Sermons found for the topic Apologetics

What If - 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

This sermon reveals the four disastrous consequnces if the resurrection is not true. If Christ did not rise from the dead, our preaching has no purpose, our faith has no forgiveness, our death has no deliverance, and our service has no significance. More

Unspeakable Evil and the Goodness of God

Unspeakable Evil and the Goodness of God by Ray Pritchard The story filled us with horror. How could a father murder his own daughter and her best friend? It happened in Zion, Illinois, a quiet community north of Chicago, not far from the Wisconsin border. It doesn’t really help to ask why because there is no answer that wo… More

Ready to Give an Answer - I Peter 3:15

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord; always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that you have" (I Peter 3:15). Peter says to be ready to give an answer. Are you rea More

Martin Luther's Advice

MARTIN LUTHER’S ADVICE by Ray Pritchard Many years ago I took a course on Advanced Apologetics taught by Dr. John Warwick Montgomery. One day he talked to us about Martin Luther's theology, which Dr. Montgomery summed up as law and grace. All the details of that discussion have long been forgotten–all save one. I rem… More

Why Good People Won't Go to Heaven - Romans 10:1-4

I'd like to talk to you about who goes to heaven. We all know that the Bible teaches the reality of heaven and the reality of hell. Jesus himself spoke of both places many times. All of us, I'm sure, would like to More

Are You Prepared to Suffer for Christ? - I Peter 3:13-17

Are you prepared to suffer for Christ? For most of us, the answer is no. For most of the Christians in the world, the answer is yes. “Christianity was born in a world of totalitarianism … it was not stran More

The Case for Christ

It isn't often that I use this space for a book review but in this case I am happy to make an exception. Recently a friend gave me a copy of The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel, the former newspaperman who now teaches at Willowcreek Community Church. The books subtitle tells the heart of the story: "A Journalists Personal In… More

If Archimedes Came to Oak Park

Many years ago (almost 20, to be exact) I took a night course called "Advanced Apologetics" from Dr. John Warwick Montgomery at a place called Melodyland School of Theology. I'm not making up that name. The school met in a big church building located right across the street from Disneyland. At that time I was pastoring a sm… More

The Adventure Begins: How Jesus Works Through Ordinary People - Acts 1:1

Today we are beginning a brand-new sermon series from the book of Acts. I find myself excited as I think about this series because Acts is one of the most exciting books in the New Testament. It is also aptly named More

This Must Be the Place: - Various

Seven times in nine years I have given a State of the Church address to Calvary Memorial Church. In my first message I quoted the famous words of Daniel Burnham, architect and author of The Chicago City Plan: "Make no More

A Place to Begin - Genesis 1:1; John 17:3

"True and substantial wisdom principally consists of two parts; the knowledge of God, and the knowledge of ourselves." With this sentence John Calvin begins his famous book, Institutes of the Christian Religion. He go More