Sermon and Worship Resources

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376. Advent 4. Won't You Let Him Into Your Christmas?

Luke 2:8-20

Sermon

James W. Moore

... they saw the Angel and they saw the Christ-child, and they responded in faith, hope and love. III. THIRD AND FINALLY, THEY SAW THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRISTMAS. About this time each year they show it on television, Dr. Seuss’s classic story, “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.” The Grinch was a sinister character who despised the celebration of Christmas. The people of Whoville loved Christmas and their celebration of Christmas irritated the grouchy Grinch. The people of Whoville -- Would gather on Christmas ...

377. Good News for Bad Times

Isaiah 40:1-31

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... cries of misery. Now again, God hears the groaning of the people in Babylon. God knows the plight we are in today, captives of our wicked ways, slaves to our sins. But, do we take this promise seriously? Do we really believe it? In the classic movie, Tora, Tora, Tora, two young men are at their radar installation on a mountain guarding Pearl Harbor. On the screen is a large force of oncoming planes one early morning. They have never seen anything like this before. Excitedly they call headquarters and tell ...

378. You Are A Name!

Luke 2:21-40

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... magnetism or special knowledge, but it is made possible by the very power of Jesus' name. In our time we are concerned about exorcising the devil in people. The need for getting the devil out of devil-possessed people was brought to people's attention by the classic movie The Exorcist. In that picture all the doctors and all the psychiatrists and all the pills and drugs could not drive the devil out of the 12-year-old child. Priests were called in to help her. The devil was finally driven out by the holy ...

379. Someone Greater Than a Prophet

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

Maurice A. Fetty

... with sorrow and crowned with thorns. In the movie, Jesus Christ Superstar, Jesus, says Shea, "draws the painful breaths of an existentialist anti-hero." In Godspell he is almost the opposite; a flower-child, a man without guile. In Ernest Renan's classic book, The Life of Jesus, he is a nineteenth century idealized romantic who falls on bad days. Marriage and the bourgeois life in place of revolution constitute Jesus' last temptation according to Nikos Kazantzakis' novel and movie. Of course, Marxists of ...

380. The Unexpected Universe

Matthew 11:1-19

Sermon

Maurice A. Fetty

... for a new way of doing things," he said. "War is way out of date." "You're right," I replied. Here was an elderly man, a World War II veteran, looking for the unexpected universe, looking for something really new. I was reminded of Leon Wolff's classic book, In Flanders Fields, and his gripping account of the endless misery and suffering in the muck and mire of the trenches and the mustard gas warfare of World War I. What unbelievable human sacrifices were made for a few yards of sodden real estate. Is it ...

381. The Inner Galaxy

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon

Maurice A. Fetty

... James, wrote of the universal pervasiveness of the mystical experience without respect to specific religions or cultures or races. Consider the experience of Thomas Aquinas, theologian par excellence of the thirteenth century. Aquinas had revived the classics, especially Aristotle. He wrote prolifically, including his Summa Theologica, which is the standard theological work for the Roman Catholic Church today. Aquinas became enlightened with mystery while saying Mass in Naples, December 6, 1273. He ended ...

382. Bad News from a Good Man!

1 Kings 21:1-29

Sermon

Robert Leslie Holmes

... benefited from his gifts. He did a lot of good for deserving institutions. Yet, his countenance was that of an unhappy man. Once a reporter asked him, “Mr. Rockefeller, how much money does a man need to be happy?” Rockefeller’s response was classic. “Always,” he said, “just a little bit more than he has!” How much land does a king need to be happy? King Ahab might have been the Rockefeller or Gates of his generation. He controlled extraordinary wealth and land holdings. Yet, he was ...

383. A Song of Promise

Zephaniah 3:1-20

Sermon

Harry N. Huxhold

... , and the lack of artistry, one critic asked, “Why don’t the songs have an ending?” The answer is that bad music has no soul to reflect a genuine and positive hope. A Special Song One certainly cannot characterize all contemporary music, popular or classical, as decadent or lacking in soul. There is much contemporary composition that is commendable. However, it is important to note that the prophet who called for a song from God’s people did not look for them to express their sense of depression and ...

