There is a story that comes out of the Bedouin culture. "Bedouin" is the Aramaic name for "desert dwellers." These people live much as the characters of the Old Testament did. During a heated argument, according to this story, a young Bedouin struck and killed a friend of his. Knowing the ancient, inflexible customs of his people, the young man fled, running across the desert under the cover of darkness, seeking safety. He went to the ...
2802. All It Would Take To Make Me Happy
John 3:14-21
Illustration
Brett Blair
Charles Shultz, creator and author of the Peanuts cartoon characters often conveyed a message in his comic strips. In one strip he conveys through Charlie Brown the need we have to be loved and through Lucy our inability to love one another. Charlie Brown and Lucy are leaning over the proverbial fence speaking to one another: CB: All it would ...
... to the depth of humiliation and showed his matchless love by dying on a cross. 3. The name (v. 9). As a result of this horrible death, God honors Jesus with not a name but with "the name." In Biblical thinking a name denoted the nature and character of the person. The name given to Jesus was "Lord" which every tongue is to confess and before which every knee is to bow. PREACHING POSSIBILITIES A Preaching Problem The problem of preaching on this Passion Sunday is to get time to preach! It is probably the ...
... The practical implication of the parousia is that we need to be in condition to receive Jesus. While waiting for his return, Christians should be busy preparing themselves that they may be fit to be in his presence. We have moral obligations to be as he is in character and spirit. Outline: What sort of persons need we be? a. Persons of holiness vv. 11, 14. b. Persons of godliness v. 11. c. Persons of peace v. 14. WORSHIP RESOURCES Psalm Of The Day: Psalm 85; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 "Righteousness and peace shall ...
John 1:43-51, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, 1 Samuel 3:1--4:1
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... anything coming out of Nazareth. Philip did not argue the point or try to answer Nathanael's question. He merely said, "Come and see" for yourself. You do not have to "sell" Jesus; he will sell himself. When you listen to his words of wisdom, when you look at his character, and when you see his power over nature, you come to the conclusion he must be the Christ. Old Testament: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) 1. Rare (v. 1). In the days of Eli and his sons, priests of the day, it was rare when the Word of ...
Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:16-24, John 6:1-15, 2 Samuel 11:1-27
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... to do than to look down upon what other people were doing in the neighborhood. Affluence and leisure are the seed ground for corruption. 2. Happened (v. 2). The account of David's downfall is a tragic story, a narration of a mighty king's downfall in character. Who would believe that this upright man of God who furiously danced before the ark of the covenant when it was brought to Jerusalem could commit such crimes worthy of death? It is amazing not only that a "saint" could fall so low but that the story ...
John 6:25-59, 1 Kings 2:1-12, 1 Kings 3:1-15, Ephesians 4:17--5:21
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... Lord v. 3. c. Worship the Lord v. 4. 2. 2. What do you want of God? (3:5-14). Need: We have so many things that we could ask God to give us. What is your greatest need? It takes some thinking. What you ask for reveals your character. Outline: What do you want? a. A long life? No. b. Wealth? No. c. Defeat of your enemies? No. d. Wisdom? Yes! Epistle: Ephesians 5:15-20 1. Carouse or celebrate? (5:15-20). Need: Drunkards carouse or celebrate. Those drunk with wine carouse in dissipation and debauchery. Those ...
... 1). What is better than the world's best? The world considers gold and silver as the best to be acquired and the more the better! This proverb points out that there is something better than wealth. It is a good name, a good reputation based on character and integrity. Also, it is favor favor above all with God and people. These values are more precious than gold. They bring happiness and satisfaction that wealth cannot purchase. The best way to have a "good name" is to be known as a follower of Jesus whose ...
... , the women followers of Jesus started out even before daybreak. As do all the gospels, John’s text declares that Mary Magdalene came to the tomb on the “first day of the week.” But each gospel text focuses on different details and features unique characters in its telling of the resurrection story. John’s text does not explicitly note that Mary Magdalene is by herself; she could be the only “named” person in an early morning entourage. But the inference is that she is on her own. This enables ...
Mark 9:33-37, Mark 9:14-32, James 4:1-12, James 3:1-12, Proverbs 31:10-31
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... more could a woman possibly want? It is not a matter of demanding rights and privileges or a plea to be equal to man, but this woman is praised for her service to her family. Outline: Marks of an ideal woman a. Companion to her husband vv. 11, 12. b. Character vv. 25, 26. c. Charity v. 20. d. Consecration to the Lord v. 30b. 2. A wonderful wife (31:10-12, 25-28). Need: What woman would make a wonderful wife and mother? Every man looks for one, but according to the divorce rate, half of the husbands and ...
Job 23:1--24:25, Hebrews 4:1-13, Hebrews 4:14-5:10, Mark 10:17-31
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... . They may be called secularists or humanists but not Christians even though their names may be on a church roll. They fulfill the role of the rich young ruler. Outline: You may be one who – a. Has apparently everything vv. 19-22. Youth, power as a ruler, character, money. b. Has nothing without Christ v. 21. 1. To know Christ is to know all. 2. To have Christ is to have all. 3. The possible impossibility (10:23-27). Need: In this passage Jesus makes it impossible for a rich person to enter heaven. This ...
... in reaching a destination. This sermon gives the preacher an opportunity to persuade those sitting on the fence or hesitating to join the church to make a full commitment. Outline: You are not far if you have only – a. Knowledge scribe (Mark 12:28-34). b. Character rich young ruler Mark 10:17-22). c. Opportunity Agrippa (Acts 26:28-29). 3. The question to end all questions (12:28, 34). Need: In today's gospel Jesus answers his last questions. When the people heard his answer, they dared to ask no more ...
