Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 3501 to 3525 of 5000 results

3501. Nine Winners

Matthew 21:1-11

Illustration

Here is an example of a different kind of power: Jesus, a young carpenter, riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. His disciples vie for the best seats and he takes a towel and basin to wash their feet. On the cross he meets their evil with a prayer of forgiveness. The one-time Methodist Bishop of Mississippi Jack Meadors tells a wonderful story of an incident that occurred during the Special Olympics. Nine children lined up for the 100 yard dash. The gun sounded and the race was off. But only a few yards into ...

3502. On Redemption

John 20:1-18

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How much more wonderful the work of redemption is, in comparison with creation. It is more marvelous that God was made man than that He created the angels; that He wailed in a stable than that He reigns in the heavens. The creation of the world was a work of power, but the redemption of the world was a work of mercy.

3503. What Do You Think of The Resurrection?

John 20:1-18

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Brett Blair

Some years ago a college student came by his pastor's office to discuss theological issues. That sort of thing does not happen often. I hope it will not disappoint you to hear that most of the pastor's days are spent in meetings and with budgets, and staff issues and reports and not discussing theology. Eventually the conversation came around to the subject of Easter. After all, if you take Christianity seriously, it will ultimately always lead you to Easter. "What do you think of the resurrection, he ...

3504. Famous Because It Is Empty!

John 20:1-18

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Don Emmitte

If Easter says anything at all to us it is that Jesus will always be with us. The pyramids of Egypt are famous because they contained the mummified bodies of ancient Egyptian kings. Westminster Abbey in London is renowned, because in it rests the bodies of English nobles and notables. Mohammed's tomb is noted for the stone coffin and the bones it contains. Arlington cemetery in Washington, D.C., is revered, for it is the honored resting place of many outstanding Americans. The Garden Tomb of Jesus is ...

3505. Celebrate!

Matt 28:1-10; John 20:1-18

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Johnny Dean

There is an old, historic village in Salem, North Carolina. Every Easter morning, in the early hours of this day, thousands of people, many of them tourists who have come especially for this event, make their way towards the courtyard in front of a 200-year-old church, founded by the Moravians. Before daylight, five hundred members of various brass bands echo hymns from different parts of the city. Everyone converges on Salem Square to listen to the mystical-sounding music. As the first hint of the rising ...

3506. It Will Not Be Dark

John 20:1-18

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Charles Kingsley

Charles Kingsley was a very gifted and renowned Anglican preacher. Some years ago both he and his wife lay terminally ill in different rooms of the same hospital. They communicated by writing notes. One day his wife had a message sent to him that read: "My darling, is it cowardly of me to tremble before the unseen reality of death." He wrote back "Do not be afraid! It will not be dark, because God is light. There will be no loneliness for Christ will be there." That is our resurrection hope.

3507. Used Tombstone...Real Bargain

John 20:1-18

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Brett Blair

Dr. Paul Stuckey is pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio. He tells the story of an eye-catching ad in a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, newspaper's classified section. Big, bold letters advertised "Used Tombstone." The ad's text read as follows: "Used tombstone for sale. Real bargain to someone named ‘Dingo'. For more information call..." The image of a used tombstone may at first seem grim and depressing. But think again: a "used" tombstone means that its previous owner no longer has any need for ...

3508. Hit the Road Jack

John 20:1-18

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Billy D. Strayhorn

Mark was three years old when his pet lizard died. Since it was her grandson's first brush with death, Grandma suggested that Mark and an older boy in the family hold a "funeral" for the lizard. Grandma explained what a funeral was: a ceremony where you say a prayer, sing a song, and bury your loved one. Grandma even provided a shoe box and a burial place in the backyard. The boys thought it was a great idea, so they all proceeded to the backyard. Taking the lead, the older boy said a prayer. Then he ...

3509. Thomas - Sermon Starter

John 20:19-23

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Brett Blair

If I were to mention the names of certain disciples to you and ask you to write down the first word that comes into your mind, it is unlikely you would come up with the same words. If I were to mention the name of Judas many of you would write down the word "betray" but not all of you. If I were to mention Simon Peter, some of you would write down the word "faith," but not all of you. If I were to mention the names of James and John, some of you would write down the phrase "Sons of Thunder," but not all of ...

3510. My Business

John 20:19-23

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Brett Blair

As D.L. Moody walked down a Chicago street one day, he saw a man leaning against a lamppost. The evangelist gently put his hand on the man's shoulder and asked him if he was a Christian. The fellow raised his fists and angrily exclaimed, "Mind your own business!" "I'm sorry if I've offended you," said Moody, "but to be very frank, that IS my business!" Moody rightly observed that this is the business of the church. The church has one primary motive: The proclamation of God's forgiveness in Christ.

