Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3351 to 3375 of 4933 results

3351. Wedding, Wine, And Wonderment

Mark 2:18-22

Sermon

Eric Ritz

As we open our lesson today, we see a conflict brewing. Actually there are two conflicts. Let's label them "the fast" and "the past." Let's deal first of all with the fast. When our lesson opens, the Pharisees and even the disciples of John the Baptist are fasting. Jesus and his disciples are not. To the casual spectator it might appear that Jesus is not paying proper tribute to his faith. Other religious people are fasting. He refuses. What gives with him anyway? We need to know that Jesus practiced ...

3352. When It Is Tough to Follow Jesus: The Third Word

John 19:17-27

Sermon

Eric Ritz

The distinguished United Methodist bishop, Dr. Gerald Kennedy, once told the story of seeing a very poorly dressed woman and her young daughter looking into one of the department store windows in the downtown area of a large city during the Christmas holidays. Inside the window was the manger scene, including Mary dressed as the Queen Of Heaven, with rich diamonds and other jewels in her dazzling crown. The little girl gazed at the Blessed Mother for a while and then turned to her own mother and said, "She ...

3353. The Heart -- Our Mirror

Proverbs 25:1-28

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

Peter Ustinov is one of the great actors of our day. I don't know much about him, but I was impressed by an interview of some years ago during the filming of the movie, "Death on the Nile". He was talking about the images actors have to live with. An image is an awful thing, he said. An actor says, "I'm going to do this or that." And someone will say, "What about your image?" Ustinov said, "I don't know what my image is, I don't want to know." And then he continued, "It is a sad state when the man looking ...

3354. Jesus the Iconoclast

Matthew 22:15-22

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

In 725 AD Leo III, the Syrian emperor of Constantinople, toppled the huge statue of Christ that loomed over his palace’s front gate. What Leo wanted to do was to prove his independence from church authority. What Leo DID was to create a new term, "iconoclast," which means "the destroyer of an icon." A more contemporary image, one that we all share, is of Iraqi citizens toppling the huge statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad after the arrival of US troops. That was an act of "iconoclasm." But things we target ...

3355. Jethro Visits Moses

Exodus 18:1-27

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

Jethro, the non-Israelite, met Moses and the Israelites in peace. The first half of Exodus 18 describes the circumstances of Moses’ reunion with his father-in-law Jethro, his wife Zipporah, and his sons. The conversation and action, however, focus on Jethro. Moses’ witness to the Lord’s deliverance is followed by a description of Jethro’s belief and celebration meal with the elders of Israel. The second half of Exodus 18 describes Jethro’s detailed advice to Moses concerning his legal administration. ...

3356. Nehemiah's Final Reforms

Nehemiah 13:1-31

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

Guidelines Established and Monitored: Was there anything else left to do after the grand finale of the wall dedication ceremony? Indeed there was, according to the editor. At the close of Ezra 1–6 the narrator recognized in the dedication of the rebuilt temple an opportunity to put into place normative guidelines that echoed the Torah concerning the regular staffing of the temple. Similarly here, the editor supplements the wall dedication story with the enactment of two guidelines that brought the ...

3357. Esther Made Queen

Esther 2:1-18

Understanding Series

Timothy S. Laniak

Esther’s Rise to Royalty: The first chapter/scene closes with a sense of comedy, as well as an alarming revelation of fragile emotions at the highest levels of decision making. The Persian court is not a safe place. It is a place of power and intrigue (as is clear also in 2:19–23); a place with unstable relationships and fragile egos; a place with unresolved crisis. Vashti must be replaced by a “better” queen—one who must prove herself as beautiful, but more diplomatic, in this vortex of circumstances and ...

3358. The Journey of Salvation

Luke 22:39-46, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Sermon

King Duncan

I want to begin with a fascinating story from the Middle Ages. It is about a pope named Gregory and a king named Henry IV of Germany. In those days popes not only had ecclesiastical power but political power as well. In a dramatic move, Pope Gregory excommunicated King Henry IV when he insisted on divorcing his wife Bertha of Savoy. This was not only devastating to Henry spiritually, but politically, for this made Henry ineligible to sit on the throne of Germany. The king, who well knew what the pope ...

