Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 4526 to 4550 of 5000 results

4526. One Task

Luke 9:51-62

Illustration

Ernest Munachi Ezeogu

A guard in charge of a lighthouse along a dangerous coast was given enough oil for one month and told to keep the light burning every night. One day a woman asked for oil so that her children could stay warm. Then a farmer came. His son needed oil for a lamp so he could read. Another needed some for an engine. The guard saw each as a worthy request and gave some oil to satisfy all. By the end of the month, the tank in the lighthouse was dry. That night the beacon was dark and three ships crashed on the ...

4527. A Prayer

Luke 9:51-62

Bulletin Aid

Between Heaven

Keep us, O God, from all pettiness. Let us be large in thought, in word, in deed. Let us be done with faultfinding and leave off all self-seeking. May we put away all pretense and meet each other face to face, without self-pity and without prejudice. May we never be hasty in judgment, and always be generous. Let us always take time for all things, and make us grow calm, serene and gentle. Teach us to put into action our better impulses, to be straightforward and unafraid. Grant that we may realize that it ...

4528. Einstein and the Church

Luke 9:51-56

Illustration

Brett Blair

Albert Einstein, the German born mathematician, slowly watched his homeland give in to Adolf Hitler's fascist dictatorship. Einstein wondered if any were going to stand up and oppose Hitler. He said, and I quote, "When Hitlerism came to Germany I expected the Universities to oppose it. Instead they embraced it. I hoped for the press to denounce it, but instead they propagated its teachings. One by one the leaders and institutions which should have opposed the Nazi philosophy bowed meekly to its authority. ...

4529. Three Hesitate

Luke 9:51-62

Illustration

Brett Blair

At the end of Luke chapter 9 we read the story about Jesus' final approach to Jerusalem. On his way he meets three men who wish to follow him and he warns them that it will cost them dearly to do so. To the three he says, you will be homeless, your family will be left behind, and your past life must be forgotten. As you can imagine the three, who were once so certain, are now hesitant. This story is about commitment or the lack thereof. It is about Jesus "setting his face" and three men "turning their ...

4530. Tolerance the Wesleyan Way

Luke 9:51-62

Illustration

Brett Blair

The invitation to participate in the Lord's Table in the UnitedMethodistChurch is simply this: "Let all who love the Lord come." This is born out of John Wesley's philosophy, "We think and let think." Wesley said: "I have no more right to object to a man for holding a different opinion from mine than I have to differ with a man because he wears a wig and I wear my own hair; but if he takes his wig off and shakes the powder in my face, I shall consider it my duty to leave him as soon as possible and use ...

4531. You Must Give Everything to Me

John 14:1-4

Illustration

On her travels to the Far East, Margaret Bottome learned 3 Vital Lessons in Faith & Following. There came a guide to her group and said to them, "Will you be good enough to give everything to me? I will take care of everything." So they gave him their luggage, but kept their small handbags. The guide spoke, "You must give everything to me." They protested that there were things that were vital to them for their trip, but the guide simply said, "They will be far safer with me, and you will be far safer ...

4532. Just Drifting

Luke 9:51-62

Illustration

Brett Blair

Back in the 1960's a movie came out called "The Graduate," which became an American classic. It starred a then very young Dustin Hoffman as a college student trying to decide what to do with his life. There is a scene early in the movie where Dustin Hoffman is floating on a rubber raft in a swimming pool. His father comes out and asks: "What are you doing." He replies. "Drifting. Just drifting." I suspect this was the writer's way of letting us know what he is doing with his life. I fear far too many could ...

4533. Dime Store Wisdom

Luke 9:51-62

Illustration

Maxie Dunnam

"Many years ago a young man went to work at a hardware store. He found all sorts of junk that took up space but did not sell well. This clerk asked the owner to allow him to put it all on one table and sell each item for 10 cents. He did so and had a successful sale. Later he did the same thing, and had another successful sale. The clerk approached the owner and suggested that they open up a store specializing in items that cost only a nickel or dime. The owner thought it was a bad idea and refused. The ...

4534. As Real as It Gets

Luke 9:57-62

Illustration

Maxie Dunnam

An unforgettable comment was made at the New York City Marathon, and was recorded by a newspaper reporter. When the wheelchair participants came into view and people began to applaud, a man alongside the reporter remarked, "Wait until the real runners come along!" Another person nearby said, "This is as real as it gets!" (Donald J. Shelby, "Unless the Race is Worth Running,") That is where it is today with our scripture lesson. Jesus' call is "as real as it gets": "No one who puts his hand to the plow and ...

4535. Bragging

Gal 6:14

Illustration

King Duncan

Bragging or boasting is endemic to human nature. We boast about our children and our grandchildren. We boast about our work. We boast about our athletic accomplishments. We boast about the places we’ve been and the things we’ve done. On this July 4, we boast about the land of our birth. An American was staying in London. He was introduced to a man from Edinburgh, Scotland. The Scotchman asked him, “An’ what country do you belong tae?” “The greatest country in the world!” replied the American. “Mon! So dae ...

