Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 4126 to 4150 of 4943 results

4126. Lent 4

John 3:1-21, Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... as a gift of God, never as the outcome of human achievement. Nevertheless, if we have been born anew, we will live new lives and realize the purpose for which we were created, good works (v. 10). Gospel: John 3:14-21 The passage constitutes a continuation of the account of Nicodemus' encounter with Jesus. The Lord relates the meaning of the new birth. Verse 14 connects to the story of the fiery serpents, contained in the First Lesson. As the bronze serpent was lifted up as an antidote for the deadly bite ...

4127. Proper 14

Ephesians 4:17--5:21, 2 Samuel 18:1-18, John 6:25-59

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... the rebels and Absalom was killed, Joab decided that David needed to be informed. Ahimaaz begged to be accorded the task of being herald. Joab knew that this man was not the right person for the task and so he sent a Cushite. Nevertheless, Ahimaaz continued to importune his commander, who eventually gave in. Though the Cushite got a head start, the other man took another route and overtook him, appearing first before the king. Yet he was not able to relate the sad news of Absalom's death, pleading ignorance ...

4128. Advent 2

2 Peter 3:1-18, Isaiah 40:1-31, Mark 1:1-8

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... beyond time; he is not governed by the earthly dictates of times and seasons. We are such slaves of time; we live by the clock! Eternal life, which for believers begins in this life, moves us into an existence beyond time and space. Yet we continue to be enslaved to time and agendas. This clouds our vision of the timeless, the eternal. In this world we cannot escape the clutches of time and space, but we can at least be cognizant of the eternal and attempt to experience it through contemplation, worship ...

4129. Advent 3

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28, Isaiah 61:1-11, John 1:19-28, John 1:1-18

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... news of God's liberation and freedom, people will listen and respond. Dr. Martin Luther King is an outstanding example of this principle. The word also has the power to free us from other kinds of bondage -- selfishness, addiction and fear. We must continue lifting up the Lord's liberating good news and grace. Sermon Title: The Lord Is My Liberator. Sermon Angle: The prophet announced that the Lord would free his exiled people from their bondage and bring them home. This freedom would become manifest in ...

4130. Advent 4

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... a sign, the angel relates that the Lord had already brought about a miraculous pregnancy in the life of her older kinswoman, Elizabeth (vv. 36-37). Mary receives the glorious announcement in humble submission to the will of God. In this passage we view continuity and novelty. God would fulfill his promise to his people in a wonderful and vastly more inclusive manner. THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 God doesn't need a house. That was the basic message that Nathan delivered to David ...

4131. All Saints' Sunday

Jn 11:32-44 · Mt 5:1-12 · Isa 25:6-9 · Rev 7:9-17; 21:1-6 · Ps 24

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... the Cardinal. "We bear the remains of his Imperial and Apostolic Majesty, Franz-Josef I, by the grace of God Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, Defender of the Faith, Prince of Bohemia-Moravia, Grand Duke of Lombardy, Venezia, Styrgia...." The officer continued to list the Emperor's thirty-seven titles. "We know him not," rejoined the Cardinal. "Who goes there?" The officer spoke again, this time using a much abbreviated and less pretentious title. "We know him not," the Cardinal said again. "Who goes ...

4132. Corpus Christi

Mk 4:12-16, 22-26 · Heb 9:11-15 · Ex 24:3-8 · Ps 126

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... attitude toward Christ, his blood either acquits us or convicts us. New covenant (v. 24). The word "new" is employed by some ancient manuscripts but deleted by others. If the word is left out, it implies that what Jesus is doing is in continuity with the Old Testament covenants. There is great truth here. However, the insertion of the word "new" shows that what Jesus is doing rises far above and beyond anything that God had previously done. This too, by faith, remains undeniable. God had previously offered ...

4133. Easter 6

John 15:18--16:4, Acts 10:23b-48, 1 John 5:1-12

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... C) Everyone who trusts in Jesus as the Christ is born of God, loves God, keeps his commandments and conquers the world through faith. Lesson 2: 1 John 4:7-10 (RC); 1 John 4:7-21 (E) (See Easter 5) Gospel: John 15:9-17 (C, RC, E) This continues the vine and branches discourse from last week's Gospel. Knowing that the end of his earthly life was approaching, Jesus instructs his disciples to abide in his love, to show forth the same kind of love as that shared between the Father and the Son. Our love is shown ...

