Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 3426 to 3450 of 4914 results

3426. Romans 8:26-30

Romans 8:18-27

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The lengthy, complex section of Romans that is this week’s epistle lesson includes some of Paul’s most theologically “loaded” language. Rather than getting bogged down in centuries-long debates over such terms as “predestined,” “called,” “justified,” “sanctified” and “glorified,” we are going to look at the larger picture Paul is painting with his distinctive vocabulary and stunning promises. In verse 22 the apostle speaks of creation “groaning;” in verse 23 it is “we, ourselves” who “groan inwardly.” ...

3427. Bart and Homer, Father and Sons

1 Samuel 20:24-42

Sermon

John E. Harnish

The statistics abound and the statistics are not good: One of the chief predictors of youth crime is the role of the father in the home. Seventy percent of adolescents charged with murder and seventy percent of long-term prison inmates are from fatherless homes. Children who live absent their biological father are at least two to three times more likely to be poor, use drugs, be victims of child abuse and to engage in criminal behavior. Twenty-four million children live absent their biological fathers and ...

3428. Philippians 2:1-11

Philippians 2:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Although this week’s epistle reading begins at Philippians 2:1, it is part of Paul’s larger exhortatory section, beginning at 1:27 and continuing through 2:18. The text read today is the apostle’s continuation of the directive first expressed in 1:27, where he challenged the Philippians to conduct themselves in such a way to create a community that reflects Christ himself. A community of faith united in their actions and attitudes will stand firm against the outside forces that oppose Christ and will be ...

3429. Where Are You From?

John 18:1-19:42

Sermon

David T. Ball

Whenever we travel, we come into contact with new people. Often these interactions remain basic and simple, with us exchanging just the bare minimum of information necessary to complete our interaction, like when checking in for a flight. "Good morning, traveling to San Francisco today?" "Yes." "May I see your photo ID?" "Sure." "Any baggage to check?" "Yes, two pieces." "Two pieces." "Yes." "Okay, you're all set. Departure is from gate sixteen, and boarding begins in fifteen minutes." "Thank you." This ...

3430. Claiming a Do-Over Faith

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

What do you think of when you hear the word "jubilee"? If you're like me, the first thing that comes to mind is sales. There's the big sales jubilee at the Chevy dealer, or the jubilee marathon sale of freezers and refrigerators at the local Sears. Those are just the things that come to my mind, but there are quite a few things that bear the jubilee label. Let me just list a few that came from recent search on the Internet. There is the annual Calaveras County Jumping Frog Jubilee in Angels Camp, ...

3431. Day One: a New Beginning

Genesis 1:1-5

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

Well I don't know about you, but I took down my Christmas tree on New Year's Day. I rallied the troops and my family and I did what we have come to call "de-Christmasing." The ornaments are removed from the tree, wrapped carefully, and placed in their boxes. The lights come off the tree and are placed under the basement stairs where they go. The angel on top of the tree, a gift from a member of my first parish, comes off last and is lovingly wrapped and placed in a box as well. Then comes the garland ...

3432. Great Expectations

2 Kings 5:1-14

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

I suspect that if pressed, we would all be able to list at least one person we could name as a hero. Mine is Martin Luther King, Jr. His ministry, his life, and his death have had a profound influence on me. He is, in my life, a giant. I read and reread his works and have made a point of finding people who knew him so they could tell me about his work. As part of my exploration of the life of one of our greatest saints, I planned and took a pilgrimage to Atlanta, Georgia, where Reverend King is buried. I ...

3433. Merry Christmas or Happy Kitschmas?

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

When baby boomers finally got around to having babies of their own, like everything else about this “pig-in-the-python” generation, they put their own big footprint on the art and science of childbirth. Among the host of boomer books on natural childbirth, midwifery, home birthing, came a classic that is still in print today. Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Muzel co-authored the first of what would become a series of books entitled “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” This straightforward, month-by-month ...

3434. The Seduction of the Palms

Luke 19:28-40

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

In the euphoria and exuberance of this morning's celebration, the church must not be seduced into losing sight of its central mission and message: obedient service. In the previous centuries, when paper was an expensive commodity and letter writing the only way to keep in touch, writers found an interesting way to economize. One piece of paper could be made to hold twice as much information by practicing the art of palimpsest. After filling the page the paper was simply rotated 45 degrees and then another ...

