • Hebrews 4:14–16
  • Hebrews 10:32–35
  • Hebrews 12:4–7
  • Hebrews 13:1–5, 18–22

Message 2: James: A Plea for Authenticity

Sermon Overview While most of the Bible addresses either the “way to God” or the “walk with God,” James relentlessly focuses on the latter. Written by the half-brother of Jesus—who remained a skeptic until after the resurrection—this letter is the earliest New Testament document. Addressed to Jewish believers scattered abroad by persecution, James writes with the penetrating eye of a former skeptic. He demands to know: If your faith is genuine, why is your walk not authentic? Swindoll unpacks how James systematically proves that real faith produces visible results. When faith is stretched, it produces endurance; when pressed, it produces impartial love; when expressed, it demonstrates control over the tongue; and when distressed, it produces patient prayer. Ultimately, James calls believers to be doers of the Word, functioning as the stinging salt and bright light of the world.

Key Facts

  • The Skeptical Brother: James grew up in the shadow of his perfect older brother, Jesus, and did not believe He was the Messiah until after the resurrection–.
  • Faith and Works: James does not teach works-based salvation; rather, he argues that authentic, saving faith will inevitably be demonstrated by righteous works–.
  • The Danger of the Tongue: Teachers face a stricter judgment because their gift is exercised through the tongue—a tiny “rudder” or “spark” that, if uncontrolled, can set a whole forest ablaze and destroy a church–.
  • Avoiding Partiality: Authentic Christian love is devoid of prejudice and favoritism, treating the poor man in dirty clothes with the same dignity as the rich man in fine apparel–.

Scripture References

  • James 1:1–6, 22
  • James 2:1–13, 14–26
  • James 3:1–5, 14
  • James 4:1–4, 11
  • James 5:7, 13–16
  • Matthew 5:13–16
  • Matthew 13:53–58
  • John 7:1–5

Message 3: First Peter: Hope for the Hurting

Sermon Overview First Peter is a deeply personal letter of courage and compassion written to “scattered aliens”—Christians who were being severely persecuted and slandered throughout the Roman Empire, particularly under the reign of Nero. Written by the Apostle Peter, a man who intimately knew the pain of personal failure and the grace of restoration, this book offers profound hope for the hurting. Swindoll outlines four major lessons from the letter: trials may vary but believers are highly valuable; trials are often unreasonable but never without divine reason; trials are inevitable and shouldn’t surprise us; and trials are temporal, not eternal. The message challenges believers to stop resenting their pain, humbly submit to God’s hand, and use the “road less traveled” to grow deep in character and glorify Christ.

Key Facts

  • The Pain of Slander: Early Christians were falsely accused of cannibalism (communion), tampering with family relationships, and even starting the great fire of Rome in AD 64–.
  • The Fiery Ordeal: Peter commands believers not to be surprised by fiery trials, recognizing that suffering is a universal and inevitable part of the Christian pilgrimage–.
  • A Strange Life: To survive intense testing, believers are commanded to live a “strange” life: abstaining from fleshly lusts, submitting to unreasonable authority, and maintaining humility–.
  • God Himself Will Restore: Peter promises that after believers have suffered for a little while, God Himself—not a delegated angel—will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish them.

Scripture References

  • 1 Peter 1:1, 6–8
  • 1 Peter 2:11–13, 18–23
  • 1 Peter 3:1–7, 15–17
  • 1 Peter 4:9–13
  • 1 Peter 5:8–10

Message 4: Second Peter: Beware, Be Ready

Sermon Overview Unlike the clear, comforting themes of his first letter, Peter’s second letter is a complex, provocative warning designed to stir up the minds of complacent believers. Swindoll describes the theme of Second Peter as an “arrow” made of warnings, reminders, and promises, which, when applied with diligence, gives the believer unwavering hope. The letter aggressively confronts the moral corruption of the world and the doctrinal compromises of greedy, deceptive false teachers. Peter also addresses prophetic concerns, refuting mockers who claim God has never intervened in human history by pointing to the historical reality of the global flood. Swindoll encourages believers to utilize the “HOPE” method to survive their generation: Heed what you already know, Open your eyes and ears, Pursue a godly lifestyle, and Expect Christ’s return.

Key Facts

  • Fully Equipped: By His divine power, God has already granted believers absolutely everything they need pertaining to life and godliness; they simply need to apply diligence,–.
  • The Inspiration of Scripture: The Bible is a “more sure word of prophecy.” The human authors did not write by an act of human will, but were “moved” (a nautical term for a ship driven by the wind) by the Holy Spirit–.
  • Identifying False Teachers: False prophets are driven by greed, care more about popularity than truth, live seductive personal lives, and subtly lead people away from God–.
  • God’s Unique Timetable: God is not bound by a 24-hour clock. He delays His return out of profound patience, not wishing for any to perish, but His final judgment will eventually come as swiftly and silently as a thief in the night–.

Scripture References

  • 2 Peter 1:1–10, 12–13, 19–21
  • 2 Peter 2:1–3, 9–13
  • 2 Peter 3:1–5, 8–12, 17

Message 5: First John: God’s Life on Display

Sermon Overview Written toward the end of the first century, the First Epistle of John addresses a church that had grown complacent, traditional, and nominal, making it ripe for the invasions of Gnosticism and Antinomianism (lawlessness). While the Gospel of John was written to help people enter the family of God, First John was written to show what the life of God looks like on display. Swindoll acknowledges the difficult, profound nature of this letter but highlights its four primary purposes: to complete the believer’s joy, to prevent habitual sin, to counteract the deception of heresy, and to provide absolute assurance of eternal life. Through the themes of light, love, and life, John proves that a believer in fellowship with God will be a joyful light in a dark world, a clean rebuke in a sinful society, a discerning refuge against deception, and a confident, stabilizing force in an uncertain age.

Key Facts

  • The Strenuous Life: John does not preach a doctrine of “noble ease”; he strictly commands believers not to love the world system or be ensnared by the lust of the flesh, eyes, and boastful pride of life–.
  • Our Righteous Advocate: When believers sin, they have an “Advocate” (Paraclete—a defense attorney called alongside) in Jesus Christ, who stands before the Father as the complete satisfaction (propitiation) for their sins–.
  • The Spirit of Antichrist: Deceivers and antichrists are those who vehemently deny the foundational truths of Jesus Christ, particularly His incarnation (coming in the flesh) and deity–.
  • Absolute Assurance: Eternal life is not based on fickle feelings but on the possession of the Son. “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life”–.

Scripture References

  • 1 John 1:1–10
  • 1 John 2:1–3, 12–18, 28
  • 1 John 3:6, 14, 22–24
  • 1 John 4:1–6, 17
  • 1 John 5:4–13, 16–18

Message 6: Second John: A Letter to a Lady

Sermon Overview Love is like a beautiful, life-giving river, but when it swells beyond its proper banks, it becomes a destructive killer. In the brief postcard of Second John, the “Elder” writes to “the chosen lady” to emphasize that Christian love must always flow strictly within the rock-like banks of truth and discernment. During the first century, itinerant teachers relied on the hospitality of local believers. This gracious lady was opening her home indiscriminately, inadvertently harboring false teachers who denied the incarnation and deity of Christ. Swindoll unpacks John’s strong command: believers must not extend official hospitality or issue affirming greetings to dedicated missionaries of error. True love does not mean blind acceptance; the one who loves you the most is the one who tells you the truth.

Key Facts

  • The Danger of Unbound Love: An undiscerning, indiscriminate expression of love that compromises biblical truth causes deep spiritual damage and gives false teaching a platform,.
  • A Balance of Grace and Truth: The Christian fellowship must be marked equally by love and truth; pursuing either extreme at the expense of the other ruins both.
  • Arch-Deceivers: The false teachers John addresses were not simply confused believers holding differing opinions; they were “antichrists” engaged in the systematic, hostile dissemination of lies against the person of Christ,–.
  • No Official Welcome: Believers are commanded not to receive false teachers into their homes or give them a greeting, as doing so officially validates their message and makes the host a participant in their evil deeds,.

