Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 2701 to 2725 of 4508 results

Sermon

William J. Carl

If we’re really honest we have to admit that Peter speaks for all of us when he rebukes Jesus for saying that he would soon suffer. The main reason Peter does this is that following a God who suffers means we will probably have to suffer, too. Sure enough we were right; for immediately after Jesus puts Peter in his place, he says, “Those who want to be my followers must first deny themselves, take...

2702. Life on the Roller Coaster

Sermon

Johnny Dean

The news media this past week focused a lot of attention on amusement park rides - especially roller coasters. According to their reports, several parks across the country have closed down their roller coasters pending further investigation of serious, sometimes even fatal, injuries sustained by people who were "enjoying" a ride on the roller coaster. Early reports seem to indicate that in some in...

2703. Living for Christ

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call To Worship: Leader: Let us gather together with open hearts before the Lord! People: Let us each one set our fears aside and know God's presence. Leader: Let God's Love be in our midst and let us love God and each other. People: Let God's love flow beyond these walls into all the world around us. Leader: And let God's love be heard as we lift our voices in song and praise. All: Blessed ...

2704. Proper 17 * Pentecost 15 * Ordinary Time 22

Bulletin Aid

"Get behind me, Satan!" Sounds like an easy thing to say Glib Facetious Kind of like "The Devil made me do it!" Sometimes I think it's a cop-out It doesn't take my responsibility seriously! It would be fine If I could - Seriously - Blame my temptations on the Devil - Or somebody else - But they are mine! My choices to make For good or bad And they are hard choices! (If they weren't They wouldn't b...

2705. PROPER 17

Bulletin Aid

Gospel: Matthew 16:21-28 Theme: Discipleship demands self-denial Call to Worship Pastor: To live the Christian life is to put Christ first, even above self. People: Putting the Christian life first often leads to cross-bearing on his behalf. Pastor: We may feel we have sacrificed our life; but in that sacrifice, we find real life. People: We desire to commit ourselves wholly to the Lord; assured t...

2706. Playing A Role Or Being A Truth

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

The text for the message this morning, along with the scripture lesson that has already been read is from the Book of Romans, the 12th chapter. Its one of those signal passages in the New Testament that many of you know by heart. The first two verses of the 12th chapter. This is the word of the Lord. I appeal to you therefore brothers and sisters by the mercies of God, that you present your bo...

2707. Am I A Stumbling Block?

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship (based on Psalm 105:1-7) One: O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples. All: Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works. One: Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. All: Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually. One: Remember the wonderful works he has done, ...

2708. Follow Me!

Sermon

James McCormick

It was the beginning of new life for Peter and Andrew on that day, by the Sea of Galilee, when Jesus tapped them on the shoulder and said, “Come, follow me.” And, what an opportunity he gave to Matthew, the tax collector, when he issued the invitation to him, “Matthew, come, follow me.” Those three, and the other nine disciples all answered, “Yes.” But there were others who heard the call and said...

2709. Do You Look Good On Wood?

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

In a culture awash in self-hug spiritualities, it is time for disciples of Jesus to take up their crosses and follow him. The year ... 177 A.D. The place ... the arena at Lyons. The celebration ... fiesta time. The sport ... killing criminals, runaway slaves and Christians. A letter from the local church to a sister church in Turkey describes what happened: The governor had the blessed ones ...

2710. Matthew 16:21-28

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

One mark of the Synoptic Gospels is how they carefully divide Jesus' ministry into two definite stages. Matthew and Luke follow Mark's lead by having Jesus remain in the region of Galilee, preaching, teaching and healing for the first half of their gospels. Only after Jesus makes his explicit passion prediction does his one and only journey toward Jerusalem begin. Our gospel text today offers Matt...

2711. Proper 17

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

Psalms 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c First Lesson - Moses encounters God in a burning bush while tending sheep and is called to shepherd the people of Israel. Exodus 3:1-15 Second Lesson - Paul turns to specific moral admonitions that reflect the teaching of Jesus Christ. Romans 12:9-21 Gospel - Peter and the disciples have more to learn about the mission of Jesus as Messiah. Matthew 16:21-28 CALL TO WO...

2712. Proper 17/ Pentecost 15/ Ordinary Time 22

Bulletin Aid

Amy C. Schifrin

Additional Readings: Jeremiah 15:15-21; Psalm 26:1-8; Romans 12:9-21 Prayer Of The Day Leader: O Jesus our Savior, turn our eyes toward you, that we would only seek your goodness. Open our mouths, that we would only speak that which you desire. Unclench our fists, so that we would trust you to make all things right, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now an...

