Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 3126 to 3150 of 5000 results

John 13:1-17

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

... and 20 are a later addition based on 1 Corinthians 11:23-25), which contain Luke's distinctive order of the events of the institution of the Lord's Supper: the symbols are given in verse order (wine, then bread), as compared to Mark's and Matthew's versions; no connection between the wine and blood is made; and the eschatological reference to the coming reign and Jesus' declaration of abstinence are placed before the distribution of wine and bread, thereby emphasizing that aspect of this pivotal Passover ...

3127. Tenders Of The Sacred Fire

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

R. Robert Cueni

... for the building of this cathedral. And now the fire has been handed down to us. We must tend it carefully and prepare to hand it to those who will follow. The task is probably no greater for us than for any other generation, but mark this: We cannot take the future of our congregation for granted. Enormous challenges confront Christ's Church today. All around us we see the evidence of the trivializing of religion in general and Christianity in particular in America. In his book, The Culture Of Indifference ...

3128. Too Soon, Monsieurs, Too Soon?

Matthew 17:1-13

Sermon

Thomas Long

... story of Jesus rather than at the end. This story of the transfiguration started its life as a resurrection narrative, these scholars say, and, therefore, it properly belongs at the end of the story -- not here at the halfway point. So when Matthew, Mark and Luke insert this account in the middle of their narratives, some New Testament experts wag their fingers and chide, "Too soon, monsieurs, too soon." Historically they may or may not be right, but theologically they are flat wrong. The transfiguration is ...

3129. The Breath Of God

John 20:19-23

Sermon

Marc Kolden

... the presence of the God of love. To this scared group of former followers, the risen Christ begins by bringing the peace of God. Jesus said it twice; did you notice? "Peace be with you." We are not to miss it. And in between his speaking, he showed them the marks in his hands and sides, which he had suffered on the cross. Then it began to dawn on them. This was really Jesus, who had been crucified, who had died on the cross, but now he was alive. And it says that the disciples "rejoiced" when they saw "the ...

3130. The Temptation Of His Life

Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon

Thomas A. Pilgrim

... The New Testament clearly states this. Matthew tells us plainly that Jesus was in the wilderness tempted by the devil. He did not say Jesus wondered, imagined, was charmed, or that He considered his options. He tells us He was tempted, and that He went there to be tempted. Mark tells us He was tempted. Luke tells us He was tempted. John does not take time to mention it. He was in too big a hurry to get Jesus back up to Galilee. However, the book of Hebrews tells us, "He was in all points tempted like as we ...

3131. Baptism In Three Movements

Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon

William B. Kincaid, III

... great occasions -- the special celebration, the response to the hurricane, our concern for the dying -- but forgetting in between those times what life in the Spirit involves. Humility, gentleness, and patience won't get much coverage on the evening news, but those are marks of the Christian life. Yet, who among us has mastered those things in our relationships with our sisters and brothers? We know the kind of trouble that is caused by thinking of ourselves too highly and not regarding others with the kind ...

3132. How Much Sin Is Too Much?

Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 5:17-20

Sermon

William B. Kincaid, III

... but it hurts us. Our actions construct a barrier between God and us, regardless of whether anybody else is affected by them. As for the temptation to call sin something else as a way to make it sound okay, that sounds very similar to what the airline industry does in marking their on-time arrivals. A plane can land up to fourteen minutes late and still be considered on-time. Now the question becomes, "How late can I be and still be on-time?" If a plane is four minutes late, it is on-time. If a plane is nine ...

3133. In The Flesh

John 1:1-18

Sermon

William B. Kincaid, III

... spirit of God that "the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh" (2 Corinthians 4:11). It means that we not only see the heart or soul as religious, but that we "love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength" (Mark 12:30) and that we present our "bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship" (Romans 12:1- 2). Our existence is not about worshiping God with our souls and treating our bodies as if they were our own. Our earthly life ...

3134. Why Not Walk On What Jesus Walked On When He Walked On Water

Matthew 14:22-36

Sermon

Roger G. Talbott

I wish Matthew, Mark and John had consulted me before they wrote their gospels. If they had only sent me their rough drafts, I could have put a big red "X" through this story about Jesus walking on the water. (Luke apparently had a good editor. He didn't include this story.) I would ...

