Russell DeLong preaches on the theme 'Mastering Our Midnights,' highlighting how our attitude towards dark and challenging times can either make us stronger or weaker, better or bitter, victims or victors. Drawing from biblical references, he emphasizes the importance of mastering our midnights rather than letting them control us, using examples like the Passover in Egypt, Samson's actions, and Paul and Silas praising God in their darkest hour. DeLong contrasts night as a symbol of despair and evil with Jesus being the Light of the World, offering hope and dispelling darkness from our lives.

Russell DeLong preaches about the radical commitment required to follow Christ, emphasizing that it is an all or nothing decision. Just like the popular game show 'Double or Nothing,' following Christ means surrendering everything to Him without holding back. Jesus Himself made it clear that we cannot serve two masters and that true religion demands our entire being. The call to follow Christ involves leaving behind our old ways, taking up our cross, and shifting our allegiance to Him, allowing Him to transform us completely.

Russell DeLong preaches about the four-dimensional love of God as described in Ephesians 3:18 and John 3:16. He explains how God's love encompasses breadth, length, depth, and height, reaching all humanity regardless of race, station, or sin. DeLong emphasizes that God's love went to the extreme by giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to save mankind, offering eternal life and salvation to all who believe. He concludes by highlighting the incomprehensible nature of God's love and the need for a wholehearted response from believers.

Russell DeLong preaches about the significance of light in various forms - physical, natural, intellectual, moral, and spiritual - as a symbol of truth, goodness, and righteousness. Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate Light, the Sun of Righteousness, who dispels darkness and offers salvation. The sermon delves into the concept of spiritual darkness being connected with sin, emphasizing the need to accept Jesus, the Light of the world, to avoid eternal darkness and have everlasting life.

Russell DeLong delivers a thought-provoking sermon questioning the purpose and direction of our lives, emphasizing the futility of worldly pursuits that ultimately lead to death. He highlights the importance of considering the eternal consequences of our actions and choices, pointing out that without immortality, life becomes a pessimistic existence. DeLong challenges listeners to reflect on the significance of their present lives in light of the future beyond the grave, stressing the need to seek meaning from non-temporal sources like God, eternal life, and the Judgment.

Russell DeLong emphasizes the concept of the human soul as a citadel, a place of security and autonomy where individuals have the power to choose what enters and exits. He highlights the responsibility each person holds in determining the influences that shape their character and spiritual well-being, emphasizing the importance of personal choice in allowing good or evil, God or Satan, into their lives. DeLong draws parallels between the physical citadel's protection from external threats and the soul's need for vigilance in guarding against harmful influences. He concludes by referencing Revelation 3:20, where God stands at the door of the heart, waiting for individuals to willingly invite Him in.

Russell DeLong preaches about the spiritual call from Jesus, likening it to a tap on the shoulder that demands a response of turning around and following Him. He emphasizes that the tap on the shoulder is a call that cannot be ignored, leading to a life-changing decision to either follow Christ or walk away. DeLong shares stories of individuals like Peter, William Carey, Robert Morrison, and David Livingstone who answered the call and made a significant impact through missions work. He challenges the congregation to heed the tap on the shoulder, listen to Jesus' voice, and offer themselves and their talents to Him for a purposeful life.

Russell DeLong delves into the profound suffering that Jesus endured in His final hours, experiencing every known kind of pain - physical, mental, and spiritual - as He paid the ultimate penalty for all the sins of humanity. Jesus suffered bodily wounds including concussion, laceration, penetration, perforation, and incision, with His mental anguish of loneliness, misunderstanding, and rejection being equally intense. His spiritual suffering, bearing the weight of all sins, was the most agonizing, leading to His heartbreak and the outpouring of blood and water. Through His excruciating pain, Jesus demonstrated unparalleled love and sacrifice for all.

