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Showing 401 to 425 of 538 results

401. One Body, Many Parts

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

In three striking movements these verses introduce (vv. 12–13), develop (vv. 14–26), and apply (vv. 27–31) Paul’s best-known ecclesiastical metaphor: the body of Christ. Scholars debate the exact background from which Paul may have drawn inspiration for developing this memorable image for the church. Paul is likely to have encountered the thinking of Stoic philosophers, some of whom spoke of the cosmos in its unity as a body, and Jewish wisdom thinking, which often reflected upon the idea of corporate ...

402. Maundy Thursday

John 13:1-17, Psalm 116:1-19, Exodus 12:1-30, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, Mark 14:12-26, Jeremiah 30:1--31:40, Hebrews 10:19-39, Luke 22:7-38

Sermon Aid

George Bass

THEOLOGICAL CLUE The title of this day, Maundy Thursday, would not apply to two or three of the churches observing this day, mainly because "Maundy" was connected to the footwashing ceremony that finds root in John 13:1-15; it would be appropriate for the Roman Catholic Church, which employs John 13 for all three years of the calendar and lectionary. Holy Thursday is more appropriate, if the gospels of Luke and Mark are read as the Gospel for the Day. The "foot-washing," which does not really occur in many ...

403. Here Comes The King

Luke 19:28-44

Sermon

George Bass

A flashback - that's what this story is when it is read on the First Sunday in Advent. It has nothing to do with Jesus' birth, nor with Christmas. It has to do with his true identity, his last days before his death, his coronation as "the King of the Jews" on the cross of Calvary. And it ties together Christ the King Sunday, the end of one church year, and Advent, the beginning of a new church year. A flashback - that's what it is when we read and hear it today. And that's why it is so important. This ...

404. Affirmation and Alienation

Genesis 2:4-25

Sermon

"Has the human situation really changed?" To be sure, the context in which we live has changed radically since the beginning. As we age and mature as individuals, changes also occur in us. Perhaps the question should be phrased differently. Yet, there is a sense in which the human situation, as described in Genesis, in some ways, is still the same. Let’s examine it and see if we agree. Regardless of how we read and interpret the story of creation in Genesis, at the heart of it is an indication that we ...

405. What Is God Like?

2 Samuel 18:1-18

Sermon

Edward Chinn

When Harry Truman was President of the United States, his daughter Margaret gave a concert in Washington, D.C. The next day Paul Hume, music critic of the Washington Post, gave her performance a bad review. Characteristically, Harry Truman did not let that slight of his daughter’s singing pass without comment. He wrote a letter to Paul Hume. In that letter, Truman wrote: "I have read your lousy review of Margaret’s concert. I’ve come to the conclusion that you are an ‘eight ulcer man on four ulcer pay.’ ...

406. Soul Drain

Psalm 63:1-11

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

Some time ago, I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across an article by Herbert Gold. Now I don’t know who Herbert Gold is, but he wrote a marvelous article about his visit to the Soviet Union and his sharing with the dissenters that Soltzeneitzen after __ defection. Gold was disturbed, as I was when I was in the Soviet Union a few months ago, about the abandonment of hope he found among the people of Russia. There was a tremendously morbid sense of despair. He closed his article by sharing a personal ...

407. The Cloak

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Sermon

Rick Brand

If you can't refute the argument, then you can attack the person, and the best way to attack a person is to question the motives. So Paul is responding to attacks upon the Good News of Jesus Christ by those who have attacked him and questioned his motives for coming to Thessalonica. He rejoices that when he came to preach, people heard the message joyfully. Paul says he preaches because he has to. He preaches to please God. But, of course, there were some who suggested that Paul was really preaching from ...

408. John 6:35, 41-51

John 6:35, 41-51

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

As the Bread of Life discourse continues from last week's gospel lesson into this week's texts, John re-emphasizes the similarities and contrasts between the old "manna in the wilderness" experience and this new notion of a bread of life that is directly tied to Jesus. In verse 41 John takes advantage of the Jewish identity of the "complaining" crowd and recalls their own unique history. Those listening to Jesus begin to "murmur" against Jesus and his gifts of heavenly bread even as the ancient Israelites ...

