Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 2626 to 2650 of 4943 results

2626. Romans 14:1-12

Romans 14:1-12

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... any Jewish or pagan thought, for its benefits extended beyond death. Verse 9 reveals that Christ's death and resurrection offer more than pat-on-the-back assurances that a life lived towards the Lord is admirable - for even in death believers are not lost, but continue to stand in the presence of the loving, redeeming resurrected Christ. In verse 10 Paul stresses the unity of this human family once again. Just as all are members of the same household of faith, all will stand before the divine at the time of ...

2627. Exodus 17:1-7

Exodus 17:1-7

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... have spent forty years in the wilderness under Moses' leadership and Yahweh's covenantal care.) In the third complaint the Israelites bring to Moses, the subject is once again water. No doubt, finding good drinking water for this large number of people was a continuing quest, a daily challenge. But 17:1 makes it clear that the direction and duration of the Hebrew's journey was being established by none other than the Lord. Yet when no water is found at the campsite of Rephidim, the people once again ...

2628. Matthew 22:15-22

Matthew 22:15-22

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... there is evidenced by the two groups the Pharisees choose to send to Jesus as interrogators. "Their disciples" are obedient, observant Jews, proud of their uniqueness and hating the constraints they suffer under Roman rule. "Their disciples" find it humiliating and infuriating to pay for the continued support of the Roman state and would reject any religious figure that suggested otherwise. The Herodians are along for this ride to represent the interests of the civil authorities. Herodians supported the ...

2629. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the skins and thickened the resolve of Paul and his coworkers. But it was not mere survival of their experiences in Philippi that emboldened them for Thessalonia. Paul simply declares that it is "courage in our God" that makes it possible for them to continue proclaiming the Good News which is the "gospel of God." Verses 3-7 give translators some problems. The issue is whether Paul's words are addressed to the Thessalonian situation or whether he is speaking in a general voice about the nature of his ...

2630. Matthew 23:1-12

Matthew 23:1-12

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... . Only he uses the term "ecclesia" (16:18, 18:17) in his discussions about the community of believers. It is hardly surprising, then, that in this last public sermon, Matthew's Jesus focuses closely on what characteristics and attitudes distinguish his disciples from the established synagogue community. Note that the continued power and authority of the law, the Torah itself, is not at issue here. Jesus clearly acknowledges that the Torah spoken with Mosaic authority (i.e., from "Moses' seat," v.2) should ...

2631. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... through Jesus Christ. Christian joy, therefore, should be as constant as Christ's own love for us. If Paul does intend a literal "always" in verse 16, however, this is not the case in verse 17. The Thessalonian faithful are not being told they should continually be engaged in literal prayer. They are being directed beyond a reliance on, or contentment with, fixed prayer at established times. Just as the gift of the Holy Spirit makes joy theirs at all times, they also have God's ear at all times. A Christian ...

2632. Luke 1:26-38

Luke 1:26-38

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

2633. John 20:19-31

John 20:19-31

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... special peace Jesus brings is repeated once again, but this time in connection with the commissioning sentence he utters over the disciples. Just as Jesus' peace engulfs them in that safe, closed little room, so Jesus' peace will go with them as they go forth to continue his ministry (v.21). But it will take more than peace alone to enervate and animate the mission work Jesus has in mind for his disciples. Thus, as predicted by John the Baptist and repeated by Jesus at the Last Supper, he now fulfills his ...

2634. 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1

2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... body i.e. as the outer nature grows old and frail, the "inner nature" or spiritual self becomes more active and attractive. The "outer" nature is the life that begins in each Christian when he or she forms a believing relationship with Christ. It is continually in process throughout the life of the Christian and is only completed and perfected when the Christian stands before Christ in glory. While the life experienced by the "outer" nature is real, it is also seen by Paul as only "momentary." No matter how ...

2635. Mark 5:21-43

Mark 5:21-43

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... more than that, she appears to be alone. Without the protection and position of a husband or family to support her, she is powerless in her society. Added to this lack of family is the unfortunate status this woman does bear that of an unclean outcast. Her continual flow of blood has made her ritually unclean for the past 12 years. In other words, for 12 years this woman has been banned from sites of public worship or any contact with sacred or holy places and things (see Leviticus 15:25-30). Later in today ...

2636. John 6:24-35

John 6:24-35

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the 5,000 is clearly distinguished from the "signs." Signs in this context seem to indicate a perception by faith of the miraculous acts Jesus performs a perception which is of far greater importance than the miraculous action itself. Jesus' chastisement continues in verse 27 as he introduces this "bread of life" discourse. Jesus distinguishes between "the food that perishes" and the "food which endures for eternal life." The term "endures" (menein) is one of John's favorite words to describe the essence ...

2637. Mark 8:27-38

Mark 8:27-38

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... 8:14-21 that Jesus' followers are woefully far from comprehending the exact nature of Jesus' power and authority. Both Jesus' exasperated exclamation in 8:21 ("Do you not yet understand?") and his patient healing of the blind man in 8:22-26 point to a continuing inability to grasp Jesus' identity and to "see" Jesus through eyes unclouded by doubt and presumption. Jesus begins this next lesson, not by asking his disciples whom they believe him to be, but by asking them to tell him what they have heard others ...

2638. Mark 9:30-37

Mark 9:30-37

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... at "the house." Since Capernaum had been the urban site central to Jesus' Galilean ministry, it is likely that this house, perhaps Peter's own home, had become Jesus' Capernaum "home." Thus it is in these familiar and private surroundings that Jesus continues his private lessons to the disciples. Before the formal teaching sessions get underway, Jesus calls on his disciples to tell him about the arguments he had overheard between them as they had traveled. Consider for a moment how the disciples' behavior ...

