Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3801 to 3825 of 3926 results

3801. Beneath The Shadow Of The Cross

Mark 14:1--15:47

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... . Into this merriment in motion rode Jesus on the donkey colt. He smiled and waved, accepting the accolades with humbled honor and a knowing, bittersweet smile. Behind the smile, his eyes were full of the future. He knew the irony of this parade and this show of support. Jesus knew where it would all end. He knew because, while he saw the joy and the hope in the eyes of the people, he also saw the hatred in the eyes of his silent, sullen opponents. So beneath his smile was sorrow and compassion.ú When the ...

3802. For Men Only?

Mark 10:2-16

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

... year 311 BC a marriage contract in Egypt was drawn up for Heraclides and Demetria, both from the town of Koan. The contract specified that the bride was bringing into the marriage clothing and bling worth a thousand drachmas. Heraclides, meanwhile, agreed to support Demetria according to what was fitting for a freeborn woman. As to where the two of them would live, that would be whatever they both agreed to after consulting with each other. This marriage, like some that we read about, also had prenuptial ...

3803. In the Wilderness of Temptation

Mark 1:9-15

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... were physical, mental and spiritual. Through the temptations, Jesus had first hand experience of what our lives are like and the temptations we face. For me, it is comforting to know that someone has been through the same thing we're going through. That's what support groups are all about. There is real solidarity and strength when you find out that others have the same problems as you. You don't feel so cut off and alone. You are strengthened for the long haul. You are encouraged by those who have gone ...

3804. A New Identity for a New Year

John 1:(1-9), 10-18

Sermon

King Duncan

... of its creation. (3) I admire Natalie Hampton’s intellect and her sense of mission. Her app is a great re-creation of the family of God. As a child of God, you have a place at the table. You have a new family who is waiting to love and support you. And you have a new relationship with God. You can know God’s character and purposes in a more intimate way and that makes it easier to reach out to others who also have a need to connect with God’s family. Every Christmas, a young woman named Jackie ...

3805. By D Grace of God

Luke 6:27-38

Sermon

King Duncan

... for us.” So, the only option we have if we are followers of Jesus is to love others—all others—with the same unconditional, sacrificial love. George Wallace served as governor of Alabama from 1962-1987. In that time, he was known for his support of racist “Jim Crow” laws and his opposition to integration and equality for Black citizens. In 1972, George Wallace was shot and paralyzed in a failed assassination attempt. He was taken by surprise when he received a visit in the hospital from Shirley ...

3806. One More Year

Luke 13:1-9

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

... some fertilizer? I love the possibility and the potential that can come when we blend accountability with grace. Another key factor of Christian community is the quality of our relationships with one another. Our call is to be loving and forgiving, to be mutually supportive and to create safe space for everyone. In this “sanctuary” people should be safe in their spirit so that they can explore their faith in God. They should also feel safe in their hearts. That is, free from gossip and negative talk. In ...

3807. The Glow

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... of these provide us with true, lasting happiness. None of these make us glow. We glow when our hearts are engaged with God and another. We bask in God’s love, and we find joy in the love we give and share with others. When we love someone, and person supports us, lifts us up, and bathes us in love, we glow in the light of their heart-hug. It’s the same when we get close to God. You can see visually someone who has been “bathed” in the light of God’s love. That person shines with light, love ...

3808. Nobody’s Too Good To Repent

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Sermon

Mark Ellingsen

... deep enough, and see all the goodies I get out of them. This selfishness infecting our outwardly good deeds means that what we do is not done in self-giving agape love. And that is what makes all we do sin. Research on the human brain supports this understanding. When you do good or practice spirituality your brain is flooded with a pleasurable brain chemical, dopamine, which has properties of amphetamines.[3] In fact, love and prayer feel good. On this side of the fall into sin, our prayers and caring for ...

