Single Messages

Various single messages taught by Stuart and/or Jill Briscoe

Wrestling with God

We learn in Scripture how God wrestled Jacob to the ground one night and turned him upside down—so he could live right-side up. Jacob became a “prince” with God instead of a pain.

When tragic events happen, we're tempted to think everything is different and will never go back to normal again. It's sometimes referred to as the "new normal," and it's rarely seen as a good thing. However, evil is evil—that's not new! In the Western world, it feels that way because so much of the evil we hear about is far away, happening to people we don't know.

The Price of Freedom

This Memorial Day we embrace our many freedoms with delight. But freedom has its price, and we forge it at our peril. “Freedom to be me” doesn’t work. Freedom to be His does!

The Life of Faith

John’s stated objective in writing his gospel was to show people that faith in Jesus, the Son of God, is both reasonable and practical. It leads to “life in His name” (John 20:31).

Easter

Stuart argues that Easter is either astonishingly true or completely absurd. He then walks through the historical claims of Jesus’ death, empty tomb, and reported resurrection appearances that launched Christian belief.

Father, Forgive Them

Scripture records seven occasions on which Jesus spoke at the point of His greatest extremity, as He hung naked on the cross. His statements open a unique window into His heart and mind and, as such, demand our reverent attention.

How Amazing Is Grace!

Paul’s teaching to the Corinthians about supporting the Jerusalem church was much more than fundraising—it was all about the amazing power of grace to make people different.

Responding to the Need for Harvesters

Jesus shared His vision of human need with His disciples, and He expected them to be involved in meeting the need. He said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”

Gathering the Harvest

Anyone observing Jesus at work could see He was on a mission—like a farmer gathering the harvest. Because His disciples did not share His vision, He had to teach them their role.

Dressing for the New Millennium, Part 2

In this message, Jill uses Jeremiah and Barak as models of perseverance in ministry, emphasizing calling, teamwork, and spiritual formation during difficult times. Jill urges listeners to embrace God’s call, work together despite differences...

Dressing for the New Millennium, Part 1

In this message, Jill uses Jeremiah’s calling in Jeremiah 1 to illustrate how God chooses and shapes individuals for His purposes, emphasizing that every believer has both a primary calling to God and secondary callings in life.

Fathers

Fathers aren’t taken too seriously in modern society. Sitcoms and the silver screen, in particular, often paint the family’s most prominent man as a clumsy, bumbling stooge. Fatherhood according to Scripture, however, is a high calling worthy of all diligence, seriousness, and respect.

Commissioning

Jill reflects on entering a new season of life and ministry, referring to Lamentations 3:23, thanking God for lifelong faithfulness, a loving marriage, and a calling that continues even in older age. She describes how God’s mercy, guidance, and purpose have shaped their journey.

Living to Fight Another Day

In this message taught on Memorial Day, we think of those who died in battle. We need to translate their sacrifice into an understanding of what it means to live to fight another day.

Open Eyes Open Minds

Stuart uses Manchester United’s dramatic last minute 1999 Champions League win over Bayern Munich as an illustration of total emotional devastation, then compares it to the disciples’ despair after Jesus’ crucifixion and their enlightenment when the risen Christ revealed Himself.

Striking Camp

In 2 Corinthians 5, Jill reads that our earthly bodies are temporary tents, and death is simply striking camp to move into the permanent, perfect heavenly dwelling God has prepared.

Living with Peninnah

There was an incredible rivalry in the home between Hannah and Peninnah. It was not easy for Hannah, who had been unable to bear children, to live with Peninnah, who produced babies with great ease.

Whatever Happened to Morality?

In this talk, Stuart explores the cultural confusion over morality by contrasting private behavior with public leadership and examining how people form moral judgments.

By the Riches of His Grace

Jill begins a series on the parables of Jesus, found in the gospels. Jesus explains that the Kingdom of God is a spiritual reality wherever Christ is King—present now, coming in the future, and revealed through Jesus’ parables.

Behold Your Treasure

Jill opens to Matthew 13, which teaches that the kingdom of God is the most valuable treasure a person can seek, worth giving up everything to possess. Jesus Himself is described as God’s “indescribable gift,” the pearl of great price...

Rivers of Living Water

In John 7, Jesus interrupts the Feast of Tabernacles to declare that true spiritual satisfaction is found only in Him, not in ritual, calling people to admit, believe, come, and drink.

Standing Firm in the Lord’s Joy

Jill describes how God uses forgiven, Spirit filled believers—like Peter and John—to bring healing, hope, and transformation to a broken world, just as they did for the crippled beggar in Acts 3.

Joy in the All-Sufficient Christ

Jill refers to many examples in Scripture as she explains that people often chase happiness in pleasure, substances, relationships, or success, but those things only offer temporary satisfaction.

Glimpse of His Glory

Isaiah’s vision in chapter 6 becomes a call to discouraged believers: when ministry feels futile, when leaders fail, and when personal loss overwhelms, the remedy is a renewed glimpse of God’s holiness, sovereignty, and mission.

Spiritual Legacy

Jill speaks with her daughter Judy from 1, 2, and 3 Samuel on the topic of spiritual legacy. Hannah’s story is used to illustrate how a “spiritual legacy” begins with a parent’s own focus, faith, and willingness to use personal pain as a catalyst for deeper dependence on God.

Anchored in His Promises

The psalmist pours out a raw, honest lament—describing deep spiritual thirst, discouragement, and the taunts of enemies—yet repeatedly calls his own soul to hope in God.

Dem Dry Bones

Burned bones lying shimmering in the heat present a “grave” problem. How is it that many born again bones are lying around in visionless valleys—mere shadows of all they were meant to be?

The Pursuit of Happiness

Thomas Jefferson wrote that the Creator had endowed human beings with inalienable rights including “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” We should be profoundly grateful that these basic assumptions were crafted into this nation’s formation, but we also need to ask some hard questions.

Feeding the Multitude

Jill begins by telling a humorous story about mistakenly shouting fast food orders into a post before turning to John 6, where Jesus feeds thousands through the simple offering of a young boy’s loaves and fish.

Baptism and Communion

Stuart explains how the global presence of the church is astonishing given its humble beginnings—rooted in a murdered leader and eleven frightened followers who became convinced of Jesus’ resurrection and identity as the Son of God.

A Celebration of Friendship

Jill reflects on the meaning and value of friendship by revisiting stories from her out of print book, highlighting how different women shaped her life.

The Ministry of Indoctrination

Once people are “in Christ” and, accordingly, are no longer “under condemnation” (Romans 8:1), they need to be taught two main things: first, what they have become and second, how to be what they have become.

What Is Servanthood?

Isaiah 50 teaches that Jesus, the suffering servant in Isaiah’s third servant song, models persistent, sacrificial servanthood—speaking words that sustain the weary and learning compassion through His own rejection and pain.

Dear Old Dad

Paul urges fathers in Ephesians 6 to avoid provoking or discouraging their children, instead nurturing them with Christ-centered instruction. Stuart explains the father-child bond.

God and Evil

Stuart reflects on the Oklahoma City bombing to show that our world contains both horrifying evil and remarkable goodness, prompting the question of how such a mixed reality came to be.

Why Church Membership?

Paul urges believers in Romans 12 to offer themselves fully to God, resist the world’s patterns, and live out their diverse spiritual gifts within the unity of Christ’s body. Stuart explains that preaching remains powerful because God’s Word carries innate authority.

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