Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3101 to 3125 of 4914 results

3101. What a Serve!

Acts 6:1-7

Sermon

John E. Harnish

It didn't last long, really, the disciples' first attempt at communal living—selling everything they had, bringing it together for distribution, so that no one claimed anything as their own, but everyone had enough. Just two chapters later, what happens? The Hellenists—that is, the Greek Christians—complain because their widows aren't getting as much aid as the Hebrew Christian widows. Maybe it was greed or racial prejudice on the part of the Hebrews. Maybe it was grabbing on the part of the Hellenists. ...

3102. The Revelation Code II: Crash, Crisis and Christ

Revelation 5:1--7:17

Sermon

John E. Harnish

Ever been to a circus? I mean a big, super-duper, three-ring, Barnum and Bailey, Greatest Show on Earth-type circus? Under the big top, there is continuous activity, with performances in all three rings—bands and barters, jugglers and gymnasts, all going on at once. Let's say you go to the circus, then come home and try to describe it, or even better, try to write a letter to a friend sharing "the circus." The only way to talk about it or write about it is one ring at a time—"I looked and saw…then I looked ...

3103. Don’t Fear the Wait

Mark 13:1-8

Sermon

Richard Gribble

A long time ago there lived a little boy whose parents had died. He was taken in by an aunt who raised him as her own child. Many years later, after the boy had grown and become successful in business, he received a letter from his aunt. She was terminally ill and from the tone of her letter, quite afraid of death. Thus, the man who had been raised and strongly influenced by this woman decided to write her a letter in response. He began, "It is now 35 years since I, a little boy of six, was left quite ...

3104. Transformation to the Light

Mark 1:14-20

Sermon

Richard Gribble

Once upon a time, a diamond was born. He was nothing striking, but rather rough, like the rest of his family. He lived in the darkness and was very content to do just that. As a young diamond he heard tales of how some of his ancestors had left the darkness to a place of light, but that didn't concern him. One day he began to hear noise in the distance, and it came progressively closer. It was the sound of machinery with men talking and often yelling over the roar of the equipment. As time progressed, an ...

3105. Apocalypse Wow!

Isaiah 25:6-9

Sermon

Mary S. Lautensleger

A pastor friend of mine recently attended a ministerial meeting at a Presbyterian church, along with clergy representing several different denominations. During refreshment time, she was introduced to the church's sexton. She was familiar with the word "sexton," but couldn't quite remember what a sexton is, and she wasn't about to ask for a definition in that room full of men. Later she had an opportunity to consult a dictionary and was reminded that a sexton is a custodian associated with a church or ...

3106. Mazing Grace or Amazing Grace

Isaiah 42:1-9

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

It is the amazing grace of God that brings together God's justice and mercy - and turns the maze of life into constant amazement. Remember when you were a kid and you wanted to ask your mom and dad for permission to do something really special? The more outlandish the request, the more unlikely the prospect of approval, the more you knew that timing was everything. You knew you had to catch them in just the right mood and at just the right time of day. It always helped to do a few unexpected good deeds as ...

3107. Give me a C...

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

The church needs some new cheers. If we're going to boast about anything, let's boast about Christ. The boasts will sound like foolishness to the world. The Beatitudes are an example of "foolish" sounding cheers. Have you ever been swept up in a wave? No, not an ocean wave at the beach, but the kind of "wave" that sweeps through a football stadium, or the baseball stands or a hockey rink. It's an exhilarating crowd experience to see the wave created by thousands of people standing with their arms raised ...

3108. Genesis 11:1-9

Genesis 11:1-9

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The eleventh chapter of Genesis is the final unit in the book before reaching the story of Abraham. Chapters 10 and 11, like the dual creation stories in chapters 1 and 2, offer two distinct versions of the world's repopulation after the flood. The Priestly writer of chapter 10 suggests the natural spreading out of all Noah's offspring to account for the diversity in language, culture and race among humanity. The Jahwist writer of chapter 11 deals with the same issue. This writer finds a very different way ...

