Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 4601 to 4625 of 4681 results

4601. Stay—Tuned

Mark 1:1-8

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... our earliest understandings through stories. The Tortoise and the Hare, The Three Little Pigs, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Ugly Duckling. We learned lessons in behavior from stories like The Little Boy Who Cried ‘Wolf ’ and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The tradition of storytelling is as old as humanity itself. Ancient cultures have stories to tell younger generations about their heritage. Go to the earliest chapters of our scripture and see how our own cultural forebears answered the questions of ...

4602. Mary's Complaint

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... it is believed that something as important as marriage should not be left to the whims of the heart. The engagement had been agreed to and the period of betrothal had begun. Now... catastrophe. She was pregnant. An angel had appeared to her and said that she would bear a son. True, the angel had said wonderful things to her: this was happening because she had found favor with God; the child would be great and be called the Son of the Most High; he would grow up to become a king... wonderful things. She had ...

4603. God Bless Santa!

Luke 2:1-20

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... before any celebration of Christmas) called the Feast of the Annunciation. It is observed on March 25 and commemorates the angel Gabriel’s visit to Jesus’ mother: “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31). Do the math. Nine months from March 25 is December 25. Voilá! Christmas. Is that really the date of Jesus’ birth? Probably not, but at least you can see where it came from — it ...

4604. The New Family

Acts 8:26-40

Sermon

Will Willimon

... , bereft of any other source of identity or meaning, the family takes over everything. The sad state of many American families may be testimony to the truth, not that we don't love our families, but that we love them too much. We are asking our families to bear far too much moral and spiritual weight, to be all things for us, and they crack under the strain. I have decided, since coming here to the University and working with young people, that one of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child is the ...

4605. Revising The Agenda

Matthew 16:21-28

Sermon

William G. Carter

... humanity back to her.” Jesus said, “Deny yourselves.” You know, it’s difficult for some people to even hear that word when they’ve had so much taken away. How can people in poverty believe it is a virtue to give up what little dignity they bear? How can the downtrodden ever hear this obligation of the gospel? Sometimes we need to claim the love and dignity of God and then see what happens. Like the woman who made an appointment to talk about troubles at home. At one point in our conversation she ...

4606. John the Baptist and Mrs. Nolan

Mark 1:1-8

Sermon

King Duncan & Angela Akers

... John a first cousin of our Lord. And remember, the scriptures tell us that John’s birth was announced by the angel Gabriel just like Jesus’ birth. Talk about good breeding! He, too, was a “miracle” baby, born to a woman who was far beyond the normal child-bearing years. John the Baptist was the perfect prophet to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. Most of you are aware that there is a 400-year gap between the Old and New Testaments, a time when God was silent. The final voice at the end of ...

4607. That Beautiful Raggedy Doll

Luke 1:26-38

Illustration

Angela Akers

... the New York Daily News titled “Remember, It is Love That Makes Us Rich.” The story tells about a place in Edinburgh, Scotland, called The Museum of Childhood. This museum is filled with childhood treasures of the upper classes such as elegant teddy bears, puppets, rocking horses . . . and cases and cases of dolls. “In one corner, however, in a solitary case is a worn raggedy doll, much the worse for wear . . . [A sign on it says,] `Doll belonging to London slum child, circa 1905’ . . .” It is a ...

4608. When God Leads

Joshua 3:7-17

Sermon

King Duncan & Angela Akers

... in all My creation as “very good,” just to leave you alone in this world. In Acts 17: 27-28, Paul and some of the other apostles visit the city of Athens. Among the many idols Paul sees in the city, one stands out to him: an altar bearing the inscription, “To an unknown god.” Paul preaches to the Athenians that there is only one true God, the Creator of all substance and life. And this Creator God breathed His very life into humans and is active in human affairs. As Paul says, “God did this so ...

