Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 351 to 375 of 609 results

351. Mary’s Magnificat

Luke 1:46-56

Sermon

Gary L. Carver

... seasonal or religious, really are. On this trip to Austria, I was reminded that "Silent Night" was translated into English, having been written by an Austrian priest. It is clear to me that in all cultures there is a history and tradition of our Christmas songs which is cherished. There is a song that is maybe the best known in the world, and we call this song, "Mary's Magnificat." It is also clear that most of our exposure to this song is found sometime during the Advent season. If we have time we may even ...

352. The Extravagance of Love

Luke 7:36-8:3

Sermon

David R. Cartwright

... more than I could accept. It had been a long time since I had been showered with such a lavish, tangible display of love and affection. Her only remark as she gave it to me was this: "I didn't want you to go to England without it." I will cherish the gift for the extravagant love with which it was given. To close, I say to you, as Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace" (Luke 7:50).

353. You Fool!

Luke 12:13-21

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... pack of steaks. Then she saw Betty watching her. She smiled and said. "My husband loves T-bones, but at these prices ... I just don't know what to do." Betty responded, "My husband passed away eight days ago." Trembling, she added, "Buy him the steaks and cherish every moment you have together." The woman placed the steaks in her basket and wheeled away. Betty rolled her cart to the other side of the store to the dairy products, trying to decide what size milk to buy. Then she looked down the aisle. First ...

354. The Hard Sell

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... to be content with our “alien” status. The Master told his disciples it would be that way. He tells you and me — sometimes frequently — that’s the way it is. We are on different wavelengths. We discover that our assumptions about life and even our most cherished beliefs do not strike a significant chord with those seemingly content to live as the world directs. Our best mode of behavior is to succumb to the blessed reality, in our case, that all is well with us because we have seen a great light ...

355. A Luxury that Destroys

Mk 10:17-31

Illustration

Michael P. Green

... special cavity of their nest. It continues to eat the young ants until spring. Eventually it emerges as an adult butterfly and flies away to establish more of its kind. And the cycle starts all over again Some people are not much different form the ants. For you see, they cherish a luxury item to the injury of themselves.

356. When Nothing More Can Be Done

Amos 8:1-12

Sermon

Stan Purdum

... you want." At that moment, it might have still been possible for Jesus to get up and run for his life, but he chose to remain. We, too, have faced awful circumstances where nothing more could be done. We've gotten that unwanted diagnosis. We've seen cherished relationships come abruptly to an end. We've seen great opportunities forever lost. We've seen irrevocable choices we've made end in horrendous consequences. We've heard the finality of the words, "It's too late." We've had to learn the meaning of the ...

357. A "Somebody Done Somebody Wrong" Song

Hosea 1:2-10

Sermon

Lee Ann Dunlap

... : the promise of reunion and reconciliation. "In the place where it was said to them, 'you are not my people,' it shall be said to them, 'Children of the living God' " (v. 10). Beyond the heartache and lament is an undying commitment "to love, honor, and cherish" even when that love is scorned and abused. Where does one summon such forgiveness, such stubborn commitment to love? Only from the heart of God. The cheating heart story is far too familiar to the human drama, whether it is Gomer, or Israel, or the ...

358. A Father's Heart Cry

Hosea 11:1-11

Sermon

Lee Ann Dunlap

... all. God is great and all that, but an hour on Sunday is enough, isn't it? And why should I miss a good ball game or my quiet time with the Sunday paper for that, either? We practice our ethical teachings — until they become uncomfortable. "Love honor and cherish" sounds good in the wedding vows, but something (or someone) better is bound to come along, and don't we owe it to ourselves to be happy? We receive God's blessings but skimp on our charity toward others. A tenth? Are you kidding me? We ask for ...

359. The Widow’s Mite for $39.95

Mark 12:41-44

Illustration

Brett Blair

An advertisement I ran across read: "Now you too can own a Genuine Coin From The Time of Jesus: The Widow's Mite. It's a minor miracle that this coin has survived and now people of faith can study, cherish, and protect it for future generations. It's yet another miracle that they're so affordable." Then, the ad goes on to quote the Scripture we just heard, "While our limited supplies last, you may order the 2,000 year old Widow's Mite for only $39.95 plus shipping ...

360. Give, Give, Give

Mark 12:41-44

Illustration

... , no. He would clinch his bone that much tighter in his teeth as he passed by. That is the nature of animals. Only man knows how to be a giver. God is a giver. He gave us life itself. And his ultimate gift was that of his son. What more cherished, more precious, more intimate gift could one give than that of his only child? If we want to achieve God likeness, we must be givers too. God does not ask us to renounce our possessions. He does ask us to renounce our spirit of possessiveness. He does not ask us ...

361. Seeing God In The Ordinary: Friends

John 11:1-45

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... ] The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go." Jesus wept because Lazarus was his friend and we always weep when we lose a close friend. We cherish our friendships, just as Jesus did. And those friendships help us See In The Ordinary. I. Stick With Us We can See God In The Ordinary because: Friends Stick With Us. Someone wrote: "A friend is one who, in times of trouble, walks in while everyone else is ...

362. Amazing Authority

Mark 1:21-28

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... They might not have been God but they sure acted like they had God on the phone and had put Him on hold to deal with you. That's the kind of authority they had. C. Then There's The Authority of Age: Sometimes there are those who we cherish and whose wisdom and authority come simply from their age. They've lived longer than anyone we know, they've experienced more and seen more than anyone else and their opinion carries great weight. It might be a parent or grandparent. Or a trusted member of a congregation ...

363. Jesus’ Inaugural Adress

Luke 4:14-21

Illustration

Mickey Anders

... as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." - Abraham Lincoln, 1865. "This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless ...

