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Showing 276 to 300 of 388 results

276. A Mountain Too High To Climb

Isaiah 2:1-5

Sermon

King Duncan

"Once upon a time, but not very long ago, in a kingdom both near and far away, there lived a canny scientist who longed for the love of a beautiful woman. Because his first love was not even science but his own knowledge, wise women were wary of the man, and so he lived a very lonely life. "One day, the man decided to use his science to win love, and he set about to concoct a chemical that would cause the object of his affections to fall madly in love with him. Soon his research succeeded, he produced the ...

277. The Commitment Question: Will You Lay Down Your Life For Me?

John 13:31-38

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

There is a little church on the Appian Way not far from the city Rome that bears the interesting name "The Church of the Quo Vadis". Those Latin words, Qou Vadis mean whither goest thou?A beautiful legend which has it that a few years after the crucifixion of Jesus, Peter had been in Rome and was under the threat of persecution again. He was fleeing for his life -- leaving the city in fear, when he met Jesus. Jesus was headed into the city, so Peter asked Him the question "Lord, whither goes thou?" And the ...

278. Proper 15

Genesis 45:1-28, Isaiah 56:1-8, Romans 11:11-24, Romans 11:25-32, Matthew 15:1-20, Matthew 15:21-28

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Genesis 45:1-15 Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. Because of a famine in Canaan, Jacob sent his sons to buy food in Egypt. None of them knew Joseph was the prime minister of Egypt and was responsible for selling food. In this passage, Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers, gives God the credit for his being a top ruler, and urges his brothers to tell Jacob that he and his family and herds should come to Egypt so that Joseph could care for them. With this reading we ...

279. What in the World Are We Doing?

Matthew 28:16-20

Sermon

James W. Moore

Have you heard the story about the young police officer who was on the witness stand testifying in the trial of a man he had arrested for robbery? The defendant was being represented by a hard-nosed attorney who was known far and wide for being tough on police officers. In cross-examination, the tough lawyer was trying to undermine the policeman’s credibility and the exchange between the fiery lawyer and the young policemen went like this. The lawyer speaks first. “Officer… did you see (with your own eyes ...

280. No-fault Religion

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13), 14-17

Sermon

Maurice A. Fetty

It happened in a church parking lot, and my friend saw it happen. A lady, backing out of her parking space, rammed my friend's car, causing considerable damage. My friend was able to talk to the woman before she drove away. She was distraught and he was distraught. But, after exchanging the appropriate information, they departed to leave it in the hands of the insurance people. When it got into the hands of the insurance people, the no-fault insurance clause went into effect. Yes, the woman's insurance ...

281. First Sunday after Christmas Day

Isaiah 63:7-9, Isaiah 63:7--64:12, Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter--Psalms 148 First Lesson--The prophet speaks of a divine presence more immediate than messenger or angel. Isaiah 63:7-9 Second Lesson--The writer to the Hebrews explains the reason for the humanity of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Hebrews 2:10-18 Gospel--Matthew closely links the childhood survival of Jesus with Old Testament prophecies. Matthew 2:13-23 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: With the whole congregation we ...

282. Loving God

1 John 5:1-6

Sermon

Nancy Kraft

Are you in love with God? In 1 John, the author has a lot to say about the love of God and the way that love changes our lives. We love because God first loved us. God's love fills us to overflowing so that it flows through us to other people. Annie Dillard said that we catch grace like a man filling a cup underneath a waterfall.1 That's the way we receive God's love. But there can be a problem for us when we put a lid on our cups and the water can't get inside. We're closing our hearts off to the love of ...

283. Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Acts 9:19b-31

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

Here we see how seriously Paul took his new vocation as a man “saved to serve.” But the pattern for the Twelve had been first to be with Jesus then to be sent out (Mark 3:14), and Paul soon found the need to be alone for a while with the Lord (cf. Mark 6:31). His own writings add a number of details to Luke’s narrative at this point. 9:19b–22 As the bearer of the Sanhedrin’s commission, Paul would have been expected to preach in the synagogues of Damascus, and so he did, using them as he would the ...

284. Jonathan Eats Honey

1 Samuel 14:24-48

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

A Foolish Curse: Although there is nothing contradictory between this section and the preceding verses, it does not follow smoothly. It may be that the writers gathered a range of stories concerning Saul and Jonathan to illustrate their contrasting characters and behavior, and then verses 47–52 may correct any imbalance in the earlier stories. The rest of chapter 14 to verse 46 describes two only partially interrelated accounts, a reflection on the sort of demands God makes and how God’s actions should be ...

285. The People Rebel

Numbers 14:1-45

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

Of Spies and Rebellions: Numbers 13–14 constitutes one of the central narratives in the book, a kind of watershed that determines the course of a generation in Israel. The narrative is complicated and carefully constructed, taking a variety of turns along the way. Since the census in Numbers 1, readers have been prepared for some military encounter. As chapter 13 begins, the people in the Desert of Paran appear on the verge of the land they have been promised and are preparing to take possession of it. 14: ...

286. Saul's Family

1 Samuel 14:49-52

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

287. Arise! Shine! For Your Light Has Come

Isaiah 60:1-22

Sermon

Robert A. Hausman

Doubtless you remember the television commercial in which a man steps up to a bar and says: "Give me a light." After he is blasted with every possible sort of light, from fire to laser beams, he sheepishly corrects himself: "Give me a Bud Lite." This is a modern parable. Like all living beings, we look for light, but often we are willing to settle for lite beer! It is just something to get us through the night, a little pleasure in a bottle, a little truth in a can. Give me a Bud Lite! It comes to us ...