3435. Unum Humanum

John 17:20-26

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Oned in Christ is the work of the Spirit in this wonder-ful time and this one-derful world. In the last few years, through the technology of instantaneous satellite transfer, television has brought some of the most remarkable images from around the world directly into our living rooms. We have wept over Tiananmen Square, rejoiced over the dismantled Berlin Wall, bitten our fingernails and prayed during the unfolding of the Gulf War and sat open-mouthed at the systematic dismemberment of the Soviet Union. ...

3436. Enemies of Promise

Matthew 3:1-12

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

What are the enemies of promise that keep us from becoming the persons God made us to be? Rob Reiner's film Stand By Me tells the story of a group of four boys on their last journey of childhood. They are four very different kids from very different circumstances, and yet, they are still young enough that these differences don't matter very much. But they sense their time is short. It is the summer before they will enter junior high - where our education system and adolescence work together to divide ...

3437. 1 Samuel 16:1-13

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

This week's First Testament text tells the story of God's surprising choice of David as the new king over Israel. Contrasting the tale of Saul's anointing with that of David's selection as king reveals a vast disparity between the two men. Perhaps the individual most cognizant of these differences is Samuel. Samuel is already a respected seer among the twelve tribes when the people's clamoring for a ruler goaded God into approving them a king. The Lord speaks privately with Samuel, revealing to him where ...

3438. James 3:13-18

James 3:13-18

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Although this text from James has often been viewed as a later insertion into the text, it ties together easily and logically the author's emphasis on teachers (3:1ff) and his material on disputes (4:1ff). James is anxious to emphasize the crucial role of those with special gifts of teaching and leading in determining the prevailing beliefs and behaviors of communities. Those in prominent positions shoulder a great responsibility. Whether the community will savor the sweetness of spiritual harmony, ...

3439. 1 Samuel 16:1-13

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

3440. James 3:13-18

James 3:13-18

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

3441. Ephesians 2:1-10

Ephesians 2:1-10

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The Jewish-Christian author of Ephesians never ceases to be amazed at God's unifying and uplifting grace, offering in today's text a kind of comparative "before" and "after" picture of all humanity. The line of demarcation, of course, is Jesus Christ. The "before" picture portrayed by the Ephesian author is grim. All those who think they are "living" without Christ are instead declared "dead" by this text (v.1). This death had been brought about by humanity's natural inclination to "follow" both "the ...

3442. Death Has Been Conquered

Mark 16:1-20

Sermon

King Duncan

[While King Duncan is enjoying a well deserved retirement we are going back to his earliest sermons and renewing them. The newly modernized sermon is shown first and below, for reference sake, is the old sermon. We will continue this updating throughout the year bringing fresh takes on King's best sermons.] Original Title: Death Has Been Conquered New Title: Look Up, Not Down The Rev. Gary Paterson, a pastor in British Columbia, talks about the first worship service he led in his first pastoral charge. He ...

3443. Proper 7

Mark 4:35-41, 1 Samuel 17:1-58, Psalm 9:1-20, Psalm 133:1-3, 2 Corinthians 6:3-13

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 9:9-20 [OR] After David’s victory over Goliath, Saul and Jonathan treat him as a prince and take him to the palace. 1 Samuel 17:57–18:5 [AND] Psalm 133:1 First Lesson—David and Goliath fight as champions for the Israelites and the Philistines. 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 Second Lesson—The apostle Paul outlines some of the difficulties faced in his ministry and the resources brought to bear in dealing with them. 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 Gospel - Jesus has quite different power ...

3444. Proper 24

Psalm 119:1-176, Jeremiah 31:27-34, Luke 18:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 119:97-104 First Lesson—After all the gloom the prophet offers the hopeful promise of a new covenant. Jeremiah 31:27-34 Second Lesson—The apostle Paul encourages Timothy to continue in his studies of the Holy Scripture and remain faithful to its teaching in the face of opposition. 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Gospel—Perseverance in prayer is urged by a story of a persistent widow seeking justice before an ungodly judge. Luke 18:1-8 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be ...

3445. Proper 24

Matthew 22:15-22, Psalm 99:1-9, Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter - Psalms 99:1-9 First Lesson - Moses experiences as much of the divine glory as is possible and permissible. Exodus 33:12-23 Second Lesson - Paul gives thanks for the faith of the young church in Thessalonica. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Gospel - In response to a loaded question from his adversaries, Jesus gives a pithy proverb to guide us in dividing our loyalties to God and country. Matthew 22:15-22 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also ...

3446. Ordinary or Extraordinary?

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Sermon

James Merritt

I want to get your juices flowing this morning by asking you two questions. If you had a choice would you want to live an ordinary life or an extraordinary life? Which do you think God wants for you? I can tell you what Jesus said. He said in John 10:10, "My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." (John 10:10, NLT) God wants to make a difference in your life, so that you can make a difference in the lives of others. God wants to work in you, with you, through you and for you to manifest His glory in ...