Russell DeLong preaches about the deadly nature of sin unless repented of and forgiven by God. Sin is any deliberate act against the known will of God, whether vertically against God or horizontally against other human beings, with internal effects on the soul. Despite modern advancements, there are only new sinners committing old sins. The seven deadly sins, including pride, avarice, envy, lust, anger, gluttony, and sloth, are like spiritual tumors that crush the soul. The only remedy for sin-saturated individuals is the forgiveness and cleansing offered by the Great Physician.

Russell DeLong preaches about the two paths in life: the narrow, unpopular path that leads to abundant life and eternal happiness, and the wide, popular path that leads to spiritual death and everlasting misery. He emphasizes the importance of shedding sinful habits to enter the narrow gate and the consequences of following the wrong path, as illustrated by the shrinking walls of an adjustable cell. DeLong urges listeners to choose the right path, as depicted in Matthew 7:13-14, and warns against the deceptive allure of the wrong path, as highlighted in Proverbs 14:12.

Russell DeLong preaches about the impossibility of divorcing oneself, emphasizing that despite the struggles and flaws within us, we are inseparable from our own selves. The sermon delves into the futility of denying one's existence or enduring a corrupt self until death, highlighting the need for personal transformation rather than seeking divorce from oneself. Various philosophical perspectives are explored, ultimately pointing to the importance of being self-respecting, conscience-free, and seeking forgiveness and cleansing from internal sin through God's provision.

Russell DeLong emphasizes the diverse array of authors in the Bible, representing various backgrounds and human experiences, making it relatable to all individuals. The Bible portrays its characters realistically, showcasing both their triumphs and failures without glorifying or distorting them. Each individual in the Bible had the power of choice, determining their destiny based on their decisions. DeLong highlights the transformative power of Jesus, who can change individuals like Peter, Saul, and Mary Magdalene, turning them into noble figures. The sermon concludes with an invitation to choose Christ and righteousness over Satan and wrongdoing, echoing the message of coming to Jesus just as we are.

Russell DeLong emphasizes the importance of youth, highlighting how this period sets the foundation for habits, awakening, formation of ideals, vision, and creative genius. He stresses the significance of making the most of youth by molding, training, cultivating, and using it wisely, as it greatly impacts middle and old age. DeLong urges the congregation not to squander or waste their youth, but to give themselves to the best, especially to Christ, the Ideal of Ideals, in order to have a purposeful middle age and a blissful old age.

Russell DeLong delivers a powerful sermon on the consequences of losing control in our lives, drawing parallels between physical and spiritual loss of control. He emphasizes that the root of all moral and spiritual wrecks is sin, highlighting that all spiritual tragedies are the result of personal, willful choices. DeLong challenges the congregation to reflect on what controls them, whether it be temper, habit, addictions, peer pressure, or worldly desires, and urges them to regain control by humbly surrendering to Christ, who can break the chains of sin and provide purpose and direction in life.

Russell DeLong delivers a powerful sermon on the fine line between success and failure, victory and defeat, using vivid sports analogies to illustrate the concept of being 'out at home' - so near yet so far. He emphasizes the tragic consequences of being almost persuaded but ultimately lost, drawing parallels to biblical figures like Saul, Pilate, and the rich young ruler who were close to making the right choice but fell short. DeLong urges listeners not to be called out by the Great Umpire one inch from home plate, but to fully commit their will, mind, and heart to God to avoid being 'almost but lost.'

Russell DeLong preaches about the destructive nature of selfishness, highlighting how it is the root cause of personal, social, national, and universal troubles. He emphasizes that selfishness leads to various vices such as war, class conflicts, and personal sins like lying, stealing, and idolatry. DeLong concludes that selfishness is synonymous with sin, as it goes against God's will and leads to unhappiness. He encourages surrendering oneself to Christ and embracing a life of service to overcome selfishness and find true happiness.