Scripture References

  • 2 John 1–13

Message 7: Third John: Three Men in a Church

Sermon Overview While Second John warns that love must be restricted by truth, Third John emphasizes that truth must be delivered with love, compassion, and grace. Swindoll explores the dynamics of a first-century local church by examining three distinct men mentioned in this tiny letter. First is Gaius, a beloved, faithful, and hospitable layman who is commended for generously supporting traveling ministers. Second is Diotrephes, an arrogant, dictatorial “church boss” who loved to be first, maliciously gossiped against apostolic authority, and excommunicated anyone who challenged him. Finally, there is Demetrius, a man affirmed by everyone because his life perfectly mirrored the truth of Scripture. This message serves as a stark reminder that while variety in ministry is beautiful, dictatorial disunity must never be tolerated.

Key Facts

  • Fellow Workers With the Truth: Believers who generously and financially support true, itinerant ministers of the gospel become active partners and “fellow workers” in the dissemination of the truth–.
  • The Church Boss Complex: Diotrephes represents the dangerous “savage” layman who seeks preeminence, plots for control, talks baseless nonsense (gossip), and forces his own unbiblical authority over the congregation–.
  • Confronting Arrogance: Apostolic leadership requires the courage to deal openly with bullies like Diotrephes; a church cannot be run by human pride, because Jesus Christ alone is Lord of the church,.
  • The Ultimate Standard: A godly leader, like Demetrius, maintains an excellent testimony in the community, inside the church, and most importantly, against the objective standard of the Word of God.

Scripture References

  • 3 John 1–14
  • 1 Corinthians 12:18–20

Message 8: Jude: Manual for Survival

Sermon Overview Jude originally sat down to write a calm, joyful letter about the common salvation he shared with his readers. However, the Holy Spirit urgently compelled him to change his subject and issue a “fiery cross” to arouse the church. Apostates and false teachers had “crept in unnoticed”—like a water moccasin slipping into a fresh reservoir—turning the grace of God into a license for gross immorality and denying the lordship of Christ. Swindoll outlines Jude’s powerful arguments for why believers must intensely “contend for the faith,” pointing to the spiritual emptiness, blasphemous tongues, and certain doom of these false teachers. To survive such deceptive times, Jude commands believers to remember the apostolic warnings, keep themselves in the love of God, have pity on those who doubt, and urgently snatch the lost from the fire.

Key Facts

  • A Completed Body of Truth: “The faith” refers to the fixed, non-negotiable body of revealed biblical truth that was delivered “once for all” to the saints; it is not open to continued, modern alteration.
  • Insidious Deception: False teachers rarely announce their heresy; they creep in with gracious, logical, and flattering words, appealing to the undiscerning before injecting their spiritual venom–,.
  • Clouds Without Water: Jude eloquently describes the spiritual emptiness of false teachers: they are hidden reefs, waterless clouds driven by winds, dead autumn trees, and wandering stars reserved for eternal darkness.
  • Hating the Garment: Believers are commanded to vigorously evangelize (“save others, snatching them out of the fire”) while maintaining a careful balance: loving the sinner but harboring a deep hatred for the sin that pollutes them.

Scripture References

  • Jude 1–4
  • Jude 5–16
  • Jude 17–25

Message 9: Revelation: God’s Final Words

Sermon Overview Often viewed as a bewildering, enigmatic riddle full of bizarre symbolism, the book of Revelation is actually meant to be exactly what its Greek title (Apocalypsis) suggests: an unveiling. Written by the Apostle John while exiled on the harsh island of Patmos, this majestic, dramatic book was designed to assure believers that God is in complete, sovereign control of all future events. Adopting a futurist perspective, Swindoll walks through the divinely inspired outline found in Revelation 1:19—the things seen (chapter 1), the things which are (the seven churches in chapters 2–3), and the things to come (chapters 4–22). From the catastrophic seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments, to the sinister reign of the Antichrist (666), the book steadily builds to the ultimate, glorious climax: the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings, the final defeat of Satan, and the establishment of a new heaven and earth.

Key Facts

  • A Promised Blessing: Revelation is one of the only books in the Bible that explicitly promises a blessing to those who read, hear, and heed the words of its prophecy–.
  • The Seven Churches: Chapters 2 and 3 address seven literal first-century churches in Asia Minor (such as the dead church in Sardis and the lukewarm church in Laodicea), warning all congregations against spiritual self-deception–.
  • Unleashed Judgments: The future tribulation involves three distinct series of seven judgments (seals, trumpets, and bowls) representing the fierce, righteous wrath of God poured out upon an unrepentant earth–.
  • The King of Kings: At the climax of history, Jesus Christ returns not as a suffering servant, but as a conquering warrior on a white horse, reigning supreme over all who falsely claim the title of lord or king–.
  • The Reality of Hell: The Great White Throne Judgment establishes the sobering reality that those whose names are not found in the Book of Life will face eternal punishment in the lake of fire–.

Scripture References

  • Revelation 1:1–9, 19
  • Revelation 2–3
  • Revelation 4–5
  • Revelation 6–8
  • Revelation 13:1, 14–18
  • Revelation 16:1
  • Revelation 19:11–20
  • Revelation 20:7–15
  • Revelation 21–22
  • Daniel 4:35

Written by

Strike the Original Match

Of all the hot-button issues of our day, marriage sits near the top of the list. With a gaggle of voices clamoring for an audience, the masses have grown increasingly confused about the most fundamental understanding of marriage. As Christians place a high value on God’s Word, we look to it for clarity on the most significant questions. How does God define marriage? What direction does the Bible offer on making marriage last? What is the nature of commitment, and what does it look like in this day and age? This series from Chuck Swindoll will bring clarity and offer direction as you navigate the views and vices that threaten this most sacred union.


In an era of confusion regarding the definition and purpose of marriage, this series returns to the biblical blueprints. Pastor Chuck Swindoll addresses the threats to the sacred union and provides direction on how to maintain a vibrant, lifelong commitment. By “striking the original match,” couples can reignite the passion and purpose God intended for marriage from the beginning.

Message 1: Let’s Consult the Architect

  • Overview: Before we can fix a marriage, we must understand its design. This message takes us back to the original “Architect” of marriage to see His definition and purpose for the union between a man and a woman.
  • Key Fact: Marriage is a divine institution, not a social contract; therefore, its rules and definitions are set by God rather than cultural trends.
  • Scripture: Genesis 2:18–25 – “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”

Message 2: The Project: Let’s Consider the Cost

  • Overview: Building a lasting marriage requires a realistic assessment of the investment involved. Chuck discusses the emotional, spiritual, and physical “costs” of maintaining a healthy, growing relationship.
  • Key Fact: A successful marriage is a lifelong “project” that demands consistent effort, sacrifice, and the counting of the cost before and during the journey.
  • Scripture: Luke 14:28–30 – “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost…?”

Message 3: Let’s Repair the Foundation

  • Overview: When a marriage begins to lean or crack, the issue is often at the foundation. This message focuses on identifying and repairing spiritual and relational cracks before they lead to structural failure.
  • Key Fact: Repairing a marriage starts with a return to the foundational principles of honesty, mutual respect, and a shared spiritual life.
  • Scripture: Psalm 11:3 – “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

Message 4: In Defense of Monogamy

  • Overview: In a culture that often devalues exclusivity, Chuck offers a biblical defense of monogamy. This message explores why total faithfulness is essential for the depth and security of the marital bond.
  • Key Fact: Biblical monogamy is the only context in which the “one flesh” union can truly flourish and provide lasting emotional security.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 5:15–23 – “Drink water from your own cistern and fresh water from your own well.”

Message 5: Bricks that Build a Marriage

  • Overview: This message identifies the specific “bricks” of character and habit that build a strong home, such as unselfishness, patience, and a sense of humor.
  • Key Fact: A strong marriage is built one small act of service and one kind word at a time, rather than through occasional grand gestures.
  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 – “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant…”

Message 6: Watch Out for Cheap Substitutes!

