Sermon and Worship Resources

Dictionary: Rest

Leisure time offers a respite from work, those essential duties of life such as paid employment and maintaining a household, to pursue other activities. Such nonobligatory pursuits range from entertainment to fine art, from peaceful relaxation to physical activity.

From the beginning, humankind was intended to work (Gen. 1:28; 2:15), but God also set apart one day per week for his creatures to share in his divine rest (Gen. 2:2–3; Exod. 20:8–11). This weekly rest should bring to mind God’s creation and the final rest in the age to come (Heb. 4:9–11). Although leisure time and Sabbath observance are not identical, both are opportunities to give thanks, worship, and put hope in God. They also refresh and enrich earthly life.

Indeed, every good thing is a gift from the Father (James 1:17), including time off from daily duties. How one uses leisure time is thus a matter of stewardship, much like one’s use of money and working time (cf. Matt. 25:14–30). Thus, although the Bible does not discuss playing sports or writing poetry, it does proclaim Christ as Lord over all spheres of life. Therefore “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).

Synonyms: relax, take a rest, ease up/off, let up, slow down, pause, have/take a break, unbend, repose, laze, idle, loaf, do nothing, take time off, slack off, unwind, recharge one's batteries, be at leisure, take it easy, sit back, sit down, stand down, lounge, luxuriate, loll, slump, flop, put one's feet up, lie down, go to bed, have/take a nap, nap, catnap, doze, have/take a siesta, drowse, sleep, lie, be laid, recline, be, be placed, be positioned, support, prop (up), steady, balance, lean, lay, set, sit, stand, position, place, put, be based on, be grounded in, be founded on, depend on, be dependent on, rely on, hinge on, turn on, hang on, pivot on, be contingent on, revolve around, centre on, relaxation, leisure, ease, inactivity, respite, time off, time out, breathing space, break, interval, interlude, intermission, base, holder, stay, prop, brace, rack, hook, frame, shelf, bracket, trestle, tripod, plinth, pedestal, foundation, bed, foot, substructure, a standstill, a halt, a stop, remainder, residue, remaining part/number/quantity, part/number/quantity (that is) left over, others, those left, remains, remnant, remnants, rump, surplus, difference, extra, excess, superfluity, overflow, overspill, additional people/material/things, extra people/material/things, remain, continue to be, keep, persist in being, carry on being, go on being

Antonyms: work, motion, movement, struggle, rage, go mad, have a fit, see red, hit the roof, toil, be active, labor, effort, agony, activity, do, blow one's stack, blow a gasket, do one's nut, go ape, go wild, lose it, drive, action, move

Showing 4176 to 4200 of 4971 results

4176. A Faith That Makes A Difference

Acts 16:16-34

Sermon

David E. Leininger

This familiar account of the conversion of the Philippian jailer begins with Paul and Silas curing the madness of a young woman of the city whose insanity had been used by some unscrupulous men for their own personal gain. There was the belief in those days that insanity was a strangely special gift from the gods, a tool they used to convey their messages to mere mortals; it was based on the idea that since the insane girl had no mind of her own, the gods could put their own divine thoughts out on earth ...

4177. The Locust Years

Joel 2:23-32

Sermon

David E. Leininger

Do you like bugs? Yes, they are a part of God's good creation and they have a function within it. But I would be just as content if they went about whatever work they have to do without my ever seeing them. I know I'm not alone. A feeling like that is almost ingrained in us from the time we learn: Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet Eating her curds and whey. Along came a spider and sat down beside her And frightened Miss Muffet away.[1] I don't know if Israel had a nursery rhyme to describe their feelings ...

4178. A Faith That Matters Between Sundays

Romans 3:19-28

Sermon

David E. Leininger

On October 31, 1571, an Augustinian monk by the name of Martin Luther marched up to the castle church door in Wittenberg, Germany, where he was on the university faculty, and posted 95 theses or propositions concerning church policy and practice he proposed for debate. Why there and then? Well, the church door was the community bulletin board — notices and advertisements were regularly placed there, just as they are on the bulletin board today at the grocery store. As to October 31, then and now that is ...

4179. Ascension

Psalm 47:1-9, Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

Call To Worship Leader: It’s Ascension Day, the day we celebrate Jesus’ return to God, forty days after Easter. The scriptures say that the disciples were filled with joy when Jesus was taken up into heaven. After that, they spent all their time in the temple giving thanks to God. People: They must not have had to work for a corporation! Or punch a time clock! Leader: In fact, times are very different but the image of Jesus returning to God is essential for our faith. People: He didn’t stay dead and buried ...

4180. You're a Treasure!

Mark 7:24-30

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

“I want to be alone.” That was the famous declaration made by the early Swedish film star and glamour girl Greta Garbo (1905-1990). But it was that declaration that jinxed her search for solitude. A vast cast of has-been, over-the-hill actors and actresses struggled to stay in focus but swiftly faded out of the limelight and into obscurity. But Garbo, by her very insistence on alone-time, was hounded by media hangers-on until her death in 1990. To get a picture of Greta Garbo remained a paparazzi “holy ...

