Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 4726 to 4750 of 4935 results

4726. “May Your Unfailing Love Be with Us, Lord”

Psalm 33:1-22

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

Big Idea: The story of humanity, from creation to redemption, is tied together with the golden thread of God’s unfailing love. Understanding the Text Psalm 33 is atypical of the psalms in Book 1 in that it has no title, sharing this feature only with Psalm 10 (assuming, of course, that Psalms 1 and 2 are introductory). It is a good example of the hymn, which represents the “purest form” of praise to God, expressing who he is and what he does.[1] The absence of a title has led to the speculation that this ...

4727. The Trial Before Festus

Acts 25:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

With Festus succeeding Felix (24:27), Paul finds himself being tried by yet another Roman procurator (25:1–22). Porcius Festus was the procurator in Judea for only two years (ca. AD 60–62) before his death. Josephus credits him with maintaining peace in Judea by controlling the activities of revolutionaries (Jewish Antiquities 20.185–88). The political situation quickly deteriorated after Festus was replaced with others far less sensitive to Jewish law and custom. His ability to control his subjects is ...

4728. Paul’s Ambition and Joy Is the Gospel of Christ

Philippians 1:12-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

In this section, Paul addresses the anxiety of the Philippians on his behalf. He knows that they care for him, as evidenced by their aid and the message sent through Epaphroditus (2:25). Paul also knows that his imprisonment is distressing to them and that they consider it a detriment to the advancement of the gospel. Paul desires to dispel their worries and correct their wrong thinking about what constitutes the true proclamation of the gospel. 1:12–18a · The condition and mission of the gospel:First and ...

4729. Jesus' Teaching on Prayer

Luke 11:1-13

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

This section is made up of three parts: (1) the Lord’s Prayer (vv. 1–4), (2) the Parable of the Persistent Friend (vv. 5–8), and (3) the exhortation to trust God for meeting needs (vv. 9–13). The first and third parts evidently come from the sayings source and appear in Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, though not together as they are here (see Matt. 6:9–13; 7:7–11). The Parable of the Persistent Friend occurs only in Luke. Evans (p. 43) suggests that Luke may have seen a parallel with Deut. 8:4–20 where ...

4730. Jesus Presented in the Temple

Luke 2:21-40

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

2:21–40 The next major section of the narrative concerns Jesus’ circumcision and presentation at the temple. As in the case of John (1:59–60), at the time of his circumcision Jesus is given the name that the angel told to his parents (v. 21). Also, just as the naming of John led to his presentation and to a prophetic utterance (1:64–79), the naming of Jesus is followed by his presentation and a prophetic utterance (2:22–32). The rituals performed by Joseph and Mary in vv. 22–24 show that the parents of ...

4731. Later Opposition Under Xerxes and Artaxerxes

Ezra 4:6-24

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

A Temporary and Typical Setback: So far, so good. The return home, the construction of an altar to get worship started, and the laying of the temple foundation had marked the first phase of fulfilling the mission given through Cyrus to rebuild the temple. The second phase, building the temple itself, was to last longer than twenty years. We have to wait until 6:15 to read of its completion. This second phase, with its long delay and fresh start, is narrated in 4:1–6:22. Echoes of 4:1–5 in 6:21–22 reveal ...

4732. The Completion of the Wall

Nehemiah 6:15-7:3

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

Success in Spite of Intimidation: The keyword of this chapter is intimidation. Of the major English versions, only the NJPS is consistent in its fivefold rendering of the same Hebrew verb for intimidation. It occurs regularly at the conclusion of paragraphs, in verses 9, 13–14, 16, and 19. The first main section, consisting of verses 1–14, is divided into two parallel subsections describing different attempts to intimidate, in verses 1–9 and 10–14. Then verses 15–16 record a great reversal of the ...

4733. Some Things I've Learned Since I Knew It All

Mark 4:26-34

Sermon

Ron Lavin

Have you ever suffered from "sophomoritis"? It's not a physical disease, like arthritis. It's a spiritual disease many college sophomores get when they get filled up with knowledge, come home on a vacation, and act like they know more than the folks around whom they grew up, especially their parents and younger siblings. That happened to a young man named Adam. He was studying to be an engineer at the University of Illinois in Urbana. On Christmas break, he got quite caught up with himself and started ...

