Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 3451 to 3475 of 4884 results

Joshua 6:15-25

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... mustard seed of faith and used it to begin the lineage of the one who would be the Salvation of the whole world. B. The implication for us is simple. Our faith doesn't have to be complicated. We don't have to know all the answers or be the perfect Christian and never falter. Our faith doesn't have to be big. The deeds we do don't have to be Superhero deeds. One small kindness, one small gift, one small act of faith may be all it takes to change the world. We've talked about the good that ...

3452. Who Touched The Remote Control?

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... the understanding of the natural order of things. We are the creatures. We're the ones who are created. Yes, we have a partnership with God and reflect God's creative nature in our own creativeness. But we are not the Creator. God is Good and perfect. We're not. Our lives are a composite of good and evil, light and darkness; obedience and rebellion. (3) Augustus Caesar ruled over the greatest empire of his time. Augustus Caesar thought he was in control. King Herod ruled over Judea. It was not Rome, but ...

3453. Gratitude Not Platitudes

Matthew 6:25-34

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... will be given to you as well. [34] "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today. So, what does that tell us about the Grateful Life? In my mind, Verse 33 sums it up perfectly, "strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness" We do that through a thankful heart, thankful focus and thankful living. I. Thankful Heart A. We make a mistake when we equate being "thankful" and "thanksgiving" with giving thanks for an abundance of food ...

3454. The Miss, The Kiss, The Mess, The Rest

2 Samuel 11:1-15

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... have to do is to want that Grace and accept that Grace through what Jesus did for us on the cross. By accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, we experience forgiveness. And God's grace gets rid of the shame, makes us Clean and once again begins the process of perfecting us. 1. Amusing Grace, Seven Worlds Corporation. (Bible Illustrator for Windows) 2. "Preaching and Applying Truth," by Bob Russell, Preaching, July-August 2000, p. 12.

3455. The Challenge Of Generosity

Malachi 3:10, Luke 6:36-38

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... and what Sam makes at Starbucks barely covers the rent for his little one bedroom apartment. But Sam and his friends head out to buy Lucy a pair of shoes. They all take the task very seriously and each of them search for what they think is the perfect pair of shoes and bring everything from blinking shoes to leopard skin shoes. The shoe salesman is somewhat frustrated but cooperates and Lucy finds a pair of shoes. Sam asks the shoe salesman how much they are and he says, "They're $16.19 with tax. Sam pulls ...

3456. John 2:1-11

John 2:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the approach of that “hour” will be constantly recalled and recalibrated. Each event in his life ticks off more time towards that advancing “hour” (see 7:30; 8:20; 12:23; 13:1; 17:1) known only to his Father’s clock, which keeps perfect time. Although Mary has been brushed aside by Jesus’ response, her next words telegraphs her faith and trust in what Jesus will do. She directs the servants at the wedding to “Do whatever he tells you.” Jesus, whom John’s gospel identifies as “the ...

3457. Is Vodka Allowed?

John 2:1-11

Illustration

... their religion before himself and his advisors. The Muslim representative spoke first. He spoke of the humaneness of Islam, of its tolerance for others, its respect for science and culture, and how it came with a complete legal system that had been refined and perfected through the centuries. When he had finished his pitch, he asked the Czar if there were anything else he would like to know. "One thing," the Czar told him, "Does Allah look favorably upon Vodka?" The Muslim emissary shook his head and told ...

3458. Be A Barnabas

Acts 4:33-37

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... are going to be sent into battle first?" We all need motivation from time to time, don't we. Well, this morning we begin a new series titled "Reaching Out Without Passing Out." Our first call, our marching orders, so to speak, are really quite simple and perfectly clear. You know them: They were Jesus last words and you could probably recite them by heart. Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and ...

3459. Overcoming Obstacles - Together

Luke 2:1-7, Psalm 107:1-9

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... God. Even though God was faithful to God's promise, we saw the dysfunction in the family of Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob and Esau. That was followed by the conniving, deceitfulness of Ananias and Sapphira. Today I want us to look at what might be considered one of the more perfect marriages of all. That of Mary and Joseph. They definitely were IN with God. Let's begin by looking at a very familiar passage that we usually only hear in December. Read Luke 2:1-7 I'll bet some of you are thinking, why end the series ...

3460. You Can't Fool God: Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 4:33 - 5:11

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... lied. And why not? Songs have told us to "Put on a happy face," "Smile and world smiles with you." "Don't worry, be happy." So, we do. We don't want everyone else to see inside us. It might be too painful. They might find out we're not perfect. I want to share a poem by Cheryl A. Mariano, titled: "Mask?" In my bedroom drawer, neatly tucked away What mask to church, will I wear today? There are four from which I have to choose But today, I'll wear the one that hides the "Blues." The "Smiley" mask ...

3461. Spiderman: Saved To Serve

Colossians 3:1-4, 12-17

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... , humility, meekness, and patience. [13] Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. [14] Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. [15] And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and ...

3462. Cross Eyed: Anger

John 2:13-22

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... , part of SMU, so I'm pretty familiar with Dallas streets. Did you know there is a Royal Lane that crosses 635 in Irving? Neither did I. When they said 635 and Royal Lane, I drove straight to Dallas. To make matters worse, the directions were almost perfect except, the building they described wasn't there. After a couple of phone calls about the directions, the secretary finally figured out I was in Dallas. So, then I drove to Irving. When I got to Irving, I followed the sign and went North because the ...

3463. God's 'Yes!' To Every Promise

2 Corinthians 1:18-22

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you." N. The world says: I can't go on. God's "Yes!," Jesus, says: My grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9 "but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." Psalm 91:15 "When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them." O ...

