Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 4051 to 4075 of 4957 results

4051. Isaiah: The Prophet of Gloom and Glory

Isaiah 65:17-25

Sermon

John Wayne Clarke

... controversy surrounding who wrote what within its 66 chapters. One of the reasons for the question of authorship is the life span of this book. Depending on which scholar one reads, the book has a life span of up to 300 years! The traditional view claims that the prophet Isaiah, who ministered during the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, was the book's sole author. But many believe that Isaiah had nothing to do with the last part of the book, specifically chapters 40 to 66. What we know without ...

4052. Preaching God's Reformation

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Sermon

John Wayne Clarke

... avoid facing reality and live with the "what ifs" of life instead of the present reality of living with God as our companion, a close, personal God who will share our journey and never leave us alone. Reformation Sunday is a day for us all to step forward and claim the resurrection life that has been handed to us by a God who loves us eternally. You are called this day to be a reformation people who preach the good news that today is a new day and a better day than yesterday. Today we preach a new covenant ...

4053. The Shepherd King

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Sermon

John Wayne Clarke

... flock together. We cannot say that we love Jesus while hating the world. We cannot say that we respect the king and continue to be a people that hate. Jeremiah knew, and Jesus showed, that a lack of love for any of God's children cuts us off from any claim to love God. Finally, on Christ The King Sunday we need to be careful in how we understand what it is to be a shepherd. Too many times we make the mistake of thinking that it is the job of the pastor of the church to care for the church ...

4054. Satan’s Talking Points

Mark 13:1-31

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... An Ordinary Year at the End of the Roman Empire by Giusto Traina). We process time and give it meaning by dates. But the date that you’re going to hearing more and more of us 2012, the alleged end-of-the-world date. People who claim US citizenship have always been particularly entranced by end-of-the-world scenarios. Maybe it is because our own national history is so relatively short. Maybe it is because our roots are less deeply planted, making uprooting less intimidating. Think here of the Shakers, the ...

4055. The Bedrock of Faith - Sermon Starter

Mk 13:1-8; Lk 21:5-38

Illustration

Brett Blair

... : "Where a calculator on the ENIAC is equipped with 18,000 vacuum tubes and weighs 30 tons, computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes and weigh only 1.5 tons." There was an inventor by the name of Lee DeForest. He claimed that "While theoretically and technically television may be feasible, commercially and financially it is an impossibility." The Decca Recording Co. made a big mistake when they made this prediction: "We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out." That was ...

4056. The Word Made Flesh

Luke 2:1-7

Drama

Lois Anne DeLong

... chilly. Father: It’s also quite late. Your wife and the child need to rest. It’s been quite a busy day. Leah: I should get inside anyway. Mom is probably worried. Gee, wait till I tell her we’ve got a Savior in our stable. No other inn can claim that. (Leah exits stage right. Father and Esther begin walking up the center aisle.) Esther: Father, what did the man mean when he said, “It’s not going to be an easy road ahead” for the baby? If he came to be a king, if he’s the chosen one ...

4057. If This Is Your Faith, Tell Me Your Stories

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... is saying in his Nativity story is that the “guest room” was already occupied. If Joseph did indeed have family roots in Bethlehem it would be only natural that he and Mary would stay with those relatives. Does this mean that having arrived too late to lay claim to the guest room Mary and Joseph moved out to some separate stable — a building for animals? Luke’s text doesn’t say. The gospel writer’s only hint at the actual birthplace for the baby is that Jesus was laid in “a manger” after he ...

4058. Without You We Are Sunk

Luke 21:25-36

Illustration

Billy D. Strayhorn

... come up with. No matter what schedule or interpretation of schedules we come up with for the Second Coming, God is still in control. Jesus said, "But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." As an heir, claim that promise, too. We're simply called to be aware and keep watch through saying, "Yes," to the King.

4059. When the Play Is Over

Luke 21:5-38

Illustration

Gary L. Carver

... Lewis understands the doctrine of the Second Coming of our Lord. He said that when the author appears on the stage, you know the play is over. That's good isn't it? When the author appears on the stage - the play is over. No one has ever claimed that this planet earth was intended to exist forever. Scientists call it "the second law of thermodynamics,"The energy supply of this planet will eventually come to an end, which means that a conclusion of life as we know it is inevitable. The concept of the Second ...

4060. The Power of Purpose

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... will us power? Or, how do we discover right purpose? Most of our western world especially is running after power and purpose, seeking possessions, status, the limelight, pleasure, security, work, self-aggrandizement, the promises and panaceas, the answers and avenues, which would claim our lives are everywhere. We are bombarded by them almost every minute of every day. But what prices we pay for these inflated offers of purpose and power? Roy Crock founded the McDonald fast food chain, a Cinderella story of ...

4061. Every Day God Empowers

Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... and the events of this day so important. Jesus came to the Jordan River living a normal life. He heard the call of his cousin, John the Baptizer. And like so many of his neighbors and friends he came to be baptized. He came to physically and symbolically claim a new direction for his life. And God, his father, ratified that direction; and ratified His acceptance of Jesus. "the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am ...

4062. Breakfast On The Beach

John 21:1-17

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... ? It was probably a little of all of them. When Jesus said that all of the disciples would desert him after his betrayal Peter had vehemently said, "I don't care what these guys do. I won't desert you, no matter what happens." In a sense Peter had been claiming that his love for Jesus was greater than theirs. That he was better than them. But he did desert Jesus. Not only did he desert Jesus, he denied even knowing him, not once but three times. And then the cock crowed. "Simon son of John, do you love me ...

