Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 4201 to 4225 of 4914 results

4201. Invincible

John 14:15-21

Sermon

Lori Wagner

How many of you have someone in your life who you always know will tell you the truth, even if you don’t want to hear it? Someone you can trust to be entirely honest with you? Someone who accepts you as you are, sees your faults, and will not judge you for them, but who will guide you and encourage you to go the right paths, admit your mistakes, and live authentically in your own skin? Someone who you know cares about you so much that he or she calls you out on your “bads” and celebrates your “goods?” Who ...

4202. Simeon (A Monologue)

Luke 2:22-40

Sermon

David E. Leininger

I am old and ready to die. To be truthful, I have been ready to die for years, but right now, I feel ready as I have never been before. You see, earlier today, in the temple in Jerusalem, I met a young couple who had come with their young son for the ritual of purification, and I knew when I saw them that a promise which God had made to me had been fulfilled. Now I am ready to die. I suppose I should explain. Perhaps you know me; perhaps you don’t. My name is Simeon. I am a rabbi, a member of the Sanhedrin ...

4203. Gifts You Can’t Return

John 17:6-19

Sermon

Mary Austin

As we near the end of the Easter season, we hear Jesus speaking as part of his farewell message to his disciples. He originally spoke these words just before his death, to prepare his friends. These same words have the same special resonance for us now. The disciples have to learn to live in the world without Jesus’ physical presence, just as we do. We listen in, as Jesus spoke to God about his followers. John 17:6-19 ‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, ...

4204. The Lord's Answer

Habakkuk 1:5-11

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

A Protest and an Answer (i): After the introduction (v. 1), Habakkuk challenges Yahweh about faithlessness and violence in Judah and Yahweh’s failure to act in deliverance (vv. 2–4), and Yahweh announces the intention to take action by means of the Babylonians (vv. 5–11). 1:5–11 Yahweh is stung into responding and implies that Habakkuk’s protest was quite proper. It is necessary to do something about the way people are treating each other in Jerusalem, and Yahweh is committed to acting. Typically Yahweh ...

4205. The Greatest Gift

Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon

Lori Wagner

By the time we get to Epiphany Sunday, for most people, the season of “gift giving” is over. The sea of presents from Christmas has been mostly put away, the decorative trees and lights are coming down, and, having celebrated New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, people are moving on to resume their lives, hoping for a positive year. Stores, no longer selling Christmas, are already focused on St. Valentine’s Day. The thrill of the holiday season has passed. For most, Epiphany just doesn’t have the “zing” that ...

4206. Glowing Network

John 14:23-29

Sermon

Wayne Brouwer

During World War II, many members of the Lutheran church in Germany lost their faith because Hitler seduced them into ways of living that kept them from practicing their faith. But there was one man whom Hitler could not compromise. His name was Martin Niemöller. During World War I, Niemöller had been a great hero in the German military but when the Second World War came, he refused to bow to the authorities. He was marching to a different drumbeat. And march he did. When Hitler could not make him change ...

4207. What’s In a Word?

Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

Do you know what I mean when I use the term “bathrobe biblical”? I’m talking about the way we dress the kids for the Christmas pageant at church — old bathrobes become robes for Joseph, Grandpa’s cane becomes a shepherd’s crook, and a cigar box gets decorated with gold-painted macaroni so the kings have a treasure to bring. If you remember cigar boxes, you’re dating yourself. The traces of that deep, pungent smell were every bit as mysterious as frankincense and myrrh. These images created in our pageants ...

4208. God Is Like...a Name

Exodus 3:1-15

Sermon

Kenneth L. Gibble

A while back, I came across a journal that had three words on the cover to announce its theme. The three words were “God is like,” followed by an ellipsis … three dots. Each page, with the help of a poem or a scripture passage or a prayer, completed that sentence. God is like… fire, God is like… a word, God is like… a friend, God is like… a shepherd, and so on. It was a great way to grasp, if only in a partial way, the divine mystery we call God. And it gave me an idea for a sermon series. My purpose is ...

