Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 2551 to 2575 of 4976 results

2551. Ananias And Sapphira, Liars

Drama

Peter C. Garrison

... in this case: the evil of lying to God. Joseph: So the problem wasn't that he owned land or sold it or even decided to keep some of the money for himself. It's that he contrived to lie about his being part of our communal family of faith. He wanted ... 25 A Prayer Starter Dear God, it is true that you became flesh and dwelt among us, full of truth and grace in Jesus our Lord. Keep me in this truth and help me to bring others to this truth so that we may live in truth together now and forever. Suggestions For ...

2552. A Cultural Breakthrough

Acts 16:6-10

Sermon

Rodney Thomas Smothe

... in the morning. In the morning, I went on to my mother's house and when I got there, she was not home. I do not have a key. So I went about looking in all the places the country folk keep keys hidden. I was unsuccessful in finding a key. I know there was one somewhere because we always keep a key outside. But there was no key in the usual places. "After thinking where my mother might be, how soon she would return, how cold it was outside, I decided to look for alternative ways to enter the house. With ...

2553. Christmas Letters

Drama

Karren Boehr

... I suddenly knew you were the Savior of the World ... and you loved me. Where did all the unrest inside of me go? It's gone! It's unreal! Well, anyway I just wanted to tell you -- thanks. And to let you know I'm back, I hope for keeps. Your peace is the best Christmas present anyone could receive. Your friend forever, James. (Takes Bible from under stool and opens it on his lap. Reads quietly) FATHER: Well, Lord, I sit here, pen in hand, wondering why I am the most fortunate of all the characters sitting up ...

2554. The Spirit Of The Lord Is Upon Us

Drama

Karren Boehr

... , the glory of the Lord had risen indeed. But that was just the beginning. That was just the beginning. EZEKIEL: (Softly, puts hand on Joel's shoulder in brotherhood, looks up to heaven almost prayerfully) And his precious Spirit just keeps pouring out, Joel, it just keeps pouring out. Without measure, with life-changing power ... with truth, and joy, and love ... Those who desire the presence of God in their lives receive. It's truly the mystery of the ages. JOEL: (Steps forward) And praise God for ...

2555. Holy Hype

Matthew 11:1-19

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

... like to tell. And then you end up with a teary-eyed appeal for a conclusion that will melt even the hardest heart and get those people to part with some of that green stuff. After all that's what it's all about, isn't it? We have to keep the money pouring in so the ministry will continue. Huh? Well, of course it's not your style, but that's what we're changing. We're working on your image, here. No more backwoods preacher. No sir. You're going to be a snappy dressing Madison Avenue type. Hold ...

2556. Payday

Matthew 20:1-16

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

... that receipt from your agency. MARGE: Hey, Mr. Jones, is there any chance for permanent work here? JONES: There might be for you. You're a good worker. But you have to put your application in. MARGE: Okay, I'll do that. JONES: (HANDING MARGE THE RECEIPT) I'll keep you in mind for work tomorrow morning. MARGE: Great. Thanks. (EXITS) JONES: Okay, who's next? SUSAN: I am. Here's my card. JONES: Oh, yes, I see you only worked an hour today. SUSAN: The agency called me late, but I came right over as soon as I ...

2557. For I Have Chosen You!

Haggai 2:20-23

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

... by stagnant waters, yet the promise made by Haggai to Zerubbabel is as true for us. God will win our victories for us. The ultimate apocalyptic imperative is the same advice we might give to someone who is in danger of freezing to death: "Stay awake and keep moving!" The people in Haggai's time were suffering from a deep spiritual malaise. They had been full of a dream to rebuild God's kingdom on earth, yet eighteen years went by and they hadn't built the Temple. This funk was affecting everything, from the ...

2558. God's Covenant

Genesis 12:1-8

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

... O God, You have always been faithful to Your covenants and have blessed those who have been faithful in return. Keep us mindful, O Lord, of the faith to which we are committed. In Christ we pray. Amen. Prayer Of Confession Lord, so often we have heard the good ... news of the New Covenant yet when it has come time to keep our part we have been unfaithful. Forgive us, Lord, and begin to build in us a new strength that will give a clear witness ...

