Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 401 to 425 of 990 results

401. From Father Failure to Divine Father

Sermon

Maurice A. Fetty

One of the most significant steps in our growth as human beings is the discovery that our earthly parents, contrary to our childish notions, are imperfect. A friend remembered well an incident in that process of discovery in his own life. He always thought his father was the perfect driver and that he was absolutely safe riding with him until one day he almost hit the side of a bridge. His father ...

402. The Prodigal Father

Sermon

John Jamison

It wasn't their first fight. Like most fathers and sons they had their disagreements. But this time, something was different. A line had been crossed that had never been crossed before. They sat there, staring at each other, both realizing they were in new territory, neither of them sure that they really wanted to be there. No one remembers who broke the silence and spoke first, but it moved quic...

403. Big "J" and Little "j"

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Drive down almost any rural road that runs alongside a waterway and you are likely to see a bright yellow road sign with silhouettes of ducklings warning you “Slow. Duck Crossing.” Nothing says spring so sweetly as a line-up of little fuzzy yellow ducklings waddling or swimming behind their mother. The babies look so devoted, and are so completely lock-stepped on their parent, that they will blind...

404. No Condemnation!

Sermon

Dennis Kastens

The prophet Micah, who lived 700 years B.C., was surrounded by people who worshiped many false gods and idols. One scholar has established that the Greeks alone worshiped thirty thousand; and we know the Hindus claim thirty-three million gods. In Mesopotamia every household had its own god. Micah beheld the Canaanites who worshiped Baal and Astarte, the Moabites who worshiped Chemosh, the Philisti...

405. Sowing to the Flesh

Sermon

Dennis Kastens

Some years ago a well-to-do man, caught in a scandal, was serving a prison term when a friend paid him a visit. The well-to-do man was sitting cross-legged, and with an enormous needle and a ball of twine was sewing burlap bags. "Hello," said the friend, "Sewing, eh?" "No," replied the prisoner with a sober-looking smile, "I’m reaping." With the arrival of spring upon us, and soon to be followed ...

406. Choosing Sides

Sermon

Sandra Hefter Herrma

Do you remember those old cartoons (especially Tom and Jerry) that showed the characters considering a plan of action, being counseled by a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other? Sometimes the little conscience and the little demon would actually come to blows, vying for Jerry to behave selfishly or kindly, remember? Those cartoons said, in effect, that our lives are a battleground, wit...

407. Afraid No More

Sermon

King Duncan

There are many things in life you and I may not understand. For some people, it’s modern art. A young woman goes to her first show at an art gallery. She studies the paintings carefully. One is a huge canvas that has black with yellow blobs of paint splattered all over it. The next painting is a murky gray color that has drips of purple paint streaked across it. She walks over to the artist and s...

408. Led by the Spirit of God

Sermon

King Duncan

A couple came to their local police department, wanting to dispose of some ammunition. They handed the desk officer a wooden box and explained that it contained two bullets an uncle had given them as souvenirs from World War II. "We didn't know what to do with them," the woman explained. "So all these years, we've kept the bullets in the bottom drawer of the china cabinet, away from our children...

409. Daddy, I'm Afraid

Sermon

King Duncan

An ironworker on a skyscraper calmly walked a narrow beam 15 floors above the city street. Even with heavy winds blowing and a driving rain falling, he showed no fear and never hesitated. When he came down to the ground level a man who had been watching asked, “How did you ever get a job like that?” “Well,” replied the ironworker, “I used to drive a school bus but my nerves gave out.” I guess w...

410. You Are God's Child

Sermon

King Duncan

Do You Know Who You Are? A hitchhiker was trying to get a ride one night in Los Angles. A car pulled over to pick him up. When the hitchhiker got into the car he saw the face of the driver and recognized him. The driver was film star Michael Douglas! The hitchhiker was shocked and all he could think to say to Michael Douglas was, “Do you know who you are?” That’s our theme for today: Do you know...

411. Why Am I Afraid?

Sermon

King Duncan

It’s not long until some of you will be heading out for a summer vacation. I hope you won’t take a vacation from God. Some of you undoubtedly will be camping. You may appreciate the story of a couple who were vacationing in Yosemite National Park. The wife expressed her concern about going camping because of bears and said she would feel more comfortable in a motel. The husband said that he’d lik...

412. Breaking Loose

Sermon

King Duncan

Charles Simpson of Mobile, Alabama tells of meeting a young man who dives for exotic fish for aquariums. This adventurous young man said that one of the most popular aquarium fish is the shark. He explained that if you catch a small shark and confine it, it will stay at a size proportionate to the aquarium. Sharks can be six inches long yet fully matured. But if you turn them loose in the ocean, t...