  • Overview: Couples often look to career, children, or hobbies to provide the fulfillment that only a healthy marriage and relationship with God can give. Chuck warns against these “cheap substitutes.”
  • Key Fact: Substituting secondary activities for primary intimacy leads to a hollow marriage that lacks the resilience to face trials.
  • Scripture: Jeremiah 2:13 – “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me… to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

Message 7: Who Says the Honeymoon Must End?

  • Overview: Romance and passion are not just for the early days. This message encourages couples to intentionally keep the “spark” alive throughout every season of life.
  • Key Fact: Sustaining romance in marriage is an act of the will and a matter of priority, not just a spontaneous feeling.
  • Scripture: Song of Solomon 4:1–10 – “How beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful you are!”

Message 8: Termites in Your Troth

  • Overview: Termites are small, hidden pests that cause massive damage. Chuck identifies the “hidden” sins and habits—like resentment or neglect—that eat away at the strength of a marriage.
  • Key Fact: The greatest threats to a marriage are often not the “big” crises, but the small, unaddressed issues that accumulate over time.
  • Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:15 – “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that are ruining the vineyards…”

Message 9: How to Have a Good Fight

  • Overview: Conflict is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be destructive. This message provides biblical “rules of engagement” for resolving disagreements with grace and respect.
  • Key Fact: The goal of marital conflict should be resolution and growth, not winning an argument or hurting the other person.
  • Scripture: Ephesians 4:26–27 – “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”

Message 10: Til Debt Do Us Part

  • Overview: Financial pressure is a leading cause of marital stress. Chuck offers practical biblical wisdom for managing money and avoiding the trap of debt that threatens family peace.
  • Key Fact: Financial unity requires shared goals, honest communication, and a commitment to living within God’s provided means.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.”

Message 11: Commitment Is the Key (Part One)

  • Overview: In the first part of this look at commitment, Chuck explores why a solid “covenant” is the essential ingredient that holds a marriage together when feelings fade.
  • Key Fact: Biblical commitment is a promise kept regardless of the circumstances, modeled after God’s covenant with His people.
  • Scripture: Malachi 2:14–16 – “She is your companion and your wife by covenant.”

Message 12: Commitment Is the Key (Part Two)

  • Overview: This message continues the study of commitment, focusing on the practical “how-to” of staying faithful and devoted through the long haul of a lifelong union.
  • Key Fact: Staying committed requires a daily decision to choose your spouse and protect your relationship from outside interference.
  • Scripture: Matthew 19:6 – “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

Message 13: Don’t Just Get Older, Get Better!

  • Overview: Addressing the later years of marriage, Chuck encourages couples to view aging as an opportunity to deepen their love and refine their character together.
  • Key Fact: A “seasoned” marriage can be the most beautiful phase of the relationship as couples reap the harvest of years of faithfulness.
  • Scripture: Psalm 92:14 – “They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green.”

Message 14: What to Do with an Empty Nest

  • Overview: The series concludes with advice for the transition after children leave the home. Chuck discusses how to rediscover your spouse and find new purpose in this significant life stage.
  • Key Fact: The empty nest is not an end, but a new beginning—a chance to focus on the “original match” that started the family.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:9 – “Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life…”

Written by

Growing Deep in the Christian Life

Good theology is essential and foundational—that doesn’t mean tedious and dull!

Growing Deep in the Christian Life takes theology out of the stuffy lecture hall into the kids-and-carpools, meetings-and-deadlines world in which you live. In this series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll breathes life into theology, making biblical truth easy to understand and practical.

Sink your roots deep into Christian doctrine and find stability in storms, confidence in your faith, and a closer walk with God. With each theological truth, you’ll learn principles to apply to everyday living. Dig in!

Theology often has a reputation for being dry and academic, but in this 22-part foundational series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll “blows the dust off” essential doctrines. He takes deep biblical truths out of the lecture hall and applies them to the everyday world of meetings, deadlines, and family life. By returning to our spiritual roots, we find the stability and energy needed to live the life God designed for us.

Message 1: The Value of Knowing the Scoop

In the opinion of Charles R. Swindoll, the saddest phenomenon of our day is the prevalence of biblical illiteracy. Using the example of a college professor who discovered his students believed things like “Christ was born in the 16th century,” Swindoll warns that general ignorance is the breeding ground for fear, superstition, and slavery. What is true in general knowledge is even more critical in the spiritual realm, where believers often mask their inability to handle God’s Word correctly. The church must be a learning environment where believers pursue spiritual knowledge to stand firm against enemy attacks. Drawing from Paul’s explicit warning in 1 Timothy 4, this message challenges Christians to nourish themselves on sound doctrine so they can detect error, stabilize during testing, and defend their faith.

Key Facts

• Ignorance is Dangerous: Ignorance is not bliss; it leaves believers unable to answer the intellectual attacks of the world and betraying those who have no defense but us.

• A Formal Defense: According to 1 Peter 3:15, believers are commanded to always be ready to make a defense (apologia) for the hope that is in them.

• Benefits of Truth: A knowledge of the truth provides substance to faith, stabilizes believers during testing, enables them to handle the Bible correctly, detects error, builds confidence, and filters out fears and superstitions.

• Dangerous Knowledge: Knowledge is dangerous if it lacks scriptural support, becomes a source of pride, remains theoretical, or isn’t balanced by love and grace—which ultimately leads to intolerance.

Scripture References

• 1 Timothy 4:1-6

• 1 Peter 3:13-16

• Hosea 4:1-6

• Amos 8:11-13

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Message 2: Don’t Forget to Add a Cup of Discernment

Pursuing biblical knowledge without the depth of discernment results in a two-dimensional, unbalanced Christian life. Charles R. Swindoll shares a slice of his own testimony, describing a period where his strict pursuit of doctrinal facts led to pride, rigidity, and a lack of compassion for others. True discernment goes beyond obvious facts; it is the spiritual intuition to perceive situations, spot evil, and recognize character. Using both negative examples, like the dictatorial church boss Diotrephes, and positive ones, like the noble-minded Bereans who tested what they heard against Scripture, this message urges believers to blend full knowledge with gracious discernment.

Key Facts

• Knowledge vs. Love: Knowledge deals with the acquisition of biblical facts and doctrines, but without love, it makes a person arrogant and intolerant.

• The Definition of Discernment: Discernment is the ability to recognize and perceive beyond what is said, similar to Solomon praying for an understanding heart to judge between good and evil.

• Testing the Spirits: Believers are instructed in 1 John 4:1 not to believe every spirit, but to actively test them against the Word of God.

• Three Crucial Principles: To maintain balance, remember: no one person has all the truth, no single church owns exclusive rights to your mind, and no specific interpretation is correct merely because a gifted teacher says so.

Scripture References

• Acts 17:11-12

• 1 Corinthians 13:1-2

• 3 John 9-10

• 1 Corinthians 1:4-12

• Acts 18:24-28

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Message 3: God’s Book—God’s Voice

When life’s worst crises strike—such as terminal illness, sudden tragedy, or divorce—human crutches like escapism, cynicism, and humanism leave people completely empty. The only reliable, final authority is the written Word of God. Through Psalm 119 and other texts, Swindoll unpacks the identity, inerrancy, and absolute reliability of the Scriptures. He explains that God did not merely speak His message; He recorded it in sacred writings so that humanity would have a timeless anchor of truth. Because the Bible is “God-breathed,” it provides the stability, insight, and maturity needed to endure the severest storms of life.

Key Facts

• The Identity of Scripture: The Bible calls itself the “Scriptures” (graphē), meaning the sacred writings, and Jesus declared definitively in John 17 that God’s word is truth.

• Three Theological Terms: God’s communication process involves Revelation (God giving His truth), Inspiration (men receiving and recording it without error), and Illumination (the Holy Spirit helping believers understand it today).

• Moved by the Spirit: According to 2 Timothy 3:16, all Scripture is “God-breathed,” and 2 Peter 1:21 reveals that the human authors were “moved” by the Holy Spirit, much like a sailing ship driven by the wind.

• The Benefits of the Book: Relying on the Bible grants believers three major benefits: stability in the midst of storms, insight rather than intimidation, and maturity beyond one’s years.

