Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3551 to 3575 of 4944 results

3551. The Tenacity of Trouble

James 4:1-12

Sermon

Eric Ritz

Today we continue in our illuminating study of the Epistle of James. Often in our study of the Bible, we must read and know the chapter or verses that surround the body of scripture we are studying. This principle is quite evident in our efforts today. There is a reason why we must learn and receive instruction to Tame the Tongue and know the Trademarks of Truth. There is a reason we must know how to Trip the Tempter and Trust the Truth. It all hits home in the fourth chapter. Here we see the results of a ...

3552. Taxes and Tightwads

James 5:1-6

Sermon

Eric Ritz

A cartoon in the New Yorker magazine reveals two very well-dressed businessmen having an exotic lunch in an expensive eatery. One of the men has a look of horror on his face as he says to the other, "I had the most terrifying dream last night. I dreamed that the value of the dollar had slipped so low that it was no longer worth worshiping!" This is exactly what James is addressing and correcting in his challenging words. Most of us here today know that money is a poor substitute for a living relationship ...

3553. The Lord Is My Shepherd

Psalm 23:1-6

Sermon

Eric Ritz

Today is the first Sunday in our summer schedule, and for the next seven Sundays when I am in the pulpit I want to focus on the timeless truths of what may be the most familiar and comforting passage in all of the Bible--the 23rd Psalm. I have often shared with other colleagues that it is so unfortunate that we only read and preach about this text at funeral services, which are most often offered in a funeral home. This tremendous writing has so much to say about life in the here and now. If we were to ...

3554. The Lamb Wins

Revelation 5:1-14

Sermon

Eric Ritz

When the famous agnostic Robert Ingersoll died, the printed funeral program left this solemn instruction, "There will be no singing." Few feel like singing in the face of death. Running, perhaps. Crying, probably. But singing? Not at death. Death steals our reason to sing. Death takes the songs from our lips and leaves in their place stilled tongues and tear-flooded cheeks. (1) However, this attitude about death is so different from the one described in the pages of Holy Scripture. In Psalms 116:15, it ...

3555. Entrustment

John 17:6-19

Sermon

Robert Noblett

Over thirty years ago, the late David H. C. Read preached and published a sermon series on the National Radio Pulpit that he titled Overheard. In that creative volume, he addressed a series of faith issues one might conceivably have overheard at that time. We overhear comments regularly. We might be riding on public transportation and overhear an amusing or telling conversation between two people, perhaps a parent and child; or we might be standing in a church lounge after worship and hear some people ...

3556. Training the Heart

1 John 1:1-4

Sermon

Paul E. Robinson

Not long ago I heard about one more study done with rats. This particular study seemed to indicate that the amount of stress experienced by baby rats in their first ten days set their bodies for the rest of their lives as to how the rats would react to stressful situations. As I recall, there are at least two factors at work. First of all, in a stressful situation a chemical is produced that triggers the stress response throughout the body. Secondly, there are receptors throughout the body which sense that ...

3557. Confession And Supplication

Philippians 1:1-11

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

The text for our message this morning comes from the 4th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi, the 4th chapter, the 4th through the 7th verses. Hear the word of the Lord. Rejoice in the Lord always. "Again I say, rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance, the Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God. And the piece of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and your ...

3558. The Little Madness Of Hope

1 Peter 1:1-12

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

Zorba the Greek is one of my favorite stories. It was a memorable theatre experience when Anthony Quinn played Zorba. The climax of the drama is two men -- Zorba and his boss -- dancing. The story was that the boss's money is invested in an untried invention to bring timber down a mountain. The wood, badly needed by the community, is to be used to reinforce the walls of an old mine which, it is hoped, will restore economic life. Everyone turned out to watch the great occasion. Anticipation turned quickly ...

3559. Blessed Are Those Who Are Awake

Luke 12:32-40

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

Mark Twain once said that he heard a preacher who was powerfully good. He decided to give him every cent he had with him. But the preacher kept at it too long. Ten minutes later, Twain decided to keep the bills and only give the change. Another ten minutes more Twain said, “I was darned if I’d give him anything at all. Then, when he finally stopped and the plate came around, I was so exhausted, I decided to steal $2 just for spite.” Now I know you sympathize with Mark Twain. I don’t hear as many preachers ...

