Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 4001 to 4025 of 4986 results

4001. A Stone’s Throw From: Heaven

Matthew 16:13-25

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... brother was, so he was excited, too. His big brother wanted to go as the Hulk, so he wanted to go as the Hulk. When the family got to the church, big brother went with some friends, Mom passed out candy and Dad took the three-year-old around. Dad stayed in the background, as the little boy walked up to one of the cars with a friend manning the trunk. "Trick or treat." As the man reached out with a hand full of candy, he asked, "So you're the Hulk, right?" The little boy nodded his head "Yes." Then ...

4002. No 2nd Class Citizens

Galatians 4:4-7

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... out. But that's not how children of God and heirs of the Kingdom are called to live. We're called to "Love God and Love our Neighbors as ourselves." Those are the two greatest commandments. As United Methodists, we live by Three Simple Rules. Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God. We can't do any of those with a "Rejected" sign in our hands. Instead we need to constantly carry no only our own Upgraded Boarding Pass, but enough to pass out to everyone around us so they too can know the Love of God in ...

4003. A Word to Prodigals

Luke 15:11-32

Sermon

King Duncan

... who runs out to welcome a son or daughter home. Our relationship with God is a very intimate relationship, a relationship of utter dependence, love and acceptance. Writer Tom Mullins in his book The Confidence Factor tells about a friend named Dana who was staying at a rehabilitation center in Indiantown, Florida. Dana was dealing with some destructive issues in his life, so Tom decided to drive out and visit him. As he pulled into the center, Tom was directed to the barn where Dana was working. When Tom ...

4004. How Great Is Your Faith

Matthew 15:21-28, Matthew 15:1-20

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... appeared. Her gray hair was blowing in the wind and her clothes were dirty and ragged. She was muttering something to herself as she picked up things from the beach and put them into a bag. The parents called the children to their side and told them to stay away from the old lady. As she passed by, bending down every now and then to pick something up, she smiled at the family. But her greeting wasn't returned. Couple weeks later this family learned that little old lady was a retired school teacher who'd ...

4005. Discover the Promise of Christmas

Matthew 3:1-12

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

Most, if not all of the leftover turkey has been eaten. Black Friday sales are mostly over. The decorations are up all over town and in the malls. We're stuffed and either glad the relatives have finally left or we're saddened because they could stay longer; or maybe just a little of both. Those are the telltale signs that Christmas is right around the corner. Today we enter the Season of Advent in the Church. It is a season of promise and a season of preparation, preparation to receive the Promise of God ...

4006. Saturday: The Week Of The Cross: Lazarus, Come Forth

John 11:1-7, 17-44

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... it, he said, "This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God's glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." [5] Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, [6] after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. [7] Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." [17] When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. [18] Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two ...

4007. Close Enough For Comfort

Psalm 23:4, John 14:15-18

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... freezes, faith frees. There were two rabbits who were being chased through the woods by a pack of ferocious foxes. The rabbits dove into a hole. One rabbit cried out, "What will we do? What will we do?" The other rabbit replied calmly, "We'll just stay in the hole until we outnumber them!" (2) What we need to remember is that we outnumber all of our problems through faith in Jesus. Trust in Jesus. Have faith, faith enough to thaw the fear that freezes. Bibliography 1. Parables, Etc. (Saratoga Press, P.O ...

4008. Unstoppable Determination

Philippians 3:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... already settled. He writes, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him . . .” Paul stayed focused on what really mattered. Notice, also, Paul’s ability to forget what needed to be forgotten. He writes, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward ...

4009. Jochebed: Save The Baby, Save The World

Exodus 2:1-10, Numbers 26:59

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... evening news, we hear of the tragic death of a child like the little boy who fell in the storm drain Thursday and was held down by the undercurrent. This week a little girl who was swept away in the floods in Haltom City was buried. Stories like that stay with us don't they. They haunt our thoughts. If the story involves two children who were lost in the same way, it would be all over the radio and papers the next day. If five children died, we become outraged. More often than not, the evening news lately ...

