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Showing 276 to 300 of 606 results

276. 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... characterize Jewish and Gentile would-be believers. Jews, as the Old Testament amply demonstrates, demand "signs" from God - signs of power, deliverance, chosenness. Greeks - or Gentiles - don't want to see, they want to know - to be filled with self-acquired wisdom. In response to those very separate desires, Paul offers a common solution - Christ crucified. Little wonder that his news is perceived as a roadblock on the way to deliverance by Jews, and a foolish inconsistency in logical progressivism by ...

277. Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... : Fortress Press, 1981]). Nevertheless, the context here supports the sense of "created" or "established." Wisdom "was set up" (v.23) and "was brought forth" (v.24,25); elsewhere in Proverbs, the word qanah appears 12 times with the sense of to gain or acquire. Clearly, wisdom is not a divine being whatever the translation of qanah, but an aspect of Yahweh's glory providing a glimpse into his creative power and work. Wisdom, however, would become for an emerging Jewish community in the second and third ...

278. Colossians 1:1-14

Colossians 1:1-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... who are false teachers, Paul stresses "knowledge" that is coupled with "spiritual wisdom" and "understanding." This is not some philosophical footnote to be mastered that then has no bearing on behavior in daily life. The "knowledge" the Colossians are urged to acquire is always made manifest in right action and conduct a connection first forged in the faith of the Hebrew Scriptures. True knowledge, in the Hebrew sense, is relationship with God not some special knowledge about how the Divine plans and works ...

279. Thin Spaces

Matthew 17:1-13

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... experience that the biblical witnesses call holy fear? II. Holy Fear Once upon a time there was a man who lived in the middle of a desert. Really, he didn’t live there. He was a prisoner there. For you see, somehow in times past the man had acquired the habit of following his shadow, and only his shadow. He followed his shadow without question. Every morning when the sun came up he began walking in the direction his shadow pointed. This had been going on for as long as he could remember. It was familiar ...

280. Proper 18

Proverbs 22:1-16, Mark 7:24-37, James 2:1-13

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... . Christ relaxes us, frees us from fear and we are opened to health and salvation. Old Testament: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 1. Better (v. 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 ...

281. Proper 8

2 Samuel 1:1-16, 2 Samuel 1:17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, Mark 5:21-43

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... money. The truth is that stewardship of funds is not a concern for one month of the year, but for the entire year. The church can serve only to the extent that it has funds. Giving is a spiritual matter and it is to this that we turn. Outline: To acquire the grace of giving – a. Express your love v. 8. b. Follow the example of Jesus v. 9. c. Meet the needs of the poor v. 14. 2. How much shall I give? (8:7-15). Need: "How much shall I give?" is a question people are constantly asking. With ...

282. A Life of Trust

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Sermon

King Duncan

... He knew what Jesus was all about. (5) That’s a high level of living by faith. If we could have a clear vision of Christ and his will for our lives such as that child had, we could handle anything that comes our way. But how do you acquire such trust? Here is where I wish there were a simple formula. Some people grow up trusting. As the brilliant psychologist Eric Erikson taught us long ago, the establishment of a sense of trust is the most basic developmental task. Erikson said that humans encounter eight ...

283. Proper 23

Job 23:19, 16-17, Psalm 22:1-31, Mark 10:17-31, Hebrews 4:12-16

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... tested in every way like we are, but without sin. He intercedes for us at the throne of our gracious God. Pastor: Friends, believe the good news! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Seek your happiness in the pursuit of wisdom and the acquiring of understanding. Wisdom is more profitable than silver and that gain is better than gold. PRAYER OF THE DAY Life’s Gamemaster: we cannot hurdle all the expectations you have of us in order to win eternal life, so forgive our infractions of the ...

284. Great Expectations

1 Peter 1:3-5

Sermon

James Merritt

... that we have already received part of it. Eph. 1:13-14 says "In Him also when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it to the praise of His glory." That word "guarantee" literally means a down payment. You see when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord, that living Lord comes into your life in the person of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit becomes the ...

