Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 2901 to 2925 of 4933 results

2901. His Baptism and Ours

Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon

T. A. Kantonen

The theme of the first Sunday after the Epiphany is the baptism of our Lord, the event by which the quiet carpenter of Nazareth became consecrated to be the Kingdom-building Son of God and began his Messianic career. The event becomes meaningful to us when we see what bearing this consecration has upon our own baptism, that sacramental act by which our lives became dedicated to him and his Kingdom. The baptism of Jesus takes place in connection with the "Kingdom of God" movement led by John the Baptist, ...

2902. The Hike (Alt. Version): A Drama about Youth and Commitment

Drama

Dave Marsh

Director's Notes: I was recently asked to write a drama for a youth group. I decided to take 'The Hike' and alter it since it seemed to fit so perfectly with their goals. The adult leadership of the group wanted to say that they were there for the teens. The drama is aimed at both the Christian and the non-Christian teen. To the Christian it says: We (the leadership) are going to work with you to continue to grow into a deeper relationship with our God. To the non-Christian it says: We are going to ...

2903. Undercooked Turkey and Unwrapped Presents

Hebrews 2:5-18

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

For the major holidays, my great-aunt Edith's home was the usual site of our family gatherings. Unfortunately, two of those family celebration days, Thanksgiving and Christmas, involved preparing a large turkey with all the trimmings. Aunt Edith was an extremely proper, formal and capable hostess. While a fairly good cook, she missed the class that taught how long it took to get a twenty pound bird completely done, and how you could tell when it was done. On several festive occasions, I distinctly remember ...

2904. They Devoted Themselves

Acts 2:42-47

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

Acts 2:42-47 (NRSV) [42] They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. [43] Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. [44] All who believed were together and had all things in common; [45] they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. [46] Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with ...

2905. Where do You Live?

Romans 14:1-12

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

In the irreverent comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, which is a send up of the King Arthur tales, there is a scene where one of the knights, Sir Bedevere is confronted by a group of villagers. It seems they have gripped one of the local women and claim she is a witch. It's very obvious that her long crooked nose is fake and has been tied on and she's been dressed up to look like a witch. Sir Bedevere questions the evidence and the people confess that they made it all up. But they still want to burn ...

2906. The Kingdom Is at Hand

Mark 1:14-20

Sermon

King Duncan

If any of you are Will Ferrell fans, you may be familiar with the 2006 film, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Ferrell plays the role of Ricky Bobby, a dimwitted daredevil who is also the most successful driver on the NASCAR circuit. In typical Will Farrell fashion, Ricky Bobby is morally and ethically bankrupt. The only things that matter to Ricky Bobby are winning races and self-indulgence. But Ricky Bobby is religious, after a fashion. He even prays when it suits his desires. In one scene he ...

2907. Giving Our Best

Mark 7:24-37

Sermon

King Duncan

A few years ago when corporate America was emphasizing excellence in the workplace a story was circulating about a widower who had for years been eating at the same restaurant. On this particular night, he sat down at his usual table and his waiter, as usual, put before him, as usual, a bowl of chicken soup. As he started leaving, Mr. Smith called out, “Waiter!” “What?” said the waiter. “Please taste this soup,” said Mr. Smith. The waiter frowned. “It’s the chicken soup you always have,” said the waiter. “ ...

2908. Jesus, Our Hope

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon

Darrick Acre

So this is Christmas. You’ve heard the song haven’t you? “So this is Christmas and what have you done? Another year over; a new one just begun. Let’s hope it’s a good one with plenty of cheer.” We can always hope, can’t we? Or can we? So this is Christmas. Have you ever said that with more resignation than excitement? Have you ever said it with more disappointment than joy? “So this is Christmas?” Somewhere in a family gathering there will be a moment when hearts are torn because the place at the table is ...

2909. The Sin of Being Less

Colossians 3:1-14

Sermon

Mark Trotter

There is a story about a woman who rode the same bus to work every morning. One day an old man got on the bus. He was shabbily dressed, obviously down and out. She thought about what she could do to express Christian love to this poor man. How could she reach out and help him? She got up, took a dollar out of her purse, went over to the man, pressed the dollar into the palm of his hand, and said, "Never despair. Just remember, never despair." The next day the woman was on the bus again. The man got on at ...

2910. Demon-Possessed Child

Matthew 15:1-20, Matthew 15:21-28

Sermon Aid

Dallas A. Brauninger

First Point Of Action After the miracle of walking on the water (see Cycle A, Miracle 8), Jesus leaves the land of Gennesaret and goes to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Second Point Of Action A Canaanite woman from that region comes out and shouts at Jesus for mercy because a demon torments her daughter. Third Point Of Action Jesus ignores her. Fourth Point Of Action When the disciples urge Jesus to send the persistent woman away, Jesus tells them God sent him only to save the lost sheep of the house of ...

2911. Chapter II

Exodus 20:1-21

Sermon

Frank H. Seilhamer

"I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; You will have no other gods before me. You will not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you will not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but ...

2912. Forgiveness: Human and Divine

Matthew 6:12-15

Sermon

Edward Inabinet

Today we are concerned about the matter of forgiveness, God''s forgiveness of us and our forgiveness of others. According to the Bible, the two go together and can never really be separated. James Knight is a Professor of Psychiatry, an Associate Dean of the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Lately, he has been speaking and writing about some of the horrendous and overwhelming social and emotional problems people face today. He speaks from his own experience when he says, "I confess that ...

