Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 251 to 275 of 2962 results

Sermon

Richard Hasler

... , according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth." There it is -- the plan and the Man. The plan is God's cosmic design to "gather up" all things in heaven and in earth. What a tremendous hope for the human community so often badly divided by personal, national, cultural and racial differences. God wills unity and wishes to break down the barriers that separate one from the other. The good ...

252. The Man Born Blind

John 9:1-12

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

... Tell me in order that, as a consequence, and as a result of this I may believe in the Son of Man, he said. Jesus made an object lesson out of every happening. His time was short. He had to use every event to focus on the design of God's work. Asker: At the expense of sufferers? Disciple: There is a difference between creating suffering and giving existing suffering a broader perspective. Asker: Did Jesus himself say the "so that" words? Or were they the interpretation of writers like John? Disciple: That is ...

253. Sermons

Sermon

John R. Bodo

... century B.C., when the Jews were being ruled and oppressed by the Syrians. Resentment of their oppression eventually led the Jews to revolt under the leadership of a noble family, the Maccabbees. What we know as the Book of Daniel was a revolutionary tract designed to help the Maccabeean Revolution succeed, which it did. But the story itself, as lively and well-loved as it is, raises more questions, for adults, than it answers. Does virtue really pay? Does God rescue his own in recognition of goodness and ...

254. God Knows!

2 Samuel 11:1-27

Sermon

Robert R. Kopp

... God. We may dislike giving our attention to God's wrath and justice, but until we incline ourselves to these aspects of God's nature, we will never appreciate what has been wrought for us by grace. Even Edward's sermon on sinners in God's hands was not designed to stress the flames of hell. The resounding accent falls not on the fiery pit but on the hands of the God who holds us and rescues us from it. The hands of God are gracious hands. They alone have the power to rescue us from certain destruction. We ...

255. Life Insurance Available -- Free, But Not Cheap

John 10:22-42

Sermon

Glenn E. Ludwig

... or friend -- "Is this all there is?" We are a strange people, indeed. Living as we do in a land of affluence, where most of us want for very little, we feel compelled to develop programs that will secure our futures. With the usual American ingenuity, we have designed insurance programs that can cover almost every calamity we can name, and even some we can't. We fear our futures: What will become of me, where will I live, what is life all about anyway? But we also fear today, so we build fancy and elaborate ...

256. The Mechanics Of Prayer

Matthew 6:5-15, Luke 11:1-13

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... to lead in prayer before a group. The prayer is spoken loudly for everyone to hear and engage in the leader's prayer. The leader should never pray as though he/she were praying privately. It is not "I pray" but "We pray." The public prayer is designed to offer prayer for all sorts and conditions of people, not only for the local group, not only for certain needy individuals, not only for the local church, but for the whole church throughout the world, for the nation and its problems, and for the world with ...

257. A Homecoming To Remember

1 Kings 8:22-61

Sermon

Timothy J. Smith

... to dwell in a tent when the people enjoyed all the comforts of living in houses. It was only appropriate for God to have a permanent dwelling place as well. It was Solomon's goal to build a temple. Solomon assembled the world's best architects to design a temple unlike any structure known. Work was begun with many of the Israelites laboring to complete the Temple in just seven years. The Temple was built on the threshing floor, the place where years earlier David had built an altar to worship God. The Lord ...

258. Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are!

Exodus 1:1-22, 2:1-10

Sermon

... one of my own people." Douglas John Hall has written: "The world's suffering is not going to be engaged by people in designer jeans frolicking and posturing in the wilds of Colorado in search of "the meaning of life" (their own!). It will only be met, and ... transformed, by those who take up the invitation to "come and die."4 Moses had lived the Egyptian life of designer jeans. He had searched for the meaning of his life in the Sinai wilderness. God was now giving him an invitation to come and ...

259. Adam And Eve And God

Genesis 1:1-2:3, Genesis 2:4-25, Genesis 3:1-24

Drama

Jerry Eckert

... 't think you'd, uh, appreciate seeing us naked so we, uh, we, well, we made ourselves some clothes." Warming up to his excuse, Adam stands up where God can see him. Eve's head peeps up over a nearby bush, looking from God to Adam and back. "Not exactly designer fabrics and colors, but they will do," God says sadly. "You did it, didn't you?" "What are you talking about? Oh, the tree? I wouldn't have even considered it if the companion YOU made for me hadn't dragged me to the tree over there and made me ...

