Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 4076 to 4100 of 4963 results

4076. On the Mountainside

Matthew 6:5-13

Sermon

John E. Harnish

... Hula Hoop. And of course, Goldie was right...in times of depression and despair, we do need something to spark our lives, but I certainly hope there is more there than the hula hoop! The prayer begins with the powerful affirmation of the God who is there, a God who is ... between east and west in the palm of his hand, with the weight of the world resting on his shoulders and the hopes of the nation focused on his leadership. But there in the picture, crawling out from under the imposing presidential desk is the ...

4077. Out of Solitude

Luke 4:1-13

Sermon

John E. Harnish

... , for the sake of our lives. I don't know why I ended up with so much poetry in this sermon. Maybe it's because the IXOYC and Covenant Choirs were singing in these services-do they still teach you to love poetry in school? I hope so. And I hope in addition to John Greenleaf Whittier, you learn about Jane Kenyon. Jane Kenyon and I were born in the same year, 1947. She was born in Ann Arbor, graduated from the University of Michigan, and ultimately became the poet laureate of New Hampshire. She died much ...

4078. Romans 13:9-21

Romans 13:8-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... ;” 2) be “patient in suffering;” and 3) “persevere in prayer.” This same trinity of traits is found in Romans 8:24‑27, for Paul knew well that the joy of hope would always be faced with the realities of suffering in this life, and joy would only be maintained through persistent, consistent prayer. Notice how much “attitude” is part of agape love. Yet so is decisive, everyday action. To that end, Paul concludes this first, internally directed series of admonitions with ...

4079. Wake Well, Wake Welcome

Romans 13:8-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of the bed. Just read 2 Corinthians 11 sometime. Beatings, imprisonment, rejection, shipwrecks, death threats, one stoning, these are things that could make it tough to wake with a sunny disposition. But the apostle’s “awakenings” were consistently filled with joy, with peace, with hope, for Paul knew that the joy of the Lord was his strength. In other words, in whatever state Paul was in, he could “wake well” to a new day. Bill Borden, the 20th century heir of the Borden Dairy estate, left it all ...

4080. Deep Calling to Deep

Ephesians 1:3-14

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... -day whatever will be, will be! Such a practicing of our blessed Lord's faith may not be blasphemous or heretical but it will undoubtedly be minimal. This we must shun and be on our guard against. Our spiritual growth demands we keep moving on, hopefully upward. As a boy, I remember honest people during the time of testimonials saying exactly the same thing at each and every service. It is not that they were in any sense wicked people. However, surely there could have been some indication of change, showing ...

4081. Taking a Necessary Step

Acts 19:1-7

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... a step to take. We may find it to our liking. Likewise, we may discover we don't like it at all! Paul's friends had a step to take. Otherwise, they would remain thwarted in what was intended for them. This is so like our lives, isn't it? Hopefully, every step shows forward movement under the banner of Jesus Christ. We may be complimented for our goodness, only to learn it just isn't good enough for the eyes of one who is the only one who ultimately counts. Dear friends, pause to give thanks for your lives ...

4082. Making Disciples

2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... goes away. What does it take to get our spiritual batteries charged and keep them charged? Most importantly, a humble spirit saturated by the Holy Spirit is imperative. Is there some reason to wait, perhaps because of a theological difference? In the name of God, I hope that is not the case! Always keep a vision of greeting someone in heaven because you were faithful to the Spirit of the Living God. We must not fail, dear friends, and we are so privileged just to have the opportunity at all. For countless ...

4083. Parades and Crosses — The Challenge of Ministry

2 Corinthians 4:5-12

Sermon

Maurice A. Fetty

... ministry. He said they were really dependent on other churches who had taken their responsibility more seriously. "I told him I hadn't heard any voices or seen any visions. He said that didn't matter, and that perhaps God was calling me through these experiences and people. I hope you won't be angry at me, Dad, but I guess that is how I'm feeling." IV Well, what is a father to do? This one thought deeply as he sipped his coffee. Despite his personal heartache, he had a deepening respect for his son whom he ...

4084. Jesus Is the Recipe for Eternal Life

Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... the directions to the letter, add the right ingredients, follow the proper procedure, and bake things at the proper temperature and amount of time, the final result will be what we hope and expect. In similar ways, if we follow the plan, procedure, or recipe for our daily work things will come out as we hope. Whether we are filing reports, preparing presentations, studying for an examination in school, or simply driving home after a hard day at the office, there are generally accepted recipes for success ...

4085. Engage Mind before Putting Mouth in Gear

James 3:1-12

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... Peace Corps and many other civil and religious groups, seeking to aid those less fortunate, sprang up and gave people reason for hope. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in probably his most famous speech told those assembled during the "March on Washington": "I have a ... his feet and listen to his words (Luke 10:41-42). Jesus used words to console the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-17) and to bring hope to the centurion whose servant was sick (Mark 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10) and to the blind man at Jericho (Luke 18:35-43). ...

4086. Prayer: A Way of Life

James 5:13-20

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... . If prayer is communicating with God, there can be no better way than to demonstrate by action what one wishes or hopes for another. James uses the example of Elijah to demonstrate the power and effectiveness of prayer, in word and action. Clearly, ... It is very easy to say, "Thank you," but much harder to go out of our way in some gesture of thanksgiving. When God acts as we hope, we often give thanks and praise in return. But does our thanksgiving end with a word and a nod of the head? What can we actively ...

4087. Practicing God’s Presence

Hebrews 10:11-25

Sermon

Lee Ann Dunlap

... friendlier ones. Some sought the easier path of a private faith —believing in their heads and hearts but keeping their commitments secret. If these believers were to survive the trials and grow in faith, they needed a hope on which to lean. The preacher sought to give that hope using the story of another group of struggling pilgrims — the Hebrews on their journey to the promised land. Remember that tabernacle — the physical signpost of God's continuing presence as the Hebrews traveled to Canaan? God ...

