Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3576 to 3600 of 4944 results

3576. Jesus' Forty Days, and Ours

Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon

James McCormick

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all begin their stories of the adult Jesus at the Jordan River, where he is baptized by his cousin John. In baptism, Jesus identifies with us, and with all people everywhere. And, there, at the baptism, God said, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” At the beginning of the story, the gospel writer wants to make it clear who this is he is telling about: this is Jesus, the son of God! What a powerful beginning to the story! Jesus knew, as he must have known for some ...

3577. Cha-cha-cha Christians: The Dance that Advances

2 Peter 1:12-21

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Theme: You were made to dance on the divine dance floor. Can you hear the divine music? This sermon is a call for Cha-Cha-Cha Christians. Exegesis On this Transfiguration Sunday the gospel lesson (Matthew 17:1-9) describes the event itself—-the mountaintop, the cloud, the disciples as witnesses, the presence of the prophets, the heavenly voice. The epistle text, however, demonstrates how the transfiguration event was understood and used by the first generation of Christian churches. The epistle of 2 Peter ...

3578. When Losing Your Baggage Is a Good Thing

Hebrews 12:1-2

Sermon

James W. Moore

Some years ago we took a group from our church on a tour of the Holy Land. We were there for ten days and it was wonderful. Dr. Jim Fleming led the tour and he is amazing. He is a great Bible scholar, a respected archaeologist and he lives in Jerusalem six month of each year, so he knows the land, the languages, the customs and the culture incredibly well. All of that put together gives him keen insights into the teachings of Jesus and the truth of the Bible. On top of all that, he never gets tired. He is ...

3579. The Gospel According to Winnie the Pooh

Luke 24:13-35

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Transition times. Life is full of them . . . times of transition. As Eve allegedly said to Adam as they were leaving the Garden of Eden, “We are living in a time of great transition.” Transition times. No times are more filled with possibility and promise. No times are more filled with peril and despair. In transition times, everything is possible, and everything could fall flat and fail. Think about every time you started a new school. Think about the first time you moved out of your parent’s home. Think ...

3580. The Church: The Health of a Godly Family

Hebrews 10:22-25

Sermon

James Merritt

The church is taking a beating. On the outside the picture looks bright. Its affluence is at an all-time high. The church is taking in more money and spending out more money than ever before in all of her glorious history. Just take for example the Southern Baptist Convention. Last year 40,000 Southern Baptist churches took in $6 billion, and now owns property valued at $30 billion. The same could be said for practically every major denomination in America. But a closer look reveals a darker picture. First ...

3581. What Church Is All About

Psalm 100:1-5

Sermon

James Merritt

A U.S.A. Today poll asked people why they went to church. 45% said they went "because it was good for them." "Worship" didn't even rate in the survey.[1] There are all kinds of reasons to go to church, and I would say good reasons. Some people go to church for the fellowship; some go for service; some go for Bible study; some go for the music; some go for the atmosphere; some go for the preaching. But if you come to church for any other primary reason than to worship God, you are coming for the wrong ...

3582. The Shepherd's Song

Psalm 23:1-6

Sermon

John E. Harnish

Though most of us know very little about sheep, there is little doubt that we know a lot about this psalm. This is certainly the best known and most loved passage in all of scripture. And it speaks to one of our deepest needs... 1. WE NEED A SHEPHERD The fact that we are compared to sheep is not necessarily a compliment to the human condition. No other animal (except the human baby) is as dependent or demands as much on the part of the caregiver as sheep. If they roll over on their backs, they stay there, ...

3583. Only Matthew…Only Joseph

Matthew 1:1-13

Sermon

John E. Harnish

If you only had Matthew's Gospel, what would you have? Last week we looked at the opening of Luke's Gospel and his version of the Advent narratives, his "orderly account." He begins with Zechariah and Elizabeth and the birth of John the Baptist who would come to prepare the way, then on to Mary and the miracle birth. But if you only had Matthew, what would you have? No Annunciation to Mary No visit to Elizabeth and the Magnificat No detail on John's miraculous birth No enrollment calling people to ...

