Sermons on Doug Nichols:

Salvation

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Apr 12, 2005

In this passage (vv. 16-21) Paul summarizes the motive of the whole Christian life. Christ died for all and the old self of the Christian died in that death. He arose a new man. In this newness of life he has acquired a new set of standards. He no longer

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: In verses 14 and 15 Paul comes to two conclusions: 1. The total depravity of man (v.14). If Christ died for all, then all must be dead in trespasses and sin. 2. God’s purpose for saving us (v. 15). He died that we might live through Him and for Him, and one day with ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Separation

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Apr 12, 2005

Separation from the ungodly is a basic Bible doctrine. Verses 14 and 15 of this chapter are often applied to various sorts of alliances such as mixed marriages, improper business associations and religious fellowship. The idea of the unequal yoke comes f

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: It is often argued that we should stay in the midst of churches and bodies whose sins and follies we deplore, in the hope of saving them for God and mankind. Such reasoning has a good deal of force in the first stages of decline. A strong protest may arrest error and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Quiet Time

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Sep 8, 2004

How do I balance activity with solitude?

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE It is said that Andrew Bonar, a great man of prayer, had three rules: (1) Not to speak to any man before speaking to Jesus; (2) Not to do anything with his hands until he had been on his knees; (3) Not to read the papers until he had read his Bible. - (Keith L. Brooks, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35-39

Denomination: Baptist

Faith

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Sep 8, 2004

The faith of four friends - Jesus heals a man sick with palsy.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: During an especially trying time in the work of the China Inland Mission, Hudson Taylor wrote to his wife, “We have twenty-five cents—and all the promises of God! (Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, W. Wiersbe, p. 242) Jesus chose Capernaum as the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Legalism

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Sep 8, 2004

Are you too caught up in man-made laws?

The story was told some years ago of a pastor who found the roads blocked one Sunday morning and was forced to skate on the river to get to church, which he did. When he arrived the elders of the church were horrified that their preacher had skated on the Lord’s Day. After the service they held a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:23-28

Denomination: Baptist

Attitude

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Sep 8, 2004

Do I let my desire to be "holy" overshadow the need to help others.

Both the hummingbird and the vulture fly over our nation’s deserts. All vultures see is rotting meat, because that is what they look for. They thrive on that diet. But hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants. The vultures ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Teaching

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Oct 12, 2004

In our passage today we look at three parables of Jesus, and each parable contains a paradox about God’s Kingdom.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: Jack Wyrtzen used lots of stories in his preaching. One day someone was talking with one of the Word of Life staff members and said, “I heard Jack preach one of his “skyscraper messages” the other night.” The staff member asked what he meant by a “skyscraper message” ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:21-29

Denomination: Baptist

Storms

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Oct 12, 2004

This life is full of the storms of sorrow, problems and anxiety but Jesus understands and wants to replace our fear when we place our faith in Him and realize He is in the storm with us.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: A little over 75 years ago a little known American inventor, born of Russian descent named Vladimir Kosma Zworykin began to work for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Over the next few years Mr. Zworykin worked on an idea called an iconoscope and a kinescope. The ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:30-41

Denomination: Baptist

Faith

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Oct 13, 2004

The text seems to suggest that the bearers of “Bad News” will always come, but the author of “Good News” is always in control. Jesus hears and ignores what others are saying. He has the last word. He is the author and finisher of our faith.

One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, “Jump! I’ll catch you.” He knew the boy had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, and blackness. As ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:35-43

Denomination: Baptist

Pressure

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Oct 13, 2004

Do I ever feel like I am in a pressure cooker, or that I am being pulled and pushed in every direction? Well, I can respond like Herod. I can be manipulated by it to the point where I am forced to make decisions contrary to what I know is right. Or I can

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: The Hope College Women’s basketball team had made it to the national playoffs. The final game saw Hope 20 points behind with 10 minutes left to play. The team remained calm and began to narrow the gap. Then with just 5 seconds remaining, a 3 point basket tied the game. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Baptist

Concern

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Oct 18, 2004

Jesus leaves Capernaum and travels north forty or fifty miles to the borders of Tyre and Sidon which is modern Lebanon. It is here that we see a woman coming to Jesus to ask help for her daughter. She asked Jesus to cast a demon out of her daughter.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: Mamie Adams always went to a branch post office in her town because the postal employees there were friendly. She went there to buy stamps just before Christmas one year and the lines were particularly long. Someone pointed out that there was no need to wait in line ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-30

Denomination: Baptist

Believe

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Oct 18, 2004

The willful unbelief of the Pharisees disturbed the Lord to the depths of His spirit.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: People refuse to believe that which they don’t want to believe, in spite of evidence. When explorers first went to Australia they found a mammal which laid eggs; spent some time in water, some on land; had a broad, flat tail, webbed feet, and a bill similar to a duck. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:10-21

Denomination: Baptist

Thankfulness

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Jan 18, 2005

Paul starts his first letter to the Corinthians by thanking them for the things they are doing right.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: Scottish minister Alexander Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought to himself, “Certainly the preacher won’t think of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Division

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Jan 18, 2005

Dissension in the Corinthian church was the first problem addressed by Paul. He introduces the thoughts of this passage with an appeal for unity.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: Being much concerned about the rise of denominations in the church, John Wesley tells of a dream he had. In the dream, he was ushered to the gates of Hell. There he asked, “Are there any Presbyterians here?” “Yes!”, came the answer. Then he asked, “Are there any ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Knowledge

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Jan 18, 2005

The true condition of the Corinthian believers was that they were still engrossed with human, earthly wisdom. We can spend a lifetime accumulating human knowledge and still not learn how to have a personal relationship with God.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: Knowledge is exploding at such a rate—more than 2000 pages a minute—that even Einstein couldn’t keep up. In fact, if you read 24 hours a day, from age 21 to 70, and retained all you read, you would be one and a half million years behind when you finished. How can it be, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist