Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 301 to 325 of 1795 results

Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... . It wasn’t that he was unaware of the conditions being reflected by the other ministers; it was his attitude. Even the way he said the word was different. Nothing is more necessary for fruitful living. Nothing is more in tune with the Christian spirit and style, and nothing furthers our quest for Christian wholeness than to break the negative cycle. If we’re going to be whole, if we’re to live with confidence, and if we are to effectively witness to the Christian faith we claim, we must come to the ...

302. Living Lightly

Genesis 45:1-28

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... it. The big movement in the story however is that passionate affirmation of life by the grizzled bull of a Greek, Zorba, “the only death,” he growls, “is any day not devoted fully to living.” Now we may not like the content of Zorba’s lifestyle, but the style is captivating. He had an expectant stance toward life. Christians ought to have that in full measure. We are the ones who have been called. We have the promise of the kingdom. We’ve been forgiven. If anyone ought to be able to dance in the ...

303. The Gift Of Sleep

Psalm 127:1-5

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... His beloved". In Hebrew that sounds very much like the name given to Solomon. Again, verse 2 speaks of a man having many children and Solomon certainly did -- because he had so many wives. But the most likely reason is that the Psalm is written in the style of the wisdom literature of which Solomon was the Patron Saint. (See The Daily Study Bible, Psalms, Vol. 2, G. A. F. Knight, The St. Andrew Press, Edinburgh, p. 278). So, the probability is that the Psalm was written at the time of the rebuilding of the ...

304. My Stress Is Killing Me! -- Is It?

Isaiah 40:1-31

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... it says is clear. No matter what the circumstances of our life, no matter what happens to us, we have a source of strength in God that will enable us not just to plod wearily through life, but to soar -- not just to survive, but to survive with style and meaning. The meaning is clear -- but let's expand the meaning by looking at what the text suggests. I hope that's not being too presumptuous. Bill Gossett told me a story last week. Joke: Highway patrolman - freeway -- accident -- monkey) I don't want to be ...

305. Draw Nigh To God

James 4:1-12

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... 've said three things: One, you are what you desire with a passion, and what you desire with a passion has far- reaching effects.Two, you can't be friends of the world and friends of God at the same time. Three, to draw near to God as an ongoing style, we must:1. Submit ourselves to God2. Resist the devil, and3. Live repentantly. It's one of the greatest offers you'll ever get: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." What are you going to do with it? Let me close by putting it into ...

306. Let Me Say That Again

John 14:15-31

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... on -- “something,” they said, “like the popular Life’s Little Instruction Book. Someone suggested, tongue in cheek I’m sure, that it might be called “Maxie’s Maxims” -- but we all knew that wouldn’t do. I began to think about my preaching -- my communication style. Now I seek by repetition to plant a truth firmly in the mind of listeners. Perhaps you have noted it. Many times, when I state a truth and really want it to sink in -- before I move on to elaborate it, I use a phrase redundantly ...

307. To Live Is to Dance

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... . People accused him of being a glutton. He loved a party. He associated with people from all walks of life and found meaning in those relationships. There was about him what the French call a joie de vie that was infectious. He had a style, a style that was identifiable and attractive and contagious. Here was a man, this Jesus, who stood in the midst of every baffling contradiction a person could know, held high every embarrassment this life affords within his own heart. The height of Heaven and the depth ...

308. Proper 17

Matthew 16:21-28, Romans 12:1-8, Romans 12:9-21, Jeremiah 14:1--15:21, Jeremiah 20:7-18, Exodus 3:1-22

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... God placed them on earth; they are goal-less, without purpose in life. Outline: God has a destiny a. For Jesus - the cross - vv. 21, 23. b. For the Christian - cross-bearing - vv. 24-26. 2. The Cross Way Of Life (16:24). Need: What is the Christian style of life? Modern lifestyles are often contrary to the Christian lifestyle. The style of life we want is one of ease, comfort, and luxury. According to this text, the Christian lifestyle is the opposite. How many spoiled and affluent Americans will buy this ...

