Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: Levi, disciple, evangelist, tax collector, the 12, the twelve, apostle, sermon on the mount, jewish audience, beatitudes, lord's prayer, great commission, parables, olivet discourse, mount of olives, olivet, synoptic

Showing 226 to 250 of 296 results

226. Jesus Anointed at Bethany

Matthew 26:6-13

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... of the four Gospels. Matthew 26 records the events of Wednesday and Thursday of the final week of Jesus’ life. 26:6–13 During the Passover season Jesus apparently spent his evenings in the town of Bethany, located on the southeast slope of the Mount of Olives on the Jericho road less than two miles from Jerusalem. On this occasion he was staying with Simon the Leper (obviously cured earlier but still designated by the epithet). A parallel account in John places the scene in the home of Mary, Martha, and ...

227. Lost and Saved

Ezekiel 11:1-15, Ezekiel 11:16-25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... but a site. It is not without significance that the vision of the divine exit follows the promise of return. Does this suggest that God is leaving to join those in exile? Interestingly, the divine glory stops above the mountain east of Jerusalem (11:23)—the Mount of Olives. God does not depart the city in a huff or in a rage, but, to use an anthropomorphism, with tears in his eyes. The Spirit now brings Ezekiel back to Babylonia (11:24). This is the return portion of his visionary trip to Jerusalem. The ...

228. Solomon's Wives

1 Kings 11:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... formed by Solomon. The wives and concubines are only one element, however, as the section continues with a long chronicle of idolatry, mentioning a plethora of deities and installations for their worship that Solomon sponsors, including the spatial setting of the Mount of Olives. Solomon is negatively compared with his father David, who, for all his faults (and he had his share of wives), could not be impeached for idolatry, seemingly the thrust of verse 4. Once more God speaks to Solomon, but this time ...

229. Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial

Matthew 26:31-35

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... in early Christian preaching is reflected in the major emphasis given to it in each of the four Gospels. Matthew 26 records the events of Wednesday and Thursday of the final week of Jesus’ life. 26:31–35 On the way to the Mount of Olives (east of Jerusalem across the Kidron valley), Jesus tells his disciples that that very night they will desert him (skandalizomai, “find a cause of stumbling,” Rotherham). Their failure is described by the prophet Zechariah, who wrote, “Strike the shepherd, and the ...

230. Benjamin: The Little Peoples Friend

Luke 19:28-38

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

... knew he was standing in the middle of thirteen men and one of them prepared to ride him. What a day it was. Benjamin would never forget what happened to him if he lived to be the only 100 year old donkey in history. From a place they called the Mount of Olives they went to the great city with the high wall surrounding it. This is Jerusalem. Benjamin thought. No doubt about it. And the people were so glad to see his rider. They threw their coats and scarves in his path so he hardly ever walked on a brick or ...

231. Appointment in Jerusalem

Luke 19:28-44

Illustration

Larry Powell

... conversation is recollected. How do you explain the ease with which the two disciples simply walked away with someone else’s property. Luke 19:37-38. One other matter for consideration: Verse 37 relates that as Jesus rode the colt at the descent of the Mount of Olives "the multitude" rejoiced and praised God. The multitude? Who were they? Where did they come from? How did they know to be there at that particular time? How did they associate the man on the colt with the messiah? (read Zechariah 9:9 and ...

232. The Advice of Hushai and Ahithophel

2 Sam 16:15–17:29

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... his mind and begins the pursuit immediately, David will be in grave danger. Following their prearranged plan, Hushai sends word to David through the sons of Zadok and Abiathar. Unfortunately they are spotted and have to hide in a well on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. In a ruse similar to that used by Rahab (Josh. 2:5), the woman hiding the men sends the pursuers on ahead. This enables the two messengers to avoid capture and to cover the fifteen miles to the Jordan River. Near the fords of the ...