260. Proper 11

Romans 8:18-27, Isaiah 44:6-23, Genesis 28:10-22, Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... Spirit takes over. Gospel: Matthew 13:24-43 The Church is not an English garden. Have you ever seen an English garden? They are so beautiful. The flowers are carefully arranged in rows, fanciful configurations and geometrical designs. You won't see a weed or an unclipped shrub. The garden is striking because it fits the design of its creator and all the parts fit together as one body. The garden is also notable because there are no weeds to detract from the flowers or suck out their life. The world which we ...

261. Proper 18

Romans 13:8-14, Romans 13:1-7, Ezekiel 33:1-20, Exodus 12:1-30, Matthew 18:15-20

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... ). The meal was a sign of the old life of slavery they were about to leave behind and the new life to which the Lord was leading. They were to be prepared to follow at a moment's notice. The Lord's Supper is also fast food; it is not designed to fill us forever but to strengthen us in our spiritual journey as the Lord's pilgrim people. Outline: 1. Discuss the popularity of fast food 2. Why do we crave fast food? Are we frantically searching for meaning? 3. Passover was fast food for the redeemed of God ...

262. Proper 22

Philippians 4:2-9, Philippians 3:1-11, Philippians 3:12-4:1, Isaiah 5:1-7, Exodus 20:1-21, Matthew 21:33-46

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... -Semitism. In its original context, the parable is one of judgment against the nation of Israel. They had not lived up to the covenant or rendered the obedience which was owed God. They would not be able to keep their special designation as the exclusive caretakers of God's kingdom. That designation was given to the church, made up of those who render repentance and the fruit of faith. It's not that the Jews were more sinful than other people, nor is it true that they are excluded from God's kingdom. All ...

263. Proper 23

Exodus 32:1-33:6, Isaiah 25:1-12, Matthew 22:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... old Egyptian gods. However, he may have rationalized that he was merely making a visual symbol of Yahweh. Humans are not made to be godless. If we don't know the true God, we will make our own deities. Moses as priest. Yes, I know that Aaron was the designated priest. However, in this text we see Moses in the role of intercessor, pleading to God to have mercy on his sinful people. Aaron, on the other hand, failed in his priestly role by giving in to the demands of his people. Old Testament: Isaiah 25:1-10 ...

264. Proper 9

Genesis 24:1-67, Romans 8:1-17, Romans 7:7-25, Zechariah 9:9-13, Matthew 11:25-30, Matthew 11:1-19

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... :15-25a (C, L); Romans 7:21--8:6 (E) Paul speaks vividly of his inner spiritual conflict. In his mind, he desires to do what is right but he cannot, because of the presence of his sinful (carnal) nature. He does the very thing that he hates. In designating himself as carnal (v. 14), he is not just referring to his physical body but to his entire being, though it is in this present bodily existence that this spiritual war is waged. Paul poses the question as to how we might be liberated from this sorry state ...

265. Christmas 2

Mt 2:13-23 · Jn 1:1-18 · Eph 1:3-14 · Jer 31:7-14 · Is 61:10--62:3 · Ps 147

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... and the spiritual. God would no longer be the Lord of all life. There are many who would rejoice to exile God to the heavens. Then they could rape and pillage the world, free of conscience; then they could order the world according to their own design. Indeed, many live a practical atheism, holding to the concept of God but denying God any place in their lives or the created order. "In the beginning was the Word." Much meaning is packed into this short phrase. Word implies message and meaning, which informs ...

266. God’s Flowing and Our Ebbing

Isaiah 6:1-13

Sermon

Robert Noblett

... be a straining and a stretching beyond the liturgical movements; because in so doing, we begin to posture ourselves to be grasped by the spirit of the living God. It is not, mind you, the God we have created through the juxtaposing of liturgical designs, but the God who is always there waiting to meet his people. And Isaiah reminds us that God will not be domesticated by us. There is an “awefulness” and an unfathomable mystery about God. The observation of Phillips Brooks, offered a century ago, still ...

