Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 3076 to 3100 of 5000 results

John 20:1-18 · Mark 16:1-8

Sermon

Elaine M. Ward

... the New Testament, that little bit of bravery from Romans. Then First Corinthians and Second and the Twenty-third Psalm. And when everyone was seated, he said, "O God, how we miss Owen Meany!" Then he read to them that passage about the miracle in the Gospel according to Mark, "O God, give us back Owen Meany!" With Pastor Merrill and John, Owen Meany's best friend and the narrator of the novel, we cry, "Give us back Christ!"2 The story is unended for the story goes on. Each of us writes an ending by the way ...

3077. Affirming The Ash Heap

Job 2:1-10, Mark 8:31--9:1

Sermon

Wallace H. Kirby

... life: the ash heap on which he found himself; the agony which he was enduring; the pain of life that came to him. In confirmation class over the past weeks, the members and I have been studying the life and ministry of Jesus. We've gone through the Gospel of Mark in order to focus on Jesus as a teacher, a preacher, and a healer. One of the things we have noted is the way Jesus kept telling his followers that he would be put to death. The Gospel records that Jesus told his disciples three times he would be ...

3078. Yearning For A Loyal Friend

Job 6:14-30 · Matthew 26:69-75

Sermon

Wallace H. Kirby

... you don't follow the rules. Job yearned for loyal friends, but what he got was their philosophy, their theology, and their motor-mouth explanations. Jesus had a number of friends whom he needed and depended on. It broke his heart to see his friend Judas sell out (Mark 14:10-11). It was discouraging when James and John forgot what he had said about the kingdom coming in love, not by force (Luke 9:51-56). There was one friend who was always ready to stand by Jesus through thick and thin, but he later denied ...

3079. Responding In Anger

Job 7:11-21 · Matthew 21:12-13

Sermon

Wallace H. Kirby

... Jesus met unbelievable opposition. When he healed, he was accused of being in cahoots with the devil. When he talked about servanthood, he was misunderstood. When he attempted to explain neighborliness, he was thought to be subversive. When he refused to strike back, he was marked as a coward. Job's ash heap mounted high in one day. Jesus found ash heap after ash heap during the three years of his ministry. We all have found ourselves thrown upon an ash heap because of life's circumstances. And like Job and ...

3080. The Christian Journey III: The Desert

Sermon

John N. Brittain

Exodus 17:1-7; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Mark 1:1-13 Years ago I visited a university which was really in the middle of nowhere. That is to say the university was the town -- except for the grain elevator and a 25 employee factory that assembled sporting goods. I had a very cordial visit and at the end ...

3081. The Christian Journey IV: The Pool

Sermon

John N. Brittain

... , self-preoccupation, and self-absorption. Is this not just another way of reminding that we are called to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength" and, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:30-31), another way of saying that as we follow Jesus in the way that leads to the abundant life we are not content to stay where we are and hoard what we have, but are compelled to go out to the ends of the earth?

3082. Words, Words, Word

John 1:1-18

Sermon

Alex Gondola

... two young sons to their favorite river to fish. One of the boys finds a fossil and brings it to dad. The father says: "Boys, this river flows through the land over the rocks to the Sea. The rocks are half a billion years old, and show the marks of raindrops that fell long eons ago. And underneath the rocks are the words of God. Listen." They lean over and listen to the gurgling river. Underneath the river and the rocks is the Word of God. The Word that runs through all things and holds all things together ...

3083. The Keys To Happiness -- Purity Of Heart

John 1:1-18

Sermon

Alex Gondola

... table as God's arms, reaching out to embrace you and me. If God says we are clean, we are clean. If God says we are forgiven, we are forgiven. Accept the body and blood as signs of your forgiveness. Let this Communion service and this day mark a new beginning. "Blessed are the pure in heart," the sincere, the repentant, "for they shall see God." What does that mean, "to see God"? The pure in heart can see God again because their spiritual eyes, the eyes of their hearts, have been cleansed. Have you ...

