Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3301 to 3325 of 4957 results

3301. The Lord's Pryaer: Our Daily Bread

Matthew 6:5-13

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... saturated every day of our lives through newspapers, magazines, and television ads with the temptation to buy a certain product on the idea that a material object can satisfy a deep human need or problem. Dr. Tony Campolo tells of the outrageous claim made by a Coca-Cola commercial he once saw. Maybe you remember it. In the midst of a deeply divided world--where racism, sexism, classism and violent crimes are running rampant, where whites are against blacks, males are against females, nations are against ...

3302. The Lord's Prayer: Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Matthew 6:5-13

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... all the voices of the system of segregation shouting he was inferior, he managed to be brought to a variety of small but less than fancy black churches in his life''s journey. It was here that Dr. Duncan testifies that he heard a voice inside of him which he claimed to be the voice of God. This voice, this inside job said, "You can do it, Burt. You are not alone." So, by the Grace of God, he did. Perhaps the key in facing our temptations in life is what voice are you listening to. However, the Bible told us ...

3303. The Lord's Prayer: Deliver us from Evil

Matthew 6:5-13

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... said to Lopez, ''Out of tragedy, good will come. The storm is over.''" Yes, Pastor Bennie Newton knew that even in the midst of an evil event he was called to make his personal witness to God. He did not cooperate or run from this Goliath-like encounter. He claimed the victory for God. He discovered that the power of God was "more than adequate." This is the hope I want you to return to your homes with today. This is the promise that God sealed at a place called Calvary. God did not cooperate with evil. God ...

3304. The Lord's Prayer: Thine Is the Kingdom

Matthew 6:5-13

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... sung at the close of many services that take place in churches of the conservative and fundamentalist persuasion. Well, Harvey Cox, like many others in our generation, left that tradition and became a "critic" of the church, yet the message of the church still claimed him. This article described his father. His father was also a rascal who had little time for the organized church. However, a series of events happened in his life, and he had a conversion experience. He even had the nerve to attend and join ...

3305. Dealing with the "F" Words of Life

John 21:1-14

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... so powerfully: "Our lives are not futile Our failures are not fatal Our deaths are not final." (3) Just imagine a Messiah who cooks breakfast. Not many Messiahs do that! A God who turns tombs into wombs of new life and new beginnings. What a privilege to belong and be claimed by such a God! I am overwhelmed to think that God objects when I am ready to throw the towel in and quit. I rejoice that there is more grace in God than sin in us. THIRDLY, JESUS CHRIST CAME TO THE LAKESIDE TO LEAD HIS DISCIPLES FROM A ...

3306. The First Commandment: Who's on First?

Exodus 20:1-21

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... You shall have no other gods before me." Some of you remember the old Abbott and Costello routine "Who''s On First?" The very real and age-old struggle from Adam and Eve to the present time is the question--who has top priority and first claim in our life? "Who''s On First?" This issue cries out to be settled. The answer to this question determines the balance and control of our sacred journey. John Wooden, former coach of UCLA Bruins, won more NCAA championships than any other basketball coach in history ...

3307. The Second Commandment: What Is Your Golden Calf?

Exodus 20:1-21

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... and nurture our life on anything except God. The first commandment tells and instructs us to worship the one and true God who is not created by man. The second commandment teaches us that our worship of the living God must not be a lie. When we claim we worship God but actually give our ultimate loyalty to someone or something else--that is a lie. A few years ago there was a delightful movie titled Honey, I Shrunk The Kids. Many people shrink God by making an image of God from created matter and actually ...

3308. The Triumph of the Cross

Galatians 6:11-18, Acts 1:1-11

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... a great illustration for Pentecost. Charles Barkley said, "WE PLAYED WITH NO SPIRIT TODAY." Whether it is in the world of sports or in the work of the church, when we don''t have the spirit something is sorely lacking that allows us to go out in power to claim victory. So whether it is in the stadium or the sanctuary, THE SPIRIT MUST BE MOVING THROUGH US--AND SURROUND US. Let me share a personal word here. In my work as a pastor, it is so easy to just go through the motions and forget the energizing power ...

