Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: Levi, disciple, evangelist, tax collector, the 12, the twelve, apostle, sermon on the mount, jewish audience, beatitudes, lord's prayer, great commission, parables, olivet discourse, mount of olives, olivet, synoptic

Showing 4151 to 4175 of 4942 results

4151. Called out of Death

John 11:17-37

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

Greeting Leader: Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" Congregation: Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world. Leader: Jesus also said to Martha that if she believed she would see the glory of God. Congregation: Lord, we believe. Let God's glory be seen here today. Prayer God who creates, nurtures and ...

4152. Christ the King

John 18:28-40

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

Greeting Ldr: Pilate had Jesus brought before him to ask if Jesus were the king of the Jews. Cng: Jesus, we have come before you to affirm your authority over our lives. Ldr: Jesus proclaimed that his kingship was not from this world. Cng: Jesus, bring your kingdom into our world, and let it come soon. Prayer Our Father, each time we receive your holy communion, a new surge of Jesus' royal blood courses through our souls. Jesus' kingdom may not be from this world, but we certainly feel the influence of his ...

4153. Inextinguisable Light

Matthew 5:10

Children's Sermon

B. Kathleen Fannin

Object: A "magic" birthday candle (the type that relights itself when it is blown out) inserted in a muffin or cupcake. Lesson: Light; darkness; love; hatred. "This morning I'd like you to help me understand the last of the Beatitudes. Jesus said, 'Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' 'Persecute' is a big word, isn't it? Does anyone know what it means?" Most of the children sit in silence but one of the older ones suggests that "persecute" ...

4154. The Righteous

Psalm 107:1-43

Sermon

John A. Terry

I have never been to the Holy Land, but I have heard the land described. The "desert" in Palestine is not made up of sand dunes, but of parched, rock-filled crusty soil. It quickly turns to dust in the long dry seasons. This is an arid land where water was used only for the most essential needs. When the rain falls, the thirsty land is satisfied and in a few days the land rejoices with blossoms shooting up everywhere in beautiful array. Soon again the dry season returns, the harvest ends, and the problems ...

4155. The Pure In Heart

Psalm 42:1-11

Sermon

John A. Terry

Purity of heart is a common thead throughout scripture. The first of the Ten Commandments says: "You shall have no other gods before me" (Deuteronomy 5:7). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other" (Matthew 6:24). "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and ...

4156. The Persecuted

John 15:18-27

Sermon

John A. Terry

Jack Cahill, an advertising executive from Kansas City, Missouri, has suggested new marketing techniques which can help to tap the appeal to popular blessings. Beginning with the Roman Catholic Church (24 percent of the U.S. market), he suggests a strategy of market segmentation, a clear positioning of the church identifying specific subgroups within the brand name. For the contemporary branch of the Roman Catholic Church, "the one that features hip priests, guitar playing, hand shaking, hugging, and other ...

4157. Calming the Storm

Mark 4:35-41

Sermon Aid

Richard A. Jensen

In the overall structure of Mark's Gospel we now move into material that follows the Parable of the Sower, which is the plot synopsis of the first ten chapters of Mark. This story of the disciples in the boat, along with the whole of Mark 5, is about different kinds of soil. The Sower sows the word and people hear and receive that word in different ways. The rocky-ground disciples are afraid. Fear is one of the fundamental responses to the Sower in Mark's story. Mark's Gospel, in fact, ends with a note of ...

4158. A Dead Girl and A Sick Woman

Mark 5:21-43

Sermon Aid

Richard A. Jensen

The revised lectionary cycle serves us well by putting the intercalated stories of the healing of the unclean woman with the flow of blood and the raising of the twelve-year-old girl together again. We still have the problem, however, that vv. 1-20 are omitted totally from the lectionary readings. It can be argued on a number of premises that these three stories belong together. They belong together, for example, as a threefold response to the question of the disciples: "Who then is this, that even the ...

4159. Forgiven and Healed

Mark 2:1-12

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

Note: To be forgiven and have our guilt lifted from our shoulders is about as great as a gift can be. No wonder such crowds gathered around Jesus. Greeting Leader: Men and women, children and youth, young and old, we are looking for people who have sinned. People: I have sinned, many times. My life has been crippled by sin. Leader: Then you have come to the right place. We are here so that you may know that the Son of Man, our Lord Jesus Christ, has authority on earth to forgive sins. People: Lord, have ...

