Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 276 to 300 of 579 results

276. Epiphany 6

Mt 5:21-37 · 1 Cor 3:1-9 · Ps 119 · Dt 30:15-20

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... the reader to enter God's new world. Deuteronomy 30:15-20 is a call for Israel to choose life in the land over death in the wilderness, while Psalm 119:1-8 provides encouragement for the worshiper, who has left the wilderness and entered the land, to persevere in walking on God's roads in God's world. Deuteronomy 30:15-20 - "Bond Yourself to God and Choose Life" Setting. The book of Deuteronomy is a speech by Moses addressed to Israel as they stand on the far side of the Jordan River. These Israelites are ...

277. Proper 13

Psalm 17:1-15, Romans 9:1-29, Matthew 14:13-21, Genesis 32:22-32

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... life. We give of what we have, express our gratitude, identify with the suffering of Christ in the broken bread and poured wine, and give ourselves as bread for the world as Christ has given himself for us. In relation to the theme of the epistle (God's faithfulness to persevere, or Israel's lack of faith), the preacher may wish to explore the significance for Matthew of having twelve baskets left over.

278. When Losing Your Baggage Is a Good Thing

Hebrews 12:1-2

Sermon

James W. Moore

... help of God. This is precisely what our text, Hebrews 12, is talking about. Listen again to these words: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” He is our Hope. He is our Redeemer. He is our Saviour. He is the One who can deliver us from the dangerous and destructive baggage that burdens and ...

279. Learning Mercy

Illustration

J. Scott Miller

... murderer! They are horrified and let her know that every time they see her. And yet, despite these difficult barriers, Sister Helen risks her name, her reputation, her own safety, to reach across them and embrace Gary with the love of God. And the more she perseveres in loving him, the more his defenses begin to crumble. Finally on the night before his execution, Gary confesses to his crime and asks for God's forgiveness. In a flood of tears, he thanks Sister Helen for all her love and support. He then ...

280. Out With the Old - In With the New

Philippians 3:12-14

Sermon

James Merritt

... will take determination. You must keep pressing on. Now I am a baby boomer, and I want to say a word to my fellow baby boomers. We have been raised to view success as ease, and our generation doesn't know a whole lot about determination, perseverance and endurance. When the boss gets unreasonable, we have learned to quit; when the subjects get too difficult, we have learned to drop out; when the marriage gets unbearable, we simply get a divorce. Well, the old adage is true, "Quitters never win, and winners ...

281. Confronting a Christless Culture

2 Timothy 3:1-17

Sermon

James Merritt

... exercise your authority, and stand for what is right, the price will be popularity and the cost will be persecution. That is exactly what Paul told Timothy: "But you" have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (vv.10 ...

282. Battle Stations

Ephesians 6:10-18

Sermon

James Merritt

... the servant." That is why Charles Spurgeon was such a tremendous soldier of the cross and was victorious in his war. II. Stay in God's Presence "…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints " (v.18) Now understand that what comes last is certainly not least. The reason why Paul is going to conclude this passage on spiritual warfare by calling God's people to prayer, is because prayer is the battle. You ...

283. Slaying the Green-Eyed Monster

Proverbs 27:4

Sermon

James Merritt

... successes to positive internal traits such as ability and effort; and our failures to external factors outside of our control. But on the other hand, we tend to attribute the successes of others to "luck," and their failures to inability, lack of perseverance, or some other personal shortcoming. In other words, we blame our own failings on the situation, while taking credit for our successes, but we blame others failings on their personal attributes while discrediting their successes.2 Why do we have that ...

284. An All-Night Wrestling Match

Genesis 32:22-32

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... If so, you know how painful that is. Just imagine how painful it is to have a hip knocked out of joint. Jacob could not conquer the angel, but neither would he give up. Here we see the commendable persistence of Jacob. He is no quitter. He perseveres. God blesses people who persist in their spiritual search or struggle. God does not reject people who, like Chuck Colson, do not come to faith easily. God does not reject doubters like Thomas. The point is that such people must maintain the struggle until it is ...

285. The Love Triangle: Man-Woman-God

Psalm 127:1-5

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... God’s help, a couple is unlikely to be able to keep that promise. Only after God does his miraculous work in our marriages, only then can we begin to understand what St. Paul meant when he said, “Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (I Cor. 13:7-8) All married couples go through some hard times. The big question is not how big your troubles are or how deep is your pit. The critical question is: Will you hold on together? Will you have the spiritual ...

286. Is There Hope For World Peace?

Matthew 24:1-35

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... all the world and make disciples.” Jesus warned us that our three-fold assignment here on earth would be tough. He said, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:20) In fact, a constant theme in the New Testament is that we must persevere. St. Paul urged us “to endure hardship like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2 Tim. 2:3) Jesus also said, “In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) But you might ask, “If the ...

287. Saints By Faith: Good to the Last Drop

Revelation 7:9-17

Sermon

John E. Harnish

... St. John and the book of Revelation. St. John was not writing about some far-distant fulfillment of prophecy and he certainly wasn't thinking of you and me and the 21st century. He was writing to encourage a struggling church, trying to hold their ground and persevere amid incredible conflict and persecution. To understand St. John's imagery, I like to use a concept from the stagecraft, the use of a "skrim." When you want two sets of action to take place at one time, divide the stage with a thin sheet of ...

