... latest interviews on the TV talk shows. A significant number of these survivors have redefined themselves no longer as “survivors” but as “victims.” These frightened folks are finding more solace in victimhood, in helplessness, in fear, than in the light-bearing notion of deliverance, redemption, resurrection, and new life. No one loves the hurtful things that induce the most dramatic changes in our lives. Illness as a child. The death of a sibling. The divorce of parents. Failure at school or at ...
3102. A Visionary Moment
Mark 9:2-13
Illustration
Edward F. Markquart
... the mystery of life and the mysteriousness of God. In his diary, he wrote the following words: "Summoned to carry it; alone to assay it; chosen to suffer it; free to deny it. I saw for one moment the sail in the sun storm, far off on a wave crest, bearing from land. For one moment, I saw…." I love those words, "From that moment, I saw the sail in the sun storm, I saw." And he continued, "From that moment, when I said Yes to Someone, I knew for sure that my life, in self surrender, had meaning and had ...
3103. We Have a Choice to Transform
Mark 8:31-38
Illustration
Brett Blair
... and inquired about the ST on the old man's forehead. "I'm not sure what it means," another told him. "It happened so long ago, but I think the letters must stand for saint." We have a choice. We can lay down the cross we have been given to bear and passively live life with no challenge to change or we can take it up and be transformed, living for something greater than ourselves: The Kingdom of God. The choice is yours. But I adjure you: Take it up!
3104. Cheap Grace
Mark 8:31-38
Illustration
Joel Leyrer
Let me give you a modern day illustration of a man whom I believe both understood and exemplified Jesus' words on self-denial, cross-bearing and following Him. Some of you may be familiar with the name Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was a Lutheran pastor who lived in Germany during the Second World War. Convinced that it was his Christian duty to work within his own country for the defeat of Adolf Hitler, Bonhoeffer became a ...
... of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to tech a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized – whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ – but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this ...
Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 104:1-35, Acts 2:1-13, Acts 2:14-41, John 15:18--16:4, John 16:5-16
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... case as a defense lawyer does in a court case. It is comforting to know and to have someone who proves to be our best friend in a time of need. 2. Witness (v. 26). The Spirit witnesses to Jesus and enables us to be witnesses. The Spirit bears witness of Jesus. The Spirit of Jesus is the Holy Spirit. Anyone claiming to have the Spirit and portrays pride, selfishness and bigotry does not really have the Spirit. A person who claims he is a true Christian because of the ability to speak in tongues and considers ...
... -25 1. Hope (v. 18). A proof of Abraham's faith was his hope when there was no reason to hope. God promised that he would be a father of nations when he was childless! Moreover, he was about 100 and Sarah was 90 years old and past the child-bearing age. God was promising the human impossibility. Yet, Abraham had the faith to hope that what God promised would come true. How God was going to do it he did not know, but by faith he was sure some day he would be a father. 2. Reckoned (v. 22). Because ...
Mark 13:32-37, Mark 13:1-31, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Isaiah 63:7--64:12
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... , to check in your bag at the airport, and so forth. In many cases, as it is with the parousia, it is either wait or do without. 2. End (v. 8). Can we last until the end? The end of the world may be a long time off. Can we bear the pain of separation from loved ones? Can we last through months and years of suffering as American prisoners had to do during the Viet Nam War? The promise is that Christ will sustain us with his presence and grace down to the very end. 3. Faithful (v. 9). Paul ...
Isaiah 40:1-31, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27, Mark 1:29-34, Mark 1:35-39
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... and glory. The people are saying that their God does not know of their situation. Yahweh reminds them that he is creator of the world, an everlasting God who gives strength to the powerless. They that wait on the Lord shall have his strength to bear the burdens of life. Epistle: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 In this chapter Paul defends his ministry against those who condemn him for not taking pay from his churches, for "the laborer is worthy of his hire." Paul was economically independent by working as a tent ...
Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-30, Mark 8:31--9:1
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... Jesus for saying it, but Jesus in turn rebukes Peter as the mouthpiece of Satan. God wills for Jesus to suffer and die; not to go to the cross would be Satan's wish. What he himself must do, his followers also must do: self-denial, cross-bearing and following Christ. In this self-giving, his followers will find themselves. THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS Gospel: Mark 8:27-38 1. Men (v. 27). At Caesarea Philippi Jesus asks his disciples what "men" are saying about him. Who do they think he is? There was no unanimity ...
James 5:13-20, Esther 7:1-10, Esther 9:18-32, Mark 9:38-41, Mark 9:42-50
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... be taken: for or against Jesus. If you are not against him, you are for him. 2. Name (vv. 38, 41). The "name" figures largely in this account. The non-Christian was using Christ's name to drive out demons. Again, if any good thing is done by those who bear the name of Jesus, they will be rewarded. There is much in the name of Jesus: the authority, power and spirit of Christ himself. According to this passage, anyone has the right to use Jesus' name to do good. The church has no copyright on the name as Coca ...
1 Samuel 1:1-20, Hebrews 10:1-18, Hebrews 10:19-39, Mark 13:1-31
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... have been wars, earthquakes and famines. Since they are always happening, the parousia is always around the corner. Old Testament: 1 Samuel 1:4-20 1. Closed (v. 6). Twice it is explained that "the Lord had closed her womb." Hannah was unable to bear a child. The explanation was that God caused her barrenness. In that day there was so much God-consciousness that God was given credit for everything that happened. Today there would be a medical explanation. Because Hannah believed God closed her womb, she ...