3309. Joy: The Echo of God's Presence In Us! (Part I - Introduction)

Philippians 1:1-11

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... PACIFIC, who sang `I''m stuck like a dope with a thing called hope and I cannot get it out of my heart''?" Is Paul going to tell us that the Christian life is an escape from suffering, sickness, and sorrow--all we need to do is "name it and claim it"? To anyone who knows of the great passage from II Cor. 11:24-28, knows that this is out of the question. As a matter of fact, I believe it is the wrong question. A distinguished colleague, now retired, once told about a man who walked into a hotel ...

3310. Facing Difficult Decisions in Life! Part VI

Philippians 1:1-11

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... his Christian journey. Many people, like the Chinese farmer, would have said to Paul, "I am sure sorry to hear about your bad luck and being in jail." However, we know because of this imprisonment Paul is given a larger mission field to challenge with the claims of the Gospel, and we have this great letter of encouragement to read 2,000 years later. Bad luck, good luck, who is to say? Paul faces another dilemma. His court case or hearing before the Roman authorities could come up at any moment. That could ...

3311. Christianity and Conflict: Dual Citizenship (Part VII)

Philippians 1:1-11

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... stuff!" (3) In verse 27 of Chapter One, Paul has shifted the focus on the conflict he is having with the Roman government and the primarily religious authorities to the conflicts that will arise in every church and every Christian that attempts to live out the claims of the Gospel. To live a life worthy of the Gospel is to imply that our understanding of worth is a far different thing from the world''s understanding. I personally believe that conflict can be a positive sign in a Christian fellowship if it ...

3312. Titles, Credentials, or Resurrection Power

Philippians 3:1-11

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... in the Bible comes out wrong. The way up is the way down. The way to spiritual wealth is to acknowledge your spiritual poverty." (3) Yes, forget your titles. Acknowledge the Biblical Testimony of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. There was a young man, who claimed to be an atheist, who came to speak with the famous preacher of yesteryear, Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick of Riverside Church, New York City. "Dr. Fosdick, I listened to your sermons, and I just don''t believe them. I do not believe in God." Dr ...

3313. Peace or Pieces

Philippians 4:2-9

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... bring on an early retirement. TOTS means Taking Ourselves Too Seriously, and we certainly need to slow down, even if we are being chased by the Ostriches of Life. Without further chit-chat, let us really dig into our scripture lesson today that we can claim victory over stress by the strength our Savior wants to share with us for the journey of life. In verse four, Paul issues a divine imperative to rejoice, to comfort himself, to strengthen himself, to be cheered. Here the keynote message of the letter is ...

3314. Tripping the Tempter

James 1:1-18

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... life for success and self-esteem to emerge. However, this gentleman overcame his negative background and is now a member of the distinguished faculty at Princeton University. You see, amidst all the voices shouting that he was inferior, he heard a voice inside him which he claimed to be the voice of God. This voice, this inward voice, said, "You can do it, Burt. You are not alone." So by the Grace of God--he did. Perhaps the key in facing our temptations in life is simply listening to the right voice--God ...

3315. The Temptation to Talk Transformation

James 2:14-26

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... vs. works controversy. As the writers of the Bible study, Mastering the Basics, state in their study of James: "The key issue for Paul is how one gains right standing before God--while for James, the issue is how one demonstrates to others the CLAIM to have such right standing. Paul''s focus is inward. It centers on a person''s relationship with God. In contrast--James'' focus is outward. It centers on relationships with other people. Paul writes about how one begins the Christian life--while James writes ...

3316. Taxes and Tightwads

James 5:1-6

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... verse, James is testifying that wealth is never lasting. Wealth will not prevent you from experiencing many of the same adversities that others do. Just ask Mickey Mantle or Magic Johnson or Jerry Garcia if their wealth and fame prevented miseries and purposelessness from claiming parts of their lives. Maya Angelou, the black author from Arkansas, tells the revealing story of her Aunt Tee who worked as a maid for a wealthy family on a very large spread of land. They were the envy of everyone. They had more ...

