Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3201 to 3225 of 4972 results

3201. Lust - To Discipline The Eye And The Heart

Matthew 5:27-30

Sermon

R. Curtis Fussell

... think about others for whom we have a physical attraction. As Martin Luther said, "You can't keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building nests in your hair."5 What is called for is discipline and control. We are not like the leaves of the trees blown about by gusts of wind; we can and are able to control the ways of our hearts and minds. Lust arises on the scene very much like envy. Perhaps you remember that a few weeks ago envy was described as a problem of thinking that ...

3202. How Unexpected Can Christmas Be?

Matthew 24:36-51

Sermon

William B. Kincaid, III

... week after Christmas last December. We have picked up gifts throughout the year as we have come across certain unique items that we might not be able to find anywhere else. One strand of Christmas lights was so hard to take down that we decided to leave it up year around. What more preparation could we make? With an economic landscape that ranges from New York City advertising firms to strip malls anchored by Wal-Mart stores, businesses are making sure we are prepared. It is clear we are still in danger of ...

3203. Presents And The Gift Of Presence

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon

William B. Kincaid, III

... from co-workers who half-heartedly hear what we say. No longer must we be at church meetings and plan what we are going to say before the person speaking is ever finished. No longer must we come to worship so unfocused and distracted that we leave unfulfilled. This is the holiest night of the year. It requires of us reflection and self-examination, and it brings to us the promise that we can be with each other in more meaningful ways. Through the presence of Christ in us, we can recognize the presence ...

3204. Understanding The Holy Trinity

John 16:5-16

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... Trinity. Patrick tried various explanations, but the king was not persuaded to accept the Trinity. In desperation Patrick plucked a shamrock and asked, "How many plants do I have here?" The king answered, "One." "Yes," continued Patrick , "but it has three leaves -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." This convinced the king. Shortly thereafter he was baptized. Personal relationships can also be an analogy. A person can be one person but at the same time three different persons in a relationship. For instance, a ...

3205. Prayer And Compassion Fatigue

Matthew 14:13-21

Sermon

Roger G. Talbott

... the weekend. It has been a very long day. You woke up before dawn because your arthritis hurt so much. You had to go to the grocery store and take your dog to the vet and on the way home your car started to act up and you had to leave it at the garage and get a taxi to take you home. All you want to do is go to bed when the phone rings and it's your friend who lost her husband last month and she just needs somebody to talk to. And always, when we think we ...

3206. Why Not Walk On What Jesus Walked On When He Walked On Water

Matthew 14:22-36

Sermon

Roger G. Talbott

... half of the ninth inning. The bases are loaded but there are also two outs. The next batter hits a home run and then immediately after crossing home plate sends all of his teammates into the locker room and tells the whole crowd to please leave quietly. Why would anyone do that? Why would anyone not enjoy the adulation, the cheers, the victory celebration that would naturally follow? Why would anyone run away from the champagne that would be poured over his head? The microphones that would be shoved in his ...

3207. Advent 3

James 5:7-12, Isaiah 35:1-10, Matthew 11:1-19

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... . The writer (not Isaiah) poetically pictures the entire creation participating in the redemption of God's people as the desert springs to luxuriant life, free of ravenous beasts. In this second exodus from the land of captivity to the promised land, the redeemed leave their disabilities behind as they joyously make their way back home. This blissful vision is meant to make the prisoners strong and full of hope. God is present with his people and will shortly reveal his saving might. Epistle: James 5:7-10 ...

3208. 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

... 'm not sure what was going through this person's mind but I think that the money gave him a sense of security, or at least, being separated from his money made him feel insecure. What a false sense of security! A few weeks later he died and had to leave it behind. WORSHIP RESOURCES Psalm Of The Day: Psalm 51:1-17 "Have mercy on me, O God" Psalm 103 or 103:8-14 "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget his benefits who forgives all your iniquity and heals all your diseases" (vv. 2-3). Prayer ...

3209. Christ The King

Ephesians 1:15-23, 1 Corinthians 15:12-34, Ezekiel 34:1-31, Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... . The battle of Christ and the forces of the Adversary will continue until the second coming. Are we fighting on the Lord's side so as to hasten the fulfillment of the kingdom? Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46 1. Sermon Title: Estate Planning. Sermon Angle: To leave a legacy to those people and causes we cherish requires some estate planning. This parable states that God engaged in estate planning from the foundation of the world. He set out in his will those who were to inherit the kingdom (v. 34). These blessed ...