4063. Startled By Jesus

Luke 24:36-49

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... He decides to go into ministry. It's startling that the very first act of Jesus' ministry was to be baptized. It's startling because, if Jesus is who John proclaims He is, "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world;" if Jesus is who we claim He is, the sinless Son of God, then He didn't need to be baptized. But Jesus startles us by surrendering Himself to God through baptism just like you and me. C. It's startling that after His baptism, Jesus is driven or lead into the desert where He is ...

4064. A Bethany Blessing

Luke 24:44-53

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... of the Glee Cree Center for Reconciliation and Peace outside of Dublin, Ireland, which became a powerful place of prayer during the Dublin Walks to Emmaus 1 & 2. And then there's this place. This is sacred territory. The heritage of this congregation. And just this space. We claimed this ground for God and we built this building for God. And for many of us, it holds deep significance. And while we are engaged in the work and ministry of this place, it is, in a sense, a home away from home. A safe haven and ...

4065. Living In The Spirit Of Joy

Galatians 5:22-25, Romans 12:9-21

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. [14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. [16] Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. [17] Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. [18] If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. [19] Beloved, never avenge yourselves ...

4066. God IS In The Ordinary

Romans 12:1-2, 9-21

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

4067. Baptism: Take My Good Name

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Illustration

Billy D. Strayhorn

... and empowers us to do the things that Jesus wants us to do here and now. We are able to identify with Jesus because He was baptized. And we are able to love as he loved. Such identification is life changing. That kind of identification shapes what we believe and claims us.

4068. Someone to Call Our Name

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Illustration

Maxie Dunnam

... baptism is about. We are named by God as His child. In adult, or what we may call "believer's baptism," baptism becomes the sign of our return to our Father from whom we have wandered. By repentance and our profession of faith in Christ as Savior and Lord, we claim the inheritance God has offered us as His children.

4069. Joshua People Always Look Forward With Hope

Joshua 1:1-9

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... them from slavery in Egypt. And they didn't trust God to keep God's promises. That brings us to our place in today's Scripture. Moses has died, Joshua has taken over as the leader of the Children of Israel and they stand on the brink of entering and claiming the Promised Land. Joshua and the people of Israel are ready to cross the Jordan. Joshua 1:1-9 (NRSV) [1] After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying, [2] "My servant Moses is dead. Now ...

4070. Joshua People: Turning Worlds Upside Down

Joshua 10:12-15, Acts 17:1-9

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... bail from Jason and the others, they let them go. Now I want you to notice that in both instances the followers of God were doing odd things. Joshua asked and God caused the sun to stand still. Second, those in opposition to Christianity were claiming that the Christians were "turning the world upside down" and now they had brought that message the Thessalonica. And you know, we've been doing that ever since. That's one of the underlying reasons for doing multimedia worship. We need to stand culture and ...

4071. Count the Stars

Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18

Sermon

King Duncan

... tiny irritants. However, some of them may loom quite large. Economists point to improvements in our economy over the past year, but still many people are struggling. Many of our young people with diploma in hand have had difficulty finding work. War still claims many young lives and separates many families. Many small businesses have failed. They say inflation is not yet a problem; still, living day to day seems to be increasingly expensive. Some of us are dealing with issues relating to our health or with ...

4072. Thursday: Broken Bread And Broken Trust

Mark 14:10-26

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... to Jesus. Nathanael also known as Bartholomew, probably the youngest. The one who asked the traditional 4 questions of the Passover Seder meal. James the son of Alphaeus. One tradition says that he was the brother of Matthew and a tax collector like his brother. Others claim he is the son of Mary the wife of Cleopas who witnessed the risen Christ on the Road to Emmaus. Thaddeus or the other Judas, the son of James, often referred to as Jude Thaddeus or Thaddeus Judas, so as not to confuse him with Judas ...

4073. Easter: Seeing Is Believing

John 20:1-18

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... told them that he had said these things to her. We make pilgrimages to the spot of His burial and resurrection but you know what, we're not really sure where it's at. Tradition says one of two places. But I've also read about three other places that claim to be the tomb. And it may be none of them. But what difference does it make? There is no marker on his tomb. We don't come to remember where He was buried, we remember the Resurrection. You only need a tomb if there's a body. And no ...

4074. Unstoppable Determination

Philippians 3:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... danger from flooded rivers, and from robbers, and from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the hands of the Gentiles. I have faced grave dangers from mobs in the cities and from death in the deserts and in the stormy seas and from men who claim to be brothers in Christ but are not. I have lived with weariness and pain and sleepless nights. Often I have been hungry and thirsty and have gone without food; often I have shivered with cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm” (II Corinthians 11: 23 ...

4075. Gideon: One Giant Leap

Judges 6:11-16

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... for everyone. You see, sometimes, even the best Christian looks at someone and makes a snap judgment about whether that person has gotten what they deserve. That's the way we think isn't it? But for the most part, none of us, especially those of us who claim to belong to Christ, have gotten what we deserve. We deserve justice and judgment but what we've received instead is mercy and grace through Christ. All this ministry does is extend the mercy and grace we've experienced to those who may not even know it ...

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