Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3851 to 3875 of 4977 results

3851. Theology 101

Psalm 111:1-10

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... we debate whether we want change or not, the reality is change is constant. At issue is not whether we want change, but what kind of change it will be. Just look in the mirror. We cannot stop life where we want it and build a wall around it to keep it that way. Botox is temporary. The covenant that God has commanded forever is that God is with us, redeeming us, renewing the earth, re-creating Creation. When we live in the fear that we’ll settle for less than what God wants for us, we hear the Psalmist ...

3852. I'm a Leper, You're a Leper

Mark 1:40-45

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... disciples had met were locked, for fear of the Jews.” Wait a minute! What’s wrong here? The disciples ARE Jews. The disciples are afraid of their own people. They are afraid of their own identity. They are afraid of themselves. They want to isolate and keep out that which is a part of them. In effect, they make themselves both the leper, and the community that rejects the leper. Within each of us are the germs of our own form of “leprosy”, our weaknesses, our pet hatreds, our obsessions, our fears ...

3853. Hurts Can Heal

2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... in some area of your life this morning. Life hurts. The promise of Transfiguration Sunday is that those hurts can heal, that God can turn the pain of life into healing salve, and that those very pains can be signs that your salvation is nigh. Light blinds, not to keep us in the dark, but to help us get used to the new light. What are your hurts this morning that are signs that new life, new blood, is flowing back into your soul? Just before Johnny Cash died, he brought back a Nine-Inch Nails song and made ...

3854. The Miracle Fruit

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... service, so much the better. Check out www.miraclefruitplus.com] But the “miracle” about this “miracle fruit” is not what it tastes like. The miracle is what it makes everything else taste like. Hold the berry in your mouth for thirty seconds, chew it up but keep it on your tongue, and feel a kind of tingle. After swallowing the berry take a big bite of a lemon or lime or grapefruit. Instead of sour, those fruits taste incredibly sweet. For about an hour, which is about how long miraculin lasts, you ...

3855. Easter Day

Isaiah 25:1-12, Mark 16:1-20, 1 Corinthians 15:12-34, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-9

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... ? (16:3-4; Psalm 118:24). Need: The Easter women's biggest problem was the removal of the stone at the entrance to the tomb that would enable them to minister to Jesus' body. The text does not say who rolled it away hardly the soldiers who were ordered to keep the tomb sealed, hardly the religious leaders who were afraid Jesus' body would be stolen, hardly the disciples who were nowhere to be found. Paul says God raised Jesus for our justification. This has a practical application to our lives: What rock is ...

3856. It's Not a Snuggie Love

Mark 15:1-15, Mark 11:1-11

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... , cross-over Christian should be actively involved in the “double-cross.” The cross of Christ consists of two beams. There is the vertical beam — planted deep in the earth and pointing straight up to heaven. A heaven-and-earth connection is needed to keep cross-love upright and strong. But there is also the horizontal beam, the portion of the cross Jesus, and Simon, were forced to carry themselves. Like arms extended before an embrace, the horizontal beam of the cross reaches out to others, across the ...

3857. Easter 7

Acts 1:12-26, 1 John 5:1-12, John 17:6-19

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... a problem and a challenge. How can we be in the world and not be of the world? James, in his letter, speaks of true religion as keeping oneself unspotted from the world. A Christian is to be like it was said of a Yankee in the South: "For years he lived among us, but ... might be one. Outline: In this prayer we have – a. Jesus' desire "that they may be one." b. The key to attaining unity "keep them in thy name." c. An example to follow "as we are one." 3. The world and the Christian (17:14-18). Need: ...

3858. Easter 6

Acts 10:23b-48, 1 John 4:1-6, John 15:1-17, 1 John 5:1-12

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... we are his friends, Jesus shares all. By his choice we are his friends. One privilege of this friendship is having prayers answered. If we are disciples and true friends of Jesus, we will love as he loved us. THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS Gospel: John 15:9-17 1. If you keep my commandments (v. 10). Again, Jesus says, "You are friends if you do what I command you." (v. 14) Does this mean that Christ will love us only when we are good and obedient? If so, do we have to earn Christ's love by good behavior? Other ...

