Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 3776 to 3800 of 4963 results

3776. Luke 24:1-12

Luke 24:1-12

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... women were close associates, had traveled with Jesus in Galilee, had personally heard his words, and had been present at his crucifixion and initial burial. Despite this pedigree, however, the women’s testimony is dismissed out of hand by the remaining “eleven” disciples. The women’s words are considered nothing more than an “idle tale,” or “nonsense.” The Greek “teros” is the root word for the English “delirious” — an out-of-one’s head ranting and raving. The only exception to ...

3777. What Matters In the Light of Eternity: “Church Matters”

Acts 20:13-38

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... the way we work, the way we live, and the way we treat other people. The Lord and I had an argument not long ago. I wanted to know why He would cut my ministry short when He had introduced so many ideas into the life of this church that remain in their infancy. Here was His reply. “If you lived to be seventy, you would have more unfinished business than you have at sixty-three. Besides, the rise and fall of these ministries are not dependent upon you. So sweep out your self-pity and check your ego at the ...

3778. Conflict Resolution (Series: Fundamentals of Family)

Colossians 3:1-17

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have left undone those things we ought to have done and we have done those things we ought not to have done. Seventy percent of the conflicts that were there at the start of your relationship will remain in place until the end. So, we must know the difference between conflicts which scratch the skin and those which scour the soul. We need to keep our expectations within reason. III. Be Forgiving Bear with one another and forgive whatever grievances you may have ...

3779. Valley of Suffering (Series: Peace in the Valley)

Isaiah 52:13--53:12

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... s what God did. His compassion is total, absolute, unconditional, and without reservation. Wherever Jesus encountered suffering he was “moved with compassion.” Translated literally that phrase means “Jesus felt it in the gut.” At Golgotha, the place of the Skull, where human remains were scattered on the ground, He was crucified. Can a church be Christian that shuns the Cross? The Catholics say in the creed, “He descended to hell.” I think they may be right, at least I’ve found Him present in ...

3780. What Matters In the Light of Eternity: “Life Matters”

Luke 9:18-27

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... I am going to die? If God is real, why can’t I see him? Life is a quest for answers, answers to problems, answers to diseases, answers to life itself. But in spite of our scientific savvy and technological advancements and communication miracles, the questions remain and even expand. So, gradually life has taught me to live the questions, instead of seeking the answers. And here’s how I do it. By faith – faith is a substance of things to hope for and evidence of things not seen. Some faith is easy ...

3781. Discover The Joy Of Christmas

Luke 2:8-20

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... ; but coming in the form of a baby; now that was new. That meant they had to clean out all those old perceptions of God. They had to rethink their beliefs and most of us don't like to do that. We get spiritually lazy and want things to remain the same but they don't. They never have and they never will, especially when it comes to God's revelation of Himself. God continues to break in upon us in unexpected and exciting ways, through unexpected people in unexpected places. It's when God breaks in, it's ...

3782. Discover the Meaning of Christmas

Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... . She took the two kids with her and walked back to store where she told the store manager that that they had an extra Jesus. He tried to tell her the same thing Dad had said but again Mom insisted and the manager agreed to post a sign with the remaining boxes which read: "If you're missing Baby Jesus, call 7126." All week long Mom kind of hovered around the phone. Every time it rang she'd get an excited look on her face. It was obvious, she wanted to give that Baby Jesus to right person. Someone who's ...

3783. Dare To DV8

Romans 12:1-8

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... and more beautiful than the one before. When Antonio died, he left over 1500 violins, each one bearing a label that said "Antonio Stradivarius." Today they are the most sought after violins in all the world. The clarity of tone and careful craftsmanship remain untouched by the centuries. Antonio Stradivarius could neither sing nor play, but he did what he could, and now, over 300 years later, his violins are still making beautiful music. (1) The world around him told him he couldn't make music because ...