3210. The Honor Of A Limp

Genesis 32:22-32

Sermon

... Esau. Others point out that Jacob was morally and spiritually lacking. They describe Jacob as one who has acted in a "thoroughly self-centered and self-serving" way all his life. His efforts make him "successful," but he's "faithless."3 So God attacks Jacob and leaves him limping to reveal that God has redeemed Jacob from his past immoral behavior. But we also see that when Jacob demands a blessing, his struggle with God only becomes another example that he has "remained the one who grabs."4 Only by God's ...

3211. Going Through The Waters

Exodus 13:17--14:31

Sermon

... for His name. God, who remembers His promise and acts to make it real, explains this passage. Knowing this witness to God and this calling to faith, the Christian church has also made use of this scene as readily as Hollywood. Crossing through the waters of the Reed Sea, leaving behind an old way of life and embarking on the other side to a new way of life, cannot help but remind us of water baptism. It reminds us that God is the One who is graciously at work in our lives, the One who makes it possible to ...

3212. The Rain Of Bread

Exodus 16:1-36

Sermon

... everything you need to survive. Enjoying nature, listening only to the sounds of wildlife, having a bit of creation all to yourself. Of course, there is one downside to it all -- the food. Cans are out of the question, they're too heavy to carry. That leaves only the packaged, freezed-dried variety of food. The pictures on the outside of these packages look inviting, but the actual stuff is all texture and no taste. If there's one complaint heard again and again during a wilderness experience, it's the food ...

3213. In The Beginning

Genesis 1:1-2:3

Drama

Jerry Eckert

... dome. Above the spherical roof He made was half the swirling waters. The other half swelled at His feet as He stood admiring His handiwork. "I've divided it, but the mess is still there. I hope I haven't goofed up the children's curiosity by leaving too easy an answer to their questions about why the sky is blue and where does the rain come from." God noticed that the dome did not prevent the waters above and the waters below from breaking through occasionally and trying to overcome Him. But there was some ...

3214. Easter 4

1 Peter 2:13-25, Acts 7:54--8:1a, Acts 6:1-7, John 10:1-21

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... 4. The church must guard against the dangers of being only charismatic or only institutional and become a charismatic institution. 2. Sermon Title: The Legacy Of Leadership. Sermon Angle: The effectiveness of leadership can be discerned from the legacy it leaves behind. Back in the mid-1970s, Richard Nixon, mired in the Watergate scandal, left a legacy of cynicism and mistrust. Other national leaders, concerned only with their selfish interests, have left the same legacy. Stephen, the first Christian martyr ...

3215. Easter 5

John 14:1-4, John 14:5-14, Acts 7:54--8:1a, Acts 17:1-9, 1 Peter 2:4-12

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme For The Day: Come into me. In the Lutheran/Episcopal First Lesson, Paul has been secreted out of a couple of Greek towns. He leaves word that Paul and Silas are to come to him as soon as possible, so he can continue the work of building up the Body Of Christ. In the Second Lesson, Peter urges his readers to "Come to Him (Christ), a living stone ..." and become living building blocks in the ...

3216. Easter 6

Acts 8:9-25, 1 Peter 3:8-22, Acts 17:16-34, John 14:15-31

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... , and then love each other. If we keep our eyes on Jesus through prayer and worship, we will be sure to keep his commandments. Home Alone. Perhaps, you've seen the movie by this title. A large family grouping goes on a Christmas vacation, accidentally leaving a ten-year-old son behind. When they reach their distant destination they realize their omission but are unable to quickly book a return flight. In the meantime, robbers try breaking into the family house but the youngster is able to foil their schemes ...

3217. Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany

Sermon

Russell F. Anderson

... the strife. When the facts are in the open, a solution is possible. Jesus has very important advice concerning conflict management. He says, "If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister ..." (v. 24). The offering of the gift at the altar is an attempt of reconciliation with God (conflict management) but Jesus insists that we return to the primary arena ...

