Guiding Question

What does it look like for Christianity to transform our lives in real ways?

Summary

Dr. Robert Lewis challenges Christians to move beyond mere theology and live lives marked by spiritual transformation. Drawing on Ephesians 4:25–32, he identifies five clear indicators that the life of God is present in us:

1. Promptly resolving anger

2. Rejecting sin and resisting Satan’s foothold

3. Working to give rather than simply get

4. Speaking words that build up others

5. Extending forgiveness as we have been forgiven

Through vivid anecdotes—such as the pastor’s personal struggle with unresolved anger and domestic statistics—and practical reflections, Dr. Lewis urges us to ask: is our Christianity evident in our daily actions?

Outline

1. Ephesians 4:26 – “Do not let the sun go down on your anger.”

   • Acknowledge righteous anger but resolve it daily to prevent bitterness.

2. Ephesians 4:27 – “Do not give the devil an opportunity.”

   • Reinforces the danger of unresolved conflict as a foothold for evil.

3. Ephesians 4:28 – “Let him who stole steal no longer… so he may have something to share.”

   • Introduces a proactive ethic of work used to bless others.

4. Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no unwholesome talk proceed from your mouth… good for edification.”

   • Contrasts decayed speech with timely words that uplift and heal.

5. Ephesians 4:31–32 – “Forgiving each other… just as in Christ God forgave you.”

   • Calls us to live forgiven lives by forgiving others, reflecting the cross.

Key Takeaways

• Unresolved anger poisons relationships and opens the door to deeper sin and spiritual attack.

• Generosity, not self-centered labor, is the hallmark of a Christian work ethic.

• Words have power—they either groom community or corrode it.

• Forgiveness is non-negotiable for Christians; if we’ve been forgiven so much, we must forgive in return.

• Transformation matters—a faith that doesn’t change us remains merely theoretical.

Scriptural References

• Ephesians 4:25–32

• 1 Timothy 6:17–19

• Proverbs 15:23

• James 2:17

Recorded on 2/15/81

How can we find lasting meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in life amidst its fleeting nature and inevitable struggles?

This message explores the fundamental human struggle with meaning, purpose, and direction in life. Drawing from the wisdom of Moses in the Psalms, it reveals the emptiness and futility of life lived apart from God, marked by fleeting achievements, adversity, and ultimate regret. It calls listeners to recognize the limitations of worldly pursuits and encourages them to seek a life anchored in God — a life characterized by a lasting perspective, a lasting relationship, and lasting labor. The message emphasizes that only through God can we find a truly fulfilling life that endures beyond this temporal existence.

Outline:

1. The Reality of Life’s Decline and Futility

   • Life’s days “decline” like a sigh, full of sorrow and labor (Psalm 90:9-10).

   • Without God, life ends with regret, lost glory, and forgotten achievements.

   • The irony that people fail to connect life’s emptiness with being apart from God.

2. Moses’ Prayer for a Lasting Perspective (Psalm 90:12)

   • Asking God to teach us to number our days wisely.

   • The importance of seeing life through God’s truth rather than worldly illusions.

   • Perspective governs our priorities and how we live.

3. Moses’ Prayer for a Lasting Relationship (Psalm 90:13-15)

   • All human relationships are temporary; only God offers a limitless relationship.

   • God’s promise to return to those who return to Him (Malachi 3:7).

   • The daily satisfaction that comes from experiencing God’s lovingkindness like manna.

4. Moses’ Prayer for a Lasting Labor (Psalm 90:16-17)

   • The desire for work that has eternal significance, not just temporal success.

   • The problem of busy lives focused on fleeting, self-centered tasks.

   • The call to invest in God’s kingdom and people, producing fruit that lasts beyond our lifetime.

5. Conclusion and Invitation

   • Encouragement to reflect on one’s life epitaph—will it say “this was not it” or “everlasting life”?

   • Call to stop “playing church” and to live a real, committed Christian life.

   • Invitation for those feeling lost to seek God’s lasting fulfillment.

   • Closing prayer for transformation through God’s presence.

• Life apart from God is ultimately futile and marked by regret.