364. Tell the Cats to Turn Around

Luke 4:21-30

Illustration

Bill Bouknight

We despise people who challenge our cherished myths and kick us out of our comfort zones. The truth is that when Jesus sets about the task of saving us, he has to heal us of any myth or prejudice that is contrary to the spirit of Christ. Billy Sunday was the Billy Graham of a previous generation. ...

365. Fear of the Cure

Luke 4:21-30

Illustration

Bill Bouknight

In order for Jesus to heal us, He must first expose our sins, prejudices, and myths. That process is not pleasant. It made the folks in Nazareth fighting mad. In order for Jesus to heal them, he had to challenge some of their cherished myths and prejudices. When I was a boy of 7 or 8, I was running through a neighbor's yard one day and stepped on a sling blade. Today's children don't know what a sling blade is, but it was an ancient grass-cutting instrument. My foot was ...

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

Acts 2:42-47

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... as so many young people seem to believe. His nature is hallowed. To pray is to adore. Father, we adore you and we lay our lives before you. Adoration is the yearning of the heart to worship, honor, magnify, and bless God. Ask for nothing but to cherish Him; seek nothing but His exaltation; focus on nothing but His goodness. Sometimes prayer needs words, but not many. Some adoration is private. While I would not wish this illness on my worst enemy, there are lessons I have learned in this struggle that have ...

367. Valley of Betrayal (Series: Peace in the Valley)

Luke 22:47-53

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... is to break a trust between two or more people. Trust is no easy thing to establish and to break a trust is to thrust a knife into the heart of another. Betrayal is a wound to the soul. When married couples promise to love, honor, and cherish each other as long as they both shall live and then break that agreement in some selfish fling of emotion, souls are wounded. When a friend knowingly breaks a confidence that causes hurt, that is betrayal and souls are wounded. When a boss or organization pretends to ...

368. The Gift of Gifts

John 1:1-14

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... you've wanted your whole life, so you hug it and hold it in your lap. Maybe it's a complete surprise but turns out to be the most wonderful, most beautiful gift you've ever received. You don't know it yet, but it'll be one that you cherish all of your life. And the feeling you have now is one you'll want to pass on and share with everyone you know and love. That's what happened, that first Christmas morning. The most wonderful Gift of all, the Gift of Gifts was born and wrapped in swaddling ...

369. More Than We Are - Graduation

Philippians 4:2-9

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... are I’m glad we’re that way. It adds so much spice to life. That person who is dead to desire, dull in perception, insensitive to mystery, that person is not very much alive. No vision and you perish; No ideal, and you’re lost; Your heart must ever cherish Some faith at any cost. Some hope, some dream to cling to, Some rainbow in the sky, Some melody to sing to, Some service that is high. .Harriet due Autermont, Masterpieces p.306 God has set eternity in our hearts. We want to be more than we are! The ...

370. On the Road with Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-10

Sermon

James W. Moore

... ingredient in any love-commitment. Saying “I’m Sorry” means “I love you” and I treasure our relationship. Saying “I’m Sorry” means “I care about you” and I want so much for things to be right with us. Saying “I’m Sorry” means “I cherish you, I didn’t mean to hurt you or disappoint you.” But merely saying, “I’m sorry” is not enough. Just mouthing those words is not enough… In addition, we need to make amends by fixing the problem and by changing the behavior that ...

371. Holiness of Heart and Life

Romans 2:21-23

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... love they give them freedom. To be loved unconditionally is to be given roots, to know who you are, to have a sense of pride in being who you are. It’s the greatest gift that mothers and fathers can give the children. (Mark Trotter, Gifts to Cherish, May 8, 1983). It’s the greatest gift husbands can give their wives and wives can give their husbands. It’s the greatest gift parents can give their children and children can give their parents. Unconditional love. It’s the mark of holiness in the family ...

372. The Ark of the Covenant

Exodus 25:10-22

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... wish that you’d lived in days when bushes burned with fire, when voices spoke from the mount, when the angels seemed visibly to precede the hosts, and one like the Son of Man walked the glowing embers with his faithful witnesses? There’s no need to cherish such back ward yearnings. There is a presence with us - a divine companionship, the angel of the covenant, the Christ of God! Like a voice ringing down a mountain-ravine, we hear his imperishable words, “Lo, I am with you all the days, even unto the ...

373. Finding Answers to Family Feuds

Genesis 25: 21-34

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... of honor and given an automatic blessing. It also meant that you were the spiritual leader of the clan. You were the shaper of ideas and ideals. You set the standards and the morals for others. A birthright was a blessing to be deeply desired, cherished highly, waited for patiently. In this kind of setting a feud between brothers emerges. Of course, God does not always play according to our cultural rules. He announces to Rebecca before the two boys are born, that “the older will serve the younger.” He ...

374. Is There More Than One Way to Heaven?

John 4:19-26

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... the story in Revelation about the twelve gates on every side. All are open. You do not have to have a code to get in. What is John the Revelator trying to say? The great Holy City is an open, welcoming place. The missionary, John R. Stott said, “I cherish the hope that the majority of the human race will be saved." C.S. Lewis, the great Christian thinker, said, “I think that every prayer which is sincerely made even to a false god is accepted by the true God and Christ saves many who do not think they ...

375. A Very Present Help

Psalm 46:1-11

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... thing to a Sabbath that America has experienced in a very long time. There are no golf tournaments today. There are no NASCAR races today. The football games have been canceled. While there are elements of silence that frighten us all, I urge you to cherish this moment. Lean into it fully. Hug your family today. Talk with some friends today. Take time to pray today. Ponder in the privacy of your own soul the really important things of life today. Morton Kelsey says, “Most of our lives are like jewelry ...

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