Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 2726 to 2750 of 4943 results

2726. Seeing God In The Ordinary: Family

Luke 4:16-30

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... and not the period. (4) It would have been easy for George Burns to just quit. His partner and love of his life was no longer with him. He was 68. Everyone would have understood. But Gracie's encouragement from beyond the grave helped him Hold It Together and continue in the career he so loved. We can see God in the ordinary when family helps us hold it together. III. Family Helps Us By Inspiring We can see God in the ordinary when family helps us by inspiring. Believe me, I know that not all families are ...

2727. Joshua People Obey and Serve

Joshua 1:6-8, 24:14-15

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... into the world to make disciples, whose lives will have an impact which will ripple from here to across the rest of the world. We're already doing that in any number of ministry areas. As we look to the future, we need to continue doing that. And we need to continually ask the question Joshua asked the people of Israel in Chapter 24. Joshua 24:14-16 (NRSV) [14] "Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in ...

2728. Joshua People Study

Joshua 1:7-8, Psalm 119:10-18

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... With God's help we can see the day when this church will go from crawling to walking." And the people responded, "Let the church walk, Pastor, let the church walk." He continued, "And when the church begins to walk, next the church can begin to run." And the people shouted, "Let the church run, Pastor, let the church run!" Fired up, he continued, "And finally the church can move from running to flying. Oh, this church can fly high for God!" The people were getting as wound up as the preacher and cried out ...

2729. A Stone’s Throw From: Temptation

Luke 4:1-13

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... You gotta tell him not to do it." But Bagger says, "That's a choice for Mr. Junuh, Hardy." While Junuh ponders what to do, onlookers tempt him to lie. Even the referee tries to convince the young player that his guilt is misplaced. But Junuh confesses and continues his game with integrity. He then steps up and hits an incredible shot, out of the woods and onto the green just feet from the hole. You can almost hear the words of Jesus to the Tempter in background, "We do not live by bread alone. Worship God ...

2730. LOST? Pursuing Purpose

1 Peter 2:9-10

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... with you? Are you crazy?" Locke says, "I was in a wheelchair.? Boone's not sure what he's talking about and says, "What?" Locke continues, "Paralyzed for 4 years. The plane, our plane; I was in that chair when we took off. But not after we crashed. " "Why were ... trying to take it back and I don't know why. But it wants me to follow what I saw." Boone's really confused now and Locke continues. "I know it sounds crazy. 4 weeks ago I wouldn't have believed it myself. But you and I are here for a reason. There's ...

2731. Followed By Mercy

Psalm 23:6

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... and saying he was never going back. Mom and dad were concerned and kept asking what was wrong. Finally he said, "I don't want that lady chasing me, Sunday School teacher said, she's chase me the rest of my life?." Well, Mom and Dad were totally confused and continued to question him about what happened. Finally the boy explained, "Teacher said, 'Good Mrs. Murphy was going to follow me all the days of my life.' I don't know who Good Mrs. Murphy is, but if she's gong to follow me everywhere I go, then I'm not ...

2732. Your King Comes

Luke 19:28-44

Sermon

King Duncan

... such a tumultuous activity would attract the attention of Roman authorities who might send in a company of soldiers to squelch what could have been seen as the beginning of an insurrection. The Jews were a thorn in the side of the Romans already. If Jesus continued to be seen as a political messiah, an insurrectionist, all of the might of the vast Roman Empire would be arrayed against the people of Palestine. (8) There was no turning back now, however. Jesus said to the Pharisees, “I tell you if they keep ...

2733. Gratitude Not Platitudes

Matthew 6:25-34

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... down that they can look up for help. That's not really what God wants. God wants a heartfelt, ongoing relationship that isn't dependent upon the stuff of life. We are not in some codependent relationship where God has to prove God's love for us by continuing to lavish us with the gifts of the things of life. God has already given us the greatest and most costly gift possible. His Son and our Salvation. As a consequence, all God desires is a thankful heart. One that is "striving first for the kingdom of God ...

2734. Digging Deeper

Philippians 3:12-16

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... church, was exceedingly helpful. She took care of the mother's other son. She cooked dinner for the family, she did her shopping, she cleaned the house, washed the laundry. She did all of that without a single complaint or asking for anything in return. The lady continued by saying that she knew her neighbor had something that she did not have. I knew that she was a member of this church but that's all that she knew about her. This neighbor was always friendly and invited the mother to church. But prior to ...

2735. Shaped By The Fire

Acts 2:1-21

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... . And because of what will take place in the life of those, who this day will confess their faith in Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives, we can no longer look at them the same. They have been changed. And they will continue to change and be perfected, just as we continue to change and be perfected under the hand of the Master Craftsman who is shaping and molding our lives through the Fire of the Holy Spirit. Today, these people come to put their lives into the hand of the Master Craftsman to be Shaped ...

2736. Temptations of Daily People

Luke 4:1-13

Illustration

Douglas R. A. Hare

... promise, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (II Corinthians 12:9). Pagan idolatry is no more a temptation for us than it was for Jesus, but compromise with the ways of the world is a continuing seduction. It is indeed difficult for us to worship and serve God only. We should be continually grateful that we have a great high priest who, tempted as we are, was able to resist all such temptations by laying hold of Scripture and firmly acknowledging that only God is God.

2737. The Awful Grace of Amazing Grace

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... us never make it back to the second day of our “new workout plan.” We wait a few days, until the soreness subsides a bit, then we try again. That next morning is even worse! The problem with an intermittent exercise regime is that is brings a continual state of soreness. We never completely heal. But we never get into shape enough to “feel the burn” while working out without feeling like we’re on fire for the next week. This is true of every discipline and every art. Whether it is sports, business ...

