Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: Levi, disciple, evangelist, tax collector, the 12, the twelve, apostle, sermon on the mount, jewish audience, beatitudes, lord's prayer, great commission, parables, olivet discourse, mount of olives, olivet, synoptic

Showing 326 to 350 of 612 results

326. Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Matthew 13:1-23

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

“Clear as mud.” We are so familiar with hearing Jesus’ unique way of teaching, his use of that special story form known as a “parable,” that we miss the fact that for many first-century/first-time listeners, these illuminating animations were as “clear as mud.” Jesus’ message of the kingdom was a new idea presented in a new manner before crowds of simple, old-fashioned Galileans. These Galilean fishers and farmers lived and worked and worshiped the same way for centuries. “Newness” itself was new. Even ...

327. Matthew 25:1-13

Matthew 25:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Some things never change. Like weddings and funerals (which some wag once said were the same except at weddings you smell your own flowers). Jesus’ wedding parable in this week’s gospel reading describes a situation where things don’t go quite according to plan. We don’t know a great deal about all the particulars involved in a first century Jewish wedding. But like twenty-first century weddings, things never run right on schedule. Delays and minor “disasters” are the norm, it seems, across the centuries. ...

328. Sandbox First, Soapbox Second

Mark 1:29-34, Mark 1:35-39

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

This sermon has a very simple, but very difficult, message: Faith is a social practice, but one that requires solitude. Genesis 2:18 reads: “It is not good for man to be alone.” Daniel 10:8 reads: “I was left alone, and saw the great vision.” Sometimes society, sometimes solitude. Sometimes it is not good to be alone. Sometimes we need to be left alone to see what God has for us to see. The most talked about movie at the time of this sermon’s composition is “The Artist,” a 2011 French comedy-drama film ...

329. When Others Serve Your Head on a Platter

Mark 6:14-29

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

This summer saw the “resurrection” of an old tale of family rivalry and betrayal. The show that started an industry of prime time “soap operas” is back on the air. Do you know show I’m talking about? . . . . Dallas. The ever-evil “J.R.” Ewing and all his battling, back-biting, embittered family have returned, with new generations, all of whom are admirably carrying on the family tradition of unabated greed and hatred. Added to yet another season of “Kardashians” and the History channel’s presentation of “ ...

330. Open the Window, Aunt Minnie, Here It Comes!

Jeremiah 33:1-26

Sermon

King Duncan

Before the advent of television, baseball broadcasts depended on colorful announcers to captivate a listening audience. One of the best of these announcers was named Rosey Rowswell. Rowswell was the radio voice of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The star slugger with the Pirates at the time was Ralph Kiner. Rowswell got his audience to imagine a little old lady with an apartment window facing Forbes Field. Whenever Ralph Kiner would connect with a potential home run, Rowswell would yell, “Open the window, Aunt ...

331. A Lesson from Jay Leno's Mom

Matthew 22:34-40

Sermon

King Duncan

Comedian Jay Leno had a long run on the Tonight Show before leaving it this year. Leno has always been a fascinating character. But one story out of his past is particularly memorable. When Leno was growing up, there was one firm rule in his family he had to follow. It was to never take the Lord’s name in vain. His mother used to tell him, “People might steal money because they have to eat. Or maybe they get into a fight to protect somebody, then they go to prison. But there’s no reason to ever take the ...

332. In Athens

Acts 17:16-34

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

The great interest of this section lies in Paul’s speech to the council of Areopagus. It provides us with a paradigm of his preaching to pagans, where, rather than “beginning with Moses and all the prophets” (Luke 24:27), that is, with the “revealed theology,” his approach was by way of “natural theology.” An earlier example of this method was seen in 14:15–17. But Paul was here facing a very different audience from the Lystrans. With them he had spoken of God as the one who gave the seasons and the crops ...

333. The Gold Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees

Zechariah 4:1-14

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

Vision Report: Golden Oil: 4:1 An interval during which Zechariah was not alert ends when the angel who talked with him returned and wakened him. After his experience in the divine council Zechariah had not been asleep, but the angel/messenger had to rouse him forcibly, as a man is wakened from his sleep. 4:2–5 In this fifth vision, Zechariah saw a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top. Excavations have discovered pottery versions of this sort of lamp stand in which a tubular base supports a ...

