Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1 to 25 of 1138 results

1. Accidents of an Unusual Variety

Illustration

Staff

According to a UPI news item, the Metropolitan Insurance Company received some unusual explanations for accidents from its automobile policyholders. The following are just few: An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my car, and vanished. The other car collided with mine without warning me of its intention. I had been driving my car for 40 years when I fell asleep at the wheel and had the accident. As I reached an intersection, a hedge sprang up, obscuring my vision. I pulled away from the side of the ...

2. The Rich Variety of People

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

Some people are like wheels—they don't work unless they're pushed Some people are like trailers—they have to be pulled! Some people are like kites—always up in the air, and if you don't keep a string on them, they fly away! Some people are like canoes—they have to be paddled. Some people are like footballs—you never know which way they are going to bounce next! Some people are like balloons—always puffed up, and you never know when they are going to blow up! Some people are like flat tires—they have to be ...

3. A Fruitful Life

Luke 13:1-9

Sermon

King Duncan

... yellow and green mangoes. Khan has named this super tree “The Resolute.” He doesn’t say how he chose that name for his tree. The mangoes from the “miracle tree” are free for any visitors to his orchard. (2) Khan names some of the varieties after distinguished people who have made a contribution to Indian society. He has named mangoes in honor of scientists and doctors and police officers and politicians. But he had a funny comment about his mango trees in an interview last year. He said, “I am ...

4. The Gifted

1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

Sermon

William G. Carter

... more spiritual than Jesus himself. This simply will not do. The life of the Spirit is rooted in the servant life of Christ. But Paul doesn't stop there. He points to the source of the Spirit, to the Father of Jesus Christ, and says, "There are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone." All things come from God. All things are activated and energized by God, and to God all things shall return. Paul points us beyond our little bitty activities to the grand scheme ...

5. The Mechanics Of Prayer

Matthew 6:5-15, Luke 11:1-13

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... lost. We are in the cellar of our lives and cry out for light and reason to keep on going when all seems to be lost. Reflection/Discussion 1. Are there any "meaningless" prayers offered in your church? 2. What can anyone do to get a variety of prayers in a church? 3. Can one adequately pray without saying the words of our thoughts directed toward God? 4. Does silence play any part in personal or congregational prayers? 5. How do you feel about read prayers or impromptu or extemporaneous prayers? 6. Does ...

6. Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... phenomenon of spiritual gifts. Ultimately all gifts extend from God and are given for the good of the church. These gifts are not rendered to the disposition of the ones who receive them. They are given and established under the rule of Jesus the Lord. Variety exists in the unity of the church because of the reality of the divine that is manifested in such complex coherence. As Paul’s discussion creates a coherence between the same Spirit and the same Lord and the same God, recognizing the oneness of God ...

7. Exercise Your Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Sermon

Richard Hasler

... Adventures Of Superman. How we may wish that we had a superperson here in this congregation to lead the way and to solve our knotty problems. Let us not yearn, however, for such a person. What we do have is something better. God has given a variety of gifts to the church. Paul lists only two in his prayer of thanksgiving: "speech and knowledge of every kind." "Speech" might refer to speaking in tongues, a gift that was expressed in the Corinthian church, or more probably might simply refer to preaching the ...

8. Flower Sharing Sunday

Children's Sermon

... that exists within the human family (languages, colors, sizes, and ages). In that mix of "differentness" is also found a great beauty and blessing. The specialness of human individuality, created in God's spiritual image, is enhanced by the variety of human life that surrounds each one of us. 2. The sharing of the flowers is a small example of the way God shares his love with us. The flowers were brought to the church by families who wanted to share the product of their gardens so that all persons ...

9. Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Sermon

James McCormick

... the same criticism made of Jesus. And here is why: someone has suggested that all of life is a dress rehearsal for heaven. Have you ever thought about that? I suspect that there will be all kinds of people in heaven. There will be people with an infinite variety of preferences in heaven. I expect that we will have vanilla, chocolate and strawberry in heaven. And, if we can’t get comfortable with that here, probably we won’t be very happy there. As I think about all of this, I can’t help thinking about ...

10. Proper 10

Psalm 119:1-176, Romans 8:1-17, Matthew 13:1-23, Genesis 25:19-34

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... persecution (vv. 110, 115) never really becomes the object of the psalm. Instead their dangers enhance the psalmist's devotion to Torah. Thus in the end this psalm of confidence in Torah is meant to teach how it is able to provide light and life in a variety of situations. NEW TESTAMENT TEXTS The readings from Romans and Matthew continue, and this week we come to two striking texts: Paul's reflections on life in the Spirit and Jesus' so-called parable of the sower. Romans 8:1-11 - "Free Life in the Spirit ...