2738. Philippians 3:4b-14

Philippians 3:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... he knows that he has a long road ahead of him in this desire to “conform” to Christ’s sufferings. Because faith-in-action is what now defines Paul’s life, he uses the athletic imagery of a footrace to describe the challenges he will continue to face. Paul’s whole being is focused on a great “goal,” the “heavenly calling of God in Christ Jesus.” He has not yet obtained this goal, but pursuing this final participation, this complete and ultimate “knowing” of Christ, is the end-goal that ...

2739. Valley of Suffering (Series: Peace in the Valley)

Isaiah 52:13--53:12

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... you in solidarity as you fight this foe, and I will hold you up to the Lord as well as I can. Dalai Lama, the spiritual and political leader of Tibet, suffered so much from the Chinese who ravaged his land and murdered his people, yet he continues to radiate peace and joy. Someone asked the great spiritual leader how it was possible that a man subjected to so much persecution could avoid being filled with anger and a desire for revenge? The Dalai Lama replied, “In my mediation I allow all the suffering of ...

2740. Valley of Weakness (Series: Peace in the Valley)

Luke 6:17-26

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... Is To Be Human “A great number of people from all over Judea, came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases.” Let me pose a question, “Why is it so hard to own our weaknesses?” Is it because Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer continue to teach us “natural selection” and the “survival of the fittest?” Is that the name of life’s game? Just as stronger animals seem to outlast and eventually control the weaker ones, so does it stand to reason that stronger humans will always rise to the ...

2741. Celebration (Series: Fundamentals of Family)

Luke 15:11-32

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... the party. Never let a hurt, pessimistic, stubborn family member destroy the celebration. They don’t deserve that power. The party must go on. The joy needs to be shared. Let the celebration continue. Homecomings here are dress rehearsals for a Homecoming over there. One of these days, we are going to make it to a place where tears are wiped away and disease will reign no more. One of these days, our sins and sorrows will be put behind us and our temptations ...

2742. One Lord, One Table

Exodus 20:1-4

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... us, or we will die." [20] Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin." One God. Ten Laws. Pretty easy to follow, right? Wrong. The story continues because, even with ten well thought out simple to understand rules we couldn't follow them. And our disobedience permeated everything we did. Those of us who used to be one family were now a squabbling bunch of school children. Once there was a family that was a real ...

2743. Where do You Live?

Romans 14:1-12

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... because you're not welcome, it's because they've gone out in search of others like you who need a place to live. As we continue our look at Romans, let's see what Paul has to say about judging others and where we should live. Romans 14:1-12 (NRSV) [1] ... one, every player but one has begun to do push-ups or run for Cruz. And even though he is weary beyond belief, Cruz continues to participate along with his teammates. And finally, the last player chooses to join in as well, saying, "I'll do some..." While ...

2744. We Are Weak, But He Is Strong...

Romans 8:26-39

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... mysteriously falling out. Mom encouraged her daughter, Eva to pray for Amy. Which she did with these simple words which touched Mom deeply, "Jesus, please hold Amy's hair on her head." As the doctors experimented with different treatments, Amy continued to lose her hair. Eva continued to pray the same prayer, "Jesus, please hold Amy's hair on her head." After six weeks the doctors determined Amy had alopecia, an extremely rare disorder where hair loss is unpredictable but can be complete and permanent. When ...

2745. How Does Your Garden Grow?

Matthew 13:1-9

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... like this guy did. How wasteful. And maybe that's part of the point. Sure this passage is about the soil of our hearts and the timber of our souls. But it's also about an extravagant God who blesses us beyond measure. An extravagant God who continues to scatter the best seed, His Word, to a world where there are still Stony Hearts, Shallow Hearts and Strangled Hearts. It was a shock and a scandal and still is, to those who think they have the inside track to heaven. Our God is truly and extravagant ...

2746. Getting It, Together

Matthew 10:24-39

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... !" "Go home!" Even a police officer and a fire fighter told him he should go home. To everyone who tried to stop him he said, "Are you going to help me now?" They didn't answer him but he continued digging for his son stone by stone. He needed to know for himself: "Is my son alive or is he dead?" This man continued to dig for eight hours and then twelve and then twenty-four and then thirty-six. Finally, during the thirty-eighth hour, as he pulled back a boulder, he heard his son's voice. He screamed his son ...

2747. Why Am I So Lonely? (Series: Real Faith For Real People)

Acts 2:42-47

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... to empower this ministry. Had He asked, I would have made several different suggestions. Nevertheless, to God be the glory, for I never want to let a trouble go to waste. What God has begun in us, must now move through us that this church may continue to bear fruit in the Kingdom of God. That needs to happen in at least two ways. First, every Sunday school class, prayer group, UMW Circle, support and service network must become a “Saving Station along the road to Holy Living.” We are great at caring ...

2748. This Is the Day!

Psalm 118:1-29

Sermon

King Duncan

... I first meet people, I can’t help but look at their hands. I can tell what trade you were in by the position of your calluses and the condition of your nails. I can tell you something about your character. “I love hands,” he continued. “I’ve often wondered what it would have been like to meet Christ and study his hands. There were the hands of Christ the carpenter, rough and bruised from working with saw and hammer. There were the hands of Christ the healer, radiating sensitivity and compassion ...

2749. What Is Unique About Christianity?

John 10:22-42, Ephesians 2:1-10

Illustration

Brett Blair

... free of charge, no strings attached. No other religion makes that claim. After a moment someone commented that Lewis had a point, Buddhists, for example, follow an eight-fold path to enlightenment. It's not a free ride. Hindu's believe in karma, that your actions continually affect the way the world will treat you; that there is nothing that comes to you not set in motion by your actions. Someone else observed the Jewish code of the law implies God has requirements, and Islam's code of love does the same ...

2750. Shaped By the Fire

Acts 2:1-21

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

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