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 1185 results

276. Salt And Light

Matthew 5:13-16

Sermon

Mark Radecke

... , penetrating light set on a lampstand, illumining all in the household. The Spirit of the living God is active in our lives and through our lives, to make us salt and light. The Spirit animates the church which is the body of Christ to pursue the mission Jesus entrusted to his disciples: to let their light shine before others, the earth, the world -- those within and without the family of faith. Bake sales, barbecues, bull roasts and rummage sales do little to increase the illumination of that light or ...

277. How Much Sin Is Too Much?

Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 5:17-20

Sermon

William B. Kincaid, III

... the day, a sign on one person's desk asks, "How much can I sin and still go to heaven?" The question seems amusing until we stop to think about it. Inherent in this question is a bold-faced confession that there is no interest at all in pursuing a life shaped wholly by the spirit of God, but at the same time we do not want to be so recklessly sacrilegious that we forfeit completely the rewards of the hereafter. The late Southern humorist Lewis Grizzard said thinking about hell scared the you-know-what out ...

278. The Rock Of Faith

Matthew 16:13-20

Sermon

Roger G. Talbott

... which the hero has discovered a document that proves that Christianity is false. Sometimes it's a fifth gospel or a letter from Jesus written in his old age or some incontrovertible evidence that the whole Bible was made up. The hero is pursued mercilessly by secret agents of the Vatican, terrorists hired by the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople, and thugs employed by televangelists, all of whom are aided and abetted by the governments of the world who recognize that, if this news leaks out, Christianity ...

279. It's Your Funeral

Matthew 21:28-32

Sermon

Roger G. Talbott

... much his grandmother had loved all of her family and friends and then briefly acknowledged that that love sometimes held on too tightly. In that moment, he said something that needed to be said. His grandmother's children and grandchildren had sometimes felt that they couldn't pursue some of their dreams because to do so would have meant leaving this loving person behind and they didn't want to hurt her. It's all right to tell the truth at a funeral, as long as we tell it gently. No one is perfect. Indeed ...

280. Advent 2

Matthew 3:1-12, Isaiah 11:1-16, Romans 14:1--15:13

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... moments is when Anderson, a fallen-away Catholic, confesses his sins to Father Jenco, a fellow prisoner. Anderson confesses that he has wandered away from the church and that he is not a good man. In fact, he concedes that his drinking and pursuing other women are largely to blame for the failure of his marriage. As the confession proceeded, both penitent and priest found spiritual and emotional release through plentiful tears. The room became littered with tear-stained tissues. That marked Anderson's first ...

281. Going Through The Waters

Exodus 13:17--14:31

Sermon

... in the wind, and his arms lifted up with one hand holding the staff that God had given him. The sea suddenly heaves and parts, creating a path with rolling walls of water on either side. Then, Israel marches through on dry land, barely ahead of the pursuing Egyptian army. I understand that nowadays a lot of people see this scene reenacted several times a day at Universal Studios in Hollywood. It could well be that more people know about this scene from Hollywood than they do from the Bible. But it's not ...

282. The Nativity Of Our Lord

Luke 2:1-20 · Titus 2:11-14 · Isaiah 9:2-7 · Ps 96

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... ." This is the only scripture where Jesus is given the title of "God." Ethics flow from theology. Since Christ died to purify us from our sins (his priestly role) and may return at any time, the believer needs to renounce sinful passions and zealously pursue that which is good. Gospel: Luke 2:1-20 Luke's wonderful nativity account raises a number of historical and exegetical questions which would be best kept to ourselves. Christmas is not a time for questions but affirmation and celebration. Rather, let us ...

283. Proper 17

Exodus 3:1-22, Jeremiah 15:15-21; 20:7-18, Matthew 16:21-28, Romans 12:1-8

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... the blazing bush. Once Moses turned aside from his flock to see what this was, God spoke to him and called him to lead his people out of slavery into the Promised Land. In what ways has God tried to get our attention as we pursue our daily activities? Through sickness, burn-out, or desperation? Through a co-worker, a spouse, or a friend? The holy God blazes into our consciousness through special or even ordinary events and people, calling us to obedience. 2. Sermon Title: God, Apathetic Or Empathetic ...