3560. Concerning Miracles

Mark 7:31-37

Sermon

King Duncan

A mother and her three-year-old son were playing in the front yard. There were squeals and giggles galore. Dad came to the door and asked them to play a bit more quietly so he could get his work done. The three-year-old put his hands on his hips and said indignantly, "Daddy, I don't do quiet!" That is true of a lot of three-year-olds. They don't do quiet. A cartoon shows a large van. On the side are the warnings, "Danger! Explosives!" Inside are two men. The driver of the van turns to his buddy and says ...

3561. Saints in Shorts

Luke 6:27-36

Sermon

David J. Kalas

Seven years ago, our family moved from southern Virginia to northeast Wisconsin. As you might expect, spring comes later here. Fall comes earlier. And winter is a much different experience in northeast Wisconsin than it was in southern Virginia. The same temperatures that seemed bone-chilling in Virginia are good reason to leave the mufflers and mittens at home in Wisconsin. Of course, many of the retired folks in my congregation here take their cue from the geese and fly south for the winter each year. ...

3562. The Nature of the Church and Christian Discipleship

1 Peter 2:4-12

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

In my convocation address I shared with you the fact that I am preoccupied these days with the nature of the church – and the nature of Christian discipleship. Maybe my preoccupation with the church is triggered by the struggles going on in my own denomination – the United Methodist Church. The truth of the matter is, these struggles are going on in all mainline churches. Schism is a threat – I struggle with questions like when or does a person ever have enough reason to leave the church of which he is a ...

3563. You Are Somebody!

Galatians 3:26--4:7

Sermon

King Duncan

There is a time-honored story which you may remember that comes from the French Revolution. King Louis XVI and his queen were condemned to death. They were escorted to the guillotine in a public square in Paris where they were beheaded. The mob was not satisfied. "Bring out the Prince," they cried. "He is next!!" The young boy was terrified. He was only six years old, but he was next in line to be King. In the mind of the crowd, he had to be eliminated. According to the story, the young prince stood on the ...

3564. Discovering that It’s Not about You

Genesis 22:1-14

Sermon

James L. Killen

"It's not about you." Did anyone ever say that to you? Something is going on. Some conflict is being worked out or some decision is being made about something that is going to happen and you are feeling threatened or put upon or involved in some other way. Then someone who is more deeply involved says to you, "This is not about you." At first that may hurt your feelings because most of us operate on the assumption that almost everything is about us. But when the realization soaks in that it really is not ...

3565. Saved (Again)!

Exodus 14:19-31

Sermon

Arley K. Fadness

Lawrence Henry was 88 years of age when he shared with his family the only sermon he ever preached. Lawrence was a farmer born in 1900 in the Coteau Hills of South Dakota. He received an eighth grade education, raised four children, and died in 1996. The sermon is titled, "Saved." Here are two key stories in Lawrence's own words: "Today I will use the word ˜saved' as the key word in some of the experiences I have encountered in my past 88 years. The word ˜saved' is a small word consisting of only five ...

3566. All Your Facilities Intact

Acts 17:16-34, Colossians 1:15-20

Sermon

Mark Trotter

The text for this sermon is from the lectionary, but the inspiration comes from Peru. As many of you know, Jean and I have returned from a visit to the ancient civilization of the Incas, which continues to haunt us with wonderful memories. We visited Machu Picchu, high up in the Andes, as well as other Inca ruins. But Machu Picchu is unique. The other ruins in Peru have been vandalized. The precisely hewn stone that the Incas are famous for has been appropriated by subsequent generations to use as ...

3567. Easter

Acts 10:23b-48, Colossians 3:1-17, John 20:1-9, John 20:10-18

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Acts 10:34-43 (C, E); Acts 10:34, 37-43 (RC) Peter tells Cornelius and his friends that God raised Jesus from the dead. A very devout Roman centurion, Cornelius, sends for Peter to preach to him and his friends. In his sermon, Peter reviews the ministry of Jesus including the crucifixion and resurrection. It is to be noted that Peter says God raised Jesus; he did not raise himself. Note also Peter explains that the risen Christ did not appear to people in general, but a few chosen ones ...