233. The Lord's Supper

Matthew 26:17-30, Matthew 26:31-35

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 53:12—for “many”; Jer. 31:31–34). Jesus connects his enactment of the renewed covenant with the still future consummation of God’s kingdom (26:29; cf. the kingship theme at 27:33–56). After moving east from the city to the Mount of Olives (across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem; 26:30), Jesus predicts that not only Judas but also all his disciples will fall away (skandalizō—“stumble”; cf. 11:6), citing Zechariah 13:7, concerning the scattering of the flock at the striking of the shepherd ...

234. A Double Recipe

John 6:25-59

Illustration

CSS

... eating every Wednesday night meal as a congregation. Finally, several parishioners, including the teenage author of the play, enacted the scene of the last supper, creatively, reverently and thoughtfully. It concluded by the departure of the disciples and Jesus to the Mount of Olives. As Jesus turned to leave he asked who had provided the bread for their meal. Two young women stepped forward and said they had. Jesus smiled and said, "Your bread filled us and has strengthened our spirits. Remember how much I ...

235. Shimei Curses David

2 Samuel 16:5-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

On the eastern side of the Mount of Olives and still only about two miles from Jerusalem, David is confronted by Shimei, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family (16:5). Still frustrated by the transfer of power from Saul to David, Shimei takes out his anger on David by cursing him and pelting him with ...

236. David Flees

2 Samuel 15:13-37

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of trust in how the Lord will allow events to unfold, he also sets up a veritable spy network using the priests Zadok and Abiathar, whom he is sending back (15:24–29). Leaving his trusted companions behind, David continues his sorrowful trek up the Mount of Olives. At the summit he meets Hushai, another of his close advisors, who has heard the news about Absalom (15:30–37). David asks Hushai if he is willing to return to Jerusalem and become an advisor to Absalom. In this way he might contradict the ...

237. The Ascension

Luke 24:50-53

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The ascension (24:50–53) occurs in Bethany (24:50). This does not contradict Acts 1:12, which assigns the location to the Mount of Olives, because Bethany was located at the foot of that mountain. At the time of his departure Jesus gives his disciples a priestly blessing (cf. Num. 6:24–26). The ascension is described in spatial terms (24:51), which has sometimes been a stumbling block to those who are part of ...

238. Power

2 Corinthians 6:7

Sermon

Harold Warlick

For generations many people have told us that the driving force behind us human beings is the will to power. Power is everything. In fact, God has often been viewed as one who gives power to God's special people. Ancient people prayed for God to give them power over the antelope and the buffalo, whose pictures they drew on the walls of caves. The ancient mariners prayed to Proteus for power over the sea. In our day and time, money is power. So we have prayed for that power and tried to help God along by ...

239. Waiting With Anticipation

Isaiah 63:7--64:12

Sermon

David M. Oliver

Bells have been used in many ways over the years. Bells have been used to sound an alarm, and to call children to school, people to worship, and families to meals. Bells mark the beginning and end of the work day, classes, and sporting events. Sometimes bells mark the passing of the hours in a day. On this first Sunday of Advent we will be using the bells we have brought to call us to a time of waiting that is filled with anticipation. The Old Testament lesson for this first Sunday of Advent looks forward ...

240. The Bedrock of Faith

Mark 13:1-8 · Luke 21:5-19

Sermon

Brett Blair

Have you ever tried to make a prediction? Here are some predictions from the past. All from people who were trusted individuals: Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, in 1943 said, "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." Popular Mechanics magazine in 1949 made this prediction: "Where a calculator on the ENIAC is equipped with 18,000 vacuum tubes and weighs 30 tons, computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes and weigh only 1.5 tons." There was an inventor by the name of Lee ...

241. The Bedrock of Faith - Sermon Starter

Mk 13:1-8; Lk 21:5-38

Illustration

Brett Blair

Have you ever tried to make a prediction? Here are some predictions from the past. All from people who were trusted individuals: "We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out." Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962. Popular Mechanics magazine in 1949 made this prediction: "Where a calculator on the ENIAC is equipped with 18,000 vacuum tubes and weighs 30 tons, computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes and weigh only 1.5 tons." There was an inventor by the name of ...