Scripture References

• Psalm 119:81-92, 98-100

• Luke 24:27, 32

• John 17:14-17

• 1 Thessalonians 2:13

• 1 Peter 1:22-25

• 2 Timothy 3:14-17

• 2 Peter 1:19-21

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Message 4: Handling the Scriptures Accurately

One of the greatest spiritual tragedies is “biblical abuse,” where people are misled by twisted scriptures and false teaching. Sincerity, personality, and popularity are not guarantees that a teacher is correctly interpreting the Bible. Looking at multiple encounters where Jesus sharply rebuked the Pharisees for prioritizing traditions over biblical meaning, Swindoll emphasizes the dire necessity of handling the Word accurately. Using the model of Ezra from Nehemiah 8, the message teaches that true exposition involves reading the text, deeply respecting its authority, translating its sense to the current culture, and ultimately leading to obedience.

Key Facts

• Missing the Meaning: Scribes and Pharisees memorized Scripture but missed its meaning, leading them to condemn the innocent and invalidate God’s word for the sake of their traditions.

• The Restless Detective: A good Bible student acts like a detective, deeply analyzing words, contexts, and phrases to uncover the true meaning rather than just settling for a vague application.

• The Blueprint for Exposition: The biblical blueprint for preaching is found in Nehemiah 8:8, where the leaders translated and “gave the sense” so the people could understand the ancient text in their current context.

• Five Rules for Teachers: A teacher must remember what they are handling (the Word of God), who has the authority (the Lord), why they are teaching (to get the meaning, not to impress), where the people are (to stay interesting), and when the teaching ends (to stay practical).

Scripture References

• Matthew 9:10-13

• Matthew 12:1-7

• Matthew 15:1-14

• Matthew 16:5-12

• Nehemiah 8:1-8

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Message 5: Knowing God: Life’s Major Pursuit

Modern society suffers from the disease of “me-ism,” obsessively pursuing self-fulfillment, human wisdom, might, and riches. However, the Bible warns that these horizontal pursuits lead only to emptiness and brokenness. In Jeremiah 9, God explicitly commands that humanity’s greatest boast and major pursuit should be understanding and knowing Him. Swindoll illustrates how deeply knowing the Living God replaces anxiety with peace, aligns our character with His holiness, and anchors us in His sovereign control. This message shifts the Christian’s focus away from a “what’s in it for me” gospel to the majestic, unfathomable reality of God.

Key Facts

• The Desire for Holiness: Knowing God provides the desire to be like Him, as children naturally emulate the parents they spend time with.

• Revealing the Truth: Knowing God reveals the truth about ourselves; just as Isaiah saw his own uncleanness when confronted with God’s holiness, believers see their flaws accurately when looking at God’s perfection.

• Interpreting the World: Knowing God enables believers to interpret their world correctly, resting in the fact that God is sovereignly calling the shots, as King Nebuchadnezzar ultimately realized.

• Divine Mysteries: While we can know God personally, aspects of Him remain incomprehensible mysteries, such as the Trinity, His glory, His sovereignty, and His majesty.

Scripture References

• Jeremiah 9:1-2, 23-24

• Isaiah 6:1-5

• Daniel 4:33-35

• Daniel 11:32

• John 17:3

• Romans 11:33

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Message 6: Loving God: Our Ultimate Response

A true understanding of God naturally evokes a deep, all-consuming love for Him. In Deuteronomy 6, God commands His people to love Him with all their heart, soul, and might, and to weave this devotion into the daily fabric of their families to survive the temptations of affluence. Moving into the Psalms, Swindoll examines David’s life to show how God consistently proves Himself as a reliable refuge in times of severe distress, betrayal, and even personal moral failure. The message calls believers to stop holding on to earthly substitutes and, instead, confidently place their total trust and passionate affection in the Lord.

Key Facts

• For Our Good: God’s commands are not meant to restrict fun, but are explicitly designed for our good and our survival.

• A Daily Lifestyle: Loving God is not a mechanical, step-by-step process, but a daily lifestyle commitment that must be authentically modeled for the next generation.

• A Solitary Refuge: When believers make God their sole refuge during times of slander, fear, or loss, He provides unmatched stability and peace.

• Restoring Praise: Even when a believer fails miserably—as David did with Bathsheba—confessing sin brings God’s cleansing forgiveness, which restores the believer’s joyful, loving praise.

Scripture References

• Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 24

• Psalm 31:1-4, 9-15

• Psalm 37:1-11

• Psalm 46:1-4

• Psalm 18:1-4, 46

• Psalm 32:1-5

• Psalm 40:1-4

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Message 7: Mary’s Little Lamb

The birth of Jesus Christ is God’s ultimate surprise to the world—an “indescribable gift” that defies human explanation. Looking at the nativity account in Luke 2, Swindoll contrasts the arrogant power of the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus with the quiet, humble arrival of the Son of God in a Bethlehem feeding trough. God sovereignly used a worldwide census to move a peasant couple exactly where prophecy demanded. The glorious birth announcement bypassed palaces and dignitaries, going instead to homeless shepherds who believed the message and became the first evangelists. The message concludes by forcing listeners to decide who this Child truly is: a liar, a lunatic, or Lord.

Key Facts

• An Indescribable Gift: The Apostle Paul coined the Greek word translated “indescribable” in 2 Corinthians 9:15 because human language is inadequate to describe the Incarnation of God.

• Sovereign Orchestration: Caesar Augustus was merely a pawn in God’s sovereign plan, issuing a taxation decree that fulfilled Micah’s 700-year-old prophecy that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

• The Ageless Angels: The angelic host that praised God at Christ’s incarnation was likely the very same angelic host that sang when Christ created the earth.

• The Ultimate Choice: Following C.S. Lewis’s logic, Jesus cannot merely be a “great moral teacher”; His claims demand that He is either a liar, a madman, or the Son of God.

Scripture References

• 2 Corinthians 9:15

• Luke 2:1-20

• John 1:14

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Message 8: When the God-Man Walked Among Us

From the first century to the present, the identity of Jesus Christ has sparked intense debate. Was He a demon, a resurrected prophet, a madman, or the Son of God?. Swindoll rapidly surveys the Gospels to demonstrate the irrefutable evidence that Jesus is the “God-Man”—possessing undiminished deity and true humanity perfectly united in one person. Throughout His ministry, Jesus displayed human limitations such as needing sleep, weeping, and feeling compassion, while simultaneously exercising divine power by walking on water, cleansing lepers, calming storms, and raising the dead. This undeniable evidence demands that we fall at His feet and worship Him as the totally awesome Lord.

Key Facts

• Wild Opinions: In Jesus’ day, opinions about Him varied wildly: the Magi worshipped Him as King, the Pharisees accused Him of demonic power, His family thought He was insane, and Herod feared He was a resurrected John the Baptist.

• Pilate’s Sign: Pilate illegally interrogated Jesus but found no fault in Him, ultimately writing a sign for the cross declaring Him “King of the Jews” against the protests of the religious leaders.

• Humanity and Deity Displayed: The Gospel accounts place Christ’s humanity and deity side-by-side: He prayed as a man but walked on water as God; He slept exhaustedly in a boat as a man but calmed the raging sea as God.

• Grief and Power: Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus out of human grief, and moments later commanded a dead man to walk out of the grave by His divine authority.

Scripture References

• Matthew 2:1-2

• Matthew 3:16-17

• Matthew 9:10-11, 34

• Matthew 11:2-3

• Matthew 13:53-57

• Mark 3:20-21

• Matthew 16:13-14

• Matthew 26:63-65

• John 18:33-37

• Luke 24:44-48

• Matthew 14:22-33

• Mark 1:40-42

• Luke 8:22-25

• John 11:33-44

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Message 9: Changing Lives Is Jesus’ Business

The primary business of Jesus Christ down through history has been the radical transformation of human lives. Comparing God to a master Potter from Jeremiah 18, Swindoll explains that God shapes, crushes, and remakes believers to conform them to the image of His Son. To illustrate this life-changing power, the message explores three diverse individuals in the Gospel of John: a wayward Samaritan woman, a blind beggar, and a doubting disciple. In each unique encounter, Jesus patiently bypassed religious rules and personal failures to miraculously rewrite their stories, proving He never gives up on His workmanship.