288. Shouting At A Storm

Mark 4:35-41

Sermon

William G. Carter

The story of Jesus calming the storm has always been a favorite story of the church. It has prompted the writing of many hymns, such as "Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me" and "Give to the Winds Thy Fears," to say nothing of the Navy Hymn and others. The story has also provided the church with a graphic symbol of who we are. When the World Council of Churches was formed, leaders sought a logo to identify the whole family of Christ. They drew a fishing boat with the cross as its mast. It was a good symbol. ...

289. Gunda

John 6:60-71

Sermon

Robert Salzgeber

In the movie, Days of Thunder, Cole Thunder (Tom Cruise) when asked by his girlfriend why he races 200 miles per hour NASCAR stock cars, haughtily answers, "I want to be able to control that which is out of control." Our text for today raises the question: Are we unable to control anything? "What gives life is God's Spirit; man's power is of no use at all." A little while later in the film, while in the middle of a heated argument because Cole has just previously chased a taxi cab, recklessly and violently ...

290. A Mother · A Canaanite Woman

Mt 15:21-28 · Mk 7:24-30

Sermon

Gordon Pratt Baker

Like the woman of Samaria the mother from Canaan whose story Matthew and Mark have preserved for us was a foreigner. Tradition calls her Justa and names her daughter Bernice. One scholar describes her as "by language a Greek, by nationality a Canaanite, and by residence a Syro-Phoenician." So, too, she was probably Greek by religion. Coming from the Phoenician coast as she did she was very likely a member of a seafaring family. I More to the point, however, the woman belonged to a race the Jews held ...

291. In The Presence Of God

Exodus 17:1-7

Sermon

Walter Kimbrough

Have you ever wondered whether God was really present in your life? Times were hard and seemingly your misery was endless. You worked long and hard everyday and yet the need was always greater than your means. The pay raises never quite measured up to the escalation in the cost of living. You made more, were taxed more, but had less to spend. Then you cried, God where are you? The poem titled Footprints tells the story of a person on a long journey. Sometimes joy was felt along the way; things went well in ...

292. Jesus Makes House Calls

Matthew 14:22-36

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

Pentecost XII Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were ...

293. The Most Misunderstood Gift

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Barbara Brokhoff

There is no doubt - the most misunderstood God of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit. There is also no doubt - the most misunderstood gift of the Holy Spirit is the gift of speaking in tongues. Nearly every Christian has already chosen his "side" regarding the speaking in tongues. Few people are neutral on the subject - most are either "anti-tongues" or "pro-tongues." Not everybody even wants to hear the pros and cons. They remind you of the woman who said to her husband, during a discussion: "Don’t confuse me ...

294. Song of an Exile

Psalm 16:1-11

Sermon

Gordon Pratt Baker

The author of the Sixteenth Psalm is a person who can sing in the face of adversity. One of the Hebrews forcibly dispersed among the Gentiles following the Exile, he is a stranger in a strange land, surrounded by enemies and under constant threat of death. Subject to attack from every side, he is being pressured to engage in pagan practices. Nor can he escape the pressure, since fanaticism possesses no limits. Individuals in every age have been martyred for their faith, and the poet knows only too well ...

295. Trying To Grasp The Meaning Of It All

Luke 2:21-40

Sermon

King Duncan

Philip and Joan Gulley are no different from most of us. Before they had children, they thought they knew exactly how they would handle every situation. They imagined sharing pearls of timeless parental wisdom with their children and guiding them gently along life's paths. But it didn't turn out like that. Philip remembers one Christmas when the Gulley's toddler son, Spencer, became fascinated with the family Nativity set. One day, he dipped one of the figurines in ketchup and proceeded to lick it off. ...

296. Hanging the Law on Love

Mark 12:28-34

Sermon

Cathy A. Ammlung

Compared to some of the pericopes from Mark's Gospel, this one seems a piece of cake. "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength ... You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (vv. 29-31). That's straightforward enough! In fact, we might stumble over only four little words: Love. God. Neighbor. Self. Love God with your whole self. Love your neighbor as yourself. Words ...

297. An Excellent Epitaph

2 Timothy 4:6-8

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

Today is All Saints Sunday, an occasion when we remember with gratitude those Christians who have transferred from the Church Militant (that is, this world) to the Church Triumphant (that is, heaven). We are especially mindful of those who have died in the past year. On such an occasion it is only natural that we consider the fact that one day we will transfer from this world to the next. What will those who know us best say about us when we are gone? Whatever our age may be, how do we evaluate our own ...

298. I Believe In God The Father Almighty

Genesis 1:1-2:3

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

The most radical words in the Apostles Creed are the first four- “I believe in God.” But you might respond, “Wait a minute, brother Bill. I thought that all cultures, past and present, have believed in some kind of god. So, what’s so radical about that?” Well, that’s true. But in those first four words of the Creed, we are saying much more than just that we believe God exists. We are declaring that he is the central truth around which our lives revolve. He is our Sovereign, our supreme commander. Notice ...

299. 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

From the very outset, Paul straightforwardly asserts what continues as a major theme throughout his first Corinthian correspondence - his plea for unity of "mind" and "purpose" among some quite combative Christians. Paul has heard disturbing reports about the extent to which bickering and backbiting have begun to threaten the stability of the Corinthian community. Scholars posit that "Chloe's people" (v. 11) refers to a group of Ephesian Christians who had kept in close touch with all that was happening in ...

300. John 6:1-21

John 6:1-15

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

There are many distinctive aspects of the “Fourth Gospel,” but one of its most unique features was John’s relatively brief focus on Jesus’ Galilean ministry. The Synoptics, on the other hand, spend a great deal of time detailing the teachings Jesus offered, the miraculous works performed, and the crowds that followed him as he crisscrossed the Galilean countryside. Today’s text is the exception to John’s usual Galilean omissions. Because he too recounts the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, this ...

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