3511. The Reality of the Resurrection

John 20:19-23

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Brett Blair

Several hundred years before the birth of Jesus, a crucial battle occurred between the Greeks and the Persians upon the plains of Marathon. The battle raged for hours. In many respects it was a fight to the finish. Finally the numerically inferior Greeks, the underdogs, managed a tremendous tactical win, but there was a problem. Soon the Senate, many miles away in Athens, was to vote and would most certainly ratify a treaty of appeasement. In desperation they sent a runner in full battle gear to go the ...

3512. The Road to Emmaus - Sermon Starter

Luke 24:13-35

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Brett Blair

A friend shared with me a beautiful legend about a king who decided to set aside a special day to honor his greatest subject. When the big day arrived, there was a large gathering in the palace courtyard. Four finalists were brought forward, and from these four, the king would select the winner. The first person presented was a wealthy philanthropist. The king was told that this man was highly deserving of the honor because of his humanitarian efforts. He had given much of his wealth to the poor. The ...

3513. An Agent of God, Changing the World

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Tony Campolo

Dr. Tony Campolo, in his film series, You Can Make a Difference, tells the story of a Christian colleague with a PhD. in English Literature who quit his job and became a mailman because Christ opened up a new tomorrow in his life. Tony went to the man's apartment to try to persuade him to change his mind. Here is how Tony describes that encounter: Tony says, "I couldn't change his mind, so I came back with the old Protestant work ethic thing. I said, ''Charlie, if you're gonna be a mailman, be the best ...

3514. The Resurrection Changes Everything

Luke 24:13-35

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Brett Blair

There's a story about a young boy named Walter Elias. Born in the city, his parents one day moved out to the country to become farmers. Walter had a vivid imagination and the farm was the perfect place for a young boy and a wondering mind. One day in the apple orchard he was amazed when he saw sitting on a branch of one of the apple trees an owl. He just stood there and stared at the owl. He thought about what his father had told him about owls: owls always rested during the day because they hunted ...

3515. Christ Never Gives Up

Luke 24:13-35

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King Duncan

There is a story of a British soldier in the First World War who lost heart for the battle and deserted. Trying to reach the coast for a boat to England that night, he ended up wandering in the pitch black night, hopelessly lost. In the darkness, he came across what he thought was a signpost. It was so dark that he began to climb the post so that he could read it. As he reached the top of the pole, he struck a match to see and found himself looking squarely into the face of Jesus Christ. He realized that, ...

3516. Someone Is Always Waiting

Luke 24:13-35

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Eric Ritz

There is a story about a young boy who had to travel cross country by train from Los Angeles to Philadelphia to see his grandparents once a year. He had completed his stay with his grandparents and was ready to return home to Philadelphia. He safely boarded the train and began the long trip home. While on the train, a business executive asked him if he was afraid to take the long trip by himself. The little boy boldly declared, "No, I am not, because I know my father will be there to meet me." Our God is ...

3517. A Shepherd to Lead Us - Sermon Starter

John 10:1-21

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Brett Blair

What I want to deal with is leadership. People are saying in Boston, Mass, Palm Beach, Florida, and towns throughout our country that there must be something wrong with the church. Why has the religious leadership failed? Now let us travel 3000 miles to Israel. In towns very familiar to us because they are biblical towns there is a war going on in the streets. The two sides are deeply religious and yet they are at each other's throats. Even the children there are abused and used as human bombs. People are ...

3518. I Am The Door

John 10:1-10

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George Adam Smith

George Adam Smith, the 19th century biblical scholar tells of traveling one day in the holy land and coming across a shepherd and his sheep. He fell into conversation with him and the man showed him the fold into which the sheep were led at night. It consisted of four walls, with a way in. Smith asked him, "This is where they go at night?" "Yes," said the shepherd, "and when they are in there, they are perfectly safe." "But there is no door," said Smith. "I am the door," said the shepherd. He was not a ...

3519. Traits of an Effective Leader

John 10:1-30

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Staff

What are the traits of an effective shepherd? Many traits could be listed. I like what Dwight D. Eisenhower said, "In order to be a leader a man must have followers. And to have followers, a man must have their confidence. Hence the supreme quality of a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, on a football field, in an army, or in an office. If a man's associates find him guilty of phoniness, if they find that he lacks ...

3520. A Haven for Troubled Hearts - Sermon Starter

John 14:1-4

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Brett Blair

Eric Clapton, arguably the greatest living rock guitarist, wrote a heart wrenching song about the death of his four year old son (March 20, 1991). He fell from a 53rd-story window. Clapton took nine months off and when he returned his music had changed. The hardship had made his music softer, more powerful, and more reflective. You have perhaps heard the song he wrote about his son's death. It is a song of hope: Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven? Would it be the same if I saw you in heaven? I ...