3447. I’M with the I AM

1 John 5:14-15

Sermon

James Merritt

How many of you have a computer at home? How many of you ever surfed the net? If you do, you know there is an entirely new language to learn when you get involved with computers. I thought I would give us a little quiz just to see how well we are "with it" when it comes to talking computer lingo. I'll show you the word then you tell me the definition. ASAP – As soon as possible FYI – For Your Information LOL – Laughing Out Loud KIT – Keep In Touch TTYL – Talk To You Later BCNU – Be Seeing You G2G – Got To ...

3448. A Pair of Ducks and Abundant Life

Mark 8:31--9:1

Sermon

King Duncan

[While King Duncan is enjoying a well deserved retirement we are going back to his earliest sermons and renewing them. The newly modernized sermon is shown first and below, for reference sake, is the old sermon. We will continue this updating throughout the year bringing fresh takes on King's best sermons.] Original Title: A Pair of Ducks and Abundant Life New Title: Paradox Blocks It’s always interesting to discover a child’s take on things. The Internet recently carried a series of letters from children ...

3449. Call to Oneness

John 17:20-26

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

When, dear God, shall Christians all be one? It is a first-century inquiry. It is a here-and-now recurring question. Countless programs have been launched. Numerous proposals have been given. Only God knows how many problems have risen in our quest for Christian unity. We live and minister in the twenty-first century in ways not that different from what our spiritual ancestors experienced. Have some things and relationships improved, especially since Vatican II? The answer without doubt is a resounding, " ...

3450. Jesus, The Light of the World

Revelation 21:10, 21:22-22:5

Sermon

Richard Gribble

In the beginning when the Great Spirit created all that exists, he gave great gifts to all the animals. The Great Spirit gave each animal a cedar box inside of which were very special and wonderful gifts. And, one by one the boxes were opened. The first box contained water. The second box contained the mountains. The third box contained the seeds of all things that grow. The fourth box contained the wind to carry the seed to the corners of the earth. Thus, one by one all the boxes were opened, except one. ...

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Showing 3426 to 3450 of 4914 results

3426. Romans 8:26-30

Romans 8:18-27

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

3427. Bart and Homer, Father and Sons

1 Samuel 20:24-42

Sermon

John E. Harnish

3428. Philippians 2:1-11

Philippians 2:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

3429. Where Are You From?

John 18:1-19:42

Sermon

David T. Ball

3430. Claiming a Do-Over Faith

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

3431. Day One: a New Beginning

Genesis 1:1-5

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

3432. Great Expectations

2 Kings 5:1-14

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

3433. Merry Christmas or Happy Kitschmas?

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

3434. The Seduction of the Palms

Luke 19:28-40

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

3435. Unum Humanum

John 17:20-26

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

3436. Enemies of Promise

Matthew 3:1-12

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

3437. 1 Samuel 16:1-13

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

3438. James 3:13-18

James 3:13-18

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

3439. 1 Samuel 16:1-13

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

3440. James 3:13-18

James 3:13-18

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

3441. Ephesians 2:1-10

Ephesians 2:1-10

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

3442. Death Has Been Conquered

Mark 16:1-20

Sermon

King Duncan

3443. Proper 7

Mark 4:35-41, 1 Samuel 17:1-58, Psalm 9:1-20, Psalm 133:1-3, 2 Corinthians 6:3-13

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

3444. Proper 24

Psalm 119:1-176, Jeremiah 31:27-34, Luke 18:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

3445. Proper 24

Matthew 22:15-22, Psalm 99:1-9, Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

3446. Ordinary or Extraordinary?

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Sermon

James Merritt

3447. I’M with the I AM

1 John 5:14-15

Sermon

James Merritt

3448. A Pair of Ducks and Abundant Life

Mark 8:31--9:1

Sermon

King Duncan

[While King Duncan is enjoying a well deserved retirement we are going back to his earliest sermons and renewing them. The newly modernized sermon is shown first and below, for reference sake, is the old sermon. We will continue this updating throughout the year bringing fresh takes on King's best sermons.] Original Title: A Pair of Ducks and Abundant Life New Title: Paradox Blocks It’s always interesting to discover a child’s take on things. The Internet recently carried a series of letters from children ...

3449. Call to Oneness

John 17:20-26

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

3450. Jesus, The Light of the World

Revelation 21:10, 21:22-22:5

Sermon

Richard Gribble

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