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 2676 to 2700 of 4976 results

2676. The Resurrection

John 20:10-18, John 20:1-9

Drama

Jerry Eckert

... meet his friends there. Angel: What do you think happened to him? Fielder Announcer: An officer said his friends stole his body. Another officer said he walked out, resurrected. Angel: What do you think happened to him? Field Announcer: I'm just reporting here. I'm supposed to keep my opinion to myself. Angel: What do you think happened to him? Field Announcer: I can't tell you. Besides, I don't know yet. It's too early to know. Angel: You'll have other chances. You and he will connect up again, soon I hope ...

2677. Satan Goes to Church

Job 1:1-5, Job 1:6-22

Drama

Dr. Raymond Bailey

... enough to send Job into real spasms. Others, like your pastor, are creampuffs. He's always thinking, "I've gotta lose weight. I gotta lose weight. Gotta quit eating so much. Gotta quit eating so much. "He keeps worrying about those delicious delicacies that he promises Jesus he'll give up. All I have to do is keep planting in his mind the thought "don't think about food -- don't think about food" -- that image of a dish of candied ice cream sends him straight to the refrigerator. He loves the thrill of food ...

2678. The Son Makes Us Free

John 8:31-41

Sermon

Larry R. Kalajainen

... that he is still talking about the same thing. Later in the gospel, we hear Jesus saying, "You are my friends if you do what I command you ... this is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you" (John 13:34). And we realize that to keep Jesus' commandments is, for John, the same as continuing in his word and having his word abide in the one who continues in it. The question how do we continue in Jesus' word, or how can we know the truth or how does the truth make us free (which are ...

2679. Life As An Investment

Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon

Donald Dotterer

... have earned. For example, if a person allows the dark and sinful side of his personality to control him, that person can expect nothing but a harvest of trouble. This is what Paul means when he speaks of "sowing to the flesh." But on the other hand, if a person keeps walking in the way of the Spirit, then there will be rich rewards. We may have to wait a long time, and sometimes it may seem to be a terribly long time Ä but in the end, God will repay the person who is persistent in faith and good works, the ...

2680. Happy Fear - A Wedding Homily

Psalm 128:1-6

Sermon

John V. Carrier

... . It is a sign of God's love for you. Now, hopefully, this will lead you to a life of thanksgiving ... a life that recognizes that everything about you can and must be turned over to God. In that way, "the peace of God which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Why do you want your heart and mind in Christ Jesus? Why do you want the peace of God? Because marriage without it is a drag! Marriages without God fall apart. Why? Because as much as we love each other in our ...

2681. Marriage: Endearing And Enduring

Psalm 128:1-6

Sermon

Charles R. Leary

... , and not your private practice rooms too -- never have interests apart from each other -- then you stand the chance, a very big chance, that this thing we call marriage can fast become boring and routine and familiar. The psychologists say it this way: you have to keep resistance alive in a healthy and growing relationship. Finally, how can I talk about what we call trust without sounding parental? It's just the way it is: you have to be able to trust each other to go into his or her own private practice ...

2682. Wedding: Looking Outward Together

1 John 1:1-4

Sermon

Warren Gregory Martin

... ! And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death." The apostle Paul said: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." The writer of 1 John: "This is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son ...

2683. Inner Experience (Wedding Sermon)

Matthew 7:24-29

Sermon

Mary Lu Warstler

... , seeking only to gratify our own needs and desires, but is self-giving, seeking to please the other and satisfy their needs and desires, while not giving up our own personhood. We seek to be understanding and thoughtful, not being quick to take offense. Love does not keep score of all the wrongs, or imagined wrongs, but seeks always to reconcile and forgive. Real love is from God and if you will ground your love for each other in that love of God, you will grow together. Marriage can not be a one-time ...