3109. Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

In Hebrews chapter 11 we find a well-organized, thematic discussion of faith sandwiched between 10:36's recognition that we need endurance and 12:1's exhortation that we practice endurance. Chapter 11 serves as the author's prescription for nurturing into full maturity the endurance he expects. Endurance, this chapter illustrates, is built upon a firm foundation of faith - a faith foundation that reaches down through the ages from the faithfulness of the patriarchs, matriarchs and martyrs to us today. The ...

3110. 2 Timothy 1:1-14

2 Timothy 1:1-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Paul's second letter to Timothy overflows in the apostle's great love for his young colleague and his genuine concern about the challenges and hardships Timothy is facing. After a customary salutation in verses 1-2, Paul moves to a series of thanksgivings which reflect these dual interests of love and concern. This thanksgiving section foreshadows much of the content of the rest of Paul's letter - a literary device used also in 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 and Philippians 1:3-8. Paul's focus throughout this letter ...

3111. Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

3112. Colossians 1:1-14

Colossians 1:1-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

While Colossians contains some theological content that seems distinct from Paul's more common themes, there is no compelling reason to dismiss his authorship. Things that make it suspicious to some seem to be a function of the theological and personal issues Paul and Timothy are addressing. Perhaps Timothy had a more collaborative role in the authorship than is generally recognized (v.1). But our exegesis of these passages will assume Paul's overall authorship. In overall literary style, Colossians ...

3113. 1 Peter 1:17-23

1 Peter 1:17-23

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Hope, joy, optimism and exuberance characterize the epistle of 1 Peter. Writing to those Jew and Gentile Christians who made their homes in the extreme northern reaches of Asia Minor, this Petrine author seeks to blow gentle breezes of love and joy into the midst of the far-flung faithful. Yet all these good tidings are celebrations of an eschatological future, not a humanly conceived time. Thus 1 Peter also spends as much time discussing suffering - both Christ's and his followers - as it does rejoicing. ...

3114. Epiphany 4

Mark 1:21-28, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Deuteronomy 18:14-22

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 The book of Deuteronomy came out of the reform movement during Josiah's reign in the seventh century. The book is put in the form of Moses' last address to the people before entering the Promised Land. This pericope is a part of a section dealing with prophecy. A prophet like Moses is promised to replace the false prophets. This true Moses-like prophet will mediate Yahweh and the people. The passage explains how through Moses God provided for the institution ...

3115. Proper 25

Job 42:1-6, Job 42:7-17, Mark 10:46-52, Hebrews 7:11-28

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Job 42:1-6 (10-17) In this passage we come to the book's conclusion. Now Job gives his final response to God. Job does not get his questions answered. Why does a righteous person suffer? He does not receive vindication or justification. But Job does get a fresh, first-hand experience with God which is far better than an answer or vindication. In the presence of God, Job confesses his faith in God and his unworthiness before God. He turns to God and has no further questions or ...

3116. Afraid No More

Romans 8:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

There are many things in life you and I may not understand. For some people, it’s modern art. A young woman goes to her first show at an art gallery. She studies the paintings carefully. One is a huge canvas that has black with yellow blobs of paint splattered all over it. The next painting is a murky gray color that has drips of purple paint streaked across it. She walks over to the artist and says, “I don’t understand your paintings.” “I paint what I feel inside me,” explains the artist. She looks at the ...

3117. Paul’s “We-With” Body-Building

2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 2 Timothy 4:9-18

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Tomorrow is the end of the “Year of Paul.” Did you even know we had one? Actually, I confess, this pastor just found out about it. From 28 June 2008 to 29 June 2009, the Christian church was supposed to celebrate a commemorative year dedicated to St. Paul, partly to mark the approximately 2000th anniversary of the saint’s birth. Pope Benedict XVI, who proclaimed this special jubilee year and invited the Orthodox and Protestants to join in its celebration, hoped that the “Year of Paul” would inspire others ...