334. A Crown for Joshua

Zechariah 6:9-15

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

A Prophetic Sign-Act: A Crown for Joshua: The sequence of vision reports and oracles ends with the report of a symbolic action, the crowning of the Branch. Zechariah’s instructions from the Lord are somewhat like the commands to Samuel and to Elisha’s unnamed colleague to anoint kings. There were long waiting periods after the anointing of David and Jehu (1 Sam. 16:1–13; 2 Kgs. 9:1–13) before these chosen men were able to take their thrones (2 Sam. 5:1–5; 2 Kgs. 10:18–36). The delay in Zechariah’s case ...

335. The Lord Promises to Bless Jerusalem

Zechariah 8:1-23

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

Five Oracles of Salvation for Jerusalem (8:1-8): 8:1–2 God had not abandoned desolate Judah (7:12–14). Verse 2 here echoes 1:14, “I am very jealous for Zion.” The Lord’s passionate attachment to Zion overcomes the wrath that the people’s sin provoked (7:12). The nations that had been brought against Jerusalem for judgment had gone too far. “I was only a little angry, but they [the nations] added to the calamity” (1:15). God’s wrath will turn against the conquerors in order to rescue Zion. “I am burning ...

336. Community Discourse: Care for Others in the Kingdom

Matthew 18:1-9, Matthew 18:10-14, Matthew 18:15-20

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

Big Idea: Jesus confronts the disciples about their preoccupation with status and teaches that the kingdom community is to be not status focused but other focused, with Jesus in their midst, caring for the vulnerable and addressing sin that might harm the community. Understanding the Text Chapter 18 is the fourth of five major teaching discourses in Matthew (chaps. 5–7, 10, 13, 18, 24–25) and is often referred to as the Community Discourse. The first half of the discourse (18:1–20) focuses on Jesus’ ...

337. “Love Your Enemies”

Luke 6:27-38

Teach the Text

R.T. France

Big Idea: We should treat other people as God treats us, looking not to our own advantage or satisfaction, but to what is good for them. Understanding the Text This is the middle section of the sermon that began at 6:20. Its first section set out the choice between two ways of life and commended that of discipleship. This section now explores some of the ethical implications of discipleship, with special reference to how we should treat other people and to the effect that this may have on our own ...

338. Two Parables about Prayer

Luke 18:9-14, Luke 18:1-8

Teach the Text

R.T. France

Big Idea: We should pray with confidence that God will respond, but our confidence should be in God’s mercy, not in our own merits. Understanding the Text Parables have been a prominent feature in Luke’s narrative of the journey to Jerusalem, especially in chapters 14–16. The two parables in the present section, together with one further one in 19:11–27, will round out the collection before Jesus reaches Jerusalem. The first of these two parables is linked to the preceding section in that it finishes with ...

339. Personal Rights and Christian Testimony

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

Big Idea: Personal rights must be put aside when they hinder an effective witness to unbelievers, or if they endanger the faith of immature believers. Even theological arguments that disclose certain behaviors as immaterial to the Christian faith become irrelevant in light of the greater assignment to imitate Christ. Understanding the Text The transition from chapter 8 seems quite abrupt. Is Paul taking a ninety-degree turn from a question about participation in Corinthian parties (eating meat) to his ...

340. Resurrection and History

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

Big Idea: The veracity of bodily resurrection is not up for debate. Christ’s resurrection is the climactic point of salvation history—the moment when God most decisively altered the course of history—as announced beforehand in the Scriptures and attested to by faithful eyewitnesses. Understanding the Text Chapter 15 functions both as a crescendo of this letter and as the high-water mark of Paul’s theological exposition. It provides the theological key that reveals Paul’s mind to his audience and explains ...

341. Last Encouragement and Final Greeting

1 Corinthians 16:19-24, 1 Corinthians 16:5-18

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

Big Idea: When strong, Christ-devoted Christians visit or join a fellowship, churches must receive these with love and submit to their ministry. As the strong believers come to encourage others’ faith, they themselves should receive encouragement and be strengthened. Understanding the Text Albeit concise, Paul’s concluding chapter functions as weighty pastoral guidance on practical community matters. He ends his letter by speaking to the relationship between individual communities, between a community and ...

342. The Beast from the Earth (The False Prophet)

Revelation 13:11-18

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

Big Idea: Believers are called to discernment so they can distinguish true from false worship in order not to compromise with satanic powers. Understanding the Text Revelation 13:11–18 introduces the second beast, the final member of the unholy trinity. This beast appears as the “false prophet” elsewhere in Revelation, pointing to its religious role (16:13; 19:20; 20:10). Mounce summarizes the workings of this evil triad: “As Christ received authority from the Father (Matt. 11:27), so Antichrist receives ...

