Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 2901 to 2925 of 5000 results

2901. What Ever Happened to Wisdom?

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

Does gray hair bring wisdom or slower reflexes or both? This is the issue over which airline pilots and the Federal Aviation Administration have been arguing for years. The rule has been that pilots cannot fly jetliners after they turn sixty years old. Pilots claim that eligibility after sixty should be determined on a case by case basis. They cite the time when Captain David Cronin, age fifty-nine, brought a jumbo jet back to a safe landing in Hawaii after a huge hole had opened in its fuselage. He ...

2902. OK, God You Win!

Job 42:1-6

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

Did you ever pick a fight with God? Did you ever get mad at God or argue with him about the way he was treating you? Did you ever say, “God, why did you forsake me?” or “Why did you allow a hurricane to devastate the earth, like Hugo that caused ten billion dollars damage in South Carolina?” or “Why do some wicked people prosper and some righteous people suffer?” or “Why do bad things happen to good folks?” Maybe you did not, but Job did! He was a good man who loved and feared God. The Bible describes him ...

2903. God’s Great Final Day

Daniel 7:1-14

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

Those who do weekend sailing on a very wide body of water have a way of charting their course. They keep their eye on a distant, fixed object on the shore. No matter how whimsically the wind blows, no matter how tricky the cross-currents in the water, they can keep their direction by that immovable landmark at the water’s edge. Otherwise, they would be swept far off their course by the wind and the waves, although they might think that they were headed in the right direction. That distant landmark keeps ...

2904. Charlie Used To Do That

John 6:25-59

Sermon

Robert Salzgeber

The people said, "Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, just as the scripture says, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' " Jesus answered, "What Moses gave you was not the bread from heaven; it is my Father who gives you the real bread from heaven." Jesus is referring to the fact that even when God gave the whole Israelite community manna the people still complained; they were not satisfied. God then gave the Hebrews quail and they continued to be dissatisfied. Later on the whole Israelite community ...

2905. The Robe

John 6:25-59

Sermon

Robert Salzgeber

The people's question concerning "How Jesus said that he came down from heaven" was preconditioned by a particular Jewish mind-set of that day. The majority of the Hebrews, during the time of Jesus, believed that the spiritual world emanated from the physical world. Flesh, blood and race projected one's spiritual aura. So it is natural and normal for the people to grumble when Jesus says that he is the living bread that came down from heaven. But Jesus taught that the physical being emanates from the ...

2906. Living By Faith And Trust

Mark 5:21-43

Sermon

Leonard H. Budd

Jairus' little daughter was the sweetest child in the whole village. Everyone said so. She was slight in build and shy in behavior. And she was kind, more kind than any of the other children. Everyone said that, too. So when she fell ill and could not even venture beyond the framing of the front door of her house everyone in the town was greatly concerned. Her parents were well-respected, for her father was one of the 10 men in town who ruled the synagogue. He had lived within the bounds of the town all ...

2907. The Compassionate Highway

Mark 6:30-44

Sermon

Leonard H. Budd

Two bits of the gospel story are put together for today's lectionary lesson from Mark. First (6:30-34), the disciples have been out in the neighborhood, teaching the words that Jesus had taught them and doing the good deeds that they had seen him do. You remember that, after his rejection in Nazareth, he commissioned his close followers to be his messengers to the world. Now they have returned to Jesus with reports of their work. I suppose we might even say, in today's images, that the sales force is back ...

2908. Where The Lord Dwells

2 Samuel 7:1-17

Sermon

Charles Curley

Life had settled down for David. The battles, the struggles, the rushing from one end of his land to another, trouble wherever he looked, these were all behind him, at least for the present. For, "the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him." (2 Samuel 7:1) In his unaccustomed leisure, David had time to build himself a house. A grand house. A house made of cedar. A house fit for a king. Then David, still having time on his hands, hada brilliant idea: he would build a house for God. "See now ...

2909. Pleased To Reconcile

Luke 23:26-43

Sermon

Larry R. Kalajainen

Did you ever secretly wish that we had kings and queens here in America? I think that must be a secret wish of many of us, if the tabloid newspapers and magazines which are always on sale at the supermarket checkout counters are any indication. Between the romantic antics of Hollywood and the goings-on of the British royal family, the tabloids do a rushing business. (I won't embarrass any of us by asking how many secretly enjoy reading those tabloids as we're standing in line.) There's hardly a week goes ...