2559. Advent 3

John 1:19-28, John 1:1-18

Sermon Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... light in Christ. Give us courage this week to bring light into dark places in our home, neighborhood, vocation, school, recreation. Response "I Am the Light of the World" THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS Children's Message Bring a bright light bulb, which symbolizes the Christ. Keep it burning brightly during the message. Then talk about other light bulbs, with the knowledge that we are the light of Christ to the world, our world, which also is God's world. Bring a second light bulb and offer these ideas: Some bulbs ...

2560. No Longer Servants, but Friends

John 15:18--16:4

Sermon Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... even sons and daughters, but friendship. An Arabian Proverb says, "A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away." Hymn of Commitment "Called as Partners in Christ's Service: Meditation "All friendship, the unconditional kind (that is the only kind of true friendship) does not begin between persons. It begins with ...

2561. Epiphany 8

Mark 2:18-22, Mark 2:13-17

Sermon Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... and give that money to feed the hungry? Response to the Benediction Ask the people to turn toward the exits. Then say, "The Lord bless you and keep you -- out there! The Lord cause his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you -- out there! The Lord lift up the light of his ... survival. MUSIC POSSIBILITIES Music for Preparation and Dismissal: Yes, once more, a medley of Epiphany hymns. (I deliberately keep these hymns before the congregation to help them realize that we often waste them on Advent and miss ...

2562. The Season Of The Holy Spirit

Mark 7:24-30

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... . Proclamation of the Good News You can focus on the faith of the woman; the faith of some people; the instructions of Jesus not to tell anyone; and the amazement of the crowd. STEWARDSHIP Stewardship Challenge How goes your stewardship of healing? This week, keep track of your "healing" words and your "hurting" words, spoken directly to people, or behind their backs. Hymn of Commitment "The Spirit of the Lord" Charge to the Congregation "If we have allowed the truth of today's worship to grasp us, then we ...

2563. The Season Of The Holy Spirit

Mark 10:17-31

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... . ACTS OF CONFESSION Introduction to the Act of Confession Briefly introduce the scripture, pointing out what kept the young man from the kingdom. Then ask, "What behavior of yours most often keeps God out of your life and decisions?" (Thirty seconds of silence.) "What investment do you have in keeping God out?" (Silence.) "What are you afraid to let God change? That unhealthy liason?" (Pause briefly after each suggestion.) "Gossiping about one's neighbors? Opening your pocketbook for the right causes ...

2564. The Season Of The Holy Spirit

Mark 2:1-12

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... Lord's Day as a holy day?" but rather, "What is required of me as a responsible Christian? What is my response to keep alive the Good News that Christ lives, and lives in me?" We present our whole selves as we present our time, money, ... become and remain free, responsible people, then we need to remember the rhythms upon which the universe is constructed -- work and rest -- and keep them consecrated to God. For every Sunday is Easter; every Sunday is Resurrection Day! Meditation "What do you call, how do you ...

2565. The Season Of The Nativity

Luke 2:21-40

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... of silence.) Response Leader: Will you continue to celebrate his birth? People: We will! We do! Hymn of Praise "Angels, We Have Heard on High" Prayer of Praise Thanks, God for inviting us to the birth of the world's Savior. Teach us how to keep on receiving him each day. (Perhaps you will want to add more. However, short prayers are more easily remembered than long ones.) Celebrating The Act Of Forgiveness Sing several of the Christmas carols. Conclude with "We Three Kings of Orient Are." Ask three men to ...

2566. Advent 3

John 1:1-18, John 1:19-28, Isaiah 61:1-11, Isaiah 65:17-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Sermon Aid

E. Carver McGriff

... there are at least two possible directions to go with Paul's advice. One is contained in those words: "Put all things to the test; keep what is good, and avoid every kind of evil." My favorite, though, is Paul's opening counsel: "Be joyful always, pray at all times, ... affect our physical well-being. We can do that if we choose. Thanks to a generous lady at St. Luke's, Marianne and I keep a hand-lettered motto in our family room, a bit of advice written by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Let me share it: Finish each day ...

2567. On Getting Out Of The Way

Luke 3:1-20, Luke 3:21-38

Sermon

Charles H. Bayer

... over- or its under-supply. I have earned some modest respect, and there are enough people around who believe it is their task to keep me humble. I do not want to be the star of this church. The congregation was here long before I arrived and will be ... it defines the presence of Jesus -- is his memorial. People don't care about that. What they want is something loud, snappy, upbeat. Keep people focused on how they feel. Be entertaining. Give them a holy buzz, and you can be guaranteed that you will be popular ...

