Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 2526 to 2550 of 5000 results

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... of being able to look at the familiar and yet see the extraordinary, to see something wholly new and fresh in the normal. Although we usually think of the traditional “Transfiguration” scene presented in the gospels (Luke 9:28ff; Matthew 17:2ff; Mark 9:2ff) as the source of all transfiguration imagery, Paul extends that concept in two different ways in this week’s epistle text. First, Paul “transfigures” the familiar scripture from Exodus 34:27-35, which describes Moses’ shining face after he ...

2527. Luke 13:1-9

Luke 13:1-9

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... those “worse sinners” who “got what he deserved.” But for those who “repent and believe,” the story has a very different ending. The parable of the fig tree — found in a narrative format in Mark 11:12-14 and Matthew 21:18-19 — offers a final, hopeful note on this theme of repentance. While in Mark and Matthew the fruitless fig tree is soundly cursed by Jesus, here the puny producer earns a reprieve. The master of the vineyard where the tree is planted has patiently waited for three years for ...

2528. The 5 Worst Things Christians Say After A Tragedy

Luke 13:1-9

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2529. John 20:19-31

John 20:19-23

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... act of the resurrected Jesus is to make good on that promise, offering peace to all who received the risen Lord and followed him. While his body is somehow able to materialize into a locked room, Jesus nevertheless still physically retained the marks of his sacrifice on the cross. He “proves” his physical triumph over death by showing his disciples “his hands and his side.” It is only after they see the physical evidence of Jesus’ crucifixion that the disciples finally realize their Master is ...

2530. So Send I You

John 20:19-23

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2531. Keys That Unlock Miracles

Luke 7:1-10

Sermon

King Duncan

... when Jesus was said to have been amazed. The first time was when he began his public ministry in his hometown of Nazareth. Do you remember what happened there? Jesus was rejected by those who knew him best. The Gospel of Mark tells us that Christ “was amazed by their lack of faith.” (Mark 6:6). The second time the word “amazed” is used is this encounter with the Roman centurion. This time Jesus is amazed not by a lack of faith but by how genuine this Gentile’s faith was. Jesus turned to those ...

2532. Mary AND Martha, Heart AND Home

Luke 10:38-42

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... continues to be strong. After the Reformation the work ethic of the Protestant theologians encouraged a more Martha-oriented life. Who has not heard, in one form or another, the sermon “Will it be a Martha or a Mary Christmas?” Both extremes miss the mark. Jesus is not saying that activity is bad. Jesus is not saying that meditation or contemplation is superior. Jesus is saying that loving God is what matters most; attending to our relationship with Christ is the first and best thing we can and must do ...

2533. Real Heros

Hebrews 11:1-40

Sermon

King Duncan

... to God even after suffering horribly. Then he writes these stirring words, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The metaphor that the writer uses is ...

2534. Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

Ephesians 1:1-14

Sermon

Timothy J. Smith

... ] If we live out our faith in such a way, others will be drawn to Jesus. Because we are loved by God we reach out with that same love to all those we encounter in our daily lives. We belong to God. Our status as God’s own children is marked or sealed by the promise of the Holy Spirit. The first chapter of Ephesians concludes that Jesus Christ is in charge. When God raised Jesus from the dead, he was placed, “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not ...

2535. Be Shrewd

Luke 16:1-15

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... classic devotional text Imitations of Christ (chapter 5), Thomas à Kempis says "Let not the authority of the writer offend you, whether he be of great or small learning; but let the Love of pure truth draw you to read. Search not who spoke this or that, but mark what is spoken." Jesus cared less about pedigree than destiny. In fact, Jesus even told the disciples not to stop those who were speaking even though they "were not one of us” (Lk.9:49-50). Paul echoed this sentiment to the church at Philippi in ...

2536. Luke 17:5-10

Luke 17:1-10

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of Peace, we are expected to behave as servants of that kingdom: i.e. sheltering the “little ones,” forgiving repentant sinners, extending the hand of fellowship to any and all who sought it. Such behavior does not gain disciples any gold stars or good marks. Such behavior does not put them on par with the master, with God. Such behavior does not “earn” them any early-bird seating or head-table reservations at some divine banquet. Such behavior is the expected norm. Such behavior is the identifying ...

2537. Broadband Discipleship

Luke 17:1-10

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2538. Jesus Tempted In Us

Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon

David O. Bales

... to the world the struggle to come to mature faith, and it showed the burden upon one who has power to be concerned for others instead of for oneself. He was posthumously awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace and his diary was printed with the title: Markings. He died carrying in his pocket a copy of Thomas á Kempis’ ancient book, The Imitation of Christ, and as a bookmark, a postcard on which was typed his oath of office as Secretary General of the United Nations. He set out not to dominate the world ...

2539. Dancing for Joy (Thanksgiving)

Philippians 4:2-9

Sermon

King Duncan

... to me that gratitude ought to be the dominant theme of our lives. Not just on Thanksgiving Day, but our whole year should be marked by an attitude of gratitude. That is the only way to really live. Such an attitude will do wonders for your health as ... aging, more and more senior citizens are living healthy, active, vital lives into their 80s, 90s, and even over the century mark. In his studies of these “successful seniors,” Dr. Brickley has isolated four common elements. The first is a sense of gratitude ...