3584. Why Not Now?

Acts 8:26-40

Sermon

John E. Harnish

So Philip went down the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. Wow, if that doesn't carry powerful imagery. I don't know what all it could have meant for Luke or Philip, but I know what it means for us. The road from Jerusalem to Gaza is probably the most critical road in the world—the road which symbolizes all the tensions and conflict of our world; the road most needed and hardest to travel; the road on which the future of the world seems to hang; the road which symbolizes the difficult path to peace in our world ...

3585. Secret Revealed

Romans 16:25-27

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

At last it happens! Jesus the Christ is born of a woman and is here for all to see in flesh and blood. Paul, as is often the case, is in a celebrative mood. It is as though all of creation is pulsating with his entrance into history. Human nature has a way of enjoying secrets and naturally wants exposures to occur. We are fascinated by the possibility of something or someone being revealed. In this case it is far more than fascinating. It is thrilling beyond adequate words to depict. History seems to stop ...

3586. Jesus Is the Recipe for Eternal Life

Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Sermon

Richard Gribble

Scientists tell us that if you take six molecules of carbon dioxide and combine it with twelve molecules of water, then add light, the result will be one molecule of glucose sugar, six molecules of oxygen, and six molecules of water. This process, known as photosynthesis, makes the world as we know it possible. Carbon dioxide, which is exhaled by all mammals, is converted into oxygen which allows us to breathe. Plants, which use this photosynthesis process, make our world possible. But, photosynthesis ...

3587. A Promise Fulfilled: A Gift Given

Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Sermon

Richard Gribble

During the last years of the Roman Empire, in the city of Myra, the regional bishop died. A local man, Nicholas, who was known by all to be a very holy person and a devoted follower of Christ, was elected as the new bishop with little or no opposition. Nicholas' first act as bishop was to give away all his wealth, for he was a very rich man. He started giving all of his possessions and money away, but before he was able to give it all away he had a dream one night. An angel appeared to him in his dream and ...

3588. The Putt’s Good

Matthew 22:15-22

Illustration

King Duncan

A prominent citizen of Washington, D. C. once invited President John F. Kennedy to play golf. On the first hole Kennedy floated a nice shot about three feet from the pin. He walked up to the ball and glanced over at the man who had invited him. Kennedy was looking for the man to concede him the putt. The man ignored him, and stared up at the sky. "You're certainly going to give me this putt, aren't you?" Kennedy asked. "Make a pass at it," the man replied. "I want to see your stroke. A putt like that ...

3589. Beware the Crest of the Wave

Mark 1:4-11

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

The moment of our greatest success and achievement, when we are riding the crest of the wave, is also the moment we are most likely to be subjected to the severest temptations, gnawed by our most debilitating insecurities, and seduced into believing the most grandiose visions of our own abilities. In today's text Jesus celebrates perhaps the most exhilarating and confirming episode of his entire ministry. Everything is going right. John baptizes Jesus, carrying out his appointed role in the drama of ...

3590. What Are You Looking For?

John 1:35-42

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

In a world where spirituality has become a consumer item, we must confess Jesus as Lord. Why are you sitting here in church this morning? What possibly possessed you to climb out of your warm bed on a dim, cold and quiet Sunday morning and come to church ... again?! Christmas is over, remember? The tree is down, the ornaments put away, even the pine needles have pretty much worked themselves out of the carpet by now. There is no big liturgical holiday scheduled for this Sunday. And yet there you sit. I see ...

3591. An Unpopular Preacher

Matthew 7:15-23

Sermon

Mike Ripski

I. Rev. Ike’s “gospel” There was a professor at my theology school, who was on the mailing list of “Rev. Ike.” Professor May posted Rev. Ike’s literature on his office door for all to see. Rev. Ike was an early proponent of what has come to be called the “prosperity gospel.” Rev. Ike preached that it is God’s will for you to be wealthy now. God doesn’t want you to wait for the sweet by and by. You can have what God had given Rev. Ike: diamond rings on every finder – see the picture, a mansion – see the ...

3592. It's Not a Snuggie Love

Mark 15:1-15, Mark 11:1-11

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Now that “March Madness” is over it is time to reclaim our particularities. Part of the “madness” the basketball championships generate is our love for, our longing to be, part of a crowd. In a crowd we can become a totally different person. *Shy, reserved people scream until hoarse. *Non-violent, peace-activists holler for their team to “kill’em!” *Guys who don’t like to take their shirts off at the beach, paint their bellies blue or green or orange, and hope to get their hairy paunch on national ...