384. The Fruit of Forgiveness

Genesis 45:1-28

Sermon

Harry N. Huxhold

... or reconciliation. The account covers some fourteen chapters of the book of Genesis. That is almost a fourth of the book. Obviously, its major intent is to show how the people of Israel develop as a people in the land of Egypt. However, it is also a classic demonstration of how God works in the lives of people. Later on, at the death of their father, Joseph once more assures his brothers of his love for them and his forgiveness. He tells them in tears as they beg his forgiveness, “Even though you intended ...

385. What's Your Line?

Drama

Dave Marsh

Director's Notes: Our local church rock group asked for a couple of dramas for an upcoming concert. They knew there were going to be lots of different types of kids there - some who liked classic rock, some pop, some goth. So I wrote this knowing that no matter how different we are, unless you have the Holy Spirit in your life, you will never understand Biblical truths... The key to this drama is using a Powerpoint presentation. Someone should trigger each new slide when each ...

386. The Healing of the Man with the Withered Hand

Mark 2:23-3:6

Sermon

James W. Moore

... the law, we miss the love. II. SECOND, SOMETIMES BLINDED BY COMMON PRACTICE WE MISS THE COMMON SENSE. The Pharisees were so trapped in their usual rigid common ways of doing things that they were blind to the common sense of helping a man in need. Remember the classic story about the young man who found his new wife in the kitchen preparing a roast for dinner. Very carefully, she cut the roast in half. Then, very conscientiously, she put half in one pan and the other half in another pan and then put them in ...

387. The Healing Power of the Cross

Luke 23:26-43, Mark 15:33-41, Luke 23:44-49

Sermon

James W. Moore

... t in the Bible… because it sounds so unlike Jesus. Yet, here it is. So what are we to make of it? A closer look reveals that there is something very precious here. Let’s see if we can find it. Over the years, there have been three classic interpretations that scholars have attached to this poignant verse. The first interpretation is that Jesus is quoting the 22nd Psalm to affirm that he is the Messiah foretold by the Old Testament. You see, the 22nd Psalm (which was well-known to the people of that time ...

388. His Trial

Luke 22:66--23:25

Sermon

Brett Blair

... held the highest and most holy office in Israel. He seems impressive in his priestly robe, though it does not hide the smugness on his face and the cunning in his eves. Beyond any doubt he was the most powerful man in the Jewish nation, a classic example of worldly ecclesiastical power. His influence had reached far beyond the house of God. But as high priest he exercised spiritual power also. He was the closest thing to a pope that the Jewish nation had. He was the primate of established religion. In the ...

389. God Works From the Inside Out

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

James W. Moore

... and confidence, courage and strength and unity and they began to speak and communicate the word of God boldly and amazingly people from all different backgrounds heard and responded and 3,000 people were converted that day. It’s interesting to note that the three classic symbols for the Holy Spirit in the Bible remind us of how God works through us and how God works from the inside out. Do you remember what they are? The three traditional symbols of the Holy Spirit in the Bible: Breath: the symbol of ...

390. Journey To Jerusalem

Luke 9:51-56

Sermon

Brett Blair

... ? You should. The world changed because Philo Farnsworth kept his hands on the plow and never looked back. II Jesus knew who he was. Secondly, he knew where he was going. Back in the 1960’s a movie came out called “The Graduate,” which became an American classic It starred a then very young Dustin Hoffman as a college student trying to decide what to do with his life. There is a scene early in the movie where Dustin Hoffthan is floating on a rubber raft in a swimming pool. His father comes out and ...

391. What Is Your Other Plan?

Acts 2:1-41

Illustration

James W. Moore

Erasmus, the famous Renaissance scholar, once told a classic story which was designed to emphasize how important it is that we take up the torch of Christ’s ministry with great commitment. In the story, Jesus returns to heaven after His time on earth. The angels gather around Him to learn what all happened during His days on earth. ...

