Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 4751 to 4775 of 4915 results

4751. Out On A Limb

Luke 19:1-10

Sermon

Larry R. Kalajainen

A friend told me of the hours he spent as a child in a large cherry tree in his grandmother's backyard. The tree was very large and high, at least as he remembered it. He remembered the very first time he climbed it. He had to jump to catch hold of the lowest branch, and then pull himself by sheer muscle power up onto it. Then he could work his way up the tree. The tree seemed so high, that he got dizzy looking down, and yet, scary as it was, he couldn't resist climbing higher and higher. Finally he got ...

4752. No Need For Weeping Anymore

John 20:10-18

Sermon

Erskine White

Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" (John 20:15) Sometimes we forget. We focus so much on the joy and celebration of this day, on the bright flowers and festive music, that sometimes we forget; the first sound heard on that first Easter Sunday was the sound of weeping. It was Mary Magdalene's weeping. Tears of hopelessness poured out of her in loud wailing and moaning; her body convulsed in grief and her sobbing pierced the quiet of the early morning stillness. We often overlook the fact that ...

4753. Our God Delivers!

Daniel 3:1-30

Sermon

Erskine White

There is no other God who can deliver in this way. (Daniel 3:29) We live in an age of increasing religion and decreasing faith. On the one hand, the "business" of religion is booming. More and more best-selling books are being published in which people tell how religion has made them successful, or given them solutions to the problems in their lives. More and more religious programs fill the airwaves of television and radio. You can go to Christian stores and buy Christian products of every kind; you can ...

4754. Lent 4

Luke 15:1-7, Joshua 5:1-12, Isaiah 12:1-6, 1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2, Luke 15:11-32

Sermon Aid

George Bass

THEOLOGICAL CLUE The Fourth Sunday in Lent used to go by two names. The first came from the Introit for the Day - Laetare, or "Rejoicing" Sunday; it meant that the faithful pilgrims, who were keeping Lent, were halfway to their goal, the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord. This Sunday also became known as "Refreshment" Sunday, because the Lenten fast was more than half completed and the two-week period of the Passion of our Lord was only one week away. It might have been called "Recharge" Sunday, ...

4755. The Cross And Our Shadows

Joel 2:1-11

Sermon

Carl Jech

Many of us grew up singing the hymn "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" with it's memorable line: "I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place ..." This image of "the shadow of the cross" has been used in many different ways by poets and writers. In the hymn, it refers to a place of refuge and rest "from the burning of the noon-tide heat and the burdens of the day." The hymn also refers to the strength-giving character of the cross by comparing it to "the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land." Surely ...

4756. Proper 16

Lk 13:22-30 · Heb 12:5-7, 11-13, 18-29 · Jer 28:1-9 · Isa 66:18-23

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Jeremiah 28:1-9 Hananiah, a prophet, contradicts Jeremiah's prophecy of doom. Jeremiah is confronted by Hananiah, a prophet from Gibeon, in the temple. It is a dramatic scene with Jeremiah's wearing a yoke to symbolize the coming bondage of Judah to Babylon. To Jeremiah in the presence of the priests and people, Hananiah tells Jeremiah that Babylon will be defeated and within two years the king, exiles, and the temple treasures will be returned to Jerusalem. Sarcastically Jeremiah says "Amen" to ...

4757. Reformation Sunday

Jn 8:31-36 · Rom 3:19-28 · Jer 31:31-34

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

Jeremiah 31:31-34 The promise of a new covenant. Romans 3:19-28 Justification by grace through faith, not works. John 8:31-36 Jesus' disciples know the truth which frees. THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION Gospel: John 8:31-36 1. Truth (v. 32). When Pilate asked Jesus what truth was, he gave no answer. In this passage Jesus defines the truth. It is in his word, for he spoke God's Word. As long as we hold to the word of Jesus, we will be his disciples and will know the truth. It is not a truth of science, politics, nor ...

4758. A Faith To Live By John D. Mauney, Jr.

Deuteronomy 4:32-40

Sermon

"Know therefore this day, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in the heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other." (Deuteronomy 4:39) We live in a land of plenty. A rich and sophisticated people, we are a nation of greater wealth and technological accomplishment than the world has ever known. But still there are those among us who are poverty-stricken. We are faced with the age-old problem of the "haves" and the "have-nots." And, of course, there are many different types of poverty ...

