Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 4401 to 4425 of 4946 results

4401. Need Help Removing That Roadblock?

Exodus 13:17--14:31

Sermon

Steve Burt

A middle-aged man lived in a small town. He was single and had lived there all his life. Employment opportunities were limited, so he plucked chickens, a job he'd always hated. He secretly longed to be an artist, a painter. The man prayed something might change to allow his dream of freedom to become realized -- freedom from poverty and freedom to create. He felt as if invisible chains bound the true person he suspected was inside him. One day a lawyer called from a nearby city and said the man was to ...

4402. Loving Jesus, Hating The Church

John 9:35-41

Sermon

Thomas Long

Those who analyze cultural trends have known for a long time that Americans seem to like religion a lot more than they like church. Whenever pollsters, pencils sharpened and questionnaires ready, knock on the doors of private citizens to inquire about their religious attitudes, it is difficult to find anybody out there who does not claim to be a fervent believer. If people are to be taken at their word, virtually everyone in the general population has a passionate and abiding faith in God. Ironically, ...

4403. Gluttony - Living By Bread And The Word Of God

Mark 6:30-44, 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Sermon

R. Curtis Fussell

Every day at about 10:30 in the morning and then about 3:30 in the afternoon, I need a little snack to keep me going. A cookie or some pretzels, some quick and easy snack to get rid of a growling stomach; something to give me a boost so I can get my work done. If I go too long without some snack food, I get to feeling run down. I even become grumpy and irritable. Then I can't do my work because I'm thinking about food. Eating food is, of course, a necessity of life. We need food to live, to do our work; we ...

4404. Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany

Sermon

Russell F. Anderson

Revised Common:Deuteronomy 30:15-20 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Matthew 5:21-37 Roman Catholic:Sirach 15:15-20 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 Matthew 2:17-37 Episcopal:Sirach 15:11-20 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Matthew 5:21-24, 27- 30, 33-37 Lutheran:Deuteronomy 30:15-20 1 Corinthians 2:6-13 Matthew 5:20-37 Seasonal Theme: The Holy Spirit is prominently featured in the Epiphany Season pericopes. The Spirit does not act in isolation but works to create and sustain the spiritual community. Each week we will examine a different ...

4405. Proper 24

Exodus 33:12-23, Isaiah 45:1-7, Matthew 22:15-22, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: The rule of God. In the Isaiah text, God rules through a heathen king, Cyrus. In the Second Lesson, he claims us through the gospel. In the Gospel Lesson, Jesus reminds us that God's rule includes the power structures of this world, yet transcends these structures. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Exodus 33:12-23 The Lord is still stung by the golden calf episode and is threatening to withhold his presence. Moses pleads that God would go with him and the people as they made their way to the Promised Land. ...

4406. Proper 4

Genesis 6:1-8:22, Deuteronomy 11:1-32, Matthew 7:21-29, Romans 1:1-17, Romans 3:21-31

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: A contrast between the righteousness of obedience and the righteousness of faith. The First Lesson from Deuteronomy presents Moses' instruction to obey God's laws by making them an integral part of their daily lives. The First Lesson, from Genesis, shows how Noah obeyed God by building the Ark. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that everyone who hears his words and does them is like the person who built his house on the rock. In contrast, the person who hears his teachings and does not do them resembles ...

4407. The Man Born Blind

Sermon

Jerry Eckert

Comment: One of the real treats I've had as a minister is to have my daughter help me with one of my story sermons. In her spiritual pilgrimage, she had found herself in a group of youth led by a charismatic. The youth were good friends, and the charismatic was a nice person, as far as I knew, though he was not affiliated with any local church. In preparing the text, I found myself using that bit of history. I asked her to read it over and see if it was okay. She agreed to do this little drama. She read it ...

