Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 2951 to 2975 of 4963 results

2951. Sleeping through a Revolution

Mark 14:32-42

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

... conference that a few years before he had visited Rome and seen at St. Peter’s the world famous Piet by Michelangelo. He conceded that the sculpture of the dead Jesus held in the arms of the mourning Mary was an artistic masterpiece. Yet somehow this deceased Jesus remained alien to him, as did the many crosses with the suffering Jesus on them that he saw in Rome. A Buddha, he said, would never have been depicted like that. Buddha died as if he were slipping away into a better beyond, with a smile on his ...

2952. What the Maid Said to the Fisherman

Mark 14:66-72, Mark 14:53-65

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

... Leader might also happen to them. “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus,” the maid said. And at least Peter was there to answer. Where were the others? Mark says: “They all forsook Him and fled.” (14:50) All? Not quite, but almost. At least one remained close by. Peter hung in there longer than anyone else. Let’s give him credit for that. Yes, Peter failed the final test. But Peter fell to a temptation which could only come to a man of fantastic courage. Up to this point in Peter’s career ...

2953. On Keeping Quiet about Easter

Mark 16:1-20

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

... . Jefferson was an outstanding statesman, but a lousy theologian. Infected by the popular philosophy of “Deism” of the day, Jefferson went through the New Testament and snipped out the passages that seemed incredible to him. Nothing supernatural, nothing miraculous remained. He had the disciples huddled together behind closed doors with fear that what happened to their Lord might happen to them. And then, suddenly, you have them standing in the marketplace, boldly proclaiming that Christ is Lord. What ...

2954. On the Threshold: From Law to Gospel

Matthew 3:1-12

Sermon

David Busic

... changes our inner motivation for obedience by giving us true freedom. We turn toward Love itself, experienced by the presence of the Holy Spirit. This gives our life meaning and purpose and eternal Joy. As we allow the Holy Spirit to burn any chaff within us, the wheat will remain and we will bear fruit as a consequential outcome of living our lives in God. As Jesus said, he came to give us life and that abundantly. This is the message of the Gospel. The Messiah is the means. This is the new covenant.

2955. Whose Hand Is On Your Shoulder? (Part 4)

1 Chronicles 4:1-23

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... Louis Armstrong and his friend took a similar walk. They went down the same street . . . got to the same corner . . . only to see a sign in front of them. It read: "Students of Louis Armstrong." (6) You and I are students of Jesus. We know that only as we remain connected to him can we "get it right." Jabez turned to God to "get it right" in his life. He prayed, "that Your hand would be with me." He knew that he was nothing without God. He knew the importance of staying connected to God. And God granted him ...

2956. Who Needs a Shepherd? (I am the good shepherd)

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... are controlled by the wrong voice. We, like sheep, are prone to wander at times--but we can never wander far enough from the love and grace of the Good Shepherd. In our Holy Communion liturgy we say these words, "When our love failed, his love remained steadfast." It sustains us--even when we do not want to be sustained. God provides his presence and power to get through even danger--adversity--trials--testing. He will sustain us with power--courage--and patience that did not originate from us--but comes to ...

2957. GIVE ME YOUR SINS: The First Word

Luke 23:26-43

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... . All sin is contrary to the nature and character of God. Give Jesus your sins--not just your neighbors''. The paradox is this: How can a God who declares that he is going to punish sin--forgive us? How can God be reconciled to sinners? How can God remain holy, righteous, and just--and yet forgive sin and sinners. How can humankind be forgiven? It would have to be God''s idea. Martin Luther said, "Christ became what he was not--"Sin"--in order that we might become what we were not--"The Righteousness of God ...

2958. What Is Your Response toe the Resurrection?

Mark 16:1-20

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... . To isolate herself from society, she asked to be sealed in a cell within the wall of a church. The entrance was plastered shut except for one small hole through which food could be passed. She was confined in that small area at 18 years of age and remained there until she died at age 98. We may admire this woman''s determination to be free from the world''s influence, but we cannot help but feel that hers was a tragically wasted life. To serve the Lord effectively, we must not isolate ourselves from the ...