409. Because I Live (Memorial Day)

John 14:15-31

Sermon

King Duncan

Actor Martin Sheen is known for his deep religious and social convictions. Some of you will remember him best for his role as President Bartlett in the television show “The West Wing.” Sheen shared with motivational speaker Tony Robbins an interesting story about something that happened to him while he was making the movie Apocalypse Now. The cast had been filming under a grueling schedule deep in the jungles of the Philippines. After a restless night, Sheen woke up the next morning and realized he was ...

410. A Man with No Name

Mark 10:46-52

Sermon

King Duncan

Jesus and his disciples were passing through the city of Jericho, a beautiful city some fifteen miles northeast of Jerusalem. Jesus was at the height of his popularity, and great crowds greeted him as he came into the city. Although we don’t know for certain, perhaps Jesus spent the day teaching in Jericho, which might explain why the people were so excited about having him visit their city. But regardless, as Jesus was leaving the city he encountered some desperate people with nowhere else to turn. Let me ...

411. Jesus’ Baptism by John

Matthew 3:1-12, Matthew 3:13-17

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

Big Idea: In introducing John the Baptist and narrating Jesus’ baptism, Matthew announces the restoration of God’s kingdom through Jesus’ own covenant faithfulness for all those who will repent. Understanding the Text Having narrated Jesus’ birth, Matthew fast-forwards to the events leading up to Jesus’ public ministry, including Jesus’ baptism by John (chap. 3). Matthew indicates that John the Baptist’s ministry prepares for that of Jesus (3:3; cf. Isa. 40:3) and also resonates with Jesus’ ministry, as ...

412. Jesus Enters Jerusalem as a Peaceable and Humble King

Matthew 20:29-34, Matthew 21:1-11

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

Big Idea: After mercifully healing two blind men, Jesus enters Jerusalem as a peaceable and humble king in concert with Zechariah’s vision of Israel’s king who comes to bring salvation. Understanding the Text This passage, which narrates Jesus healing two blind men outside Jericho (20:29–34) and thereafter entering Jerusalem in kingly fashion (21:1–11), introduces a new section of Matthew focused on Jesus’ ministry to crowds and confrontations with Jewish leaders in Jerusalem (chaps. 21–23). Matthew ties ...

413. No Turning Back

John 6:56-69

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

At the dawn of the Space Age it looked like the United States was losing the Space Race — and soundly. The Soviet Union had launched the first artificial satellite in 1957. In response the Vanguard rocket blew up on the pad. Both nations then began to work on putting a human into space. The American Project Mercury was projected to put a man in orbit by late 1960, but delay after delay — sometimes out of caution and sometimes out of concerns for safety because the rockets continued to blow up, allowed the ...

414. The Upside Of The Practice - Performance Equation

Galatians 6:1-10

Sermon

Robert R. Kopp

You reap whatever you sow. -- Galatians 6:7b Even as cancer continues to ravage her body, Nancy Meider's personal relationship with Jesus as saving Lord enables a joy to radiate from her soul, through her eyes, and into the hearts of all who are blessed to know her. We've talked about many things over the past several months. We've been silly on occasion, serious when necessary, and direct at all times. That's how it becomes when time spent far exceeds time left. It's easy to distinguish the important from ...

415. Peter's Confession, Christ's Prediction

Mark 8:27-30

Sermon Aid

Richard A. Jensen

We will treat these texts as one. In examining them we have entered what many commentators believe is the central section of Mark's story: 8:22--10:52. The immediate context for this central section of material is the climax of the section that precedes it: Mark 6:35--8:21. We need to say a few words about 8:1-21, as it is omitted from the lectionary. Mark 8:1-9 is the story of the Gentile feeding of the multitude with bread which we have discussed in an earlier chapter. The response to Jesus' feeding of ...

416. Joy Songs, Trumpet Blasts, And Hallelujah Shouts!

Joshua 5:13--6:27

Sermon

Carlyle Fielding Stewart

The Israelites have come to the end of a long, long journey. They had wandered in the wilderness for forty years and now have come to the valley of their dreams. Finally, after years of false starts, dark detours, and dashed hopes, they have come to the land which God had promised. They could have toiled out of the wilderness in forty days, but took forty years because of discontent, disbelief, and disobedience. But now God was willing, because they were willing, to move them into a paradise oasis - a land ...

417. The Household Leader

Deuteronomy 6:1-25

Sermon

R. E. Lybrand

(Moses said), "And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." Perhaps you have heard this old story, but I feel it bears repeating on this Father's Day. A crowd of men was standing outside the pearly gates of Heaven waiting to be admitted. They were instructed by Saint Peter to get into two different lines. ...

