Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3351 to 3375 of 4963 results

3351. A Man for All Seasons

1 Corinthians 9:16-23

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... . That is not said in a way to become an annoyance or to become aggressive. It is to suggest we move forward in the faith by moving into new experiences. The progressive people tend to be continually exploring and seeking new opportunities for doing good. Those who remain stagnant seem always to be in the same places, unwilling to stretch into areas of promise. The attitude is much like the farmer, who was offered a new parcel of land. He was firm in saying, "I know what is here but I don't know what ...

3352. Plea for Discipline

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... , Son, and Holy Spirit. It is an old/new teaching to whom all Christians for twenty centuries can relate. It is couched in terms both familiar and relevant. For you and me, now early in the twenty-first century, it keeps us in touch with sublime revelation that remains at once practical and dependent on faith. As one ponders the brevity of one's life, the truth shines in all its splendor. This brief period of living on planet earth is but a dressing room for the main event. God's grace allows and enables us ...

3353. Gift of Positive Thinking

2 Corinthians 1:18-22

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... our Savior that makes our lives "Yes" under his lordship, always. Ultimately, there are no negatives. Our conversion and faithful living provide a blessed safety in a sanctuary most people will not likely see. For regardless of what happens to us, the answer remains, "Yes," to all of God's promises. It is a gift far surpassing anything worldly philosophers can provide. It is always a cause and call for personal celebration with a humble spirit. Focus: Jesus Christ alone conquers negatives. Body 1. There is ...

3354. Making Disciples

2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... from the militant church to the triumph church some years ago, does not lessen his testimonial. How high he would rate among our bishops would be difficult — if not impossible — to determine. Yes, and whose criteria would we use? His openness for a few of us remains intact. There was every reason to believe he was exactly that: an open book. That didn't mean he shared all the confidential material about pastors! It did mean, as a man and bishop, his life was there for all to explore. His words are like ...

3355. From Father Failure to Divine Father

Romans 8:12-17

Sermon

Maurice A. Fetty

... part, enabling us to continue to be spiritual thumbsuckers. We have all known religious people who insist they turn everything over to God — all their decisions, all their thinking, all their responsibility for living. In other words, they want to remain spiritual infants, dependent, afraid, infantile, childish, and irresponsible. In their view whatever happens, therefore, is the will of God. And God gets all the praise or blame, and the individual thus absolves himself or herself of all guilt. What at ...

3356. Parades and Crosses — The Challenge of Ministry

2 Corinthians 4:5-12

Sermon

Maurice A. Fetty

... Paul and Jesus himself. "In the long sweep of history, he said preaching has often been very difficult. And right now, it is out of fashion in Western culture. Fads and fashions come and go, but the gospel of Christ and the Bible and the church will remain forever. He said that, as a minister, I would be serving a higher calling whose reward might not be realized in this life, but that I would be enlisting people in the cause of Christ, nurturing them, helping them, praying for them, attempting to aid them ...

3357. Let God Do the Rest

Ephesians 3:14-21

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... we need, but even promises divine gifts for those who hold fast to their end of the contract. The Pauline author reminds us, "If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; ... if we are faithless, he remains faithful — for he cannot deny himself" (2 Timothy 2:11b-12a, 13). The special reward that is God's promise is described by Saint Paul: "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 ...

3358. Jesus Is the Recipe for Eternal Life

Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... recipe, by addressing the idea of renewal in Christ through a greater concentration on the things of God and God's people and less on our own needs and desires. In John's Gospel, Jesus says, "Unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat, but if it dies it produces much fruit." In the synoptics the Lord presents the same message in varied ways. Jesus told his disciples, "Whoever wants to be first must be the last of all and servant of all" (Mark 9:35). In another ...

3359. Make the Most of God’s Gifts

Ephesians 5:15-20

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... , was imminent. This belief was certainly a major factor in Paul's teaching on marriage and vocation. Convinced that Jesus would soon return, Paul thought it wise to suggest to the Corinthians: "In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God" (1 Corinthians 7:24). Paul also dealt with this issue with the Thessalonians. Here, the question was whether those who died before the Lord's return would inherit the promise of eternal life. Paul answered, "For this we declare to ...

3360. In Solidarity with Jesus

Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-18

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... one arm came through. As I watched I could not believe what I saw. And the ragman continued on. The ragman, bleeding, crying, stumbling, and now with only one arm, continued to push his basketful of rags. At the outskirts of town he found the local dump. With his remaining strength he pushed his basket through the gate and up the hill. There in the middle of the garbage dump he lay down to sleep and as he slept he died. From a distance, I found safe haven in the front seat of an old abandoned vehicle in the ...

3361. Power and Compassion

Hebrews 5:1-10

Sermon

Lee Ann Dunlap

... . The gnostics of the preacher's community insisted that Jesus the Christ only appeared to be human, and thus was not tainted by the carnal existence. Not so, declares the preacher, and generations of Christians after him. The Jesus of history was, and remains fully human, and that humanity does not diminish his divinity but only serves to enhance it. He "learned compassion through what he suffered." Compassion is at the center of the divine Spirit. Jesus is able to deliver us from the torrents of human ...

3362. Our Ultimate Destination

Revelation 21:1-6a

Sermon

Lee Ann Dunlap

... to be religious we are told, but don't share your faith. It's nice to go to church, but don't let it interfere with the work schedule or the youth soccer league games. Speaking out on biblical values can be tolerated so long as we remain "politically correct" and don't "offend." Historically, God's people have always journeyed with the tension of living in the world but not of it. At times we are able to live peaceably in our neighborhoods, to contribute to the welfare of the community, and to honor both ...