2713. Jesus Announces His Impending Suffering and Death

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

Big Idea: Though they have just confessed Jesus as the Messiah, the disciples struggle to understand his revelation that he will suffer, die, and be raised, and that they are to follow in his cruciform footsteps. Understanding the Text This passage begins a new section, signaled by the formula “From that time on Jesus began to [explain]” (16:21 [as in 4:17]), narrating Jesus’ journey to Jerusale...

2714. Jesus Predicts His Death

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

16:21–28:20 Review · Jesus to Jerusalem: Kingdom Enactment through Death and Resurrection: In 16:21–28:20, Matthew narrates Jesus’s journey to Jerusalem to fulfill his mission to be “a ransom for many” (20:28). After repeated predictions of his death and extended teaching that his disciples are to follow his example of service without thought of personal status (16:21–20:28), Jesus rides into Jeru...

2715. Jesus Predicts His Death

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

16:21–23 From that time on marks a new stage in Jesus’ revelation of himself to his disciples. They had acknowledged his messiahship, but now they must be prepared to follow a Messiah who would go to Jerusalem and suffer at the hands of the orthodox religious establishment. There he would be put to death, but after three days he would rise again. In verse 21 we have the first definite prediction o...

2716. The High Cost of Christian Living

Sermon

Thomas Slavens

Youth Sunday • Youth Sunday • Youth On a cliff overlooking a river in India stood a woman with two children. As the missionary doctor canoed down the river to the trading post, he noticed that the child who stood by her side was strong and healthy, while in her arms she held a tiny lad with twisted limbs that he would never use. When the missionary returned from the trading post again he saw the ...

2717. The Greatest Temptation Of All

Sermon

King Duncan

In Gary Richmond, a zookeeper at the Los Angeles Zoo, remembers the strict instructions he was given when he received the master keys to all the animals' cages. His supervisor made it very clear that constant vigilance was necessary for ensuring the safety of the animals and all the people at the zoo. Gary's greatest responsibility would be to guard his keys and to make sure he used them wisely - ...

2718. Generic Christians Or Disciples?

Sermon

King Duncan

As Maxie Dunnam was driving one day on Poplar Avenue, in Memphis, Tennessee, he noticed a bumper sticker on the car in front of him. He inched closer and saw that the bumper sticker read in big letters, "I am a Generic Christian." That got his attention. He tried to get closer. Some smaller letters were written beneath the larger ones. He got dangerously close to the back of the car to read the wo...

2719. An Easier Way?

Sermon

(Author's note: this sermon was preached as a first-person monologue by Jesus' disciple Peter. To help the congregation grasp the time difference, I costumed a bit by wearing the khafia, the common headdress of the Mideast. I also wore a cross, which I used as a "prop" near the monologue's end. At the same time, the sermon incorporated a "time warp, " with Peter speaking at one point as if he coul...

2720. Which Way?

Sermon

There is something contradictory and unexpected - inexplicable, in fact - about the way that leads to life. Given the two choices Jesus offers in this text, we on our own would not, not in a million years, make the right choice. Given the options of redemptive suffering on the one hand and, on the other, strongarming the enemy for Jesus’ sake, we’d choose the latter every time. Simon Peter chose ...

2721. Finding Life!

Sermon

"Whoever loses ... for my sake ... will find ..." - Matthew 16:25 As Jesus was starting his final journey to Jerusalem, there to be crucified, he said this to his disciples: "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if h...

2722. Proper 17

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Exodus 3:1-15 Moses is called to deliver God's people from bondage in Egypt. While tending his father-in-law's sheep Moses is called by Yahweh to return to Egypt to lead out his oppressed people. First Yahweh must get Moses' attention by having a bush burn without burning up. Because God is present, Moses is ordered to remove his sandals, for he is on holy ground. Wherev...

2723. Proper 17

Sermon Aid

Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration Try this: "Some of you who came today may wish that you hadn't; Some who didn't come today may be glad they didn't. Today, we deal with one of Jesus' difficult sayings. We can know that God promises Holy Spirit, no matter what's happening in our lives." You may want to include this litany: Pastor: From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the...

2724. Proper 17

Bulletin Aid

Theme: Judgment upon the Church Exegetical note Jesus' warnings here about the cost of discipleship - including cross-bearing and loss of life - culminate in the apocalyptic vision of the Son of Man coming in glory with angels to reward (or punish), not humanity in general, but the disciples, and precisely on the basis of their performance. This is a particularly Matthean warning to the Church of...

2725. Proper 17

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

Gospel Notes Jesus' warnings here about the cost of discipleship -- including cross-bearing and loss of life -- culminate in the apocalyptic vision of the Son of Man coming in glory with angels to reward (or punish), not humanity in general, but the disciples, and precisely on the basis of their performance. This is a particularly Matthean warning to the Church of his own day. Liturgical Color Gr...

Showing 2701 to 2725 of 4508 results