Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 226 to 250 of 900 results

John 21:15-25

Sermon

Brett Blair

Let’s begin with Simon out on his boat fishing alongside the other disciples. He is brooding, thinking deep thoughts not quite sure what to make of all that had happened. Then there is a flashback. He recalls how some months earlier he left his fishing nets at the seashore to become a follower of Jesus and how Jesus liked him and included him and changed his name from Simon to Peter (Petros, the R...

227. Do You Love Me? - Sermon Starter

John 21:1-14

Illustration

Brett Blair

Let's begin with Simon out on his boat fishing alongside the other disciples. He is brooding, thinking deep thoughts not quite sure what to make of all that had happened. Then there is a flashback. He recalls how some months earlier he left his fishing nets at the seashore to become a follower of Jesus and how Jesus liked him and included him and changed his name from Simon to Peter (Petros, th...

228. Does That Make You A Christian?

Matthew 3:13-17

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

Exegetical Aim: We must be baptized to be effective disciples for Christ. Props: Baptismal font or deliver the sermon near the Baptismal pool (optional). Lesson: Good morning! (response) I want to talk to you about Baptism this morning but I have a few questions I want to ask you first. Here’s the first one: Who knows how to spell hamburger? (response) Single out one of the children. How do you ...

229. Does Truth Matter?

John 18:33-37

Illustration

Brett Blair

George Orwell wrote in Time and Tide, 6 April 1940: "Reading Mr. Malcolm Muggeridge's brilliant and depressing book, The Thirties, I thought of a rather cruel trick I once played on a wasp. He was sucking jam on my plate, and I cut him in half. He paid no attention, merely went on with his meal, while a tiny stream of jam trickled out of his severed esophagus. Only when he tried to fly away did he...

230. Don’t Forget to Fly the Airplane!

Illustration

Brett Blair

Charles R. Swindoll, in his book "Dropping Your Guard" tells of Flight 401 bound for Miami from New York City with a load of holiday passengers. As the huge aircraft approached the MiamiAirport for its landing, a light that indicates proper deployment of the landing gear failed to come on. The plane flew in a large, looping circle over the swamps of the Everglades while the cockpit crew checked ou...

231. Dressed in our Sunday Best

Matthew 22:1-14

Illustration

Brett Blair

Perhaps you have heard of the family that moved into the neighborhood and the little country church decided to reach out to the family. When they arrived at the doorstep the members of the church were surprised to find that the family had 12 kids and were for the most part poor. They invited the family to services and said goodbye. Later that week the church responded to their need. They delivered...

232. Eager For The Journey

Luke 5:1-11

Sermon

Brett Blair

Many years ago the great explorer, Sir Francis Drake, was attempting to recruit a number of young men for an upcoming exploration. He gathered them around and told the group that if they came with him they would see some of the most marvelous things their eyes could ever behold. Sandy white beaches, juicy fruits, foreign peoples, priceless treasures, and gorgeous landscapes. And he told them that ...

233. Eager for the Journey - Sermon Starter

Luke 5:1-11

Illustration

Brett Blair

234. Einstein and the Church

Luke 9:51-56

Illustration

Brett Blair

Albert Einstein, the German born mathematician, slowly watched his homeland give in to Adolf Hitler's fascist dictatorship. Einstein wondered if any were going to stand up and oppose Hitler. He said, and I quote, "When Hitlerism came to Germany I expected the Universities to oppose it. Instead they embraced it. I hoped for the press to denounce it, but instead they propagated its teachings. One by...

235. Electing Servants - Sermon Starter

Matthew 23:1-39

Illustration

Brett Blair

With Election Day upon us, I thought this text about hypocrisy was appropriate. I am reminded of a story about Theodore Roosevelt. During one of his political campaigns, a delegation called on him at his home in Oyster Bay, Long Island. The President met them with his coat off and his sleeves rolled up. "Ah, gentlemen," he said, "come down to the barn and we will talk while I do some work." At t...