3784. Getting Real

Genesis 22:1-14

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... 's the problem. Isaac was not only Abraham's pride and joy, Abraham had begun letting his love for Isaac push his love for God out of the center of his life. And if God was going to raise up a great nation through Abraham, then God had to remain the central focus in Abraham's life. And that was the test on the Mountain. 2. Another interesting thing is that, according to Scripture, Abraham didn't even seem to flinch when God told him to sacrifice his only son. One of the reasons is that at that particular ...

3785. When We Get Where We’re Going, Where Will We Be? (Series: Real Faith for Real People)

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... for all people. “They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they study war any more.” What seems impractical now will become a possibility over there. “And now these three remain, faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love.” Sometimes I get anxious for God’s kingdom to come. Patience has never been one of my virtues. There are times when I find myself singing in the night: This world is not ...

3786. Could We Start Again, Please? (Series: Real Faith for Real People)

John 3:1-21

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... competitive toddler was hugging her daddy and at the same time sticking out her tongue toward her twin brother. But you know how parents are; they have eyes in the back of their heads. When the dad caught on, he called a halt to the whole thing. The truth remains, “We cannot hug our heavenly Father and stick out our tongues at our brothers and sisters, whoever our brothers and sisters might be. God so loved the world. Not part of the world, but all of the world. God did not love the world just some of the ...

3787. Winning the War Over Stuff (Series: Winning The War Over Daily Life)

Luke 12:13-21

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... the daily paper, over in the back next to the want ads. If we are lucky a few people might get together for a memorial service. Then some minister reminding folks we are nothing more than dust will throw our ashes to the wind or give our remains to the worms, saying, “Dust to dust and ashes to ashes.” Walking away from that committal service somebody will think if not actually ask, “I wonder how much ol’ John left?” The answer to that question is simple; ol’ John left it all, that’s how much ...

3788. Am I In Shape Spiritually? (Series: Real Faith for Real People)

1 Timothy 4:1-16

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... like airplanes are everywhere. But if you want to board one, it is a pretty good idea to get to an airport. Likewise, God is everywhere - in the air we breathe, in the stars we see on moonlit nights, in the depths of our very being. But the fact remains, if you want to meet God, get acquainted with him, express your love for him, find the will of God, you probably need to show up at worship. Even on holiday weekends, I kind of feel sorry for the folks who choose lake water over baptismal water, golf over ...

3789. Rethinking Our Riches (Series: Questioning Our Values)

Luke 6:17-26

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... up a tree, out on a limb, trying to catch a glimpse of the Lord coming by. Before Zacchaeus laid eyes on Jesus, Jesus saw him. Jesus invites himself to lunch at old Zach’s house. The content of their conversation over that fish sandwich remains confidential to this day. Results of that encounter we see right away. Zacchaeus emerges to make a four-fold retribution for all he’s overcharged from business and he announces that his philanthropy, which will amount to one-half his assets, will be invested for ...

3790. Winning the War Over Worry (Series: Winning The War Over Daily Life)

Luke 12:22-34

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... . I know that’s hard to swallow. We are used to getting things done. If it’s broke, fix it. If it’s old, replace it. If it’s needed, do it. I like action-packed doers of the Word. That’s what I love about this church. Yet there remain illnesses that won’t heal, problems that can’t be solved and people who won’t shape up. That’s frustrating! When I have no where to go, I am comforted by the prayer Reinhold Niebuhr taught us to pray: God, grant me the serenity To accept the things I ...

3791. The God Who Is, Who Was, and Who Is To Come

Revelation 1:4-8

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... was born. The God who is to come. Christ’s death and resurrection shows us the God “who is to come.” Easter Sunday gave us a sneak peek at the future. Jesus, who John calls in this week’s Revelation text “the firstborn of the dead,” remained faithful to the point of suffering death on the cross. God’s faithfulness brought Christ out of the grave and defeated death forever. The God “who is to come” does not have to continually die and be reborn, die and be reborn. The God “who is to ...

