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Luke

Jesus: The Greatest Life of All

Jesus of Nazareth undoubtedly represents one of the most talked-about figures ever to walk the earth. His life, teaching, and ministry shook ancient Judea, and His impact remains evident throughout the world two thousand years later.

Yet Jesus was more than a humble servant, a wise teacher, or a bold prophet. He was all these and much more. Jesus Christ was—and is—the very Son of God!

Join Pastor Chuck Swindoll for this series on the life of Jesus Christ and come to see that the one we call “Lord” is worth following and emulating—worshipping in fact! He lived the greatest life of all.


Jesus of Nazareth is the most significant figure to ever walk the earth. His life, teachings, and ministry fundamentally altered the course of human history. Yet, Jesus was far more than a humble servant or a wise teacher; He was—and is—the eternal Son of God. In this series, Chuck Swindoll journeys through the life of Christ, from His divine birth and childhood to His glorious ascension. By examining the “Greatest Life of All,” we are challenged to move beyond academic knowledge to a life of active worship and following the One we call Lord.

The Identity of Deity

Sermon Summary Who is Jesus Christ? While modern responses vary from “historic figure” to “admirable teacher,” the Bible presents a much more radical identity. This opening message explores the deity of Jesus, establishing that He is the Creator made manifest in the flesh. We learn that understanding Jesus’ true identity is the essential starting point for a life of faith and the foundation of all Christian doctrine.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Deity of Christ: Recognizing Jesus as fully God and fully man.
  • The Question of Identity: Why our answer to “Who is Jesus?” determines our eternal destiny.

A Relationship, a Courtship, . . . a Miracle

Sermon Summary The Christmas story began with an ordinary couple facing an extraordinary miracle. This message focuses on the relationship between Mary and Joseph and the divine intervention of the virgin birth. We see the courage required to trust God’s plan when it defies human logic and cultural expectations, setting the stage for the arrival of the Redeemer.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Virgin Birth: The miraculous nature of the Incarnation.
  • Faith Under Pressure: How Mary and Joseph modeled obedience in the face of scandal.

Deity in Diapers

Sermon Summary The King of Kings arrived in the humblest of settings—a manger in Bethlehem. This message explores the profound paradox of “deity in diapers.” Chuck discusses the intentional lowliness of Jesus’ birth, showing that God is not distant but has come to dwell among us in our most vulnerable state.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Humility of Christ: Why the Savior chose a stable over a palace.
  • The Incarnation: Reflecting on the mystery of God becoming a helpless infant.

Life . . . as God Intended It

Sermon Summary Jesus did not just teach the truth; He embodied it. This message examines the character and conduct of Jesus as the perfect model for humanity. By observing how He handled temptation, interacted with outcasts, and obeyed the Father, we see a picture of life “as God intended it” to be lived—characterized by holiness, compassion, and grace.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Perfect Example: Emulating the lifestyle and values of Jesus.
  • Kingdom Living: Understanding the standards of righteousness Christ established.

Resting in Christ

Sermon Summary In a world of constant striving and weariness, Jesus offers a different path: “Come to Me… and I will give you rest.” This message addresses the spiritual rest available to those who trade the heavy yoke of legalism for the gentle yoke of Christ. We learn that true rest is found in a relationship, not a set of religious rules.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Spiritual Rest: Finding relief from the burdens of guilt and self-effort.
  • The Gentle Yoke: Embracing the grace and ease of following Jesus.

The Ultimate Healer

Sermon Summary Jesus’ public ministry was characterized by a “tons of needs” and His “touches of compassion.” This message explores the healing ministry of Christ, showing His authority over sickness, demons, and nature. We see that Jesus is the ultimate healer who restores not just physical bodies, but broken souls and spirits.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Compassionate Authority: How Jesus used His power to serve the suffering.
  • Restoration: Recognizing Christ’s power to make all things new.

Analysis of a Courtroom Fiasco

Sermon Summary The trials of Jesus were a “courtroom fiasco”—a travesty of justice marked by false witnesses and political maneuvering. This message analyzes the religious and civil trials of Christ. Chuck explores the dignity and silence of Jesus in the face of mockery, highlighting His absolute commitment to the Father’s plan for our redemption.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Unjust Judgment: The illegalities and corruption of the trials of Christ.
  • The Lamb’s Silence: Christ’s resolve to fulfill His sacrificial mission.

Not to Worry . . . He Is Risen!