236. Elizabeth and Mary

Luke 1:39-45

Sermon

Brett Blair

Despite the Scrooges among us who annually decry the commercialization, the crassness and the blatant sentimentality of so much of the Christmas preparations, it is still a magical time of the year. The daily popping out of multi-colored lights at doorways and windows, the Christmas tree lots that seem to spring up over night, the magnificent window displays, the wreaths, the tinsel, the reds and ...

237. Envious Eagles

Matthew 20:1-16

Illustration

Brett Blair

Aesop had a fable about two eagles, one envious of the other because the other could soar higher and more elegantly than he could. So the envious eagle would pluck his strongest feathers from his own body and shoot them as arrows, trying to wound or kill the other eagle. It was his own undoing, however. He could not hit the high flying eagle, and he was eventually grounded by his lack of feathers....

238. Episode 1: The Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Brett Blair

In 1977 two teenagers walked into a movie theatre in Memphis to watch a movie that was then virtually unknown. The name of the movie was Star Wars. The characters were unknown to my brother Todd and I. In fact, the movie was virtually unknown to many. Star Wars was not expected by anyone to be a smash hit let alone the biggest grossing movie of all times. We did know it was science-fiction. That’s...

239. Episode III: Birth of the Church

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Brett Blair

In 1977 teenagers all over America walked into movie theatres to watch a movie that was virtually unknown. The director was unknown, the characters were unknown, the soundtrack was unknown, the robots were unknown. The name of the movie was Star Wars. It was not expected to be the biggest grossing movie of all times. It’s hard to believe that was 28 years ago. But even then some of us could read t...

240. Erasers are for Mistakes

John 20:19-23

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

Exegetical Aim: Forgiveness is the first responsibility (in John) that Jesus gives his Disciples and it is important to God that we forgive one another. Props: Board, marker, and Eraser. This could be a small chalk board or the dry eraser kind (extra props: A box of school erasers would be a nice touch). Lesson: What is the first thing you did before you ate your diner last night? (washed hands, g...

241. eshep ithwout a herdeshp

Mark 6:30-44

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

Exegetical Aim: We need help with our struggles in life. Props: A large drawing board to write out the scrambled phrase listed above, or alphabet cards for the kids to work with. If you use the drawing board write the scrambled phrase at the top so the kids can unscramble underneath. If you are using alphabet cards it would be best to post them so that all can see. If screens are available display...

242. Every House Is Tested

Matthew 7:21-29

Illustration

Brett Blair

Every house is tested. The difference is not in the weather; it is in the foundation upon which the house is anchored. Oh how many persons have I seen who are in the midst of crisis run back to the church and attempt to get religion, but my friends it is not that easy. It is a foolish person who thinks they can begin constructing a proper foundation when they are in the midst of the storm and the ...

243. Everyone Is Looking For You! - Sermon Starter

Mark 1:35-39

Illustration

Brett Blair

The great architect Frank Lloyd Wright was fond of an incident that may have seemed insignificant at the time, but had a profound influence on the rest of his life. The winter he was 9, he went walking across a snow-covered field with his reserved, no- nonsense uncle. As the two of them reached the far end of the field, his uncle stopped him. He pointed out his own tracks in the snow, straight and...

244. Everyone Is Searching For You

Mark 1:35-39

Sermon

Brett Blair

245. Expect the Unexpected

Luke 21:5-38

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

Exegetical Aim: When Jesus comes back it will be a surprise. Props: A clock will be needed for the opening. In addition to the clock you may use one of the following to interrupt the silent period mentioned below: 1) A fog horn. 2) A horn instrument of some kind. 3) Someone who has been away from the church -- on vacation -- and has returned. They will burst into the sanctuary with a suitcase sayi...

