60-Second Sermon

Send us Fan Mail

Edward St. John, the CEO of St. John Properties, challenged his employees to meet a portfolio goal over a 40-year period. The company was able to meet the goal this year, only 14 years after setting it, and St. John decided to thank his employees.

At the company’s annual Christmas party, St. John decided to give his employees a special bonus … $10 million to divide among them. 

In Romans, we are encouraged to “never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord.” (12:11; NIRV)

Here are some of the words the employees used to describe the gift: “total disbelief; don’t have words to properly describe how I felt; amazing; incredible, life-changing.”

Do you remember what it was like when you felt that way about your relationship with God and the gift He’s given us in Jesus? If you haven’t felt that in a while, spend time in God’s Word and in prayer, write down things for which you’re thankful, and look for ways to serve others.

Allow yourself to be used by God, and pray that He will fan the flames of your spiritual fire.  

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

When Jimmy was six years old, he experienced a traumatic move that caused him to stutter, which led to him becoming a selective mute. Over the next eight years, he would not speak to anyone outside his house … not clerks at stores, not teachers at school, not even students in class.

That all changed one day when he was 14 and was challenged by a teacher with whom he had developed a close relationship to recite from memory in front of the class a poem he wrote. The teacher noticed the stutter disappeared when Jimmy quoted from memory, and he continued to help Jimmy find his voice … a voice that told Luke Skywalker, and the rest of the world, a secret about his father … the voice of Darth Vader, James Earl Jones.

When the time came for Zechariah to name his son, Luke tells us that “he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John … And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. (1:63-64)

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, lost his voice for a short time, but regained it after showing his faithfulness to God. Afterward, we are told that he spoke praises and blessings to God. 

You will have the opportunity to praise God with your voice this week by telling someone the Good News of Jesus. Be on the lookout and be ready when your chance arises.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Over 200 years ago, Mount Tambora, a volcano on an island in Indonesia, erupted and literally changed the world. The explosion was heard 1,600 miles away and the ash was so massive that it caused the temperature across the world to drop two degrees and lead to a year without summer. 

It doesn’t sound like a lot, but 1816 is the coldest year on record since the 1400s and the effects of the eruption caused rivers to freeze and crops, livestock, and people to die. The impact was so severe that there were no longer horses to ride from place to place, leading Karl Drais to devise a new mode of transportation which has since been labeled “the noblest invention of mankind,” the Laufmaschine, better known to us as the bicycle.

In 1 Peter, we are told that we “are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you our of darkness into His wonderful light.” (2:9)

Just as the ash from Mount Tambora blocked out the sun, our sin caused a rift between us and God that led us to live in darkness. But all glory to God for His incredible gift of Jesus that cleanses us of our sins and brings us into relationship with Him, allowing us to fulfill our purpose of proclaiming the goodness of God.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Many songs are easily identified by their chorus or their intro, or the first few lines of lyrics. Games and apps have been built around the process of identifying music. Arthur Lintgen, a self-proclaimed music buff and audiophile, takes this concept to the next level. 

What makes Lintgen’s identification technique stand out is that he doesn’t have to listen to three or four notes before naming a song. In fact, he doesn’t have to listen to the song at all. Lintgen is able to name songs by holding a vinyl record in his hand and reading the grooves on the album. 

In John 13, Jesus tells us that He is giving us a new command “that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (13:34-35)

As each album held by Arthur Lintgen has differing groves and patterns, we should stand out as different to the people that see us because of our self-sacrificial love, humility, and joy. When others look at us, they should be able to identify us as followers of Christ, opening the door for us to tell them the Good News about what God has done for us.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

In the 1930s, William Van Alen began designing what he thought would be the tallest building in the world, measuring in at 925 feet tall. Around the same time, however, another architect began working on a building at 40 Wall Street in Manhattan that would stand at 927 feet, making it the tallest skyscraper.

Van Alen publicly conceded defeat, and he and his employer went off to lick their wounds … at least that’s how it seemed.

In Philippians 1, we are assured that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (1:6)

Instead of wallowing in despair, Van Alen began secretly working on a 125-foot spire to be placed at the top of his building, and when it was installed, only one month after the Wall Street building was completed, it made Van Alen’s Chrysler Building the tallest man-made structure in the world, standing at 1,048 feet tall.

