Object: a tape recorder.

Today we want to talk about something that you hear about once in a while - it is called boasting. How many of you know something about boasting? Do you know what it means to boast? [Let them answer.] That's right, it means to brag. I guess we all brag once in a while, but when we do, it is not very attractive and it never sounds very good. We do all kinds of bragging and some of it is even true. It better be true or otherwise you are in real trouble. That's what St. Paul said when he wrote to the people in Corinth. If you boast or brag, you had better be able to back it up with the truth. When you don't, you are in real trouble.

For instance, I like to brag once in a while about my lovely voice. Oh, I have a great voice. When people hear me sing they say, "Have …