3135. The Rock Of Faith

Matthew 16:13-20

Sermon

Roger G. Talbott

... and me. That's why Peter is so beloved by us all. I don't know any person with an ounce of honesty who doesn't identify with Peter. The rock on which Jesus founded the church was not a piece of polished marble. It was a big, stubborn, pock-marked piece of rock covered with moss. It may even have been the kind of rock that geologists call "conglomerate," which means that it is made up of smaller rock particles cemented together with hardened clay or sand. That's not a pretty rock; not the kind of rock that ...

3136. It's Your Funeral

Matthew 21:28-32

Sermon

Roger G. Talbott

... and it is the business of a funeral sermon to point out that grace. I think it is important to say that, because a lot of people hate eulogies at funerals, and rightly so. Not many of them are honest. In fact, one of my nightmares is to miss the mark as widely as the poor preacher did at a funeral for a relative of a friend of mine. She said the minister went on about what a cheerful man cousin Dan was -- how he always had a smile on his face. Most of those assembled must have wondered about whom ...

3137. Advent 2

Matthew 3:1-12, Isaiah 11:1-16, Romans 14:1--15:13

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... that his drinking and pursuing other women are largely to blame for the failure of his marriage. As the confession proceeded, both penitent and priest found spiritual and emotional release through plentiful tears. The room became littered with tear-stained tissues. That marked Anderson's first confession in 25 years and his turning back to the church and a life of faith. Finally Father Jenco laid his hand on Anderson's head and pronounced absolution: "In the name of a gentle, loving God, you are forgiven ...

3138. Advent 4

Mt 1:18-25 · Rom 1:1-7 · Isa 7:10-17 · Ps 80

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... millions of Jews to the slaughter, out of obedience to their lord and master, Adolf Hitler. At the same time, others risked their lives to save Jews out of obedience to the Lord of Life or, at least, to a transcendent moral imperative. October 1993 marked the 50th anniversary of the rescue of the Danish Jews during the Nazi occupation. In late September 1943, word leaked out to the Jews of Denmark that they were in imminent danger of being rounded up by the Gestapo. Despite curfews, German patrols on land ...

3139. All Saints' Sunday

Mt 5:1-12 · 1 Jn 3:1-3 · Isa 26:1-21 · Rev 7:9-17; 21:9-11, 22-27; 22:1-5 · Ps 24 · Ps 34 · Ps 149

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

COMMENTARY Epistle: Revelation 7:9-17 This is an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals. The saints are marked with the seal of God which affords protection from the plagues and coming judgment. During this period of great persecution under the Roman Emperor, Domitian, about 96 A.D., John encourages the struggling church with a heavenly vision of light and glory. A great throng of believers are gathered around ...

3140. Ash Wednesday

Mt 6:1-6, 16-21 · 2 Cor 5:20 - 6:10 · Joel 2:1-2, 12-19 · Ps 51 · Ps 103

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... of public piety. The primary risk is one of hypocrisy, where action is divorced from attitude or intention. The hypocrite is not real; he is just acting in pretense. Grandstand religion is anathema to God. The believer should direct her devotion to God alone. The mark of the true believer is determined by that which he values above all. The things of God are his true treasure, which in contrast to earthly fortune, cannot be taken away (vv. 19-21). THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION Old Testament: Joel 2:1-2, 12-19 Lent ...

3141. Going Through The Waters

Exodus 13:17--14:31

Sermon

... that can't be solved by anything we say or do? What then? Here at worship is the court of last appeal, because all other avenues are exhausted. Here we identify with Jesus on the cross when he cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). The doctor comes and tells you the illness is terminal; there's no cure. You receive word that the company you work for is closing. Everything you worked for, your home, and your dreams are pulled out from under your feet. You are betrayed by someone ...

3142. Corpus Christi

Jn 6:51-58 · 1 Cor 10:16-17 · Deut 8:1-20 · Ps 116

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... Lord and his salvation when they got settled in their new land. Likewise, the Eucharist was instituted by Christ so that his people would not forget their great salvation. Epistle: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Participation, not observation. Authentic Christian worship is marked by participation, not observation. The Eucharist is participation in the death and resurrection of Christ. "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not sharing in ...