Sermon Summary The cross was not the end; the tomb is empty! This message celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We see how the victory over death turned a group of hiding, fearful disciples into a bold force that changed the world. Because He is risen, we have a sure hope that death has been defeated forever.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Empty Tomb: The historical and spiritual reality of the resurrection.
  • Victory Over Death: Why the risen Savior is the anchor for our hope.

Watching for Jesus in the Air

Sermon Summary The series concludes with the promise of Christ’s return. Just as He ascended into heaven, He will return “in the air” for His people. This message encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, “watching” for the return of our King and remaining faithful in the tasks He has given us until we see Him face to face.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Second Coming: The certainty of Christ’s return for His Church.
  • Eternal Vigilance: How the hope of the return motivates holy living.

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Restoring Your Family’s Foundation

For any building to withstand the steady assault of time, it must have a strong foundation. In the same way, for any family to endure the winds of this world, it must have a foundation that is firmly anchored in God’s Word.

Come alongside Pastor Chuck Swindoll in this seven-part series on the family. Reinforce your home with God’s essentials for strong marriages and confident children. Whether you’re a parent or a grandparent, you’ll learn key strategies for building a lasting framework of health for generations to come.


Just as a building requires a strong foundation to withstand the assault of time, a family must be firmly anchored in God’s Word to endure the pressures of the world. In this seven-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll provides essential biblical strategies for reinforcing the home, strengthening marriages, and raising confident children and grandchildren.

Message 1: Encouragement for Mothers and Others

  • Overview: Exploring the timeless wisdom of Proverbs 31, this message offers a realistic look at godly womanhood. Rather than presenting an impossible standard of perfection, it focuses on the character traits that provide a lasting influence on a family.
  • Key Fact: Godly womanhood is not about perfection, but about a heart directed toward wisdom, diligence, and the fear of the Lord.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 31:10–31 – “A woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”

Message 2: Healthy Marriages Start Here

  • Overview: This message gets to the root of marital health, emphasizing that a strong union begins with two individuals committed to God’s design for partnership, communication, and mutual respect.
  • Key Fact: A healthy marriage is built on the foundation of selfless love and a shared commitment to biblical principles.
  • Scripture: Ephesians 5:21–33 – “Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”

Message 3: Do You Really Know Your Child?

  • Overview: Parenting is not a “one size fits all” endeavor. Pastor Chuck discusses the importance of observing and understanding the unique personality and temperament God has given to each individual child.
  • Key Fact: Effective parenting requires studying your child to discover their unique strengths, weaknesses, and natural inclinations.
  • Scripture: Psalm 139:13–16 – “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.”

Message 4: Your Child Has the Bents!

  • Overview: Expanding on the idea of a child’s unique makeup, this message explains the concept of “training up a child according to his way.” It focuses on identifying and directing a child’s natural “bents” toward God.
  • Key Fact: Training a child involves cooperating with the way God has already “wired” them rather than forcing them into a predetermined mold.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Message 5: Delighting in Your Kids and Grandkids

  • Overview: Beyond discipline and instruction, a thriving family requires joy. This message encourages parents and grandparents to find genuine delight in their descendants, fostering an environment of grace and warmth.
  • Key Fact: A child’s sense of security is deeply connected to the visible delight and approval they receive from the elders in their family.
  • Scripture: Psalm 127:3–5 – “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.”

Message 6: A Father Everyone Admires

  • Overview: Pastor Chuck outlines the characteristics of a father who leads with integrity, compassion, and strength. This message serves as both an exhortation and a roadmap for men seeking to leave a godly legacy.
  • Key Fact: Admirable fatherhood is characterized by a balance of firm leadership and tender-heartedness.
  • Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:10–12 – “Just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children.”

Message 7: Getting Past Yesterday’s Failures

  • Overview: No family is perfect, and every parent has regrets. This concluding message provides hope and biblical steps for moving past past mistakes and finding God’s grace for the future of the family.
  • Key Fact: God’s grace is greater than any family’s history of failure; it is never too late to begin rebuilding on the right foundation.
  • Scripture: Philippians 3:13–14 – “Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal.”

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Compelled by the Cross

It’s all about Jesus and His journey to the cross—how He dramatically diverged from all earthly expectations to carry out the greatest work ever done for humankind! He lived, died, and rose again—for God’s glory and our eternal good.

In this series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll takes a fresh look at key events leading up to Jesus’ death, as well as the testimony of Jesus’ resurrection in the apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

Join Pastor Chuck for this study of Jesus’ determined obedience to provide us a hope that eclipses death.