2684. Wedding Sermon - You Are What You Wear

SOS 8:6-7; Col 3:12-17

Sermon

Erskine White

... the children without arguing, so they stop talking about the children. They find they cannot talk about money or sex or relations with the in-laws without arguing, so they agree not to talk about money or sex or relations with the in-laws. They keep adding difficult topics to the list of things they won't talk about until one day, they wake up and discover they cannot talk about anything! Their marriage has died. It is far better to learn right from the beginning how to talk about uncomfortable subjects ...

2685. Lent 1

Luke 4:16-30 · Psalm 103:1-13

Bulletin Aid

Jack Brownlee

... I acknowledge my sin and pray unto thee in a time when thou may be found. Thou art my hiding place, O God. I seek preservation in thy word. Encompass me with the songs of deliverance. Teach me the way my steps should go. Open me to hear your teaching. Keep me from closing my ears to you. Guide me in thy paths. Amen. Assurance Of Pardon Those who trust in the Lord shall have the Lord's mercy encompass them. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice ye righteous; shout for joy all of you with upright hearts. The Lord ...

2686. Lent 2

Luke 13:31-35

Bulletin Aid

Jack Brownlee

... , O Lord, thy tender mercies. Do not remember my sin. Take from me my self justification. Center me in thy will. Open me to thy spirit. Amen. Assurance Of Pardon The path of the Lord is mercy and truth to those who keep the covenant. Pardon shall be granted from thy iniquity. Deliverance shall keep thy soul, shame shall be kept from thy house. You have placed trust in the Lord. You have waited for the Lord with integrity. You are forgiven. Readings Psalm 25:1-7; John 6:1-13 Hymn "I Need Thee Every Hour ...

2687. The TV Audience

Sermon

Michael Rogness

... 's attention? If they're not there, people will drift off mentally to study the stained-glass windows, count rows of bricks, or fill in the os and es in the bulletins. Good preachers constantly ask themselves, "What is there in this sermon that will keep, or recapture, the people's attention?" 4 -- We listen more passively. With the speaker on the screen before us, television might look more personal than the printed page, but that is not the case. When people speak to us personally, we pay attention out of ...

2688. Words As Images

Sermon

Michael Rogness

... a little of the territory has been lost to its true Ruler.26 My faculty colleague James Nestingen preached a sermon on Matthew 14:22-36, the story of Peter walking on the water toward Jesus, then sinking when he began worrying about the waves rather than keeping his eyes on Jesus. This could be explained in clear prose: We also can be distracted by the anxieties and worries surrounding us, taking our attention away from Jesus. Instead he said: A lot of us are sopping wet up to our knees. Others are soaking ...

2689. Structure And Clarity

Sermon

Michael Rogness

... , including examples *problems of interpretation, or questions people might have about the text, and so forth. As you arrange these pieces, keep putting yourself in the place of the listener, who will hear the sermon once through, and that with maybe only half an ... Where should any of us be if that were not true, if Christianity were not above everything else a religion of redemption?35 Keeping It Clear A two/three/four-point sermon is a risky form for two reasons. First, if the structure is not made clear ...

2690. Creative Preaching

Sermon

Michael Rogness

... . One has to be creative without altering or violating the message of the text. The details have to be consistent and credible with the story. They must not distract from it or shift its meaning. The preacher has to know the historical setting well enough to keep the descriptions accurate. We preachers do this consistently even without thinking. For instance, preaching on the story of the Prodigal Son, one might say, On the day that his boy left him, the joy went out of the father's life. As he watched his ...

2691. A Walk With The Devil

Luke 4:1-13

Illustration

John E. Sumwalt

... , talk shows, movie contracts. Think of all the souls you will be able to save when you are famous. Don't worry about the risk. God will keep you safe. Come on, go for it." I think that was when I fainted. I'm afraid of heights. And when I came to, the devil was ... to think of it I still have that lottery ticket here in my pocket. I'll put it over here in front of the altar for safe keeping. If any of you would like to have it, you are welcome to take it and scratch it off. Author's Note: I tell this story as ...

