The Bible-Teaching Ministry of Pastor Chuck Swindoll
The start of a new year is always a good time to reflect on the past and prepare for the future.
Wisdom teaches the need to remember vital truths, not only for planning well but also for living well! Like a spiritual sage, James penned a short letter with wisdom dripping from every word . . . wisdom worth remembering.
In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Swindoll highlights a few key truths for you to remember to help you kickstart the new year in the right direction.
One of the most controversial issues of our day has to do with divine healing and healers. People travel halfway around the world to get in touch with those who claim to have the gift of healing. Testimonies abound of people who claim that they have been healed. Are these things for real? What about the use of medicine? Should everyone believe God for healing? What is the method God honors?
A better question than all these put together is this: What is the biblical teaching regarding healing? Let’s consult James 5:13–16 as we seek answers to that question.
Although Martin Luther saw James as merely an epistle of straw, it stands to this day as one of the most practical and penetrating books in all the Bible. Don’t be fooled by its size! It may be brief, but it’s strong. It refuses to let the reader hide behind a mask of theory or within the wall of an intellectual faith. True faith produces authenticity. “No authenticity . . . no faith” is James’ analysis of the matter. It may make us squirm, but it gets us off the fence.
In his profound work, Temptation, Dietrich Bonhoeffer vividly portrays with his pen the battleground of our experience. We can all identify with this scene:
In our members there is a slumbering inclination towards desire which is both sudden and fierce. With irresistible power, desire seizes mastery over the flesh. All at once a secret, smouldering fire is kindled. The flesh burns and is in flames. It makes no difference whether it is sexual desire or ambition or vanity or desire for revenge or love of fame and power or greed for money . . . At this moment God is quite unreal to us. He loses all reality, and only desire for the creature is real . . . The powers of clear discrimination and of decision are taken from us.
In this message, we face the problem Bonhoeffer describes and, hopefully, we’ll discover some workable techniques that will enable us to walk in victory in spite of the enticements to yield.
All of us are in desperate need of strength to endure and hope to carry on. Life is difficult and demanding. It’s often filled with pain, heartaches, setbacks, and detours.
In Clinging to Hope, Pastor Chuck Swindoll reassures us that we can endure disappointments and even those unexpected calamities. How? By taking our stand on the strong foundation of God’s Word.
When trials and tribulations rumble in like a fleet of bulldozers to demolish our lives, we can emerge from the rubble with a strong resolve to recover and rebuild. Not just to survive, but to thrive!
For a limited time, download the first chapter of Clinging to Hope for free.
Life is often filled with pain, heartaches, and unexpected detours. In this 12-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll provides the biblical tools needed to endure and even thrive in the midst of adversity. By anchoring ourselves to the strong foundation of God’s Word, we can face “bulldozing” trials with a resolve to recover and rebuild. This series explores how suffering, when handled well, becomes the very thing that fosters spiritual maturity and deepens our reliance on God’s grace.
Message Overview: Some trials are not temporary visitors but long-term residents. This message addresses the unique challenge of “staying” troubles—chronic illnesses, difficult relationships, or ongoing financial strain—and how to maintain a perspective of hope when relief seems far away.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: Psalm 34:17–19; 1 Peter 4:12–13
Message Overview: Suffering often leaves “scars”—emotional, physical, or spiritual. This message explores how to process the permanent changes that adversity brings, finding beauty and purpose in the marks of our struggles rather than hiding them in shame.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: Galatians 6:17; John 20:24–29
Message Overview: This message looks at the multifaceted nature of healing. While we often pray for physical restoration, the Spirit frequently works on the “deeper healing” of the soul, addressing bitterness, guilt, and spiritual brokenness.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: Psalm 103:1–5; 3 John 1:2
Message Overview: Life can change in an instant. This message focuses on the “pop quizzes” of life—sudden crises that test the foundation of our faith—and how to lean on the unchanging nature of God when everything else is shaking.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: Matthew 7:24–27; James 1:2–4
Message Overview: Calamity is more than just a trial; it is a overwhelming disaster. This message provides a biblical roadmap for surviving the initial “crash” of tragedy, focusing on immediate reliance on God’s mercy and the support of the Christian community.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: Psalm 46:1–3; Proverbs 18:10
Message Overview: Endurance is not just “gritting your teeth”; it is a supernatural gift. This message explores how God provides the specific strength needed to stay under the weight of a heavy trial without breaking.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: Romans 5:3–5; 2 Corinthians 12:9
Message Overview: Using the metaphor of Goliath, this message addresses the intimidating obstacles that seem impossible to overcome. It encourages believers to face their “giants” not with human bravado, but with the confidence that the battle belongs to the Lord.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: 1 Samuel 17:45–47; Ephesians 6:10–18
