Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 4451 to 4475 of 4944 results

4451. Trick Questions

Matthew 22:15-22

Sermon

Steve Molin

Do you like riddles? I’ve always liked riddles. Riddles are word problems; brilliant questions that stump us, until we are told the answer, and then we can’t believe we missed it! Some riddles – especially those we learn in childhood – are rather simple. For example, “What’s black and white and read all over?” (A newspaper). Or how about this one, “I am a wealthy doctor, I have a wealthy son. But if you’re looking for his father, I am not the one. Who am I?” (His mother). I recently heard a riddle that was ...

4452. Burning the Midnight Oil

Matthew 25:1-13

Sermon

Steve Molin

It has been several decades since Pastor John Lloyd Ogilvie wrote his book about the parables of Jesus titled, The Autobiography of God. As Ogilvie pointed out, this “autobiography” – this self-writing – is exactly what the parables of Jesus are.[1] They are the description of the kingdom of God by God’s own self.” Jesus did not write them down as an author would; he told them to small groups, to angry crowds, to the masses, to individuals, and most often, to his disciples. He painted word-pictures about ...

4453. Where's God?

John 16:12-15

Sermon

David Coffin

Rather than taking a traditional, historical confessional approach to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, I would like to suggest how this complex and mysterious teaching of the church might work in modern day situations. Imagine a person coming to worship on Holy Trinity Sunday who is not wondering if they will confess the lengthy Athanasian Creed. Rather, the person’s mind is weighed down with the stunning news that their employer of 25 years is closing down the plant and company. All three hundred or so ...

4454. Family Ties And Unties

Mark 3:20-35

Sermon

David Coffin

In the 1993 movie Rudy, Sean Astin plays Rudy Rudiger, a young man who grew up in a Roman Catholic working class family that was employed at the steel mills, which is major town economic bedrock. Rudy always wanted to play football for the University of Notre Dame. There were a couple problems. First, he was short, lacked strong talent, and he had difficulty in school due to dyslexia. His family and girlfriend all thought that he would fail in this venture. At age 22, when his best friend Pete died in an ...

4455. The Case of the Hardened Heart

John 6:1-21

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Cognitive confirmation bias, the core concept of my upcoming book, Slant, on how we understand Jesus, scriptures, and our theology, has also become a current “buzz word” in the confusion of our society today. No matter what “side” of the political spectrum we are on, we want to know “how” others cannot see the “truth” or “facts” that are right in front of them. Interestingly, this inquiry comes from both ends of that divide. That should tell us something. The answer is simpler and yet more complex than we ...

4456. Wait. Trust Me.

Exodus 20:12 · Ephesians 6:1-12 · Proverbs 22:6

Illustration

Paul Batura

A friend earlier today called my attention to some counsel and perspective served up on an episode of The Andy Griffith Show titled, “Opie’s Hobo Friend.” It originally aired November 13, 1961. [It’s politically incorrect these days to refer to a homeless person as a “hobo” – but that wasn’t the case back when John F. Kennedy was in the White House.] As the storyline goes, a homeless man named David Browne shows up in Mayberry. He swipes some sandwiches, makes friend with Sheriff Andy Taylor (played by ...

4457. Motives Matter

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Why do we do the things we do? Psychology offers us a group of standard motivations, such as survival, pleasure, autonomy, purpose/meaning, love/connection, reputation/respect, success, and power/control. The darker side of human motivation, particularly when our drives go unchecked, can include competition, envy, lack of empathy, materialism, power, control, validation, and personal gain. The way human beings express these motivations can vary according to our innate biology, our learned behaviors, and ...

4458. God's Vision For The Church

Acts 11:1-18

Sermon

Douglas J. Deuel

At a family gathering, a grandmother was coaxed into doing something she had never done before. After much friendly badgering, she climbed slowly up on an exercise bike. She took her time getting in just the right position. She waited a few moments. Then, nervously, she said, "All right, you can turn it on now." If only work in the church could be handled like that. If we could magically flip a switch, and then watch as the work is done for us. But work in the church requires a delicate blend of divine ...

