Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 226 to 250 of 302 results

226. When Satan Comes Out of the Closet

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Sermon

James Merritt

What does 1874, 1878, 1881, 1910, 1914, 1918, 1925, 1975, and 1984 have in common? Well, these are the years that a certain religious group have prophesied as the year that the world would come to an end.[1] Let me ask another question. What do Napoleon, Joseph Stalin, Benito Mussolini, Adolph Hitler, and Ronald Reagan have in common? They have all been identified by some religious group as the Antichrist.[2] (In case you are wondering how Ronald Reagan got in there, his full name is Ronald Wilson Reagan; ...

227. Strong in Faith: A Little Dab'll Do Ya

1 Corinthians 16:13

Sermon

John E. Harnish

Have Faith: Everything changes. Some things never change. I grew up in the nostalgic days, the "Happy Days" of the 1950's. Our fathers, without a doubt the "Greatest Generation," returned from a world torn by war to build a new world out of their hopes and dreams. They began by giving birth to the largest generation in history, the Baby Boomers. Born in 1947, I was one of the first. It was a time of great vitality and optimism, a time of peace after the trauma of two world wars. And it was a time when a ...

228. Zechariah II: Thy Prayer is Heard

Luke 1:5-25

Sermon

John E. Harnish

The problem was there were just too many priests. All the male descendents of Aaron formed the royal priesthood, and as the years rolled on they multiplied. There were just too many to handle the daily religious routine and ritual of the temple, so they were organized in divisions—Zechariah was in the Division of Abijah—then they were assigned on a rotating schedule, maybe only serving a few weeks every year. Then within that band of servants, they cast lots, like the roll of the dice, to see who would ...

229. Risking Relationships That Redeem

Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17

Sermon

Mary S. Lautensleger

The ancient prophet/servant of the Lord Fried green tomatoes were the house specialty at the Whistle Stop Cafe in Alabama during the 1930s. Evelyn is suffering through the growing pains of a midlife crisis when she and her husband come across the quaint Depression-era ghost of a town called Whistle Stop. Their destination is a nearby retirement home where Evelyn quite by chance meets octogenarian Ninny Threadgoode. Evelyn is unhappy with herself and dissatisfied with her marriage. Sensing Evelyn's ...

230. The Job Description of a Leader

2 Samuel 23:1-7

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

If the church is to make a difference in the world, every one of its members must begin to act and think like leaders. Leadership is not for the few and the special, the exception rather than the expected. Whether this mysterious thing called "leadership" comes naturally or is an acquired talent, every Christian must come to terms with it. A biblical style of leadership and language of leadership must become endemic in the church. In the Old Testament and Gospel lessons for this week both David and Jesus ...

231. Welcome Home, Joseph

Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Joseph is probably the most misunderstood participant in the Christmas drama. Like comedian Rodney Dangerfield, Joseph might righteously complain, "I don''t get no respect!" This week we pay Joseph some of the respect he surely deserves, for without his gifts of hospitality, acceptance and love, the story of Christmas would have no beginning. And with these gifts, Joseph is a model for all who are called by God to serve in supportive roles. The women's movement has surely succeeded in making biblical ...

232. Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The parable of the prodigal son is perhaps the best-known and best-loved of all Jesus' parables. It is also best at generating seemingly infinite numbers of interpretations, understandings and themes. Start with the way we usually refer to the Luke 15:11-32 text: "The Prodigal Son." True, the behavior of the younger son plays a central role in this parable. But others have noted that an equally precise title for this tale might be "The Waiting Father," or "Joy and Repentance," or even "The Parable of the ...

233. Easter 3

Psalm 116:1-19, Luke 24:13-35, Acts 2:14-41, 1 Peter 1:17-21

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter - Psalms 116:1-4, 12-19 First Lesson - Peter's sermon is a call to repentance and a promise of salvation to his hearers and their children and those still at a distance. Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Second Lesson - In his letter Peter extols the sacrifice of Christ as God's gift of immeasurable worth. 1 Peter 1:17-21 Gospel - The appearances of the Risen Christ bring surprise and joy. Luke 24:13-35 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. ...

