Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 2676 to 2700 of 4681 results

2676. When the Doctors Can't Help You

Mark 5:21-43

Sermon

King Duncan

... you. But it doesn't really matter." She squeezed his arm so hard it hurt. "You'll never, ever, know what this means to me." (2) And it did mean more to her than she could express. Burdens are so much lighter when someone else helps us bear them. The woman with the issue of blood needed the support of her community. That is why Jesus had her confess her situation. Is there someone you can turn to? Someone who will not break your confidence? Someone who will listen sympathetically without judging? Jesus knows ...

2677. Strategic Kindness

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Sermon

King Duncan

... who were carrying the rounds at Gettysburg had hot shrapnel set off the rounds right next to their own bodies. (4) These soldiers enjoyed the same fate as people with car bombs in the Middle East whose bombs have exploded prematurely. Hatred and vindictiveness bear a lot in common with exploding rifle bullets. They are likely to prove just as deadly to the person carrying them as they were supposed to be for their intended victim. So St. Paul writes, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling ...

2678. The Dividing Line

Mark 8:31--9:1

Sermon

King Duncan

... great price . . . it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him." (4) Dietrich Bonhoeffer lived the level of discipleship that he taught. As did Christ. Such commitment puts to shame the puny discipleship of many of us who dare to bear the name Christian. What does it mean to take up a cross and follow Jesus? What does it mean to live a life of costly grace? During World War II, Dr. Aristides de Sousa Mendes* served as Portugal's consul general in France. He was a very ...

2679. Choices

Mark 9:42-50

Sermon

King Duncan

... father took off work every week, boarded a bus, and traveled across the state in the hope of seeing his son. Every week. It became the young minister’s difficult task each week to ask the son, “Do you want to see your dad?” Then he had to bear word of the refusal to the waiting father. The father would thank the chaplain, gather his belongings, and head toward the door for the bus trip back home. One day after telling the father that once again his son would not meet with him, the chaplain said, “No ...

2680. The Perfect Man

Hebrews 10:1-18

Sermon

King Duncan

... over: Baby Jessica was safe. But really, it wasn’t over for Jessica, it was just a beginning. She was alive, but the ordeal left her with some medical issues that required 13 reconstructive surgeries. She had to have 60% of her right foot amputated, and she still bears some scars from the incident, one of them on her forehead. How do you think Baby Jessica has responded to her scars, now that she’s not a baby anymore? When she was eleven years old, she told the Ladies Home Journal, "I’m proud of [the ...

2681. A Strange Kind of King

John 18:28-40

Sermon

King Duncan

... to express our allegiance to Christ. The best way to express our allegiance to Christ is to make our lives worthy of the name Christian. Sportsman and best-selling author Pat Williams, in his book The Paradox of Power, tells about one man who deserved to bear the name Christian. In fact, that was his name, Christian X, king of Denmark during World War II. The people of Denmark remember him the way any of us would want to be remembered, as a person of character, courage, and principle. Every morning, King ...

2682. Preparing for Christmas

Luke 3:1-20

Sermon

King Duncan

... of the gospel to the social issues of the day, and helped shape the history of the church in America. It was Washington Gladden who wrote that great hymn: O Master, let me walk with thee In lowly paths of service free; Tell me thy secret; help me bear The strain of toil, the fret of care. Help me the slow of heart to move By some clear, winning word of love; Teach me the wayward feet to stay, And guide them in the home-ward way. (3) Washington Gladden had no sudden conversion experience. He found ...

2683. God's Sneak Attack

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon

David J. Kalas

... for a very long time. The whole chancel area of our sanctuary had been transformed into a living nativity scene. There in the center was the manger, with Mary and Joseph on either side. Then we, the shepherds, came up along on one side. Next, the three gift-bearing wise men came up on the other side. And then, on a kind of balcony overlooking the whole scene, there were sopranos from the church choir appearing as singing angels in the skies overhead. It was very exciting for me, as a child, to be part of ...

