Mike Riley Sermon Outlines, Articles, Lessons, etc.

What Are We Passionate About?

The apostle Paul’s passion in life was largely driven by concern for the eternal destiny of others. In 2 Corinthians 5, he names three things that fueled this passion: He recognized that he was accountable to Christ for his service and thus desired to give a good accounting at the judgment seat of Christ (2 […]

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Let Us Be Concerned For Precious Souls

When the apostle Paul arrived in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-7 ), he encountered certain disciples who had been instructed by Apollos (Acts 18:24-25). Paul asked these disciples whether they had received the Holy Spirit. The disciples were puzzled because they had never been told about any Holy Spirit.

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Setting Ourselves Apart For God

In Scripture, the word “hallow” is a synonym for the word “sanctify.” When we hallow or sanctify something, we set it apart as being holy. Paul urged Timothy to be a vessel sanctified [“hallowed”] and useful to our Master by pursuing “righteousness, faith, love, [and] peace with those who call on the

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More Like Jesus I Would Be

More like Jesus would I be, Let my Savior dwell in me; Fill my soul with peace and love, Make me gentle as a dove; More like Jesus, while I go, Pilgrim in this world below; Poor in spirit would I be; Let my Savior dwell in me.

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What God Gives A Boy Or Girl

1) A Body to keep clean and healthy as a temple of life for mind and soul for the earthly journey. 2) A Pair Of Feet to do errands of love, kindness, charity, and business, but not to loiter in places of mischief and sin. 3) A Pair Of Hands to use for oneself and […]

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A Different Kind Of Famine

In John Christopher’s 1956 novel, “No Blade Of Grass,” a destructive virus attacks the grasses of the world. In a matter of months, the world is plunged into famine along with its brutal companion, violence. People begin by fighting, then killing for food.

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God's Love Is Deeper Than The Deepest Ocean

Near the island of Guam is the Mariana Trench, the deepest place on earth. On January 23, 1960, Jacques Piccard and Donald Walsh climbed into a submersible vessel and were lowered into the cold, lonely darkness of the Pacific ocean (see video). Their descent set a world record and has never been repeated.

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Focusing On Things That Are Important

When the amazing Crystal Palace Exhibition opened in 1851 (see article), people flocked to London’s Hyde Park to behold the marvels, one of which was the use of steam. The exhibition contained steam plows, steam locomotives, steam looms, steam organs – even a steam cannon.

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America's Choice — A Police State Or God-Directed?

From Bible Prophecy Today, comes an eye-opening article written by Chuck Baldwin entitled, “Is America Becoming A Police State?” Mr. Baldwin begins his article with the following story:

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We Are “Fearfully And Wonderfully Made”

While recently surfing the Internet, I read that hummingbirds can fly backwards, but I wanted to confirm that information. So one morning, I observed hummingbirds coming to a hummingbird feeder at my father’s house.

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Reflections On My Dad

On Monday, April 11, my dad (see also) passed from this life to the next realm of existence (Ecclesiastes 12:7; Luke 23:43). In reflecting on the life that he lived while on this earthly sphere for eighty-nine years, I can say that my dad had a kind heart — one who truly cared for the […]

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A Psalm Of Life

Today, I read the above titled poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to a fourth grade library class. As I read each section of the poem, I gave a short analysis of each section using today’s terminology. Appropriate related Scriptures have been added.

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The Key To Unity

Lurking in the shadows of every church, every home and every relationship, is a devious demon of division called “selfishness.” It makes frequent appearances as it seeks to satisfy our personal preferences, desires, likes and dislikes rather than considering the needs of others. I struggle with it constantly. How about you?

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Keeping Away Those Elephants

The story is told of a man who was sitting on a park bench shredding old newspapers and spreading them around. “What are you doing?” asked a bystander. “I’m spreading this paper around to keep the elephants away.” The visitor looked around the well-kept city park. “I don’t see any elephants,” he said. The man […]

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The Power Is Of The Lord

Many religious folks object to baptism for the remission of sins by saying that there is no power in the water. While it is true there’s no power in the water per se, we’re reminded that Jesus once healed a blind man by anointing his eyes and saying, “Go wash in the pool of Siloam” […]

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What Is Our Reaction To The Gospel Of Christ?

The ancient theologian, Origen, once stated, “The same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay” (Origen On First Principles 3.1.11 – source). Similarly, the preaching of the gospel softens the hearts of some, but hardens the hearts of others (2 Corinthians 2:15-16; cf. Acts 13:44-45; Acts 13:46-48).

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The Consequences Of Sin And Its Solution

In 1973, the world-renowned psychologist Karl Menninger made headlines by writing the book, “Whatever Became of Sin?” It might be more accurate to say that he made “sermon headlines” by this title since countless preachers made reference to Dr. Menninger in their sermons. However, the secular press’ reaction to his book was at best minimal. […]

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God's Power Is Beyond Amazing!

In 1977, the United States launched a rocket into space. On board was a small craft called Voyager I, a probe that was jettisoned into space to explore the planets. After Voyager was done sending back photos and data from the planet Jupiter and its neighbors, it didn’t stop working. It just kept going.

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Nearer Home

One sweetly solemn thought Comes to me o’er and o’er; I am nearer home to-day Than I ever have been before; Nearer my Father’s house, Where the many mansions be; Nearer the great white throne, Nearer the crystal sea;

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How Will Folks Remember Us?

After the South lost the US Civil War, John Wilkes Booth (see article) wanted to be remembered as its avenger against the North. Some scholars speculate that because he was an actor, Booth’s planned assassination of President Lincoln was, in his mind, his greatest “performance.”

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