• We need God to teach us a lasting perspective to live wisely and purposefully.

• A true, lasting relationship with God is the only permanent human relationship.

• Our work and labor should aim for eternal significance, building God’s kingdom.

• Daily satisfaction and fulfillment come from recognizing and embracing God’s lovingkindness.

• It is never too late to turn to God and find a life that truly lasts.

• Reflecting on the legacy we leave behind should motivate us to pursue what matters eternally.

• Psalm 90:1-17 — The entire passage of Moses’ prayer, focusing on life’s brevity, human frailty, and God’s eternal nature.

• Malachi 3:7 — God’s promise to return when His people return to Him.

• John 8:32 — “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”

• Ecclesiastes 12:1 — “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.”

• Ephesians 2:10 — “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand.”

• Jeremiah 9:23-24 — “Let him who boasts, boast in this: that he understands and knows Me.”

Recorded 12/28/80

How can Christians face doubt, maintain assurance in their faith, and grow spiritually through intentional community and perseverance?

This message addresses the natural experience of doubt among Christians and emphasizes that doubt itself is not wrong. What matters is how one deals with doubt—whether one faces it, seeks answers, and allows it to strengthen faith or lets it weaken assurance. Drawing on the example of Francis Schaeffer, the speaker shows that even radical doubters can emerge with a radical faith when they confront their questions head-on.

The message exhorts believers to “draw near to God” and “hold fast” to the hope and promises of the Christian faith, especially amid the pressures and challenges of everyday life. It warns against a lukewarm, half-assured faith that holds back full commitment.

The speaker highlights the vital role of Christian community in this process. True spiritual growth happens not just in isolated worship but in regular gatherings where believers encourage, stimulate, challenge, and hold one another accountable. The Christian assembly is characterized by consideration, stimulation (even irritation), and encouragement, all aimed at producing love and good deeds.

Without this intimate fellowship, spiritual life becomes impaired, and the subtlety of sin can harden the heart. Finally, the message calls listeners to examine their lives, seek assurance through Christ, and commit to both a personal and communal expression of their faith.

1. Acknowledging Doubt in the Christian Life

   • Doubts are normal and common

   • Importance of addressing doubts rather than ignoring them

   • Example of Francis Schaeffer’s journey through doubt to assurance

2. Assurance of Faith and Holding Fast

   • The necessity of full assurance to live confidently in faith

   • The promises of God and the pressures of the world

   • The call to “draw near” and “hold fast” to God and His promises

3. Christian Community: Meeting to Minister

   • The purpose of Christian assemblies: consideration, stimulation, encouragement

   • The dangers of isolated faith and superficial meetings

   • The role of accountability, intimacy, and mutual challenge

   • The balance between loving encouragement and necessary correction

4. Application and Challenge

   • Are you meeting regularly in meaningful fellowship?

   • Are you allowing others to stimulate and encourage you?

   • Reflect on your assurance and relationship with God

   • Invitation to accept Christ and enter confidently into God’s presence

• Doubt is natural, but must be confronted to avoid spiritual stagnation or erosion of faith.

• Full assurance in God’s promises is crucial to living a confident and committed Christian life.

• Christianity is either true and effective or it is not; believers must test their faith honestly.

• Holding fast means tenaciously clinging to God’s promises despite worldly pressures.

• Regular, intimate Christian fellowship is essential for spiritual health, accountability, and growth.

• Christian meetings are not just routine gatherings, but opportunities to stimulate and encourage each other toward love and good deeds.

• Spiritual growth requires both encouragement and challenge within community, not just passive attendance.

• If you haven’t accepted Christ or feel unsure, the way to assurance is through faith in Jesus’ work on the cross.

• Hebrews 10:22-25 (drawing near to God, holding fast the confession of hope, meeting together to encourage)

• Psalm (implied reference to worship in nature)

• Various references to the promises of God (forgiveness, power, new purpose)

• Hebrews 3:13 (encouragement to encourage one another daily, lest any be hardened by sin)

Recorded 12/07/80

How can we cultivate true humility in our lives to experience God’s peace, grace, and blessing, especially when faced with the pressures of having things “our way”?