4759. Jacob’s Dream - A Dream Come True W. Dexter Moser

Genesis 27:1-40

Sermon

Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed ... Genesis 28:11-12 Jacob, with much patience, after many years finally married Rachel. In their nomadic life as shepherds, they, Jacob and Rachel, could have understood a song we sang around the campfire during a summer gathering at Lutheridge. I had a dream dear, you had one too mine was the best dream I ever knew; Come, sweetheart, tell me now is the time You tell me your dream and I will ...

4760. Egypt: Unlikely Refuge

Matthew 2:13-18

Sermon

J. Ellsworth Kalas

If you plan a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Jesus, you probably will not include Egypt in your itinerary. What does Egypt have to do with Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Jordan River, and the Sea of Galilee? Egypt is exciting as the land of the pyramids and the Sphinx, but we don’t instinctively think of it as part of our Master’s story. But it belongs to his story, in a strange and wonderful way. You’ll find it in the Gospel of Matthew. When the wise men came looking for Jesus, they stopped in Jerusalem to seek ...

4761. OUR LORD DELIVERED UP

Sermon

E. Jerry Walker

He walked rapidly, his long robes flowing behind him to be whipped by the brisk, dry east wind. His two servants occasionally quick-stepped to keep pace, their sandals padding softly on the dust of the deserted streets. As they turned eastward from the upper city, the declining, full moon flung their shadows ahead like long moving fingers pointing toward the white limestone buildings of the temple compound. Nicodemus’ mind was thoughtless, yet filled with many thoughts. He had no plan, no course of action ...

4762. Why Fear Growing Old?

Sermon

Robert G. Tuttle

It is said that by the year 2000 one-half the population of our nation will be over 50 and one-third over 65 years of age. Those of us who are growing older will have plenty of company. We have a science, gerontology, dedicated to our well-being. We do not even have to surrender to senility: doctors tell us that it is not a normal state of old age; only 8 percent of older people need to fear such a breakdown. It is possible to remain alert and creative right down to the conclusion of our lives. Marie ...

4763. On the Wrong Plane (New)

Romans 8:28-39

Sermon

King Duncan

Trudy Rosenfield left England in good spirits, looking forward to landing in sunny San Jose, California, after an all-day flight. Little did Ms. Rosenfield know that her travel agent had made a computer error in booking her flight. The travel agent had accidentally put the seventy-year-old woman on a flight to San Jose, Costa Rica. Ms. Rosenfield fell asleep on the plane, blissfully unaware that she was headed for the wrong destination. When she never arrived at the California airport, Ms. Rosenfield's ...

4764. The Thirteenth Apostle

Acts 9:1-19a

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

At the end of the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, there is a curious story of how the eleven remaining apostles filled the vacancy in the band of the Twelve left by Judas’ suicide. The record says that the choice came down to two: a man named “Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles.” (Acts 1:23, 26) But Matthias was never heard from again! Evidently some sort of ...

4765. A Friend in Low Places

Mark 1:9-13

Sermon

Mark Trotter

I've just returned from a study break, which I spent in a cabin in northern California, back in the woods, all by myself. It was a wonderful time. Some of you have asked me, "Did you do any fishing?" I am really shocked that you would even ask that question. I was there for study, not for fishing. Besides, the river was too muddy to fish. Up there I listened to country western music, because in that part of the state, that is about all you can get on the radio. I am not a great student of country western ...

4766. Have You Heard about Grace?

Romans 5:1-11

Sermon

Mark Trotter

On October 31, over 450 years ago, Martin Luther began what came to be known as the Protestant Reformation. If you are a United Methodist, then you stand in that Reformation tradition. Like anything that happened over 450 years ago, much of the Reformation is dated and is no longer interesting or helpful to us. It was concerned with questions raised in the 16th century, which are not our questions. But there is at least one permanent contribution that Luther has made for all of us, and that is to emphasize ...