11. Second Sunday after the Epiphany

1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Isaiah 62:1-12, Psalm 36:1-12, John 2:1-11

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... have not forsaken us. We have not always been faithful to you. We value your call to virtuous living, but often live at a lower level. We appreciate the fidelity of our friends and spouses, but sometimes betray and abandon them. You give us a variety of gifts to serve you in the church, but much remains undone because we squander the abilities you have given us on less worthy causes. Forgive our erratic service that reflects incomplete obedience, for the sake of your ever-obedient Son, Jesus Christ. Amen ...

12. Elihu Makes His Appearance

Job 32:1--37:24

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... he has. 33:13–14 For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it. In verse 14 Elihu counters Job’s complaint in verse 13 that God does not respond to humans when they cry out to him. Elihu insists that God speaks in a variety of ways to humans, even to sinners like Job. Elihu will go on in verses 15–22 to explain how God uses dreams and pain to communicate with people. The problem is not God’s lack of communication but Job’s inability or unwillingness to listen to God ...

13. The Christian Journey IV: The Pool

Sermon

John N. Brittain

... Bible. While the book has gotten a lot of attention and praise, the reviewer for The New Republic (Peter Berkowitz of Harvard University) accused Dr. Schwartz of "a recklessly one-dimensional reading of the Bible." In my opinion he is correct, and points to a whole variety of ways in which the Bible is read in one-dimensional ways, namely ways that justify me, my opinion, and my group. One of the most troubling dimensions of our May (1997) Mission Trip to South Africa was coming to grips with how much of ...

14. Epiphany 2

1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Isaiah 62:1-12, John 2:1-11

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... church is constantly threatened with divisions. To have peace and unity must all church members agree and be alike? According to this text, the church is unique in that she can have unity with diversity. The unity is the same Spirit in all, but there is a variety of gifts from the one Spirit. As long as there is one good, sweet spirit in a congregation, it is a blessing for the church to have a diversity of gifts. 3. The truth about the Spirit's gifts (12:4-11). There is much confusion and misunderstanding ...

15. Epiphany 3

Lk 4:14-21 · 1 Cor 12:12-31a · Isa 61:1-6 · Neh 8:1-10 · Ps 19

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... the church a certain liturgy or policy or hierarchy or program? This confusion can be cleared up by the text. Outline: The truth about the church a. Her identity "the body of Christ" v. 27. b. Her origin the Spirit v. 13. c. Her variety. 1. Variety of members v. 14. 2. Variety of leaders v. 28. 3. Variety of gifts v. 30. 2. Marks of Christ's Church (12:12-26). Need: Would you be able to tell a church if you saw one? What are her distinguishing marks? If in doubt whether a church is one of Christ's churches ...

16. Epiphany 2

John 2:1-11, Psalm 36:1-12

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... that marries an unlikely commoner. None can be deserving of your love, but all of us can be grateful and return your love with thankful devotion, like your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. PRAYER OF DEDICATION Supreme Worker, the offerings we bring have been earned in a variety of jobs. It is our intention that all our work should serve your purposes for all your people. Use these gifts to serve many people in many ways; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PSALM 36:5-10 Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the ...

17. He Shepherds Us!

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Harry N. Huxhold

... different perceptions the officials have of themselves. People also have had and have confessed different conceptions and pictures of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some see him at one end as soft as a marshmallow and others at the other extreme picture him as a harsh judge. The variety of Christologies in between is very large. However, our Lord gives the picture of himself to us. He is no softie, this Lord of ours. He is a heavyweight who drives our foes away from us. At the same time for us he is tender-hearted ...

18. God's Bread

John 6:25-59

Children's Sermon

... and crackers. The verse was about God's bread from heaven. Another interpretation of this verse could be that the Bible is our way of learning about love and caring and is God's bread for us. Just as there are many varieties of breads, there are also many varieties of Bibles from which to choose. Gather up those in your house and spend sometime looking at them with your children. Most younger children aren't impressed with the differences in the words. They like to see the different covers, the pictures ...

19. Epiphany 2

Jn 2:1-12 · 1 Cor 12:1-11 · Isa 62:1-5

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... church is constantly threatened with divisions. To have peace and unity must all church members agree and be alike? According to this text, the church is unique in that she can have unity with diversity. The unity is the same Spirit in all, but there is a variety of gifts from the one Spirit. As long as there is one good, sweet spirit in a congregation, it is a blessing for the church to have a diversity of gifts. 3. The Truth About the Spirit's Gifts. 12:4-11. There is much confusion and misunderstanding ...

20. Epiphany 3

Lk 4:14-21 · 1 Cor 12:12-30 · Neh 8:1-10 · Isa 61:1-6

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... a certain liturgy or policy or hierarchy or program? This confusion can be cleared up by the text. Outline: The truth about the church - A. Her identity - "the body of Christ" - v. 27 B. Her origin - the Spirit - v. 13 C. Her variety 1. Variety of members - v. 14 2. Variety of leaders - v. 28 3. Variety of gifts - v. 30 2. Marks of Christ's Church. 12:12-26. Need: Would you be able to tell a church if you saw one? What are her distinguishing marks? If in doubt whether a church is one of Christ's churches ...