3218. Epiphany 7

Mt 5:38-48 · 1 Cor 3:10-11, 16-23 · Lev 19:1-2, 9-18 · Ps 119:33-40 · Ps 71 · Ps 62

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... womb, from which he was being birthed into a glorious new existence with the saints in light. Grandpa was a mere shadow of his former self, unable to give. Yet he was being loved unconditionally. Grandpa paused in his passage through death's door, not wanting to leave such love behind. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, he was much better, able to sit up, take nourishment and interact with family. The extension of his life was a gift of love. On New Year's Eve his spirit was received into the realm of love ...

3219. Epiphany 8

Mt 6:24-34 · 1 Cor 4:1-13 · Is 49:8-18 · Ps 131

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... of them "as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries." In these roles, the crucial characteristic is faithfulness to the gospel. It was of little concern that he should be judged by humans, only the verdict of God mattered. In fact, human beings should leave the judgments to the Lord, who will bring to light the hidden purposes of the heart. One should also refrain from boasting because everything good is a gift of God. Gospel: Matthew 6:24-34 In this section of the Sermon On The Mount Jesus lifts ...

3220. Good Friday

John 18:1-11, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Genesis 22:1-19, Hosea 6:1--7:16, Hebrews 10:1-18, Hebrews 4:14-5:10, John 19:17-27

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... , Father Damien went to Hawaii, the island of Molokai, to minister to those from whom people hide their faces, those who suffer the isolating disfigurement of leprosy. For a long time, his parishioners were reluctant to accept him. They had seen others come and leave in disgust. Why would this man be any different? The mistrust eased as Father Damien persisted in his effort to minister to their needs but was not completely accepted until the day he truly became one of them. That Sunday morning, he addressed ...

3221. Lent 1

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

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... it -- a loss of innocence, a fall from grace, broken relationships and death. Outline: The necessity of forbidden fruit -- life has to have its boundaries The desire for forbidden fruit is coveting To take forbidden fruit destroys relationships To take forbidden fruit leaves a bitter aftertaste Live thankfully for what God has given you Lesson 2: Romans 5:12-19 (20-21) Sermon Title: The Power Of One. Sermon Angle: Somewhere along the line you have probably received a Christmas card containing a poem called ...

3222. Lent 3

John 4:1-26, Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:27-38, John 4:39-42, Isaiah 42:18-25

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... of. The report of this dialogue is rather lengthy and raises several issues. There is grace; the woman has been married five times and the man she is now living with is not her husband. Yet, Jesus is not judgmental. There is witness; the woman leaves her water jar and invites her neighbors to hear Jesus. There is the subject of worship, which Jesus defines not as a matter of place but of spirit. Finally, belief is defined as personal encounter with Jesus rather than merely accepting the reports of others ...

3223. End times

Mt 24:1-14 · 1 Thess 3:7-13 · Jer 26:1-6 · Ps 105:1-7

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... waste our time in splitting eschatological hairs. Illustration: In the old L'il Abner comic strip there was a rather pathetic character by the name of Joe Btsfplk. Wherever Joe went, he was accompanied by a black cloud and a bolt of lightning, leaving chaos and destruction in his pathway. Joe Btsfplk was the incarnation of gloom and despair. Many spokesmen of the apocalypse are of this stripe. They never tire in relating the lurid details of destruction and death that are certain to manifest themselves any ...

3224. Proper 10

Genesis 25:19-34, Isaiah 55:1-13, Romans 8:18-27, Romans 8:1-17, Matthew 13:1-23

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... is a small price to pay for the eternal gain (v. 18). Birth pangs. The image that Paul presents is of a world in utero, a womb-wrapped world that is struggling to be born. Labor pains are the necessary prelude to new life. It is the pain that makes leaving the confines of our old world easier, even desirable. As the contractions of pain squeeze us, we are propelled into the light of a painful process of letting go of the old life and embracing the new life, to which the Lord is calling us. In this role, we ...

3225. Proper 11

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

... of the weeds growing together with the wheat COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Genesis 28:10-19a (C) Upon hearing of Esau's plan to kill Jacob after Isaac's death, Rebekah spirits Jacob back to her relatives in her native land. It is an unsettling time for Jacob, leaving home and a fugitive. Jacob stops for a night at Bethel and in his dream God reaffirms the covenant he made with Abraham and Isaac. In the dream, Jacob views a stairway to heaven, probably a ziggurat, with the angels of God ascending and descending. This ...

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