... a chosen nation of the Lord. “They say our bones are dried up and our hope is lost. We are cut off completely” (Ezekiel 37:11). It was easy for them to hear only empty promises based on false possibilities. It also is easy for us to give up any hope for even the tiniest whisper of fresh air. However, in scripture, hope is more than a remote possibility that something nearly impossible might happen — as in “I hope that I will win the lottery.” In scripture, especially in today’s text, hope is the ...
... is not doubt; the opposite of faith is fear. Fear is our enemy. You see, fear distorts reality. Someone has turned the word fear into an acronym. Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. When we fear, we have a false view of reality. Fear makes us give up before we even begin. It causes us to take an alternate route rather than the road that leads to our destination. It makes us see obstacles rather than opportunities. Fear is our enemy. It is fear that blinds us and binds us--blinds us to our possibilities ...
Luke 11:1-13, Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-17, Psalm 107:1-43
Sermon Aid
William E. Keeney
... 3:1-11) Paul admonishes the Colossians to seek the same goals as they find in Christ. The passage ties into the First Lesson in that it urges the people to be faithful in obedience to Christ's way. It relates to the Gospel reading in its urging that they give up the old life and be clothed with the new life in Christ. They are to put to death the vices of the old life and to take on the virtues of life in Christ. Gospel. (Luke 12:13-21) The parable of the unwise farmer is told in response to ...
... . Andrews during the final round of the 1995 British Open. Constantino Rocca of Italy needed to get down in two to tie American John Daly and force a playoff. Only a chip and putt from his goal, he totally blew the chip. But instead of giving up, he composed himself and gallantly sunk a seemingly impossible thirty-footer to send the British Open into a playoff. Then John Daly completely crushed him in the playoff to win his second major championship. Rocca did his best and still fell short of the prize. It ...
... way we use a trash or garbage bag. Saint Paul was forced to get rid of a lot of other things, and he tells us about them in the book of Philippians. Paul had to give up a lot of things that we think are important, but things he was glad to give up so that he could teach people about Jesus. Paul said he was glad to give up things like beautiful clothes, a fine house, and fancy foods to teach people about Jesus. In those days it was against the law to tell others about Jesus, so Paul spent many days in prison ...
... in heaven. Rest came not just from "doing nothing," but from taking all that he had to do and giving it to God. Our rest comes in the same way, when we spend time with God. Jesus frequently spent all night in prayer. It simply fascinates me that he could give up a whole night’s sleep and still be refreshed in the morning. When I lose a night’s sleep, I am a mess. How did he do it? His rest, his recreation came from God. So often when we are lucky enough to sleep a few extra hours or to ...
... call, the god formed in our image does not exist. Ours is a time and a place very different from ancient Israel, eighth century B.C. We are a people very different from those people. Yet we are the same in that God would be entirely justified in giving up on us, faithless as we are, disloyal as we are. Who among us could stand before God’s judgment (cf. Romans 3:23)? We are people of whoredom, people who have defiled ourselves and corrupted the life for which we have been created. Truly, God could say of ...
... learned what sacrifice is. That young man understood the idea of sacrifice and was willing to make one because whole family was making one for the church. Guess what, Mom and Dad found the money for pizzas and a movie that night. That boy didn't have to give up his allowance and they were still able to give what they had committed to give for the building program. They were being Living Sacrifices. III. One Body A. Finally, Paul says we're called to be Living Sacrifices so we can be One Body. [4-5] "For as ...
... traces her fear to an incident when she was younger. Finding herself in deep water in a lake she began swimming to the shore. A feeling of great fatigue overcame her after a short distance. It would be so easy, she thought to herself, to simply relax, to give up--to allow herself to slip quietly under the water. She did reach shore, but the thought of how easy it would have been to give in to her fatigue haunted her the rest of her life. Here is the good news for the Second Sunday in Lent. The Christian ...
Genesis 1:1-2:3, Psalm 92:1-15, Luke 5:33-39, Luke 6:1-11, Galatians 3:1-14
Sermon
Lori Wagner
... all it’s what keeps our faith fresh from week to week, so that we can get up and keep on walking that discipleship road again. God’s rest doesn’t mean you completely get off of the road. You don’t back out of the journey. You don’t give up on your course or your passion for the road. You stay on course to your destination. But you pull over for a moment and take time to refresh your spirit and load up on nourishment for your journey ahead. And there’s no one more nourishing to a tired spirit ...
... Christ changes us, moves beyond what we “deserve” because we are among the faithful. We begin to view the world in a different way, people in a different way, and even ourselves in a different way. It is not about following the “rules” or about giving up, but about adding to and becoming the person Christ calls us to be. Recognition of the gift of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection reminds us what we have a responsibility to do and to become. We know from learning about Paul that he ...
... loaf of bread from his neighbor. Actually, he goes not to borrow one loaf, but three! And to make matters worse, it is in the middle of the night! The friend tells him, in effect, to “drop dead,” but the fellow keeps on knocking anyway until the friend finally gives up and gives in and gives him the three loaves so that he can go back to bed and get a good night’s sleep. Then there is that strange story in Luke 18 about the crooked judge who refuses to hear the case of a poor widow, presumably because ...