4536. Seeing the Kingdom

Luke 10:1-24

Illustration

Leonard Sweet

One of the worst things that can be said of people is that greatness passed by, and they did not recognize it. Yet in the words of Henry David Thoreau: The morning wind forever blows; The poem of creation is uninterrupted; But few are the ears that hear it. Every one of us here this morning has at one time felt that morning wind blowing by; every one of us has been privy to that uninterrupted poem of creation. Yet how many of our ears have really heard it; how many of our eyes have truly seen it? What is ...

4537. Reference

Luke 10:1-24

Illustration

Maxie Dunnam

One of the best letters of reference ever received at the University of Alabama Medical School, according to the Director of Admissions, came from an old mountaineer. The letter read: "I've known this kid from the day he was born. He played with my kids, helped me with the chores. I don't know if he has sense enough to make it in medical school, but I know he will be the kind of man I'd like to come here to take care of me and my folks. (Don Shelby, Final Evaluations) Isn't that beautiful? And it hints at ...

4538. The Good Samaritan - Sermon Starter

Luke 10:25-37

Illustration

Brett Blair

The parable of the Good Samaritan arises out of a discussion between Jesus and a Pharisee. Here is a religious lawyer and he is asking a question on the nature of the law. The stage is set by Luke with these words: "Behold a lawyer stood up to put him to the test." Well, it's not the first time and probably won't be the last time that a lawyer phrased a trick question. It was the kind of question in which any kind of an answer would pose still further problems. It was a test question: "Teacher, what must I ...

4539. Rising to the Occasion

Luke 10:25-37

Illustration

James W. Moore

Have you heard the story about the elderly woman who lived in a small town in East Texas... who had car trouble on the way to the supermarket one morning? Her car stalled at a stop sign... she tried everything to get her car started again, but no luck. Suddenly, a man in a pick-up truck came up behind her and with obvious agitation he started honking his horn at her impatiently. She doubled her efforts to get her car going. She pumped the gas, turned the ignition, but still no luck... the man in the pick- ...

4540. I Certainly Don't Recommend Christianity

Matt 16:21-28

Illustration

C. S. Lewis

I have an elderly acquaintance of about eighty, who has lived a life of unbroken selfishness and self-admiration from the earliest years, and is, more or less, I regret to say, one of the happiest men I know. From the moral point of view it is very difficult! As you perhaps know, I haven't always been a Christian. I didn't go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don't recommend Christianity.

4541. Neighborly Prayer

Luke 10:25-37

Illustration

King Duncan

Some of you may be familiar with a story by journalist Tom Junod. It is a true story of a young man afflicted with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy did not affect this young man's mind, but it affected his motor skills and his ability to speak. The boy could only communicate through typing on his computer. In addition to his physical disabilities, the boy suffered emotional problems after some of his care givers callously abused him. Overwhelmed with self-hatred, the boy often hit himself. Using his computer ...

4542. Dan Rather's Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

Humor Illustration

Brett Blair

Dan Rather recalls an eventful elevator ride in a large Florida hotel: After having flown in late during the night, he was up early to go downstairs and make a speech before several thousand people. In no mood to be the center of attention, he said, in the elevator, he felt all eyes on him. He thought to himself: Didn't any of these people's mothers teach them that it's rude to stare? The elevator soon reached the lobby and as it empties, a woman gently takes hold of his sleeve. "Mr. Rather," she says ...

4543. Easy to Rationalize

Lk 10:25-37

Illustration

King Duncan

I ran across a subtle piece of humor. Cal Holm tells about two liberal sociologists walking down the street. They see a man lying at the curb who is covered with cuts and bruises from a terrible mugging. One of the sociologists turns to his colleague and says, "Whoever did this terrible deed really needs our help." It is so easy to rationalize, to justify, to find excuses for passing by on the other side. Undoubtedly the priest and the Levite had reasons for passing this man by. Self-giving love is so rare ...

4544. For His Neighbors

Lk 10:25-37

Illustration

King Duncan

Many of us are afraid of dogs. It is a common fear. The immortal scientist Louis Pasteur was far more frightened of dogs than most people. Even a distant bark would terrify him. In his mind he could still see a mad wolf which raged through his boyhood village bringing agony and death to many of his neighbors. "I have always been haunted by the cries of those victims," he said time and again. Yet in 1882, past the age of 60, Pasteur gave up all his other studies in an intense search for a cure for rabies. ...

4545. Be Kind!

Luke 10:25-37

Illustration

Ann Landers

Columnist Ann Landers once wrote, "Be kind to people. The world needs kindness so much. You never know what sort of battles other people are fighting. Often just a soft word or a warm compliment can be immensely supportive. You can do a great deal of good by just being considerate, by extending a little friendship, going out of your way to do just one nice thing, or saying one good word." Being civil to one another is the least we can do. Every major religion or philosophy acknowledges that.