Message Overview: Sometimes God allows “thorns”—painful, nagging limitations—to keep us humble and dependent. This message teaches how to accept these irritants as tools of divine refinement rather than just nuisances to be removed.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 12:7–10
Message Overview: Discipline is a proof of God’s love, not His rejection. This message distinguishes between punishment and training, showing how a believer can respond to God’s correcting hand with a heart of hope and repentance.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: Hebrews 12:5–11; Psalm 119:67, 71
Message Overview: Closed doors can be as frustrating as they are confusing. This message explores how to handle rejection and redirected plans, trusting that God’s “no” is often a redirection to a better “yes” in the future.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: Revelation 3:7–8; Acts 16:6–10
Message Overview: Adversity often brings seasons of isolation. This message looks at the value of “wilderness experiences,” showing how solitude can become a sanctuary where we hear God’s voice more clearly than in the noise of prosperity.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: Matthew 4:1–11; Galatians 1:15–18
Message Overview: The final message in the series focuses on the ultimate fruit of a hopeful heart: humility. True hope doesn’t demand its own way; it humbles itself under the mighty hand of God, trusting that He will exalt us in due time.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: 1 Peter 5:6–7; James 4:6, 10
Pastor Chuck Swindoll’s series Flying Closer to the Flame removes the fog of separation many Christians feel regarding the person of the Holy Spirit.
Like reading the dictionary’s definition of fire versus seeing its blaze and feeling its heat, these 14 messages soar you nearer to the Spirit . . . so you might experience Him as you cultivate a very personal and practical relationship with Him.
Discover how to fly closer to the Flame—our mysterious, divine Helper. He’s ready! Are you?
For many Christians, the Holy Spirit remains a mysterious or even intimidating figure. We may know the “dictionary definition” of the Spirit, but we lack the warmth and power of His actual presence. In this 14-part series, Chuck Swindoll removes the “fog of separation” and invites us to a closer walk with our divine Helper. By exploring the Spirit’s roles in transformation, healing, emotions, and inner promptings, we discover that He is not an abstract force, but a personal guide ready to ignite our spiritual lives.
Message Overview: This message serves as a foundational call to move beyond theological abstractions and truly get to know the Person of the Holy Spirit. It addresses the common fears or neglect associated with the Spirit’s ministry and invites believers into a deeper, more personal reliance on His presence.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: John 14:16–17; 16:5–15
Message Overview: The primary work of the Holy Spirit is not merely to provide emotional “highs,” but to fundamentally transform the believer into the image of Christ. This message focuses on the internal change of character—the fruit of the Spirit—as the ultimate evidence of His work.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 3:17–18; Galatians 5:22–23
Message Overview: This message explores the conflict between the “flesh” (our sinful nature) and the “Spirit.” It provides practical insights into how sin grieves or quenches the Spirit’s influence and how confession restores the flow of His power in our lives.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; Romans 8:5–14
Message Overview: Chuck Swindoll clarifies the biblical command to “be filled with the Spirit.” He explains that filling is not a one-time event but a continuous surrender to the Spirit’s control, leading to a life of joy, gratitude, and mutual submission.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: Ephesians 5:18–21
Message Overview: Because the Spirit is God, He cannot be put in a box. This message explores the spontaneous and unpredictable ways the Spirit works to guide, comfort, and empower believers, often stepping outside our rigid expectations or routines.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: John 3:8; Acts 8:26–40
Message Overview: This message focuses on the intimacy the Spirit provides. It is through the Spirit that we experience the “Abba, Father” relationship with God, moving from religious duty to the warmth of being God’s beloved children.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: Romans 8:15–17; Galatians 4:6–7
Message Overview: How do we know if a thought or impulse is from God, ourselves, or elsewhere? This message provides biblical criteria for discerning the promptings of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that the Spirit will never lead us contrary to the Word of God.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: Acts 16:6–10; Colossians 3:15
Message Overview: God created us with emotions, and the Spirit uses them. However, we must not be led by emotions alone. This message discusses how to balance emotional expression with biblical truth, allowing the Spirit to sanctify our feelings.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: Psalm 42; 2 Timothy 1:7
Message Overview: This message tackles the difficult questions regarding physical suffering. It establishes a theological framework for understanding why God allows sickness and how we should view His power to heal in a broken world.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 12:7–10; Romans 8:22–23
Message Overview: Chuck Swindoll looks at the biblical mandates for seeking healing. He emphasizes the role of prayer, the elders of the church, and the “anointing with oil” as practical expressions of faith in God’s ability to restore health.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: James 5:13–16
Message Overview: While we often desire instantaneous miracles, God frequently chooses “the long road” of recovery. This message encourages patience and endurance, showing how the Spirit sustains us through the grueling process of gradual healing.