4181. Good Gossip

James 3:1-12

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

One of the most popular shows from last season is returning this fall with ads asking potential audiences, “What would you do if your weren’t ‘handicapped’ by sight?” “The Voice” is a talent show that keeps the judges in the dark, so to speak. It requires them to judge all the contestants only on the quality of their voices. The judges’ backs are turned and they never see the performer. Power, poise, presence, emotion, erudition, excitement — it all has to be conveyed to the judges only by the sound of the ...

4182. James 3:1-12

James 3:1-12

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Twice already in James’ brief epistle readers have been admonished to mind their tongues. In 1:19 the epistle writer advocated being “slow to speak,” while in 1:26 James affirmed that an unbridled tongue could lead to religious faith that was “worthless.” In this week’s epistle text James sets forth a carefully constructed, organized argument about the need for those who would call themselves members of the community of faith, to tame their tongues. James surprisingly begins with some negative career ...

4183. James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a

James 3:13-18

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The blare of political rhetoric continues to crescendo as our next wave of would-be leaders toot their own horns ever longer and louder. When the candidates come together in their debates, you can brace yourself for the noise of clashing egos to be worse than the deafening decibels bleated out by those annoying plastic “vuvuzalas” at the World cup soccer matches. Of course, this is hardly surprising — since what politicians run for is the opportunity to be “large and in charge.” In this week’s epistle text ...

4184. Big Men in Little Planes

Mark 9:33-37

Sermon

King Duncan

There is an interesting story that comes out of the Second World War. England and Germany both had state-of-the-art fighter planes. Germany had the Messerschmitt, which was considered to be the world’s fastest fighter plane. The British had the Supermarine Spitfire. The Spitfire was slower than the Messerschmitt. Nevertheless, German pilots were envious of their British counterparts. You see, the Messerschmitt had been designed to hold the perfect German. Who was the perfect German? Who else but Der Fuhrer ...

4185. Epiphany 9

1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43, Psalm 96:1-9, Luke 7:1-10, Galatians 1:1-12

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

Additional Readings: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43; Galatians 1:1-12; Psalm 96:1-9 Call To Worship Leader: Welcome, friends and strangers! Before the living God, we are simply human beings who gather to worship God with our thoughts, our music, and our words. People: We are glad for this place of prayer and for the welcome the Holy Spirit gives all of us. Leader: As we read the scriptures, we hear Solomon opening the new temple to people whose blood is not Jewish. People: And we hear Jesus saying we are to love ...

4186. Mark 9:38-50

Mark 9:38-41

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

High school “cliques,” college fraternities and sororities, suburban country clubs: “Invitation Only” private membership groups are not primarily about who they let in. They are most importantly about who they keep out. Exclusivity means some are chosen, but many more are turned away. In today’s gospel text Jesus’ disciples once again reveal just how much instruction they still require. They misunderstand their calling as Jesus’ back-up team. They hear Jesus’ “Follow me” as an “exclusive” invitation which ...

4187. All Is Different Now

Mark 9:38-50

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Before and After. Ante and Post. Each of us has moments, choices, circumstances in our lives that act as a watershed — experiences dividing our life into everything “before” and everything “after.” The event doesn’t have to be devastating or dramatic. Sometimes it is joyful and exhilarating. Sometimes it is a quiet realization. Sometimes it takes decades for us to even determine just when that moment occurred. You have a parent or a sibling die. You are the first in your family to go away to college. You ...

4188. Made for Joy

Philippians 4:2-9

Sermon

King Duncan

I want to give you some good news. It is good news anytime of the year, but especially so at Christmastime. Here is that good news: You were made for joy. You weren’t made to fret and worry and think dark thoughts. You were made for peace and love and light and joy. The story is told of a woman who dreamed of traveling to England and riding a train through the English countryside. One day her dream came true. She flew from the U.S. to London and after a good night’s sleep she boarded a train. However, ...

4189. Mary's Song

Luke 1:46-56, Luke 1:39-45

Sermon

King Duncan

I want to make my annual public service announcement to the men in our congregation. Guys, it’s time to do your Christmas shopping. I hope our men have this task already out of the way. But just in case, please heed my announcement. I understand that a [certain couple in our church] slipped off to [a nearby city] to do their Christmas shopping and somehow they got separated for several hours. Fortunately they had their cell phones with them. “Honey, where are you!?” [the woman] asked. “Darling,” [he] says ...

4190. Christ the King

Psalm 46:1-11, Jeremiah 23:1-6, Luke 1:68-79; 23:33-43, Colossians 1:11-20

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

Call To Worship Today is the last Sunday in the church year. Next Sunday we initiate a new liturgical calendar: Advent 1. Next week we will decorate this space with symbols of pregnancy and birth, with ornaments of love and peace, with wreaths and garlands, with purples and reds, blues, greens, and golds. Today, we consider how the Christ of God lives among us. Take a gentle, deep breath and be fully present in this place. Take a deep, gentle breath and be aware of God’s Presence. Take a breath that fills ...