2692. Jerry's Faith

Luke 7:1-10

Illustration

John E. Sumwalt

... knew these people had something I didn't have. I guess it was a simple faith in God. It seemed like a good way to live, but I still wondered if it was real. If there was no God, I think we would have to invent one to keep our sanity. I tried to keep an open mind on the subject. I found myself reading the Bible because I was hungry for truth. One Saturday night my mother called to tell me that my grandmother was gravely ill. I needed strength to face this so I went to church the next morning ...

2693. Everyone Is Searching

Mark 1:35-39

Sermon Aid

Clement E. Lewis

... to the neighboring towns. It was time to spread the good news beyond where they lived. In order to keep the Christ we must share him with others. A Closing Prayer: O God, in searching for the Christ, we discover that our faith and concepts are enriched. We also learn ... that we can't keep him confined to a given locale, for his mission and ministry is universal. We are glad that he invites us to go with him ...

2694. Strong Faith For Weak People

Romans 14:1--15:13

Sermon Aid

Clement E. Lewis

... God, and an honor unto Jesus Christ our Savior. We are all bound together as a common whole, not by choice, but by natural order, and in keeping with the wisdom of God. It is as Paul said, "We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves." We need to remember ... is strongest when it is represented by love in action. Parting Thoughts Live for something, have a purpose, And that purpose keep in view; Drifting like a helpless vessel Thou canst to life ne'er be true. Half the wrecks that strew life's ...

2695. The Virtue Of Self-Management

Proverbs 3:1-35

Sermon Aid

Clement E. Lewis

... ask any crown But that which all may win;Nor try to conquer the world Except the one within.Be thou my guide until I find, Led by a tender hand,The happy kingdom of myself And dare to take command. The Benediction Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to preserve you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy: to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. The Choral Response: (Sung by all) God be with you till we meet ...

2696. A Larger Design For Living

Matthew 7:24-29

Sermon

Clement E. Lewis

... and narrow. Like the great master artist, God sometimes looks on our design for living, and leaves us with the word, "Amplius." And in the same way that Rafael became a greater artist on canvas, so we ought to develop a larger design for our lives in keeping with the inspiration of God and his directions for them. We need a greater comprehension of what God expects of us in carrying out the design for living. There are several things we need to remember. "A man's life does not consist in the abundance of ...

2697. Take Up Your Cross And Follow Me

Matthew 16:21-28

Sermon Aid

Clement E. Lewis

... . The Christian cross is requisite to discipleship. It is a qualification of Christian self-worth. It is more than incidental and occasional; it is a daily matter, and a full-time commitment. It has to do with ultimate values. Jesus told them that you can only keep what you give away -- your life. Selflessness is the only assured means of spiritual survival. He asked them if anything could ever replace it; if they thought they could get it back, once they've let it go. Jesus was telling them that the surest ...

2698. What Can I Do With Who I Am?

John 1:19-28

Sermon Aid

Clement E. Lewis

... and increasing faith. We come seeking to know what we can best do with who we are. By the counsel of your Holy Spirit, guide us we pray, to understand and to do that which you want and expect of us, regardless of age, or limitations, and in keeping with our abilities and creative desires. In the same way, Fanny Crosby, the hymn writer, who though blind from infancy, was creative right up to the conclusion of her 95 years, inspires us also to be productive and giving of ourselves to the end of our days. This ...

2699. The Shortest Distance

Proverbs 4:26-27

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... , you are curving away from your goal and it will take you longer to finish your task. Boys and girls, when you have a job to do, like homework or washing the dishes, remember you will get through with your work in less time if you keep straight on the course, if you keep at it until you are done. Do not allow other things or thoughts to take you away from your path. Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home: When a child procrastinates. When the family has been on a hike and has followed curving ...

2700. The Jumping Flame

James 4:8a

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... work, but let me see if I can make the flame jump from the match to the candlewick. (Try it. You may want to do it several times to be sure the children see what happens.) The lesson to be learned from this little experiment is something worth keeping in mind as long as you live. Very often, when we do not feel like doing something, when the flame of motivation dies down; we discover that when we force ourselves and enter into the activity, the flame of motivation returns. For example, you may not feel like ...

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