Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 376 to 400 of 4915 results

376. Step Five - Integrity

Jn 4:16-24 · 1 Jo 1:5-10 · Is 6:1-8

Sermon

John A. Terry

Step five: Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our wrongs. I have been accused during this sermon series of being too sober - in my preaching. So: joke de jour. A minister, a priest and a rabbi were having lunch one day. They were talking about the spiritual support they gave the members of their congregation: listening to their confessions, saying words of absolution, visiting them when they were ill and comforting them in times of loss. What the minister, priest ...

377. God's Self-Revelation Through Jesus' Transfiguration

Luke 9:28-36

Bulletin Aid

Carl Hoefler

Call to Worship: Pastor: Jesus of Nazareth was more than a man. He was the fulfillment of all that God had promised. People: His visit with Moses and Elijah on the mountain identifies him as a special messenger of God. Pastor: He came as God's Son who was willing to face his "exodus" through death, which would give deliverance from sin to all who follow him. People: We celebrate our Lord's transfiguration with praise for being the fulfillment of God's promise. Collect Heavenly Father, who has fulfilled ...

378. A Way Back In

Isaiah 40:1-31

Sermon

Thomas D. Peterson

A wise man once said to me that he tried never to let people get so far out on a limb that they could not get back in. He was the head-master of a preparatory school. As an administrator he did everything he could to enable the staff to make meaningful contributions to the school. He positively reinforced good performance; and, when a staff member got out on a limb, he not only initiated efforts to help the person back in, he also avoided putting undue stress on mistakes or attitudes which made it ...

379. Free Living Water for All

Exodus 17:1-7

Sermon

Arley K. Fadness

Travelers near the Badlands of South Dakota were surprised and intrigued in 1936 to see a sign which read, "Get a Soda ... Get Root Beer ... Turn next corner ... just as near ... to Highways 16 and 17 ... Free Ice Water ... Wall Drug." It all began out of frustration when the drugstore was on the brink of closing in Wall, South Dakota. One Sunday afternoon when Dorothy Hustead couldn't sleep, she got up and told husband Ted, "I think I finally see how we can get all those travelers to come to our store." " ...

380. Who's the Real Leader?

Joshua 3:1-4:24

Sermon

Argile Smith

At an office meeting, Ben got the official news that he would become the manager of one of the most influential departments in the company. His colleagues admired him because of his tireless work, and they respected him as a dependable person in whom they could place their trust. They were glad when they found out that he had gotten the promotion. In order to celebrate the news with him, they bought him a gift. Well, it was actually more like a gag-gift, the kind that he would place on his shelf and ...

381. What Do You Bring to the Table?

Matthew 11:25-30

Sermon

Tom Garrison

When we fly we are well aware of the fact that you cannot simply go out and buy a ticket and get on an airplane anymore. Nowadays, because of all the skyjacking and dangers, there is an elaborate system of surveillance before you get near an aircraft. Understandably, the authorities want to know what you are bringing with you to the plane. And so your own person and everything you are carrying is carefully examined. As I found myself thinking about our communion, I wondered what it would be like if there ...

382. Who Cares?

Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon

David G. Rogne

When Vince Lombardi, the eminently successful professional football coach in the 1960s, was asked how he produced winning teams, he declared that any group of naturally endowed athletes could win more games than they lost if they concentrated on the "little things" of the game — the fundamentals. After a close game won by his Green Bay Packers, Lombardi called a special session for Monday morning because he felt his players were losing sight of the small details that guarantee victory. Appearing before his ...

383. Jesus' No-Nonsense Guide to Success

Mark 10:35-45

Sermon

April Yamasaki

What does success look like to you? Winning the championship over all the other teams in your sports league? Checking off every item on your to-do list? Getting that new job or promotion you were hoping for? Putting the kitchen in order after making a homemade meal from scratch? To James and John, success looked like sitting next to Jesus, each on one side of their Lord, basking in his reflected glory. Perhaps they imagined him as a king seated on a great throne with themselves as his trusted advisors on ...