4459. Sent From The Mountain

Matthew 28:16-20

Sermon

William G. Carter

There is nothing like taking part in a worship service with 17,000 people. If you are surrounded by a choir that large, all of the hymns sound in tune. With that many people gathered to pray in the same place at the same time, you have no doubt God will hear somebody in the crowd. And when a super-charged speaker stands up to challenge people to follow the commandments of Christ, the group dynamics of such a huge crowd ensure that someone, somewhere, is ready to answer the challenge. That was the case in ...

4460. Nowhere To Run, Nowhere To Hide

1 Kings 9:1-9

Sermon

Carlyle Fielding Stewart

After predicting a drought, raising the widow's son at Zarephath, challenging and slaying the prophets of Baal, Elijah the prophet is now on the run for his life from Queen Jezebel and King Ahab. Buoyant, strong, and confident, he has stood toe to toe with the powers that be, denouncing every evil. He has bravely articulated divine intentions, but now we find him fleeing for his life to Mount Horeb. See him now cowering in a cave hewn in the mountain's side, depressed and weary, afraid for his life. Elijah ...

4461. Just What The Doctor Ordered

Numbers 21:4-9

Sermon

Paul W. Kummer

A wealthy entrepreneur was consternated to find a fisherman sitting lazily beside his boat. "Why aren't you out there fishing?" he asked. "Because I've caught enough fish for today," said the fisherman. "Why not catch more than you need?" the rich man asked. "What would I do with them?" "You could earn more money," came the impatient reply, "and buy a bigger boat so you could go deeper and catch more fish. You could purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make more money. Soon you'd have a fleet of ...

4462. The Downside Of The Practice -- Performance Equation

Romans 8:28-39

Sermon

Robert R. Kopp

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God.... -- Romans 8:28 I'm glad I'm a man. As my son was being born 22 years ago, two thoughts came to mind. First, "What a miracle!" Second, "Thank You, Jesus, for making me a man because I could never do that!" It's like Joan Rivers said, "If a man wants to know what it's like to give birth, all he has to do is take his upper lip and pull it over his head." I'm also aware of sexism in society and church. But as a beneficiary of sexism ...

4463. The Future Of The Church!

Matthew 11:25-30

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme: Sometimes the wise and learned are confounded by spiritual truths and they are revealed to those who are trusting enough to believe Jesus' words. Summary: Barney Willis, a young college student, is supposed to speak on the "Future of the Church" but can't seem to get started. The reason is revealed by his family. Playing Time: 10 minutes Setting: Your church Props: Guitar Costumes: Contemporary Time: The present Cast: BARNEY WILLIS -- a college student REV. WILLIS --his father MRS. WILLIS -- Barney' ...

4464. Moving At The Speed Of Light: Nazareth: Family Ties

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

When I was a child and my mother started thinking out loud about "going home," she meant driving to Grandma's house a thousand miles away. This trip from Ohio to Nebraska with two parents, five children, and sometimes a dog did not happen in our unairconditioned family sedan without considerable planning and effort. Just packing the car strained family cordiality and tested my father's training as an engineer. His plan was always the same: Be on the road shortly after midnight and drive all night so that ...

4465. Proper 13

Romans 8:28-39, Isaiah 55:1-13, Genesis 32:22-32, Matthew 14:13-21

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Genesis 32:22-31 Jacob returns home with his wives, children and flocks but, fearing the wrath of his brother Esau, he sends them on before him, remaining by himself. He wrestles with an angel of God until daybreak. The angel cannot overcome Jacob and asks to be let go. Jacob refuses until he receives a blessing. The heavenly visitor notes that Jacob has striven with God and man but has prevailed. Old Testament: Isaiah 55:1-5 Like a hawker on the street, God bids his people to ...

4466. The Better Part

Luke 10:38-42

Children's Sermon

B. Kathleen Fannin

Visual Aid: A basket suspended by its handle from a strong rubber band; a work glove; a small bag of toys such as marbles, a doll, and a stuffed animal; a mathematics textbook; a music book; a baseball; a can of pet food; a Bible; a box to hold all this stuff. Lesson: Stress; making choices; helping one another. As the children come to the front of the sanctuary, I take the work glove and basket out of the box and ask one of the taller boys if he will help me out this morning. He agrees, so I hand him the ...