234. RSVP—By Invitation Only

Luke 14:15-24

Sermon

James Merritt

Several years ago a book came out entitled "The Greatest Story Ever Told". I am sure that millions of people knew the subject of the book before they even opened its pages. Because it was the story of Jesus Christ. Quite frankly, the greatest story ever told is the story of how God the Son left heaven and came to earth in the form of human flesh, lived a human life, died a human death, was raised from the dead supernaturally that He might come and live in the hearts of those who would receive Him by faith ...

235. Putting God to Work in Your Life through Peas, Squash, Lettuce, Thyme

Mark 8:31--9:1

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Day-laborers. You know where they are. You probably don’t know who they are, but you know where you can find them. Every community has them. They gather on a street corner or parking lot before dawn. There they wait, watch, and hope that you will drive by and give them a day’s work. Can you imagine what it must be life to live like this? Not knowing where you next paycheck is coming from, or if it’s coming at all. These are the earliest risers in any community. By the time the sun is up, so is the chance ...

236. Gateway to Grace

Joshua 5:9-12

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

When you visit a church camp you're aware that you're separated from civilization. When you take a walk late at night, for whatever reason, and it's usually for whatever reason, you can't help but wonder what that rustling in the darkness might be. It's probably a raccoon, or a smaller animal, as frightened of you as you are pretending that you're not frightened of it. But it could be a bear. It's an unnerving experience to see a bear close up. Bears in the wild are the epitome of untamed nature. They don' ...

237. No Room for Jesus

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon

King Duncan

After some last-minute Christmas shopping, Clara Null was rushing her grandkids into the car. As she was closing the door, four-year-old Jason said, “Grandma, Susie has something in her pocket.” He reached into Susie’s pocket and pulled out a new red barrette. Though she was tired, Clara knew it was important for Susie to take the barrette back to the store, apologize to the manager, and put the item back where she had found it. So, they did just that. Later, they stopped for a few quick groceries. At the ...

238. I Am the Alpha and the Omega

Revelation 1:1-3

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

Most of you here today would know the name Lloyd C. Douglas, the author of The Robe and Ben Hur. Mr. Douglas shares an experience out of his early life when he was a student at the university. He lived in a boarding house, and on the first floor below him, lived an old man who was a retired music teacher. The fella was infirm and was no longer able to walk. And Lloyd C. Douglas said that each day they would share a ritual together. He would come down the stairway and knock on the music teacher’s door and ...

239. A Crib, A Cross, And A Cave

Matthew 28:1-10

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

True story. A United Methodist pastor was asked to conduct a a graveside service for a member of his church. The only problem was, the cemetery was more than an hour and a half away from the church. The pastor wasn't feeling well so he decided to ride with the Funeral Director in the Coach. By the time they arrived at the cemetery, the flu had invaded completely and he said he felt like the Chinese Army was having a pogo stick Derby on his head and stomach. Feverish and sick, he made it through the service ...

240. Holiness of Heart and Life

Romans 2:21-23

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

At Stanford University there is a psychologist named Festinger who has a theory which he calls “cognitive dissonance.’ If you teach at a university like Stanford, you are supposed to use big words like that. As strange and new as it may sound, it’s very simple. It means that there is a big gap between my ideals and my actions, what I believe and what I do, my goals and my deeds. There is a difference between the image I have of myself and the image I try to project for other people and that discrepancy is ...

241. The Ministry of Unbinding

John 11:38-44

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

Listen! We cannot raise people from the dead as Jesus did, but we share in the deliverance of those he has raised! Death and what is done about that — is in Jesus’ hand. It is He who can say with power: “Come forth! Come forth from your tomb.” But deliverance — that’s in our hands. “Unbind him” Jesus said, “unbind him that he might live.” So, we talk today about the ministry of unbinding. I Rehearse the story, so that our focus will be clear and we will not be questioning something that we think has been ...

242. Characteristics of the Church, Part 2

Acts 2:42-47

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

Somewhere I read of a Seminary professor whose last years were spent in and out of hospitals, suffering from a debilitating, incurable disease. As he reflected on his ministry, he said that when he began, he thought of himself as the expert, standing upon the bank of the stream of life, shouting instructions to the swimmers down below. In the second stage of his ministry, if he saw someone going down for the third time, he would plunge into the water, get the person started in the right direction again, ...