3521. The Power that God Gives

John 14:5-14

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Richard J. Fairchild

Dr. Leslie Weatherhead, a well know preacher many years ago, said that once, when he was a high school student, he had a very difficult examination. But he had discovered that verse, "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do..." He believed that verse meant that all he had to do was ask and he would pass the exam. He told God he was believing God's promise, and he wanted a good grade. The next day young Weatherhead took the examination, but when the grades were in, he had failed. He was ...

3522. Lewis on Uniqueness of Christianity

John 14:1-14

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C. S. Lewis

A Christian who understands his own religion laughs when unbelievers expect to trouble him by the assertion that Jesus uttered no command which had not been anticipated by the Rabbis—few, indeed, which cannot be paralleled in classical ancient Egyptian, Ninevite, Babylonian, or Chinese texts. We have long recognized that truth with rejoicing.

3523. Ain't No Sense Worrying

Luke 10:38-42, John 14:1-14

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Mickey Rivers

Mickey Rivers, a one time outfielder for the Texas Rangers, explained his philosophy of life: Ain't no sense worrying about things you got control over, because if you got control over them, ain't no sense worrying. And their ain't no sense worrying about things you got NO control over either, because if you got no control over them, ain't no sense worrying.

3524. How Many Legs Does a Cow Have?

John 14:1-14

Illustration

There is a story about Abraham Lincoln who was arguing with a political opponent. "How many legs does a cow have?" he asked his adversary. "Four, of course," came the disgusted reply. "That's right," agreed Lincoln. "Now suppose you call the cow's tail a leg; how many legs would the cow have? "Why, five, of course," was the confidant reply. "Now, that's where you're wrong," said Lincoln. "Calling a cow's tail a leg doesn't make it a leg."

3525. Being Lost Is Terrible, Being Found Is Wonderful

John 14:1-14

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Arthur G. Ferry

James Moore remembers the time when he was seven years old and got lost at the Ringling Brothers Circus. It was a frightening experience for a seven-year-old boy in a crowd of over twenty thousand. Jim and his older brother, Bob, went to the concession stand to buy some cotton candy. People were pushing and pressing toward the counter. Since Bob was taller he was waited on first. After Bob got his cotton candy he stepped aside for his brother. Just then loud laughter came from the arena. Bob wanted to see ...

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Antonyms: deficient, imperfect

Showing 3501 to 3525 of 5000 results

3501. Nine Winners

Matthew 21:1-11

Illustration

3502. On Redemption

John 20:1-18

Illustration

3503. What Do You Think of The Resurrection?

John 20:1-18

Illustration

Brett Blair

3504. Famous Because It Is Empty!

John 20:1-18

Illustration

Don Emmitte

3505. Celebrate!

Matt 28:1-10; John 20:1-18

Illustration

Johnny Dean

3506. It Will Not Be Dark

John 20:1-18

Illustration

Charles Kingsley

3507. Used Tombstone...Real Bargain

John 20:1-18

Illustration

Brett Blair

3508. Hit the Road Jack

John 20:1-18

Illustration

Billy D. Strayhorn

3509. Thomas - Sermon Starter

John 20:19-23

Illustration

Brett Blair

3510. My Business

John 20:19-23

Illustration

Brett Blair

3511. The Reality of the Resurrection

John 20:19-23

Illustration

Brett Blair

3512. The Road to Emmaus - Sermon Starter

Luke 24:13-35

Illustration

Brett Blair

3513. An Agent of God, Changing the World

Illustration

Tony Campolo

3514. The Resurrection Changes Everything

Luke 24:13-35

Illustration

Brett Blair

3515. Christ Never Gives Up

Luke 24:13-35

Illustration

King Duncan

3516. Someone Is Always Waiting

Luke 24:13-35

Illustration

Eric Ritz

3517. A Shepherd to Lead Us - Sermon Starter

John 10:1-21

Illustration

Brett Blair

3518. I Am The Door

John 10:1-10

Illustration

George Adam Smith

3519. Traits of an Effective Leader

John 10:1-30

Illustration

Staff

3520. A Haven for Troubled Hearts - Sermon Starter

John 14:1-4

Illustration

Brett Blair

3521. The Power that God Gives

John 14:5-14

Illustration

Richard J. Fairchild

3522. Lewis on Uniqueness of Christianity

John 14:1-14

Illustration

C. S. Lewis

3523. Ain't No Sense Worrying

Luke 10:38-42, John 14:1-14

Illustration

Mickey Rivers

3524. How Many Legs Does a Cow Have?

John 14:1-14

Illustration

3525. Being Lost Is Terrible, Being Found Is Wonderful

John 14:1-14

Illustration

Arthur G. Ferry

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