4546. Seinfeld's Last Episode

Luke 10:25-37

Illustration

Brett Blair

Most of you remember the Seinfeld show and many of you were fans. In its final Episode, which aired at the end of the 1998 TV season, the main characters (Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer) receive a one year sentence for failing to help someone who was being robbed. What happens is this: Jerry has just received a contract from NBC to do a sitcom and the network is flying them all to Paris as a gift. But their plane encounters problems and they are stuck in LakelandMassachusetts. Killing time wondering ...

4547. The Homeless Woman’s Poem

Luke 10:25-37

Illustration

A homeless woman once approached a preacher for help, but because he was busy and helpless, he turned her away and offered to pray for her instead. The homeless woman, it is said, wrote this poem as a response too that insensitive minister: "I was hungry, and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger. I was imprisoned, and you crept off quietly to my chapel and prayed for my release. I was naked, and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance. I was sick, and you knelt and thanked God ...

4548. Late For Class

Luke 10:25-37

Illustration

Johnny Dean

Years ago on a seminary campus a New Testament professor was lecturing on the parables. This professor was known for his strictness. He often penalized students even if they were tardy! After spending a fair amount of time on the parable of the Good Samaritan, he posted a notice on the board telling the students that that days class was being moved to the other side of the campus. On the only route to the new class room, he staged a drunk lying on the ground asking for help. To the professor's amazement, ...

4549. Count the Inmates

Luke 10:38-42

Humor Illustration

James W. Moore

Some years ago, The Archbishop of Canterbury was rushing to catch a train in London. In his haste, he accidentally jumped on the wrong passenger car and found himself on a car full of inmates from a mental hospital. They were all dressed in mental hospital clothing. Just as the train pulled out of the station, an orderly came in and began to count the inmates, "1-2-3-4…" when suddenly he saw this distinguished looking gentleman there wearing a business suit and a clerical collar and he said: "Who are you ...

4550. Will the Grass Ever Come Back?

Luke 10:38-42

Illustration

Richard J. Fairchild

Erma Bombeck, the author who wrote "If Life Is A Bowl Of Cherries, What Am I Doing Here In The Pits", tells of two moments in her husband's life: There was a time when the children were growing up that her husband used to go and look at the back yard. Surveying the muddy patches where the lawn should be, he would wonder Will the grass ever come back? And then there was the time when the children were grown and gone that her husband went and looked over the beautiful green lawn, immaculate from lack of use ...

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Antonyms: deficient, imperfect

Showing 4526 to 4550 of 5000 results

4526. One Task

Luke 9:51-62

Illustration

Ernest Munachi Ezeogu

4527. A Prayer

Luke 9:51-62

Bulletin Aid

Between Heaven

4528. Einstein and the Church

Luke 9:51-56

Illustration

Brett Blair

4529. Three Hesitate

Luke 9:51-62

Illustration

Brett Blair

4530. Tolerance the Wesleyan Way

Luke 9:51-62

Illustration

Brett Blair

4531. You Must Give Everything to Me

John 14:1-4

Illustration

4532. Just Drifting

Luke 9:51-62

Illustration

Brett Blair

4533. Dime Store Wisdom

Luke 9:51-62

Illustration

Maxie Dunnam

4534. As Real as It Gets

Luke 9:57-62

Illustration

Maxie Dunnam

4535. Bragging

Gal 6:14

Illustration

King Duncan

4536. Seeing the Kingdom

Luke 10:1-24

Illustration

Leonard Sweet

4537. Reference

Luke 10:1-24

Illustration

Maxie Dunnam

4538. The Good Samaritan - Sermon Starter

Luke 10:25-37

Illustration

Brett Blair

4539. Rising to the Occasion

Luke 10:25-37

Illustration

James W. Moore

4540. I Certainly Don't Recommend Christianity

Matt 16:21-28

Illustration

C. S. Lewis

4541. Neighborly Prayer

Luke 10:25-37

Illustration

King Duncan

4542. Dan Rather's Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

Humor Illustration

Brett Blair

4543. Easy to Rationalize

Lk 10:25-37

Illustration

King Duncan

4544. For His Neighbors

Lk 10:25-37

Illustration

King Duncan

4545. Be Kind!

Luke 10:25-37

Illustration

Ann Landers

4546. Seinfeld's Last Episode

Luke 10:25-37

Illustration

Brett Blair

4547. The Homeless Woman’s Poem

Luke 10:25-37

Illustration

4548. Late For Class

Luke 10:25-37

Illustration

Johnny Dean

4549. Count the Inmates

Luke 10:38-42

Humor Illustration

James W. Moore

4550. Will the Grass Ever Come Back?

Luke 10:38-42

Illustration

Richard J. Fairchild

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