The central focus of Jesus’ earthly life was His journey to the cross. Diverging from all earthly expectations of a king, He pursued a mission of determined obedience to carry out the greatest work ever done for humankind. In this series, Chuck Swindoll examines the key events that defined the final days of Jesus’ ministry—from His “magnificent obsession” with His sacrificial mission to the day hope eclipsed death. By looking at the cross through both the Gospels and the letters of Paul, we find a hope that is stronger than the grave and a love that is on everlasting display.

Jesus’ Magnificent Obsession

Sermon Summary Every interaction and every miracle in Jesus’ life pointed toward one singular goal: His death on the cross for our sins. This message explores what Chuck calls Jesus’ “magnificent obsession”—His driving, passionate focus on sacrificing Himself to save us. Teaching from Matthew 16, we see how Jesus began to clearly show His disciples the necessity of His suffering, rebuking any attempt to divert Him from the path to Golgotha.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Necessity of Suffering: Understanding why the cross was non-negotiable for Christ.
  • Resisting Distraction: How Jesus maintained His focus despite Peter’s well-intentioned but misguided interference.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • Matthew 16:21–26

Extravagant Love on Everlasting Display

Sermon Summary The cross is the ultimate evidence of God’s heart toward humanity. This message focuses on the “extravagant love” demonstrated through the crucifixion. Chuck discusses how the cross puts God’s character on everlasting display, proving that there is no length He won’t go to in order to reconcile us to Himself. We learn that this love is the compelling force that should motivate every aspect of our Christian walk.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Character of God: Seeing the cross as a window into divine love and justice.
  • Compelling Motivation: How the love of Christ “constrains” and directs the believer.

On the Trail of a Traitor

Sermon Summary Among the inner circle of the disciples was one who would betray the Lord for thirty pieces of silver. This message follows “the trail of a traitor,” examining the life and tragic choices of Judas Iscariot. Chuck explores the warnings Jesus gave during the Last Supper and the mystery of how someone so close to the light could choose such darkness. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of an authentic, heart-felt commitment to Christ.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Mystery of Betrayal: Analyzing the motivations and the tragedy of Judas.
  • Sobering Warnings: Recognizing the danger of religious proximity without spiritual reality.

Christlikeness in One Word

Sermon Summary If you had to summarize the character of Jesus during His Passion in just one word, what would it be? This message explores the “one word” that defines Christlikeness in the face of suffering: submission. Chuck discusses how Jesus yielded His will to the Father in Gethsemane and remained silent before His accusers. We learn that true strength is found in a surrendered spirit that trusts in God’s sovereign plan.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Power of Submission: Following the example of Christ’s yielded heart.
  • Strength in Silence: Learning how to respond to injustice with the character of Jesus.

Why Is Jesus So Fascinating?

Sermon Summary Two thousand years later, the person of Jesus continues to captivate and fascinate people around the world. This message explores the unique qualities of Christ that draw people to Him. From His authority and wisdom to His radical compassion and His victory over death, we see why Jesus remains the most compelling figure in history. Chuck encourages us to move past fascination to a life of deep, personal devotion.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Incomparable Christ: Identifying the unique traits that set Jesus apart.
  • Moving from Interest to Faith: The challenge of responding to the person of Jesus.

The Day Hope Eclipsed Death

Sermon Summary The series concludes with the triumphant victory of the resurrection. This message focuses on the testimony of Jesus’ rising as found in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. Chuck discusses how the resurrection is the event that “eclipsed” the darkness of death, providing a hope that is unshakeable. Because Jesus lives, the fear of the grave is gone, and we are empowered to live for His glory with an eternal perspective.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Victory of Hope: How the resurrection transforms our view of mortality.
  • Unshakeable Foundation: Finding security in the historical fact of the empty tomb.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • 1 Corinthians 15

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When Angels Spoke

When reading about angels in God’s Word, the imagination tends to fly away into the heavens. But what does the Bible actually say about angels? Are they all chubby little cherubs stringing harps? . . . Not exactly.

Scripture depicts angels as supernatural creatures who sometimes take a variety of forms and are sent by God with special messages to specific people for significant reasons.

This holiday season, join Pastor Chuck Swindoll for three devotionals on beloved Christmas stories focusing on the angels’ messages of revelation, relief, and rejoicing. Experience their glad tidings of great joy this year as you celebrate the birth of your Savior.

