Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3776 to 3800 of 4946 results

3776. The World’s Favorite Scripture

Matthew 7:1-6

Sermon

James Merritt

Everybody knows about the famous comedian, David Letterman, and his "top ten list." As you know, God also has a "top ten list" and it goes like this: 1. You shall have no other gods before Me. 2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image. 3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. 4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. 5. Honor your father and your mother. 6. You shall not murder. 7. You shall not commit adultery. 8. You shall not steal. 9. You shall not bear false witness ...

3777. If You Really Want to Be Number One

Mark 9:33-37

Sermon

King Duncan

The politician was sitting at his campaign headquarters when the phone rang. He listened intently, and after a moment his face brightened. When he hung up, he immediately phoned his mother to tell her the good news. “Mom,” he shouted, “the results are in. I won the election!” “Honestly?” she asked. The politician’s smiled faded. “Aw, Mom, why bring that up at a time like this?” We all like to win, don’t we? We all want to be part of the crowd chanting, “We’re number one! We’re number one.” “Winning isn’t ...

3778. Welcome, Rich and Poor

Luke 16:19-31

Sermon

Ron Lavin

Can you name some disillusioned people you've met in life? How about a woman who is so badly hurt by her husband committing adultery with a younger woman and then divorcing her, that she wants nothing to do with men? How about a child who believes in Mom and Dad, only to discover that they have frequently lied to him? How about the students of a beloved teacher who find out that their teacher is a pedophile who is going to prison for his sexual molestation of children? How about parishioners who love their ...

3779. It Wasn’t The Hilton, You Know

Luke 2:1-7

Drama

Lois Anne DeLong

Characters (in order of appearance) Child 1 (Lead Shepherd) Child 2 (Mary) Child 3 (Narrator) Child 4 (Joseph) Child 5 (Lead Angel) Child 6 (Angel 2) Director Assistant Director Kristy (Innkeeper's Wife) Shepherd 2 Shepherd 3 Props Dish towels Bathrobes White pillow cases Cardboard box Stuffed animals —a few Piece of white fabric “Scripts” Broom Clipboard Tinsel halos Cardboard star Baby doll Baby blanket Notes This play about doing a play drives home the central message of this volume — that the trappings ...

3780. Here I Am, Send Me

Joel 2:28-32, Isaiah 6:1-13

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

In 1974, I gave my life to Christ and was baptized by Rev Robert W Core. In 1975, God and I started having a major conflict. And it soon became apparent that God wasn't happy with me and I certainly wasn't happy with God or my pastor. I knew, without a doubt, that they were in cahoots together. You see, one night before Administrative Board meeting where I was the Youth Representative, I went to ask Bob something but when I opened my mouth and started talking, what came out was "How do I become a preacher ...

3781. Being and Doing as the People of God

1 Peter 1:13-2:3

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

One of the most single television presentations during this decade, I believe, was the television series based on Alex Haley’s best-selling book, Roots. Millions of people read the book, and millions more saw the television drama. It was a moving presentation of a two-century epic of Kunta Kinte and the six generations who came after him. You will recall that Kunta Kinte was the great-great-great-great-great grandfather of Alex Haley, the author. If you did not read the book, you may have missed one of the ...

3782. Who Are We Waiting For?

Isaiah 40:1-31

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

How would an 11 year old talk about God? Often that which is humorous, trite, even irreverent will move us to deep insight — at least challenge us to more serious thinking. I hope such will be the case for you as it was for me when I read what an 11 year olds girl wrote about God had obviously been watching a lot of television, for she wrote: “God is like a Ford: He has a better idea. God is like a Coke: He’s the real thing. God is like Pan Am: He makes the going great. God is Bayer aspirin: He works ...

3783. When You Are Up And Out

Luke 19:1-10

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

It’s been said of Jesus that whenever he met a person, it was as if that person were an island around which Jesus sailed, until he found where the real problem was and there he landed. He did that with the woman at the well and landed on the question of marriage. “Go call your husband,” Jesus said to her. He did that with the rich young ruler and landed on the question of money. “Go sell all of your possessions and give them to the poor,” He said to that man. He did that with Zacchaeus and landed on the ...