2959. The First Commandment: Who's on First?

Exodus 20:1-21

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... in our life--without our eternal home in God--we make ourselves susceptible to those who would wish to shape and mold our lives for their own desires and profit. Israel had just been delivered from such a disastrous situation. The only way they could remain a free people was to follow the God who had set them free from Pharaoh''s harsh bondage. They were headed for the Promise Land, not just anywhere. But before they reached that destination, one principle needed to be clarified: "I am the Lord your ...

2960. The Tenth Commandment: How Zacchaeus Got His Groove Back

Exodus 20:1-21

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... push his body unmercifully. As the sun was going down he ran harder than he had ever run in his life. Just as the last glint of sunlight was fading, he managed to get back to that crucial fur cap and immediately toppled over in exhaustion. He remained motionless for some time. When the townspeople finally investigated, they discovered he was dead. He had so overtaxed his heart that it had stopped. At that point the question of the story’s title was posed: "How much land does a man need?" It is a timeless ...

2961. Titles, Credentials, or Resurrection Power

Philippians 3:1-11

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... ''s there?" came a voice from within. "It''s the Emperor Charles, ruler of seven kingdoms." But the doors did not open. Again, the lead casket bearer knocked three times. Again, the voice from within said, "Who''s there?" "It''s Emperor Charles." Again, the doors remained closed. A third time, the casket bearer knocked. And a third time the voice asked, "Who''s there?" "It''s Charles, Child of God." And the doors swung open wide, as the service of worship and memorial began. (4) Yes, we are known to God by ...

2962. The Power of a God-Shaped Attitude

Philippians 4:2-9

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... and beauty. However, the scripture did tell us that as a man or woman thinks, so we are. The scripture also teaches us to think on things which were true, honorable, and praiseworthy. What a waste it would be for men and women to read the word of God and remain the same as they were before reading it. What kinds of thoughts and attitudes do we store in our hearts and minds? Do they empower us to see and appreciate beauty and the glory of God in our everyday journey of faith? Do we allow our minds to become ...

2963. Secrets Shared for the Journey of Life

Philippians 4:10-20

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... if we choose to be, and if Christ is really in us, we will be! Yes, faith gives us stability to stand firm regardless of the circumstances. Many of us remember from our health classes the reassuring fact that on the hottest day our internal temperature remains a steady 98.6 degrees. We are no hotter than usual--we just feel that way. It is also reassuring that in the coldest weather we are as warm as usual. Paul learned from life''s many experiences that regardless of the environment surrounding him, he ...

2964. The Test of a True Testimony

James 1:19-27

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... later another sociology professor came across the earlier study. He had his students follow-up on the project to see what had happened to these boys. With the exception of 20 boys who had moved away or died, the students learned that 176 of the remaining 180 had achieved more than ordinary success as lawyers, doctors and businessmen. "The professor was astounded and decided to pursue the matter further. Fortunately, all the men were in the area and he was able to ask each one, How do you account for your ...

2965. The Temptation to Talk Transformation

James 2:14-26

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... sclerosis, heart diseases, etc., have been canceled because of lack of interest." The schools were strangely quiet, with no field trips and no volunteer classroom aides. Symphony Hall and the museums that had been built and stocked by volunteers were dark and would remain that way. The flowers on church altars withered and died. Children in day nurseries lifted their arms, but there was no one to hold them in love. Alcoholics cried out in despair, but no one answered. The poor had no recourse for health ...

2966. A Soul Restored

Psalm 23:1-6

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... providing for his flock that nurtures us even to this day. The need for love, care, companionship, and compassion are needed in every generation and civilization. I further asked each person here to read the 23rd Psalm at least once a day for the remaining part of this summer. I believe this Psalm holds great potential, power and purpose to revive us individually and as a church family. Last Sunday we studied the phrase, "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures." This reflects that ever since creation ...

2967. A Full House

Romans 5:12-21

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... of Easter and the eternal can be found at the end of this challenging journey." Tonight, we start with the ASHES. I plead with you not to stay there. Tonight, we acknowledge that we have sinned, but the Good News of the Gospel is that we don''t have to remain in the state of sin. Dr. Fosdick reminds us of this paradox of SIN and GRACE when he wrote, "While we ought not to be the way we are, no person need stay the way they are." God has acted on our behalf in the person of Jesus Christ to ...