285. Why Me?

Proverbs 16:4, Colossians 1:16

Sermon

James Merritt

... of life is pleasure" or like the famous beer commercial used to say, "Grab all the gusto you can." In other words, life is just one big party. Enjoy it while you are here. Some take the approach of the materialist that says, "Life is about getting, buying, acquiring." It is just like the bumper sticker that said, "He who dies with the most toys wins." The only problem with that is, the person who dies with the most toys still dies! Basically, they all say the same thing. Go after your goals, dream big, aim ...

286. The Man Who Couldn't Hear - Sermon Starter

Mark 7:31-37

Illustration

Brett Blair

... to people, yet failing to comprehend, to understand, and come to grips with what they are saying, is a plague upon the Church. For, you see, it is possible to listen to a person, yet fail to really hear them. Listening is a skill. It is something that can be acquired. I don't think it is at all an exaggeration to say that you could have no greater impact upon your world then by closing your lips and opening your ears. How can we become better listeners? Let's take a look at… 1. The life of a man who ...

287. The Dark Side Arrives

Sermon

James Merritt

... Proverbs 5:11, NLT) Six-thousand teenagers contract a venereal disease every day. One out of every five Americans are now infected with a sexually transmitted disease. At the present rate, one in four between the ages of 15 and 55 will eventually acquire a sexually transmitted disease. [[3]] Doctors tell us that the most horrible scars the human body can suffer are burn scars. They are the most obvious, most painful and most resistant to corrective surgery. Nobody knows the anguish and guilt and scars that ...

288. The View from Michal’s Window

2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19

Sermon

Stan Purdum

... when Saul tried to kill him. In fact, Michal helped her husband escape, knowing he would have to leave her behind. Once David was out of reach, Saul took Michal, and giving her no choice, presented her in marriage to another man. In the meantime, David acquired a couple of more wives, and, as far as we know, made no attempt to even communicate with Michal. Years later, when he finally got the throne himself, he ordered that Michal be restored to him. Some Bible scholars think David did this not because he ...

289. The Maybe Moment

2 Samuel 11:1-15

Sermon

Stan Purdum

... to think — but even more, to pray. A recent study about the matter of self-control helps us to see why this is so. The study, conducted by Roy Baumeister, a social psychologist at Florida State University, concluded that self-control is neither an acquired skill nor a logical thought process. Rather, Baumeister said, self-control is an exhaustible resource that operates like a well; we empty it with use and refill it with rest. For the test, Baumeister divided people into two groups. One group was asked ...

290. Mrs. Proverbs

Proverbs 31:10-31

Sermon

Stan Purdum

... She makes the clothing for her family and for herself, as well as extra garments that she markets and sells to local merchants, does charity work for the poor, finds time to handle some real estate transactions, and then plant vineyards on the land she has acquired. Through all of this, she homeschools her children in kindness and religion, keeps up her spirits, and behaves with such decorum that she is a good reflection on her husband, who, instead of helping out at home, is free to take his seat among the ...

291. Testing Time

Luke 4:1-13

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... thing in life (and death) is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All else pales in insignificance and eventual powerlessness. Tell the devil he can't have you. But be sure you do so by telling him God makes this possible and you don't. To know our acquired spiritual strength is to become weak ... and honest. Three temptations that are a part of our spiritual memories need to be re-evaluated and studied to aid us in our walk with the Lord. At each juncture the testing is a grave matter. The devil is attempting ...

292. No Intimidation

Luke 13:31-35

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... quite like well-placed and intense humor. There is a real art to this strategy of ministry. One who is not skilled in this area and out of step with the Holy Spirit most likely will find he/she is on the agenda to be ousted! Acquiring such a method, hopefully on your knees, is truly valuable. We are prevented from becoming doormats for a good reason. If your superior wants you to rethink your style and, perhaps, crawl back to the parsonage or rectory in submission, simply point to Jesus' precedent. In ...