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Scripture References: Psalm 27:13–14; Isaiah 40:29–31
Message Overview: This message focuses on the “dunamis” (power) of the Holy Spirit available to every believer for witnessing and service. It contrasts human weakness with divine strength, reminding us that we are “more than conquerors” through Him.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 12:9
Message Overview: This message looks at the diverse and ongoing ministries of the Spirit, including His role in spiritual gifts, intercession for the believer, and the “sealing” that guarantees our eternal inheritance.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12; Romans 8:26–27; Ephesians 1:13–14
Message Overview: The final message in the series concludes with a focus on worship. When we are truly “flying closer to the flame” of the Spirit, the natural result is a life of praise, adoration, and exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Key Facts:
Scripture References: John 16:14; Psalm 150; Revelation 4–5
Such intriguing scenes fill the biblical pages recounting the Christmas miracle! That’s why we have a season every year to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this year’s holiday series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll takes us on a journey to visit some of those scenes—from peeking behind the curtain into the divine council of eternity past to traveling 90 miles with Mary and Joseph to listening in on God’s voice in the cry of a baby. We’ll linger at each one and simply let in all the wonder.
Chuck Swindoll’s 2020 holiday messages are not available for sale but you may listen to them through streaming in our Broadcast Library or on the Insight app.
The biblical account of the Christmas miracle is filled with intriguing scenes that invite us to slow down and wonder. In this series, Chuck Swindoll takes us on a journey through these moments—from the divine council in eternity past to the long road to Bethlehem. We witness the troubled romance of Mary and Joseph, listen for God’s voice in the cry of a newborn baby, and reflect on what is worth forgetting and remembering as we face a new year. These messages are designed to help us linger in the wonder of the Savior’s arrival and the plan of salvation.
Sermon Summary Christmas did not begin with an angel in Nazareth; it began in the heart of God before the world was created. This message peeks behind the curtain into the “divine council” of eternity past, where the Triune God planned creation and the salvation of humanity. We learn that the Son’s mission to become human was an intentional, preordained act of love, ensuring that our redemption was settled before time even began.
Key Facts & Themes
Sermon Summary Behind the serene images of our Nativity sets lies a story of real-life tension and “troubled romance.” This message explores the emotional and social upheaval Mary and Joseph faced. We see a young couple navigating the scandal of an unexplained pregnancy with quiet integrity and remarkable faith. Their story reminds us that God often works through difficult and confusing circumstances to accomplish His greatest miracles.
Key Facts & Themes
Sermon Summary In the most humble and unlikely of places—a manger—God spoke. This message invites us to listen for the voice of the Almighty in the cry of the infant Jesus. Chuck discusses the profound paradox of the “Word made flesh,” arriving as a vulnerable baby to reconcile the world to Himself. We learn that God’s greatest message was not delivered in thunder, but in the soft, human sounds of a newborn.
Key Facts & Themes
Sermon Summary The purpose of the manger was always the cross. This message focuses on the core mission of Christmas: salvation. Chuck explores the angelic announcement to the shepherds, emphasizing that the “Good News of great joy” is centered on the birth of a Savior. We see that Christ was born specifically to address the deepest human need—the forgiveness of sins and restoration to the Father.
Key Facts & Themes
Sermon Summary As we stand at the threshold of a new year, it is vital to identify what we should leave behind. This message addresses the weight of past failures, grudges, and regrets that hinder our spiritual progress. Chuck encourages us to exercise the “grace of forgetting,” letting go of the things that God has already forgiven so we can press forward with a light heart and a renewed focus on the future.