3317. A Soul Restored

Psalm 23:1-6

Sermon

Eric Ritz

Today, we are continuing in our study of the 23rd Psalm, as we claim new insights from this trusted old friend of ours. Now, if you were with us these last two Sundays, you know that we have looked at the first two verses of this marvelous writing. I am going to give a quick review of what has been taught these past two ...

3318. A Full House

Romans 5:12-21

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... , we are dust troubled by dreams, so that the human spirit cannot rest in things beneath itself, for we have senses and tastes for the eternal. We are children of dust who hear eternal voices which are never still, which never leave us but claim us for themselves." This Lenten season, if you will let go of those sins, attitudes, moral choices, immoral thoughts and inappropriate lifestyles that pull you away from the glory of God and intentionally seek to build the spiritual life and house by Bible reading ...

3319. The Other Side of Christmas

Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... broken slabs of stone was found the following inscription: "My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair." The traveler turned to look at the mighty of the kingdom of Ozymandias but nothing could be found in any direction. Yet Ozymandias claimed the title of King of Kings. Herod was afraid of any idea, person, place or thing that threatened the man-made kingdom he had set up. He was afraid to let God rule in his life. His kingdom was based on fear and torture, rather than ...

3320. Feasting and Fasting for Lent (Part IV)

2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... to answer, the preacher said, with a warm smile on his face, "Wait a minute. I know who you are. I see the family resemblance. You are a child of God." And with that he patted him on the shoulder, "Boy, you''ve got a great inheritance; go and claim it now." And the man shared how that one statement had literally changed his life. From then on he had more respect for himself and demanded more from himself. From that moment on he traveled a different road, and his life took on a new dimension. "What''s your ...

3321. Maundy Thursday: Two Memorials

Luke 22:7-38

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... of sharing, the Bishop and pastor were ready to share "Holy Communion" together. Standing close-by was the same prison guard who had inflicted great physical harm to Pastor Ike Maloabi. The Bishop had the courage and audacity to invite the White Afrikaner, who also claimed to be a follower of Christ, to share the Holy Meal. Well, the prison guard accepted the invitation! Then, Bishop Story blessed the elements and first gave the cup to Pastor Ike who drank from the cup and then passed the cup to the white ...

3322. What a Difference a Day Makes

Matthew 28:1-10

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... their fondest hopes and greatest dreams from them on Good Friday. They were living as victims--when God had achieved for them the victory. How tragic it is for Christian believers to continue to fight the Good Friday battle and always remain a victim when we could claim the resurrection power of Christ and be a victor. However, I understand that it does take a leap of faith to believe that Christ has won the big war when our world looks the way it does today. EASTER CAN MAKE A GREATER DIFFERENCE IN YOUR ...

3323. Thanksgiving - The Biblical Version

1 Chronicles 16:7-43

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... , and they loaded the Ark on a cart, took it to a steep hill and sent it down the side of the mountain, headed towards the village where the Israelites lived. Today I want to share a few insights on how we as the people of God can claim the assurance of God''s presence to defeat the powers of ingratitude and selfishness that are ruining our national life and religious life. FIRST, FOR THANKSGIVING TO TAKE PLACE, WE MUST HAVE THE PRESENCE OF GOD. For King David, this meant he must bring the Ark of the ...

3324. A Glimpse of Eternity

Mark 9:2-13

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... . The woman listened with great concern. She and her husband had experienced the same crippling condition and shared how they were liberated and set free from it by a loving relationship with the Living Lord of the Universe, Jesus Christ. The woman said, "You claimed you have everything, but now you have nothing. The reason is, unless you have Jesus Christ, you don''t have anything." Ted listened as they read some verses from the Bible, offered a prayer and picked him up for church on Sunday. After church ...

3325. What Is Your Response to the Resurrection?

Mark 16:1-20

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world. This is true: "To me is given all authority in heaven and earth, and lo, I am with you even to the end of the age." Today and every day we can claim victory over Satan. What is impossible for man is possible for God. You see, it is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are prophets of the church before we can do anything. This is true: "In the last days, I will pour ...

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