Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 3026 to 3050 of 4997 results

Romans 8:18-27, Isaiah 44:6-23, Genesis 28:10-22, Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... fill all the empty spaces. If our young people know the Lord, if they are allowed to grow in an environment of love, they will become so strong that there will be no room for the weeds. Is the world like your lawn? It all depends. If you have the kind of lawn which I have, the answer is yes. My lawn is not like those from which all weeds and watergrass have been banished. You've seen the perfectly manicured outdoor carpets that you're afraid to even walk on. Over all, my lawn looks presentable. There is a ...

3027. Proper 14

Genesis 37:12-36, 1 Kings 19:9-18, Jonah 2:1-10, Matthew 14:22-36, Romans 9:1-5; 10:5-15

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... he imagined, 7,000 had not bowed to Baal, and that he still had a job to do (vv. 15-16). Outline: a. There are many kinds of prisons (physical and spiritual) b. When we are in an emotional/spiritual jail we must i. admit to that which imprisons us (fears) ii. seek ... was obviously paralyzed with mind-numbing fear, much like that which the disciples felt in the storm-tossed Lake Galilee boat. That kind of fear can make havoc of our lives too, if we lose our focus on the presence of Christ. Then, the terrors ...

3028. Proper 16 & Pentecost 14

Matthew 16:13-20, Exodus 1:1-22, Exodus 2:1-10, Isaiah 22:1-25, Isaiah 51:1-16, Romans 11:33-36

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... we are hewn from the rock of the confession that Jesus is the Christ. Old Testament: Exodus 6:2-8 I am the Lord. God disclosed himself as the same God who appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob but now he reveals himself by another name (YHWH), the Lord. A kind of progressive revelation perhaps. As God reveals his name, he reveals something of his character. If we are to know God, we too must know him and worship him as Lord. Epistle: Romans 12:1-8 See Lesson 2 for Proper 17 Epistle: Romans 11:33-36 God is an ...

3029. 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

... parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" (v. 2). Ezekiel pulls the rug out from under that kind of thinking. Each person needs to accept responsibility for his actions. Though it is certainly true that we bring pain and hardship to one ... and honest about it. The second son perhaps didn't have the guts to say "no." His was a cowardly and dishonest kind of rebellion. The first type of rebellion was practiced by the tax collectors and prostitutes. The second type was practiced by ...

3030. Proper 27

1 Thessalonians 4:13--5:11, Hosea 11:1-11, Joshua 24:1-27, Matthew 25:1-13

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... air to be with the Lord. There is a good deal of ignorance concerning the Parousia. Some try to describe the events before and after the Parousia in extraordinary detail. That's one kind of ignorance. Other Christians have little or no knowledge of the second coming and live only for the present moment. That's another kind of ignorance. We would be wise to continue to hold up our hope in Christ, without saying more than scripture warrants. Outline: 1. The early church lived in eager anticipation of the Lord ...

3031. Proper 7

Mt 10:16-39 · Rom 5:12 – 6:11 · Jer 20:7-13 · Gen 21:8-21 · Ps 86

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... his cry; God encouraged Hagar to care for her son. When she did so, she beheld a wall of water to sustain them. Lesson 1: Jeremiah 20:7-13 Wrestling with the Lord. Recall the story of Jacob wrestling with God until the break of day. We see the same kind of struggle taking place in Jeremiah. Only this time, it's God who won't let go. The Lord won't permit him to remain silent to avoid the opposition of his friends and neighbors. Jeremiah's complaint was that the match was unfair because God was stronger than ...

3032. Proper 9

Genesis 24:1-67, Romans 8:1-17, Romans 7:7-25, Zechariah 9:9-13, Matthew 11:25-30, Matthew 11:1-19

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... seek to establish Jesus' authority. Jesus invites the people who are burdened by the excessive demands of those who claimed to interpret God's law. The rabbis spoke of the yoke of the law, which for many, was a burden they could not carry. Jesus offered another kind of yoke: not one that is easy in the usual sense, but a yoke that does not chafe because Christ offers his love and grace to help carry the burden. When Jesus said: "My yoke is easy," the word is chrestos, which means better, good, gracious and ...

3033. Easter Day

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

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... That's a good question to ask in light of the resurrection of Jesus. We may still have reason to weep because life inflicts great wounds but we need to know why we are weeping. Are we weeping for ourselves? Do we feel sorry for ourselves? That's a futile kind of weeping. Do we weep because someone we love has been hurt or has died? Such tears can prove healing if we can get them out and then move on. Do we weep because we feel like an orphaned child? Christ understands that feeling and will come to console ...