3359. Hosanna! Please Save Us!

Matthew 21:1-11, Matthew 26:14-16

Sermon

King Duncan

In our social-media obsessed culture, we assume that everyone wants to be in the spotlight. Everyone wants attention. That’s what Facebook, Instagram and TikTok want us to believe. But being the center of attention can be exhausting and isolating too. Actor George Clooney said in a recent interview, “There are restrictions to this kind of fame. I haven’t walked in Central Park for 15 years. I’d like to, you know?” And actor Johnny Depp said in an interview on the Today show, “[Being famous] is a little bit ...

3360. Free to Forgive

John 20:19-31

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Just before Easter, Jewish people celebrated a holiday in their tradition called Purim. During Purim, the story of Esther is read aloud, sometimes enacted. The story of Esther tells of a an upright, young Jewish woman who becomes Queen of Persia and reveals to the King the evil intentions of his right hand man, Haman, who is out to exterminate the Jewish people. Esther’s uncle Mordechai has angered Haman, who builds a gallows intending to have Mordechai hanged upon it. But when his treacherous plan to ...

3361. Mission Complete

Luke 24:51

Children's Sermon

Object: picture of a mountain or any mountain climbing equipment like ropes, boots, life-line, etc. Good morning, boys and girls. Have you ever seen a mountain climber? (Let them respond.) This picture of a mountain shows how high mountain climbers climb. It's very dangerous and mountain climbers use lots of equipment like special boots and lots of rope. When mountain climbers go up a mountain, we say they ascend or they are making their ascension. That word "ascend" means to go up. Why do you think people ...

3362. Making Money on God

Acts 19:25-26

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: None Have you ever heard about people who sell religion? It is not the kind of thing that people like to talk about, but it is something that is done everyday. I am going to tell you a story about two men who were involved in a big struggle over making money on God. The one man is our hero, Paul. Paul was a man who believed in God as Jesus had shown men to believe. God was a spirit, a loving spirit that was more real than anything else. There was another man by the name of Demetrius who lived in ...

3363. A Job and A Ministry

Mark 1:14-20

Illustration

Michael D. Powell

Do you have a job in this church and this community . . . or do you have a ministry? There is a difference! If you are doing it because no one else will, it's a job. If you're doing it to serve the Lord, it's a ministry. If you're doing it just well enough to get by, it's a job. If you're doing it to the best of your ability, it's a ministry. If you'll do it only so long as it doesn't interfere with other activities, it's a job. If you're committed to staying with it even when it means letting go of other ...

3364. The One in Whom We Glory

John 12:12-19

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

We come today to the final words of the Lord's Prayer. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. If you are a good Catholic, you know that phrase is not in the original Lord's Prayer. Of course, the Catholics are right. It was really a second century addition. If you are a good Methodist, you cannot receive your daily bread, be forgiven of your sins, and delivered from the evil one without exclaiming, For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Of course, ...

3365. When Life Seems Out Of Control

2 Samuel 18:1-18

Sermon

Timothy J. Smith

During the week he was always dressed in a dark suit, a white shirt, and an expensive tie. On Saturday mornings he wore blue jeans and a flannel shirt. He was a vice president of a large corporation. He was a very successful corporate executive, but on Saturdays he was just another guy. At least that's what his neighbors thought. As he pushed his two-year-old lawn mower out into the sun one Saturday morning, he cheerfully greeted his neighbor as she was pulling out of her driveway next door. Then he bent ...

3366. Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, Matthew 6:1-4, Matthew 6:16-18, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2

Bulletin Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: A call to repentance and renewal. The people are called to return to the Lord with acts of worship, giving and devotion that spring from the heart. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 We know little about the writer of this book and there are no historical markers by which to judge the period in which it was composed. Many scholars believe that Joel lived in the Persian period (559-331 B.C.). We do know that he had a keen interest in the temple and can surmise that he hails from priestly ...