4209. I Love A Parade

Matthew 21:1-11, John 12:12-19

Sermon

Robert Allen

Several years ago, while I was pastoring the little Methodist Church in Geary, Oklahoma, a Fourth of July parade was scheduled. Well, there is nothing like a parade in a small town. The entire community gets into the activities. The high school marching band provides the music, there are a few floats, there is a riding club, and even the children are invited to participate by decorating their bicycles and riding in the parade. Jennifer, my daughter, was five years old and had a bike with training wheels. ...

4210. God Speaks and the Church Is Our Hearing Aid

Mark 4:1-9

Sermon

James W. Moore

Last week I flew to Nashville, Tennessee to work with The Methodist Publishing House on a video project they are producing in connection with my book, Yes, Lord, I Have Sinned, But I Have Several Excellent Excuses.” We made twelve video lessons to coincide with the twelve chapters of the book… so Sunday School Classes can see and hear my thoughts about the material in the book. Now, I have been doing television for over 30 years and in all that time. I had never ever used any kind of make-up… until last ...

4211. Lent 5

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40, Hebrews 4:14-5:10, John 12:20-36

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Jeremiah addresses these words to the Jews in Babylon. Through him God promises to make a new covenant with them. Out of their suffering, sorrow and isolation in exile as slaves, a new covenant will be made. No time was given when the new covenant would be made; Christians see the new covenant made through the blood of Christ. The differences between the old and new covenants are in the facts that the law would be in the hearts and God would be known in an ...

4212. Lent 1

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40, Hebrews 4:14-5:10, John 12:20-36

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

4213. That's All I Want

Psalm 23:1

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

This morning I want to start off by reading what some say is the most beloved Psalm of all, the 23rd Psalm. And while some of the other translations may be closer to the actual literal meaning of the words, the version we know best is the King James Version. [1] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. [3] He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. [4] Yea, though I walk ...

4214. What the Trinity Does

Romans 5:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

Welcome on this Trinity Sunday, 2013. Tomorrow you can start taking down all the decorations that you put up for this special day in the church year. You did put up decorations, didn’t you? I know the children have been counting down the days in joyful anticipation of this day. I can hear them now, “Mommy, how many days is it until Trinity Sunday?” It is an exciting time. I hope each of you got what you wanted for Trinity Sunday. This is the last day we will sing all the Trinity carols that we have been ...

4215. The Gift that Matters

Hebrews 2:5-18

Sermon

Timothy J. Smith

As we gather on the Sunday after Christmas we do so with a sigh of relief. The gifts have been opened; our family has come and returned home. The past month typically holds the busiest days and weeks of the year for many of us. It is little wonder why we might feel tired today. It has been a hectic couple of weeks but slowly our lives are returning back to normal, as we settle back into our regular routines. We have celebrated Jesus’ birth. We are reminded that Jesus came to bring salvation to all people. ...

4216. The Lord Chooses a Prophet

1 Sam 3:1--4:1

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: The Lord is willing to revive his broken relationship with his people through those who honor him. Understanding the Text This account of God’s choice of Samuel to be his prophet complements the preceding chapter, which tells of his rejecting the house of Eli. As noted above, chapter 2 contrasts Eli and his sons with Samuel. They were rejected, while Samuel grew in favor with the Lord (2:26). That contrast continues here. Samuel, earlier pictured in a priestly role (2:18), now also assumes a ...

4217. Elohim

John 1:29-34, Genesis 1:1-2:3

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Then God (Elohim --plural) said (singular verb), 'Let us make (plural verb) man in our image, after our likeness'" (Genesis 1:26) Prop: A large Quilt, hanging backwards on a stand, so that the threadwork is visible I want to show you a picture this morning. Take a look. What do you see? What is it? [Give people time to answer.] Is it the sky? Clouds? The sea? A painting? Now what if I give you a different view: What is it? Tell me. A pool! It’s a pool! You couldn’t tell by the first picture I showed you. ...