4160. August 7-13

John 6:25-59

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

Theme: Those whom God draws to Jesus Christ cannot help but bow down in thanksgiving, praise and service as they feast on the bread of life. Call to Worship Leader: "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' " Congregation: God of life, we come to be taught by you. Leader: Jesus said, "Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me." Congregation: We come. Feed us, Living Bread from heaven. Greeting Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father ...

4161. AUGUST 14-20

John 6:25-59

Sermon Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

Theme: John is very plain. Unless we eat and drink Jesus Christ, we will not live forever. GREETING The Choir sings the chorus, "Eat This Bread," that comes out of the Taize Community. Choir: (Sings the chorus.) People: You, Lord, are our living bread, giving your own flesh for the life of the world. Choir: (Sings the chorus.) People: You are our true food, our true drink. Abide in us, and let us abide in you. Choir: (Sings the chorus.) People: Feast of life, feast from heaven, feed us till we want no more ...

4162. October 2-8

Mark 10:1-12

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

Greeting Leader: Brothers and sisters, we are created in God's image. Congregation: Male and female, you created us, O God. Leader: As men and women, O God, we lift up one voice to praise you, our Creator. Congregation: What God has joined together, let no one separate. Greeting Leader: Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me... for it is to such as these that the kingdom belongs." Congregation: Make our hearts, Eternal Father, like those of little chilren. Leader: And Jesus said, "Truly I tell you ...

4163. Real Wisdom

Mark 6:2

Children's Sermon

Object: a picture of an owl Good morning, boys and girls. I brought a picture of a bird this morning. Does anyone know what kind of bird this is? (Wait for show of hands and choose someone to answer.) That's right, this is an owl. What can you tell me about owls? (Let them respond. They may mention some of the following.) They fly. They sleep during the day. They sit high in trees and old buildings. They hunt at night. They're wise. Did someone say wise? I'm glad you mentioned that because that's what I ...

4164. Runaway Lives

2 Samuel 18:1-18

Sermon

Robert Noblett

For cowboy lovers, the 1950s were golden. There were more cowboys than you can count on your fingers and toes: Hopalong Cassidy, and Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, The Lone Ranger, Lash LaRue and the list goes on. There were probably only a dozen or so basic scenarios played out in all their shows, and one of the classics was the runaway stagecoach. The driver became incapacitated, the horses went mad, the coach was full of terrified passengers, and along came Roy riding Trigger at what seemed like seventy-five ...

4165. In Search of a Leader

Sermon

Robert Noblett

Anyone who has served on a nominating committee knows how crucial talented leadership is to any group, including the body of Christ. God, our story reminds us, shares that concern. God is unhappy with Saul’s leadership and sends Samuel on a mission to secure a replacement. Look Who Is Doing the Calling Perhaps the most salient features of this story is the fact that it is God who is doing the calling, with Samuel as his agent. Leaders in the church vary in their understanding of the call to ministry, but ...

4166. King By Force

John 6:1-15

Sermon

Robert Salzgeber

"A large crowd followed (Jesus), because they had seen his miracles of healing the sick." Notice the crowd's condition for following Jesus. There is an angel. He was able to heal sick people, therefore they followed. There was one more reason why Jesus would have been somewhat reticent about openly sharing miracles, signs and wonders. He did not wish people to follow him simply because he was able to physically heal people. Others could do that also. So he would often ask his followers to tell no one about ...

4167. The M And M Factor

Mark 2:23-3:6

Sermon

Leonard H. Budd

Caleb was probably the laziest boy in the whole village. At least that was his reputation, although no one had ever done scientific study on the question. Caleb could sit in one position - usually, shaded by a tree and upon a matting of soft grass - for hours. He could sit there and watch the clouds move across the sky from daybreak to sunset. Actually, he was never out of bed at day break so the statement was more for effect than truth! This day Caleb had chosen to escape his field chores by hiding away ...

4168. As Mortals See

1 Samuel 15:1-35

Sermon

Charles Curley

I made a big mistake when I began to read and study in preparation for this sermon on 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13. I decided to go back first and read all of Chapter 15, just to see what could possibly have happened to King Saul to bring us to the tragic point in the story of Israel where we read: "Samuel grieved over Saul, and the Lord was sorry that he had made Saul king over Israel." (1 Samuel 15:35) And that was my mistake, reading Chapter 15, because I got hooked on Saul! Instead of finding Saul a tyrant, ...