3784. In Prayer’s Way

Luke 10:1-24

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Who is our newest parent here this morning? . . . How old is your baby? May I hold him/her? Let’s bow our heads and offer a prayer of blessing for this child . . . This little baby is embarking on a journey. And it’s an awesome journey to be a part of. All new parents here - is there anything as exciting as watching your baby go from a snuggly little lump you cradle in your arms to a roller, then a crawler, then a “cruiser,” and finally a walker? Babies seem absolutely driven to get on their feet. No ...

3785. A Man Named Useful

Philemon 1:8-25

Sermon

King Duncan

It is always interesting to get a glimpse into the world of the Bible. When we do, we realize very quickly that these were men and women were very much like ourselves, but they lived in a culture quite different from our own. For one thing, biblical people lived in a society that condoned the owning of slaves. Of course, the same thing could be said of our own society up until 150 years ago. And, as in our own nation, to be a runaway slave was a serious event. Today’s scripture centers on one such slave, a ...

3786. Wedding Bell Blues

John 2:1-11

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

I think marriage is one of the most beautiful gifts God ever gave humanity. I don't say that simply because I'm married to the most beautiful and loving woman in the world. I say that as a pastor who has had the privilege of joining together countless couples. And watching their relationship blossom and grow into a thing of beauty. Now true there are rough moments in marriage. Every day is breakfast in bed or a honeymoon. Take for example the story I just heard about the woman at the airport check-in ...

3787. A Wonderful Mother (In-Law)

Ruth 1:1-18

Sermon

David E. Leininger

You have heard the classic definition of mixed emotions: watching your mother-in-law drive off a cliff in your new Rolls Royce. One preacher exhorted his congregation at offering time to "give as if you're giving to send your mother-in-law back home." It is an old problem. Even in ancient Rome, the writer, Juvenal, said, "Domestic concord is impossible as long as the mother-in-law lives." Well, none of that is really fair. There are lots of genuinely terrific mothers-in-law. The mother-in-law who has our ...

3788. A Plea from The Heart

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Sermon

Gibson “Nibs” Stroupe

After Paul's lofty rhetoric on reconciliation that closes out chapter 5, he now returns to his struggles with the Corinthians. From inspiring and lyrical sentences in chapter 5 such as, "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new," Paul shifts back to the earthbound and ordinary struggles with the Corinthians. He once again asks them to come around, to recognize him and his authority, and most of all, to respond to the gospel of Jesus ...

3789. How Can I Know God's Will?

Acts 1:12-26

Sermon

King Duncan

Wesley D. Tracy tells about a woman whom he calls Kate Dowd. That is not her real name, but she is a real person. Kate, a dedicated wife and mother, volunteered at her church, helped with Cub Scouts, tatted lace, and knitted scarves. Then she discovered something that was more exciting than all the rest of her activities combined riverboat gambling. Almost immediately her life was completely changed and not for the better. Kate would cross the river daily to Illinois and board either the Alton Belle or the ...

3790. Coffee Shop Christmas Eve

Luke 2:1-7

Drama

Julia Ross Strope

Characters Rebecca Lucy Sarah Gail Jeff Grandma Lee Robert Max Curt Ryan Jeanne Carolers (choir members) Props Three small bistro tables Chairs Three candles (one on each table, one for everyone in the congregation) Coffee cups Manger with puppet animals and doll Shopping bag Loaf of bread Christmas Tree Theme A holiday evening is both tiring and inspiring. Children and adults express real interests while aware that Christians around them are telling an ancient story of angelic messages, pregnant women, ...

3791. When We Feel Lost

Luke 15:11-32

Sermon

King Duncan

A certain aged Catholic priest had become deaf. So members of his parish would write out their sins on a piece of paper before going to confession. One day, a parishioner slipped a piece of paper to the priest which read, “Two loaves of bread, a gallon of milk, a box of detergent and a pound of bananas.” The puzzled priest scanned the note, then passed it back to the parishioner. The parishioner looked at the note, then exclaimed with horror, “Oh, no! I’ve left my sins at the grocery store.” Well, where ...

3792. The Narrow Door

Luke 13:22-30

Sermon

King Duncan

Some of you remember George Foreman. Foreman is a two-time former heavyweight boxing champion of the world. He is also an Olympic gold medalist, ordained Baptist minister, author and entrepreneur. Foreman is a colorful character who is probably better known today for his George Foreman Grill. When he won his second heavyweight world championship, at age 45, he became the oldest man in the world to win the heavyweight title. It’s quite a remarkable story. In his book, God in My Corner, he tells about that ...