4408. The Man Born Blind

John 9:1-12

Drama

Jerry Eckert

4409. Proper 11

Ephesians 2:11-22, 2 Samuel 7:1-17, Mark 6:45-56, Mark 6:30-44

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Building the kingdom of God. COMMENTARY Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7:1-14a Some scholars judge chapter 7 to be an insertion from a later period. The purpose of this text is to explain why King David did not construct the temple. The setting for this pericope finds David victorious over his enemies; he has built himself an ornate palace and wants to build the Lord a worthy dwelling. At that time, the Ark of the Covenant was housed in a tent. David reveals his plan to Nathan, the prophet, who initially ...

4410. Proper 19

James 3:1-12, Proverbs 1:20-33, Mark 8:31--9:1, Mark 8:27-30

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Seek true wisdom; follow Christ. COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Proverbs 1:20-33 (C) Wisdom personified warns the fool to heed its words of wisdom and instruction or face dire consequences. The foolish will be destroyed by their own devices; when they call for help on the day of trouble, it will not be granted to them. However, those who listen to the voice of wisdom will dwell secure. Lesson 1: Isaiah 50:5-9a (RC); Isaiah 50:4-9 (E) (See Sunday Of The Passion) Lesson 2: James 3:1-12 (C) Chapter 3 revolves ...

4411. A New Year Love Song

Colossians 3:14

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: A song sung in four part harmony by members of the choir. Good morning, boys and girls. This is the day before New Year's Day and only one week since Christmas Eve. Has it been a good week for everyone? (Let them, answer.) What do you like most about celebrating New Year's Day? (Let them answer.) I think I like the idea of spending New Year's with my friends. On other holidays I spend most of my time with my family and I like that very much, but New Year's is a time to spend with friends. We are ...

4412. Reformation Sunday

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40

Sermon

George Paul Mocko

That Reformation Theme of How You Can't Find God in Head, Heart, or Hands: Something Jeremiah, Paul and Luther Agree on; Our Arrogance; How God Has to Find Us and WhatFaith is All About. How do you find out what God is like? What he is supposed to be doing in this world? What he wants from it and us? How do you find out what God is like? Reason, said the ancient Greeks. Apply logic and the only possible logical conclusion is that God exists. So convinced were the ancient Greeks of the unassailable nature ...

4413. Take Off The Grave Clothes!

John 11:38-44

Sermon

Carlyle Fielding Stewart

Today our lesson paints a poignant picture of one of the most famous of Jesus' acts: raising Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus had been a dear friend of Jesus and the scriptures say Jesus loved him and his entire family. When news reached Jesus of Lazarus' death, his heart was sorrowful. He wept inwardly and outwardly. Despite the bad news, he kept confidence that Lazarus would be raised. Despite the woeful lament the news caused for those who loved and knew Lazarus, Jesus quietly assured his disciples and ...

4414. How’s That Again, Jesus?

Matthew 10:1-42

Sermon

Larry Goodpaster

A misguided bird gets loose in the sanctuary and every eye in the congregation drifts toward the ceiling. Never mind that the choir is continuing to sing the anthem they have been working on for weeks just for this special occasion. The lost bird has totally interrupted the proceedings and besides, most would have to admit, its flight was much more entertaining. “I was so afraid that bird was going to land on your head -- but I’m sure the choir understands,” is the comment heard from a number of people at ...

4415. Hard Sale

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Biblical truth, cults Characters: Salesman, man, woman Scene: A kitchen table Salesman: OK, so what do you say? Which one will it be? He: We can't just make up our minds like that. We need more time ... She: More information ... He: More research ... She: More reasons ... Salesperson: Exactly what is it that you think that you need? I have explained everything that I can. She: We can't just make a decision as important as the church we attend or the faith that we believe in a few minutes. ...

4416. The Invitation

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Inviting others, evangelism, encouragement, caring Characters: Three women on the phone Scene: A table will be set up with a phone on it. Characters 2 and 3 will have their backs to the congregation. Each character's original spot will be marked with tape with her number on it. As the characters rotate, they move to the next spot in a counterclockwise circle. #1 will be standing next to the phone as the lights come up. When she finishes her lines the three move in a counterclockwise way until #2 is ...