4218. The Three Tenses Of Our Faith

Genesis 15:1-18

Sermon

Douglas J. Deuel

A family with young children went on a two-week vacation from Washington, D.C., to Arizona. They were traveling to see parents and grandparents. They faced a long plane ride with three youngsters. Since they had children, they were allowed to pre-board the airplane. As soon as the family had settled into their seats, their three-year-old son asked, "Are we going to take off now, Dad?" His dad said, "No, not yet." About thirty seconds later, the boy asked, "Are we going to take off now, Dad?" "No," his dad ...

4219. An Extremely Odd Couple

Luke 18:1-8

Sermon

J. Will Ormond

There are only two characters in this short parable which Jesus told to his disciples. One is a man; the other, a woman. But what an odd pair they are. It is difficult to imagine a more striking contrast between two people than that between the judge and the widow. Neither is named, but their very titles suggest the contrast. "Judge" calls to mind authority, power, representative of the law, dispenser of justice. "Widow" in the culture of Jesus' time suggests helplessness, humility, poverty, vulnerability ...

4220. Why Be Good?

Luke 6:37-42

Sermon

Charles H. Bayer

There are a few things religion -- almost any religion -- can be counted on to affirm. There are standards of conduct and piety, differences between right and wrong, obligations and responsibilities which are so clearly stated nothing is left to chance. Religion will always find a way to define what the deity requires, and to cite the rewards and the punishments for right or wrong conduct. The penalties for violating religious commands vary, from a slap on the wrist to eternal damnation. The rewards also ...

4221. Making Our Feelings Known

Job 23:1--24:25

Sermon

John A. Stroman

In our text Job makes his lament to God loud and clear, "Today also my complaint is bitter." The word bitter seems to carry the feeling of defiance in the wake of grievance and complaint. Job earlier has spoken of the bitterness of his soul:Therefore I will not restrain my mouth;I will speak in the anguish of my spirit;I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. (7:11)I loathe my life; I will give free utterance to my complaint. (10:1) Here Job is correlating his own bitter defiance with the unrelenting ...

4222. With All The Saints

Isaiah 25:1-12

Sermon

John A. Stroman

Isaiah 25 is a remarkable passage for All Saints' Sunday. It begins with an outburst of praise for what God has done and for what God will do. An unidentified city -- strong, oppressive and hostile -- will be destroyed and never rebuilt. Amid the destruction God protects and cares for the poor and the needy. Once this evil city and its ruthless inhabitants have been destroyed and vanish, another city will rise on Mount Zion where God will invite all people to a magnificent feast. God will wipe away all ...

4223. Miracle Five: Healing A Withered Hand

Mark 3:1-6

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

Background Material Jesus and his disciples traveled about on foot. They would naturally take advantage of shortcuts. So this day they walked across some farmland that had been planted with wheat. As they were hungry, they reached out and plucked some of the kernels of wheat to satisfy their hunger. But they were seen doing so by some of Jesus' critics who immediately called him to account. But as they were stout defenders of the law, and of the scriptures, Jesus answered them out of their own religious ...

4224. Too Good To Be True

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40

Sermon

Thomas G. Rogers

Jim was 16 years old. He'd only been driving for six months, but already his parents had paid the fines for two tickets that Jim had received for speeding. On the day that Jim's parents received a notice from their insurance company telling them that the cost of their automobile policy had been increased, they told Jim that they needed to talk. After supper, Jim and his parents sat at the kitchen table. It was a serious gathering. His mother began, "We seem to have a problem here. We know you want to be ...

4225. The Gift of Wisdom

Acts 2:14-41

Sermon

Gerald Whetstone

It's a miracle that you're here this morning! I suspect, though, that what I mean is not the first thing that came to your mind. I sense someone thinking, "The first Sunday after Easter! You bet it's a miracle. They don't call this Low Sunday for nothing!" Someone else is thinking, "Any morning I get up after a busy week and can still get the kids going and fed and dressed and to church, I've accomplished a miracle!" Or "You bet it's a miracle I'm here. I'd fully intended to go play ball, but my Dad made ...

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