3367. Our Dependence upon God

Matthew 24:37-41

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

Props: Wear shoes that can be tied. Lesson: Good morning. (response) I've got a problem this morning. Look down at your shoes. (response) My shoes are not tied. What am I going to do? (response) But I don't know how to tie my shoes. What am I going to do? (response) You know how to tie shoes? (response) Who has shoes on that you had to tie this morning? (response) Did you tie your own shoes? (response) Some of you did? (response) Good! Everybody untie your shoes. You're going to help me tie my shoes. If ...

3368. It's Official

Mark 1:40-45

Children's Sermon

Object: A driver's license. Good morning, boys and girls. I want to tell you a little story this morning that I think you will really like. But first you must look at something I brought with me and tell me what it is. (Take out your driver's license and show them.) Do you know what this is? (Let them answer.) That's right, a driver's license. I suppose you know that you must have one of these to drive a car, don't you? (Let them answer.) It doesn't teach you how to drive, but you must have one of these if ...

3369. WE ARE THE BELIEVERS: TESTIMONIES

Drama

Marcia Miller

As the lights come up, the characters who participate are seen with their backs to the audience. The first speaker turns to the audience and begins to speak. The next speaker turns toward the first speaker, begins, and then directs his speech to the audience. This same technique should be followed throughout the remaining testimonies. If possible, the speakers should be standing on different levels. If this isn’t feasible, the characters should be in a staggered line with, perhaps, one sitting on the floor ...

3370. Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2, 2 Corinthians 6:3-13, Matthew 6:1-4, Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 6:19-24

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

First Lesson: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17a Theme: Real repentance versus ritualized regret Exegetical Note Prophesying during a plague of locusts and a drought, both of which he takes as signs of divine judgment ("the day of the Lord"), Joel here calls the people to a repentance that, though connected with standard ritual acts (e.g., fasting, weeping, and mourning), is not just a superficial expression of regret, but a radical, heart-rending experience. Note that the prophet holds out the hope of God’s graciousness ...

3371. Mission Accomplished!

Luke 24:50-53

Sermon

Charles L. Koester

"Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them." Possibly the most awesome and fantastic picture I have ever seen is the earth-moon shot taken by the Apollo astronauts. Emerging from behind the moon for the first time after entering lunar orbit, there in the foreground is the moon landscape. In the background, emerging from the blackness of space is the earth, 230,000 miles away. How insignificant we as individuals appear from ...

3372. Mr. Smith Goes to Jerusalem

John 20:1-9

Drama

Dave Marsh

Director's Notes: "Easter. So What? What does it mean to me today?" Perhaps someone you know has asked you these very questions. Many people don't understand what the empty tomb means to them. Of course, it means that Jesus is alive and we now have hope for an eternity with Him. It also means that the same Jesus who had power over death has the same power to transform our lives. The family in this drama learns the hard way that they haven't taken the time to think about what the empty tomb means to their ...

3373. The Next 5 (A Drama about Love)

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Drama

Dave Marsh

Director's Notes: Our pastor did a message from 1 Corinthians 13 that said we can have all the faith and gifts in the world but if we don't have love for one another, then we are nothing. It was aimed at how we love each other in the church but the drama works well for marriages in general also. The drama touches on how we can show love for each other by the way we treat each other. Cast: Dave: The husband Beth: The wife Props: A remote 2 chairs (or couch) Tiny wadded up pieces of paper A small ball ...

3374. A Man, A Woman, and the Test of Doom (A Drama about Marriage)

Drama

Dave Marsh

Director's Notes: Pastor Ray asked me to write a light-hearted drama for this weekend centering around marriage. As I thought about what I would write, I asked myself how the world tells you if you have a healthy marriage or not. I quickly scanned the Internet until I found what I was looking for - a marriage cyber-test. I pulled some questions from it and added my own for the drama. Amazing... if we would only go to God's word, we could find out exactly what He has to say about a healthy marriage... Note ...

3375. Save The Children

Mark 9:33-37

Sermon

King Duncan

This morning we want to celebrate children. What would life be without them? The parents of one rowdy little fellow were trying to decide what to give him for his birthday. Dad suggested a bike. "Do you think that perhaps that will improve his behavior?" Mom asked hopefully. "I doubt it," Dad said realistically. "But at least it will spread it over a wider area." Children can be a pain, but they are also a pleasure. They look at life in such a different way. Expecting her third child, one mother tells how ...

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