284. Proper 21

Matthew 21:23-27, Matthew 21:28-32, Exodus 17:1-7, Ezekiel 18:1-32, Philippians 2:1-11

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... Ambition to gain power over others, to make oneself look good at the expense of others, or to gain riches, usually results in evil. The apostle doesn't rule out ambition, but it needs to be directed to a righteous end. The Lord calls us to be ambitious in pursuing the things of the kingdom. A humble spirit. Paul holds up Christ as an example of a humble spirit. He was in the form of God but poured out himself unto death. He is called "The Man For Others." Humility is the ability to get outside of ourselves ...

285. Proper 23

Exodus 32:1-33:6, Isaiah 25:1-12, Matthew 22:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... invitation? Think of the incongruity of the situation. The indifferent and rude attitude of the invited guests boggles the imagination. The king of the land invites these people to the most auspicious banquet that can be imagined. Instead, most spurn the invitation in favor of pursuing their business. Others add injury and murder to insult. Who would rather go to work than to the most stellar social event of a lifetime? You'd have to be a fool! Either that, or they thought that the feast was bogus and the ...

286. Proper 4

Genesis 6:1-8:22, Deuteronomy 11:1-32, Matthew 7:21-29, Romans 1:1-17, Romans 3:21-31

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... our being. No sacred and secular. Moses commands the people to bind God's commandments on their wrists and between their eyes and fasten them on the doorposts of their houses. They were to teach God's word to their children as they were pursuing their everyday activities. There was no splitting of existence between secular and sacred, worldly and spiritual. The awareness of God and his word was to permeate everything. In the mind of the typical person in the western world, religion is something that people ...

287. Proper 5

Genesis 12:1-8, Hosea 5:1-15, Hosea 6:1-6, Matthew 9:9-13, Matthew 9:18-26, Romans 4:1-25

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... on a journey of faith. For various reasons we felt that the Lord was leading us to leave where we were and what we were doing and set out on a new adventure of faith. I resigned my call of almost ten years and we moved to Omaha. I pursued some inklings to write both a worship and a sermonic resource. Just when it appeared that endeavor was seeming less and less viable financially, the Lord secured the contract to write this book. When the part time pastor position I had was drawing to an end and my three ...

288. Easter Day

John 20:10-18, John 20:1-9, Colossians 3:1-17, Acts 10:23b-48

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... to a new and wonderful level of life and love. The revelers in the parking lot, by and large, are attempting to seize life by fleeing from death. They may be attempting to still the restlessness of their hearts by sating their senses and by pursuing superficial encounters rather than committed relationships. These two Good Friday gatherings are a parable of life. In the parking lot are those who find death in life but in the sanctuary are those who discover life in death. Be warned! Those in the sanctuary ...

289. The Righteous

Sermon

John A. Terry

... is right and just, as often and as intently as we crave food and drink. This is a challenge to examine that for which we hunger and thirst. John Stuart Mill said his life was changed by his suddenly asking himself this question: "Suppose I attain what I am now pursuing. What sort of man shall I be at the end?" Jesus promised that there is a way of satisfying the hunger of the soul just as we crave to satisfy the hunger of the body. We try to satisfy ourselves with what we can see and smell and taste, but ...

290. Pain And Promise In The Heart Of God

Hosea 2:2-23

Sermon

Harold Warlick

... worship. The chair began, "Preacher, we are a little worried about the effect your preaching is having on the congregation. When you rail against materialism, the bankers and the merchants find that hard to take. And when you talk against the television preachers pursuing religion for profit, a lot of our folks send money to those people. And when you start talking about family values, why, a lot of our people are busy and commute to Boston and can't just communicate with their children like you envision ...

291. Doing The Right Thing

Acts 1:1-11

Sermon

E. Carver McGriff

... went on to list several more injunctions. Then he concluded: "Actually, you won't live longer but it will seem longer." We can have fun in life, by all means. We can go to parties, and laugh, and vacation, and strive for success. We can climb our mountains, and pursue our dreams, and make every effort to be successful in the market place. I find nothing in the Bible that would in any way restrain us from having a wonderful time in life É so long as we do it by the rules that are written "in our hearts ...