3809. Why The Resurrection Makes Sense

1 Corinthians 15:19-26

Sermon

Mark Ellingsen

... right in line with scientific methods of verification. Scientific theories can be disproved. Well, it’s the same with Jesus’ resurrection. No, we don’t have to prove he rose in the hard sense of proof, just like no hard proof has been given to support the existence of atoms or evolution. But just as data could in principle disprove these theories, so if the bones of Jesus were found (they have not been), or if it were demonstrated that Christianity does not help its adherents cope, then the conclusion ...

3810. Jesus Meets Our Needs

John 2:1-11

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

... hurt so badly, pastor. I feel so at a loss.” I struggle to counsel her. Words seem so empty. The platitudes and phrases meaningless. The only hope I have…her only hope is to put her faith in Christ. With his help she could find the right grief support program…friends who could listen…people who cared…words from God found in the Bible that would instill a trust and faith…a loving congregation who would surround her and not let her fall or be lonely. Jesus leads us to God who gives us eternity’s ...

3811. Jesus In Ministry — Us In Ministry

Luke 4:14-21

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

... of saved sailors soared as the lifesaving station gained in status because of the dramatic rescues. As the reputation increased more people wanted to be a part of the life-saving experience. The few volunteers became many. People poured in resources and support to make changes in the station. The crude hut became a beautiful building replete with the most comfortable and luxurious furnishings. A gradual shift of emphasis occurred. The immediacy of saving lives was downplayed as the station took on more of a ...

3812. Provoked

Luke 4:21-30

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... here after all we’ve done? Did he just imply that we aren’t worthy of God’s blessings….and others are? We’re not good enough for him? We’re not worthy enough for God? What an ungrateful, arrogant comment. And to think we were praising him and supporting him all this time! Who does he think he is anyway! He’s one of us, and he’s betrayed his own people. After the shock came the anger. Loud voices. Shouting. Pushing. This isn’t disapproval. This is anger. A LOT of anger. A lot of rage ...

3813. Rejecting The Message — Rejecting The Person

Luke 4:21-30

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

... community. A Blessing Box: A wooden shelving unit where we put non-perishable items so that the homeless or those needing food can take freely. Volunteering at local community ministries: A Soup Pot that feeds the hungry two days a week. Support of local pregnancy agencies. An organization that strives to help those around the world earn a fare wage. Organizations that give away clothing. A local group that works with small farmers and sustainable food organizations. There are reading programs at local ...

3814. When What You Signed Up For...

Acts 16:9-15

Sermon

King Duncan

... turned every part of his life over to God. He even asked God to take away his love of police work. Over the next few months, he met with friends, a counselor, a college registrar, as well as his extended family. They all provided guidance and support for Roger’s new calling. None of this was easy or quick. Roger and his wife and their children moved to a distant city so he could attend seminary. Since graduating with his ministry degree, Roger has served in four different churches in different states. And ...

3815. The Lonely Prophet

1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a

Sermon

King Duncan

... .” Shoji meant that literally. He will do nothing for you. Shoji doesn’t give advice. He doesn’t offer a shoulder to cry on. He simply hires himself out for 10,000 yen, or about $96, to show up and listen to people who want support or a chance to vent their feelings. Since he began his business, he has had an endless stream of grateful clients. Shoji has accompanied folks to an appointment to sign divorce papers. During the pandemic, he has listened to exhausted healthcare workers detail the stresses ...

3816. Selling the Cross

Luke 9:51-62

Sermon

King Duncan

... to the States, he couldn’t get over her courage, and what her love for Jesus had cost her. Over the next three years as Bob Pierce traveled the poorest parts of the world on preaching missions, he was also collecting the support to begin a new mission organization. Today, World Vision is a “global Christian humanitarian organization” that provides food, education, health care and disaster relief to millions of people around the world. Bob Pierce’s experience with White Jade and Tena Holkeboer helped ...

3817. Your Ordination

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Sermon

Will Willimon

... the making of ''priests'' in the world and became only a rite of initiation into the church. This all led many to the unfortunate conclusion that pastors, those who are ordained, are the real ministers of the church and the laity are there just to undergird and support the work of the clergy. And this is wrong. Today's gospel is the baptism of Jesus. When Jesus was baptized, says Luke, a dove descends and there is a voice proclaiming Jesus as the beloved Son of God. Right after this event, Jesus begins his ...