... million users. How many of you are on twitter? Those of you with your hands up know that “tweats” are instant messages, micro-blogs that circulate among internet intimates—-online friends, followers and family. “Twitter” messages are short, no longer than 140 characters. Some are smart and to-the-point; others are breezy and chatty. But all are short. Social media like twitter keep your global network connected and up-to-the-minute with the needs and concerns of our tweeps, with “tweeps” being ...
Isaiah 61:10–62:3, Luke 2:21-40, Galatians 3:26–4:7
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... v. 26. b. When you have seen the Savior v. 28. c. When you have received salvation v. 30. Old Testament: Isaiah 61:10--62:3 1. All dressed up and nowhere to go? (61:10). Need: Clothing, they say, makes a man or woman. Clothing says something about the character of a person. Nudity is not the normal thing since the time of Adam and Eve. After their sin, they felt the need of covering. In a touching scene, God makes clothes for his first couple. Even God never appears to us in the nude. He wears masks and ...
2815. The Meaning of Life - Sermon Starter
John 17:6-19
Illustration
Brett Blair
In Act 5 scene 5 of Shakespeare's Macbeth, the character Macbeth has heard that the queen is dead and he knows his own death is imminent. At this time he delivers his famous soliloquy: Tomorrow, and tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time, And all our yesterdays have ...
2816. Surprised by Joy
Luke 24:1-12, 36-48
Illustration
Staff
Few authors have shared the good news of the Christian gospel as compellingly as C.S. Lewis in the Chronicles of Narnia. In one passage the characters Eustace, Jill and Aslan weep over the dead King Caspian. After Aslan is wounded with a pierced paw and his blood splashes on the dead king the king is wonderfully revived; "his sunken cheeks grew round and fresh, and the wrinkles were smoothed, and his eyes opened, and his eyes ...
2817. Jesus Brings Life
Mark 5:21-43
Illustration
Will Willimon
With whom do you most identify in today's gospel? There are plenty of characters here who are being stung by death. There is a woman whose whole life has been caught, dominated by a terrible, life-demanding illness. There is a distraught father. A little girl whose young life is being cut short. There are the baffled disciples, the crowd who doesn't know ...
... a saying regarding integrity, “It is better to have an enemy who keeps his word, than a friend who does not.” Living a holy and blameless life does not mean we are perfect, of course. But it does mean, by God’s grace, to be persons of character and responsibility. In the second place, says our lesson, we are chosen to live as God’s children. Listen again to Paul’s words: “In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ . . .” Those are words of encouragement. We were ...
1 Kings 19:1-8, Psalm 42:1-11; 43:1-5, Luke 8:26-39, Galatians 3:23-29
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... invading the privacy of citizens or celebrities. Inspire artists and authors, dramatists and producers, that they may show forth things lovely and of good report without avoiding theevil that is present in the world. Bless all who proclaim the gospel, giving them strength of character and will that they may not shrink from declaring the whole purpose of God. Lord of the living, you have kept us among the living but have led many of our family and friends beyond this life to the assembly of the firstborn who ...
... Coming in power and great glory. Amen. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Holy God, Messenger of the new covenant, flaming Spirit, we confess that we are sinners and cannot worship you worthily except as we are purified and cleansed of our sins. Let your Holy Fire refine our characters, and not merely our appearance, so that our very natures can become true and rich, purged of the dross of our deepest faults and the evil that corrupts us. Fit both pastor and people to worship you in the purity appropriate to the house of ...
2821. An Exhausting Business
Mark 6:30-34,53-56
Illustration
Martin Copenhaver
Ministry in the name of Christ is an exhausting business. It seems to demand a constancy that is not in us. In the movie Groundhog Day the character played by Bill Murray lives a single day over and over again. During one incarnation of that day he happens to catch a young boy falling out of a tree. From then on, when that moment in the day comes around again, he feels compelled to leave whatever he is ...
Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Matthew 9:9-13, Matthew 9:18-26, Romans 4:13-25
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... Christ our Lord. Amen PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of life, God of healing, God of health, though we are reluctant to say that there is no health in us, we do confess that we are not in perfect spiritual health. We are grateful that Jesus came to call bad characters, as a doctor is sent to heal the sick. Save us from the pride that prevents our taking all the prescriptions of this healer of the soul, Jesus of Nazareth. Teach us also what it means to be merciful, that we may not shun the company of less discreet ...
Genesis 18:1-15, Psalm 116:1-19, Matthew 9:25-10:23, Romans 5:1-11
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... God's messengers who renew the promise of a son who will be the beginning of a great nation. Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7) Second Lesson--Paul does not promise that salvation spares us from suffering but that God can use that experience to enhance our character as Christians. Romans 5:1-8 Gospel--Jesus outlines a rigorous discipline for his disciples. Matthew 9:35-10:23 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Let us exult in God through our ...
... honor of the name of Jesus Christ. Amen PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING We give thanks, O God, for your great wisdom and understanding of our humanity. For perfection you have created us, and with patience you work with us to fulfill the ideals of character that are most evident in Jesus Christ. We are thankful for the influence of the Holy Spirit, our family Spirit who draws us all into an always-loving relationship. We praise your name, loving Parent, caring Brother, tender Mother. Amen PRAYER OF DEDICATION God ...
2825. Are You Hungry?
John 6:24-25
Illustration
Steve Wilkins
... everything into gold that touches the water. It appears that the statue at the bottom of the pool is a man who either didn't know about the pool's magic powers, or he was so consumed with accumulating gold that he ignored its dangers. Even though the characters of the story are awed at the magic of the pool, they recognize that such a place is far more dangerous than it is beneficial, and so they swear themselves to secrecy and wipe their memories clean of that place. You see, when you waste your energies ...