2568. Welcoming Christ

Romans 14:1--15:13

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

... the Glory of God until the God of hope fills you with all joy and peace in believing. Sometimes in a very dark hour, we welcome one another, even the stranger, in ways which bring hope, peace, and joy. Multiply The Welcome There were shepherds seated on the hillside keeping watch over their flocks by night. And an angel of the Lord came to them and the Glory of the Lord shone around them and they were filled with fear. The angel said, "Be not afraid for today I bring you good news of a great joy which will ...

2569. Moving At The Speed Of Light

Ephesians 3:1-13

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

... day adrift at sea. Also for Paul there was a mysterious physical malady, a thorn in the flesh in his words, "to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations ..." (2 Corinthians 12:7). Some have suggested that this may have ... and rotten ice, she pulled one, then the other to safety. All told, Ida Lewis personally saved something like 25 people in fifty-plus years of keeping the light. Her last reported rescue came at age 63 when she saved a friend who had fallen into the water on her way to ...

2570. Moving At The Speed Of Light: In Corinth Or Cana?

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

... early.2 Consider this spouse's desires: I need someone who is a great bread winner. I need someone who provides a wonderful home, who keeps me in stylish clothes, and my children in the best schools. I don't want a spouse who travels or comes home late from ... ? In 1864 E.W. Buser went off to war. Too young to fight, he served as a drummer, helping the troops travel by keeping cadence. While in Tennessee he carved the center out of a uniform button, which was much larger and thicker than a modern button. On ...

2571. The Expectant Parents--And An Unexpected Baby

Isaiah 11:1-16

Sermon

Thomas A. Pilgrim

... power. We find this power in unexpected ways and in unexpected places for unexpected uses. It is the power of God which he sends upon us, gives us, which enables us to be his servants, his witnesses, and his people. It is a power which enables us to endure, to keep on going, to go through times of suffering and times of danger. It is a power which enables us to respond to life in Godlike ways. On a trip to the Holy Land we went to the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. There is a tree there which was planted in ...

2572. You Can Be Forever Young

Genesis 25:1-11

Sermon

Michael B. Brown

... beginning of life. "He was a friend of God." And whether a person is 25, 95 or anywhere in between, the way to have meaning in all our tomorrows is to develop and deepen that relationship in all our todays. How do we age without growing old? How do we keep neon in our veins? How do we add years to our life and life to our years? How do we remain forever young? 1 -- Take care of yourself. 2 -- Take care of your world. 3 -- Take care of your soul. Abraham, "The Father of Israel," the ancestor of Jesus and ...

2573. You Can Be In Heaven Or Hell

Psalm 139:1-24

Sermon

Michael B. Brown

... whatever he faced. That is what our faith teaches, that in moments of celebration God is near (lavishing upon us all those things that make life meaningful). And, in our moments of struggle or suffering, God is still near (providing the hope and courage to keep on keeping on when it would be far easier to give up and cave in). Sometimes we find that God even moves into the experiences that seem like hell and turns them into Paradise. "Even when the darkness falls around me, Thou makest the darkness bright ...

2574. All Saints

Psalm 149:1-9, Ephesians 1:15-23, Ephesians 1:1-14, Luke 6:27-36, Luke 6:17-26, Daniel 7:1-14

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... seal of the promise of a complete redemption. 2. Pledge (v. 14). When a prospect wants to buy a house, earnest money is paid to the owner. It guarantees that the prospective buyer is serious and will keep the agreement to buy the house. If the buyer fails to pay the full price by a certain date, the owner keeps the earnest money. We have the promise of God that we will be redeemed, saved, and will enter heaven. What specific and concrete assurance do we have? Baptism is the seal or earnest money God paid to ...

2575. Easter 2

Acts 5:17-42, Revelation 1:4-8, John 20:19-23, John 20:24-31

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... Jewish enemies. Behind the shut doors, they met in fear, worry, and despair. It is not likely that the shut doors would have kept out the enemies, for locks are made to be broken. They locked themselves in a room with open doors. Certainly their shut doors could not keep Jesus out. Fear and worry only lock us in and do not lock foe nor friend out. 2. Peace (vv. 19, 21, 26). Three times Jesus greets his followers with "Shalom." It was more than a casual greeting such as "Hello." The men were in need of peace ...

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