4134. Epiphany 6

1 Corinthians 10:23--11:1, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27, Leviticus 13:1-46, 2 Kings 5:1-27, Mark 1:40-45

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... to win the heavenly prize. Energy conservation. When Paul states that he does not box as one aimlessly beating the air (v. 26), he's talking about energy conservation. Back in the '70s the Arab oil embargo shocked us into realizing that we could not continue being so profligate in our use of energy. The price of gas went up dramatically to cool demand; it was rationed in some cases. Autos started becoming more economical and much information was disseminated as to how we could make our buildings more energy ...

4135. Epiphany 8

Hosea 2:2-23, Mark 2:18-22, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... site of their original courting, that the relationship between God and his people might be repristinated. The word "pristine" connotes fresh, new and pure. It doesn't take long for love's pristine fragrance and color to fade. Love can only be reborn when we are willing continually to renew our pledge of love to one another and to the Lord. How to green your valleys. The renewal of God's covenant with his people is tied in to the renewal of the land as well. The wilderness or desert becomes the place where ...

4136. The Epiphany Season

Mt 2:1-12 · Jn 1:43-51 · Mk 1:9-28; 35-45 · Mk 2:1-12; 18-22 · Mk 9:2-13

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... taken over Christmas to promote its products. When that festival was later moved to December 25, the birth of Jesus came to be associated with that date, while January 6th was retained as the date to celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. The Eastern Church continued to celebrate the baptism of Christ on January 6th, while the Western Church associated Epiphany with the story of the Magi. The church of the East lifted up the Lord's baptism, so as to combat Gnostic heresies that claimed that Jesus was adopted as ...

4137. Proper 16

John 6:25-59, John 6:60-71, 1 Kings 8:22-61, Ephesians 6:10-20

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... the twelve if they too wanted to drop out (v. 67). Peter replied that they would stay; there was no other teacher who could lead them to eternal life. Too many Christians are satisfied to stick to the elementary things of Christ. To continue as his disciples we must move on to not only graduate studies but to daily field work in his kingdom. Outline: 1. Explain how the difficulty of university courses is designated by numbers. 2. Jesus was leading his disciples beyond elementary courses in discipleship ...

4138. Proper 20

Proverbs 31:10-31, Mark 9:30-37, James 3:13-18; 4:1-12

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... prayer. He says the reason God doesn't answer our prayers is that they are self-centered. We are not seeking God but the things that will gratify our pleasures and desires. Closely related to this, God does not answer us because we have unconfessed sin and continue to live in sin. Effective prayer always possesses the attitude that Jesus had when he prayed: "Nevertheless, not my will but thy will be done." Outline: Why doesn't God answer some of our prayers? 1. We ask wrongly (v. 3). 2. We ask selfishly. 3 ...

4139. Proper 24

Job 38:1–41:34, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Mark 10:35-45, Hebrews 5:1-10

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... chapter presents an argument from creation. Job was not present at the creation of the world; how can he dare to question the sovereign God? Lesson 1: Isaiah 53:10-11 (RC); Isaiah 53:4-12 (E) Lesson 2: Hebrews 5:1-10 (C) The writer continues to demonstrate how the Christian religion is superior to the Jewish faith from which it sprang. In this lection, he presents Christ as our great high priest but one who is superior to the regularly appointed high priests. Jesus is appointed directly by God. Christ ...

4140. Proper 25

Hebrews 7:11-28, Job 42:7-17, Job 42:1-6, Mark 10:46-52

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... writer of Hebrews likes to contrast the incompleteness of the Judaic faith apart from Christ. The earthly priests were many because they were forced to lay aside their office through sin and death. In contrast, "He (Jesus) holds his priesthood permanently because he continues forever. He is able for all time to save those who approach God." The sacrifices of the priests were imperfect because they had to be repeated but Jesus offered up himself for us as the one all-sufficient sacrifice (v. 27). All other ...

4141. Proper 26

Hebrews 9:11-28, Ruth 1:1-22, Mark 12:28-34

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... tearfully parts from Naomi but Ruth refuses to leave and vows to accompany her until death. This text provides a classic story of friendship and loyalty. Old Testament: Deuteronomy 6:1-9 Epistle: Hebrews 9:11-14 The author of Hebrews continues his comparison of the ministry of Christ with that of the Jewish religion. This lection compares the earthly religious sanctuary, where priests offered repeated sacrifices, to the heavenly sanctuary, where Christ offered his own blood, in atonement for the sins of ...