This sermon explores the struggle of pride and self-will, highlighting how trying to have life “our way” leads to weariness, conflict, and emptiness. It presents the biblical principle of humility as a solution, focusing on Peter’s teaching in 1 Peter 5:5-7. The message unfolds the three-fold process for developing humility: bowing under God’s mighty hand, resting by casting our anxieties on Him, and expecting God’s blessing at the proper time. Through this process, believers learn to surrender control, trust God’s timing, and live in harmony with others and the Holy Spirit, leading to spiritual growth and unity.

Outline:

1. The Problem of Pride and Self-Will

   • The weariness of insisting on “my way”

   • How pride causes tension in personal and church relationships

   • The danger of a competitive, self-focused mindset

2. Peter’s Call to Humility (1 Peter 5:5-7)

   • Clothe yourself with humility of mind

   • Humility as cooperating with God’s will, not pushing our own

3. The Three-Fold Process of Humility

   • Bow: Submit your will to God’s plan and purpose

   • Rest: Cast all anxieties and worries on God because He cares

   • Expect: Trust in God’s perfect timing for blessing and exaltation

4. Living the Process

   • The struggle with “what if” fears after deciding to humble ourselves

   • God’s care and desire for us to respond rightly

   • The importance of patience and faith in God’s “proper time”

   • Illustration of the man who found someone to worry for him (God)

5. Encouragement and Invitation

   • God’s promise to exalt those who humble themselves

   • A call to surrender and experience true rest

   • Prayer for unity and love within the church

• Pride and insisting on having things “our way” leads to conflict, weariness, and spiritual emptiness.

• True humility involves a deliberate process: bowing our will to God, resting in His care by casting anxieties on Him, and expecting blessing at His appointed time.

• God cares deeply about our struggles and wants us to respond rightly, even when life is difficult.

• Trusting God’s timing requires faith and patience; blessings and changes may take time to appear.

• Humility fosters harmony in personal relationships and within the church, reflecting Christ’s character.

• Casting our worries on God frees us from burdens and empowers us to live peaceably and faithfully.

• 1 Peter 5:5-7 — The core passage teaching humility: bowing under God’s mighty hand, casting anxieties on Him, and trusting His care.

• James 4:6 — “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (Implied in the sermon’s theme)

• Philippians 2:3-4 — Valuing others above ourselves, putting others’ needs before our own (supporting the humility and unity message)

• Matthew 11:28-30 — Jesus invites the weary to find rest in Him, echoing the rest theme.

• Proverbs 3:5-6 — Trust in the Lord and submit to His way, supporting the bowing process.

Recorded 11/23/80

What does biblical leadership look like, and how should elders in the church lead with the right spirit, motivation, and manner?

This message explores the nature of spiritual leadership as taught in the New Testament, particularly focusing on the role of elders in the church. It warns against common corruptions of leadership—seeking power, privilege, and recognition—and contrasts these with the humble, servant-hearted leadership exemplified by Jesus Christ.

The sermon unfolds in several parts:

1. The Perils of False Leadership Motivations

   • Leaders tempted by personal power, privilege, and recognition

   • Jesus’ strong condemnation of such attitudes in Matthew 23

2. The Proper Motivation for Eldership

   • A genuine eagerness to serve others, not to exalt self

   • Caring, guiding, admonishing with a servant’s heart

3. The Right Manner of Leadership

   • Leading by example, not intimidation or coercion

   • Authority is earned through godly living worthy of imitation

4. The Role of the Senior Pastor

   • Jesus Christ as the ultimate Senior Pastor

   • Elders as His associates fulfilling His commands

5. The Responsibility of Those Led

   • To know, appreciate, and imitate their leaders

   • To follow with trust and confidence in their godly example

6. Encouragement for Leaders and Congregation

   • Leaders humbly seeking God’s strength

   • Congregation embracing their role in supporting leadership

• Leadership is not about personal gain: The desire for power, privilege, or recognition perverts the office of elder.

• Servant leadership is essential: Elders must lead with a heart to serve others eagerly and selflessly.