384. The Trajectory of God’s Grace

Luke 11:1-13

Sermon

Robert C. Cochran

When I was in junior high, I “inherited” a winter coat from my Uncle George (who is only three years older than I am). It was a very expensive coat and looked practically new, so I knew George hadn’t worn it. The reason was obvious: it was an extremely thick, long ski jacket that made the wearer look like a pregnant, black polar bear. The fur that covered the whole coat had to be four or five inches long. The really sad thing was that the satin lining had a terrific embroidered snow eagle. I would have ...

385. Lamb and Wolves

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Sermon

Dave Zuchelli

In last week’s lectionary passage (Luke 9:51-56), we were told that Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem. This didn’t mean he was making a beeline toward the city, but it was clear the Holy City was his goal. Many things happened along the way to the cross. He met hundreds of people, taught most of them, and healed many. He did this by moving from village to village, and town to town. We don’t talk about it much, but this isn’t something he did in a helter-skelter manner. It appears that, after his ...

386. A Sermon About Prayer

Luke 11:1-13

Sermon

Dean Feldmeyer

A responsible pastor must have a theology of prayer that goes beyond churchy axioms, pious clichés, pop theology, and Bible verses proof texted from the King James Bible. An authentic theology of prayer must offer hope in the promise that God answers prayer, but it must also be prepared to respond to the questions of those whose prayers “availeth not.” We must be, at once, ready to celebrate with those whose cancer went into remission and to weep with those whose cancer didn’t, when both persons’ prayers ...

387. The Inspiring Power of the Cross

John 3:1-21

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

Gospel Notes The discourse that connects the basis for the most common expression of popular piety ("born again" in v. 3) and the most quoted verse of the New Testament (v. 16) is surprisingly cryptic. One of the clearest allusions is in v. 14, which recalls the serpent lifted up by Moses in Numbers 21:9ff., the very sight of which cured the Israelites of snake bite. The implication that merely beholding the crucified Christ cures sin points to the inspiring power of the cross. Liturgical Color Purple ...

388. Called in From Off-stage

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Sermon

Donald Zelle

The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul, seeing I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons." And Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me. "And the Lord said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.' And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me ...

389. The Power of the Gospel

Acts 16:16-40

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call to Worship Leader: Let the people of God gather this day in praise and thanksgiving! People: For we were once lost and without hope, but in Christ we found life. Leader: Christ can change the darkest heart and heal wounds we cannot mend. People: Christ is the first and the last, and in Christ is our salvation. Leader: Let us celebrate and give praise to Almighty God who redeemed us all. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, our Redeemer and Savior, through Your mercy and grace You sent ...

390. The Unassailable Power of God's Love

Romans 8:28-39

Bulletin Aid

Call to Worship Leader: May God deliver us from our enemies! People: MAY GOD BE OUR EVER-PRESENT REFUGE! Leader: When we are threatened with destruction and our spirits are faint, People: MAY GOD PRESERVE US WITH STEADFAST LOVE! (based on Psalm 143) Collect Almighty God, you have shown to us the power of your love in the person of Jesus. Continue as our ally: that, fortified by the strength of your presence, we may resist every enemy that life sends our way, even death. In the name of the victorious Christ ...

391. A Powerful Testimony

Mark 8:27-30

Sermon

King Duncan

Some time back someone circulated a form called The College Entrance Exam -Football Player Version. This humorous exam consisted of twenty questions and had a time limit of 3 weeks for completion. Let me read you some of the questions: 1.What language is spoken in France? 2. Would you ask William Shakespeare to (a) build a bridge (b) sail the ocean (c) lead an army or (d) (in large capital letters) WRITE A PLAY 3.What religion is the Pope? (check only one) (a) Jewish (b) Catholic (c) Hindu (d) Polish (e) ...

392. Witnesses To God's Power

Acts 5:17-42

Bulletin Aid

H. Burnham Kirkland

Call To Worship Leader: Praise God for the mighty things he has done. People: We will praise his supreme greatness. Leader: Praise him with music. Praise the Lord, all living creatures! People: Praise the Lord! Collect Almighty God, through the resurrection of your Son, you have made us a part of your new creation. You have brought us together to be your Church -- the Body of our Lord on earth. We praise you and give you thanks for this great blessing, and pray that you will empower us to be faithful ...