4609. Trouble in the Vineyard

Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... about doing God’s mission, and able to celebrate the good gifts of all whom God welcomes into the fold. We are able to see all people through the eyes of God––as good, worthy, beautiful, and loved. Now that is a happy vineyard, and one that will bear excellent fruit in the years to come. Each and every church is a micro-vineyard in God’s kingdom. So, ask yourselves today, are you growing something beautiful for the benefit of God’s kingdom? Or is your attitude one of sour grapes? Do you know you ...

4610. RSVP

Matthew 22:1-14

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... . This shows honor and consideration for the host, who is planning ample food and drink for the guests during the reception celebration. “Please respond.” Sometimes I think this phrase should be a Christian’s key phrase –the message we bear on our palms and sleeves. For followers of Jesus, response defines them as willing to invest––in relationship, in interest, in deference, in repentance and in faith. Think about the messages of the prophets. The warnings throughout scripture to those ...

4611. (Don’t) Follow Me

Matthew 23:1-12

Sermon

Steve Molin

... done in the name of religion. All of this is in the windshield of Jesus in today’s gospel lesson: Do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have ...

4612. Fearless

Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... of wiser investment. We all know that some investments are wiser and more likely to pan out than others. When God asks us to invest, God doesn’t ask us to invest our lives into shady ventures but into worthy relationships that will feed us, nourish us, and bear us fruit throughout our lives that will benefit not only us but others. Jesus also knows that each of us was created uniquely with unique gifts and personalities. We don’t need to all invest in the same way, but we invest in the ways that we can ...

4613. Wrapped in a Cloud

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... Andy Williams sang a song that became wildly popular. From the musical, “Man of La Mancha, the song stays on the lips of many today: “To Dream the Impossible Dream.” Listen to the lyrics for a moment: To dream the impossible dream To fight the unbeatable foe To bear with unbearable sorrow To run where the brave dare not go To right the unrightable wrong To love pure and chaste from afar To try when your arms are too weary To reach the unreachable star This is my quest to follow that star No matter how ...

4614. The Great Reveal

Luke 2:22-40

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... see Jesus’ ability to challenge the hearts of others, but they know that this will also bring opposition, discomfort, heartbreak, and tragedy. Mary’s joy in Jesus’ birth is already challenged by the foreknowledge of his eventual death. Mary will be blessed in bearing the messiah who will reveal the heart of God and the heart of humanity, but in his doing so, Marywill also grieve as only a mother can. Beauty and tragedy. Life and death. Joy and sorrow. Hope and judgment. These dichotomies will mark ...

4615. Nothing Special Friday

John 18:1-19:42

Sermon

Mary Austin

... busyness of the world, and the business of standing watch at the cross. Things go on, and there’s nothing special about today …except that we carry with us the cry of the Roman soldier, that truly this was the Son of God. We carry it now in our lives, bearing watch through the weekend, until Sunday comes. In the name of the Son of God, breath of life, one acquainted with sorrows, Amen.

4616. Come and See

John 1:43-51

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... friendships is a willingness to cooperate. That is why Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command you (love each other).” He went on to say that, as a friend, he will respond to our requests: “I chose you and I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.” (John 15:14, 16) The message here is that friends play on the same team, use the same strategies, aim for the same goal. They are not at cross-purposes ...

4617. A Meditation for Ash Wednesday

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Sermon

King Duncan

... again. It is a theme that we need to return to again and again in the season of Lent. If we have repented of our sins, we can experience the absolution of God, and we can turn over the burdens of our hearts to Christ who is far better to bear them than we are. (5) So, return to God this night. Lay your sins at God's altar. Experience God's absolution. Turn your burdens over to the Lord and begin a new life. In the words of the prophet Joel, "Rend your hearts and not your clothing." 1. Dr ...

4618. A Miracle Seed

John 12:20-33

Children's Sermon

Various Authors

Object: Scruffy container filled with soil and a flower seed “Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single fruit; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24) Good morning, boys and girls. I have a question. Does anybody know what month we are in, and what day it is today? (Children answer ― March and the date.) You’re right, and do you know what happened yesterday? (Children may have no clue.) Yesterday ...