4169. Eating Living Bread

John 6:25-59

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

Most Americans eat well. Three square meals a day is not uncommon. Indeed, many eat five or six times a day if coffee breaks, evening snacks, and other times of eating are counted in addition to breakfast, lunch, and supper. Drive through a town of any consequence and count the number of fast food places and restaurants that are found. At some corners of major roads or along a block or two of a busy thoroughfare you may find five to ten feeding establishments. It is not uncommon to find in close proximity ...

4170. The Unclean Spirit

Mark 1:21-28

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

This healing story is the first pronouncement story in Cycle B. The pronouncement formula presents a situation, builds to a climax, offers a solution and gives a statement of the issue. In the early church, this format made for easier recall of the story for oral retelling. While healing on the sabbath is mentioned in this miracle, the main issue is authority. In another Cycle B miracle for Epiphany 7, healing the paralytic (Miracle 4), Jesus observes rumblings and questions among the scribes (Mark 2:6) ...

4171. Lent 4

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

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: We are saved by grace through faith. God provided the bronze serpent for the Israelites bitten by the fiery serpents (Numbers 21), that those who gazed on it might live. So too, the Father lifted up Jesus on the cross, that all who look to Him in faith might have eternal life. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Numbers 21:4-9 The Israelites grow impatient as they wander in the wilderness surrounding the country of Edom and complain about God's provision for their needs. The text states that God sent ...

4172. Christmas Eve

Lk 2:1-20 · Isa 9:2-7 · Tit 2:11-14 · Ps 96

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

THIS WEEK'S TEXT Revised Common: Isaiah 9:2-7 · Titus 2:11-14 · Luke 2:1-20 Roman Catholic: Isaiah 9:1-7 · Titus 2:11-14 · Luke 2:1-14 Episcopal: Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7 · Titus 2:11-14 · Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2-7 This lovely poem was composed at a time of historical darkness. The Assyrians had defeated Zebulon and Naphtali, taking them captive in 734 B.C. The threat of national annihilation was very real. Nevertheless, Isaiah holds high the light of hope, anchored not in humans but ...

4173. Passion Sunday

Mk 14:1 - 15:47 · Isa 50:4-9 · Phil 2:5-11 · Ps 31:9-16

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

THIS WEEK'S TEXT Revised Common: Isaiah 50:4-9a · Philippians 2:5-11 · Mark 14:1--15:47 or Mark 15:1-39 (40-47) Roman Catholic: Isaiah 50:4-7 · Philippians 2:6-11 · Mark 14:1--15:47 Episcopal: Isaiah 45:21-25 or Isaiah 52:13--53:12 · Philippians 2:5-11 · Mark (14:32-72) or 15:1-39 (40-47) COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Isaiah 50:4-9a The third servant song. The Lord gives his servant the task of comforting his beaten people. His efforts meet with rejection and abuse but his faith in Yahweh remains unwavering. Lesson ...

4174. Proper 10

Mark 6:14-29, 2 Samuel 6:1-23, Ephesians 1:1-14

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Unity through the Lordship and headship of Christ. COMMENTARY Old Testament: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 David brings the Ark of the Covenant up from Kirjath-jearim to his new capital, Jerusalem. The ark is set on a new cart and David and his men dance and sing in procession. On the way, the ox pulling the cart stumbles and Uzzah reaches out to steady the ark and keep it from falling and is struck dead by the Lord for taking such liberties. David becomes angry with the Lord and also afraid. He leaves the ...

4175. Proper 11

Ephesians 2:11-22, 2 Samuel 7:1-17, Mark 6:45-56, Mark 6:30-44

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Building the kingdom of God. COMMENTARY Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7:1-14a Some scholars judge chapter 7 to be an insertion from a later period. The purpose of this text is to explain why King David did not construct the temple. The setting for this pericope finds David victorious over his enemies; he has built himself an ornate palace and wants to build the Lord a worthy dwelling. At that time, the Ark of the Covenant was housed in a tent. David reveals his plan to Nathan, the prophet, who initially ...

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