21. Achieving Peak Performance

Matthew 28:16-20

Sermon

Mark Trotter

... of gifts, and each person is supposed to find some way to offer their gift for the mission of the Church. He says, there are no exceptions. Everybody is to offer something. Listen to him: There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. To each [no exceptions] is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. When you joined the Church, you vowed ...

22. Irrevocable Gifts

Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

Sermon

Jeff Wedge

... of a surprise to find that God does the same thing. "Behave, or I'll take back my gifts to you." It certainly seems that the stories we find in the Bible about the ways people behave could easily earn us threats like that. And the Bible contains a variety of accounts of the way God punishes the people who disobey, the people who do not follow the command to be the people of God. Paul, of course, is very aware of this history. He knows exactly how the people of God have fallen short, have failed in their ...

23. Straw Polls and Soul Quakes

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... vibrant color to the warp and woof of any tight-knit community. Without each one of them small-town life truly would be drab and dull and diminished. Diversity is the sign that the Holy Spirit is still breathing life into the body of Christ. Variety is what brings Christ back into our midst ("Wherever two or three are gathered together, there am I in the midst.") The Holy Spirit is a "midst" kind of God – found in our mists and midst. Individuality of spirit, mind, and heart – unique and unrepeatable ...

24. Regulations about Infectious Skin Diseases

Leviticus 13:1-46

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... skin conditions themselves is the functioning of the Priestly protective boundaries for the community in this purity system. Additional Notes 13:2 The term for infectious skin disease is tsara’at. In this chapter, it appears to refer to a variety of serious skin diseases with a scaly appearance. NIV uses “infectious” in its translation. Alternatives would be “malignant, defiling, disfiguring, grievous, virulent.” We will follow the NIV rendering as being just as good as any other. For additional ...

25. Begging For Mercy

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Drama

Pamela Urfer

... a sinner, I died for you. RICH MAN: I don't have to do it all alone, do I? VOICEOVER: Oh, no. That's what my body is for. Each member of the Body has been given the gifts needed for the common good. There are a variety of gifts, a variety of services, a variety of activities, but the same Lord. RICH MAN: (Indicating the BEGGARS) What are their gifts? VOICEOVER: That's for me to know and for you to find out. RICH MAN: Are they going to appreciate what we're doing for them? VOICEOVER: Some will, some won't ...

Showing results

Antonyms: deficient, imperfect

Showing 1 to 25 of 1138 results

1. Accidents of an Unusual Variety

Illustration

Staff

2. The Rich Variety of People

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

3. A Fruitful Life

Luke 13:1-9

Sermon

King Duncan

4. The Gifted

1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

Sermon

William G. Carter

5. The Mechanics Of Prayer

Matthew 6:5-15, Luke 11:1-13

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

6. Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

7. Exercise Your Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Sermon

Richard Hasler

8. Flower Sharing Sunday

Children's Sermon

9. Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Sermon

James McCormick

10. Proper 10

Psalm 119:1-176, Romans 8:1-17, Matthew 13:1-23, Genesis 25:19-34

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

11. Second Sunday after the Epiphany

1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Isaiah 62:1-12, Psalm 36:1-12, John 2:1-11

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

12. Elihu Makes His Appearance

Job 32:1--37:24

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

13. The Christian Journey IV: The Pool

Sermon

John N. Brittain

14. Epiphany 2

1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Isaiah 62:1-12, John 2:1-11

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

15. Epiphany 3

Lk 4:14-21 · 1 Cor 12:12-31a · Isa 61:1-6 · Neh 8:1-10 · Ps 19

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

16. Epiphany 2

John 2:1-11, Psalm 36:1-12

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

17. He Shepherds Us!

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Harry N. Huxhold

18. God's Bread

John 6:25-59

Children's Sermon

19. Epiphany 2

Jn 2:1-12 · 1 Cor 12:1-11 · Isa 62:1-5

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... church is constantly threatened with divisions. To have peace and unity must all church members agree and be alike? According to this text, the church is unique in that she can have unity with diversity. The unity is the same Spirit in all, but there is a variety of gifts from the one Spirit. As long as there is one good, sweet spirit in a congregation, it is a blessing for the church to have a diversity of gifts. 3. The Truth About the Spirit's Gifts. 12:4-11. There is much confusion and misunderstanding ...

20. Epiphany 3

Lk 4:14-21 · 1 Cor 12:12-30 · Neh 8:1-10 · Isa 61:1-6

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

21. Achieving Peak Performance

Matthew 28:16-20

Sermon

Mark Trotter

22. Irrevocable Gifts

Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

Sermon

Jeff Wedge