Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 4176 to 4200 of 4972 results

4176. THE VINEDRESSER

Isaiah 5:4; Matt. 21:28

Illustration

Stephen Stewart

Isaiah 5:4 - "What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it?" Matthew 21:28 - "Aman had two sons; and he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ " Fossilized grape leaves, stem pieces and seeds unearthed from prehistoric deposits indicate the long existence and wide distribution of the grape vine. We know, for example, that it was grown in ancient Egypt and in Canaan prior to the time of Abraham. Viticulture (the tending of vines) also dates far ...

4177. SANTA CLAUS OR CHRIST?

Drama

G. William Genszler

... dear - We welcome HOME to stay all year. 4. Lord, may this CHRISTMAS Prove to Thee - Our KINSHIP To Thy FAMILY. All Sing: O come let us adore him O come let us adore him O come let us adore him Christ, the Lord. (Ten seconds of silent prayer, then leave Chancel quietly in dignified manner.)

4178. Episode III: Birth of the Church

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Brett Blair

... of the Holy Spirit breathing a movement into the life of the disciples. Pentecost is in effect the church’s Prequel , how it all began. Here’s what happened in the church’s Prequel: The disciples had gathered in Jerusalem. Jesus had instructed them not to leave Jerusalem…to wait for the gift that the Father had promised. So the disciples waited. It was now 50 days since Passover and it was the custom of the Jews to celebrate two things at this time: the first fruits of the Harvest and the giving ...

4179. Dead to Sin

Romans 6:1-14

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

... , Lord. In Christ we pray. Amen. Prayer Of Confession Lord, so often we would accept Your Grace and forgiveness yet cling to the life of sin we once knew. Forgive us, Lord, and give us the strength to walk in the paths You would call us to follow and forever leave the ways of sin and destruction behind. Create in us new hearts, Lord, as a witness to Your loving grace. In Christ we pray. Amen. Hymns "O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done" "Victory In Jesus" "I Know Whom I Have Believed"

4180. Spiritual Markers

1 Samuel 7:2-17

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... by the death of our younger son. The only thing standing between us and despair was God, and God was sufficient. And yes, I would raise another Ebenezer down on the beautiful coast of South Carolina where in April, 1994, God said very clearly, "I want you to leave your beloved home state and go west, all the way to Memphis." "Here I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by thy help I'm come; and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safety to arrive at home." What and where and when were your Ebenezer moments? When were the ...

4181. Judgement Day Is Coming

Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43, Matthew 13:47-52

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... and joined the New Testament church at Corinth: fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, and blasphemers. Under the lordship of Christ, they changed. Christ loves us enough to accept us as we are, but he loves us too much to leave us as we are. Then God cleans his fish after he catches them. We must fish with a big net. NOW, HERE COMES THE FIFTH AND FINAL TRUTH TO WHICH I WISH TO GIVE SPECIAL EMPHASIS: JUDGMENT DAY IS COMING. That colorful preacher ...

4182. Broken and Beautiful

Luke 18:9-14, Psalm 51:1-19

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... religiously and socially, who came to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, a man who was part of the most religiously devout group in the country. He came to the temple three times each day to pray. Show me someone so devout that he or she leaves the workplace three times per day to come to the sanctuary for prayer. Let's nickname this Pharisee "Holy Harry." The Jewish law of that day required that the faithful give 10 percent of their income from crops and livestock to God's work. Holy Harry went beyond ...

4183. Picking A Winner, Claiming A Treasure

Matthew 13:44-46

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... knew that Blackbeard and other pirates had haunted those parts and perhaps had buried treasure there. Ancient Palestine was perhaps the most fought-over territory in history. People never knew which army would be in control next month, so they didn't leave treasure lying around. They buried it. When Jesus talked about buried treasure, he had an audience which understood immediately. The second of the twin parables is similar to the first. It tells of a merchant who discovered a magnificent pearl. The pearl ...