2910. Lead A Worthy Life

Ephesians 4:2-3

Children's Sermon

Object: Package of instant drink mix Good morning, boys and girls. I brought this package of instant drink mix with me this morning. This flavor is [name the flavor]. It's one of my favorite flavors. What flavors of this do you like to drink? (response) Have you ever had a summer party with friends in your backyard where you mixed up a package like this? Sometimes you might even have brought some stuffed animals along and some dolls and served them some of the drink. I want to tell you a story about a ...

2911. Put On God's Armor

Ephesians 6:17

Children's Sermon

Object: A baseball cap Lesson: Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Good morning, boys and girls. I brought a baseball cap of my favorite team with me this morning. (Show the cap.) How many of you like this team? (Let them answer.) What are your favorite baseball teams? (Let them answer.) I want to tell you a story about some friends who loved to play baseball. Are any of you in (the name may vary from community to community) T-ball/Pee Wee/Little League this ...

2912. Be Prepared

Mark 4:35-41

Children's Sermon

Parents: Most areas of the United States are threatened with the danger of tornadoes. Earthquakes, floods, and fires are other natural dangers which most of us face, either directly or indirectly, at one time or another, and if is important that your children know what to do in the event of these potential dangers. This is especially important if your children must often be left alone without adult supervision. If you have not done so already, you should compile a set of clear, simple instructions, ...

2913. Shepherds And Bathrobes

Luke 2:8-20

Sermon

Thomas Long

Sometimes the events described in the Bible bowl us over with their sheer size. The picture in Genesis of God commanding light and darkness to go their separate ways, summoning the seven seas like charters, and, with a word, drawing up the massive continents from the primordial ooze of the formless earth. That's scale! Or, hundreds of thundering Egyptian chariots dashing headlong after fleeing Hebrew slaves. Suddenly the once dry gap in the sea is invaded by a violent wall of water, foam filling the ...

2914. Easter 4

Psalm 23:1-6, Acts 4:1-22, 1 John 3:11-24, John 10:1-21

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

The One Shepherd The Good Shepherd parable comes on the fourth Sunday of Easter. While it is located in the Gospel before the crucifixion, it interprets the meaning of the events. The message enables the church to see them not as unrelenting tragedy and failure but as signs of victory and hope. The key interpretation is not that the enemies of Jesus were in control by their ability to take his life. Rather it is that Jesus by an act of the will of God could lay down his life for his followers and take it ...

2915. The Unclean Spirit

Mark 1:21-28

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

This healing story is the first pronouncement story in Cycle B. The pronouncement formula presents a situation, builds to a climax, offers a solution and gives a statement of the issue. In the early church, this format made for easier recall of the story for oral retelling. While healing on the sabbath is mentioned in this miracle, the main issue is authority. In another Cycle B miracle for Epiphany 7, healing the paralytic (Miracle 4), Jesus observes rumblings and questions among the scribes (Mark 2:6) ...

2916. Lent 2

Mk 8:31-38 · Rom 4:13-25; 8:31-39 · Gen 17:1-7, 15-16; 22:1-18 · Ps 22

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 God establishes his covenant with Abraham and his descendants. Like the covenant with Noah, it is an eternal covenant. Unlike that covenant, the beneficiaries of this covenant are Abraham's descendants exclusively. God promises to multiply his progeny so that nations and kings come from his line. As a result of this new relationship, the names of Abram and his wife, Sarai, are changed to Abraham and Sarah. Abraham means "the divine father is exalted." Sarah ...

2917. Lent 5

John 12:20-36, Jeremiah 30:1--31:40, Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: The heart of Jesus was broken in death so that he might create within us a new heart. In the First Lesson the new heart is promised. In the Second Lesson, Jesus poured out his heart of suffering to the Father. In the Gospel Jesus promises that he will unite our hearts through the cross (draw all people to himself (v. 32). COMMENTARY Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Written after the destruction of the nation by the Babylonians, the prophet promised that God will establish a new covenant with both ...