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Holiday Messages 2020

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.

Let’s Start Before the Beginning

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

  • The Eternal Plan: Understanding that Christ’s birth was part of a sovereign, ancient design.
  • Pre-existence of Christ: Recognizing Jesus’ role in the Godhead before the Incarnation.
  • Sovereign Love: How God’s plan for salvation preceded human history.

Let’s Witness a Troubled Romance in Nazareth

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

  • Faith in Scandal: The courage required to trust God when reputations are at stake.
  • Mary and Joseph’s Integrity: How obedience overshadowed their personal fears.
  • The Ordinary and the Extraordinary: God using common people for His divine purposes.

Let’s Hear God’s Voice in a Baby’s Cry

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

  • The Incarnation: Reflecting on the “Word made flesh” dwelling among us.
  • The Paradox of Power: How God used vulnerability to conquer sin.
  • Divine Communication: Recognizing Jesus as the ultimate expression of God’s love.

Christ Is Born to Save

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

  • The Mission of the Manger: Connecting the birth of Christ to His sacrificial death.
  • Good News for All: Why the message of salvation is universal in its reach.
  • Personal Savior: Understanding what it means to accept the gift of Christ.

Here’s Something Worth Forgetting

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

  • Releasing the Past: The spiritual benefit of letting go of regrets and grievances.
  • Forgiving as God Forgives: Applying the “grace of forgetting” to ourselves and others.
  • New Year Focus: Preparing for the future by unburdening ourselves of the past.

Here’s Something Worth Remembering

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

  • Stones of Remembrance: Practical ways to keep God’s faithfulness at the forefront of our minds.
  • Anchoring in Truth: Using biblical memories to stabilize our current emotions.
  • Spiritual Continuity: Why remembering the past is key to navigating the future.

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The Season That Still Touches Hearts

In this holiday mini-series, Chuck Swindoll spreads a banquet of spiritual insights about the true appeal of Christmas: Jesus. Chuck’s three messages feature Jesus as the gift who saves us from sin, as a surprise that brings relief to weary souls, and as a heavenly magnet that draws believers together to worship Him. A Gift. A Surprise. A Magnet. Jesus is the true appeal of Christmas—the season that still, and always, touches hearts.

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Mission Possible: Christ’s Great Commission

Have you said yes to Jesus’ Great Commission? Now, yes doesn’t always mean you cross an ocean. For some, it does. But for most, it means you simply join in the work of spreading the good news. That’s why we give. That’s why we pray. The majority who stay support the few who go. Those who remain have as much to do in fulfilling the Great Commission as those who leave.

In this four-part series, Chuck Swindoll teaches us about the God of limitless possibilities, encouraging our vigilance in God’s work—in sending, going, praying, and being a good neighbor. As Chuck says, “The most thrilling thing we do is lead another soul to Jesus!”

Message 1: The God of Limitless Possibilities

  • Overview: This foundational message challenges believers to expand their view of God’s power. Chuck Swindoll encourages moving beyond small, safe thinking to pray “audacious” prayers, emphasizing that when we recognize God as limitless, the Great Commission shifts from a daunting task to an achievable mission.
  • Key Facts: * Challenges the “scale” of our understanding of divine power.
    • Focuses on the role of bold prayer in global and local missions.
    • Emphasizes that nothing is too difficult for the One who empowers the church.
  • Scripture Reference: Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Matthew 19:26

Message 2: Our Commitment to Christ’s Commission

  • Overview: Fulfilling the Great Commission requires a personal “yes” to Jesus’ command. This message explores the collective responsibility of the church, highlighting that those who stay and support through prayer and giving are just as vital to the mission’s success as those who go to the mission field.
  • Key Facts: * Highlights the “high and holy calling” of those who support the mission from home.
    • Discusses the personal responsibility of every believer to identify their specific role.
    • Focuses on the global goal: ensuring every tribe and nation hears the name of Jesus.
  • Scripture Reference: Matthew 28:18–20; Romans 10:13–15

Message 3: An E-Ticket for Reaching the Lost

  • Overview: Using the “E-Ticket” metaphor—representing the most valuable and exciting experiences—Chuck Swindoll describes the joy of personal evangelism. This message provides practical encouragement to overcome the fear of rejection and experience the thrill of seeing a life transformed by Christ.
  • Key Facts: * Positions evangelism as the ultimate spiritual adventure.
    • Offers strategies for sharing faith with confidence and authenticity.
    • Focuses on the eternal reward of leading another soul to Jesus.
  • Scripture Reference: Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21