246. Experience the Mountaintop But Don't Forget the Valley Below

Luke 9:28-36

Sermon

Brett Blair

Many of us have had them, those times when we felt like we were on top of the world, really happy, confident that we knew all the answers, could solve any problem that came up. Or we felt that we were really close to God, really in tune with God’s plan for us. In those moments we were excited and alive, and everything seemed new. The moment might have come at some exciting event in your life: gra...

247. Extending Mercy

Matthew 18:21-35

Illustration

Brett Blair

In Victor Hugo's novel Les Miserables, Jean Valjean served a 19 year sentence for stealing a loaf of bread in order to feed his sister's family. Finally, he is set free. A Bishop is the only one who will befriend the embittered man. Valjean rewards him by stealing some of his silver. He is caught red-handed by the police. The Bishop, you will recall, is called to the police station to prefer char...

248. Extraordinarily Ordinary

Mark 4:26-34

Illustration

Brett Blair

To what ordinary object would Jesus compare the reign of God today — an object that we would recognize without having to have two minutes worth of explanation before we understand? How about these: 1. The reign of God is like a tiny pebble. It doesn't look like much, but it can bring the strongest man to a stop if it's in his shoe. 2. The reign of God is like a wasp. A wasp is a tiny insect that...

249. Faith, Hope, and Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Sermon

Brett Blair

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul gives us his amazing analysis of love. He suggests that it is a progression. It is preceded by faith and hope. Without these two essential ingredients, you cannot have the zenith expression of love. There is no place that we cannot go and escape the love of God. No matter how deep our shortcomings, frustrating our defeats, or difficult our failures, love is capable of ca...

250. Faith Lives in Fellowship

Heb 10:25

Illustration

Brett Blair

A certain parishioner who had previously been attending services regularly, suddenly stopped coming to church. After some weeks, the minister decided to visit the absent member. It was a chilly evening, and the minister found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair by the fireplace, and waited. ...

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Showing 226 to 250 of 900 results

226. Do You Love Me?

John 21:15-25

Sermon

Brett Blair

227. Do You Love Me? - Sermon Starter

John 21:1-14

Illustration

Brett Blair

228. Does That Make You A Christian?

Matthew 3:13-17

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

229. Does Truth Matter?

John 18:33-37

Illustration

Brett Blair

230. Don’t Forget to Fly the Airplane!

Illustration

Brett Blair

231. Dressed in our Sunday Best

Matthew 22:1-14

Illustration

Brett Blair

232. Eager For The Journey

Luke 5:1-11

Sermon

Brett Blair

233. Eager for the Journey - Sermon Starter

Luke 5:1-11

Illustration

Brett Blair

234. Einstein and the Church

Luke 9:51-56

Illustration

Brett Blair

235. Electing Servants - Sermon Starter

Matthew 23:1-39

Illustration

Brett Blair

236. Elizabeth and Mary

Luke 1:39-45

Sermon

Brett Blair

237. Envious Eagles

Matthew 20:1-16

Illustration

Brett Blair

238. Episode 1: The Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Brett Blair

239. Episode III: Birth of the Church

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Brett Blair

240. Erasers are for Mistakes

John 20:19-23

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

241. eshep ithwout a herdeshp

Mark 6:30-44

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

242. Every House Is Tested

Matthew 7:21-29

Illustration

Brett Blair

243. Everyone Is Looking For You! - Sermon Starter

Mark 1:35-39

Illustration

Brett Blair

244. Everyone Is Searching For You

Mark 1:35-39

Sermon

Brett Blair

245. Expect the Unexpected

Luke 21:5-38

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

246. Experience the Mountaintop But Don't Forget the Valley Below

Luke 9:28-36

Sermon

Brett Blair

247. Extending Mercy

Matthew 18:21-35

Illustration

Brett Blair

248. Extraordinarily Ordinary

Mark 4:26-34

Illustration

Brett Blair

249. Faith, Hope, and Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Sermon

Brett Blair

250. Faith Lives in Fellowship

Heb 10:25

Illustration

Brett Blair

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