288. Romans 13:9-21

Romans 13:8-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the most mundane actions that genuinely “serve the Lord.” As Paul continues to describe expressions of sincere agape love found within the Christian community, he lists three closely related traits: 1) “rejoice in hope;” 2) be “patient in suffering;” and 3) “persevere in prayer.” This same trinity of traits is found in Romans 8:24‑27, for Paul knew well that the joy of hope would always be faced with the realities of suffering in this life, and joy would only be maintained through ...

289. God Our Protector and Shield

Ephesians 6:10-20

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). Paul concludes his exhortation to the Ephesians with some important additional challenges. The people are to pray at all times and to keep alert with all perseverance. He asks the people to pray for his ministry so that he may continue to boldly proclaim the mysteries of the Gospel. Paul's exhortation to the Christian community at Ephesus, as seen in the life of James Gillis, must be a source of hope ...

290. Prayer: A Way of Life

James 5:13-20

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... lands and people. While it was clear from Jesus' practice, Saint Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, made explicit a fundamental tenet of prayer: "Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18). In his Letter to the Colossians he put it this way, "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:3). Paul in essence was telling his fledgling Christian communities ...

291. Our Ultimate Destination

Revelation 21:1-6a

Sermon

Lee Ann Dunlap

... and political freedom often cut a wide swath of violence and destruction in their attempts to build the world of their dreams. But in the Revelation to John it is not material rewards but the glory of God's presence that awaits those "conquistadors" who persevere in faithful obedience. The abiding place of God's dominion is not built by human hands or ordained by human decree, nor won through human conflict; rather the holy city comes to us, a gift of divine grace, coming from heaven rather than arising ...

292. For Such A Time As This

Esther 7:1-10, Psalm 124:1-8

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

... Of Confession Before we claim too much credit, God who moves in secret and silent ways, we confess that if it had not been for you we would have been swallowed by our adversaries, our problems, and the sins of this world. Thank you for your presence, your guidance, your perseverance in finding us and saving us! Amen. Hymns Seek Ye First Softly And Tenderly Jesus Is Calling Obey My Voice

293. Perceiving the Presence of God

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... examples, it is through an openness to God and the consequent need to change, that our greatest opportunities and growth are found. We can't say, "Yes," to every person or need, but we must never discount God's call without serious reflection. We must persevere in answering the call. As Saint Paul advised his friend Timothy, "Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable" (2 Timothy 4:2). Yes, the presence of God is all around us, but are our senses open? How do we ...

294. The Ultimate Athlete

Ephesians 6:10-20

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... astonishingly "do no wrong." Some call this state "getting into the zone"; the Russians call it "the white moment"; the Japanese call it ki; the Chinese ch'i; the Indians prana; the Tibetans lung-gom. Finally, as Paul calls us to persevere for the sake of all the saints, we can understand Christbody community as an exercise in teamwork. Successful athletic teams exhibit the lively characteristics of cohesion, selflessness, high morale, and esprit de corps. Christians united in prayer, trying their best, and ...

295. The Compleat Christian

Romans 5:1-5

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... in there," patient attitude towards adversity, Christian endurance is courage. Who would argue that Paul's commitment to preaching the good news despite being beaten, ridiculed, jailed and shipwrecked was a passive response to adversity? This was courage and perseverance of the highest degree. As he participated in Christ's suffering and remained immersed in the hope of the approaching glory of God, Paul did not swear vendettas and seek revenge against those who abused and rejected him. Christian endurance ...

296. Pit and Rock

Colossians 1:11-20

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... and praise, keeping uppermost in mind the glory that is God's. When crises and conflicts are facing us, coming to God with words of praise and thanksgiving opens us up to the greatest source of power and love in the universe. Perseverance, Paul reminds the Colossians (and us), brings joy, not exhaustion. After a long dry spell, contemporary Christian "hymnody" has finally seemed to catch onto the fact that songs of praise are a part of our worship tradition. Churches are slowly beginning to discover ...

297. Fingerprints of the Soul

Romans 5:1-5

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... of the soul is something we are not born with, but it is most certainly something we die with. In his epistle to the church at Rome, Paul links character to suffering, endurance and hope. Suffering, that is, suffering for Christ's sake, produces endurance or perseverance or we might even say, a kind of inspired stubbornness. It is out of this crucible of stiff-necked stick-to-itiveness that character is derived. From this definition, it is easy to see how the concept of "character" has come to have a double ...

298. Acts 2:1-21

Acts 2:1-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of truth. As he stands in the midst of this new creation, the Christian community, Peter and all the disciples are empowered by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Miraculously, they pull together. Separately these twelve men were unable to persevere in prayer, much less face the "oil-press" (the meaning of Gethsemane) of even one anxious, frightening night - the night of Jesus' arrest. Together they now face years of confrontation and persecution with confidence and unswerving unity of purpose. Peter, previously ...

299. 1 Samuel 16:1-13

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... emphasizes God's "extraordinary power," the implication is that he is ordinary. Any power or presence Paul may project comes from God. Only as a result of this power does Paul find himself able to withstand afflictions, accept perplexing ambiguities, persevere through persecution, and stand again after being struck down. Paul is an ordinary man, extraordinarily empowered by the grace of God. The extreme commonness of Paul is also highlighted by his focus on his ordinary mortality. God uses the universality ...

300. Hebrews 12:1-2, 12-17

Hebrews 12:1-2, 12-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... and seamless transition. Secondly, the writer directs the reader's attention straight down the road, the course of the lifelong race the author enjoins everyone to run. As he has done before in this epistle, the writer exhorts the community to practice endurance and perseverance. However, the image now is much more active - believers are not just to hold on or hang on or count themselves successful if they don't lose ground. They are to run. The pace is to be so quick and demanding that all excess weights ...

Showing results