Message 4: Needed: A Few Good Neighbors

  • Overview: The final message focuses on “neighboring”—the idea that the Great Commission often begins across the street. By building authentic relationships and living a life that reflects Christ, believers create natural opportunities to share God’s love within their immediate community.
  • Key Facts: * Emphasizes “Relational Evangelism” through kindness and presence.
    • Challenges believers to ensure their daily conduct supports the message they proclaim.
    • Highlights the local community as a primary and essential mission field.
  • Scripture Reference: Matthew 22:37–39; Luke 10:25–37

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The Great Commission: A Vision 195 Series

During Jesus’ final days with His disciples, He left them with an objective—what we now call “The Great Commission.” Jesus told His closest followers to “make disciples of all nations.”

Initially, this parting command left the disciples scratching their heads. We too might wonder how we can participate in this seemingly impossible task today.

Join Pastor Chuck Swindoll in this vital series as he presents God’s plan for fulfilling the Great Commission and shares his own heart for reaching the lost.


Final words are often a person’s most significant, and the final earthly words of the Son of God are no exception. Before His ascension, Jesus left His disciples with a clear objective: to “make disciples of all nations.” While this parting command initially left the disciples—and often leaves us today—wondering how such a monumental task could be accomplished, this series provides clarity. Chuck Swindoll explores God’s strategic plan for reaching the world, emphasizing that the Great Commission is not just for a few, but is a vital mission for every believer.

Kick-Starting a Plan to Reach the World

Sermon Summary The mission to reach the world did not begin with human ingenuity but with a divine “kick-start.” This message focuses on the remarkable moment recorded in Acts 1, where Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure. Chuck discusses the transition from Jesus’ physical presence to the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. We learn that the plan to reach the world is fueled by God’s power and directed by His sovereign timing, moving us from passive waiting to active witnessing.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Importance of Final Words: Recognizing the Great Commission as Christ’s primary directive for the Church.
  • Divine Empowerment: Understanding that the mission is impossible without the Holy Spirit.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • Acts 1:6–11

Essential Fuel for Fulfilling the Mission

Sermon Summary Fulfilling a global mission requires “essential fuel” to prevent burnout and discouragement. This message explores the spiritual resources necessary for the long-term work of discipleship. Chuck emphasizes the roles of fervent prayer, deep reliance on the Spirit, and a clear understanding of the Gospel. Without this fuel, the Great Commission becomes a heavy burden; with it, it becomes a joyous privilege empowered by the grace of God.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Spiritual Sustenance: The necessity of prayer and the Word in sustaining a missional heart.
  • The Role of the Spirit: How the Holy Spirit provides the courage and wisdom needed for outreach.

An Original Snapshot of the First Church

Sermon Summary How did the very first followers of Jesus live out the Great Commission? This message provides an “original snapshot” of the early church in Acts. We see a community characterized by devotion to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, and a radical generosity that drew others to Christ. Chuck shows that the most effective tool for reaching the lost is a healthy, loving, and Christ-centered church body that lives out the truth it proclaims.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Authentic Community: How the lifestyle of the church serves as a witness to the world.
  • The Growth of the Kingdom: Seeing how God “added to their number daily” as they lived in unity.

An E-Ticket for Reaching the Lost

Sermon Summary Reaching the lost should be viewed as a thrilling adventure rather than a daunting chore. Using the “E-Ticket” metaphor for life’s most exciting experiences, Chuck provides practical encouragement for personal evangelism. We learn how to share the Good News with a sense of joy and anticipation, trusting that God is already at work in the hearts of those around us. This message helps remove the fear of “witnessing” by focusing on the beauty of the message we carry.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Thrill of Evangelism: Finding personal joy in sharing the Gospel.
  • Overcoming Obstacles: Practical tips for starting spiritual conversations.

Needed: A Few Good Neighbors

Sermon Summary The Great Commission often begins in our own neighborhoods. This message focuses on the power of “neighboring”—living out the love of Christ to those who live right next door. Chuck discusses the importance of building authentic, kind, and present relationships with those in our immediate community. By being “good neighbors,” we earn the right to be heard and create natural bridges for the Gospel to cross into the lives of others.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Local Impact: Recognizing your neighborhood as your primary mission field.
  • Relational Bridge-Building: The importance of kindness and integrity in outreach.