3792. The Real GPS: Gospel Positioning System

John 21:15-25

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... and extra food purchases wouldn’t raise suspicions. But in August of 1944 a tip from a still unknown source clued the Nazis into the Frank’s hiding place. They were arrested and deported to Auschwitz. Before the Nazis could return to confiscate any remaining items, Miep gathered up the Frank’s belongings from their hiding Annexe, including the diary of Otto Frank’s young daughter Anne. Miep locked it away, refusing to read it, and kept it as a custodian would for when the family would return. Of ...

3793. What Difference Does It Make?

John 14:15-21

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... to Jesus. III. It Makes a Difference to You A. It also makes a difference to you. There was a nature show on television about a black bear that gave birth to two cubs. One cub died right away. Three weeks later the mother died and the remaining cub was left to fend for itself. An orphaned cub in that condition is like a walking buffet for predators. And of course the camera immediately showed a hungry-looking mountain lion. One day the orphan cub encountered a giant male black bear. The little cub cowered ...

3794. The Short List

Micah 6:1-8

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... follow. They were good laws, though sometimes difficult to follow. One day his own mother broke one of the laws and was brought to the ruler after being caught. The penalty for breaking this particular law was twenty lashes. It put him into a quandary. How could the ruler remain just and be the ruler of the Kingdom and still fulfill the demands of his love for his mother? He thought and he prayed about it and then on the day of his mother's punishment, this ruler took the lashes on his own back. And in so ...

3795. Come To the Water

Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... came to the water, they were consciously surrendering the guilt of their sin, being cleansed by the water of baptism and rising clean, whole and set free to serve God in a new way. But Jesus didn't need that kind of baptism. He was and would remain sinless. John even tells Him, "I need to be baptized by you." Jesus gently reminds John that it's all part of the greater plan and purpose and it will fulfill all righteousness. Some early commentators suggest that the only reason Jesus submitted to Baptism was ...

3796. If, Because, Regardless

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... or not they use the "S" word and "F" word in the church. The "Regardless" Christians stay involved regardless of whether or not they are blessed because they know that God is faithful, no matter what. So they try to be like God and remain faithful, no matter what. The "Regardless" Christians give and participate and support and pray simply because they love God. They have experienced the unconditional love and faithfulness of God and want to share it with others. It doesn't make any difference whether life ...

3797. They Said 'Yes!'

Ephesians 1:11-23

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... us know the immeasurable greatness of God's power for us who believe." We learned all this from those who went before us. Those who lived their lives "to the praise of God's glory." Through their lives, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the faith has remained alive. Through their lives, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the faith was passed on to us. Through our lives, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the faith will be passed on to future generations. We are the saints of the future. To quote John Quincy Adams: "We ...

3798. A Gratitude Adjustment

Luke 17:11-19

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... was addressed to the Governor. The letter expressed condolences to those who had suffered loss, and offered assistance in the form of a lottery ticket. They apologized for sending the ticket without cashing it, and for not delivering it in person, but they wished to remain anonymous. The Governor found out that while the return address on the letter was bogus, the ticket was real. It was a ticket for the nationwide lottery held a month before. It wasn't just any ticket, it was the top prize ticket of 200 ...

3799. Love and Obey (Mother's Day)

John 14:15-31

Sermon

King Duncan

... brains at the door. We are not robots. Neither are we clueless children. A library aide wrote to Reader’s Digest some years ago to tell about a trip students in the elementary school where she teaches made to the symphony. Each class had been reminded to remain with their teacher at all times. After the house lights went down, one of the teachers quietly left her aisle seat and made her way to the ladies’ room. As she placed her hand on the door handle, she heard a noise from behind and turned around ...

3800. A Great Power Watching

John 14:21-29

Illustration

Billy D. Strayhorn

There was a nature show on television about a black bear that gave birth to two cubs. One cub died right away. Three weeks later the mother died and the remaining cub was left to fend for itself. An orphaned cub in that condition is like a walking buffet for predators. And of course the camera immediately showed a hungry-looking mountain lion. One day the orphan cub encountered a giant male black bear. The little cub cowered at the bear' ...

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