4184. The Forbidden Anger

Matthew 5:21-26

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... the neighbor. Jesus never allows us to separate our relationship with God from that of a fellow human being. Therefore, Jesus says, "So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift." Our Methodist founder John Wesley said, "Christianity is essentially a social religion, and to turn it into a solitary one is ...

4185. Pillars of the Church

Exodus 17:8-16, Colossians 3:1-17

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... discovered community there. They have a little platoon, a Christian family. And Jesus himself is their invisible leader. I challenge you to try a small group for three months. If it doesn't prove to be a blessing for you, quit. You may sign up as you leave the service today. Somebody needs you. And you need a small group. Some of you know the name of Dawson Trotman. He founded the Bible study organization called the Navigators. He ran a camp in upstate New York. During the summer he would bring city kids to ...

4186. The Heavier the Purse, The Tighter the Strings

Mark 10:17-31

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... to act as though you'll be in Florida for years. Two weeks compared to a lifetime is even longer than eighty years on earth compared to eternity. Therefore, it is dumb to tie up most of our assets on earth when we're going to leave so soon. Secondly, Invest at Least 10 Percent of Your Assets in Kingdom Commodities. A kingdom commodity is anything invested for Jesus and other people, especially the poor and hurting, without expecting anything material in return. At no point does the Bible say that a tithe ...

4187. A Thanksgiving Question

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... never gave up on us. His love pursues us as long as we live and breathe. Gris Gato's family trapped him. God will not do that to us. He calls us. His love for us is emblazoned on a cross for the whole world to see. But God always leave us the right to receive him or reject him or ignore him. If we receive him as Lord, he delivers a kind of good life we could never even imagine...abundant life here on earth and eternal life hereafter. And it's all sheer grace, an expression of God's ...

4188. I Love You But I Don't Like You

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... , and lovingly. With God's help, even conflict can become creative. Now, let me offer five guidelines for a caring, clean confrontation, relying on both our Old and New Testaments scriptures for the day. FIRST, CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME. When both parents have had tough days and must leave for a PTA meeting at 7:50, conflict over supper at 6:30 is not a good idea. When he has to present a crucial business report at 9:00 AM tomorrow, tonight is not a good time for a confrontation. How do you sense that a ...

4189. God Makes The First Move

John 6:25-59

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... says, "I myself will search for my sheep." Francis Thompson referred to God as "the hound of heaven," pursuing us as persistently as a hound tracks a deer. In Luke 15:04, Jesus asked, "Which one of you, having 100 sheep, if you have lost one of them, does not leave the 99 in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it?" That's the character of God--always seeking the sheep that is lost. Referring to himself, Jesus said, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Why do ...

4190. Overcoming Fear

Mark 4:35-41

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... is caused when our source of security is not strong enough to sustain us. The most common fears relate to matters we cannot control. Even with my best efforts, I cannot guarantee success in marriage or on the job. My company could be down-sized or sold, leaving me without a job. My health and the health of my family can be promoted but not guaranteed. Therefore, if we are our own primary sources of security, we will be tempted to panic. Basil King in his book, "The conquest of Fear," points out that fear ...

4191. Only One Superpower

1 Chronicles 29:1-9

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... see a balanced federal budget within a year or so; that is, if the politicians can control their addiction to spending. Recent reports tell us that our children's math and science scores are high as compared to other industrialized nations. Though race relations leave much to be desired, the cities are relatively calm this summer. No O.J. Simpson case is dividing the races. America is on a roll! Even as I speak, that little microwave-oven-sized space rover called sojourner, sent by America, is beginning to ...

4192. Humankind: The Climax of Creation

Genesis 1:1-2:3

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... is worth more than all the bank deposits in Tennessee. Why? Because he is made in God's image, and Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for him. That dope addict is going to spend eternity somewhere. Not one dime from the bank deposits of Tennessee will leave planet Earth. One of the most profane statements you can ever make is this: I am not worth much. Such a statement denies God's creation and Christ's sacrifice. If you treat yourself as trash, you insult your Maker! You are special! God can help you ...