3084. The First Hole

Acts 2:42-47

Sermon

Robert R. Kopp

... , the tired, tested, and true always have a lot more to offer than ecclesiastical rookies. That's why our pastor emeritus continues to be so vital to us. It takes a long time for theory to catch up with practice. Anyway, Miss Blanchard had just crossed the century mark when I showed up in her class with nine other boys. She only taught boys. Whenever we asked why, she'd say something about focus. Like most eighth graders, I knew she was wrong. Now I know she was right because I've got one. The last Sunday ...

3085. Why Do People Suffer?

Mark 15:33-41

Sermon

David O. Bales

... , and Scripture points to these and other reasons, none of them alone and not all of them together answer enough questions. There is one focus for Christians concerning suffering. Our text this morning is Jesus on the cross, and his last words in the Gospel of Mark are, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' As Christians, this is where we both start and end our reasoning about human suffering: at Jesus' cross. The Bible does not say that God makes Jesus suffer, but since God is in Jesus, we know ...

3086. U-Turns Permitted

Joel 2:1-11

Sermon

Rodney Thomas Smothe

... call this nation to repentance because the day of the Lord is coming soon. Our observance of the season of Lent, then, begins with the acknowledgment of our need to examine ourselves, turn away from our sin and return to the Lord. Ash Wednesday which began to mark the beginning of the observance of Lent is not only a time for penitence but also a time for turning our lives around. It is a time for placing behind us the failures of the past and turning back toward God. Penitence yes, but reconciliation too ...

3087. The Suffering Servant

Isaiah 51:17--52:12

Sermon

Rodney Thomas Smothe

... came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ... Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last (Mark 15:33-34, 37). For the moment this day ends on a note of despair and loss. Jesus is left hanging on the cross, his life finished, his ministry ended, his witness silenced. His followers who watched these events pondered their future. Where do we go from ...

3088. Following God's Lead

Joshua 5:1-12

Sermon

Rodney Thomas Smothe

... and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul" (Mark 8:34-37).1 Following God's lead begins with confidence in God's will for our lives. Confidence becomes obedience, obedience becomes trust, trust becomes faith, faith becomes hope and hope becomes submission. Perhaps during this season of Lent, you are asking God to direct your ...

3089. Reach Beyond The Break

Isaiah 50:1-11

Sermon

Rodney Thomas Smothe

... 7; 49:1-9; 50:4-9; 52:13-53), we're reminded that God has a purpose for many of life's twists and turns that we do not always understand when we're in the midst of them. What some would call vicarious suffering bears the marks of unlimited compassion so that others can come to know restoration. The Passion/Palm Sunday observance points us then to a Christ who is revealed both as Messiah and Suffering Servant. Christ's disciples could not understand why this suffering was necessary. They too thought that all ...

3090. The Compelling Call

Drama

Karren Boehr

... to Cyprus. The trip was uneventful, and gave Barnabas and me time, again, to reflect upon the goodness of our God and the message He had called us to proclaim. When we arrived in Salamis we spent some time preaching the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John Mark, a cousin of Barnabas, also joined us. It was a great blessing to me to see John's excitement for the things of God. Over the weeks, we traveled through the whole of the island until we came to Paphos. I really must tell you about Paphos. The ...

3091. The Church

Acts 6:8-15, Acts 6:1-7

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

... ) What's your answer? I know, making sure the people will give their tithe. Asking them to make a pledge. (INDICATING PETER) But then he says that will give the church too much power over the individual. (GUY LIFTS HIS HAND AND THE COMMITTEE UNFREEZES) JAMES: Ah, here's John Mark. Here's some help for us. MARTHA: You've got to help us. Didn't He say, go into all the world? Tell us what Jesus said. JOHN: Let me read it to you from my writing. Yes, Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the good news ...

3092. Robin Hood?

Matthew 5:33-37, Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 5:27-30, Matthew 5:21-26, Matthew 5:17-20

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

... : Telleth that to King John. He's been stealing from the people since his incarnation. ROBIN: Not "incarnation," thou denseth of dunces. The word you want is "incarceration." Since the king's incarceration. FRIAR: Not "incarceration" or "incarnation." Thou misseth the mark. The word thou searchest for is "coronation." Dost thou not remember we witnesseth King John's coronation? He was coronated by a coroner. ROBIN: Thy learning astoundeth me. JOHN: Yea, but my pointeth is: the King stealeth so why shouldn't ...