4010. Jonah: Run!

Jonah 3:1-10

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... soap and clean clothes for tomorrow. A father found the right clothes, the right information and the right encouragement to find a job to support his family. A senior citizen didn't have to choose between food, medicine or the electric bill. A young teen stayed in school and found confidence by helping adults learn computer skills. Our little bit helped Marvin and Kerry and their 2 month old baby get back on their feet after Marvin lost his job and couldn't afford rent anymore. The Arlington Life Shelter ...

4011. Rahab: Seven Minutes To Midnight

Joshua 6:15-25

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... quarters for the soldiers and livestock and even houses into the walls. As a prostitute, Rahab lived on the edge of society, one stop short of rejection. Her house, built right into the city wall, provided lodging to travelers. It was a natural place for the spies to stay. They would simply be mistaken for Rahab's customers whether they were or not. But the real reason the spies went to the home a Rahab, is that God directed them to her house because God knew Rahab's heart was open to Him and that she would ...

4012. Nehemiah: The Fix

Nehemiah 1:1-11

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... girls Soar To New Heights With God. We had about 80 volunteers serving and helping each night. Not just in the class room but there were hall monitors, games, snacks, the snack suppers, crafts, music, story time, registrations and sign in, even a timekeeper to make sure we stayed on schedule. Everyone of these people listened to God's call to follow. They trusted God and then they served God by being here for the kids. And I know they all had to move some obstacles our of their lives in order to be here to ...

4013. A Chance To Help

John 6:1-15

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... that touches this water. What happened to the water in those few short miles? Actually nothing happened to the water. It is the fact that the Dead Sea has no outlet. The water from the Jordan is dumped into a salt and mineral basin. Whatever flows in stays there. Whatever it receives, it keeps for itself. There's a lesson there. You see, we receive so many blessings from God's gracious hand. But sometimes we're like Philip and all we see are the Obstacles of Life. Sometimes we're like Andrew and the ...

4014. The Guest List

Luke 2:8-20

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... to break down the walls and barriers that separate us. B. Hugh Hildesby, rector of the Church of Heavenly Rest says one of his parishioners is an angel. His name is Phil, and he is a street person, what used to be called a bum. Phil refuses to stay in a shelter. He sleeps in doorways and maintains a careful routine covering his neighborhood in daytime, or when the weather is cold, he sits in the church. He's filthy. He dresses in rags. He never washes. He smells. He talks to himself, muttering as he plods ...

4015. Choosing The Right Gift

John 1:1-14

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... gift changes everything, it touches the receiver but it changes us, also. Why? How? Because finding the right gift moves us out of and beyond ourselves. It moves us from self-centeredness to looking at the needs of others. You see, so much of the time we stayed cooped up in the country of "Me" that we never see past our own troubles, our own needs and desires to see the people in our lives, communities and world whose needs are greater than ours. Most of us have walled ourselves into this country of "Me ...

4016. The Character of Christmas; Wise Men: Seeking

Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... and presenting him with....gift certificates." (1) Christmas has changed a lot since I was a child. But the basic reason and purpose of Christmas hasn't changed one single bit. The characters and the Character of Christmas as God's gift to the world will always stay the same. We may mangle it. We may wrap it in shiny paper. We may try to store it away with all the Christmas decorations, but like the star in the East, it will always be there guiding us back to the central purpose of Christmas, Salvation ...

4017. The Miss, The Kiss, The Mess, The Rest

2 Samuel 11:1-15

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... The Miss and made a Mess. Our story lines are just as convoluted. We've felt the explosive nature and we know what it's like to be buried under the rubble of bad choices and disobedience. But the Good News is that's not where God wants you to stay. The Son of God came so you could know The Rest. And be able to rest in Him by accepting the grace and forgiveness that He bought for us on the cross. All any of us have to do is to want that Grace and accept that Grace through what ...