2913. The Lost and Found Coin

Luke 15:8-10

Sermon

James W. Moore

A few weeks ago (February 4, 2005) one of the major TV news networks (ABC Nightline) presented a powerful and amazing true story about the redemption of a notorious drug addict who had been lost… and then found. The program was entitled, The Doctor and the Reverend. The Doctor was an African-American man who was well-known and much feared in one of the roughest and toughest sections in the United States… the Badlands of Philadelphia… a run-down inner-city neighborhood infested with drug addicts of all ages ...

2914. The Lost and Found Coin

Luke 15:8-10

Sermon

James W. Moore

2915. Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5:1-11

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

The idyllic picture of the church presented in 4:32–37 had to be qualified. The church must soon have made the painful discovery that sin could enter into its fellowship, and because it suited his theme, and was a matter of particular interest to him, Luke chose to mention what was probably an early and notorious instance of sin in connection with the common fund. Ehrhardt sees the story of Ananias and Sapphira as a test case for the question whether a rich man could be saved—important for the church of ...

2916. The Lord's Supper

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

Problems in the Assembling These few lines are vitally related to the verses that follow, verses 23–26 and verses 27–34, although the weighty traditional nature of the ensuing verses distinguishes verses 23–34 from verses 17–22 and suggests the separation of the discussion of the Lord’s Supper into smaller, more manageable parts. Paul’s words and his concerns are straightforward, nearly self-evident, although the energy of his argument causes the discussion to shift about in a way that might be difficult ...

2917. A Sermon About Prayer

Luke 11:1-13

Sermon

Dean Feldmeyer

A responsible pastor must have a theology of prayer that goes beyond churchy axioms, pious clichés, pop theology, and Bible verses proof texted from the King James Bible. An authentic theology of prayer must offer hope in the promise that God answers prayer, but it must also be prepared to respond to the questions of those whose prayers “availeth not.” We must be, at once, ready to celebrate with those whose cancer went into remission and to weep with those whose cancer didn’t, when both persons’ prayers ...

2918. The Main Thing

Luke 12:32-40

Sermon

Dean Feldmeyer

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34 “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”[1] The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. That’s important. You might want to write it down. I’ll say it again: The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. It’s one of those seemingly self-evident rules that is absolutely essential if you want to succeed at anything. My Uncle John had a colorful way of illustrating the essential truth of it. Uncle ...

2919. Everybody Pray!

Matthew 15:21-28

Sermon

"Jesus left that place and went off to the territory near the cities of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman who lived in that region came to him, 'Son of David, sir!' she cried. 'Have mercy on me! My daughter has a demon and is in a terrible condition.' But Jesus did not say a word to her. His disciples came to him and begged him, 'Send her away! She is following us and making all this noise!' Then Jesus replied, 'I have been sent only to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.' At this the woman came and ...

2920. The Seven Delightful Blessings of the Word of God in the Believer's Life

Psalm 119:169-176

Sermon

Michael Milton

On the Fourth of July we went to Washington, D.C., and while there, we watched the fireworks. I love fireworks anywhere, but I especially loved these because the finale was spectacular! This section of Psalm 119 is the finale! It is a veritable fireworks of blessings that come to us through the Word of God, the Bible. Taw Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word! Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. My lips will pour forth praise, for you ...

2921. Building a Victorious Life

Luke 6:39-49

Sermon

Gary L. Carver

J. Wallace Hamilton in his book, What About Tomorrow? tells the story of a wealthy builder who called his top assistant and said, "I am going away for ten months. While I am gone, I want you to oversee the building of my home. I am going to be retiring in a few years. I have these wonderful plans and an excellent lot by the lake and I want you to oversee the building of our home." As he left, the assistant said to himself, "He lives in luxury and has done very little for me. When he retires, what will I ...

2922. One in Christ

Ephesians 2:11-22

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

Christ and the Unity of Believers The apostle is addressing Jewish and Gentile believers in 2:1–10. He begins by showing that both groups of people were living in disobedience and sin; both stood in need of God’s mercy and love. The Good News in the passage is that a loving and gracious God acted to correct that through his Son. In union with Christ, believers become a new creation and are resurrected and exalted with their Lord. As such, they are lifted out of their former evil condition that they might ...

2923. Living for God

1 Peter 4:1-11

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

Live Wholly for God 4:1 What are the practical implications for Christians of Christ’s suffering and consequent triumph over death and the powers of evil? Recalling the opening of this section, back in 3:18, Peter reverts to the death of Christ. This is the example that believers should follow. They must turn their backs on the immoral practices of their pagan neighbors, formerly their own life-style, and wholeheartedly follow their Master by copying him. Christ suffered in his body, that is, he gave his ...

2924. Judas

Luke 22:1-6

Sermon

Carl E. Zahrte

Remorse or Repentance? Were you there? Is that what you people were just singing? Is that what you’ve been thinking? Was I there? Of course I was. Do you have to ask that? My name is Judas, the son of Simon. There are not many people who know anything about Jesus Christ who do not know something about me, too. Yes, I was one of the twelve whom Jesus chose to be his apostles. Almost 2,000 years have passed since I lived and died, but people still remember me. They recall that I used a kiss as the sign to ...

2925. A Prayer for the Faithful

John 17:6-19

Sermon

George Bass

Were the disciples of Jesus to hear the prayer in today’s text in the context of our worship - between the Ascension and the Day of Pentecost - it would have taken them back to supper the night Jesus was betrayed. They would have remembered how he got up from the table and washed their feet, and then how he returned to the table and told them that one of them was not clean and would betray him. They would have recalled how he answered Peter’s question, "Who is it, Lord?" with "It is the one to whom I give ...

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