The purpose of the spire was to win a competition, but our purpose is to glorify God and tell others the Good News about Jesus. You are a part of the Christ’s body, and God will work Kingdom things through you if you will submit to Him.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

In 1972, an inventor and a scientist developed a concept they thought would revolutionize the healthcare industry. They created a substance to spray on a broken arm or leg that would create an instant cast, but they couldn’t find any takers. Instead of giving up, they decided to focus their attention on pushing their product toward another industry, where it became a huge success under its new name … Silly String. 

In 2 Corinthians, we are told that we “will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (9:11)

There are many instances of items being modified or adjusted and becoming something better. Sometimes, it something familiar or close-to-home that someone uses to make better than it was originally.

In our case, as followers of Christ, we have an incredible opportunity to pass along some of the gifts that God has given us so they can be used to become something even better in the service of others, by helping the hurting or lost, and by spreading the love of Christ to those who don’t know Him.

Don’t miss the opportunity you have to make the money or resources God has given you become something special in the eyes of God.

Please stand for the reading of God’s word 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

A beautiful island sits off the coast of Brazil, but the Brazilian government has ruled it off limits to visitors. Its residents, which number approximately one for every square meter of space on the island, would surely invite you to stop by if they could.

Unfortunately for them, they don’t have that capability, so the 110-acre island remains uninhabited by humans, but is home to hundreds of thousands of snakes, giving the island its appropriate name … Snake Island.

Matthew writes that “when [Jesus] saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. The He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (9:36-38)

Most of us would be afraid to step foot on Snake Island. The thought of guiding someone to Christ can be a nerve-wracking thought as well, but we shouldn’t be afraid. We don’t need to have all the answers. We can learn and grow alongside the person we’re guiding. There is no greater accomplishment in life than leading someone to Christ. 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Like many countries, Sweden was looking for the best energy source to power their region. They settled on a process called “district heating,” a process that heats water running throughout pipes in buildings and homes, providing heat for its occupants. 

In order to generate the heat, they had to have resources to burn, so they began importing fuel from other countries. But what’s unusual is that the exporting countries began paying Sweden to pick up the fuel. Why? Because the fuel used by Sweden was garbage, literally. 

In 1 Peter, we are reminded that “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” (4:10-11)

Our country, like many others, produces an unimaginable amount of garbage. But make no mistake … God does not make garbage. You are special, and you been blessed by God with spiritual gifts to glorify Him and serve others. How will you use those gifts in the upcoming year?

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

The young waitress and poet had dreams of becoming an actress, which wouldn’t have been a surprise to those who knew her, since everyone considered her to be exceptionally pretty. 

Somewhere along the way she became disenchanted, however,  and her dreams of tinseltown faded away. One of her poems, entitled “The Street Girl,” was autobiographical in nature, and told of a girl who longed for the days when she could make the right choices, days that she was sure could never be reclaimed. 

In her mind, there wasn’t much hope for her, so she continued down the wrong path alongside Clyde Barrow, the boyfriend of the former waitress, Bonnie Parker, until that path abruptly ended on May 23, 1934, ending the crime spree of Bonnie and Clyde. 

In Matthew, an angel of God tells Joseph that “[Mary] will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (1:21)

For many, this time of the year is joyful, happy and exciting. For others, the feelings of hopelessness and despair weigh heavy during the holiday season. If you find yourself in the latter category, please know that there is hope. Jesus came to earth because he loved us. He redeemed us, the unredeemable, and His forgiveness, mercy, and grace are available to all.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Brandt encouraged Amber to give her life to Christ, telling her that he loved her and wanted her to turn to God for forgiveness and salvation.

He approached Amber and gave her a long, emotional hug, during which they both shared in a private conversation known only to them and God.

What makes Brandt’s words and example so remarkable – and why they have touched the heart of a nation – are that they weren’t done in a church or at an outreach event … Brandt expressed his feelings and showed the love of Christ to Amber immediately after her conviction for the murder of Brandt’s brother. 

Matthew tells us that “if you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (6:14-15)

Living lives that exude the mercy, forgiveness, and love of Christ will mean more than any words you will ever speak. As we fellowship with each other, we encourage and build up each other not for selfish gain, but so that we will be invigorated to show the love of Christ to others. Who will you minister to this week?

Support the show