3568. Proper 14

Genesis 37:1-11, Genesis 37:12-36, 1 Kings 19:9-18, Jonah 2:1-10, Romans 9:1-29, Romans 9:30--10:21, Matthew 14:22-36

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-18 Joseph's brothers sell him into slavery. Jacob sent his favorite son, Joseph, to check on his brothers who were tending sheep. Because Jacob loved Joseph more than the other sons and made him a coat of many colors, the brothers hated Joseph. As he approached, they conspired to kill him. Their plan changed when traders on the way to Egypt came by. They sold Joseph to them for twenty pieces of silver. Old Testament: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13 A discouraged Elijah ...

3569. Proper 22

Exodus 20:1-21, Isaiah 5:1-7, Philippians 3:1-11, Philippians 3:12-4:1, Matthew 21:33-46

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 The Ten Commandments. While assembled at Mount Sinai, the Israelites are given the Decalogue by Yahweh through Moses. These ten absolutes are not independent. They are related to the Mosaic covenant. First came grace in terms of God's deliverance from Egypt and by his promise to take them to a Promised Land. The laws are given for the people's part or response to the covenant. Old Testament: Isaiah 5:1-7 God's judgment upon his people for their failure to ...

3570. Do You Get It?

Matthew 16:21-28

Sermon

Stephen M. Crotts

"Is that really necessary?" It's a question that we may ask when something unpleasant or disturbing has been said or done. If someone brings up a topic like capital punishment or abortion at the dinner table, you might ask rhetorically, "Is that really necessary?" In that situation it probably isn't, but there are times when such issues do have to be discussed. We can't always insist on keeping things light and comfortable. When somebody does refuse to face some of the tough realities of the world, we ...

3571. Worship Wars!

Luke 18:9-14

Sermon

Stephen M. Crotts

We pastors call it The Worship Wars. One can see the frowning battlements in the faces seated in pews, hear the rumble of its artillery in negative comments, and feel the white heat of its lethal shrapnel in board meetings. "It's boring!" "Why, those songs are so old, every time I sing them I get a backache!" "Worship is becoming a nightclub act! What will we do next?" "Choruses are 7-11 worship. Seven words repeated eleven times!" Any pastor, any active church member alive today is in the trenches of this ...

3572. A Life Well Lived

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Sermon

King Duncan

Have you noticed that grandmothers have changed? For one thing they seem so much younger than they used to. Some anonymous bard celebrated this truth in a little poem you may have encountered on the Internet. It’s titled, “Where Have All the Grandmas Gone?” In the dim and distant past; When life’s tempo wasn’t so fast Grandma used to rock and knit, Crochet, tat, and baby sit. When the kids were in a jam, They could always call on Gram. But today she’s in the gym Exercising to keep slim. She’s checking the ...

3573. The Chair

Psalm 46:1-11

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

"God is our refuge and strength." These opening words of Psalm 46 are almost the signature words of this hymnbook we call The Psalms. "God is our refuge and strength . . . The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge . . . Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, though the mountains move in the midst of the sea." Here's a hymn that celebrates one fact, one foundation on which you can build your life: God is with us. No matter that the earth shakes, and the mountains move, ...

3574. Let's Dance

Matthew 28:16-20

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

At one time or another, all of us here have had the uncomfortable experience of either being or watching someone with absolutely no sense of rhythm, movement, or beat try and dance and move to the music. We call them people with "Baptist feet." No matter that the bass line is thumping along so loudly that it's giving everyone else synchronized migraines – it seems there is always someone out on the dance floor who just can't find the beat and move to it. For those with well-tuned senses of rhythm and ...

3575. Are You Running?

John 12:12-19

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

One of the most striking things about Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday are the big crowds. We love big crowds and we welcome big crowds. Dressed in new spring clothing (and probably freezing in it!), those who aren't quite regular attenders will swell our numbers next week as the church celebrates the spring miracle of Easter. It's exhilarating to be part of a big crowd, a great gathering of happy, expectant worshipers reaffirming our faith and refilling our spirits with the hopes and promises of the ...

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