Sermons

The Bible Doesn’t Say That: Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness  Origination Of The Saying: The saying “cleanliness is next to godliness” does not appear in the Bible. The expression is an archaic proverb found in Babylonian and Hebrew religious tracts. Its debut in the English language, in a modified form, is found in the writings of philosopher and scientist Sir Francis Bacon. In Advancement of Learning (1605) he wrote, “Cleanness of body was ever deemed to proceed from a due reverence to God.” Almost two hundred years later (1791), John Wesley made a reference to the expression in one of his sermons in the form we use it today. Wesley wrote, “Slovenliness is no part of religion. Cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness." Illustration: How many of you are going to eat right after church is over? How many of you will be heading to a local restaurant?  So, most of you are eating and most of you are eating out.  Very good.  How many of you are like me and whe...

Jared Fogle is a monster.  For years this man has pushed sub sandwiches on America.  Jared was the “everyman”. He was the prototype average joe. A formerly overweight man who with hard work and a propensity towards 6 inch plain turkey and cheese sandwiches lost nearly 200 pounds.  He wore glasses, had a big smile and seemed like the guy next door.  I imagined him driving around with his kids in a minivan and politely waving as he passed.  Let’s be honest, Jared probably would have been nominated at our church for deacon.   Jared Fogle is a monster.  Under the shroud of a foundation that helped liberate children from obesity, Fogle had sex with minors.  He hurt children, not once but more than a dozen times.  His desire for younger victims was quoted in a text saying “the younger the better”.  Jared, the Subway guy, is as evil and wicked as they come.  He is twisted and perverted.  Anyone with a conscience would find this l...

A few of days ago Bruce Jenner was featured on the cover of Vanity Fair Magazine.  On this cover, Bruce presented himself as a woman and debuted his new name as “Caitlyn”.  The pictures and subsequent stories nearly broke the internet.  Bruce’s new Twitter account dedicated to his new name and lifestyle set a record for the most followers gained in a single day.  On the same day, Bruce was awarded the “Authur Ashe Courage Award” by ESPN.  Bruce will receive this award at the 2015 ESPY Award show, which remembers great teams, athletes and moments from the sporting world.  I have been wrestling on how to respond to Bruce’s transition.  I have three sons, two of which love sports.  I was hoping that I would be able to shield my boys from this story but my nine year old asked me about “the guy who became a girl”.  Sadly, I knew that I would have to craft a response to his questions.   Perhaps you are in the same situation....

Giving Matters: The Commitment To Give Illustration: Chapter 11 Two old friends met one day after many years. One attended college, and  now was very successful. The other had not attended college and never had  much ambition. The successful one said, "How has everything been going with you?" "Well, one day I opened the Bible at random, and dropped my finger on a  word and it was oil. So, I invested in oil, and boy, did the oil wells gush. Then another day I dropped my finger on another word and it was gold. So,  I invested in gold and those mines really produced. Now, I’m as rich as  Rockefeller." The successful friend was so impressed that he rushed to his hotel, grabbed  a Gideon Bible, flipped it open, and dropped his finger on a page. He opened his eyes and his finger rested on the words, "Chapter Eleven." When It Comes To Investing Are You A... Consumed Investor, An Involved Investor or a Hands Off Investo...