3034. Christmas 1

Galatians 3:26--4:7, Galatians 3:15-25, Colossians 3:1-17, Hebrews 2:5-18, Isaiah 61:1-11, Isaiah 63:7--64:12, Matthew 2:19-23, Matthew 2:13-18

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... step further. Since God has clothed us with salvation, let us make sure that it shows in our attitudes and behavior. Outline: 1. God has clothed us in righteousness, when we put on Christ. Therefore, let it show. 2. Let it show in our attitudes -- compassion, kindness, humility .... 3. Let it show in our relationships -- "clothe yourself in love." 4. Let it rule in our family relationships (vv. 18-21). Lesson 2: Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7 Sermon Title: All in the Family Outline: 1. God sent his child into the ...

3035. I Am The Way, The Truth, And The Life

Sermon

Ronald Lavin

... way. But religion is a dead-end street too. Jesus never taught that religion would get us to God. Religion, as I'm using the term here, represents man's attempts to wrestle with the questions of life in reference to some kind of ultimate reality through some kind of faith or loyalty. Certainly no one would say that this attempt is all bad. The religious person, unlike the hedonist, is not only concerned about his own pleasures, but the happiness of others. Unlike the humanist, he has values beyond the human ...

3036. I Am The Good Shepherd

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Ronald Lavin

... sadly. John chimed in, "We made lots of money. What good does it do us now?" "It's never too late to return to God," the kindly chaplain suggested. "God is always waiting." "No," said the woman. "It is too late for me. I've been away too long -- 70 years, since I ... at a time like this?" someone might ask. "God's people," is the answer. They have someone else to defend them. With all kinds of problems, troubles and even enemies assailing us, we go to the banquet of our God to receive the body and blood (the ...

3037. I Am The Door

Sermon

Ronald Lavin

... the same trouble. They want to use Christ to have a happier life here and now, but they exclude those parts of Christianity which do not fit into the scheme of things as judged by reason. Reason for them becomes the idolatrous altar before which they worship. That kind of faith is anything but trusting Christ as the door through which we go to God. On the other hand I have known hundreds of radiant Christians who not only see the value of Christ for the here and now, but truly trust him and his words about ...

3038. Moses' New Job

Sermon

Jerry Eckert

... circumcise Gershom. You weren'table to settle down until I finally did it. That was such abad night! I'll never forget it. What kind of religion is it that so distorts a man'semotions that even his dreams become so awful? How can yoube confident you are ... . I had to go after Abraham,Isaac, and Jacob to move things along. And I did. Now it'syour turn." "Can you give me some kind of miracle to use to showthat You have some power in this situation?" I asked. "I'll give you two tricks. They may impress people. ...

3039. In The Carpenter's Workshop

Sermon

Jerry Eckert

... a young boy take part. As I writethis, I have one bright-eyed, bushy-tailed ten-year-old inmind who would have been this way, a little too smart, andstill a very thoughtful young person. In my next church, Iwould probably revise the text to allow for the kind ofyoungster available to handle the part, if I felt I coulduse this story. Matthew 18:23-35 Commentator: It has been a hot day, as one mightexpect this time of year in the Holy Land. Joseph and hisson Jesus are back from the gate where they have spent ...

3040. Paul, The Great Missionary

Sermon

Jerry Eckert

... to you and yet you still find a way to be positive. In the midst of the strain of imprisonment, what holds you together? Paul: "Does your life in Christ make you strong? Does his love comfort you? Do you have fellowship with the Spirit? Do you feel kindness and compassion for one another? I urge you, then, make me completely happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and being one in soul and body. Don't do anything from selfish ambition, or from a cheap desire to boast; but be humble toward ...

3041. Pilate's Sign

Sermon

Jerry Eckert

... him if he wanted to be king. Jesus asked Pilate, "Is that your opinion or just their accusation?" Pilate answered back that he didn't know. He wasn't from here. He asked Jesus what he had done. Jesus didn't deny he was king. He just wasn't the kind of king the leaders and Pilate thought. If he was, Jesus said, he'd have sent in armies to battle with the Romans. Pilate said, "You are a king then?" And Jesus told him his kingdom had to do with sharing truth about life and being. Pilate got exasperated. He ...