4767. Great Joy

Isaiah 35:1-10

Sermon

John E. Harnish

This is a sensuous season, a season of smells, sights, sounds… ...chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose; yuletide carols being sung by a choir and folks dressed up like Eskimos... Jingling bells and sleigh bells and silver bells, a mother's deep prayer and a baby's low cry. It's a season for the senses. Isaiah the prophet turns poet when he tries to picture the promise of God's salvation, the hope of God's redemption, the joy of God's good news, and new life in our midst. But ...

4768. When Religion Becomes a Laughing Matter

Genesis 18:1-15

Sermon

John E. Harnish

This is not how we usually think of worship (image of newspaper ad): "The splitting of the gut, the slapping of the thigh, and the peeing of the pants." But if the topic is Sarah and Abraham, it makes perfect sense. I can't do better than to share Frederick Buechner's description of the scene: The place to start is with a woman laughing. She is an old woman, and after a lifetime in the desert, her face is cracked and rutted like a six-month drought. She hunches her shoulders around her ears and starts to ...

4769. Baptism of Our Lord

Psalm 29:1-11, Isaiah 43:1-13, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Acts 8:14-17

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 29 First Lesson—The prophet reassures the people of God of the commitment of their Creator to their survival and growth. Isaiah 43:1-7 Second Lesson—In the season when we remember that Jesus Christ is revealed to the Gentiles we are reminded that the Spirit also will be given them in the course of events. Acts 8:14-17 Gospel—Though he is a cousin of Jesus, John the Baptist gives full recognition to Jesus as one whose role is infinitely greater than his own. Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 CALL ...

4770. Here Comes the Bridegroom

Matthew 25:1-13

Sermon

James Merritt

As you well know you certainly cannot always believe everything you read in the papers. Some of the headlines in papers are absolutely astounding. These are actual headlines that actually ran in American newspapers. Experts say jet crashed because something went wrong. Police begin campaign to run down jay walkers. Crash probe decides plane was too close to ground Minors refuse to work after death Cold wave linked to temperatures Couple slain: police suspect homicide New study of obesity looks for larger ...

4771. Sharing God’s Love

Hebrews 10:16-25

Sermon

Richard Gribble

There once was a king who ruled over a vast empire, but alas, he was rather old and thus decided that he needed to select his successor from his four sons. He called them in, one-by-one, to discuss the inheritance of his kingdom. When the first son entered the king's chamber, the old man sat down and spoke: "Son, I am very old and will not live much longer. I wish to entrust my kingdom to the son best suited to receive it. Tell me, if I leave my kingdom to you, what will you give to the nation?" Now this ...

4772. They Devoted Themselves

Acts 2:42-47

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

Acts 2:42-47 (NRSV) [42] They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. [43] Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. [44] All who believed were together and had all things in common; [45] they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. [46] Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with ...

4773. Living In The Spirit Of Joy

Galatians 5:22-25, Romans 12:9-21

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

I hope you all got your piece of Laffy Taffy because I want you to share the silly jokes with your neighbor. Go ahead take a second to tell each other one of the jokes. (Explain location of joke & answer) I heard lots of laughter and the room is definitely lighter because of it. There's a certain amount of joy that comes our way simply through laughter. But as Paul points out in Galatians, there's also a deeper joy that comes from a relationship with God. Let's revisit Galatians 5:22-25 and then look at ...

4774. LOST? Pursuing Purpose

1 Peter 2:9-10

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

Mr. Jones was sitting in a lawn chair reading the paper when his pretty, twelve-year-old daughter came screaming around the corner of the house, with the neighbor boy in hot pursuit. Mr. Jones jumped out of the lawn chair, stopped them and asked the boy, "Why are you chasing my Gwendolyn?" "She pinched me," he complained. So, Mr. Jones turned to Gwendolyn. "Why did you pinch him?" he demanded. Gwendolyn batted her eyes and said, "So he'd chase me." (1) Have you ever noticed how much life is like that? We' ...

4775. Lost? Looking For Happiness

1 Peter 2:9-12

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

Let's see, if you followed the advice of all the Super Bowl commercials, if you're a guy, you get up, shave with your Schick Quattro, jump in your State Farm insured pickup truck with the Michellin tires and the Garmin GPS navigation system. You head to your job which you found through Career Builder, wearing a VanHuesen shirt and Izod pants. You get to the office, fire up your HP computer and get on the internet through Sprint's wireless network so you can register your company's IP address through ...

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