2968. Feasting and Fasting for Lent (Part I)

Luke 4:1-13

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... toward heaven." Perhaps that is Christ''s words to some of us this morning. Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days. The visibility was poor with patchy fog, so the captains remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities. "Is it steady or moving astern?" the captain called out. The lookout replied, "Steady, captain," which meant they were on a dangerous collision course with that ship. The captain then called to the signalman ...

2969. Feasting and Fasting for Lent (Part II)

Luke 13:22-30

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... returned from the sanctuary from a time of prayer and silence. I am already writing better. The Quaker writer, Richard J. Foster in his book, THE FREEDOM OF SIMPLICITY shares: "Silence frees us from the need to control others. One reason we can hardly bear to remain silent is that it makes us feel so helpless. We are accustomed to relying upon words to manage and control others. A frantic stream of words flows from us in an attempt to straighten others out. We want so desperately for them to agree with us ...

2970. Feasting and Fasting for Lent (Part V)

Philippians 3:1-11

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... I believe to give your life to Jesus Christ and become a minister, a missionary, a mother, a mate requires a daily dose of Vitamin C2--Courage and Commitment. I believe to be a Sunday School teacher requires courage. I believe it takes courage and commitment to remain faithful to the marriage vows you once shared in the presence of God. It takes courage to say "NO" to adultery and divorce. It takes courage to say "NO" to an abortion. It takes courage to say "NO" to alcohol. It takes courage to say "YES" to ...

2971. Maundy Thursday: Two Memorials

Luke 22:7-38

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... and transform the sad legacy of hate and racism into the richer legacy of the brotherhood among all peoples, especially in the Body of Christ. Yes, 2,000 years have passed since that night we now call Holy or Maundy Thursday, and that sacred meal still remains. Many rulers, movements and kingdoms have come and gone. But this meal and the man whose memory and legacy we honor tonight is continuing on with great power and purpose. Just ask Bishop Story, Pastor Ike, and the prison guard. There is hope for our ...

2972. Good Friday: The First Word

Luke 23:26-43

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... the incredible sense of time that God has? We know from the Old Testament records that the prophet Isaiah tells about one who would be "numbered with the transgressors." We believe that our Lord was crucified around 9:00 a.m. in the morning and actually remained on the Cross until about 3:00 p.m. We believe that he spoke this first word perhaps as the nails were being driven in. To think that Jesus actually prays for those who are performing this task is beyond my comprehension. Please notice that Jesus ...

2973. What a Difference a Day Makes

Matthew 28:1-10

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... that the Roman authorities had taken their fondest hopes and greatest dreams from them on Good Friday. They were living as victims--when God had achieved for them the victory. How tragic it is for Christian believers to continue to fight the Good Friday battle and always remain a victim when we could claim the resurrection power of Christ and be a victor. However, I understand that it does take a leap of faith to believe that Christ has won the big war when our world looks the way it does today. EASTER CAN ...

2974. The Measure of Love

1 John 4:7-21

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... do I find a verse which declares that God said, "Be good," and I will love you. Rather, I John declares: Because I love you, you can become loving. I have provided the example and power. SECOND, TO LOVE WITHOUT MEASURE IN OUR JOURNEY REQUIRES US TO REMAIN CONNECTED TO THE SOURCE OF THAT LOVE. From the beautiful campus of Drew University comes a powerful story that I want to share with you. It seems that a winter storm hit the campus. The forceful gusts of wind knocked many limbs from the thousands of trees ...

2975. Three Modern Meanings of the Ancient Christmas Story

Luke 2:8-20, Luke 2:1-7

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... way of getting the word out. Gabriel presses the Lord on a decision about what He is going to do. The Lord answers Gabriel by saying, "I am not going to send anybody this time, I am going myself." Yes, EMMANUEL means "God with us." God did not remain in Heaven to receive a computer copy of the world''s sufferings and then issue a memo to form a committee to work on our dilemmas. No, God left heaven and came to the front line trenches. God became one of the wounded. His hands are nail-scarred. In ...

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