• Authority comes from example: Elders lead by living lives worthy of respect and imitation, not by demanding obedience.

• Jesus is the true Senior Pastor: All church leaders are His representatives, serving under His authority.

• Followers must respond rightly: Christians are called to know their leaders, respect them, and follow them with faith and trust.

• Leadership requires humility and dependence on God: Leaders should recognize their own insufficiency and rely on God’s strength.

• Matthew 23:1-12 — Jesus’ rebuke of leaders who seek power, privilege, and recognition, and His call to humility.

• 1 Peter 5:1-4 — Instructions to elders to shepherd the flock willingly, not lording over, and leading by example.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 — Call to know and appreciate those who labor in leadership.

• Hebrews 13:7, 17 — Remember and imitate leaders’ faith; obey them with confidence and joy.

Recorded 11/9/80

Guiding Question: What will you choose in the defining moments of your life—mediocrity or a life of courageous adventure?

1. Every man faces defining moments. These are sacred, solitary times where a man decides:

• Who he will be,

• What he will give his life to,

• And how hard he’s willing to fight before he quits.

These moments don’t come often, but they shape your entire life—toward mediocrity or greatness.

2. You can be given everything… but only you can choose the adventure. Robert Lewis reminds us that no one—not a pastor, mentor, or friend—can make you live the adventure. It's a personal choice, and no amount of teaching will substitute for your own courageous step forward.

3. You must prepare before the moment. Like athletes in a locker room before the big game, men need to:

• Reflect deeply on their design, wiring, and destiny.

• Prioritize their battles—marriage, wounds, addictions, dreams.

• Assemble a plan—not too much at once, but the most urgent priorities.

• Talk with safe people—trusted friends or mentors who help you sharpen your plan.

• Move forward with courage and clarity, choosing the high and noble path.

4. Use tools like “life wiring” and “life compass.”

• Wiring shows where you're strong and where you're blocked (past, present, future).

• Compass asks: Before I die, I want to be, do, have, help, and leave… These tools help define and direct your journey.

5. Great adventures are built with clarity and courage. Start small. Tackle the top three priorities in your life. These will often be:

• Your job and whether it aligns with your design.

• Your marriage and its vitality.

• Your spiritual life and connection with God.

• Your wounds and whether they still define you.

• Your sense of fun, purpose, or noble cause.

If you're stuck, start with the one thing you know is holding you back.

6. The “locker room” moment is now. You’re not on the field yet—you’re in the moments before. The real adventure begins when you step out the door and take the field, willing to fight for a life that matters.

7. Caleb's Prayer: A Model for Bold Living End with this courageous declaration:

“Give me the land and give me the high ground.” Like Caleb, may your faith grow bolder as you grow older.

• Joshua 24:15 – “Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

• Deuteronomy 30:19 – “I have set before you life and death… choose life so that you and your descendants may live.”

• 1 Corinthians 9:26–27 – “I run in such a way, as not without aim… I discipline my body so that I may not be disqualified.”

• Psalm 92:12–14 – “They will still bear fruit in old age…”

• Caleb’s example (Joshua 14) – A man with a different spirit who followed the Lord fully and asked for the hill country at 85.

Guiding Question: How do you live a full and faithful life—both early and late—that reflects God's great adventure for men?

1. Life is a two-half game. Robert Lewis frames life like a sports game:

• Warmups (0–20): Getting started.

• First Half (20–40): Warrior phase—building, striving, competing.

• Halftime (40–50): Reevaluating and healing.

• Second Half (50+): King and friend phase—ruling wisely and giving back.

Each phase has its own battles, blessings, and purpose. Playing both halves well is rare but possible.

2. Courage is essential in both halves. Like Caleb, real adventurers exhibit courage:

• In the first half: Raw faith to enter God’s “promised land” for your life, even when giants (challenges) loom large.

• In the second half: Fresh faith to take the high ground—to use your wisdom, influence, and resources for God’s purposes, not just comfort.

3. Most men do well in only one half. Many men peak early and coast later. Others struggle early but finish strong. Few, like Caleb, remain faithful and courageous from start to finish.