413. Freed From Fear

Sermon

King Duncan

On May 26, 1986, People Express flight number 14 from San Francisco to Newark was ready to depart. Suddenly a wild-eyed man who "looked Iranian" bolted from his seat and ran out the door. Knocking aside startled security officers, he frantically tried to escape through the locked doors of the terminal before an airport police officer finally tackled and subdued him. Was he a terrorist? No. He was ...

414. What Are You Afraid Of?

Sermon

King Duncan

"You did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear," writes St. Paul, "but you have received the spirit of sonship." The question for the morning is this: What is it that you are afraid of? Our little friend Charlie Brown in the comic strip "Peanuts" knows about fear. "I've developed a new philosophy," he said. "I only dread one day at a time." In the play YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARL...

415. The Three R's Of A Spiritual Life

Sermon

King Duncan

A heart patient visited his cardiologist for his two-week follow-up appointment. He informed the doctor that he was having trouble with one of his medications. "Which one?" asked the doctor? "The patch," the man replied, "the nurse told me to put on a new one every six hours, and I've run out of places to put it!" The doctor was flabbergasted. He had the patient quickly undress. The man had over ...

416. Camping Life

Children's Sermon

Tim Carpenter

Exegetical Aim: To set the mind on the Spirit is life. Props: A flashlight, batteries taken out of the flashlight, a radio, a nearby outlet, a candle, matches, and a Bible. Lesson: How many of you like to go camping? (response) Some of you may have never been camping before. How many would like to go camping, and sleep in a tent in a sleeping bag all night long? (response) What are other things ...

417. A Great Debt

Children's Sermon

Tim Carpenter

Exegetical Aim: We are debtors to God, but through Christ we are freed. Props: A twenty-dollar bill, a football, a piece of play jewelry, and a sign on which is written “Store.” Lesson: Today I want to play “Going to the Store.” I need a volunteer to be the storekeeper. (response) Choose a mature child to handle the store and set up the sign and merchandise beside them. Whisper to the shopkeeper...

418. Two Roads Diverged

Children's Sermon

Tim Carpenter

Exegetical Aim: No condemnation for those who walk in the Spirit. Props: A street map and a yellow marker. Before the service, choose a destination on the map that involves a fork in the road for you to chart with the children. Lesson: Have any of you ever gone on a trip? (response) When we go on a trip to somewhere, what do we use to help us get to where we are going? (use a map) I just happen ...

419. Adopted Love

Children's Sermon

Tim Carpenter

Exegetical Aim: Help children understand that they are part of God's family. Props: A live puppy or kitten would be best, but a stuffed animal will do. Lesson: I have brought something to show you today. Would you like to guess what is in this big box? (response) It's a puppy dog. If it is a live puppy, explain to all of the children not to pet it yet, but just to look. Who here has a puppy? (re...

420. Proper 10

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter - Psalms 119:105-112 First Lesson - The struggle of twins, Jacob and Esau, which began in the womb of Rebekah, is consumated in the overturning of the birthright in a moment of weakness. Genesis 25:19-34 Second Lesson - Beyond our freedom from sin and guilt, says Paul, is the empowerment to live in peace with God. Romans 8:1-11 Gospel - When Jesus begins teaching with parables, he...

421. Lent 5

Bulletin Aid

First Lesson: Ezekiel 37:1-14 Theme: The valley of dry bones Call to Worship Pastor: When hope is overcome by despair, we have the assurance that God restores life. People: We cling to that assurance because there are times when death would be a better description of our existence. Pastor: We are not the first to feel that way. Israel one time felt like a valley of dry bones, and God's message w...

422. Pentecost

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

Call To Worship Leader: It’s a good morning! We’re awake, breathing, and conversing! People: We thank God for the breath of life, for mystery and majesty and light! Leader: We are surrounded with beauty and we thank God, creator of all, for the varied manifestations of divine imagination! People: In songs, in conversation, and in silence we celebrate the Holy among us! Prayer Of Thanksgiving Ener...

423. The Law of Life

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments. My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. The wicked have...

424. Our Share Of The Inheritance

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship Get it? Spirit. Son. Father. One God, who reveals God to us in ways beyond our comprehension — and concretely as Father. Son. Spirit. Come together to praise the one God. Collect Strip our lives bare, Lord of power and might. Whirl us around like the oaks in a storm. Let all in his temple cry, "Glory!" Prayer Of Confession God beyond our comprehension, God greater than our imagin...

425. Adoption not Slavery

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call to Worship Leader: Let all who celebrate God's love and mercy gather now for worship! People: In Christ, God has called us to be adopted children in the kingdom. Leader: We are heirs of the kingdom and all the wonders of eternity. People: As God's children we receive correction and nurture in the Lord. Leader: We have much to celebrate and much to share with all the world. All: Blessed be the...

Showing 401 to 425 of 990 results