Key Facts & Themes
Sermon Summary While some things should be forgotten, others are too precious to lose. The series concludes with a focus on the essential truths we must carry into the new year. Chuck discusses the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness, His promises, and His constant presence. By anchoring our memories in the character of God, we find the stability and courage needed to face whatever the upcoming year may bring.
Key Facts & Themes
“Practice what you preach!”
Nobody trusts a phony or a hypocrite. As representatives of Christ, we sully His name when we live hypocritically. We’re called to a higher standard.
Hypocrisy existed even in the early days of Christianity. In this series Chuck Swindoll encourages you to pursue authentic faith in God, provides you a clear and biblical how-to for authentic living as he exposits the book of James, and explains how to live without hypocrisy in your speech, actions, and relationships.
This series will assist you to live what you believe.
“Practice what you preach!” is the underlying theme of the book of James. While other New Testament books focus on deep theology, James addresses the “hands-on” reality of daily Christian living. In this 16-part series, Chuck Swindoll provides a clear, biblical roadmap for authentic faith. We learn how to handle persistent troubles, control our tongues, overcome prejudice, and respond to unfair treatment. James challenges us to move past a merely intellectual belief to a life where our actions, speech, and relationships consistently reflect the character of Christ.
Overview: Pastor Chuck Swindoll introduces the Book of James, emphasizing its reputation as the most “hands-on” book of the New Testament. This message sets the stage for a study on how faith must transition from a theoretical concept to a practical lifestyle. James challenges believers to move beyond intellectual assent and demonstrate their devotion through tangible actions.
Overview: Life is often defined by trials that seem relentless. Chuck explores James’ radical command to “count it all joy” when facing diverse testings. This message explains that trials are not meant to destroy us, but to produce “staying power” and spiritual maturity by refining our character through the heat of adversity.
Overview: This sermon distinguishes between the “tests” that come from God and the “temptations” that arise from our own desires. Chuck provides a clear look at the anatomy of temptation, explaining how an internal itch can lead to external sin and, ultimately, spiritual death if not addressed at the root.
Overview: Chuck addresses the dangerous disconnect between being a “hearer” of the Word and a “doer.” This message illustrates how many Christians “divorce” their Sunday learning from their Monday living. True spiritual health is found in looking into the “mirror” of Scripture and immediately making the necessary adjustments to one’s life.
Overview: James pulls no punches regarding favoritism within the church. Chuck examines how human nature tends to cater to the wealthy and influential while overlooking the poor. This message calls the church to reflect God’s impartial heart, reminding us that showing partiality is a direct violation of the “Royal Law” of love.
Overview: In one of the most debated passages in the New Testament, Chuck clarifies the relationship between faith and works. He explains that while we are saved by faith alone, the faith that saves is never alone. Genuine, living faith naturally produces “good works” as an evidence of a transformed heart.
Overview: This message focuses on the small but mighty power of the tongue. Chuck uses James’ vivid metaphors—bits, rudders, and fires—to show how our speech can direct our lives and destroy our relationships. He offers practical wisdom on how to bring our words under the control of the Holy Spirit.
Overview: Chuck explores the contrast between “earthly wisdom” and the “wisdom from above.” This first part identifies the symptoms of worldly wisdom: bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, and disorder. True wisdom is not measured by IQ, but by the peace and humility it produces in one’s life.
Overview: Continuing the study of wisdom, Chuck details the characteristics of heavenly wisdom: purity, peace, gentleness, and mercy. This message provides a checklist for believers to evaluate whether their decisions and attitudes are truly being guided by the Spirit of God.
Overview: James addresses the “wars and fightings” that occur among believers. Chuck traces the source of conflict back to “unmet inner cravings” and selfish desires. The solution is found in a fourfold process: submit to God, resist the devil, draw near to God, and humble yourself.
Overview: This sermon warns against the arrogance of judging others and making plans without God. Chuck discusses the sin of “slander” and the presumption of assuming we control our own future. We are reminded that our lives are a “vapor” and every plan should be submitted to “If the Lord wills.”
Overview: Chuck tackles James’ stern warning to those who hoard wealth and exploit workers. This message isn’t an indictment of having money, but of the misuse of money and the reliance on riches rather than God. It serves as a sober reminder of the transitory nature of material possessions.
Overview: When facing injustice, the natural reaction is retaliation. Chuck provides James’ antidote: patient endurance. Using the examples of the farmer and the prophets, this message encourages believers to “strengthen their hearts” because the Lord’s return is near.