392. All I Want for Christmas is a Savior

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon

James W. Moore

... , of all things, he is giving his clerk, Bob Cratchit, a nice raise. Talk about a conversion! Talk about a life redeemed and saved! Here we see a life turned around! Why are we so fascinated with this story? It’s not just that it’s a well-written classic piece of literature. There is something more here. You see, the truth is, this is our story. Deep down inside, deeper than some of us even realize, we all relate to Ebenezer Scrooge! That is to say... we all need help, we all have clay feet. We all need ...

393. The Christmas Promise: God With Us

Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon

James W. Moore

... a telegram to his wife which carried these words: “Honey, seems I’m lost again. Presently, I am at Market Harborough. Where ought I to be?” As only a spouse could say it, she telegraphed back a one-word reply: “HOME!” This is precisely what this classic passage in the first chapter of Matthew does for us… it brings us home: Home to the real meaning of Christmas Home to the most magnificent truth in all of the Bible Home to our Lord’s greatest promise Home to the reason we celebrate Christmas ...

394. I've Got a Strong Case of the 'Can't Help Its'

John 1:35-42

Sermon

James W. Moore

... that God has given us? We become so captivated by man-made things that we sometimes forget the astounding generosity of God. The psalmist did not make that mistake. Read the Psalms. They resound on page after page with praise and gratitude to God. The 100th Psalm is a classic example: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands. Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us and we are his. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture ...

395. Under the Rainbow

Genesis 9:1-17

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... here is this: "Grandpa, since this world is such an evil place, why does God not just wipe it out and start over?" The answer, my child, is found in this story - the covenant God makes with Noah: Never Again! I love that old classic about the country preacher who announced that his sermon the following Sunday would be about Noah and the Ark and told the congregation the scripture reference ahead of time so they might read it in preparation for worship. A couple of youngsters noticed something interesting ...

396. Struggling with God

Genesis 32:22-32

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... a divorce. The lawyer looks at them and says, "I'm not sure you are giving your marriage a fair chance." You see, they are still in their wedding clothes!(5) Is there value in the struggle, even if we are struggling with God? Unquestionably. The classic illustration is the struggle that a butterfly goes through in breaking free from the cocoon. It is difficult to watch, because the temptation is to want to help this poor, squirming creature. But keep your hands off anyway. You see, it is the STRUGGLE that ...

397. The Ten Commandments #7: No Adultery

Exodus 20:1-21

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... not been able to come up with any answers, how would YOU have explained adultery? Of course, most folks do not bother to explain it; they figure kids will find out soon enough. True. Sex is something we all learn about, some sooner, some later. There is the classic story of the father who wanted to make sure his eight-year-old son learned sooner rather than later, bought him a series of books on the subject, told him to read them, and then promised to answer any questions when he was done. The boy did the ...

398. The Ten Commandments #9: No False Witness

Exodus 20:1-21

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... truthful. The funny part of it is that this story about the virtue of telling the truth is itself not true - Parson Weems or somebody made it up. O tempora, O mores. I wish I could say that preachers were innocent of that sort of thing. There is the classic story of the young boy coming home on a Sunday afternoon and asking his minister father about something he heard in the morning's sermon. "Daddy, was that really true, or was it just preachin'?" Ah, well. What is surely true is that many times we do not ...

399. Therapy in Melody or Healing in 4/4 Time

1 Samuel 16:14-23

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... attacks. And we know music helps. You may have heard the report of the Juilliard Conservatory students who played at the Armory in New York where the families of the missing came to register on the day after the disaster. For hours these talented young classical artists played chamber music in the midst of all the grief and grime. Finally, all but one of the musicians had to leave, so William Harvey was left with his solo violin. A man in fatigues who introduced himself as Sergeant Major asked if Bill ...

400. God and Silence

Psalm 46:1-11

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... , "Silence is Weird," as if we need to talk, talk, talk all the time. When we leave this sanctuary tonight, the bulletin instructs that we depart in silence - it will feel strange; it always does. Thirty-five years ago Paul Simon, in his classic cry over the modern inability to communicate, wrote: And in the naked light I saw Ten thousand people, maybe more, People talking without speaking, People hearing without listening, People writing songs that voices never share... And no one dare Disturb the sound of ...

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