4088. New Rules, Old Fools

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship One: For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. All: He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be ... a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Older: Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. One: Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, All: and steadfast love belongs ...

4089. Cracked Pots

2 Corinthians 4:5-12

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship Understand — cracked pots can be used for many things. In Paul's time, people used cracked pots for business receipts, wedding invitations, personal letters. A broken pot was not a useless pot. There's hope in that. Come, God's hopeful people. Come to worship. Collect Lord we strive as your people to witness through our flaws to display your perfection. Bear with us, and bear us all together to our reward. Amen. Prayer Of Confession God, are we truly afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, ...

4090. The Harder They Fall

1 Samuel 17:1-58, Psalm 146:1-10

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

... praises to my God all my life long. Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish. Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind ...

4091. Weaving the Spirit’s Trail

Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... close to the perfection that is God and the perfection that God might well require of us. We are all receivers. Not givers, first. But receivers. And all we receive is grace. All we receive is mercy. All we give we have first received. All we can hope for is the Jesus-inspired sacrifice of a “Spirit-trail” that offers us a way out—-that extends a saving hand in to pull us towards the kingdom for which we long. In Latin the word “textus” means “weave.” So “text” means “weave.” “Text ...

4092. Dressed in our Sunday Best

Matthew 22:1-14

Illustration

Brett Blair

... Wondering what could have possibly happened, after lunch the members of the church returned to the home and found the family just getting back, all dressed in their new clothes. "We don't mean to be nosey but we would like to know what happened. We had hoped to see you this morning in church," the leader of the church inquired. The father spoke up. He said, "Well, we got up this morning intending to come. And we sure do appreciate your invitation. But after we showered, shaved, and dressed, why we looked so ...

4093. Blazing a Path to Christ

Mark 1:1-8

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... of the dream he had of a nation where people would not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. In the late 1970s, Archbishop Oscar Romero in El Salvador heard the cry of the poor in his land and acted to bring hope and justice to a society dominated by wealth and power. Nelson Mandella and Bishop Desmond Tutu in South Africa provided the light to lead their nation out of the dark night of apartheid to a new light of freedom for all. Our history is replete with examples of ...

4094. Discipleship: The Beauty and the Cross

Luke 2:21-40

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... s other side. This, too, sold in quick fashion. But the ordinary and plain bowl was repeatedly overlooked and, thus, he gave up hope of being sold quickly. He settled into the life of the shop. He was cared for, regularly dusted, and even given a warm ... had no money to purchase one. Thus, all the monies from sales this day would go to the family. The bowl was very excited for it hoped that now was his chance to again serve. But what could he do; no one ever noticed him. Then he heard a woman walking toward him ...

4095. Accepting the Unconventional in Life

Mark 2:13-22

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... said, "I do not have to for he will be punished terribly. He knew what his fate would be if he shared the mantra of life with those who were unenlightened. For him it has become the mantra of death. He will live in darkness and despair, without hope or knowledge of the truth. He will live isolated and alone, without comfort of faith and will even lose his soul. How could I punish him further?" And with these words the old master gathered his few belongings, looked at his students sadly and said, "I am going ...

4096. Brothers and Sisters of Jesus

Mark 3:31-35

Sermon

George Reed

... make disciples of Jesus Christ and not perpetuate an organization. We are about the work of inviting people to come and do the will of God for their lives and for the life of the world. We have the way to a full and abundant life that offers meaning and hope to a world gone mad. Whatever kind of program or advertising campaign we may embark on, it needs to be for the purpose of helping us reach people for God. If our congregation doesn't survive, then let it be that we went out bringing people into a life ...

4097. Day One: a New Beginning

Genesis 1:1-5

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

... and I need to flip the switch so that the corners of these neglected lives are lit up with the light of Jesus Christ! Let us put in the higher watt bulbs of better schools, of decent health care, and communities of love who reach out to offer friendship and hope. We are born anew with this Christ child who has come, and as ones made new, we can take a powerful lesson from the Genesis story of creation. It's day one for us today. What can we do? It's day one for us today. How can we shine ...

4098. A Sure-Fire Way to End Burn Out

Isaiah 40:21-31

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

... in the outcome our efforts, if we place our focus on the things we can control, on our daily living, on the choices we make about hope, healing, and justice, then we will cry out for God and God will say, "Here I am" (Isaiah 58:9). For God gives power to us ... over to God. It is in partnership with each other and with God's Holy Spirit that we move forward in faith, trusting in God, hoping in love, and knowing that we throw our hearts and our efforts into the fray in the service of God's way ... and not our ...

4099. With Friends Like These ...

Job 38:1-7 (34-41)

Sermon

Mary S. Lautensleger

... is the very action that is needed most. Be firm in encouraging them to go out and participate in activities with others, or to join you for an evening of games. Trying to provide assurance that the pain will lessen or finally go away does not give hope in the present. It will more likely work to disavow the person's loss, and discount his or her pain. There may be times when we think to ourselves, "Well, they got exactly what they deserved" or "He brought all these troubles upon himself." Don't go there ...

4100. Risking Relationships That Redeem

Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17

Sermon

Mary S. Lautensleger

... aside her bitter feelings and to take charge of her life again after the devastating loss of her husband and sons. An older widow like Naomi, in a foreign country, had no future at all. By returning to her own people, she could at least hope for some charity. But without a male heir, she was essentially defenseless and powerless, even within her own society. As an older widow, Naomi's social situation is precarious enough, but as a young widow with no prospects of marriage before her, Ruth faces a future ...

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