Russell DeLong emphasizes the importance of setting priorities and top priorities in life, drawing parallels to the critical decisions made during wartime. He highlights the dangers of substituting secondary matters for primary ones and the consequences of neglecting imperative firsts. Using biblical examples from the Old and New Testaments, he illustrates the significance of recognizing and honoring top priorities to avoid tragic outcomes. DeLong provides five top priorities for successful living, including prioritizing God's will, seeking the kingdom of Heaven, dedicating time for prayer and Bible reading, observing the Sabbath, and giving the first portion of income to God's work.

Russell DeLong preaches on the theme of supreme devotion to a great cause, emphasizing that acts beyond the call of duty often reveal the finest in humanity. Through various historical and biblical examples, he illustrates that true greatness is found in selfless sacrifice and consecration to God's Kingdom, even at the cost of personal comfort or safety. The sermon highlights the importance of giving oneself fully to God, surrendering personal desires and ambitions for the higher purpose of serving Christ. Examples of individuals like Jonathan Edwards, C. T. Studd, and Susanna Wesley demonstrate the radical commitment and consecration required in the spiritual journey.

Russell DeLong emphasizes the significance of prayer as the essential connection between man and God, highlighting various perspectives on prayer from different theologians and historical figures. He delves into the power and importance of prayer in revealing one's true devotion and commitment to God's will, showcasing examples of heartfelt prayers from notable individuals throughout history. DeLong explores the profound impact of the Lord's Prayer, illustrating its timeless and universal relevance in encompassing all human needs and desires. He challenges the audience to reflect on their prayer life and poses thought-provoking questions to evaluate the sincerity and effectiveness of their prayers.

Russell DeLong preaches about the importance of not judging others and being aware of our own faults before criticizing others. He uses the analogy of keeping a box score in baseball to illustrate how we tend to magnify the faults of others while minimizing our own. DeLong emphasizes the need to focus on our own hits, runs, and errors, and to let God, the Official Scorer, keep track of the box scores. The sermon encourages self-reflection and honesty in evaluating our own actions before passing judgment on others.

Russell DeLong shares a powerful sermon inspired by the phrase 'The Tide Lifts Ships,' emphasizing the impact of evangelism as the tide of God's Spirit coming into people's hearts, lifting various aspects of their faith. He illustrates this with a story of a sunken ship being lifted by the tide, relating it to how evangelism can lift the ships of Worship, Fellowship, Stewardship, and Discipleship in the church. DeLong warns that when the tide of evangelism recedes, the church's vitality in these areas diminishes, leading to spiritual decline and worldly distractions.

Russell DeLong preaches about the importance of truly living as a soul created in God's image, emphasizing the distinction between mere existence and spiritual and moral living. He highlights the tragedy of living like an animal, consumed by physical needs and pleasures, rather than embracing the abundant life offered by Christ. DeLong urges listeners to reflect on whether they are existing like animals or living as children of God, challenging them to surrender to Christ and begin to truly live.

Russell DeLong emphasizes the importance of focusing on the essentials and majors in life, rather than getting caught up in incidentals and nonessentials. He warns against majoring on minors, where individuals prioritize insignificant things over what truly matters. DeLong highlights the need to seek God's kingdom first and foremost, as stated in Matthew 6:33, and to press towards the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, as mentioned in Philippians 3:13. The sermon urges listeners to reorient themselves, prioritize their relationship with God, and avoid majoring in minors to prevent losing sight of what is truly important.

Russell DeLong preaches about the urgent need for humanity to make a decision to choose God and righteousness in the face of moral decline and societal challenges. He highlights the importance of personal choice in living a righteous life and the power of God to transform individuals who choose to follow Him. DeLong emphasizes the need for a spiritual and moral revival in America and the world, pointing out the consequences of neglecting God and embracing sinful behaviors.

Russell DeLong preaches on the crucial question posed by Pilate to the crowd: 'What shall I do with Jesus?' This question is universal, unavoidable, and demands a personal response. The sermon is divided into three parts focusing on what to do with Jesus, what to do without Him, and what He will do with us. It emphasizes the significance of Jesus' personality, character, words, and sacrifice, urging listeners to accept His salvation and not reject His sacrifice.