3093. Yes, It Becomes Unclean

Haggai 2:11-17

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

... association with him, washed in the blood, and saved by grace. Jesus turns things around so we infect each other with goodness. Surely you have known people who could brighten a room by their presence. They may have born on their bodies the marks of Christ, having endured tremendous suffering or sorrow, but they have through the Spirit the ability to elevate those around them, to inspire them to greater holiness, to cleanse the unclean. The laying of the foundation stone made Haggai's people clean. Jesus ...

3094. The Season Of Expectancy

Mark 13:1-31, Mark 13:32-37

Sermon Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... whatever help they need to get ready for Christmas.) Scripture Readings Often, this is the most neglected part of worship participation. People sometimes forget to turn on the microphone. For today, divide the Gospel lesson into two parts. From offstage, have someone read Mark 13:24-31 with much energy and emotion. From the floor of the sanctuary, have someone else read the rest of the lesson. Emphasize certain words, such as "Be alert! Be on guard; Watch." Ask the people to repeat these words after you ...

3095. Jesus Heals Many

Mark 1:35-39, Mark 1:29-34

Sermon Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place; Jesus Preaches Throughout Galilee. THE COMMUNITY GATHERS Pastoral Invitation In the name of the living God, welcome. With what expectations do you come today? (Give the people thirty seconds to identify their expectations, silently.) Mark Twain said, "Blessed are those who expect nothing; for they will not be disappointed;" and I say, "Blessed are those who come, not as observers, but as participants -- responsible to God, others, self -- for they shall be filled. However we ...

3096. The Season Of Renewal

John 13:1-17

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... reject the act; be prepared for the hostility of others. 2. The end is near -- Jesus knew it; disciples sensed it; clergy demanded it; people seconded it. 3. Judas pushed Jesus to fulfill Judas' expectations; Peter denied that he ever knew Jesus; Mark, scared to death, ran naked into the hills; disciples stood by helplessly in silence. Which best fits how you would have responded? (Two minutes of silence.) 4. Read silently "Beneath the Cross of Jesus." 5. Offer your confession, and prayer of thanksgiving ...

3097. The Season Of The Holy Spirit

Mark 7:1-23

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... 's people. M: We rejoice that this is possible through God's forgiveness. P: Rise up, then, as living persons. M: We do! (Your favorite praise word.) Choral Response (All the choirs) "Praise to the Lord" COMMUNITY RESPONSE Message with the Children of All Ages Dramatize Mark 7:1-8 with the children present. Point out that this is no excuse for them not to wash before eating. Instead, this is a battle between Jesus and the religious leaders, who insisted that Jesus follow their law, or else. They were out to ...

3098. Advent 4

Luke 1:26-38, Romans 16:1-27, 2 Samuel 7:1-17

Sermon Aid

E. Carver McGriff

... There are several reasons. First, the idea of sex as being somehow sinful is outmoded and as long as it is experienced honorably and lovingly, it seems to me to be one of God's finest creations. Second, there is no mention of this tradition in Mark's Gospel, which is generally regarded as an expression of Peter's preaching. Nor is it mentioned in John's Gospel, which reflects the more developed and sophisticated theology of the early church. Likewise, Paul made no reference to a virgin birth. Nor did any of ...

3099. Gifts of Lent II: Mary Gives Her Perfume

Matthew 26:6-13

Drama

Donald Neidigk

... . Great sobs shook my body as the rare aroma filled the room. I realized I had brought nothing with which to wipe off the excess. Casting convention aside, I uncovered my head and used my long black hair as a towel. An uncovered head was the mark of a prostitute but I didn't care. Jesus would understand. That's all that mattered. The festive mood vanished. The room hushed. Some of the guests were clearly embarrassed. Others, knowing the value of the perfume, gasped. Three hundred denarii was a man's wages ...

3100. Defining The Mission

Luke 4:14-30

Sermon

Charles H. Bayer

... have him do and be. Everybody else seems to know. "A report concerning him went through all the surrounding country," says the text. Everyone has an opinion. One day he appears at his home synagogue. Here was a local boy who was going to make a mark. Whatever else, they knew he was to do something for them. No doubt he would put the despicable Samaritans in their place. He would affirm the party line and champion the best causes. His friends would be the right people. Their enemies would be his enemies ...

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