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Listener Favorites, Volume 4

Some messages settle into our souls like a salve, providing healing where our deepest hurts and fears reside. Others remind us, through the fiercest storms, that we CAN be secured by a hope that won’t disappoint.

Hear two of Chuck Swindoll’s most-requested messages, from the What If . . .? series, which are also included in Listener Favorites, Volume 4: Our Best for His Highest. These messages cover challenges like dealing with unrepentant people and facing that terrifying fear: death.

This collection features some of Pastor Chuck Swindoll’s most requested and impactful messages. From practical advice on breaking the habit of worry to profound theological explorations of suffering and mortality, these sermons provide a spiritual “salve” for deep hurts and a firm anchor for life’s fiercest storms. This volume addresses the difficult “what if” questions of life, offering biblical clarity and hope for believers facing relentless challenges.

Message 1: Stop Worrying and Start Trusting

Sermon Overview Worry is described as a self-made prison and the number one addiction among believers today. When Jesus announced His ministry, He declared He had come to set captives free—including those held captive by anxiety and oppression. Looking at Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6 and Paul’s commands in Philippians 4, Swindoll provides a divine antidote for panic. Worry confuses our value system, makes us self-centered, blurs our distinctives, and empties today of its strength. To break this addiction, believers must train themselves to rejoice daily, release their burdens through specific prayer, relax in God’s guarding peace, and intentionally respond by focusing their minds on things that are true, honorable, and pure.

Key Facts

  • The Captivity of Worry: Anxiety acts as an addiction that divides the mind, blurs the distinctives between believers and unbelievers, and turns tomorrow’s fears into today’s dread.
  • Worry About Nothing, Pray About Everything: The biblical remedy for anxiety is to turn every worry into a specific prayer list, accompanied by thanksgiving for God’s past faithfulness.
  • The Hammock of Peace: When believers release their burdens to God, He promises to surround their hearts and minds with an unexplainable, military-like guard of peace.
  • The Secret of Contentment: Ultimate freedom from worry is found by teaching oneself to be contented with whatever one has, and training oneself to rely entirely on Christ’s strength.

Scripture References

  • Philippians 4:4–9
  • Luke 4:14–20
  • Matthew 6:24–34
  • Isaiah 26:3–4
  • Proverbs 17:22

 Message 2: Stop Shaming and Start Honoring

Sermon Overview Many believers live under a dark, thick cloud of shame, believing they are fundamentally flawed and unworthy of love. Swindoll uses the familiar parable of the Prodigal Son to contrast the toxic habit of shaming with the life-giving habit of honoring. While guilt appropriately admits a wrong action, shame destructively declares, “I am bad”. When the younger son returned home broken and starving, his father refused to listen to his shame-filled speech; instead, he honored him with repeated kisses, a fine robe, a family ring, and a celebratory feast. Conversely, the older brother models the judgmental, compassionless attitude that plagues many modern relationships. This message challenges believers to stop giving shame any respect, share their hurts with understanding friends, and cultivate genuine empathy.

Key Facts

  • Guilt vs. Shame: Guilt says “I did something bad,” which leads to healthy repentance, while shame says “I am bad,” which leads to destructive behaviors and hiding.
  • The Father’s Compassion: The father did not demand a probation period or use the opportunity to lecture his son; he met him as an equal and immediately restored his dignity.
  • The Older Brother’s Trap: The older brother represents those who operate on legalism and judgment, refusing to celebrate the restoration of a fallen believer.
  • Empathy Defeats Shame: Empathy acts as the “ladder out of the shame hole,” requiring believers to refuse to be another’s judge and instead share in their pain.

Scripture References

  • Luke 15:11–32

Message 3: When Troubles Won’t Go Away

Sermon Overview The Apostle James wrote to remind struggling Christians that trials come to strengthen faith, foster character, and quicken attentiveness to the Lord’s voice. Life’s troubles are both inevitable and purposeful, much like taxes or death. Using James 1, Charles R. Swindoll explains that testing acts like a servant to stretch our faith, producing endurance and ultimately maturity. Instead of asking “Why me?”, believers should adopt a mindset of joy, comprehending God’s sovereign plan, and cooperating with His squeezing, pinching hand rather than fighting it. The message also explores the concept of being “double-minded”—wanting our own will while simultaneously asking for God’s will—and promises real happiness and a crown of life to those who persevere.