3363. Our Prayers Are Our Thanksgiving

1 Timothy 2:1-7

Sermon

Lee Ann Dunlap

... saw the "New World" as a place where they could establish the kingdom of God on their own terms. Rather than a separation of church and state, they sought to build a community where their version of church was the state. Those Separatists who remained in England eventually overthrew the monarch to establish their own brand of church-state union under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell. (Some might say they missed their mark on that shore, too.) However, successful or not, we know that their quest to build an ...

3364. Why We Need to Forgive

Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon

King Duncan

... Patton to publicly apologize for slapping the soldier, put Patton on probation, and postponed his promotion to general. Notice this: after this reprimand by Eisenhower, there were no more reports that Patton committed acts of emotional or physical abuse during the two remaining years of World War II. In other words, Patton could control himself when motivated to do so. (5) That’s important for us to understand. It is possible to forgive another person. People do it every day. You and I need to see ...

3365. Sounds Great, But We’re Busy

Psalm 126:1-6, Isaiah 40:1-11

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

... Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves. (Psalm 126) Collect One: God's people returned to Judea from exile in Babylon, but years passed and while they paneled their own houses, the temple remained in ruins. They had grown too comfortable. They always had excuses. All: We always have excuses. One: Sometimes we have to get out of our tracks to take advantage of God's wonderful plan. All: Let us pray God will afflict us, pushing us away ...

3366. You Explain It

Isaiah 25:6-9

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

... severely, but he did not give me over to death. (Psalm 118:1-2, 8-9, 14, 18) Collect Lord of life, Resurrected Jesus, though you were the stone rejected by the builders you have become the chief cornerstone of our lives. This is your Father's doing and remains marvelous in our eyes. You are God. We give thanks to you. We rejoice and are glad in you today. This is the day you have made for us. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Your steadfast love endures forever. As we proclaim your resurrection to others ...

3367. I Knew This Would Happen!

Jonah 3:1-10

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

... One: Repent, therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, All: so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah appointed for you, that is, Jesus, One: who must remain in heaven until the time of universal restoration that God announced long ago through his holy prophets. (Based on Acts 3:19-21) Collect Gracious Lord, your message saves lives and nations. You promised all nations would be blessed through Abraham! In our worship today ...

3368. We Wish To See Jesus

John 12:20-22

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship Let us gather as God's people, centered on the cross, certain of our salvation, calm in our convictions, steady in our assertion that Jesus alone is Lord. Collect Lord, we gather in your name, praying that we may remain a light to all nations. Calm our fears, bolster our faith, strengthen our resolve to proclaim your gospel. We come together as your people, varied in our outlooks but united in our determination to live faithfully in all circumstances. You have called us. We have answered by ...

3369. Family Matters

Mark 3:20-35

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

... it is usually not because the things we love are bad. You have filled the world with good things. It is only when our lives are unbalanced, with our attentions drawn away from you, that we create idols and lose sight of your kingdom. We pray that our lives may remain centered on you so we might enjoy all good things in their season. Amen. Hymns What Is This Place? This Is My Father's World Brothers And Sisters Of Mine Are The Hungry

3370. Do Overs

1 Samuel 15:34, 1 Samuel 16:13, Lamentations 3:22-23

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

... into your grand design. As your anointed children we seek the place you have saved for us in your kingdom. Amen. Prayer Of Confession Lord, as we grieve over the past, over lost opportunities, disappointing sins, broken relationships, we pray that we will not remain blind to the new opportunities you offer us for healing and wholeness. You present us with new hope, Lord, even as you grieve with us for the past. Our future is bright with your guidance. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord. Amen. Hymns When Morning ...

3371. His Loss, Our Gain

2 Corinthians 8:7-15

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

... , follow the will of the Son who was poor. Adore evermore. For our sake he has taken the cross and forsaken the wealth of the king. Bring with eagerness more than the meager, bless and confess, address the pain of the world with our loss and their gain! Remain. Abstain. Obtain the grace freely given. Live and adore evermore. Amen. Collect Great God, we give you back your own, the time you have woven for us in our passing, our coming and going. This time which was your time is our time. We praise you, adore ...

3372. Matthew 20:1-16

Matthew 20:1-16

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” The adjective “argos” (in both v.3 and v. 6) literally translates as “with no work to do.” It infers none of the laziness that might be associated with “idle.” The fact that those remaining at the marketplace had failed to appeal to any other employers for the entire workday suggests that these workers may be “bottom of the barrel” types. They are definitely “the last.” According to Jewish law, all day laborers were to be paid at the ...

3373. When Life Isn't Fair

Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon

King Duncan

... into his room. The lodger’s outrage seemed highly logical, says Wouk. Then his grandfather pointed out that canceling the past does not turn it into a record of achievement. It leaves it blank, a waste of spilled years. A man had better return, he said, while time remains to write a life worth scanning. And since no man knows his death day, the time to get a grip on his life is the first hour when the impulse strikes him. It’s a fascinating question, and, on the surface, it can be troubling. Why turn to ...

3374. Philippians 3:4b-14

Philippians 3:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... s obedience, even unto death, to that mission. Paul’s radical new accounting method elevates as desirable above all else not law but that kind of sacrifice, that obedience to Christ. Paul stresses that though he cannot yet claim full participation in the resurrection, that still remains his final goal. In verse 13 Paul admits that he cannot reach that goal on his own. Instead he employs a new image to close out today’s epistle reading, the image of a race. In this race the final goal can only be reached ...

3375. Ten Million Dollar Winners

Matthew 18:23-35

Sermon

Shirley Gupton Lynn

... and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Isaiah promises: "Thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back" (38:17). Jesus said to his disciples, "This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28). Results of sin in the world remain, but in God's eyes, it is as though we had never sinned. The guilt is gone. Our sin is blotted out of God's sight forever, to be remembered against us no more. Do you want to replace your hostile heart with a forgiving heart? Then let ...

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