293. Prayer - What’s in It for You?

Luke 18:9-14

Sermon

John Wayne Clarke

... themselves to the righteousness of God, but have rewritten God's laws of righteousness to fit their own lifestyles. Our world today glorifies those that proudly justify themselves. We watch television shows that are geared to the success and riches that people have acquired by their own devices. We even enjoy watching some of the rich and famous as they fall from grace because it seems to us that they probably deserve whatever bad thing is happening to them. And why do we enjoy watching such a thing ...

294. A Servant in Saigon

Illustration

Keith Wagner

... he is not talking about being a martyr, nor is he wanting us all to be Mother Teresa or a Betty Tisdale. He is talking about denying ourselves the demand for power, honor and status and being servants. Faith is a paradox. Life in the kingdom is not acquired with honors, prizes, achievements, awards and success. It is realized with sacrificial love, unwavering faith and belief that God has a seat reserved just for us. It's better than the 50 yard line. It is not just good for a single game or a single season ...

295. Called by a New Name

Isaiah 62:1-5

Sermon

Mary S. Lautensleger

... who refers to these couples as "the hyphenated families." Some couples even become creative, combining syllables of both surnames in order to form an entirely new name. Children who are adopted take their new family's last name. Regardless of the reason for acquiring a new name, it usually implies a change in our circumstances or status. We are also known by the names of what we do to earn a living, and where we belong. Teacher, salesperson, truck driver, coach, nurse, and guitarist are names we respond ...

296. What Would You Do with a Million Dollars?

Mark 12:41-44

Illustration

David Chadwell

... ? Have you ever made this statement: "If I had the money, I would take care of 'X' need in the congregation." It is amazing to consider what we would do with the money we do not have. It is amazing to consider how our priorities would change if we acquired a large amount of unexpected money. It seems we would use the money we do not have in ways that we infrequently use the money we do have. It seems if we had more than enough money, we would use the surplus differently than we use what we actually ...

297. Turning Up the Religious Machinery

Illustration

William G. Carter

... talks, show you how to alter them just enough to obscure their origins, and get you a reputation for wit and wisdom. Course 2: Voice Control for Prayer and Counseling. We would develop your own distinct style of Holy Joe intonation, acquiring the skill in resonance and modulation that conveys an unmistakable aura of sanctity. Course 3: Efficient Office Management. There is nothing that parishioners admire more in their pastors than the capacity to run a tight ship administratively ...Course 4: Image ...

298. A Soul Restored

Psalm 23:2-3a

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... life in our families is where we learn these Christian principles. It is in these environments of trust, love, caring, comfort, compassion etc., that our spirits are fed. Sometimes we don't like what's put before us. The church often times offers things we haven't acquired a taste for. We think discipline is like broccoli, cauliflower or brussel sprouts. We know they are there and they're good for us. You can eat them if you like them but please don't put any on my plate. Just give us the mac and cheese ...

299. The Wedding Was Saved, but the Marriage?

John 2:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... I had desired, and on the other hand, I took to desiring what I had never desired before. That which formerly used to appear good in my eyes appeared evil and that which used to appear evil appeared good.” Before his conversion, Tolstoy had acquired fame and fortune through his great writings. But he was unsatisfied. “I fought duels,” he wrote. “I gambled, I wasted my substance wrung from the sweat of peasants and deceived men. Lying, robbery, adultery of all kinds, drunkenness was my life.” His ...

300. Yes, But How?

Luke 13:1-9

Illustration

Lee Griess

... ought to spend more time in scripture reading and prayer, but how?" "I know I ought to be more sensitive to others, more loving of my spouse, more understanding of the weaknesses of others, but how?" These are all good qualities and we know that, but how can we acquire them? As Christian people we know the kind of life we ought to live, and most of us have the best of intentions to do so, but how? We are afraid because we know where the road paved with only good intentions leads! This morning we hear Jesus ...

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