4467. The Kindergarten Kingdom

Mark 10:13-16

Sermon

Erskine White

Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child shall not enter it. (Mark 10:15) If I had preached on this text just six years ago, I would have extolled the virtues and sung the praises of children. Jesus said that we must be like children to receive the kingdom of God and I would have preached a sermon on how wonderful kids are. I would have waxed eloquent on how Jesus blessed the children and how children bless our lives every day with their innate goodness, charm and ...

4468. The Problem With Finding The Kingdom

Matthew 13:44-46

Sermon

William J. Carl

I don’t know about you, but when I finished reading these parables of the kingdom, I wasn’t so sure whether I really wanted to find the kingdom, which may be an odd thing for a preacher to say, I admit. But think about it -- everybody always makes such a big deal about finding the kingdom. Even Jesus. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and… all these things shall be added unto you.” Even Peter Marshall’s mother said it when Peter left Scotland for good. “Dinna forget your verse my laddie, seek ye first the ...

4469. The Unfairness of God

Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon

William J. Carl

Have you ever noticed how sometimes life just isn’t fair? It’s one of the hard realities we learn early on. No one has to wait for adolescence or old age to find it out. You can learn it in nursery school. Sometimes life just isn’t fair. Little brothers and sisters seem to get such special privileges. The things my little brother and sister got away with! There were times when I really felt like the prodigal son story was some kind of Jungian archetype for familial systems down through the centuries. Well ...

4470. The Answering Machine

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Serenity, stress, bills, hard times, troubles, caring God Characters: One female Props: Answering machine, table, chair, Bible, mail, letter opener Scene: Living room Character walks in with a briefcase, purse, bag of groceries, and a stack of mail in hand. As she comes in, the bag of groceries breaks. As she is leaning over to pick it up, the purse opens up and dumps its contents. When she tries to put her briefcase down, it opens up. Papers and flies fall out. She finally gives up and sighs. Still ...

4471. Saved By Grace

Exodus 32:1-33:6

Sermon

Walter Kimbrough

This subject causes one to focus on two significant theological expressions having a direct bearing on the quality of human life: salvation and grace. The apostle Paul adds a third expression that he calls faith; “For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith -- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast… (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).” So then, Paul contends that salvation is realized when grace is activated and faith comes alive. All three are ...

4472. Choices

Drama

J. B. Quisenberry

Prelude Opening Skit (The setting is a modern living room with the Father working at a small table to the right and two children playing on the floor center stage. The choir enters singing a traditional Christmas Hymn and wearing hats and scarves to suggest outer wear. They proceed toward the left side of the altar area. A door bell rings, and the oldest child crosses down left and pantomimes opening a door.) Oldest Child: Look! Christmas carolers! (The other child runs to door.) Dad, come quick! There are ...

4473. Big Changes

Luke 20:27-40

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

Exegetical Aim: As we grow in life and as we grow with God, we will always have to deal with changes. Sometimes it means letting go of the old and accepting the new. Heaven will bring about the biggest of these changes. Props: A diaper, wipes, a baby bottle (or a jar of baby food and a baby spoon), and a pacifier. Lesson: I have something this morning I think you need. Hold up the diaper. Okay, who needs his diaper changed? (response) All right, don't be shy. Who needs his diaper changed? Anyone have wet ...

4474. Encounters With Christ III: Jesus and Nicodemus

John 3:1-21

Sermon

James W. Moore

His name was Paul. He lived in a small town in the Pacific Northwest some years ago. He was just a little boy when his family became the proud owners of one of the first telephones in the neighborhood. It was one of those wooden boxes attached to the wall with the shiny receiver hanging on the side of the box… and the mouthpiece attached to the front. Young Paul listened with fascination as his mom and dad used the phone… and he discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device called a telephone lived ...

4475. The Freedom To Be Wrong

Luke 18:9-14

Sermon

I want to begin with a situation that might happen to a young person. I hope that those of us who are older will think back to our youth and put ourselves into the same story. Let’s say you’re still living at home and going to school. On a Saturday night you take the family car. Let’s admit you’re an excellent driver and that you have the right to think of yourself as careful and prudent at the wheel. This is the image your parents have of you and you’re pleased with that. Good for you. You are with the ...

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