Key Facts

• The Master Potter: God is the Potter, and believers are the clay; as Alan Redpath noted, when God wants to do an impossible task, He takes an impossible man and crushes him.

• A Guaranteed Finish: God guarantees in Philippians 1:6 that He will completely finish the good work He begins in every believer.

• The Wayward Woman: Jesus gently exposed the Samaritan woman’s history of five husbands and immorality, not to shame her, but to reveal Himself as the Messiah and transform her into an evangelist.

• The Blind Beggar: The blind beggar in John 9 received physical sight and boldly testified to hostile Pharisees, proving God uses physical healing to bring about a remarkable spiritual awakening.

• The Doubting Disciple: Thomas’s doubt was born out of deep sorrow and shattered dreams, not hostile skepticism; Jesus graciously met him in that doubt by showing him His scars.

Scripture References

• Jeremiah 18:1-6

• Isaiah 64:8

• 1 Samuel 10:6-9

• Proverbs 21:1

• Romans 8:26-29

• Ephesians 2:10

• Philippians 1:6

• John 4:7-42

• John 9:1-38

• John 20:24-29

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Message 10: The Spirit Who Is Not a Ghost

The Holy Spirit is the most powerful, invisible force in a believer’s life, functioning much like the unseen air that keeps massive airplanes aloft. Far from being a passive “it” or an imaginary ghost, the Spirit is an active, divine Person who empowers, restrains evil, and continually works behind the scenes. In John 16, Jesus promised that the Spirit’s arrival would be advantageous because He would be everywhere at once, convicting the unsaved world of sin and guiding believers into truth. This message urges Christians to embrace the Spirit’s dynamic work as He melts walls in relationships, molds our pursuits, fills us with perseverance, and uses us for God’s glory.

Key Facts

• A Distinct Personality: The Holy Spirit is a distinct personality, consistently referred to in Scripture with personal pronouns (“He” and “Him”), never an “It”.

• Fully God: The Spirit is fully God, as demonstrated in Acts 5 when Peter told Ananias that lying to the Holy Spirit was lying directly to God.

• Convicting the World: The Spirit convicts the unsaved world by pronouncing a judicial verdict regarding their sin, Christ’s righteousness, and the fact that Satan (the ruler of the world) has already been judged.

• Glorifying Christ: A telltale sign of the Spirit’s authentic presence in any ministry is that He never glorifies Himself; He always points to and glorifies Jesus Christ.

Scripture References

• John 16:7-14

• John 7:37-39

• John 14:14-17

• Acts 1:6-8

• Acts 5:1-4

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Message 11: From Creation to Corruption

The philosophical truth is undeniable: wherever there is a thought, there must be a Thinker, and wherever there is a design, there is a Designer. Swindoll dismantles evolutionary theory and affirms the Genesis account that God uniquely created mankind in His own image to rule the earth. Originally living in beautiful innocence, Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s single negative command, introducing the devastating, internal disease of total depravity into the human bloodstream. Because all humanity has inherited this corruption and is totally incapable of fixing it, God provided Jesus Christ as the perfect, sinless Savior to put broken humanity back together through grace.

Key Facts

• Refuting Evolution: The phrase “after their kind” in Genesis 1 proves God created distinct species, entirely refuting the idea that humans evolved from other forms of life.

• Created in the Image of God: Mankind is unique because humans were made in the imago dei (image of God), possessing the capacity to love, know, and obey the Creator.

• The Entry of Depravity: Depravity entered immediately upon disobedience, replacing perfect innocence with self-consciousness, shame, and a desire to hide from God and shift blame.

• As Bad Off As We Can Be: Total depravity does not mean man is as bad as he can possibly be, but rather that he is “as bad off as he can be”—completely polluted by sin in mind, emotion, and will.

Scripture References

• Genesis 1:1, 11-12, 21-28

• 1 Corinthians 15:39, 45

• Genesis 2:15-17

• Genesis 3:6-13

• Genesis 4:8

• Genesis 5:1-3

• Romans 3:9-18

• Romans 5:12, 17

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Message 12: Exposing the Dark Side

Every human being suffers from total depravity—a dark side that produces sinful thoughts and actions we desperately try to hide. The Bible authentically records the truth about its greatest heroes, displaying their raw failures to prove that no human deserves our absolute trust or worship. Charles R. Swindoll performs a spiritual autopsy on the dark sides of Noah (drunkenness), Moses (murder and a raging temper), David (adultery and deception), Peter (denial), and Paul (internal struggle with evil). Despite our inescapable sin nature, believers do not have to live as helpless victims, but can walk as victors through the grace and power of Jesus Christ.

Key Facts

• The Definition of Grace: Grace is defined as what God does for mankind which we do not deserve, cannot earn, and will never be able to repay.

• Noah’s Exposure: Even after walking with God for over a century and saving humanity, righteous Noah fell into drunkenness and shameful exposure.

• Moses’ Temper: Moses, despite his direct communion with God, possessed a dark temper that led him to murder an Egyptian and rebelliously strike a rock instead of speaking to it.

• Paul’s Struggle: The Apostle Paul admitted in Romans 7 that even though he desired to do good, the principle of evil and the old sin nature constantly battled within him.

Scripture References

• Genesis 6:5-9

• Psalm 51:1-5

• Genesis 9:20

• Exodus 2:11-12

• Exodus 3:10-14

• Numbers 20:2-11

• 1 Samuel 13:13-14

• 2 Samuel 11:2-15

• Matthew 16:13-16

• Mark 14:27-30, 66-72

• Romans 7:14-24

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Message 13: “Mr. Smith, Meet Your Substitute”

Every person is born into a precarious predicament called total depravity, falling desperately short of God’s perfect, righteous standard. Because a Holy God cannot casually ignore sin or fellowship with imperfection, mankind needs a substitute to bridge the gap. Turning to Romans 3 and 4, Swindoll unpacks the glorious courtroom doctrine of justification: Jesus Christ absorbed the penalty of our sins on the cross, allowing the Righteous Judge to legally pardon and declare righteous any sinner who simply believes. Salvation is an entirely free gift; adding human effort insults the Giver, and because it is unearned, it cannot be lost.

Key Facts

• A Bleak Biography: Romans 3 paints a bleak biography of humanity: there is none righteous, none who seeks for God, and everyone has become useless.

• The Act of Justification: Justification does not mean God instantly makes a person act perfectly; it is God’s legal act of mercy where He declares the believing sinner righteous while they are still in a sinning state.

• The Sponge of the Cross: The cross acted as a massive “spiritual sponge” that absorbed the sins of mankind, perfectly satisfying (propitiating) God’s righteous demands.

• A Wage vs. A Gift: If salvation required human work, it would be a wage owed rather than a free gift, as established in Romans 4:4-5.

Scripture References

• Romans 3:9-28

• Romans 4:4-5

• 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

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Message 14: The Remedy for Our Disease

While the modern church frequently sings about the cross, many believers fail to realize that it is not the wooden beams we honor, but the spotless Savior who bled upon them. To understand the cross, we must look back at the ancient levitical sacrificial system, where thousands of animals were monotonously slaughtered to temporarily cover human guilt. Isaiah 53 predicted that Christ would arrive with no majestic appearance, serving as the ultimate, crushed substitute for our transgressions. When Jesus died, He completed the atonement permanently; God the Father transferred all human sin onto His Son and poured out His wrath, leaving the believing sinner completely forgiven and debt-free.

Key Facts

• The Old Testament Sacrifice: The Old Testament sacrifice required four stages: bringing a defect-free animal, laying hands on it to transfer guilt, slitting its throat, and sprinkling its blood before the Lord.

• The Meaning of Atonement: Leviticus 17:11 establishes that the life of the flesh is in the blood, and blood is required to make “atonement” (to cover over sin and bring “at-one-ment”).