2684. Epiphany: A Faith to Work Miracles

John 2:1-11

Sermon

J. Ellsworth Kalas

... that I needed something like that at that very time? How could your timing be so perfect?" Yes, how? Is it only a coincidence that you felt the urge at such a special time? Do you suppose such "coincidences" would happen more often if we were more ready to bear water for our Lord? You and I live in a time and place where miracles are badly needed, and in short supply. We are so trained to be skeptical, not only of God, but even of our own generous impulses, that the miraculous must struggle for any kind of ...

2685. Whether You'll Weather the Weather

Luke 6:46-49

Sermon

David J. Kalas

... build on the rock at first, but who frantically run to find a firm foundation once the storm hits. The real estate agent will readily tell you the axiomatic truth of his trade: "Location, location, and location!" As a pastor and preacher, meanwhile, I would bear witness to my work's version of that truth: Foundation, foundation, and foundation! In my roles as a preacher and a teacher, I endeavor to help people build on the rock while the sun is shining. In my role as a counselor, however, I reckon myself ...

2686. The Waster

Luke 15:11-32

Sermon

Frank G. Honeycutt

... player. He hears a "symphony" of instruments, a veritable orchestra of merriment. Befuddlement is not the right word to describe the older brother's reaction. He knows his old man doesn't throw parties on weekdays. Someone finally breaks the news. It is too much to bear. Robe, ring, and fatted calf -- an unbelievably excessive trinity of welcome for someone's who's been a royal jerk. "Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me," said the younger son before he left. I don't know whether ...

2687. The Glory of Christ

Isaiah 60:1-22

Sermon

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... in her midst, and all nations will be gathered to her light. They will carry Israel's exiled children back to Jerusalem (v. 4) and bring with them abundant gifts to rebuild the temple and to supply its sacrifices (vv. 5-7). There will be camels bearing gifts from the desert tribes of Midian and Ephah; gold and frankincense from the Arabian trading center of Sheba; herds from Kedar and Nabaioth; silver and gold from the sea peoples; fine timber from the North. But all will be brought to pay homage, not to ...

2688. Portrayal of Holiness

Isaiah 6:1-13

Sermon

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... smoke (cf. Revelation 15:8); and God's glory fills the earth (cf. Exodus 40:34-35; Ezekiel 43:5). This God overwhelms everything in his greatness. As a result, even the seraphim, those winged serpent-like creatures of fire that are God's messengers, cannot bear to look at the Lord. They are six-winged, and with two of those wings they must cover their faces, and with two they must shield their bodies from the light of God's glory. With two, however, they hover in flight, waiting to speed off immediately ...

2689. God Shows No Partiality

Acts 10:23b-48

Sermon

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... Christmas. Those seem like special times. And then certainly there are a few here because they want to show off their new Easter clothes, joining the fashionable Easter parade. But maybe, too, this crowd has showed up because we all have the inkling that Easter bears with it some hope about that death we all have to face. Whatever your reasons for attending this morning, we are glad that you have come. I cannot help thinking, however, that the crowd here this morning reminds me of the crowd that the Apostle ...

2690. The Sufficiency of Christ

Philippians 4:10-20

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... in power, and for the Holy Spirit that is by our side in every struggle. My gratitude overflows for a faith that is unwavering in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and for the personal practice of prayer that brings all God’s promises to bear in any situation.” Then Doyle concluded, “My Thanksgiving list is made this year, not from what I have, but from who has me. A God who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above everything we ask or think.” Doyle knew with Paul, the all sufficient ...

2691. Get Rid of the Junk

Jeremiah 16:1--17:18

Sermon

King Duncan

... LORD, whose trust is the LORD. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.” THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CURSED AND THE BLESSED IS INTERNAL; IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES. You can’t judge whether a person is cursed or blessed by the kind of house he lives in or the kind of job he has. You can’t tell it ...