418. I Never Promised You a Rose Garden

Jeremiah 20:7-18

Sermon

"The word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long." (v. 8) Prayer: Lord, you have called us to a faith that is much more than a sentimental security blanket. You have challenged us to live out what we say we believe. You never said it would be easy. Give us the courage to stand up and be counted, and also the courage to keep standing after we have been counted. "I beg your pardon; I never promised you a rose garden. Along with the sunshine, there’s got to be a little rain, ...

419. Easter 7

Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47:1-9, 1 Peter 4:12-19, John 17:1-5, John 17:6-19

Sermon Aid

THEOLOGICAL CLUE The Sunday after the Ascension, as the Seventh Sunday of Easter previously was designated, was known as Exaudi Sunday and served much the same function as the Seventh Sunday of Easter does today. This Sunday is a time of reflection on the glory God has given Christ by lifting him up to his right hand on the completion of his work. It is also a period of expectation for the coming of the Holy Spirit to the church and the world to empower the church to do the work of Christ. It is also the ...

420. God's Plan For His World

Ephesians 1:1-14

Sermon

King Duncan

On the platform of a railroad station there was a large crate with a big dog inside. He was the saddest dog you can imagine. A lady asked about him. "You would be sad, too," she was told, "if you were in his plight. He's chewed the tag off the crate, and doesn't know where he's going." Sounds like many churches I know. The church today has resources untold. We have a skilled, well-educated, talented work force. We claim the allegiance of the best people in our community. We serve a Master who for 2,000 ...

421. The Devil Is a Liar

John 8:42-47

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

I once heard of a preacher in Chicago who advertised three sermons on the devil. The titles of the sermons were grammatically strange, but guaranteed to get attention: “Who, the devil, he is,” “What, the devil, he does,” and “How, the devil, he does it.” I am not trying to emulate that preacher, but only trying to make some sense out of Jesus’ dialogue with His audience in the 8th chapter of John. You recall that immediately after Jesus told His listeners that “The truth will make you free,” they protested ...

422. The Powerful Fragrance of Sharing and Caring

Philippians 4:10-20

Sermon

Eric Ritz

Baseball legend George Herman "Babe" Ruth was playing one of his last full major league games. The Boston Braves were playing the Reds in Cincinnati. The old veteran wasn't the player he once had been. The ball looked awkward in his aging hands. He wasn't throwing well. In one inning, his misplays made most of the runs scored by Cincinnati possible. As Babe Ruth walked off the field after making a third out, head bent in embarrassment, a crescendo of "boos" followed him to the dugout. A little boy in the ...

423. Lift High the Tree

John 12:20-36

Sermon

George Bass

Suddenly, we are a week ahead of our Lenten schedule. This story belongs to the Week of the Passion of our Lord, because it occurs sometime between the days we call Palm Sunday and Maundy Thursday. It was during that interval that a group of Gentiles, who were simply called Greeks, approached Philip with the request to see Jesus. Jesus must have been in some sort of seclusion pondering, no doubt, what was about to happen to him. His retort to Philip and Andrew, when he heard the request, certainly suggests ...

424. Can You Hear The Rooster Crow?

Luke 22:54-62

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

"The noted writer, Thomas Carlyle, once built a soundproof room in his home in London. He did it so he could do his work without interference from outside noises. His neighbor had a rooster that crowed and the crowing bothered Carlyle. Carlyle protested to the neighbor, but the neighbor answered that his rooster crowed only three times a day...and surely that was not a great annoyance. "But," Carlyle said to him, "If you only knew what I suffer just waiting for that rooster to crow!!" (Dr. Jim Moore, "How ...

425. The Song of an Awe-Filled Life

Psalm 138:1-8

Sermon

John E. Harnish

Free Press writer Julie Hinds coined a phrase in trying to answer the question: "Why is reality TV so popular?" Why do civilized human beings enjoy watching other supposedly-civilized human beings: eat worms writhe in a bed of dead fish swap moms throw themselves at a self-centered bachelor or bachelorette and in a hundred and one ways, make fools of themselves? Hinds says the answer lies in what she calls the "ick factor…the strange yet effective tool that lures audiences to the maggot-eating competitions ...

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