3143. Easter 7

Jn 17:1-11 · Acts 1:1-14 · 1 Pet 4:12-19, 5:6-11 · Ps 68 · Ps 27 · Ps 47

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... ) but also glorious in goodness and love. Illustration: In October of 1983, a crazed zealot steered a truckload of dynamite into the United States Marine compound, killing over 200 American soldiers. A few saw the face of the terrorist attacker as he gunned his truck toward the mark. They reported that he wore a smile on his face. There he was on a mission of destruction and death, and his face was lit with a smile. Is this the expression of a demented mind? Perhaps. It could also be the face of one who ...

3144. Epiphany 4

1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5, Micah 6:1-8, Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... Peter Kreeft loosely guided my thinking on this subject. First, there is the weakness of position: the weakness of playing second fiddle of or not making the first team. In our society, as well as many others, to be obedient is a sign of weakness; to take orders marks you as being inferior to the one issuing the orders. In the world, the strong impose themselves on the weak but Jesus says that this is not the way it is supposed to be with his followers. Christ's disciples must be willing to be servants and ...

3145. Lent 1

Mt 4:1-11 · Rom 5:12-21 · Gen 2:7 - 3:7 · Ps 32

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... is set. Adam and Eve are created from the dust of the earth and then infused with God's Spirit. They live in the garden, representing a state of harmony between God, humans and all creatures. The Lord delineates humankind's limits or boundaries, marking out of bounds the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This state of affairs is challenged by the serpent, the tempter. Biblical scholars insist that the serpent not be identified with Satan -- it is a creature of God. Nevertheless, this association will ...

3146. Maundy Thursday

Lk 22:14-30 · Jn 13:1-17, 31b-35 · 1 Cor 11:17-32 · Ex 12:1-14 · Ps 116

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Exodus 12:1-14 The passover marked the beginning of a new era for the Israelites. "This month shall be for you the beginning of months" (v. 2). The people are ordered to set aside a flawless lamb to be slaughtered, roasted and eaten on the 14th day of the month. Everyone was to be part of ...

3147. The Nativity Of Our Lord

Luke 2:1-20 · Titus 2:11-14 · Isaiah 9:2-7 · Ps 96

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... who dwelt in the darkness of defeat and hopelessness. The light of the Lord's liberation was dawning on the nation. God was sending a Savior/King. The expectations of the Jews are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who frees us from the captivity of selfishness and sin. Christmas marks the dawning of a new day. Outline: 1. The Jews dwelt in the dark prison of national captivity 2. God freed them and caused the dawning of a new day 3. We all experience the dark captivity of being sin's slave 4. With Christ, we have ...

3148. Proper 17

Exodus 3:1-22, Jeremiah 15:15-21; 20:7-18, Matthew 16:21-28, Romans 12:1-8

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... and utter what is precious, not what is worthless. God promises to deliver him. Epistle: Romans 12:9-21 Paul gives a survey of the behavioral characteristics exhibited by the person who has consecrated his or her life to God. Such a life will be marked by the fruits of the Spirit, like love, joy, peace and enthusiasm. The believer will also refrain from judging others and seeking revenge, leaving that sphere to the Lord. Epistle: Romans 12:1-8 In response to the justification which God has effected, Paul ...

3149. 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

... got killed. Cal was racked with guilt, and the father got a stroke from the shock of it all and became mute. In the end, the rebel son and the stricken father are reconciled by Lee, their Chinese housekeeper, who pleaded with Adam. "Your son is marked with guilt out of himself .... Don't crush him with rejection. Don't crush him ... Adam, give him your blessing." With extraordinary effort, Adam was able to utter a word which was a blessing; a word which conferred the father's forgiveness on his rebellious ...

3150. Proper 25

Exodus 22:16-31, Leviticus 19:1-37, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Matthew 22:34-46, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; 2:1-16

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... close connection of the first and second tables of the law. The love of neighbor is not added to the first commandment, but flows from it. After his answer, Jesus asks the Pharisees a question concerning the Messiah, which they could not answer. This marks the end of the questions. The opposition goes underground. THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS Old Testament: Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Seeing the land of promise. God took Moses on top of Mount Nebo that he might see the land of promise. Moses could not enter that place ...

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