243. What Would Jesus Say About Medical Care?

Mark 2:1-12

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

The gentle healer came into a town one day. He touched the blind and helped the lame to walk away. But more than that, he forgave the sins of those who stray. The gentle healer comes into our town today. [1] A full twenty percent of the gospels deal with the healing ministries of Jesus. Seeing the crowds he has compassion on them and one by one, person by person, individual by individual, he heals their diseases, casts out their demons, forgives their sins, and challenges them to live a life of wholeness. ...

244. By Enduring

1 Peter 2:19-25

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

Sometimes in our lives we have great pain and deep sorrow. Life is hard. It is hard by the yard and it is no cinch by the inch. Suffering is not an option in the school of life. Last Friday night, Larry King assembled a panel of preachers and New Age proponents to discuss the nature of good and evil. It was an interesting discussion. But when you are down in the trenches, doubled over with some pain that won't go away, you are not very interested in a discussion. What you would like is some relief. And if ...

245. Silly Putty, Play-Doh and Potter's Clay

Jeremiah 18:1-11

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

Somebody once said: "We are all made of common clay and that is why we all have the same kinds of problems." But someone else said: "We're all created in the same mold, only some of us are moldier than others." (1) There is a place in India where their legends agree with the Bible that humankind was made from dust. But they think that the upper class (or caste) was made from the fertile soil and the lower class was made from ordinary clay. But even I know, if you are going to create pottery, you want ...

246. Hey, Foolish Thing!

1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5

Sermon

King Duncan

Have you ever noticed that some bright people can say really dumb things? When the American baseball player Bill Gullickson signed a phenomenal contract to play baseball in Japan, he was asked what daily life was like in Japan. He replied that the language was the most difficult and different feature. “It’s crazy,” he said. “The only American words I saw were Sony and Mitsubishi.” (1) Well, I guess those are American words. There is no limit to the foolish things people do and say particularly our ...

247. The Ad Vent Wheat

John 1:1-18

Drama

Frank Ramirez

Characters Courtney Alexis Garrison Bradley Alex Kristin Krystal Teacher One Teacher Two Props Box labeled “Holiday Decorations” String of Christmas lights Nativity set Large metal vent Sheaves of wheat Bag (big enough to carry the puppets) Two hand puppets per child (Courtney, Alexis, Garrison, Bradley, and Alex are getting ready to decorate their Sunday school classroom for Christmas. Two or three of them are dragging a big box labeled “Holiday Decorations” to the middle of the sanctuary.) Courtney: Let’ ...

248. Look Up and Live

Numbers 21:4-9

Sermon

David E. Leininger

Do you like snakes? Not many do. No other creature on the face of the planet so universally brings forth a sense of revulsion and disgust. True or not, we think of snakes as icky, slimy, nasty, and as our text reminds, dangerous. It seems that the children of Israel, in the midst of their wilderness wandering after the escape from slavery in Egypt, had stumbled on to a location south of the Dead Sea that is infamous for its lethal snakes. "Big deal," they no doubt thought. "Why should we expect anything ...

249. Can Anything Good Come out of Our Town?

John 1:43-51

Sermon

Robert J. Elder

Well, good, old Nathaniel. In a way, he's the mystery disciple of the New Testament. His name doesn't even rate a mention in Matthew, Mark, or Luke. Only in John's gospel do we hear about the disciple with the parochial ideas about Galilean towns. Picture, if you will, our man Nathaniel. Like Peter, he is a fisherman by trade. He hails from Cana, another in a long line of undistinguished little hamlets in the Galilean region. The region itself is rather undistinguished. It was like what Newark is to New ...

250. Who Am I?

Acts 8:26-40

Sermon

Ken Lentz

Back in the '60s, a real "hip" kid attended the morning service of worship at an upper-class church. The pastor greeted him at the door. The groovy kid grabbed the minister's hand and said, "Dad, I really dug that sermon!" The staid pastor was taken by surprise and said, "Young man, I don't understand." The beatnik answered, "Dad, I really ‘went' for that sermon; it really came down the middle, man, loud and cool; it was like, gone, man." The minister's dignity was rattled and he decided to confront the ...

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