3042. The Peacemakers

Sermon

John A. Terry

... to make peace with who and what we are. Within our souls we need to face the struggle between good and evil. There is a kind of civil war that rages within us. Saint Paul described it well when he said, "I do not understand my own actions. For I do ... the peace of God within ourselves to help us understand the peace of God within the world. There is a peace that is a kind of inner tranquillity. It is like the words of John Greenleaf Whittier's hymn: Drop thy still dews of quietness,Till all our strivings cease ...

3043. Religious Load-Management

Deuteronomy 18:14-22

Sermon

Harold Warlick

... signs look great, the big machine shuts down. We call it "being depressed."1 Indeed, as conflicts between desires and ambitions, powerful human urges and the prohibitions of society, and dreams and abilities tend to unhinge us and make us "go to pieces," some kind of predictability is needed. Load management is no less real and necessary in the field of religion. There are so many manifestations of God out there to choose from. Is God a dominant, powerful force ready to lash out at the slightest provocation ...

3044. Repentance: A New Relationship

Joel 2:1-11

Sermon

E. Carver McGriff

... son could go to college, a blessing he had all but wasted. There it was. The evidence of the parents' sacrifice for which they had asked nothing in return. Gifts given in selfless love. That boy decided right then he could never go on being the kind of person he had been. He managed, with some difficulty, to become enrolled in a Presbyterian seminary. His family had always attended church and he still retained the sentiments of that faith. Today, as a Presbyterian clergyman, his name ranks among the list of ...

3045. Times Of Refreshing

Acts 3:11-26

Sermon

E. Carver McGriff

... to assure the listeners that all is not lost. For one thing, the entire drama was "foretold," and because God is kind and forgiving, they could escape any disastrous consequences if they would repent of their sins. In fact, he made a profoundly ... pastor stood up, drew a coin from his pocket, offered it to the man seated next to him. That man, however, suspecting a trick of some kind, didn't take the coin. The first pastor tossed it in the air a couple times, then said: "Grace is like this coin. I offered it ...

3046. Written On The Heart

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40

Sermon

E. Carver McGriff

... was many years ago, but that man's career was never very successful because everyone knew he was a cheat. There's a popular excuse sometimes offered for people like that: "He paid his debt to society." Sorry, it doesn't work that way. We still know what kind of man he is. It takes a lot of exemplary living to offset a dishonest act. People remember. And once a person reveals himself as dishonest, later claims to having changed can sound empty since the person who will steal and cheat may easily lie. This is ...

3047. Wind -- Word -- Spirit -- Community

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Arthur H. Kolsti

... the Evil One as "the ruler of the atmosphere." Words can also heal and bind up. Think of some time when you were down in the dumps and someone's word to you at just the right time became an enabling word. Think of the time when a kind word of yours to another person evoked the response, "You have just made my day." Words, words, words! Words that hurt and words that heal. Words that set person against person, group against group. Words that disrupt community and words that create community. You and I have a ...

3048. Clear Channel Voice

Proverbs 1:20-33

Sermon

Timothy J. Smith

... . "Well, that's what we have been doing this evening," one responded. "You see, you learn how to be like that only by being like that." "But," the Russians sputtered, "surely there must be something you could share with us, a technique, a certain kind of approach, some kind of trick that would make this all a little easier?" "No," came the reply. "What you see in this room, what you want to take home with you, is spirituality, and if there is one thing that all alcoholics discover, it is that there ...

3049. Liberating Truth

John 8:31-41

Sermon

William G. Carter

... your life better. Yet even now you try to kill me, a man who has told you the God-given truth. That's not freedom; that's a kind of slavery and you're stuck in it. The pitiful thing is you don't know any better, even though you think you know better." What Jesus was ... his articles, he noted: The deeper we get into the century, the more sense people make, but they are making different kinds of senses which don't compute with each other. Carl Sagan explains everything without God, from the most distant galaxies ...

3050. Time Taken, Life Restored

Mark 5:21-43

Sermon

William G. Carter

... you make a great commotion? The child is not dead but sleeping." They laughed at him, because he didn't seem to know what kind of world this is. Yet Jesus had the last laugh. He took the child by the hand and said, "Get up!" Immediately she ... is a glimpse of God's new creation, already present yet still coming through Jesus Christ our Lord. We cannot be naive. We know what kind of world this can be. There are occasions when life cannot be saved or sustained. There are moments when it looks like Jesus our ...

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