343. Herod’s Death

Acts 12:19b-25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Luke’s portrayal of Herod’s death (12:19b–25) provides a strong contrast to the depiction of Peter’s deliverance. Luke explicitly identifies the cause of Herod’s death as his refusal to give glory to God (12:23), when the people declared, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” The act of honoring Herod is therefore interpreted as an act of idolatry that cannot be tolerated. Herod’s arrogance is contrasted with the humility of Peter, who, after escaping from prison, honors God as the one who has saved ...

344. Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Luke 5:17-26

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

Healing Controversies: Both of the healing stories of Luke 5:12–26 have religious implications. The healing of the leper (vv. 12–16) involves the issue of religious purity and impurity (or “clean” vs. “unclean”). The healing of the paralyzed man (vv. 17–26) involves faith and the forgiveness of sins. This healing story is the first of a series of episodes where Jesus encounters religious criticism and opposition. In 6:1–5 Jesus is accused of working on the Sabbath when he and his disciples picked grain to ...

345. The Beast out of the Earth

Revelation 13:11-18

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

13:11 John then saw another beast, coming out of the earth, completing the trinity which rules over the evil kingdom. While John perhaps recognizes this second beast as Behemoth, the evil monster who occupies the primeval desert regions according to Jewish myth (Job 40:15–24; 1 Enoch 60:7–10; 4 Ezra 6:49–53), it is not clear how or if he then intends to use particulars of that myth to interpret the evil role of this second beast. John could have utilized the Behemoth/Leviathan myth simply as an aid in ...

346. Jacob Flees to Laban

Genesis 27:41--28:9

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

Esau’s plans of deadly vengeance: Rebekah devises a plan to save Jacob from Esau’s wrath (27:41–28:5); and Esau marries an Ishmaelite woman (28:6–9). There are only two actors in each scene. In the first four scenes the actors rotate in this pattern: Isaac-Esau, Rebekah-Jacob, Isaac-Jacob, and Isaac-Esau. The fifth act, in which the conflict is resolved, has three scenes and the actors are Rebekah-Jacob, Rebekah-Isaac, and Isaac-Jacob. Because of the deep rift in the family Esau never meets with Jacob or ...

347. Surprise--One Got Out!

Luke 24:1-12

Sermon

King Duncan

I was reading this week about a pastor named Wayne Major. When Wayne was in high school, he and a friend would pull a great prank. One of them owned a car in which you could pull back the upper part of the back seat and slide into the trunk. That gave them the idea for this prank. One of them would hide in the trunk while the other would drive the car and pick up one of their other friends. The two guys in the front would get involved in a deep conversation. Meanwhile the one hiding in the trunk would ...

348. Speaking with Prophetic Authority

Mark 1:21-28

Sermon

Richard Gribble

"Free at last, free at last -- thank God Almighty, we are free at last." These words were spoken by Martin Luther King, Jr., when he concluded his famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington, D.C., in August 1963. Dr. King was a man of many talents who did great things, but he will be most remembered as one who lived for his people by speaking and acting for them with prophetic authority. Martin Luther King, Jr., was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in January 1929. He followed the path of his ...

349. A Special Night

Exodus 12:1-30

Drama

Pamela Urfer

Cast: A FATHER, his DAUGHTER and his SON Length: 8 minutes Setting: The FATHER is seated on his stool, reading a newspaper. The SON and DAUGHTER enter and take the stools on either side of him. SON: Daddy! FATHER: (From behind his paper) Hummm? DAUGHTER: Dad! FATHER: (Still behind his paper) What is it, honey? DAUGHTER: Daddy! Listen to us! FATHER: (Coming out from behind the paper) Sorry! What was that? SON: Tell us, Dad. Why is tonight different from all other nights? FATHER: Different? How is it ...

350. It's Hell, I Say: Herod Speaks

Matthew 2:1-12

Drama

Dr. Raymond Bailey

Theme: I regret the insensitive way I spent my life. I do wish for you to understand me, through my times and the culture that shaped me and my decisions. Setting For The Sermon Monologue The sermon was used on the first Sunday after Epiphany. Epiphany is the season that recognizes the first revelation of Christ to the Gentiles (Magi). Whereas, in Advent we look forward to the coming of Christ, Epiphany is also the time that we contemplate His coming, and ask what our response to Him ought to be. For this ...

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