2639. Mark 9:38-50

Mark 9:38-50

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the time of final judgment. The disciples, who have already been told they must be "servants of all," are to gain recognition and acceptance in the world not by themselves but by their confessed identity as ones who "belong to Christ" (v.41). As Jesus continues to stress the humility and servanthood that are marks of a true disciple, he also reveals how well he understands the workings of the human mind. As disciples working in Jesus' name and for Jesus' sake, Jesus knows the Twelve can perform works that ...

2640. 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of the speaker. Paul could never have been accused of resting on his laurels. He was a dynamic, driving personality who was never content with what he had accomplished. Neither does Paul want anyone else to be called Christian who was not willing to continue growing and learning and developing in faith. Paul always wanted "more and more" (Thessalonians 4:1) from those who had already shown they had taken the gospel to heart. It seems reasonable to assume, then, that Paul's reference is not to some specific ...

2641. The World's Worst Bargain

Mark 8:31--9:1

Sermon

King Duncan

... principle to the most minute and insignificant parts of His universe, doesn’t it make sense to assume that He applies it also to the masterpiece of His creation the human soul? And everything science has taught me and continues to teach me strengthens my belief in the continuity of our spiritual existence after death. Nothing disappears without a trace.” This is more than a material world. We are more than simply material creatures. We have a soul, a soul that, by the grace of God, even survives ...

2642. Etched in Stone

Exodus 20:1-21

Sermon

King Duncan

... my mother put me in a basket and floated me down a river,” Moses said. “Then I left Egypt for 40 years. You remember the burning bush, the plagues, and then the Passover.” God allowed that, yes, He remembered. “There’s a lot more,” Moses continued. “You remember everything, so I don’t have to tell you the rest. But I really can’t handle much more, and I have this splitting headache.” God looked at Moses and said, “Here, take these two tablets. That should help.” (3) The two tablets ...

2643. 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of boasting. The content of Paul’s boasting is that as Christ’s captive, Paul preaches the gospel without payment of any kind. He pleads for no one to interfere with the content of this “boast,” and asks the Corinthians to accept that Paul will continue to work to support himself. But Paul’s pleasure comes from being able to preach the gospel free of any charge. His goal is to preach the good news of Jesus Christ to all possible people. That is his greatest delight and pleasure. To achieve the ...

2644. The Gifts of Word and Table

Luke 24:13-35

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... burned their hearts but didn’t open their eyes to recognize him. It prepared them for an experience that would. Which is why our pattern of Christian worship includes both Word and Table. As they neared their home at Emmaus, the Stranger appeared to be continuing on. They bid him to stay with them. It was evening. It was supper time. They offered him what they had: hospitality and bread. At this Table there is enough grace for everyone. Divine Love isn’t limited. When a second child enters a family ...

2645. The Golden Gate

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... you my life abundantly, so that you are enabled to do what I do: absorb the consequences of sin by forgiving those who hurt you, so the vicious cycle of revenge can be stopped. This is the nature of the life Jesus gives abundantly. B. The Psalmist continues: “You anoint my head with oil.” That was the way kings were made. Whent the prophet Samuel selected the shepherd-boy David to be the king of Israel, he anointed his head with oil. Even though Saul was still on the throne, his successor was already on ...

2646. Bound to Earth, Destined for Heaven

Genesis 9:1-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... having descended to the very womb of the earth, to the radical unity of the world, he could give the earth his divine life forever. In death his sacred heart has become the pulse of the innermost heart of the world. And down here, the earth, in her continual development in space and time, sinks her roots into the power of all-mighty God. Now, it is an earth that is transfigured, an earth that is set free that is untwisted, that is forever redeemed from death and futility.” Do you hear it? In the same way ...

2647. Epiphany 6

2 Kings 5:1-27, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27, Mark 1:40-45

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... -27 1. Race (v. 24). Paul does not say that the Christian life is a race, but it is like a race. He uses the athletics of his day to illustrate his point. In once sense, the Christian life is a race because we race throughout life. Salvation is a continuing process. In this life we never "arrive" nor do we attain perfection. The prize is given when life is ended. On the other hand, the Christian life is not a race, for in a race only one wins. In the Christian sense, every person in Christ is a winner. Paul ...

2648. The Comforts of "Thy Rod and Thy Staff": Rulership or Relationship

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... It’s a good thing we have both the Protestant view of a faith that works and the Catholic view of works that faith. A truly Christian “flock” celebrate its locavore uniquenesses. At the same time we celebrate our “locavore uniqueness,” a truly Christian flock continually prays for unity and the “one flock.” Not a unity that takes the smoothness of one culture to cut the spiciness of another. Not a unity that mixes the too hot with the too cold to make some kind of a spew-worthy lukewarm faith ...

2649. A Violent Wind

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

King Duncan

... the work of the Holy Spirit better if we think for a few moments about the nature of wind. Wind is necessary for life. As Dr. Donald B. DeYoung notes in his book, Weather and the Bible, “Wind is moving air, and this fresh air is needed continually for life itself. Even seeds often require wind for their dispersal and subsequent growth. Similarly, the Holy Spirit is the presence of God, the source for all life . . .” (4) The word for wind and Spirit is also the same word for breath. So, in the creation ...

2650. Born Again

John 3:1-21

Illustration

Brett Blair

... bed experience or someone came back from the grave to warn me of the judgment to come, it would not fundamentally change my behavior. I would continue to live as I always have. (Luke 16:30-31). I think this is Nicodemus' confusion. If you're a Jew you're a Jew. ... change you simply by an act of his grace. There is no reason for it having happened and there is no explanation for its continuance. The wind: you can hear it but you cannot map it's journey. This man, that woman, this old man, this young child has ...

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