2540. In the Mood for Murder

Matthew 5:21-26

Sermon

King Duncan

... did not mean for us to become doormats for everyone to walk on. Certainly he was no doormat. Remember how he drove the tax collectors out of the temple (Mt. 21:12-17; John 2:13–22)? He was angry with those who criticized him for healing on the Sabbath (Mark 3:5 even uses the word “anger”). And in Matthew 23:17 he called the Pharisees “blind fools.” So we conclude that there is a place for anger. We are wrong if we take these words to mean that all anger is sin. Paul tells us, “Be angry and do ...

2541. Good News about Sparrows

Matthew 10:1-42

Sermon

King Duncan

... From childhood . . . if you can do anything,” he pleaded, “have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:21-24) Maybe that’s your prayer. Your life is in turmoil. Fear keeps you awake at night. If only you could trust the God who watches over sparrows. And so you pray with complete sincerity, “I believe; help my unbelief!” That is a ...

2542. Breaking News: The Middle East

Genesis 12:1-8

Sermon

James Merritt

... on a plane? When will the next car bomb blow up? What will be the next effort to destroy what is now known in the Arab world as “the great Satan?” all goes back, believe it or not, to a question. It was a question raised by Mark Twain. Though he was no theologian, he was a very astute observer of culture, society, and breaking news. He wrote these words: “The Egyptian, the Babylonian and the Persian rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor then faded to dream-stuff and passed away; The Greek ...

2543. The Knot: Tied

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Sermon

James Merritt

... give you those answers. The blank is this - If my love is real, then _______. Let’s listen to what God’s word says are the marks of a real love. I. I Will Show How Love Looks Paul gets down to the nitty-gritty of what real love looks like. The ... in all of the New Testament. It simple refers to the way we treat the other person or the way we talk to the other person. Mark Twain said, “Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” How does your love measure up to this quality and how ...

2544. The Question that Will Change Your Life

Matthew 16:13-20

Sermon

King Duncan

... ; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” That’s fascinating, don’t you think? People were saying that Jesus was John the Baptist. Evidence of this perception is found in Mark 6. John the Baptist was dead by this time. So many people were asserting that Jesus was John come back from the dead that it reached Herod, Mark tells us, and troubled him greatly. After all, it was Herod who ordered John to be beheaded and if John was resurrected Herod had a problem. Why in the world would people ...

2545. Still Surprised After Christmas

Luke 2:21-40

Sermon

David J. Kalas

... expression in a similar context when writing to the Romans (8:15). Meanwhile, the only other New Testament occurrence is in Mark’s account of Jesus praying in Gethsemane (14:36). Barclay notes that “the proof that we are sons comes from the ... the pervasive, intrusive shadow of the cross. On the heels of Peter’s grand recognition comes the first foretelling of the cross (see Mark 8:27-33). Only days after the beauty and celebration of Palm Sunday comes the pain and blood of Good Friday. Meanwhile, we do ...

2546. Jesus Is Baptized

Mark 1:9-13

Sermon

King Duncan

... without sin. But we need to be baptized. He was setting an example for us. He also identified himself with the kingdom that John was announcing. But, what I want you to notice today is how beautifully the doctrine of the Trinity is portrayed in these few words in Mark’s Gospel: “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came ...

2547. I'm Listening

1 Samuel 3:1--4:1

Sermon

King Duncan

... He’ll speak. You’ll hear him. Probably not in the wind or the earthquake or the fire, but in a voice small and whispering within the soul of you. It is also important that we take time to listen to one another, particularly in the family. Mark Merrill writes about family relationships. He was writing about multi‑tasking. We’ve all had to adapt to the technology of this world. He says that multi-tasking can be a good thing. But when it comes to relationships . . . maybe not so good. Sitting in their ...

2548. Why He Did It

Mark 8:31--9:1

Sermon

King Duncan

... that a veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to The United States of America for an amount up to and including their life. What if the world knew that followers of Jesus had that same level of commitment? Mark tells us Jesus called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me ...

2549. Starting Over

John 12:20-36

Sermon

Wayne Brouwer

... for more time — so many other assignments and tests were due, so many books still needed to be read, so much work was required this late in the semester. But this time the professor held firm. No extensions were to be given. Grades would be marked lower for tardiness. Stunned silence filled the classroom. The large delegation that met the professor in the hallway near his office was very vocal in their anger. “You can’t do this to us! It isn’t fair!” “What isn’t fair?” asked the professor ...

2550. The Failure

Luke 23:26-43

Sermon

James Merritt

... Take Us Under Any Condition You would think that Jesus would at least be crucified with people who were guilty of what we might call today “white-collar crime.” Not so. Luke calls them “criminals.” The better word would be “evil-doers.” Matthew and Mark use a different term that literally means “violent robbers.” These men had a rap sheet a mile long. They were bad-to-the-bone. The only reason they were caught is because someone saw them on Jerusalem’s Most Wanted. They were most likely ...

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