267. Proper 11

Ephesians 2:11-22, 2 Samuel 7:1-17, Mark 6:45-56, Mark 6:30-44

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... can we presume to think that the Lord of heaven and earth lives in an earthly house? That's the question God raised through Nathan. "Would you build me a house to dwell in?" (v. 5). Imagine how presumptuous this was of David! If an architect is going to design a house that is to be built for someone, he or she needs to know the people who will be living there, their needs, interests and so forth. Yet we humans, who have only minutely begun to comprehend the greatness of God, think that we can construct a ...

268. The Return Of The Lost

Luke 15:1-7

Sermon

Donald Dotterer

... personal lives. Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees, that group of Jewish men who claimed the interpretation of God's law to be their professional responsibility. The Pharisees were shocked by the fact that Jesus would associate with people whom they had designated as the official "sinners" of the community. It was the deliberate policy of the Pharisees not to associate with those who did not observe the smallest details of the Jewish law. It was bad enough that Jesus spoke to such people as tax ...

269. Lent 4

John 3:1-21, Psalm 107:1-43

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... he bore us, brought us to life with Christ even when we were dead in our sins; it is by his grace that you are saved. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. EXHORTATION Devote yourselves to the good deeds for which God has designed you. PRAYER OF THE DAY Divine descendant from heaven, human ascendant from earth, let the light of love from your cross continue to shine in our world so that all who look to you in faith may live, no longer under judgment, but in grateful allegiance to ...

270. Mary Has Chosen The Good Portion

Luke 10:38-42

Sermon

W. Robert McClelland

... it for us did not prove profitable they would change their motto and their policy. The point to be grasped is not that business is bad or work is evil. The point is simply that those means for getting ahead provided by the company are not designed with our well-being in mind. They are designed with the system's good in mind; its survival and growth. Mary chose to turn her back on the system. She chose to leave Martha with all those pots and pans in the kitchen in order to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen ...

271. You're Not Too Young

Jeremiah 1:1-19

Children's Sermon

Mark A. Hultquist

Object: There are no materials required; however this children's sermon has been designed for presentation by two people (designated 1 and 2), if desired. Text: Jeremiah 1:4-7 The word of the Lord came to me saying: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." "Ah, Sovereign Lord," I ...

272. Wedding: The Goal of Marriage

Sermon Aid

John M. Braaten

... together." Matthew 19:4-6 (Good News Version) When God instituted marriage he intended male and female to be one. So they are no longer to be regarded as two, but one. Therefore let no one separate what God has united. Jesus reminded the people that God designed marriage to be a union of body, mind, and spirit, so the marriage partners become bonded into a single organism. This is not only a matter of sensual, romantic love, which in itself can be very beautiful. It is not just a matter of friendship and ...

273. "Day by Day"

Mark 2:23-28

Children's Sermon

... and help them to come up with some specific ideas for worship for each day of the week. Try to make each day's worship plan different in some way than that for any other day. If you feel your children are old enough, you may wish to designate a different family member as worship leader for each day of the week. Worship leaders could be responsible for choosing a Scripture, leading the prayer,and so on. Make certain that the plan you decide upon provides every member of your family with a chance to actively ...

274. Sure Signs

John 20:19-31

Children's Sermon

... you can show them how to make some colorful outward signs of their faith with "potato tattoos." Each student should begin by cutting one potato in half. He or she can then cut a design in relief on the cut face on one of the halves. Simple shapes, such as crosses, work best. (If you are working with very small children, you can cut the designs ahead of time.) The next step is to dip the surface of the potato into your paint or food coloring, then press firmly on your children's arms, hands, and faces. Older ...

275. The Kingdom of God Is Like… a Joke!

Luke 10:25-37

Sermon

Steven Burt

... and the hearers think: a religious man like a priest will surely help a pious Jew in distress. But he doesn’t; instead, the priest sees him, crosses to the other side of the road, and passes by. Next comes another person, a Levite, who was a designated lay associate of the priest. That’s sort of an unordained lay pastor. He also sees the pious Jew in the ditch, crosses the road, and passes by. It’s now that Jesus’ listeners expect to hear the master storyteller introduce a Jewish lay person, so that ...

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