Key Facts

  • Troubles are Inevitable and Purposeful: Trials are not accidental; they are deliberately designed by God to test faith, produce endurance, and build deep character.
  • Consider, Comprehend, Cooperate: The biblical response to trials is to consider them with joy, comprehend that they are for our good, and cooperate by humbly yielding to God’s mighty hand.
  • The Trap of Double-Mindedness: A double-minded person is like a monkey holding onto rice in a gourd, unwilling to let go of their own will to receive God’s deliverance and freedom.

Scripture References

  • James 1:1–12
  • 1 Peter 5:6–7
  • James 5:13–14

Message 4: Suffering, Sickness, Sin, and Healing

Sermon Overview Grappling with chronic illness and physical suffering raises complex questions for believers, such as the roles of faith healers, modern medicine, and unconfessed sin. Swindoll clarifies that while divine healing is real, professional “faith healers” are not. Drawing from James 5, the message unpacks the biblical protocol for the sick: individuals must take the initiative to summon the church elders, who then apply consecrated medicine (represented by the first-century practice of anointing with oil) and pray in the name of the Lord. The message also establishes that while sickness entered the world through original sin, personal sickness is not always the direct result of personal sin, nor is it God’s will for every person to be healed in this lifetime.

Key Facts

  • Healing vs. Healers: God sovereignly heals people today, but He does so without the need for charismatic “faith healers”.
  • Medicine and Prayer Together: In the first century, “anointing with oil” referred to the best medical practices of the day, meaning believers should use consecrated medicine alongside earnest prayer.
  • Not Always God’s Will: It is not God’s will that every person be physically healed, as seen in the lives of Paul, Trophimus, and Epaphroditus.
  • Confession Within the Body: Believers are encouraged to confess their sins within trusted, close discipleship relationships rather than in unhelpful public settings.

Scripture References

  • James 5:13–16
  • Romans 5:12
  • 1 Corinthians 11:30
  • John 9:1–4
  • Acts 3:2–8

Message 5: What If You Were to Die Tonight?

Sermon Overview In this sobering, eternity-focused message, Swindoll tackles the inescapable reality of death using Jesus’ account of the rich man and Lazarus. Death is defined as the separation of the intangible soul and spirit from the physical body. Upon death, a person’s eternal destiny is permanently sealed based on decisions made during their lifetime; there is no reincarnation, purgatory, or second chance. The unrepentant rich man went to a place of conscious, inescapable torment in Hades, retaining his sight, feeling, hearing, and painful memory. Swindoll dismantles cynical rationalizations about the afterlife and urgently pleads with listeners to trust in the written Word of God, which is more powerful to save than any miraculous sign.

Key Facts

  • The Destination of the Soul: At death, the physical body goes to the grave, while the soul/spirit immediately enters either the presence of God or a place of conscious torment (Hades).
  • Consciousness in Eternity: The rich man did not cease to exist; he retained his senses and—most agonizingly—his memory of the life and opportunities he squandered.
  • The Great Chasm: There is a fixed, impassable chasm in eternity, meaning it is impossible to cross over or pray someone out of torment; the decision to accept Christ must be made in this life.
  • The Power of Scripture: When the rich man begged for a miraculous sign to warn his brothers, Abraham replied that if they wouldn’t listen to the written Scriptures (“Moses and the prophets”), even a resurrection from the dead would not persuade them.

Scripture References

  • Luke 16:19–31
  • Hebrews 9:27
  • Romans 5:12

Message 6: What If a Person Is an Unrepentant Troublemaker?

Sermon Overview While the church is a place of grace, it must also be protected from wolves in sheep’s clothing—individuals who chronically stir up division and manipulate the flock. Swindoll draws on Romans 16 and Titus 3 to outline the difficult but necessary protocol for handling unrepentant troublemakers. Leaders are warned to be “wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove,” meaning they must be discerning enough to recognize deception hidden behind smooth talk and flattering words. The biblical response to a divisive person involves clear steps: observe their actions, issue a first and second private warning, and if they refuse to repent, isolate them by having nothing more to do with them.

Key Facts

  • Wolves in the Flock: Since the beginning of biblical history, leaders have had to deal with stubborn, rebellious individuals who find delight in stirring up unrest and division.
  • The Danger of Deception: Divisive people often use “smooth talk and glowing words” (flattery and eulogy-like praise) to deceive innocent, gullible believers.
  • The Protocol for Discipline: According to Titus 3:10, if a person causes divisions, church leaders must gently but firmly confront them with a first and second warning; if they remain obstinate, the church must separate from them.
  • The Maxim of a Healthy Church: A wholesome church operates on the ancient principle: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity”.