Overview: This message delves into one of the most complex passages in James regarding prayer for the sick. Chuck carefully explains the roles of the elders, the “prayer of faith,” and the importance of confession. He provides a balanced, biblical view of how God works through physical and spiritual healing.
Overview: Using the prophet Elijah as a model, Chuck illustrates the power of “fervent prayer.” This message encourages believers that prayer is not for “super-saints,” but for ordinary people with “a nature like ours” who serve an extraordinary God.
Overview: In the series conclusion, Chuck addresses the responsibility of the church to go after those who wander from the truth. This final message emphasizes that “practical Christianity” ends where it began: with a focus on restoration, mercy, and the covering of sins through the Gospel.
Are you the worrying type—fearful of the possibilities tomorrow may hold but also grieving mistakes of the past? As we stand at the beginning of a new year, we must admit that we can’t predict the future and we can’t change the past. Trying to do either is a waste of time and energy.
Join Chuck Swindoll for his New Year message and learn from Philippians 3 and Hebrews 12 how to keep your eyes focused on Jesus and run your race of faith this year.
Many people spend their lives either paralyzed by the fear of an unpredictable future or weighed down by the grief of past mistakes. In this focused New Year’s message, Pastor Chuck Swindoll uses the imagery of an athletic race to provide a strategy for spiritual endurance. By applying the “rules” found in the writings of Paul and the author of Hebrews, Chuck teaches us how to strip away the distractions of “yesterday” and “tomorrow” so we can run with purpose and focus in the “today” that God has provided.
As we stand at the threshold of a new year, I want to ask you: Are you truly living, or are you just passing the time? Many of us approach a new calendar with a list of resolutions, hoping to change our habits, but Jesus came to offer us something much deeper than a habit change. He came so that we might have life, and have it abundantly.
In this message, ‘Living the Life,’ we look at what that abundance really means. It isn’t about the size of your bank account or the absence of trials. In fact, some of the most ‘abundant’ lives I’ve ever seen were lived in the middle of deep suffering. Abundant living is the life of Jesus Christ being lived out through you. It’s the shift from a ‘scarcity mindset’—where we fight for what we want—to an ‘abundance mindset,’ where we rest in what He has already provided. My friend, don’t settle for a dull, boring, or futile existence this year. Let’s look at how to step out of our small shells and into the expansive, joyful life that only the Savior can provide.
As the calendar turns, many of us feel the pressure to reinvent ourselves through resolutions that rarely last. In this special New Year’s message, Chuck Swindoll offers a different approach. Rather than focusing on temporary changes, we are challenged to “get a life”—specifically, the life God intended for us to live. This series serves as a spiritual reset, encouraging us to trade the frantic pursuit of the “next big thing” for a steady, meaningful walk with the Lord.
Sermon Summary The arrival of a new year often brings a mix of nostalgia for the past and anxiety for the future. Chuck addresses the tendency to drift through life without a clear sense of purpose or divine direction. By examining what it truly means to have “life” in the biblical sense, this message provides a roadmap for living with intentionality, joy, and spiritual vitality. We learn that a life well-lived isn’t about the quantity of our activities, but the quality of our connection to the Author of Life.
Key Facts & Themes
Primary Scripture Reference
Why do New Year’s resolutions often fail? Most resolutions fail because they focus on outward behavior modification rather than inward heart transformation. True change begins when we align our desires with God’s Word and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than just our own willpower.
How can I find my purpose for the coming year? Finding your purpose begins with seeking God’s kingdom first. Instead of asking what you want to achieve, ask how God wants to use your specific gifts and circumstances to honor Him and serve others in the year ahead.
Is it biblical to plan for the future? Yes, stewardship involves wise planning. However, the Bible reminds us to hold our plans loosely, always submitting them to the sovereignty of God and acknowledging that He directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9).
How do I overcome the regrets of the previous year? The Gospel provides the ultimate solution for regret: grace and forgiveness. By confessing past failures and embracing God’s mercy, you can move into the new year with a clean slate, leaving the “trash” of the past at the foot of the Cross.
I've been listening to the story of Jonah, particularly of his stubbornness and his disobedience. Pastor Chuck, I was acting like Jonah, and I am stubborn. When I decided to obey, God was there. I believe that God wanted me to experience the blessing of obedience. Thank you for your teachings. God bless you always. —C. G.
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