4417. The Priesthood Of All Believers

Exodus 19:1-25

Sermon

Walter Kimbrough

The priesthood of all believers is a topic highly talked about, but too rarely practiced. It has become no more than theological jargon with little or no meaning. Yet, we like Israel, are entitled to be a nation of priests. All of us, whether clergy or lay, share in an ordination by God to be priests. All persons who believe in Jesus the Christ are a part of this priestly nation. But, what constitutes a priest? How can I know whether I am a priest? The Bible dictionary informs us that, “The New Testament ...

4418. "Hosanna!"

Matthew 21:9

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Objects: Spoons and water glasses. Good morning, boys and girls. I brought along with me some things that I thought you might help me make noise with today. Don't you just love to make noise in church and not have anyone tell you to keep quiet? Usually your mom or dad is telling you to be quiet in church, but not today. I need your help because we are going to pretend that we are watching a parade. It is a special parade, and it only ever happened once, so we are going to have to pretend pretty good. How ...

4419. Religion's Built-in Hazard

Isaiah 58:1-14

Sermon

Robert Beringer

A Japanese legend says a pious Buddhist monk died and went to heaven. He was taken on a sightseeing tour and gazed in wonder at the lovely mansions built of marble and gold and precious stones. It was all so beautiful, exactly as he pictured it, until he came to a large room that looked like a merchant's shop. Lining the walls were shelves on which were piled and labeled what looked like dried mushrooms. On closer examination, he saw they were actually human ears. His guide explained that these were the ...

4420. Time's Up

Matthew 24:36-51

Illustration

John Jamison

If it kept up like this he wasn't going to get anything done all morning. After the telephone calls, that paper-jam in the copier, and now this, he was beginning to feel that it was pointless to try. She stepped into his office, "Sorry to interrupt you Reverend, I know you are busy, but I need to talk to you!" She went on to tell him about a problem a dear friend of hers was having, and how it would be really "nice" if the pastor could stop by for a visit sometime. Soon. He wanted to say that if people ...

4421. Watching The Eyes

Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon

John Jamison

The way it happened in my mind is that he walked into this little restaurant in downtown Jericho, took a deep breath and hollered, "Repent!" Folks stopped eating mid-bite. It got so quiet you could hear the motor running in that tall machine over in the corner that kept slices of pie turning around behind the glass all day. Every eye in the place was on him, and that was what he was waiting for. He started talking, and shouting, and waving his arms, and every time someone would try to laugh at him and go ...

4422. "Because I'm God"

Job 38:1--41:34

Sermon

John P. Rossing

A mother is running errands, accompanied by her two small children. All morning the children have been pestering her: "Can we go to the new toy store? Let's get some ice cream. We want to go home now." Pretty soon their pestering turns to complaining, then to angry questions. "Why can't we go where we want to go? Why do we have to go in that store? Why can't we eat lunch now? Why do we always have to do what you want to do and never what we want to do?" Finally the mother stops, stoops to face her children ...

4423. In the Beginning, God

Genesis 1:1-2:3

Sermon

Johnny Dean

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters." "The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep…" This is a description of the utter chaos that existed before God began the work of creation. I wonder – in our neat, little, orderly world today, can we truly understand the meaning of "chaos"? When our schedule becomes overly ...

4424. Praying With Tears in Your Eyes

Hebrews 1:1-14

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear. (Hebrews 5:7) When you finish your prayers, are there tears in your eyes? Usually we "say" our prayers, not "cry" them. We associate prayer with peace, calm, and strength. We may feel weepy when we begin our prayers, but we expect to be comforted by the end of them. Because there are very seldom tears in our eyes when we pray, our ...

4425. Help Me See

John 9:35-41, John 9:13-34

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

Exegetical Aim: To demonstrate that sometimes we can't see what we are doing wrong. Props: Tray, glass of milk (a glass with a wide bottom to prevent an accident), powdered chocolate mix (preferably Nestles Quick), a spoon, and a blind fold. Lesson: As the children are coming sit down and place the blind fold on yourself, make sure it is secure. Place the tray in a place where it can be easily managed. This morning I am going to make some chocolate milk. How many of you like chocolate milk? (response) But ...

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