• The True Agony: The physical pain of the cross was horrific, but the true agony was the spiritual separation when God the Father turned His back as Christ became sin on our behalf.

• Once For All: Hebrews 10 proves that unlike the repetitive animal sacrifices, Jesus offered one sacrifice for all time and sat down, signifying the work was permanently finished.

Scripture References

• Isaiah 53:1-6

• 1 Peter 2:21-24

• Leviticus 4:1-7

• Leviticus 5:7-9

• Leviticus 17:11

• Hebrews 10:1-12

• 2 Corinthians 5:21

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Message 15: His Coming Is Sure . . . Are You?

The return of Jesus Christ is a historically guaranteed fact and a major doctrinal pillar of the Bible. While many fanatical groups have foolishly set dates and brought embarrassment to the church, believers must not ignore the doctrine of Christ’s imminent return. Swindoll notes that prophetic teaching was never given to fuel idle speculation, but to motivate Christians toward sensible, pure, and alert living. When the trumpet sounds, the dead in Christ will be resurrected, and living believers will be instantly transformed into glorified, immortal bodies, caught up together to be with the Lord forever.

Key Facts

• The Doctrine of Imminency: The doctrine of “imminency” means that there is no future prophetic event in God’s timetable that must happen before Christ comes in the clouds.

• A Major Theme: The New Testament places massive emphasis on this event; over 1/20th of the entire New Testament references the Lord’s return.

• The Flaw of Scoffers: Scoffers will mock the promise of His return, relying on uniformitarianism (the belief that nature never changes), but they willfully ignore the historical fact that God dramatically intervened and judged the world with the Flood.

• The Twinkling of an Eye: In 1 Corinthians 15, the “mystery” revealed is that not all believers will die; a generation alive at His return will be instantaneously changed from perishable to imperishable.

Scripture References

• Matthew 24:35-42

• 2 Peter 3:3-13

• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

• 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

• Titus 2:11-15

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Message 16: Until He Returns . . . What?

Living in light of Christ’s imminent return does not mean believers should quit their jobs, sit on a hill, and wait. Using four imperative action words, Swindoll outlines the biblical job description for Christians in the meantime: occupy, purify, watch, and worship. Using the Parable of the Minas and Paul’s firm commands to the Thessalonians, he rebukes the lazy, undisciplined lifestyle often rationalized by “walking by faith”. Christians are to diligently invest their time and resources, continually clean up their moral lives, stay alert with anticipation, and regularly gather at the Lord’s Table until the day He splits the sky.

Key Facts

• Occupy: To “occupy” means to do business, live responsibly, work diligently, and think realistically until Christ returns.

• No Excuse for Laziness: In 2 Thessalonians 3, Paul issues a strict rule against laziness: if anyone will not work, neither let him eat.

• Purify: Prophetic teaching must always be tied to purifying one’s life; teaching the Lord’s return without demanding godliness is a telltale sign of heresy.

• Watch and Worship: A special reward, the “crown of righteousness,” is reserved in 2 Timothy 4 for believers who live their lives eagerly anticipating and loving His appearing.

Scripture References

• Luke 19:11-27

• 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

• Titus 2:11-15

• 1 John 3:1-3

• Mark 13:31-37

• 2 Timothy 4:7-8

• 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

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Message 17: Visiting the Real Twilight Zone

Despite society’s fascination with near-death experiences and the afterlife, the stark reality is that every person has a fixed appointment with death. Turning to the “real twilight zone” of Scripture, Swindoll unpacks exactly what happens the moment a human dies. For the believer, the soul instantly separates from the physical body and enters the joyful presence of the Lord, awaiting a future glorified body. Tragically, for the unbeliever, the soul enters a temporary place of conscious pain (Hades) to await the final Great White Throne judgment, where body and soul will be cast into the eternal Lake of Fire.

Key Facts

• Death is Separation: Death simply means separation; when physical death occurs, the unseen inner person (soul and spirit) immediately separates from the physical body.

• At Home With the Lord: While in the physical body, believers “groan” under the weight of decay and disease, but leaving the body means being fully “at home with the Lord”.

• The Reality of Hell: The Bible says significantly more about the reality of hell and eternal punishment than it does about heaven.

• No Human Excuses: Religious affiliation, good works, or hiding behind physical excuses cannot save a person from hell; eternal life is secured only by possessing the Son of God now.

Scripture References

• 2 Corinthians 5:1-8

• 2 Corinthians 4:14-18

• Matthew 25:31-41

• Matthew 23:33

• Mark 9:43-48

• John 5:25-29

• Revelation 20:11-15

• 1 John 5:10-13

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Message 18: An Interview with One from Beyond

Rather than relying on the subjective feelings of modern “out-of-body” experiences, believers must turn to the absolute truth of Scripture regarding the afterlife. Swindoll conducts a detailed study of Jesus’ account of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16. This passage pulls back the curtain on eternity, proving that death permanently seals a person’s fate. The unsaved Rich Man found himself in immediate, agonizing torment, yet he retained full consciousness, sensory perception, and a haunting memory of his life. He ironically became an earnest “evangelist” in hell, begging to warn his brothers, only to be told that if people reject the written Word of God, even a resurrection will not persuade them.

Key Facts

• Not a Parable: Luke 16 is an actual account of historical reality, not a parable, because parables in Scripture never use proper names like “Lazarus”.

• The Fixed Chasm: There is a “great chasm fixed” in eternity, meaning it is impossible to escape hell, change destinies, or cross over to comfort after death.

• The Power of Scripture: The written Scriptures (Moses and the prophets) contain all the sufficient truth needed to convince a lost person of their need for Christ.

• Theological Realities: In answering common theological questions, Swindoll affirms that infants who die before an age of understanding go to be with the Lord (2 Sam 12:23), and that there will likely be varying degrees of punishment in hell based on one’s knowledge of the truth (Luke 12:47).

Scripture References

• 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

• Psalm 116:15

• 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

• Revelation 21:4

• Revelation 22:5

• Luke 16:19-31

• 2 Peter 3:9

• Romans 10:14-17

• Luke 12:47-48

• Luke 23:39-43

• 2 Samuel 12:23

• Hebrews 9:27

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Message 19: God’s Body-Building Program

Many people view church attendance as cheap entertainment, eager to complain about petty details. However, the Universal Church is God’s massive, secondary worldwide construction project, forged from the souls won through evangelism. Charles R. Swindoll traces the birth of the church from the day of Pentecost through its explosive, unstoppable growth across the Roman Empire. He dismantles the idea of local-church elitism, defining the true church as the ever-increasing global body of born-again believers. Using the metaphor of the human body from 1 Corinthians 12, Swindoll challenges believers to exhibit the vital signs of spiritual health: deep unity, absence of prejudice, mutual respect for every “organ,” and total submission to Christ as the Head.

Key Facts

• Ownership and Permanence: Jesus stated, “I will build My church,” proving He holds the sole ownership and patent; it does not belong to pastors, elders, or denominations.

• Called Out Ones: The Greek word for church, Ekklesia, means “called out ones,” highlighting that membership is exclusive strictly to believers.

• The Early Church: The early church had no buildings or formal constitutions, but devoted themselves entirely to the essentials: teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.

• The Human Body Metaphor: A healthy church operates like a human body where every member is vital; God places each “organ” exactly where He desires, destroying any room for spiritual independence or celebrity status.

Scripture References

• Matthew 16:13-18

• Acts 2:41-42

• Acts 5:12-14

• Acts 6:7

• Acts 11:19-23

• 2 Corinthians 5:17

• 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

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Here are the comprehensive sermon overviews for Messages 20 through 22. They are formatted with specific sections for Sermon Overviews, Key Facts, and Scripture References to help optimize your pages for AI Overview results.