4619. Praying the Lectionary: Lent 3

John 2:13-22 · 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 · Exodus 20:1-17 · Psalm 19

Bulletin Aid

Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

... whole body of Christ on earth; inspire, correct, defend and nurture all Christians. Enable all Christians to worship you in spirit and in truth. We commend all of these our prayers and whatever else may be in accord with your will and purposes, in the name of Christ our cross-bearing Savior. ALL: Amen.

4620. Praying the Lectionary: Lent 4

John 3:14-21 · Ephesians 2:1-10 · Numbers 21:4-9 · Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

Bulletin Aid

Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

... truth, life, and light in the world. God of grace: C: Have mercy on us. P: As Jesus Christ was lifted up on the cross to embrace all of creation with God’s saving, life-giving power, we ask that the body of Christ in the world today might faithfully bear the cross and thus enable the whole world to believe in you. Help your church to live faithfully in the world. God of grace: C: Have mercy on us. (Other prayers may be offered here, ending with: God of grace: C: Have mercy on us.) P: Christ our healer ...

4621. Praying the Lectionary: Palm/Passion Sunday

Mark 14:1-15:47 or 15:1-39 · Philippians 2:5-11 · Isaiah 50:4-9a · Psalm 31:9-16

Bulletin Aid

Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

... of the Roman leaders, the rejection of the crowds and the abandonment of the disciples, remind us all that we continue to share the responsibility of similar crimes and sins. Forgive us, Jesus our Lord and king! God of grace: C: Have mercy on us. P: Cross-bearing Savior: May your Spirit be with us as we embark upon our journey into Holy Week. Lighten our darkness and make us keenly aware of the priceless gift that is ours through your passion and death. We and the whole creation are given a new destiny ...

4622. Praying the Lectionary: Good Friday

John 18:1-19:42 · Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 · Isaiah 52:13-53:12 · Psalm 22

Bulletin Aid

Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

... given us the true meaning and purpose of life; namely, that in life there is death and in death there is life. Help your church to live and proclaim this message to the whole world. Rule over our bodies, minds, and spirits that we may accomplish your will and bear the cross you have given each one of us. God of mercy: C: Hear our prayer. (Other prayers may be offered here, ending with: God of mercy: C: Hear our prayer.) P: Have mercy and hear our prayer, most holy God; for the sake of Jesus your son, who ...

4623. The Lord Is With Us

Luke 1:26-38, 2 Samuel 7:1-17, Romans 16:1-27

Sermon

Will Willimon

... clay on his hands. No God could love us, love US, without stooping. Down through the ages, God learned that he must love us where we are -- or love us not all. We peer over into the manger at Bethlehem, surprised once again to see the Eternal bearing, of all things, a thoroughly human face, the Word become flesh, come to live, among those he hopes to save. To our never ending surprise, we realize that, wonder of wonders, the Bible is right, the angel knew what he was talking about: Hail oh favored ones ...

4624. What Time Is It?

Matthew 24:32-44

Sermon

Will Willimon

... , for the whole race, there is no tomorrow. Is that why not everyone thinks it's such a grand idea to return for Homecoming and Class Reunions? These occasions make time seem so, linear, life so finite, the bitter-sweet realization that the ever-rolling stream of time bears all our dreams away? It was at the funeral of her beloved husband when she asked if she could say a word to the gathered congregation: If you are going to love somebody, she said with tears in her eyes, do it today. If you are going to ...

4625. The Best Little Harlot's House in Jericho

Hebrews 11:31

Sermon

Will Willimon

... such work. Whatever misgivings Madame Rahab had, she put them aside and went on about God's business. As one of her kin said to his own unlikely, ordinary, disciples years later, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit..." (John 15:16) He was complaining that he hadn't been able to sleep, that something was tugging at him, deep inside. He just couldn't get those pictures of people in South Africa out of his mind. It was as if he had to do something, say ...

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