2918. Proper 11

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

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Building the kingdom of God. COMMENTARY Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7:1-14a Some scholars judge chapter 7 to be an insertion from a later period. The purpose of this text is to explain why King David did not construct the temple. The setting for this pericope finds David victorious over his enemies; he has built himself an ornate palace and wants to build the Lord a worthy dwelling. At that time, the Ark of the Covenant was housed in a tent. David reveals his plan to Nathan, the prophet, who initially ...

2919. Proper 15

Ephesians 4:17--5:21, 1 Kings 3:1-15, 1 Kings 2:1-12, John 6:25-59

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Being filled with the wisdom and Spirit of God. COMMENTARY Old Testament: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 The story of David comes to an end. He reigned as king a total of forty years. Solomon rules in his father's place, offering lavish sacrifices at the high places of worship. Early in his reign, God appears to him in a dream and tells him to request whatever he desires. Solomon confesses his inadequacy for the task of being king and asks the Lord for wisdom, that he might discharge his duties justly. God ...

2920. All Saints' Sunday

Jn 11:32-44 · Mt 5:1-12 · Isa 25:6-9 · Rev 7:9-17; 21:1-6 · Ps 24

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Isaiah 25:6-9 Through his prophet, the Lord promises to make a joyous feast for his people on Mt. Zion, replete with rich food and wine. God will remove the pall of gloom and sorrow by destroying death and personally wiping away the tears from the eyes of his people. Epistle: Revelation 21:1-6a John's vision of the new heaven and new earth, predicted by Isaiah (65:17; 66:22). The sea, symbolic of unrest and turbulence, is no more. The new Jerusalem descends from heaven, with all ...

2921. Easter 2

Acts 4:32-37, 1 John 1:5--2:14, John 20:19-23, John 20:24-31

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: The risen Christ confronts us in our doubts and fears with his living presence, fortifying our faith, so that we might withstand the doubt. COMMENTARY Epistle: Acts 4:32-35 The church in Jerusalem witnessed to the power of the risen Christ through the quality of their communal life. They were united in faith and love, freely sharing their possessions. In fact, many of those with property sold it and made the funds available to the whole community. Epistle: Acts 3:12a, 13-15, 17-26 (See Easter 3) ...

2922. Epiphany 3

Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-10, Jeremiah 3:6-4:4, 1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: The right time. In the First Lesson (Jonah 3) Jonah warned the inhabitants of Nineveh that it was time to repent. In the Second Lesson Paul thinks that the time of Christ's return is very near. The Gospel begins with our Lord's call to repentance and faith. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 After being vomited up by the great fish, Jonah reluctantly agrees to preach repentance to the citizens of Nineveh. The populous city readily repents and God retracts his decision to punish the sinful ...

2923. Epiphany 8

Hosea 2:2-23, Mark 2:18-22, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: The marriage covenant in both the First Lesson and the Gospel provides an image of the kind of intimacy which God seeks with his people. For Hosea this means going back to the honeymoon period (the Exodus). In the Gospel Jesus suggests that he is the bridegroom and his disciples are the bride. It was a fitting time to celebrate the marriage. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Hosea 2:14-23 The prophet Hosea speaks the word of God to the eighth century people of Israel (the northern kingdom). It was an age of ...

2924. The Epiphany Season

Mt 2:1-12 · Jn 1:43-51 · Mk 1:9-28; 35-45 · Mk 2:1-12; 18-22 · Mk 9:2-13

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Epiphany Through The Centuries After Easter, Epiphany is the second oldest season in the church year and was celebrated on January 6th by churches in Asia Minor as early as the second century. Epiphany celebrated both the birth and baptism of our Lord. This date was picked because it was the festival of the sun god. Instead of celebrating the birth of the sun god, the church lifted up the birth of the Son of God. The pagan festival reveled in the lengthening light of the sun, physical light, while the ...

2925. Proper 26

Hebrews 9:11-28, Ruth 1:1-22, Mark 12:28-34

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Getting back to the basics, to love God with one's entire being and to love the neighbor as oneself. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Ruth 1:1-18 This story, known by even the biblically illiterate, finds its setting during the time of the judges. Elimelech and his wife Naomi migrate to Moab, probably for economic reasons, where they settle. Their two sons marry Moabite wives. During the course of time, all of the men in Naomi's family die. She hears that there is food in the land of her origin and decides ...

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