393. An Incredible Encounter

Genesis 32:22-31

Sermon

Arley K. Fadness

Jacob sends presents to brother Esau in the hope of finding favor with him. The messengers return with frightening news: There is no thanks from Esau and Esau is coming to meet Jacob with 400 men! Jacob, frightened and stressed, develops a plan. He divides his people and flocks into two groups. If Esau should attack one group, the remaining group may well be saved. Next, Jacob prays to the God of Abraham and Isaac. He dares pray for protection from Esau even though he knows he does not deserve it. Then ...

394. The Healing Power of Faith

Luke 17:11-19

Sermon

King Duncan

There is an old, old story about a traveling evangelist who also advertised himself as a faith healer. In one of his crusade services he jumped on the platform and said, “I have faith that two people will be healed tonight. Where are you?” he asked. “Who would like to be healed?” A man ran down the aisle, named Harry. Asked what his ailment was, Harry said he had a lisp. He explained sadly, “I can’t talk wite.” He was instructed to go behind a curtain. Another man hobbled down on crutches. His name was ...

395. Giving and Receiving

Matthew 14:22-33

Sermon

Tom Garrison

A wise person, according to Sam Keen, the author of Fire in the Belly, is one who knows what time it is in his or her life; that is, they have a sense of the appropriate which enables them to know what to do amid a baffling array of options. Keen tells of going one summer to visit relatives who lived in the tidewater area of Virginia, where there are many little bays adjoining the Atlantic Ocean. Some of the old-timers there warned him about the peculiar dangers of swimming in that area, particularly at ...

396. A Shrewd Christian?

Luke 16:1-13

Sermon

George Reed

For many the term “shrewd Christian” is an oxymoron as these two terms just seem to be so opposite in their minds. But in the parable of the unjust steward Jesus calls on his disciples to become as shrewd in doing good as others are in doing evil. According to Webster’s dictionary shrewd means “keen-witted, clever, or sharp in practical matters.” We have often used the word in its secondary sense of cunning and in a context where one has used their intellect to take advantage of a person or a situation in ...

397. The Easy Way Out

Luke 4:1-13

Sermon

Glenn E. Ludwig

One of the responsibilities that parents often have with children is the supervision of musical lessons. Getting the kids to practice is never easy. The first problem is just getting them to sit down to do it. Then, the second problem begins. Did you ever notice how easy it is to re-play the familiar? When you listen to those practices, ever notice how often you hear the same pieces over and over again? The prospect of struggling through a new piece seems like torture, so the temptation is not to bother ...

398. Peter. Rock. Follower of Jesus.

Matthew 16:13-20

Drama

Thomas Blowers

Dramatic Monologue My name is Simon Bar-Jona. And for years I carried that name with pride. Simon-- a strong name, said my mother-- a dependable name, said my father-- a name you can be proud of, said friends and neighbors. "Your great-grandfather's name," everyone reminded me. And I was proud to carry his name as my own. Then one day Jesus began calling me "Peter" and the name stuck. Soon that's what everyone was calling me: Peter. Funny how nicknames get started. We called the old man down on the corner ...

399. A Real Pepper-Upper

Sermon

Michael J. Anton

PENTECOST I’m tired. I’m tired of slugging it out every day in that office or on that line where nobody really cares whether I live or die. I’m tired of being treated like a number. I’m tired of being called nosey when I’m just trying to help. I’m tired of being unappreciated and taken for granted. I’m tired of being an armchair psychologist and trying to figure people out. I’m tired of yelling and screaming at my kids. I’m tired of yelling and screaming at my parents. I’m tired of cooking meals and ...

400. What Kind of Cross?

Mark 8:31--9:1

Illustration

Larry Powell

Not long ago, a hard-rock singer reknowned for his notorious over indulgence in mind-altering drugs appeared on television to scream, lunge, and gyrate through one of his bestselling songs. Inasmuch as the rather badly garbled words were totally incomprehensible to me, I turned my attention to the bizarre, uninhibited attire of this widely heralded "artist." Not to dwell on the flamboyance of his appearance, I wish only to point out that dangling from an expensive chain around his neck was a large cross. ...

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