292. Kindness In Action: Evangelism

Acts 8:26-40

Sermon

E. Carver McGriff

... , no effort to be reimbursed in some way, no follow-up to ensure that the man joined the right church, or donated an acceptable sum, or subscribed to a particular set of beliefs. Philip went on about his work leaving the eunuch free to pursue his own faith as he felt moved to do. Bishop Fulton Sheen once said there are three important characteristics of a Christian: kindness, kindness, and kindness. That's what is displayed here. Philip was sensitive to another person's needs and met them as best ...

293. Come Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire

Acts 10:23b-48

Sermon

E. Carver McGriff

... of the people and they asked Peter to remain with them. No doubt they wanted him to help them learn exactly what it meant to receive the gift and, one imagines, to do a bit of refereeing as well. The serious Bible student may wish to pursue the issue of these religious differences, but for us, the important matter is the universality of the Holy Spirit -- the fact that it's a gift available to us all. One suspects that God has very little interest in our choice of church, denomination, or the majority ...

294. The Sadness Of God

Isaiah 51:17--52:12

Sermon

E. Carver McGriff

... and status and possessions. You'll have to get over that to be happy." In any event, the young man who seemed sincere enough in approaching Jesus, turned and walked away. Now the genius of that story lies in Jesus' reaction. He let the boy walk away. He didn't pursue him with further argument. He didn't write the boy's name down to make a later call. He let him walk. Why? Because he trusted that boy to decide for himself when the time was right. That's what God does with us. We're free to decide. But ...

295. Between The Parentheses

Revelation 1:4-8

Sermon

William G. Carter

... kingdom of priests. He is coming so that every eye will see him. The work of grace is not finished yet. Sometimes our world seems enchanted with its own destruction. Yet for a few moments this morning the curtain is drawn back and we catch a glimpse of how God pursues us through the love of Jesus Christ. Thanks to such grace, we belong to a God who has set us free and will never let us go. Yet one thing more must be said. God says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega," and promises to speak to us the ...

296. How To Plant An English Garden

Mark 4:26-29, Mark 4:30-34

Sermon

William G. Carter

... massive enough to shade the birds of the air. No one hovers over the germination and growth; the seed carries its mysterious future in a way hidden from ordinary human observation. Its potential is beyond all speculation. Left to us, we might want to pursue more aggressive measures. Somebody put up a sign along a stretch of interstate highway. It was a large white slab of plywood with blood-red letters. Planted in a cow pasture, the ominous sign announced, "The kingdom of God is coming at any time; repent ...

297. The Righteous

Psalm 107:1-43

Sermon

John A. Terry

298. A Man with Leprosy

Mark 1:40-45

Sermon Aid

Richard A. Jensen

... keeping the sabbath law is more important than people. "The Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath," Jesus says (Mark 2:27). "I give you a new identity as sons and daughters of God's word." You may further wish to pursue ways in which people in your context set up boundaries that they use to identify themselves as God's people. Jesus Christ wishes to break down all such boundaries. A colleague of mine once cautioned about drawing such boundaries. "Be careful when you draw lines ...

299. The Servant of All's Second Prediction

Mark 9:14-32, Mark 9:33-37

Sermon Aid

Richard A. Jensen

... and comfort people in their believing. The closing verses of today's text about welcoming the children into the kingdom of God are also a fruitful path for preaching. It would seem, however, that the response of the disciples might be the most important line to pursue. Story One could go back to the Parable of the Sower and remind people of the nature of the rocky ground. The disciples appear to be linked to this rocky ground metaphor. Story Two might be just a reminder of the three boat scenes and the ...

300. What Triggers Your Panic Button?

Matthew 14:22-36

Sermon

Charles R. Leary

... life I must now live. How happy would I be if my hearing were completely restored ... but as it is I must draw back from everything ...” Something inside Beethoven turned him around, so that he later wrote, “There is no greater joy for me than to pursue and produce my art ... Oh, if I were only rid of this affliction, I could embrace the world! ... [as it is] ... I will seize it by the throat; most assuredly it shall not get me wholly down!” Beethoven shut off the panic buttons. Finally, here is ...

Showing results