3818. Outrageous Parties

Luke 15:1-10

Sermon

Will Willimon

... that lasted all night. It was absolutely wonderful. I didn't know that one of the major products of Honduras is rum." It was at that moment that I remembered where I had first met George. When I was a graduate school student at Emory, I supported myself by serving two nasty little rural churches on weekends, many miles, and at least two centuries, from Atlanta. It was difficult. Here I was, freshly graduated from Yale Divinity School, finding myself in the wilds of rural Georgia. When I arrived at one of ...

3819. Acres of Diamonds

1 Timothy 6:10

Sermon

Russell Conwell

... the faces of people who think just that way. I heard a man once say in a prayer-meeting that he was thankful that he was one of God's poor, and then I silently wondered what his wife would say to that speech, as she took in washing to support the man while he sat and smoked on the veranda. I don't want to see any more of that kind of God's poor. Now, when a man could have been rich just as well, and he is now weak because he is poor, he has done some great ...

3820. Good Luck?

Psalm 23:1-6

Sermon

Will Willimon

... we noted that in nearly every Australian city, the largest building project was a massive casino. Lotteries are huge here. Despite the ridiculous odds against anyone winning a lottery, millions play them, all hoping for the chance to get something for nothing. Teachers support lotteries as a way to finance schools, though only a tiny portion of the money goes for any good. Isn't it curious to find modern people, who love to think of ourselves as so sophisticated and critical, being so superstitious? Paschal ...

3821. Constant Companion

John 14:23-29

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... the pandemic and its associated lethality,” it’s not enough for us to pay attention to our emotional reactions or our physical maladies, but “it is time we address our souls.”[7] In fact, we know that those who feel spiritually supported, experience spiritual wellness, feel connected to God or a “higher power” do not feel as alone. A recent book written by Dr. Lisa Miller in fact called “The Awakened Brain” suggests that spirituality combats depression.[8] She notes that spiritual connection ...

3822. Three In One

John 16:12-15

Sermon

Dave Zuchelli

... covenant relationship. It is quite obvious that the relationship among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is an extremely close one. While they seem to have different functions, they rely heavily upon one another. They are interdependent in their actions as they support one another’s roles. While the Trinity is in covenant relationship with each other, the Lord is also in covenant relationship with us. Beginning in the book of Genesis, we see God entering into covenants with his people. Because of that, we ...

3823. You Can't Handle It!

John 16:12-15

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... he knows what is to come. They are afraid, they are in mourning, they are sad, they are already floundering, hiding, and avoiding the authorities. But they will know soon enough, as the Holy Spirit has given them strength, power, identity, and support in their Day of Pentecost. Were they feeling impatient? Probably. Frightened? Undoubtedly. Restless. Maybe. Probably. Certainly! Let’s face it. None of us like swimming in that place between question and answer. We hate dwelling in the grey. We like our ...

3824. More Than a Popularity Contest

Luke 12:49-53, Luke 12:54-59

Sermon

King Duncan

... from his family and friends. Franklin McCallie was raised in a prominent, wealthy family in Chattanooga, Tennessee. One of Chattanooga’s most prestigious private schools is named after his family. Franklin was born around 1940. His family were staunch supporters of segregation. Franklin’s only contact with Black people were with his nanny and the Black men who served as his family’s household staff. Even though they were Christians, the McCallie family had for generations assumed that separation ...

3825. A VIP Seat

Luke 14:1-14

Sermon

King Duncan

... breaking the cycle of fear and comparative anxiety in life. Rob Willer, a sociologist at Stanford University, led a research study to test whether competition or cooperation raised a person’s status. He created a game in which players could choose to support one another or compete against one another. The results of this study showed that, “The group members who were most generous also enjoyed the highest status in the group, as measured by their reputation within it and their ability to influence its ...

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