2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2, Mark 4:30-34, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, Mark 4:26-29, 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... RESOURCES Psalm Of The Day: Psalm 20 "Give victory to the king, O Lord, answer us when we call." (v. 9); Psalm 92:1-5 (6-10), 11-14; Psalm 92 Prayer Of The Day: "God our maker and redeemer, you have made us a new company of priests to bear witness to the gospel. Enable us to be faithful to our calling to make known your promises to all the world." Hymn Of The Day: "Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast"
... account of Elijah's being taken to heaven on a chariot of fire pulled by horses of fire is an Old Testament type foreshadowing the transfiguration. Elisha, like the three disciples, was there to witness the event. When Jesus was transfigured, Elijah returned to earth to bear witness to Jesus as the Son of God. Epistle: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 The glory of God in the face of Jesus cannot be seen by unbelievers who are perishing. Paul proclaims that the gospel sheds light in our hearts that we can see the glory ...
3115. From the Vine
John 15:5-6
Illustration
Gerald Whetstone
... there dying drilled home the reality, "apart from the tree the limb cannot survive." This fact of nature was used by Jesus as a metaphor for the Christian life. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. We cannot live the Christian life and be fruitful Christians apart ...
3116. Anyone Can Have a Fruitful Ministry
John 15:1-8
Illustration
Our Daily Bread
... was William Carey, who later became a remarkably fruitful missionary to India. Carey's life and ministry had a tremendous influence on the cause of worldwide gospel outreach in modern times. Jesus said in John 15:8, "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit." This could be discouraging to Christians who can't preach, sing, teach, or go to the mission field. They might see themselves as stuck in a situation that makes fruitful service impossible. If that's how you feel, then take courage from ...
3117. We All Want Truth
John 15:26
Illustration
Edward F. Markquart
... the Holy Grails, the truth about life in all of its infinite variations. The Holy Spirit is described in many ways in Scripture. One of my favorites is that he is called, the Spirit of Truth. I think this desire within us for truth mirrors God's Spirit. Our spirit bears witness with The Spirit that, not only we are children of God, but we are children who seek truth and understanding.
... coming from, and he doesn’t care, and the reason is he knows his father loves him. His dad is about six feet two and weighs about 280. His dad bench‑presses 450 and squats about 600. His dad goes hunting in Africa. He brings back lions and tigers and bears, then has them mounted and put up on the walls of his house. He is the traditional man’s man. And yet when he reaches down with his big hands, lifts his small son, and puts him on his lap Curt knows that whatever happens, his daddy is the biggest ...
... regarded as a lovable animal, Ortberg continues. Books and movies celebrate almost every other conceivable animal. Dogs, cats, horses, pigs like Babe or Arnold Ziffel in the old TV show Green Acres spiders as in Charlotte’s Web dolphins like Flipper bears like Gentle Ben and killer whales as in Free Willy. Even skunks have Pepe Le Pew. There are no famous porcupines. “As a general rule, porcupines have two methods for handling relationships: withdrawal and attack. They either head for a tree ...
2 Samuel 11:26–12:13a, Psalm 51:1-19, John 6:24-35, Ephesians 4:1-16
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... with a clean heart, with a new and right spirit. People: We will worship in the discipline of the Holy Spirit. INVOCATION Holy God, Parent of all, in Jesus Christ you have called us to lead a life like his, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We come to worship you in this Spirit in his name. Amen PRAYER OF CONFESSION Giver of manna, Breaker of bread, Creator of the new, it is ...
Job 2:1-10, Psalm 26:1-12, Mark 10:2-16, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... of Pardon Pastor: Friends, hear the good news! In the Spirit Jesus still comes, healing those who suffer from various diseases People: and freeing many who are captives of evil. Pastor: Friends, believe the good news! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Bear your part in spreading the good news, whether in illness or health, weakness or strength, in the service of God. PRAYER OF THE DAY Synagogue-preacher, sick-bed-visitor, exorcist-of-evil, so teach us, so heal us, so clear us of evil ...
Mark 2:23-3:6, Psalm 139:1-24, 1 Samuel 3:1--4:1, 2 Corinthians 4:1-18
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... are breaking them. Bless all little children and protect them from predators, that they may grow up in innocence and joy. Help all young people to find the ideals that will protect them from the strong temptations that beset them. Refresh those in midlife, those who bear the burden and the heat of the day, those who have the responsibility of earning a living and making a home. Help them to go on even when things seem too much for them. Sustain those who are old, to whom the years brought loneliness, those ...
Mark 4:35-41, 1 Samuel 17:1-58, Psalm 9:1-20, Psalm 133:1-3, 2 Corinthians 6:3-13
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... AND] Psalm 133:1 First Lesson—David and Goliath fight as champions for the Israelites and the Philistines. 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 Second Lesson—The apostle Paul outlines some of the difficulties faced in his ministry and the resources brought to bear in dealing with them. 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 Gospel - Jesus has quite different power than his human ancestor King David. Mark 4:35-41 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader ...
... Spirit, give your church victory over doubt that hearing and believing your word, we may be obedient to what you command us to do. We pray for all world leaders that they may do justice and so honor you, as well as serve the people for whom they bear some responsibility. We pray for all who doubt, that they may not be content to live with their questions without actively searching for evidences of your love in Christ and the church. We pray for all who are sick and suffering that the victory of Christ over ...
Psalm 80:1-19, Isaiah 64:1-9, Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... ransomed us. In some ways you are like a permissive parent, who allows us enough room to get ourselves into trouble when we follow undisciplined instincts. Too often we are more like people who claim no affinity to you than like a people who bear your name. Forgive our tendency to slough off responsibility for our decision. Excuse the incompleteness of many of our confessions. We trust you still because of Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen Declaration of Pardon: Pastor: Friends, hear the good news! God has given ...