4734. Light Living

John 1:(1-9) 10-18

Sermon

Susan R. Andrews

The best way to respond to today’s scripture reading is to say nothing — to let it stand in all its elegance, its mystery, its power. But being a preacher, I am genetically unable to say nothing. So I will try to share with you my deep need and my deep affection for this particular passage of God’s holy word. This is what John says to me, and so to you, this first Sunday in the new year. In the beginning — back before our imaginations can imagine in the beginning — there was darkness — deep dazzling ...

4735. A Justice Jesus

Luke 4:14-21

Sermon

Susan R. Andrews

When I did my doctoral studies in organizational revitalization, we were taught a simple way to bring about transformation in the way ministry is done. Simply change the name of the committees or create a brand new structure to do new things in new ways. In one of the parishes I served, we re-envisioned our ministry every five years. One year, more to humor me than anything else, the Vision Task Force agreed to propose a new name for our mission outreach committee changing it from Church and Society ...

4736. Good for What Ails Us

Matthew 9:35-38

Sermon

R. Kevin Mohr

Before modern medical science really took off in the last fifty years of the past millennium, there were a lot of home and folk remedies being prescribed by well-meaning individuals, but also by con artists and charlatans. The remedy was often administered accompanied by the phrase that the supposed cure was “good for what ails you.” The classic, all-purpose remedy for nearly every condition was a table-spoonful of castor oil. Perhaps some of you suffered through that treatment or gave it to someone else. ...

4737. Wash All of Me

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Sermon

Timothy W. Ayers

“Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right.” This anonymous quote cuts to the center of our Maundy Thursday lesson. Jesus had been teaching the disciples about humility inside the kingdom of God. That was a lesson they had struggled with. After all their time together, you may remember, the brothers James and John had come to him and asked that Jesus do for them whatever they requested. Let’s look at that passage. Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “ ...

4738. Pursued by Mercy

John 10:11-18 · Psalm 23

Sermon

Will Willimon

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." How pleasant to come to church on a Spring Sunday and encounter an old friend. Sometimes Sunday can be a jarring, discordant experience. You settle down into the pew only to be hit over the head by some unfamiliar idea, some alien biblical text, poked in the ribs by a pushy preacher peddling an even pushier biblical passage. Not this Sunday. The Fourth Sunday in Easter is known, in the church's year, as "Shepherd Sunday." All the texts ...

4739. A Song to Shake the World

Revelation 5:11-14

Sermon

Will Willimon

In The Shawshank Redemption Andy Dufrense is sentenced to two back to back life terms for crimes he did not commit. That tough world of Shawshank Prison conspires to destroy humanity. Andy writes every week to the state legislature requesting books for the prison library. From out of nowhere, a huge shipment of used books and records, accompanied by a check, gets dumped in the warden's office. Andy puts one of the records on the prison record player. Intoxicated by the beauty of an aria, Andy locks out the ...

4740. The Call for Justice

Micah 6:1-8

Sermon

Declan Walsh was a Marine officer in World War II in the Pacific. He began the practice of law, but stayed in the reserves. During the Korean police action he was re-called to active duty with the rank of colonel. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for saving his command when the Chinese army pushed into the conflict. He returned to his legal life and was named Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. His wife, Kate, was killed in an automobile accident in Washington, D.C., and Declan ...

4741. Servants Without Fiber

Isaiah 42:1-9

Sermon

Donald Macleod

A biblical scholar once remarked: "One of the most common expressions in the Old Testament of the relationship between humankind and God is contained in the words ‘serve,’ ‘service,’ and ‘servant.’ " What comes to your mind when you hear any one of these words? What do you think of when you hear the word "servant"? A flunky? A gofer? A Victorian called "Jeeves"? Someone with no mind of his or her own? A person who lacks fiber and is easily a patsy for someone else to use or "lord it over"? Unfortunately, ...