309. If the Shoe Fits, Wear It

Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 4:12-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... enable people through the Holy Spirit to do their best for God. Jesus calls us to the same work he did. Our shoes become his shoes, and his shoes become our shoes. But wait a minute. Jesus wears our shoes, too. [Pull out a shoe rack with all styles and sizes of shoes (if you can get shoes from different people in your congregation to use in this little activity, all the better). Ask which of these shoes do you think would be Jesus' shoes? Point to a couple different pairs, then the sandals: most people will ...

310. Ash Wednesday

Mt 6:1-6, 16-21 · 2 Cor 5:20b--6:10 · Ps 51:1-17 · Jl 2:1-2, 12-17

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... —strikingly this obedient service comes as part of the gift of salvation. Verses 3-10 support Paul's appeal to the Corinthians to "be reconciled" by relating something of the apostle's own methods in ministry. In 6:3-4a Paul declares his "blameless" style of service. The cryptic remark in v. 4a, "but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way," means simply that Paul consistently does what God would have him do—in obedience. Then, 6:4b -10 enumerates or describes, in grand rhetorical ...

311. Easter 2

John 20:24-31, John 20:19-23, 1 Peter 1:1-12, Acts 2:14-41, Psalm 16:1-11

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... in this psalm). Scholars conclude this psalm was composed in the post-exilic period because of (1) the close parallels (perhaps even literary relationship) between v. 4 and Isaiah 57:5-6; 65:4, (2) the presence of Aramaisms in vv. 5-6, and (3) the "wisdom" style of language and logic. Structure. The Psalm falls naturally into three parts, vv. 1-4, vv. 5-8, and vv. 9-11. The opening verses explore the idea that apart from God there is no good to be found. The remainder of the text first declares the psalmist ...

312. Time for a New Wardrobe

Isaiah 61:1—62:12

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

... assumption. How many of us, over the years, have torn open packages of argyle socks or paisley shirts? How many of us have gazed into a box to discover slacks and skirts, blouses and vests; sweatshirts and pajamas, all of a dizzying array of colors and styles? When I was a boy, clothing was a staple for Christmas gifts, because there was little available cash for frivolities like toys or games. But new clothing is really great. Personally, I'm partial to L.L. Bean. But you tell me. What does it feel like ...

313. Luke 3:1-6

Luke 3:1-6

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... stage, not setting the record straight. These few verses continue to reveal much about the gospel's author and narrative style. Verse 3 moves on to the next important character in Jesus' life - John the Baptist. Here, as Luke reintroduces John ... was "proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins," a phrase that assumes a certain level of theological literacy. The formulaic style of that phrase in verse 3, coupled with the introductory line in verse 4 ("as it is written in the book of ...

314. 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50

1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of Paul's own conversion story. So it is that while this week's epistle text speaks explicitly of resurrection, we must keep in mind the miracle of conversion sealed by baptism that Paul has already experienced. Paul begins to discuss the mystery of the resurrection by adopting a diatribe style. Whether he is addressing an actual band of nay-sayers and disbelievers, or whether he uses this form to allow a more forceful starting position, is unclear. Whatever the actual situation, the diatribe ...

315. 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50

1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

316. Ephesians 3:14-21

Ephesians 3:14-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... 12 separate verses (see 1:3-14 and 1:15-23). In today's text the entire body of this prayer (vv.14-19) was written originally as one long compound sentence. The concluding doxology after this prayer (vv.20-21) is also unique in style and content to the Ephesians writer. Doxologies were usually added at the end of written prayers and they had certain formulas to which they closely adhered. Most doxologies were so formulaic they did not necessarily reflect anything from the content of the prayer itself. This ...

317. Fear of Being Pushy

John 1:43-51

Illustration

Dan Matthews

... telemarketer is a know-it-all evangelist. It is hard to imagine that, in an effort to spread the news of Christ, we can - at times - so thoroughly repel the very people we are trying to attract. There certainly is a style of evangelism that mimics the pushy sales person. The evangelist of this style pushes, bullies, scares and uses anything to get his way with the potential convert. I have had people who have tried to convert me, though I tell them I'm Christian, though I tell them I'm active in a church ...