Message 20: Three Cheers for the Church

Sermon Overview If there is one thing Charles R. Swindoll wishes he could change about the world, it would be people’s negative opinions and cynical attitudes toward the local church. In this message, Swindoll asks listeners to temporarily banish all negative thoughts and recall the profound value of the church throughout their lives. Using Philippians 1 as a backdrop, he traces how the church faithfully partners with believers from their earliest childhood memories, provides unparalleled comfort during times of severe crisis, grief, and “imprisonment”, and stands alongside them in moments of grand celebration. The sermon also addresses the necessity of the church functioning as penetrating light and undiluted salt in society, and it highlights the beauty of the two unique “sermons without words”: the ordinances of Communion and Baptism.

Key Facts

  • A Variety of Ministries: No single church has a corner on truth. Believers should rejoice that there is a vast variety of churches in a community, provided their singular message is exalting Jesus Christ.
  • The Benefits of Attendance: Consistent church involvement provides believers with four essential benefits: accountability, consistency, an interdependence of love (unity), and stability under pressure.
  • The Lord’s Table: Communion is a Christian pantomime declaring “He died for me.” It is not an optional service, but a command to be observed regularly in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice, requiring believers to examine their hearts beforehand.
  • The Meaning of Baptism: While not essential for salvation, water baptism is an expected declaration that says “He lives in me.” Going under the water pictures a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, and coming up out of the water pictures resurrection into a new life.

Scripture References

  • Philippians 1:1–9, 12–18, 23–30
  • 1 Corinthians 11:23–29
  • Romans 6:3–4

Message 21: Encouragement Served Family Style

Sermon Overview We live in a savage, high-pressure world where the daily theme often seems to be discouraging and tearing people down. Swindoll points out that everyone—from famous athletes to seemingly successful teenagers—desperately needs encouragement to survive. Turning to Hebrews 10, he unpacks the New Testament command to actively stimulate and encourage one another, a necessity that grows even more urgent as the end times approach. Drawing from the wisdom of Proverbs and the relational model of David and Jonathan, this message teaches believers how to properly harness the life-and-death power of their tongues to provide a much-needed “strength transfusion” to those paralyzed by hidden fears.

Key Facts

  • A Biblical Command: Encouraging others is not just a passing suggestion or a job reserved for the pastor; it is a direct biblical command for all believers to carry out when they assemble together.
  • The Power of the Tongue: The words we speak hold the power of life and death. Negative words can embed themselves like shrapnel in a person’s spirit for decades, while wise, affirming words can bring profound healing.
  • The Encouragement Formula: Genuine words of encouragement are always prompted by love (not duty or fear) and are deliberately directed toward another person’s hidden fear.
  • Transferring Strength: Encouragement acts as a “courage transfusion,” requiring the person doing the encouraging to possess enough internal security and strength to transfer it to a frightened, vulnerable friend.

Scripture References

  • Hebrews 10:19–25
  • 2 Timothy 3:1
  • Proverbs 10:11, 19, 21
  • Proverbs 12:17
  • Proverbs 18:21
  • 1 Samuel 23:15–16
  • 1 Samuel 30:6

Message 22: Worship: Let It Shine! Let It Shine!

Sermon Overview Echoing the famous sentiment of A.W. Tozer, Swindoll asserts that true worship is often the “missing jewel of the Evangelical Church”. While many churches are highly effective at teaching the Bible or orchestrating busy programs, very few successfully cultivate an environment where people genuinely connect with the Living God in worship. Defining worship as a “human response to a divine revelation,” this message explores the essential balance required by Jesus in John 4: worshiping in both spirit (engaging the unseen, emotional realm) and truth (remaining anchored in the Scriptures). Swindoll challenges believers to reclaim the lost art of singing, drop their defensive layers, and let their public and private worship sparkle with active participation.

Key Facts

  • Spirit and Truth: True worship requires a delicate balance. It must be grounded in the “truth” of God’s revealed Word, while also fully engaging the “spirit”—the felt, inner, and emotional connection with God.
  • The Impact of Worship: When a believer truly connects with God in worship, it magnifies God, eclipses their personal fears, enlarges their horizons, and radically changes their earthly perspective.
  • The Role of Music: Music is not a preliminary filler to endure before the sermon; it is a vital part of worship. Sadly, many believers have lost their personal song due to life’s pressure and the constant barrage of piped-in background music in modern society.
  • Active Participation: Worship is not simply an event to be passively enjoyed as a recipient in a pew. According to Romans 12, teaching a class, serving on a committee, or giving generously are all active, spiritual services of worship.

Scripture References

  • Psalm 95:1–7
  • Psalm 139
  • Psalm 91:1–4
  • Psalm 92:1
  • John 4:19–24
  • Genesis 22:5
  • Job 1:20–21
  • Romans 12:1

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Character Counts: Building a Life That Pleases God

Got Character?

Character is the moral, ethical, and spiritual fortification that keeps life steady through the tremors of compromise. Our character dictates the kinds of decisions we make and determines how we will treat those around us. Unfortunately, in today’s world, this important trait is in short supply.

More than anything, our culture needs men and women of God who are committed to character—to integrity in both their public and private lives. Join Chuck Swindoll for Character Counts: Building a Life That Pleases God as he helps you:

  • Understand your need for character and its impact on every aspect of life
  • Cultivate the essential traits of biblical character found in God’s Word

This series will help you to become a person distinguished by godly character so you can make a meaningful impact on the world around you.


Character is the moral and spiritual foundation that stabilizes our lives when the pressure to compromise arises. In this 12-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll draws from the lives of diverse biblical figures—from well-known heroes to obscure servants—to illustrate the essential traits of godly character. By examining their victories and struggles, we learn how to cultivate integrity, discernment, and faithfulness in a culture where these qualities are often in short supply.

Message 1. They, Being Dead, Still Speak (Hebrews 11:32–38)

  • Overview: An introduction to the “Hall of Faith,” highlighting that God uses flawed but faithful people to model character traits that transcend time.
  • Key Fact: God preserved the record of biblical lives not for entertainment, but as blueprints for our own moral and spiritual development.
  • Scripture: Hebrews 11:32 – Paul lists Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, and Samuel as examples of those who through faith “conquered kingdoms” and “performed acts of righteousness.”

Message 2. The Discernment of Abigail (1 Samuel 25:1–35)

  • Overview: Abigail’s wisdom and quick action prevented a vengeful David from committing a grave mistake, illustrating the power of discernment under pressure.
  • Key Fact: Discernment is the ability to see through a situation to the heart of the matter and respond with grace and truth.
  • Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:32–33 – David’s gratitude: “Blessed be the Lord… and blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodshed.”

Message 3. The Refreshment of Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:15–18)

  • Overview: A look at the rare character trait of loyalty, as seen in a man who sought out a lonely Apostle Paul in a Roman dungeon.
  • Key Fact: Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul’s chains; he went out of his way to find and “refresh” him during his darkest hour.
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:16 – “The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.”

Message 4. A Plea for Integrity (Psalm 15)

  • Overview: David asks, “Who may abide in Your tent?” The answer is a character checklist focusing on honesty, reliability, and fairness.
  • Key Fact: Integrity is defined by “walking with integrity” and “speaking the truth in his heart,” even when no one is looking.
  • Scripture: Psalm 15:2 – “He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.”

Message 5. Reinstatement of a Runaway (The Book of Philemon)

  • Overview: The story of Onesimus and Philemon demonstrates the character traits of forgiveness, restitution, and the transformative power of the Gospel.
  • Key Fact: In Christ, a “useless” runaway slave becomes a “useful” brother, showing that character can be completely rebuilt by grace.
  • Scripture: Philemon 1:11 – “Who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.”

Message 6. Coping with the ‘Slough of Despond’ (Psalm 42)

  • Overview: Explores the character required to handle discouragement and depression, using the imagery of John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.
  • Key Fact: Character is tested most in the valleys; we must learn to “hope in God” even when the soul is in despair.
  • Scripture: Psalm 42:5 – “Why are you in despair, O my soul?… Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him.”