4191. Christmas 1

1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Psalm 148:1-14, Luke 2:41-52, Colossians 3:12-17

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

Call To Worship (Includes the lighting of the Christ candle in the Advent/Christmas Wreath; wreath may need to be refreshed; all candles are gone except the center large Christ candle. The Advent/Christmas tree can be left in place also, showing the symbols of the holy days and slowing down the culture’s hurry to the next buying season.) Leader: Happy New Year! 20?? is on the next calendar page! Christmas symbols are still here — until Epiphany when our images change to depict a maturing Jesus. During ...

4192. Christmas 2

Psalm 147:12-20, Jeremiah 31:7-14, John 1:(1-9), 10-18, Ephesians 1:3-14

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

Call To Worship Leader: Welcome to this sanctuary, this place of tranquility and celebration, this place of safety and hope. God is here; God is our source of life! People: God existed before the world and this sanctuary were made! Leader: People have walked this earth before us; their words and their lives are recorded in books around the world. People: We look to Jesus, the God-Man and teacher, to his cousin, John, and to the friends of Jesus for wisdom about relationships and decisions. Leader: In Jesus ...

4193. Friendship

Proverbs 31:1-9

Drama

Julia Ross Strope

Characters Reader 1 — male or female Reader 2 — female, older than Reader 1 Reader 3 — male or female Reader 1: (to Reader 2) I’m new in this area, and I’m lonely. I wish I could find a good friend, maybe a partner. Reader 2: What kind of friend or partner are you looking for — an extrovert? Rich? Assertive? Educated? Reader 3: (to Reader 2) Aren’t you being a bit personal? Reader 2: Yes. When I look for a friend there are some qualities I am quite sure about. Reader 1: For example? Reader 2: I want ...

4194. Hebrews 7:23-28

Hebrews 7:11-28

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Game changers. From the vantage point of the twenty-first century we probably think we are braced for them — even embracing of them. Moveable type and the printing press were game changers — they made literacy a possibility for the many instead of the privileged few. The discovery that microscopic organisms caused diseases was a game changer — it opened the door to the medical advances that made actually going to the doctor a positive and not a negative, that made curing and eradicating diseases a reality ...

4195. From Self-Help to God-Trust

Hebrews 7:11-28

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

It is always the longest, most solidly stocked stacks in any bookstore — the “self help” nonfiction section. Maybe it’s a holdover from the old American adage of “pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps.” We’ll use some “self-help” suggestions offered by others only as long as we get to pick and choose what kind of help we’ll consider acceptable, only as long as we are still ultimately in charge of the direction and duration that the “help” we seek takes. “Self help” books, whether they are focused on ...

4196. The Lost Five Commandments

Mark 12:35-40

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

When Moses descended from the heights of Mount Sinai, he juggled in his arms not two but three Tablets of the Covenant, with five commandments inscribed on each. At least that’s how Mel Brooks tells it in his classic comedy “History of the World, Part I.” ‘Hear me, o hear me! All pay heed!’ the movie Moses proclaims. ‘The Lord, the Lord Jehovah, has given unto you these fifteen . . . [One stone tablet drops and shatters. A perplexed Moses looks down and mutters ‘Oy!’] . . . ten, TEN commandments for all to ...

4197. Mark 12:38-44

Mark 12:35-40

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Throughout the final scenes of Jesus’ public ministry, Mark’s text has documented an ongoing debating match between Jesus and the members of the Sanhedrin. In today’s gospel text chronicling these Temple-located exchanges, Jesus gets in the last word. Although in last week’s text Jesus had praised a Scribe, declaring that he was “not far from the kingdom of God” (v.34), the Scribes who are the focus of this week’s discussion fall at the other end of the ethical spectrum. Instead of the “kingdom of God” ...

4198. God's Gift

Jeremiah 33:1-26

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

Margery Tallcott relates that during the Depression she and her husband were barely making the money stretch from week to week. It was particularly tight during the weeks leading up to Christmas. Their finances would not allow for purchasing gifts for each other or for their son, Pete. With Christmas a week away, they told Pete there would be no store-bought presents for any of them. “But I’ll tell you what we can do,” said his father with an inspiration born of heartbreak. “We can make pictures of the ...

4199. Hope Again!

Zephaniah 3:1-20

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

Charles Swindoll wrote a book titled Hope Again, with the subtitle “When Life Hurts and Dreams Fade.” On the back cover describing the contents of the book the publisher entices the reader with the following words: Hope is more than mere wishful thinking. Hope is a vital necessity of life — a gift that God wants to give to you. And in a world that regularly writes dreams off as foolish and drains the hope from the heart with dark pessimism, Hope Again is a voice crying in the wilderness ... a word of ...

4200. Born at Bethlehem — Hope

Micah 5:1-4

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

Ellyn Sanna was twelve years old when she went on a camping trip to New England with her family. Four children and two parents were packed inside the family car. The tent was stowed away on top of the vehicle traveling from site to site. Each night they set up camp as the light faded. She tells that there were many happy memories from that vacation, but there was also the deep feeling of loneliness and being misunderstood. She was the youngest of the four children and too young to go on the long hiking ...

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