3593. Proper 9

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Mark 6:1-6, Mark 6:7-13, 2 Samuel 5:6-16

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 David becomes king of all Israel. For 71/2 years he ruled the southern tribes from Hebron. Then leaders of the northern tribes came to Hebron and made him king of all Israel. At the time he was 30 years old, and ruled Israel and Judah for 33 years. This was in accord with the Lord's will that David should be the shepherd-ruler over the entire country. Epistle: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Paul is fed up with his opponents who cast doubt on his apostleship and boast ...

3594. Nobody Is Too Big to Fail. Nobody Is Too Small to Prevail.

Mark 6:1-6

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Titanic. Say the word, and everyone, everywhere knows the story. Whether you know the name because you saw the movie, or you know the name because you spent the bulk of your life in the twentieth century, you still know the name. “Titanic” means huge, gargantuan, immense. The word “Titanic,” which rhymes with “gigantic,” brings visions of unstoppable power, immovable force, impenetrable resistance. The “Titanic” really set the tone for the next hundred years, when 100 million people would be killed in the ...

3595. Penguins in Mission

Ephesians 1:1-14

Sermon

King Duncan

Real life is often funnier than fiction. I want to tell you a true story about a family in Knoxville, TN that decided to take a day-trip to visit the Chattanooga, TN Aquarium. They entered the aquarium and were fascinated by the many displays. However, about midway through their visit the young parents suddenly discovered that their four-year-old son was missing. He had been with them the moment before, but now he was gone. They began to panic, as you might imagine. When they could not find him on their ...

3596. Tear Down This Wall!

Ephesians 2:11-22

Sermon

King Duncan

On June 12, 1987 former President Ronald Reagan spoke in front of the Brandenburg Gate at the Berlin Wall. In his speech he issued a direct challenge to Mikhail Gorbachev, leader of the Soviet Union. Here are the best-known words from that speech: “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Twenty-nine months later ...

3597. Proper 5

Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Matthew 9:9-13, Matthew 9:18-26, Romans 4:13-25

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter--Psalms 33:1-12 First Lesson--Abram is called out to begin a faith journey that will make of him and Sarai his wife a great nation to bring blessing to all nations favorable to them and their descendants. Genesis 12:1-9 Second Lesson--Paul explains how Abraham is deserving of the title father of the faithful. Romans 4:13-25 Gospel--Jesus is not fussy, like the Pharisees, about the company he keeps but willingly brings God's grace to sinners. Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: ...

3598. Trinity Sunday

Matthew 28:16-20, Psalm 8:1-9, Genesis 1:1-2:3, 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter - Psalms 8:1-9 First Lesson - This is the beginning of the book of beginnings. Genesis 1:1-2:4 Second Lesson - Paul sends closing greetings to the church at Corinth. 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 Gospel - Jesus gives his great commission to the eleven remaining disciples to insure continuity of the faith. Matthew 28:16-20 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name. People: We bow down ...

3599. Got Milk?

1 Peter 2:1-3

Sermon

James Merritt

His name was Howard Hughes. As an aviator, he once held every speed record of consequence and was called the world's greatest flyer. At various points in his life he owned an international airline, two regional airlines, an aircraft company, a major motion picture studio, mining properties, a tool company, gambling casinos and hotels in Las Vegas, along with a medical research institute and a vast amount of real estate. He dated some of the most beautiful Hollywood stars of all time. When Howard Hughes ...

3600. The Dark Side Confronted

Hebrews 12:5-11

Sermon

James Merritt

As we left our story last week, the Emperor and Darth Vader had devised a plan to turn the young Jedi, Luke Skywalker, to the Dark Side. While we were gone, Darth Vader revealed his true identity as Luke's father, Anakin Skywalker. Luke has now been captured and is ready to face Darth Vader, not just as his enemy, but also as his Father. We have been in a series of messages called "The Dark Side". I remind you again that what Star Wars calls "The Dark Side" the Bible calls "sin". There really is a dark ...

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