3859. Lent 3

Exodus 20:1-21, 1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5, John 2:12-25

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... the matter. It is an absolute. To disobey it brings judgment. To obey it pleases God. Need: You shall obey God's commands. a. Not to obey is the sin of omission. b. To do other than what is commanded is the sin of commission. c. To obey is to keep in covenant with God. Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 1. What Christians do (1:23). Need: How is this text related to today's theme of God's law and its disobedience as found in the gospel? The result of disobedience is judgment. Disobedience is sin, and sin means ...

3860. Epiphany 5

Isaiah 40:1-31, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27, Mark 1:29-34, Mark 1:35-39

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... 1:29-39 1. The comprehensiveness of Christ (1:29-39). Need: "Christ for the world we sing" is the theme of this sermon. He is for every person of every nation and race. This sermon is needed to overcome our sense of having a monopoly on Jesus and keeping him to ourselves. Also, this sermon is needed to motivate people to engage in evangelism and missions. Outline: Christ is as wide as the world, for – a. He heals all diseases v. 32. b. He preaches to all cities v. 38. c. He is sought by everyone v. 37 ...

3861. Epiphany 6

2 Kings 5:1-27, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27, Mark 1:40-45

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... need of self-control, self-discipline and the goal of Christian living. 2. Self-control (v. 25). An athlete must have self-control to win. A football player is out of control if he runs with the ball toward the wrong goalposts. Self-control calls for keeping the rules of the game. Lack of self control is poor sportsmanship. Self-control for the Christian is not a human achievement, but is a gift of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). 3. Subdue (v. 27). This is another word for self-discipline. Without self ...

3862. Epiphany 8

Mark 2:18-22, 2 Corinthians 2:12--3:6, Psalm 103:1-22, Hosea 2:2-23

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... past is slowly dying. The new covenant, the new wine of Christ, cannot be confined nor restricted in outmoded, worn-out forms and methods. This sermon is to answer the need in a church for progressive, forward-looking, adaptable programs to meet a changing world. Outline: To keep a church alive in the present age – a. Speak a new language a language of today. b. Try new methods. c. Attempt new projects. Old Testament: Hosea 2:14-16 (17-18) 19-20 1. God's second marriage (2:14-20). Need: Even God suggests ...

3863. Proper 17

James 1:19-27, Song of Songs 2:1-17, Mark 7:1-23

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... clean from the world. Gospel: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 In this pericope Jesus comes into conflict with the scribes and Pharisees over the law and the tradition. To keep from breaking the law, the scribes announced detailed laws and interpretations. The body of these scribal pronouncements was known as the "oral law" or the tradition of the elders. Later the oral law was put into writing and is known as the Talmud. Jesus distinguishes between the law of God ...

3864. An Easter Heart

John 20:1-9

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... you functioning from a stone cold heart? I want to close this Easter morning with the earliest extant record of prayer in the Jewish-Christian tradition. It’s this Priestly Benediction found in Numbers 6:24-26: Here it is in its original form: “May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord cause his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and grant you peace.” Here it is in its form altered by Easter Sunday: “May the Lord bless you and ...

3865. Proper 23

Job 23:1--24:25, Hebrews 4:1-13, Hebrews 4:14-5:10, Mark 10:17-31

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... promise of rest in God by entering the promised land of heaven. If God's people today are faithful and obedient, they will enter God's rest, a sabbath rest from the labors of life. Gospel: Mark 10:17-31 The lection deals with the power of wealth to keep one from entering God's kingdom and thereby inheriting eternal life. (v. 25) On the other hand, if wealth is secondary to Jesus, a rich man can enter the kingdom. (v. 27) The occasion for this teaching is a man (rich young ruler) who asks Jesus how he can ...

3866. Proper 6

2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2, Mark 4:30-34, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, Mark 4:26-29, 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... for a political leader. It is not the leader the people want but what leader does God want for his people? Samuel was faced with the same question: who shall succeed Saul? Outline: God wants a leader who – a. Has a good heart v. 7. b. Is obedient: David was keeping his father's sheep v. 11. c. Is attractive v. 12. d. Possesses the Holy Spirit v. 13. Epistle: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13), 14-17 1. Walking in the dark (5:7) "For we walk by faith, not by sight." Need: Since Jesus has ascended, we walk ...