4. Caleb is a model for a life well-lived.

• Caleb was the only one (along with Joshua) to believe God could deliver the promised land—at 40.

• At 85, he still believed—and asked for the hardest challenge, the hill country.

• His life proves that background doesn’t determine destiny—faith does.

• His courage empowered the next generation, especially his son-in-law Othniel, who later delivered Israel.

5. Practical advice for the two halves of life:

For the First Half (Younger Men):

• Invest in your marriage—make your wife your best friend.

• Know who you are (and aren’t).

• Live within your means and practice generosity.

• Seek experiences, not just stuff.

• Know God personally.

• Fight for purity and integrity.

• Learn to ask forgiveness.

• Build strong male friendships.

• Start forming a life vision.

For the Second Half (Older Men):

• Don’t retire—refocus.

• Build on your strengths.

• Clean up unfinished business and reconcile broken relationships.

• Discover your noble cause and invest in it.

• Mentor younger men.

• Get to know God if you’ve neglected Him.

• Plan meaningful experiences with your wife.

• Keep refining your long-range vision.

• Take the high ground—the best of life is still ahead.

• Numbers 13–14 – Caleb’s courage and faith in spying out the promised land.

• Joshua 14–15 – Caleb, at 85, asking to take the hill country.

• Judges 3:9–11 – Othniel, Caleb’s son-in-law, leads Israel to peace for 40 years.

• Numbers 14:24 – “But My servant Caleb… has followed Me fully…”

• Psalm 92:12–14 – “They will still bear fruit in old age…”

Guiding Question: What hidden enemies can sabotage a man's pursuit of God's adventure—and how do we fight back?

1. “Adventure Busters” are common to all men. Just like bombs that penetrate deep into enemy territory, these five "adventure busters" can sabotage the journey God intends for every man:

• The Double Life – When what a man says no longer matches what he does.

• Sexual Shortcuts – Choosing short-term pleasure over long-term purpose.

• Life-Draining Marriage Problems – Conflicts with a spouse that go unresolved and lead to bitterness.

• Life-Defining Wounds – Past traumas (especially from parents) that still shape the present.

• Life-Paralyzing Addictions – Behaviors once thought manageable that now dominate.

• Marriage was meant to be a source of joy and partnership, but can become a battleground.

• Wrong Responses:

  • Withdrawal: Trying to fix the problem alone.

  • Intimidation: Using power or anger to control.

• Right Responses:

  1. Keep learning about marriage and your spouse.

  2. Strive to understand even if you disagree.

  3. Be willing to say “I’m sorry” sincerely.

  4. Seek outside help early.

  5. Keep short accounts—don’t let bitterness grow.

• Definition: An unresolved issue from the past that harms the present.

• Types of Wounds:

  • Father Wound: Absence, abuse, or disapproval from dad.

  • Overcontrolling Mother Wound: A mother’s overreach stunts a boy’s manhood.

  • Trauma Wounds: Abuse, divorce, death, or spiritual trauma.

• Healing Steps:

  1. Name the wound.

  2. Seek help and make a plan.

  3. Face the wound with courage.

• Healing leads to freedom, forward movement, and deeper connection with others.

• Addictions begin with pleasure or escape and evolve into slavery.

• Common Addictions in Men:

  1. Sexual (especially internet pornography)

  2. Drug

  3. Alcohol

  4. Anger

  5. Gambling

• Break Free By:

  • Getting honest—listen to what others are saying.

  • Getting real—freedom requires a team: God, counseling, support groups.

• Beating a buster makes you a hero—not just in this life, but in God's kingdom.

• God turns negatives into positives. He redeems wounds and uses them to bless others.

• The great adventure isn’t lived without a fight, but it is worth it.

• Proverbs 16:25 – “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

• 1 Peter 3:7 – “Husbands… be considerate… treat them with respect as the weaker partner.”

• Colossians 3:19 – “Husbands, love your wives and do not become embittered against them.”

• 1 Peter 3:7 – “Live with your wives in an understanding way.”

• Luke 21:34 – “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life.”