3118. First Sunday in Lent

Genesis 9:1-17, Psalm 25:1-22, Mark 1:9-15, 1 Peter 3:8-22

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter - Psalm 25:1-10 First Lesson—God established with Noah the covenant of the rainbow. Genesis 9:8-17 Second Lesson—Peter says that the water of the flood and the water of baptism both take away sin. 1 Peter 3:18-22 Gospel—After his baptism by John the Baptizer Jesus begins forty days of temptation in the wilderness. Mark 1:9-15 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Look for signs of the covenant that God makes with us ...

3119. First Sunday of Advent

Psalm 80:1-19, Isaiah 64:1-9, Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 First Lesson—The prophet urges God to make a dramatic entrance into the world and impress the nations. Isaiah 64:1-9 Second Lesson—This is the beginning of Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth. 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Gospel—Jesus alerts the disciples in apocalyptic terms of the coming of the Son of Man in clouds of glory. Mark 13:24-37 CALL TO WORSHIP Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Pastor: Wait expectantly for ...

3120. Trinity Sunday

Psalm 29:1-11, Isaiah 6:1-13, John 3:1-17, Romans 8:1-17

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 29:1 First Lesson—The prophet’s vision of the holiness and glory of God overwhelms him with a sense of unworthiness to be the divine messenger. Isaiah 6:1-8 Second Lesson—Kinship to God includes the guidance of the Spirit but no exemption from suffering. Romans 8:12-17 Gospel—Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night to learn how spiritual renewal may take place. John 3:1-17 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Search ...

3121. No Doubt about It

John 20:24-29

Sermon

James Merritt

It was without a doubt, the single, most miserable time I've ever experienced in my life as a follower of Jesus Christ. I was a freshman in college. I had a professor of philosophy, who was an atheist (what he was doing teaching at a Baptist college I still haven't figured out). After finding out, the first day of class, he was an atheist, I took it upon myself to be his personal Billy Graham and show him the light and bring him to God. I walked in, quite frankly, full of pride, thinking that the ...

3122. Everyone's Talking about Him

Mark 7:31-37

Sermon

King Duncan

An elderly man stopped at a hearing aid center and asked about prices. "We have them from $25,000 on down to $1.50," the salesman said. "What’s the $25,000 one like?" asked the elderly man. "Well, it translates three languages and is the latest in electronics," the salesman replied. "And what about the one for $1.50?" the customer asked. "It’s this button attached to a string," said the salesman, pushing it across the counter. "How does it work?" asked the customer. "It doesn’t," said the salesman, "But if ...

3123. Fish and Sheep

John 21:15-25, John 21:1-14

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

Don't you find this passage filled to overflowing with delightful descriptions? Only in the Gospel of Saint John do we discover such an appealing and even worshipful relationship between Simon Peter and his Savior and Lord. A feast is set before us and its attraction will last a lifetime for all those who profess the Christ. As usual, the Master relates his will and ways through common and ordinary means. Who didn't know what a fish was? Yes, and who didn't know a sheep when he/she saw one? Additionally, ...

3124. Shine, Moses, Shine

Exodus 34:29-35

Sermon

Mary S. Lautensleger

Have you ever had a "mountaintop" experience? We use that term to describe various circumstances - a brilliant sunrise, a special time shared with friends or loved ones, a quiet moment of deep reflection. Such events are meaningful and important, but they are human experiences and have their place in the realm of the ordinary. There are also glorious worship experiences, when we feel on top of the world. Momentous mountaintop experiences are exhilarating, causing us to want to preserve them indefinitely. ...

3125. The Miss, The Kiss, The Mess, The Rest

2 Samuel 11:1-15

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

A few years back, I read about a group of three burglars in Vang, Norway, who tried to open a large safe in a small factory. They attached a small explosive device to the door of the safe and then hid in the next room until it went off. The explosion was so powerful that it demolished the whole building and left them buried under a pile of rubble. The ironic thing about was, the safe had never held any money. The company money was kept in a cash box in an unlocked desk drawer. But what they did keep in the ...

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