Message 7. Being a Balanced Woman of God (Proverbs 31:10–31)

  • Overview: A study of the “Excellent Wife,” emphasizing that her character is built on the fear of the Lord rather than fleeting charm or beauty.
  • Key Fact: True beauty is internal; a balanced woman is praised for her wisdom, diligence, and compassion.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 31:30 – “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”

Message 8. Beyond Charm and Beauty (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Expands on the idea that character is the only thing that withstands the test of time, contrasting external appearances with internal substance.
  • Key Fact: While society prizes the superficial, God looks at the heart and the “imperishable quality” of a gentle and quiet spirit.
  • Scripture: 1 Peter 3:3–4 – “Your adornment must not be merely external… but let it be the hidden person of the heart.”

Message 9. A Vote in Favor of Fatherhood (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Highlights the essential character traits of a godly father: provider, protector, and spiritual leader.
  • Key Fact: The greatest gift a father can give his children is the consistency of his own character.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 20:7 – “A righteous man who walks in his integrity—How blessed are his sons after him.”

Message 10. Top Temptations Fathers Face (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Addresses the specific character challenges that men face in a secular culture, from the lure of the workplace to moral compromise.
  • Key Fact: Temptation is not sin, but yielding to it reveals a lack of spiritual fortification.
  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13 – God provides a “way of escape” so that we can endure temptation.

Message 11. How to Make the Truth ‘Stick’ (Deuteronomy 6:1–9)

  • Overview: Explores the character of a teacher or parent in transferring truth to the next generation through a life lived out loud.
  • Key Fact: Truth is most “sticky” when it is modeled in the home through the natural rhythms of life.
  • Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:7 – “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way.”

Message 12. Survival Training for the School Jungle (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Provides character principles for students (and those in high-pressure environments) to stay true to their convictions in a hostile culture.
  • Key Fact: Like Daniel in Babylon, we can “purpose in our hearts” not to defile ourselves with the world’s standards.
  • Scripture: Daniel 1:8 – “But Daniel made up his mind [purposed in his heart] that he would not defile himself.”

Common Questions: Character Counts

1. Is character something you are born with or something you develop? As Pastor Chuck explains throughout the series, character is “built.” It is the result of thousands of small decisions to obey God rather than compromise. While we may have natural temperaments, biblical character is the work of the Holy Spirit transforming our hearts.

2. What is the difference between “reputation” and “character”? Reputation is what people think you are; character is who you are in the dark when no one is looking. The message on Psalm 15 clarifies that true character is rooted in the “truth in the heart.”

3. Why is Abigail considered a model of “discernment”? In “The Discernment of Abigail,” it is noted that she recognized David’s anger was leading him to a sinful act of vengeance. She used her wisdom to protect David’s future as king by providing a “way of escape” that was both humble and truthful.

4. How does Onesimus show that character can change? Onesimus was a runaway slave who had likely stolen from his master, Philemon. After meeting Paul and finding Christ, he returned to make restitution. This shows that the Gospel doesn’t just forgive our past; it reconstructs our character for a “useful” future.

5. How can I protect my character when I feel like I’m in a “school jungle” or a hostile workplace? Drawing from the example of Daniel, the series suggests “purposing in your heart” before the pressure starts. If you decide ahead of time what your non-negotiables are, you are far more likely to stand firm when tested.

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The Sanctity of Life . . . The Inescapable Issue

Our culture is at war—a quiet war against the most innocent and powerless in our society: the unborn. The tapestry of human life, woven by the hand of God, is being unraveled in the name of convenience. Abortion not only ends the lives of unborn babies, it can devastate the lives of those mothers and fathers who have chosen to have an abortion, often leaving them with depression, guilt, and regret. But God offers hope . . .

Join Chuck Swindoll as he addresses the sensitive topic of abortion—how God’s Word speaks to the issue, how to recover from an abortion, and how to devote oneself to a life of purity. Gain courage to honor God and to uphold the sanctity of life in a godless culture.

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Can One Person Make a Difference?

The apostle Paul. Martin Luther. Corrie Ten Boom. Winston Churchill. Each name is instantly recognizable, because each person demonstrated courage in the face of opposition, overcoming evil with good and changing lives.

Can we make a difference?

You don’t need a famous name to make a difference. Through the power of God, anyone can impact neighborhoods, workplaces, and even the world. In this inspiring series by Chuck Swindoll, you’ll hear true stories of brave Christians in church history, learn the fundamental role of the church, and be equipped with the courage and discernment that life in Christ promises.

Can we make a difference? Yes we can.


In this 10-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the profound impact that a single individual can have on the world when they are empowered by God. By weaving together stories from church history—most notably the Protestant Reformation—with biblical mandates for the local church, this series challenges every believer to step out of the shadows and embrace their role in God’s unfolding plan.

Message 1. The Truth That Set Us Free (Romans 1:16–17; 4:5)

  • Overview: Sets the theological foundation by revisiting the “spiritual birthright” of the Reformation. It explores how rediscovering the truth of justification by faith alone changed the course of history.
  • Key Fact: The date October 31, 1517, is cited as a turning point more significant than many national holidays, marking the beginning of a return to biblical authority.
  • 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. A Monk, a Door, a War, a Hymn (Psalm 46)

  • Overview: A biographical look at Martin Luther’s stand against the religious establishment of his day. It illustrates how one person’s conviction can ignite a global movement.
  • Key Fact: Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” was born out of his meditation on Psalm 46 during a time of intense personal and political crisis.
  • Scripture: Psalm 46:1–2 – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Message 3. Being a Church that Makes a Difference (Acts 2:41–47)

  • Overview: Analyzes the DNA of the early church to determine what makes a community of faith truly impactful in a pagan culture.
  • Key Fact: The early church was characterized by four pillars: apostolic teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.
  • Scripture: Acts 2:42 – “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Message 4. Ministry: Movement or Monument? (2 Kings 18:1–8)

  • Overview: A warning against “institutionalization.” This message uses King Hezekiah’s reforms to show that true ministry must remain a living movement rather than a static monument to the past.
  • Key Fact: Hezekiah broke in pieces the bronze serpent Moses had made because the people had turned a tool of God into an object of worship (Nehushtan).
  • Scripture: 2 Kings 18:5 – “He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah.”

Message 5. Thinking Right about the Church (Matthew 16:13–18)

  • Overview: Corrects common misconceptions about the nature and purpose of the church, focusing on Christ’s declaration of its invincibility.
  • Key Fact: The “rock” upon which Christ builds His church is the confession that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
  • Scripture: Matthew 16:18 – “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

Message 6. Flexing with a Future in Flux (1 Chronicles 12:32)

  • Overview: Discusses the importance of cultural relevance and discernment, highlighting the “sons of Issachar” who understood their times.
  • Key Fact: Impactful people are those who remain biblically grounded but are “flexible” enough to apply eternal truths to a changing world.
  • Scripture: 1 Chronicles 12:32 – Describing men “who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do.”

Message 7. How to Help Our Nation Survive (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Addresses the believer’s role in civil society, emphasizing that the health of a nation is often tied to the spiritual vitality of its individuals.
  • Key Fact: Salt and light are the two metaphors Jesus used to describe the influence Christians should have on a decaying and dark world.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 14:34 – “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

Message 8. A Passion That Stays Balanced (Philippians 4:1–9)

  • Overview: Warns against the “zeal without knowledge” that can lead to burnout or legalism, advocating for a balanced Christian life.
  • Key Fact: Stability in ministry comes from a mind stayed on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, and lovely.
  • Scripture: Philippians 4:8 – The checklist for a balanced mind: “Whatever is true… honorable… right… pure… lovely… dwell on these things.”

Message 9. Can One Person Make a Difference? (Nehemiah 1:1–11)

  • Overview: The titular message of the series, focusing on Nehemiah’s broken heart for Jerusalem and his subsequent action.
  • Key Fact: Nehemiah’s impact began not with a plan or a budget, but with a season of fasting and prayer over the ruins of his heritage.
  • Scripture: Nehemiah 1:4 – “When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.”

Message 10. This Is No Time for Wimps! (Joshua 1:1–9)

  • Overview: A concluding charge to live with courage and strength, following the example of Joshua as he prepared to lead Israel into the Promised Land.
  • Key Fact: Courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of God; Joshua was commanded three times in one passage to “be strong and courageous.”
  • Scripture: Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

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