... the right clothes and toothbrush. He is the perfect example of an observer of life who chooses not to let himself get involved in any way. During Lent we sometimes talk about what we are going to “give up.” (I’ve given up rutabagas for Lent.) A better understanding of Lent means not giving up something...but taking on something for others. So: there are two kinds of “crosses.” There are those which fate and misfortune lay on our shoulders just because we happen to be in the wrong place at the ...
... : What am I, Scrooge or something? What do I need with this "Christmas Carol" business? I could have any of three different versions - including (Sits and stares thoughtfully into space). Charles Laughton - right here on my videotape player. I don't need this. But I'd give up a car and a horse to have mother and father home on Christmas - to be a family again; to open our presents together; sing some carols; and to trim our own tree, stuff our own turkey ... (Sleepily). I'd like that ... (Goes back to sleep ...
... with our lips (v. 10). Salvation by grace through faith is available to all (vv. 12-13). Epistle: Romans 9:1-5 Paul experiences a profound anxiety in his soul because the Jews have not, by and large, accepted Christ. He feels so strongly that he would give up his own salvation if it would purchase the salvation of his people. He had hoped that they would accept the gospel because they had been given the law, the prophets and the covenants. Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus sends the disciples to the other side ...
... people. For the church in China we ask encouragement and faith and sagacity, that it might continue its faithful witness even in times of adversity. And for churches in this land, in this city, in this very place, we pray renewed vision and strength. Help us all once again to give up worship of the self or money or nation, to deny ourselves, to take up our crosses of discipleship to follow our Lord into the new age he has prepared for us. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
... but persistent woman. The judge ignores her at first, but finally grants her justice because she is so persistent. She won’t give up and she won’t go away… so eventually he gives in and comes through for her. Now, let me hurry to point ... a parable to show that they should keep on praying and never lose heart. This parable means be patient, don’t lose heart, don’t give up, keep on trusting, because you can count on God… and God will come through for you. Now, with all this as a backdrop for our ...
... costs in time and dedication – whether the win you're going after is fought on blackboards or boardrooms. Winning takes planning, practice, and precision. Most of all winning requires stick-to-it-iveness that refuses to cave-in, keel-over, kneel-down, or give-up when the competition is fierce and the odds are long. Ever since humanity found itself with a little spare time on its hands, sporting events have served to teach virtues to youngsters as they sought to become the next generation of winners ...
... in the world and in our lives, in our every thought, every deed, every purchase, and every word. If we all did that, can you imagine just how different this whole world would be. "What should we do?" PERSIST. III. Pursue And finally pursue Christmas. Don't give up until you have experienced the joy of Christmas. * [Show clip "Ornaments"] Santa, in that clip, sure went through a lot just to get a couple of cookies. How far are you willing to go to make the miracle of Christmas come alive? How far you willing ...
... rubbed cold cream on her face. “Why are you rubbing cold cream on your face, mommy?” he asked. “To make myself beautiful,” said his mother. A few minutes later, she began removing the cream with a tissue. “What’s the matter?” he asked. “Are you giving up?” Welcome on this Mother’s Day. It’s not easy being a Mom. Those of you who have children know it’s not easy, regardless of their age. One Mom says that she’s going to try something different next summer with their dog and with ...
... their property. To be adopted was considered a great privilege. Do you understand that you are God’s adopted child specially selected to be part of His family and heir to life eternal? Don’t ever get to the point that you get down on yourself and give up no matter how much hurt and pain you have experienced to this point in your life. God’s will is for you to overcome your circumstances, whatever they may be, by trusting in His love. Writes St. Paul, “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves ...
... apply them to God: “If I delivered you from the burning fire, what makes you think I am going to drop you when I’m carrying you to safety?” All of us have found ourselves in a troubling place. And then, just at that moment when we were inclined to give up, God has come through with some act of hope and promise. And for a while we felt a renewed sense of faith and joy. But, as time goes by, we forget. And then we find ourselves in a difficult spot again. We see no way out and so, once again ...
... be a part of the bloodline of the promised Messiah. She is there because of her loyalty to her mother-in-law. That is the heart of our message today. That kind of love is what the cross is all about. It is about a love that never quits, never gives up, never fails. It is agape love—sacrificial love from the heart of God. It’s not, “I love you for what you can do for me,” or “I’ll love you as long as it is convenient.” It’s “I’ll love you no matter what. I’ll always be ...
... s dead. If it's not dead you haven't sacrificed it. We are told here to give a "living sacrifice." Now to understand that, simply substitute the words "sacrificial living." We are to give ourselves to God in sacrificial living. When you sacrifice something you give up all possession and all ownership. In the Old Testament there was no such thing as a partial sacrifice. You didn't sacrifice a part of the lamb, you sacrifice all of the lamb. It was always a total sacrifice with no strings attached. I like the ...
... our flame, for the glory of Your holy name. Lead us through prayer and our reading of Scriptures to call Jesus the Christ and to change our lives because He is the Christ. Take away the worldly distractions which make us part-time disciples. Convince us that giving up all to follow Him will gain us more than we could ever dream. Leave us unsatisfied until we are walking perfectly in His way, even as He walked in Your way for our sake. With thanks for His sacrifice and in gratitude for His love, we pray ...