Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 401 to 425 of 662 results

Mark 10:46-52

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... his previous faithfulness to his new situation and eagerly follows Jesus "on his way." Mark thus closes his section on discipleship with a profoundly positive image - those who truly see Christ feel overwhelmingly called to follow his pathways and purposes. They become imitators of Christ as they seek to become perfected disciples. Bartimaeus' journey was not easy. He began to follow Jesus just when, from a human point of view, things began to degenerate. Jesus now enters Jerusalem to play his part in the ...

402. Luke 19:28-40

Luke 19:28-40

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... focused on the cross.) Being a "slave," taking "human form," "humbling" himself, being "obedient to the point of death" - these are not the typical characteristics of a majestic, military-style leader. Yet these very qualities are the ones we are called to imitate. Having been brought so low, even down to death itself, Jesus then rises higher than any earthly king could ever dream. Here is Paul's theme of praise and celebration, awe and grandeur. The Philippians hymn too is a palimpsest of celebration and ...

403. John 20:19-31 [Genesis 2:5-24]

John 20:19-31 [Genesis 2:5-24]

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... " (shamar) expresses deep protection and care. It is the same word used in the Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6:4 ("The Lord bless you and keep you") and Cain's defensive response in Gen. 4:9 ("Am I my brother's keeper?" You bet you are!). Adam is imitating God in gardening the earth and husbanding the animals - Adam is the bearer of God's image. We are not simply to "keep" or "tend" the garden but also to "till" it. God's creative work is not yet finished. Thus we sing "Finish then thy new creation" ("Love ...

404. 1 Peter 2:2-10

1 Peter 2:2-10

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the attitudes these faith communities had recently encountered either from the larger non-Christian society or even from those within their churches. The items certainly read like a litany of bad attitudes ones 1 Peter suggests that true Christians would never imitate or inculcate. Somewhat surprisingly, the text does not follow up this list of vices with a corresponding list of virtues. Instead, 1 Peter depends on an image to convey the best attitude novice Christians could possibly adopt the image of an ...

405. 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... ." Christ himself suffered and was persecuted. The suffering these Gentile Christians experience shows they are identified with Christ. 1 Peter's words are intended to bring a sense of unity between these Christians and the Christ they follow. Suffering is a sign of their imitation of Christ, not a sign of abandonment. In verse 14, the author invokes one of few references to the Holy Spirit an image drawn in part from Isaiah 11:2. The Spirit of God "resting on you" also calls to mind the Hebrews' concept ...

406. Matthew 10:40-42

Matthew 10:40-42

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the mission and message of their master, and now those who in turn welcome Jesus' own preachers and teachers are promised to be a part of the mission's rewards as well. In verse 42, the concluding sentence goes one step further. Now behavior that imitates the gospel message, without the accompaniment of a preached or taught word, seems to qualify the giver for a reward similar to that of the disciples and the "welcomer." The "little ones" in this final verse may be Matthew's designation of simple, seemingly ...

407. Philippians 3:17-4:1

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... as in 3:2, Paul had no qualms about calling those he knew to be touting wrong-headed notions as "dogs," he also has no problem using his own life as a template for the Philippians' view of correct behavior. Paul urges the Philippians to "join in imitating me," not out of a sense of egotistical pride, but as a teacher urges his students to take his lessons to heart. Paul may also be seen as exercising some apostolic authority here _ urging the Philippians to heed him simply because of his special designation ...

408. 1 John 4:7-12

1 John 4:7-12

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... God's essence. Furthermore, God's love has now become manifest in another aspect of God's essence - God's Son Jesus Christ. John has now articulated an original connection between knowledge and love. If human beings are to live up to their roles as imago dei and as imitators of Christ, then the knowledge to re-create in human experience is love - to "love one another." To "know" Jesus is to be "in him" and to "abide in him" (1 John 2:5,6). Knowledge is the experience of God's love in us, and the experience ...

409. Mark 10:46-52

Mark 10:46-52

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

410. Luke 19:28-40

Luke 19:28-40

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

411. John 20:19-31 [Genesis 2:5-24]

John 20:19-31 [Genesis 2:5-24]

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

412. Mark 8:31-38

Mark 8:31-38

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... his insight or rewarding Peter for his faith, Jesus instead silenced him. Now, just as Peter was bursting with the Good News of the Messiah, Jesus completely deflates Peter's expectations by foretelling this Messiah's demeaning death. Peter reacts by attempting to imitate Jesus' own method of revealing special information to chosen members of the Jesus team Peter "took him aside" and began to "rebuke him" (v.32). Jesus rejects both Peter's message and his attempt to assume the role of teacher. In his rebuke ...

413. Luke 3:1-6

Luke 3:1-6

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... however, is more of a literary question than a historical inquiry. In traditional Greco-Roman literary style, it was usual for commentators to cite multiple datings to signal the beginning of the main part of their narrative. Ancient Jewish historian Josephus self-avowedly imitated Thucydides' style by opening major sections of his work with lists of dates. So it is likely that Luke here is signaling to his readers the beginning of a new important section of his work. It is. It's the final preparatory step ...

414. Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... have been the first generation of Christians. Or it may be an inclusive reference to the righteous leaders from the Hebrew Scriptures. Whichever examples are remembered, readers are urged to recall the messages spoken by these messengers and to imitate their faithfulness. Verse 8 hits the theologically packed conclusion that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." The generational reference in verse 7 surely prompts the timelessness of this powerful declaration. Although the words and ...

415. Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... lax about her monotheism. God's chosen people were slowly sucked into the cultic lures offered by the traditions of other Assyrian and Ba'al-type worshipers. Among Judah's sins there is evidence of "syncretism, idolatry, imitation of Assyrian ways, child sacrifice, witchcraft and superstition, persecution of the prophets, injustice, and ruthless murder of innocents." (From Elizabeth Achtemeier, "Plumbing the Riches, Deuteronomy for the Preacher," Interpretation 41 [1987], 273.) In 621, Deuteronomy was re ...

416. Lent 5

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

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... . How to pray v. 7. b. How to obey v. 8. c. How to die v. 9. 2. What a cross can do for you (5:8-9). Need: To be a Christian, according to Jesus, is to carry a cross. In all things, even a cross, we are to imitate Jesus. Jesus must not bear the cross alone. There is a cross for each of us. If so, what can the cross do for you? Outline: What the cross can do for you – a. Teach you obedience through suffering v. 8. b. Gain salvation for the obedient v. 9. WORSHIP ...

417. Easter 2

Acts 4:32-37, 1 John 1:5--2:14, John 20:19-23, John 20:24-31

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... mark of a Christian is his relationship with Jesus. Does the world see Christ in today's Christian? Outline: How a Christian shows he is a Christian – a. Christ is in him as an abiding presence. b. Christ is ahead of him as a model for imitation. 2. Locked in a room with open doors! (20:19). Need: On Easter the disciples locked themselves in a room. They were afraid of their enemies, the same zealous religious leaders who murdered Jesus. In locking their enemies out, they locked themselves in. They were ...

418. Easter 3

Luke 24:36-49, 1 John 2:28--3:10, Acts 3:11-26

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... in Jesus' death and resurrection Gospel. b. People's part in Jesus' death and resurrection Lesson 1. c. How the death and resurrection benefit us Lesson 2. Gospel: Luke 24:35-48 1. Jesus is real! (24:35-43). Need: People want the real thing not a substitute nor an imitation. The text assures us that Jesus is real. He is real enough to see, to hear and to touch. He is so real that he eats. The risen Jesus is not a phantom, a ghost, nor a figment of the imagination. He is as real as you are. He is ...

419. Epiphany 4

Mark 1:21-28, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Deuteronomy 18:14-22

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... night comes. The fields are white unto harvest. Jesus had a world to save in three years! He has the whole truth of God to reveal. He needs to set up a movement to carry on his work when he leaves. The church today needs to imitate Christ in this matter to overcome its lethargy. 2. Authority (v. 22). The authority of Jesus was expressed in word and deed. He impressed the congregation with his authority and astonished them with his authority to cast out a demon. It was an authority without authoritarianism ...

420. Lent 1

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

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

421. Proper 24

Hebrews 4:14-5:10, Job 38:1--41:34, Mark 10:35-45

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... to attain salvation for us through a perfect sacrifice v. 9. 2. The model pray-er (5:7). Need: We commonly refer to the Lord's Prayer as the "model prayer." Seldom do we ever look to Jesus as the model pray-er. How did Jesus pray? We need to imitate him in his praying. Some scholars claim that verse 7, our text, is Hebrews' account of Gethsemane. We now go to Gethsemane to learn how to pray as we watch and study the Master in the act of praying. Who does not need to learn how to pray more effectively ...

422. Romans 8:12-17

Romans 8:1-17

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... Roman audience, suggests that the familiar address “Abba” was already deeply ingrained in first century Christian prayer and worship. It was known and recognized as Jesus’ own personal form of addressing the Father in prayer, and so treasured and imitated. Note how Paul suggests the eschatological “not yet” quality of Christian adoption with his immediate mention of being “heirs” — “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (v.17). But even as those who receive the Spirit become brothers ...

423. Stilling Storms

Mark 4:35-41

Sermon

King Duncan

... I wasn’t there for my kids like my father was for me.” (7) Sometimes we have to conquer our own personal demons before we can reach out to others. Christ calms the storm first by calming us. Secondly he calms the storm by helping us imitate his way of dealing with people. Remember how he dealt with people? Gentleness, kindness, forgiveness. Never lashing out. Could we be like that even as we firmly maintain our own integrity? It’s tough. We can acommplish this enormous task only one way by walking as ...

424. Proper 14

2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Psalm 130:1-8, John 6:25, 41-51, Ephesians 4:25–5:2

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... . People: We will attend as if we were looking for the first light of dawn after a dark night. INVOCATION As your Perfect Son, Jesus, went habitually to the synagogue, God of Israel and the church, so we come to this house of prayer in imitation of his faithfulness. Grant that we may see more light dawning on our minds and hearts as we hear your word and offer obedient service to you and your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen PRAYER OF CONFESSION Loving and forgiving Parent, Loving and forgiving ...

425. Palm Sunday

Mark 11:1-11, Psalm 31:1-24; 118:1-29, Isaiah 50:1-11, Philippians 2:1-11

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... what we see, that we can be indifferent to what is too painful to acknowledge, that we can push aside what intrudes on our personal comfort. Forgive such self-centeredness, our lack of compassion, our lack of involvement. Pardon our reluctant and partial imitation of the suffering servanthood of Jesus Christ. Amen Declaration of Pardon Pastor: Friends, hear the good news! Jesus is the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. People: Jesus Christ is our Savior. Pastor: Friends, believe the good news ...

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