318. No Intimidation

Luke 13:31-35

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... soul for the faith is it in keeping with our commitment. Let's face it, some of the most timid souls in church can be downright raucous at athletic events! We are called always to learn from the Man of Galilee and sometimes that is among the most simple style of living. He was not a milquetoast kind of guy! All of his heart, mind, soul, and strength were set in motion to fulfill his destiny, as directed by his Father in heaven. If we are looking for fearless leadership, we have found it. He is daring and ...

319. Motivated for Life

Jeremiah 1:1-19

Sermon

King Duncan

... derisively. It means that someone is out of step with the rest of society. We are a very conformist society. No one wants to be thought of as “different.” We want to make sure if wide ties are in style, that we wear a wide tie. If narrow ties are in style, we wear a narrow tie. If no tie is in style, we wouldn’t be caught dead in one. Usually this is a rather harmless game we play, but sometimes it can get us in trouble. Comedian Woody Allen once told a hilarious story on himself. He says that he is ...

320. Being and Doing as the People of God

1 Peter 1:13-2:3

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... where many of us are today. It isn’t the claim is less real than it has been. The problem is we are frustrated in working out a style of life fully responsive to that claim. We try to work it out in a lot of ways. The most common mistake most of us make it to ... his notebook with all the notes he had taken on the books and articles written by Altheiser, Hamilton, and others. The self- styled atheist was equipped with a strong ego of “the man come of age” who had no need for the sentimental religion of ...

321. The Unsuspected Trojan Horse

Psalm 139:1-24

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... do we do? Not only do we handle the resentment that might have us for a long time by naming it and assessing it, assessing is a style, a way of living from day to day. III And that brings me to the final point. Confess, forgive, and submit. By confess I mean bring ... anger; and again, the more we repress that anger, the more it turns into destructive resentment. So we need to live a style that handles hurt and anger before it becomes resentment. I’m glad Paul told the Ephesians to “be angry and sin not.” ...

322. A Parable in a Miracle

Mark 1:40-45

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... all over the nation – and writes books. Brother to a Dragonfly is a book I hope you’ll read. It is at once a sensitive biography and a compelling novel. It is philosophy, theology, and sociology communicated by touching, humorous, revealing anecdotes, after the style of Mark Twain. It tells what Southern life is like on the rough side, where the lathe and the plaster have not been smoothed off, including matters of daily bread, race relations and belief in Jesus Christ. Will is a master writer, a genius ...

323. Worship

Hebrews 10:19-25

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... to worship the woman would rather argue than adore, would rather speak than surrender, and would rather defend than follow, but Jesus would have nothing to do with that. He cut to the core. Worship is about God. Isn't all this stuff about dress, music, style, instruments, symbols, the devil's way of keeping our attention on the methods of worship and our minds off God—who alone is worthy of our praise? We need to worship God because we were created to worship God. Nothing else will satisfy the soul. When ...

324. Two Ways of Talking

Luke 11:1-13

Illustration

Wallace H. Kirby

... of speaking theologically is to use the situations and relationships of everyday life. Every Christian works out his or her understanding of the gospel, using something of both of these approaches. Even the ordinary, uneducated Christian knows something of the learned theological style, for many passages of the New Testament are based on the insights of a sophisticated and academic tradition. To read the prologue to the Gospel of John, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word ...

325. The iPod Vs. The Larynx

Revelation 5:11-14

Sermon

Steven E. Albertin

... in the second reading of the whole creation worshiping God and the lamb reflects just this kind of community. We come together not just as people of northern European ethnic extraction, not just as upper-middle-class suburbanites, or as people who prefer a given style of music or church architecture. We are called together because we have heard the good news of Jesus and Christ and have staked our lives on it. For as much as we might share common tastes and preferences or as much as we might like each ...

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