4018. You Can't Fool God: Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 4:33 - 5:11

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... in New Orleans. In a corner of that club sat an old dilapidated piano. All of the jazz artists complained about this antiquated instrument. It was hard to play, sometimes the keys would stick and no matter how many times is was tuned, it wouldn't stay in tune for very long. The piano players dreaded playing on it. The vocalists dreaded singing with it. And all of the combos that played the club wished that they could bring in their own piano, just like they could a saxophone or a trumpet. Finally, after ...

4019. Never Too Old For God: Abraham And Sarah

Genesis 18:1-15

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... runs outside yelling, "Don't let her go. She can't go." Then he explains. "Well, if she goes, what'll happen to her. She doesn't know how to do anything, play ball, catch fish or hunt frogs. She'll be helpless. So, that's why she's gotta stay, so I can teach them to her." Opie turns and hugs Aunt Bee and says: "You need me." (3) The truth is, we need family. Family, no matter what size or shape, is where we learn how to make it in the world. And today I want us to look ...

4020. Five Smooth Stones

1 Samuel 17:1, 4-11, 21-24, 32-50

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... father smiled confidently and said, "You can do it, son. I know you'll make out all right." With that assurance the boy got on his bike and rode off to school. What the son did not know was that his father followed him in the car that day. He stayed just far enough behind to remain out of sight, but close enough to come to his son's assistance if needed. If there was trouble the father would be there. The son might have thought he was all alone, but his father was behind him all the way. (1) Conclusion ...

4021. The Adventure Begins

Ephesians 1:15-23, Acts 1:1-11

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... world only to wind up with nothing but the hope of repentance. And in that repentant, hoping only for the smallest handout. And the older brother, angry because the younger brother, the one who took advantage, has been welcomed back into the fold while he stayed and worked his backside off without any thanks. We tremble when Jesus is arrested. When stand aghast when He is whipped and crucified. Our hearts break when he dies and is buried. And then we rejoice when the tomb is found empty and we break bread ...

4022. Cross Eyed: Promise

John 3:14-21

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... Of Mercy First, there is the promise of mercy and forgiveness. Most of us would be a little embarrassed to have unexpected company when the house was a mess. We'd start scrambling around, picking things up and making excuses. I read about a who family was staying at a hotel in Nigeria, West Africa, one time when they heard a knock on the door. They opened it and found a smiling Nigerian gentleman ready to clean their room. The wife was totally mortified. She said she was embarrassed. Sound like my wife Mary ...

4023. God's 'Yes!' To Every Promise

2 Corinthians 1:18-22

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... the promises of God in which Jesus is God's 'Yes!' to Every Promise. Conclusion This morning you found a mint on your chair. I'll bet you've been wondering about it, especially since we asked you not to eat it until told to do so. Have you ever stayed in one of the high class hotels? They always come in, turn your bed down and put a mint on your pillow. It's their way of saying how much they appreciate your business. It's their way of saying "Yes!" to you. "Yes!" to the fact that you chose ...

4024. The Dachshund Dilemma

Luke 4:14-30

Sermon

King Duncan

... bird, since geese mate for life and are extremely loyal to their mates. Once on the ground, the healthy birds help protect the wounded bird and care for him as much as possible, even to the point of throwing themselves between the weakened bird and possible predators. They stay with him until he is either able to fly, or until he is dead. Then, and only then, do they launch out on their own. In most cases, they wait for another group of geese to fly overhead and they join them, adding to the safety and ...

4025. Tell the Cats to Turn Around

Luke 4:21-30

Illustration

Bill Bouknight

... city. In one of his sermons he said something critical of the labor conditions for workers in that area. After the service, several prominent businessmen sent a message to him by one of the local pastors. The message was this: Billy, leave labor matters alone. Concentrate on getting people saved. Stay away from political issues. You're rubbing the fur the wrong way." Billy Sunday sent this message back to them: "If I'm rubbing the fur the wrong way, tell the cats to turn around."

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