3793. For Troubled Hearts

John 14:1-4

Sermon

King Duncan

There is a silly story about a couple who were on their honeymoon. They are staying at the Watergate Hotel, made famous by White House shenanigans during the Nixon Administration. Remembering what happened in that dark time, the new bride was concerned and asked, “What if the place is still bugged?” The groom said, “Hmm . . . Good point. I’ll look for a bug.” He looked behind the drapes, behind the pictures, under the rug. “AHA!” he shouted! Sure enough, under the rug was a small disc shaped plate, with ...

3794. Ignite: Man on Fire

Acts 9:1-19a

Sermon

James Merritt

You hear a lot of people say a lot of times, “Nothing surprises me anymore!” Just about the time I believe nothing surprises me anymore, something surprises me. In fact, it didn’t just surprise me, but frankly shocked, amazed, and astounded me. There is a website called, “Top-10-list.org” I went to it to see what they said would be the top ten most important events in history. As I put these up on the screen you might want to in your mind jot down as many as you can think of. I want you listen to not only ...

3795. Do You Believe In Miracles?

Matthew 15:29-39

Sermon

James Merritt

It is not only one of the most famous broadcasting calls in sports history, it is probably the only one that asked a theological question and for sure the only one that gave the correct theological answer, “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” To be honest, that unbelievable upset of the United States beating Russia for the Gold Medal in Hockey in 1980 was as close to a miracle in the sports world as you might ever get. But it really wasn’t a miracle. Anybody that knows anything about sports knows that ...

3796. Why Christmas Is So Dangerous

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

There is no doubt about it, Christmas is a dangerous time of year. You ever tried negotiating a mall parking lot between Black Friday and Christmas Eve? You know one level of danger. You ever tried to gather together a fractious, far-flung family into one Christmas moment? You know another level of danger. You ever tried buying a toy for the kids or grandkids, a toy where levers don’t break off, where there are no hidden, choky bits, where glitches galore don’t make the toy “unsafe?” You know another whole ...

3797. A Voice Calls in the Wilderness

Luke 3:1-20

Sermon

King Duncan

I guess everyone has his or her own concept of what is important in life. There’s a tombstone in Wisconsin that leaves no doubt about the priority of the person who lies in that particular grave. Under a certain man’s name and the dates of his birth and death is carved this inscription: “Bowled 300 in 1982.” Well, that was what was important to this man. He once bowled 300 and he wanted the world to know it. Some of you bowlers can relate to that. A woman was taking her time browsing through a yard sale. ...

3798. A Failure of Leadership

Num 20:14-29

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: Leaders’ plans fail and leaders die, but God’s work goes on. Understanding the Text Three things form obstacles to the goal of progress toward the promised land in Numbers 20: death, rebellion, and opposition. Numbers 20:1–13 shows that not only are there still voices of discontent and rebellion against Moses and Aaron, but also that Moses and Aaron themselves are not immune to falling into sin. As a result of their sin, they are told that neither of them will live to enter the land of promise. ...

3799. Called to Bigness

Isaiah 58:1-12, Matthew 5:13-20

Sermon

James L. Killen

Lots of Christians think of Judaism as a worn-out, rigid old religion that needs to be replaced. Apparently Jesus didn't think that way. When Jesus gave the teachings that are parts of the Sermon on the Mount, he was speaking as a Jew to Jews. He apparently thought of himself as part of a vital religious tradition through which God had been at work for centuries and through which God was just about to do something new and even greater. When Jesus spoke of fulfilling the law and the prophets, he was calling ...

3800. While You Wait

Mark 1:1-8

Sermon

Charley Reeb

I don’t know anyone who likes to wait. Whether it is waiting in line, waiting on a package to be delivered, or waiting for a prayer to be answered, waiting is not something we usually enjoy. What we sometimes forget is that there is a great deal of wisdom in waiting. This is why Advent is so important. Advent is a good time to learn about waiting because this season is all about waiting well. For the next few weeks we sit on the edge of our seats waiting for God to come to us in Christ and transform our ...

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