2692. All This and Heaven Too

Luke 18:18-30

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... worked with our Scripture lesson today. It is a rather tough lesson, isn’t it? The rich young ruler wanted to know what he had to do to inherit eternal life. When Jesus rehearsed the commandments—you shall not commit adultery or murder, or steal, or bear false witness—you must honor your father and mother—this young man said rather confidently, “I’ve kept all these since my youth.” But Jesus knew that this young man was missing it, however truthful he was in contending that he had kept the Law ...

2693. If I Have Not Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... lives alone – and she doesn’t get hugs anymore. Hugs and love go together. If I don’t get hugged, if I don’t get loved, I become less than human. If we know we are loved – and let me tell you, hugging helps us to know that – we can bear anything. But if we have not love, we become less than human. With that truth in mind I want to make two specific observations. One, in our day-to-day relationships, we grow careless of the ones we are supposed to love. You married people – sit up and listen ...

2694. Fulfill Your Ministry

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... be made simply by reason. There must be an apologetic of experience. People must be able to see the difference it makes in your life. Robert Murray McCheyne: “The greatest need of my congregation is my own personal holiness.” It may be a heavy burden to bear, but if we are going to follow God’s call and fulfill our ministry, we must accept the fact that there is a demand that goes with our call – a demand for distinctive moral and spiritual qualities of leadership. The transforming power of the Holy ...

2695. Keeping Our Souls

John 13:18-30

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... what parish you please: Is this Christian fellowship there? Rather, are not the bulk of parishioners a mere rope of sand? What Christian connection is there between them? What intercourse in spiritual things? What watching over each other’s souls? What bearing of one another’s burdens?” (Colin Williams, John Wesley’s Theology Today, p. 151). So Wesley established class meetings to provide the fellowship of one loving heart setting another on fire. It was the class meeting that conserved the results ...

2696. God's Say-So

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... my life.” There will not be another message that the people in the congregation where you serve will need more than this one. It is the ultimate message of the Gospel -- the message of the cross. There is a story, perhaps apocryphal, but bearing a great truth whether apocryphal or not. When Abraham Lincoln’s body was brought from Washington to Illinois for burial, there were special ceremonies in the cities through which the train passed. The casket was carried in a procession through the streets. It ...

2697. Let Not Thy Will Roar, When Thy Power Can But Whisper

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... get it finished by September the 15th that was ok and I didn’t. I did get it finished by October 15th. I recommitted myself to be the best leader, the best pastor, of Christ United Methodist Church that I could be – but determined that I would not bear the weight of that congregation upon my own shoulders. And that next year was the best year of ministry I ever had. I surrendered. My will, which may have been roaring, gave way to a whisper because I realized again how limited and how dependent I am upon ...

2698. Partners In the Gospel

Philippians 1:1-11

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... that for the first time he was able to put signs out in front of his church in Prague. Do you know what he put on that sign? Just four words: “THE LAMB HAS WON! What a victory! What a sign of the Kingdom! The Lamb had won! Not the bear, but the Lamb! Not the tiger, but the Lamb! Not the lion, but the Lamb! He who had begun a good work in them -- because of their long years of faithfulness and the faithfulness of the body of Christ around the world -- the Lamb had won. You can count on ...

2699. Why Being A Christian Has Worn You Down v1

1 John 4:7-21

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... and the compassion He inspires within us sensitizes us to the needs around us. Think what we may about the need for welfare reform, Christian compassion will not allow us to be so cynical that we can ignore the poor people of this city who are bearing burdens they did not choose. How many crack babies were born in Memphis this year? How many homeless people will sleep under a bridge or in an alley tonight? How many single mothers are in our midst whose energy is drained and nerves frayed just in surviving ...

2700. The Work of An Evangelist

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... , fulfill your ministry. I’m not sure those are necessarily distinctive calls. I believe Paul’s conviction was that we could not fulfill our ministry without doing the work of an evangelist. And to do the work of an evangelist we must be watchful and willing to bear affliction. So, let’s center on that call – do the work of an evangelist. Do we need to remind ourselves of what the work of an evangelist is? An evangelist is one who shares in word, deed and sign the good news of Jesus Christ – the ...

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