242. View from the Mountaintop

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Sermon

Charles L. Aaron

Mountains fascinate us. They tower majestically against the horizon, strong and immovable. Looking up at them from the ground is a magnificent delight, as we try to take in their imposing vastness and mystery. If we accept their defiant invitation to climb them, we are rewarded by a spectacular view. Climbing a mountain makes us feel like giants peering over entire cities lying beneath us. Many of us have our favorite memories of a mountaintop view. One of the joys of visiting Virginia in autumn is the ...

243. Where Is Love?

Hebrews 9:1-28

Sermon

Lee Ann Dunlap

Several years ago, a fellow named Lionel Bart wrote a hit song, "Where Is Love," for the Broadway musical Oliver. Based on the Charles Dickens classic, Oliver Twist, the musical tells the story of an orphaned child struggling to survive the cruelties of the streets of England amidst the Industrial Age. No one seems to care, except those trying to use him for profit. "Where is he, whom I close my eyes to see?" Oliver sings. "Will I ever know the sweet ‘Hello,' that's meant for only me? Where is love?" Few ...

244. Who Owns the Cloud: Google or God?

Luke 21:25-36

Sermon

King Duncan

Welcome on this First Sunday of Advent. Today’s lesson from Luke’s Gospel is a little unsettling. In it Christ seems to be describing the end of the world. Listen to his words: “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken . . .” That’s vivid imagery. “Signs in the sun, moon and stars . . . ...

245. Israel’s Ill-Placed Confidence

Amos 5:18-27

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

If you need help signing up or have questions call us. You'll get us, not a call center: 813-808-1681. Sermon Tools Bible Illustrations Current Events Overview and Insights · God Demands Justice, Not Mere Coldhearted Ritual (5:1–6:14) The theme of justice and righteousness runs throughout Amos, but is presented with particular focus in Amos 5. This chapter accuses Israel of numerous social injustices: trampling on the poor and extorting grain (their food) from them; paying bribes to judges in order to ...

246. Resurrection: From Lesser to Higher Morality

Matthew 5:17-20

Sermon

Leonard H. Budd

Sarah was five years old. She had lived all her life in a little village in Galilee, six miles from the shore of the great Sea. She had never been farther away than the olive tree grove, a long stone’s throw from the last house of the small community. But then, Sarah was only five. She lived with her grandfather who was unofficial rabbi for the twenty families of the village. Her grandfather, by his knowledge of the scripture, was the source for understanding the Hebrew law. Sarah’s town was distant from ...

247. A World in Turmoil

Matthew 21:1-11

Sermon

David E. Leininger

"When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred..." Or as the New Revised Standard Version has it, "When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil..." TURMOIL. Great word. It has a feeling about it. Something is bubbling up and about to boil over. There is tension. There is danger. The Greek word is seio and means to rock to and fro or to agitate, to quake or shake. And contrary to the parade and party atmosphere that we often associate with Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, ...

248. Reevaluating Our Mission for Christ

John 17:1-11

Sermon

Richard Gribble

Once there was a village with a chief who had three sons, each of which possessed a special talent. The oldest was skilled in his ability to raise and care for olive trees. The second was a shepherd, but when the sheep got sick, he possessed special abilities to make them well. The third son was a great dancer. When there was a string of bad luck in his family or in the village or if anyone needed some cheer added to their lives, he would dance and bring them joy. One day the father told his sons that he ...

249. The Two Witnesses

Revelation 11:1-14

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

11:1–2 Many stylistic and thematic elements of this second part of the interlude differ from its first part. For this reason, most commentators think this difficult passage, which centers on the ministry and fate of the “two witnesses,” is derived from some discredited Jewish apocalyptic midrash on Daniel and adapted here by John for his Christian audience (Beasley-Murray, Revelation, pp. 176–81). However, unless John thought it contained an authentic prediction of a temple siege and the ultimate ...

250. The Bramble King

John 15:1-17, John 15:18--16:4, John 16:5-16

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“Here are their names: Simon (whom he named Peter), Andrew (Peter's brother), James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (who was called the zealot), Judas (son of James), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). "A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of ...

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