Scripture References

  • Romans 16:17–18
  • Titus 1:1–6
  • Titus 3:8–11

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God Knows What He’s About

When we consider the vastness of the universe, much less the seven billion souls inhabiting our planet, we can struggle to believe that God cares about our circumstances.

We can trust that God knows us, and His plans are woven in the fabric of our everyday lives. By studying the prophet Jonah and Saul of Tarsus,  we will learn that even when we doubt, rebel, and display our weakness of pride, God knows what He’s about. His plans will not be thwarted.


In this five-part holiday series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the unshakable certainty of God’s sovereignty. Whether through the precise fulfillment of ancient prophecies or the dramatic transformation of a stubborn heart, these messages demonstrate that God is never surprised and never sidelined. By looking at the lives of Mary, Jonah, and Saul of Tarsus, we see that God’s plans are woven into the fabric of history and our individual lives, reminding us that even in chaos, He knows exactly what He is about.

Message 1. God Keeps His Promises (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7; Micah 5:2)

  • Overview: Examines the staggering accuracy of Messianic prophecies. It establishes that if God kept His word regarding the first coming of Christ, we can be certain He will keep every other promise in Scripture.
  • Key Fact: Prophecies about Christ’s birth were given hundreds of years in advance, pinpointing the lineage, the nature of the birth, and the specific location (Bethlehem).
  • Scripture: Micah 5:2 – “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah… from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.”

Message 2. God Chooses His Servants (Luke 1:26–38)

  • Overview: Focuses on the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary. It highlights God’s tendency to choose the obscure and the humble to fulfill His greatest purposes.
  • Key Fact: Mary’s response (“Behold, the bondslave of the Lord”) is the ultimate model of availability and trust in God’s sovereign plan.
  • Scripture: Luke 1:38 – “And Mary said, ‘Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.'”

Message 3. God Sends His Son (Luke 2:1–20)

  • Overview: A Christmas message detailing the “quiet entry” of the Savior. It explores how God used a Roman census and a pagan emperor to ensure the Messiah was born exactly where prophecy predicted.
  • Key Fact: The “fullness of time” included the perfect political and social conditions for the arrival of the King of kings.
  • Scripture: Luke 2:7 – “And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger.”

Message 4. God Bends a Stubborn Will (Jonah 1–4)

  • Overview: Traces the reluctant journey of Jonah. It illustrates that while we can run from God’s call, we cannot outrun His reach or His determination to accomplish His mission.
  • Key Fact: God is more interested in the transformation of His servant than just the delivery of a message to Nineveh.
  • Scripture: Jonah 2:9 – “Salvation is from the Lord.”

Message 5. God Humbles a Proud Heart (Acts 9:1–19)

  • Overview: The dramatic conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. This message proves that no heart is too hard for God to break and no past is too dark for God to redeem.
  • Key Fact: Saul went from “breathing threats and murder” to being a “chosen instrument” to carry God’s name before kings and Gentiles.
  • Scripture: Acts 9:15 – “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings.”

Common Questions: God Knows What He’s About

1. How can I trust God’s plan when my life feels out of control? As Pastor Chuck explains in “God Keeps His Promises,” our trust is based on God’s track record. When we see how He managed the complex details of Christ’s birth through multiple world empires and centuries of time, we can rest knowing He is equally capable of managing the details of our lives today.

2. Why does God often choose “ordinary” people for extraordinary tasks? In “God Chooses His Servants,” it is noted that God chooses the humble so that His power—not human talent—gets the glory. Like Mary, our greatest “qualification” is our willingness to be available for whatever He asks.

3. Does God still “bend” wills like He did with Jonah? Yes. In “God Bends a Stubborn Will,” the series teaches that God’s “severe mercy” often involves allowing us to reach the end of ourselves (the “belly of the whale”) so that we finally look to Him. His “bending” is always an act of love to bring us back to His purpose.

4. What can the conversion of Saul teach us about difficult people in our lives? The message “God Humbles a Proud Heart” reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. If God could transform the church’s greatest persecutor into its greatest apostle, He can reach the most “impossible” person in your life.

5. How does the “sovereignty of God” help with New Year’s anxiety? The series conclusion emphasizes that because “God knows what He’s about,” we don’t have to know every detail of the future. We can enter a new year with confidence, not because we know what the year holds, but because we know who holds the year.

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