3464. Amazing Authority

Mark 1:21-28

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... home right then. Mrs. Davis spoke with the voice of experience and the authority or her years. D. Then There's The Authority of Knowledge: Sometimes we respect people because we know they know more than we do. They are the experts we're just beginners. A perfect example is Mr. Miyagi in Karate Kid. Remember, Daniel was the new kid who was bullied by a bunch of thugs who knew karate. He discovers that the apartment handyman knows karate and asks him to teach him. Mr. Miyagi agrees but then has Daniel doing a ...

3465. The Eighty-Yard Run

Luke 5:1-11

Illustration

James Garrett

... that life is completely satisfying and rewarding. But nothing in the rest of his life ever lives up to that day again. His football experience is equally disappointing. His marriage sours. The pain of failure is even greater because he remembers thinking on a perfect day many years before that life would always be that pleasant, satisfying and rewarding. Life does not stand still. There isn't a once-for-all experience. It was Winston Churchill who said, "Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It is ...

3466. Temptations of Daily People

Luke 4:1-13

Illustration

Douglas R. A. Hare

... our trials. None of us is likely to put God to the test by leaping from a cliff, but we are frequently tempted to question God's helpfulness when things go awry; we forget the sure promise, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (II Corinthians 12:9). Pagan idolatry is no more a temptation for us than it was for Jesus, but compromise with the ways of the world is a continuing seduction. It is indeed difficult for us to worship and serve God only. We should be continually ...

3467. Live and Learn

Isaiah 55:1-13

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... God created us, gave us life, gave us the world, gave us a Garden of Eden, and gave us one rule. We broke Rule One. Then came Truth or Consequences. The consequences of our choice? We were kicked out — out of paradise, out of a perfect relationship with God. New Rule: God establishes a covenant with Abraham and all of Abraham’s descendants. Eventually Abraham did well on the “many descendants” part of this divine deal, but following one God was a rule easily and repeatedly broken. New Rule: A longer ...

3468. Abysmal Heights

Philippians 3:1-11

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... a strong constitution, a tough body as well as a steadfast spirit and a tenacious mind. But if athlete Paul were playing in some athletic contest today, it would be the Paralympics, not the Olympics. For Paul God’s “strength” is made perfect in our disabilities and liabilities, not our natural powers and superior skills. Karl Barth described Paul’s rejection of his special status as a “Hebrew among Hebrews” in an unforgettable phrase. The great theologian put it like this: Paul discovered of his ...

3469. Philippians 3:4b-14

Philippians 3:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... who they are and what they want, we call it a “mid-life crisis.” When that kind of change happened to Saul of Tarsus, we call it “a Damascus Road experience.” When Paul was young he had his life planned out, determined, perfectly outlined. He was circumcised on ”the eighth day,” in accordance with the observance of Torah mandates (Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:3). This was why, when questioned by his opponents in Philippi, Paul could proclaim his own cultural heritage without hesitation. If anyone ...

3470. Luke 24:1-12

Luke 24:1-12

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... that it omits any command to the women to go out and tell the other disciples what they have seen and heard. It is no new angelic command that has primary importance. Rather it is recalling the power of Jesus’ own words, the perfection of Jesus’ own predictions, that is at the center of this scene. Although the angelic messengers remind the women of Jesus’ words, Luke’s text offers some new and important details. Instead of “elders, chief priests and scribes,” those complicit in Jesus’ death ...

3471. What Matters In the Light of Eternity: “Prayer Matters”

Acts 2:42-47

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... .” Our requests presents the problem of unanswered prayer. Moses prays to enter the Promised Land but dies on Mt.Nebo. Paul prays three times for the thorn in the flesh to be removed, but God replies, “My grace is sufficient for my power is made perfect in weakness.” As C.S. Lewis writes, “Every war, every famine, almost every death bed is a monument to a petition that was not granted.” Why are some prayers not answered the way we wish? We are manipulative in asking, expecting God to twist another ...

3472. Valley of Rejection (Series: Peace in the Valley)

Luke 4:14-30

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... got twenty rejection slips before Jonathan Livingston Seagull was published. Dr. Seuss, one of the most popular children’s authors of all time, got more than two dozen rejection slips before The Cat in the Hat made it to print. Learn from your rejections. We are not perfect and we do not always get it right, but keep coming back until you do get it right. Every rejection can be a lesson if we stay open to new possibilities and new opportunities. What can I do different? How can I improve? What needs can I ...

3473. Thanks for the Memories

Philippians 1:1-11

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... he a visionary like Paul? – I’ve never met your new preacher. While everything I hear about him is good, my confidence is deeper than the résumé of your new Senior Pastor. God is not finished with this outstanding church in Methodism. While it is not a perfect church, because it is made up of imperfect people, it has yet to reach its full potential. Did you know that in the 157 year history of this congregation the average stay of a Senior Pastor has been three years? Unlike most large churches of any ...

3474. Discover the Meaning of Christmas

Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... that He is Salvation in the flesh. Salvation wrapped in swaddling clothes. And that's the true Meaning of Christmas which God wants us to discover and rediscover year after year. This is the Promise the Prophets foretold. This babe in a manger is the Expectation, Joy and Perfect Gift we've been waiting for. He is the Meaning of Christmas. He came to bring us Salvation. He came to give us Himself. 1. Susan Childress, Modesto, California in CHRISTIAN HERALD 2. Author Unknown: Adapted from the original

3475. The Gift of Comfort

Mark 1:1-8

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... to the audience: "It's a GOD!" (1) Our children make us stop and think about the real meaning of Christmas, don't they. They may not always get everything right when they sing or retell the story. But sometimes they get it more than right. The hit it perfectly. Why can't we adults do the same. Why is it that, in this season of the Good News of our Savior's birth, we focus on the petty trivialities of whether someone is saying Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? Why do we suddenly turn into Herods who see ...

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