4193. Stand Up Straight

Luke 13:10-17

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... show you. Whatever your bad back, bring it to the altar and commit it to God. He wants to liberate you from the power of the Evil One. He wants to touch you with his Holy spirit, so that even your bad back gives him glory. He wants you to leave this place praising him. Listen to a modern woman who has been healed by Jesus, though she still walks with the aid of crutches. One day at the grocery store she had an encounter with a little girl. It went like this: "A little girl looked at me with dresden ...

4194. A Large Fish Story

Jonah 1:1-17, Jonah 3:1-10

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... renewed day by day. ..So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is not seen." For anybody going through difficulties and depression, these words from Deuteronomy are powerful: "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deep in that whale's belly, Jonah turned to God whose everlasting arms had already been extended towards him. If today finds you a mile deep in either guilt or trouble, God yearns to lead you ...

4195. Building According To Code

Matthew 7:24-29

Sermon

Brett Blair

... note, was no discriminator. But, of course, I don’t have to convince most of you of the reality of Jesus’ words at this point, because you have been there. You know what it is like to have one of life’s storms smash against you and leave you breathless. Whether it is sickness, or the loss of a loved one, or a family problem, or a marital relationship, or troubles at work, or financial problems--most of you have been there. You know how frightening and shattering the storms can be. If you have never ...

4196. Right on the Money!

Proverbs 10:1-32

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... . God's for his people is prosperity. If you don't believe me, let me take you to the Word. In Psalm 1, the writer says of those who love the Lord: "They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all they do, they prosper." In Psalm 35, verse 27, we read: "Great is the Lord, who delights in the prosperity of His servant." And in Third John 2, verse 2, we read, "Beloved, I wish above things that you may prosper and be in health ...

4197. 'Nevertheless': A Word of Faith

Luke 5:1-11

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... calling you to say, "NEVERTHELESS, I want to be in a vocation I am proud to tell Jesus about. I want my job to make a contribution to the well-being of people. If my kids follow in my footsteps, I want to be proud of them. Do I dare leave something comfortable in order to find something God-appointed?" Today you are probably holding a pledge card in your hand, or there is one in the pew rack in front of you. The idea of committing a fixed percentage of income off the top may scare you to death, especially ...

4198. Our Scheduled Appointments with God

Hebrews 10:19-39

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... , singing, hymns and listening to a prayer and sermon. Worship is personal enhancement exercise like yoga or meditation. Worship is encountering God and then in response offering your life to Him. Without that you have not worshipped. So, let's suppose that you leave this place today and drop by a cafeteria for a meal. There you happen to see a theologically astute, fellow church member. Suppose that he asks this question, "Today, did you worship or just attend church.” Remember, you cannot claim to have ...

4199. Lessons from a Shrewd Crook

Luke 16:1-15

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... down his barns in order to build bigger ones. Then he said to himself, "Man, relax. You've got it made, with plenty of wealth to last longer than a lifetime." But God appeared to him that very night and said, "You fool, you are going to die tonight and leave all your stuff. What will happen to it?" Search the scriptures and you will find that this is the only man Jesus called a fool. He was rich in earthly wealth but poor in kingdom currency. What are you doing with the affluence that God has enabled you to ...

4200. Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?

Luke 9:18-27

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... to do in order to promote the cause of Christ. It is a difficult or unpleasant task that we take on because we think it will glorify Christ. The Scotsman Andrew Bonar expressed it this way: the Master bore the Cross of atonement that He might make us righteous. He leaves us a cross of our own that we may be made holy. If we are going to grow in Christ, if we are going to be protected from the enticements of the devil to forfeit our salvation, we must deny self and take up our cross daily. God is not ...

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