4142. Proper 4

Mark 2:23-3:6, 1 Samuel 3:1--4:1, 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... text from the Revised Common Lectionary God speaks out against the corruption under Eli. In the Gospel Jesus challenges the common understanding of the Sabbath, which leads to Jesus' condemnation of the powers that be. COMMENTARY Old Testament: 1 Samuel 3:1-20 This pericope continues the story of Samuel from 2:26. The text begins with a statement about the spiritual poverty of Israelites under the priest Eli, who is old and has lost control of his sons. "The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions ...

4143. Proper 6

Mk 4:26-34 · 2 Cor 5:6-17 · 1 Sam 15:34 - 16:13 · Ps 20

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... 15:34--16:13 The beginning of the end. In the passage prior to this one, Samuel severely dresses down Saul for having disobeyed God in not utterly destroying the Amalekites. Samuel announces that the Lord will replace Saul with a more worthy king. Saul continues to reign for some time yet but his source of authority has been removed. It was the beginning of the end. Grief work (v. 1). Samuel grieved over Saul. Apparently there were close personal bonds. The Lord tells the prophet to snap out of his grief ...

4144. Proper 9

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, Mark 6:1-13, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... 's army captures the city of Jerusalem from its inhabitants and it becomes the capital of the united kingdom. David reigns as king of Israel and Judah for some 33 years. Old Testament: Ezekiel 2:1-7 Epistle: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Paul continues the defense of his gospel. Some time after 1 Corinthians was penned, the relationship between Paul and the Corinthians deteriorated. The apostle responded by sending a "severe letter" to them through Titus (2:4), in which he defends his apostleship. This pericope may ...

4145. The Lord Is The Creator God Of The Universe

Job 38:1--41:34

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

... Lord, so often we have taken for granted the whole of creation and treated it as if we had a right to do whatever we pleased with it. And we have even tried to ignore the fact that You are truly the Creator God of all the universe as we continue to live our lives each in our own self-centered way. Forgive us, Lord, and lead us back into Your loving fold. In Christ we pray. Amen. Hymns "How Great Thou Art" "Holy, Holy, Holy" "Open My Eyes, That I May See"

4146. New Life From Old

1 John 2:28--3:10

Sermon

Mark J. Molldrem

... and yet have come to believe." Though we have not seen, we still have the privilege to eat and drink with our Lord. He has not left us without a sign of his resurrection, without a symbol of his eternal presence with his people. The close encounter continues. New life from old occurs as we receive Holy Communion, the family meal of the children of God, through which the crucified Jesus is truly present with us. Plain old bread is made into a witness of his body -- crucified, yet risen. Common old wine is ...

4147. The Word Of The Cross Is The Power of God

1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5

Sermon

Mark J. Molldrem

... who is with us, hidden in the shape of crosses, helping us grow into real, eyes-wide-open, caring, loving, thankful human beings. The word of the cross is the power of God! Martin Luther, in his delicious treatise The Magnificat, expresses it this way: "God will continue to let his people become powerless, and to be brought low, until everyone supposes their end is near. Yet in these very things he is present to them with all his power. He hides himself in the cross with those who suffer. Only faith can see ...

4148. Obedience

Sermon

Mark J. Molldrem

... for the day of judgment. He did not. He was obedient. On Thursday evening, when he went to the garden to pray, he could have told his Heavenly Father that enough was enough. "You cannot expect me to do this, Father. It is beyond my capabilities. I would rather continue my mission in another way. Let's see if something else would work to bring your people back to you." No! He did not. He prayed instead, "Not my will but yours be done." He was obedient. When they came to arrest him in the garden, one of his ...

4149. Made New By Getting Lost

Luke 3:1-20

Sermon

Richard A. Wing

... advice. If you take my advice, and do it right, you will get well and I will be off the hook. But if you do not follow my advice, or do not follow it properly, I am off the hook nonetheless: I have done the best I could, and your continued suffering is clearly your fault. By trying to fix you with advice, rather than simply suffering with you, I hold myself away from your pain. We are found when we are open to holy disorder. Nancy Baker, editor of our church paper, is among the most well-read persons I ...

4150. Getting The Face We Deserve

Luke 9:28-36

Sermon

Richard A. Wing

... the nature of the scorpion to sting, should I change my nature which is to save?" God reaches out. Most of the time we're too noisy or too busy getting more of what we have enough of, or we're looking for God in all the wrong places. God continues to reach out. Every once in a while, when we dare to be silent, the hand of God touches us in a mysterious way. The next time that happens to you, will you notice that hand and how it has been stung? Notice the marks. God still reaches out to ...

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