4742. No Imitations

Illustration

Martin Luther

The question is asked: how can justification take place without the works of the law, even though James says: "Faith without works is dead"? In answer, the apostle distinguishes between the law and faith, the letter and grace. The 'works of the law' are works done without faith and grace, by the law, which forces them to be done through fear or the enticing promise of temporal advantages. But 'works of faith' are those done in the spirit of liberty, purely out of love to God. And they can be done only by ...

4743. The King On A Cross

Luke 23:26-43

Sermon

J. Will Ormond

Have you ever looked into the face of a real king? You may have seen phony kings, such as the king of the homecoming parade or the king of the Mardi Gras. Doubtless these make-believe kings were dressed in elaborate, elegant robes and wore gilded crowns on their heads. If we ever think of kings we picture them sitting on golden thrones, dressed in ermine and velvet and jewel-encrusted crowns. They are surrounded by high-ranking courtiers and cheered by an adoring people. Therefore, it can come as something ...

4744. Last But Yet First

Mark 9:33-37

Sermon

George W. Hoyer

In order to be last, you must give others a place in front of you. This is important to realize if you are interested in reaching first place. For Jesus here says, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Realize also that, given the kind of world we are part of, the people whom you must permit to go before you will be a mixed bag, indeed. You can't pick and choose, because that would mean the discards would be behind you. They would become last. They would really be taking the ...

4745. The Keys To Happiness -- Purity Of Heart

John 1:1-18

Sermon

Alex Gondola

Most Americans are increasingly interested in issues of purity, aren't we? We want to drink pure water. And there is a legitimate, growing concern about the quality of our groundwater. We want to breathe clean air. So Congress has passed (on our behalf) stringent Clean Air Acts. We want to consume pure foods. "Natural" foods are big sellers right now, aren't they? So much so that one supermarket, probably selling foods with preservatives and additives, still calls itself "Purity Supreme." We would like our ...

4746. How Blest Are Those Who Know Their Need Of God

Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon

Mark Radecke

You may be familiar with the story. It is as wonderful as it is true. A successful businessman was invited, over 30 years ago, to give a commencement address to a group of 61 sixth graders. The youngsters were about to graduate from an elementary school in a very poor part of one of our major cities. If these boys and girls followed in the footsteps of the school's other alumni/ae, only about six or seven of them would graduate from high school and it would be remarkable if any went on to college. The ...

4747. Grampa Noah And When The Flood Came

Sermon

Jerry Eckert

July 18, 1982 Comment: One of the difficulties of telling theGenesis stories is that they are a slushing together ofvariant religious traditions and stories of the Hebrewtribes. Some stories do not lend themselves to a singulartelling. The story of Noah is an excellent example. To open it up to the variations within it, I imagined afamily reunion many years after the flood and after Noah'sgrandchildren had heard the stories a hundred times fromtheir own families. At the reunion, the children finallyhave a ...

4748. Letting Go

Ephesians 4:26b, 31-32

Children's Sermon

B. Kathleen Fannin

Object: Several large rubber bands. Lesson: Do not let the sun go down on your anger. As the children gather in the front of the sanctuary, I extract a large rubber band from my pocket. I dangle it from my index finger and ask one of the closer children to hook a finger through the other end. Once she has done so, I gently begin to pull the rubber band taut. Just as I am about to explain the concept of tension, the rubber band snaps! It is always wise to be prepared for surprises (Divine intervention?) ...

4749. A Good Custom

Luke 4:16

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: Praying hands and bowed head. Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you know what a custom is or what I mean by the word "custom"? (Let them answer.) A custom is something that you do at a particular time. You always do it no matter how many times it happens. Putting up the Christmas tree is a custom in most homes at Christmas time. Even when there are no children at home, people still have a Christmas tree in their house. It may be large or small, but they have a tree. Praying is a custom. I ...

4750. Two Shoes

Romans 8:18

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: An old scuffed-up work shoe and a brand new shiny dress shoe. Good morning, boys and girls. Today is a big day for all of us. How many of you celebrated the 4th of July? (Let them answer.) Did you go on a picnic or do anything that was extra special on the 4th? (Let them answer.) I just love the summer when you can have those special days and enjoy them outside in the sunshine with your friends and family. Life is really good on days like the 4th of July. The 4th of July is a special day. There are ...

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