3867. Proper 9

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Mark 6:1-6, Mark 6:7-13, 2 Samuel 5:6-16

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... , he can, too. This passage is part of his boasting. Paul claims he, too, has had an abundance of revelations, but to keep him humble God gave him a thorn in the flesh. Repeatedly he prayed to have it removed, but God assured him his ... . One person's guess is as good as another's because Paul does not tell us what it was. There was a reason for the thorn to keep Paul humble. He had so many "third heaven" experiences that he could have been intolerably proud. Do we ever consider the thorn (cross) we have as a ...

3868. A Shepherd's Love

John 10:1-21

Sermon

King Duncan

... have to present a credit card? The list of possible uses grows longer with each passing day. Soon we will see signs, “Big Brother is watching.” Here’s what’s amusing to me. There are people who have no difficulty believing that one day the government will keep track of us all, but who cannot conceive that an all-knowing God can take a personal interest in each of His children, hear each of our prayers, and be responsive to each of our individual needs. Friends, we’re sheep! No matter how far our ...

3869. A Mother's Love

John 15:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

... in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for child care, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby’s sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of her discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right. “I want my daughter to know that everyday decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy’s desire to go to the men’s room rather than the women’s at McDonald ...

3870. Proper 16

1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11), 22-30, 41-43, Psalm 84:1-12, John 6:56-69, Ephesians 6:10-20

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... . People: And also with you. Leader: Come to Christ whose words are words of eternal life. People: We have faith knowing that Jesus is the Holy One of God. INVOCATION In this house of prayer, O God, we invoke your name. There is no one like you who keeps covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart. Not only have you lived on earth in Christ, but by the Spirit live in our hearts. Regard our prayers in the name of Jesus. Amen PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of the promise ...

3871. Proper 26

Mark 12:28-34, Psalm 146:1-10, Ruth 1:1-22, Hebrews 9:11-28

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... DEDICATION Lord, save us from hypocrisy, not serving you with these offerings only, and ourselves with what remains in our keeping. Help us to use all our energies and all our means to serve you and our neighbors as ourselves: through Jesus Christ ... our Lord. Amen PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND COMMEMORATION Covenant God, you keep faith forever. May we honor your great commandments as did Jesus of Nazareth and confess before the unbelieving that we are ...

3872. First Sunday in Lent

Genesis 9:1-17, Psalm 25:1-22, Mark 1:9-15, 1 Peter 3:8-22

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... us to you. We rejoice that he is at your right hand, being raised to high honor, after receiving the submission of angelic authorities and powers. May all living things praise you. May all persons worship and obey you. May all parties who covenant with you keep their faith, or renew their promises, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen PRAYER OF DEDICATION Holy God, we are unworthy to stand before you except by the grace of our baptism. Sanctify our gifts by the Spirit that they may be worthy of your use in ...

3873. Christmas Eve and Day

Psalm 96:1-13, Isaiah 9:1-7, Luke 2:1-14, (15-20), Titus 2:1-15

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... and their playfulness. Bring them safely through injury and illness, so they may live the promises you give. Do not let us be so preoccupied with our work that we fail to hear their voices, or pay attention to them and their special vision of truth; but keep us with them, ready to listen and to love, even as in Jesus Christ you have loved us, your grown-up, sometimes wayward children. First Creator: by your love we are given children through the miracle of birth. May we greet each new child with joy and ...

3874. Lent 3

Exodus 20:1-21, Psalm 19:1-14, John 2:13-22, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... the secret sins that have escaped our own attention. Pastor: Friends, believe the good news! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Be enlightened by all that God commands. Your spirit will be revived by God’s law and you will find reward in the keeping of the commandments. PRAYER OF THE DAY Let our zeal for your house, Lord Jesus, be exceeded only by our desire to be pure in heart and thus enabled to see you in your ultimate glory. Amen PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING God of wisdom, we praise your ...

3875. Nobody Is Too Big to Fail. Nobody Is Too Small to Prevail.

Mark 6:1-6

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... on. Or as Jesus put it, “shake the dust off your feet.” Today this might mean resigning a job. This might mean quitting an abusive relationship. This might mean passing over a lucrative partnership. But most importantly of all, and this is #4, keep your dreams alive. Keep your dream alive with clean slates and clean soles (souls). Nobody is too big to fail. But nobody is too small to prevail. Jesus’ failure at Nazareth shows us how to triumph at life. The stark humanity of Jesus, the very thing that ...

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