Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 4851 to 4875 of 4946 results

4851. The Witness and the Witnesses

John 15:18--16:4

Sermon

Easter ends and the season of Pentecost begins with the singing of an old and much beloved hymn: Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire And lighten with celestial fire; Thou the anointing Spirit art Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart. Thy blessed unction from above Is comfort, life, and fire of love. Enable with perpetual light The dullness of our blinded sight. Finally, we pray: Teach us to know the Father, Son, And thee, of both, to be but One; That through the ages all along This may be our endless song ...

4852. Faith Bridges the Gap

Luke 7:1-10

Sermon

All through the last half of the movie Reds the viewers were prepared for Jack Reed’s death. After he had lost a kidney when he was a young man, his physician had warned that an infection could be fatal to a person with one kidney; there were no "wonder drugs" in the World War I period. Toward the end of the movie, when Jack was hospitalized with a high fever in Petrograd, Russia, it was rather obvious that his time had come. His wife, Louise, who had reached his side after a long and difficult - and ...

4853. Born Naked With A Cross

Sermon

Ever hear of a baby born wearing diapers? Of course not! Ever hear of a person being born again wearing nothing but a cross? This happened to St. Francis of Assisi. When Francis decided to be a priest; his father disinherited him and brought him to trial before a bishop. Peter Bernardone demanded that his son give back all the money he took from him for the church and the poor. Francis threw a bag of money at his father's feet. Francis shuddered when he saw how his father clung to the money. Francis called ...

4854. I Never Promised You a Rose Garden

Jeremiah 20:7-18

Sermon

"The word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long." (v. 8) Prayer: Lord, you have called us to a faith that is much more than a sentimental security blanket. You have challenged us to live out what we say we believe. You never said it would be easy. Give us the courage to stand up and be counted, and also the courage to keep standing after we have been counted. "I beg your pardon; I never promised you a rose garden. Along with the sunshine, there’s got to be a little rain, ...

4855. The Cracked Crystal Ball

Jeremiah 28:1-17

Sermon

"Thus says the Lord of hosts?" (v. 2) Prayer: Lord, we know that your ways are often not our ways, and that our ways are often not your ways. Because you are wiser than we are, give us the grace to admit that we don ‘t know all the answers. Think of a crystal ball and you probably think of a fortuneteller. But today, crystal balls are not limited to fortunetellers. Economists have them. Meteorologists are said to have them. Poll takers are suspected of borrowing them. Some politicians wish they had one. ...

4856. ... and Justice for All

Ezekiel 18:1-32

Sermon

"Is my way not just?" (v. 25) Prayer: O Lord, keep us from making hasty judgments until all the facts are in. Then let us temper our judgments with mercy, as you do to us. Amen Husbands and wives were invited to a Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club. After the opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, one woman remarked, "I don’t think I’ve said the Pledge of Allegiance since I was in grade school." Many of us have learned the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag in elementary school. ...

4857. Parable of How Four Boys Got There

John 10:1-10

Illustration

Four boys stood watching the parade some ten miles from the high school classes they were supposed to be. The event was important to them. "How did you get here" asked Dick. "I borrowed my father's car." "I took the bus," said Bill. "I thumbed a ride," said Jack. "Well, at least we all got here, didn't we," said Bill. "Nothing could keep me away." "Me either," said Jack. "When I want to go some place, I go." It is surprising how easily we find a way to go where we want to go. And it is strange how ...

4858. Making a Choice

John 16:5-16

Children's Sermon

Object: Some dental equipment and, if possible, some demonstration teeth that would be used in a dental hygiene clinic for school children. It certainly is good to see you here this morning, worshiping God and sharing with your friends the good time we have here. I want to talk to you about a very important group in our church called the choir. What does the choir do? They sing, that's right. Did you know that when the choir was first used in worship the choir people did all the singing and the rest of the ...

4859. 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 ...

4860. Proper 23

Lk 17:11-19 · 2 Tim 2:8-15 · 2 Ki 5:14-17 · Mic 1:2, 2:1-10 · Ru 1:1-19a

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Micah 1:2, 2:1-10 The people's wickedness is described in spite of Yahweh's work. Through Micah Yahweh summons his people to judgment. Micah was a prophet to Judah during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (740-690 BC). In 721 Sargon II, king of Assyria, captured Samaria and Israel as a nation was in ruins. Micah is sure the same fate awaited Judah because of similar sins. Micah lived in a small town among poor country people. As a spokesman for Yahweh, he was the champion of the poor who ...

4861. Proper 26

Lk 19:1-10 · 2 Thes 1:5-12 · Ex 34:5-9 · Hag 2:1-9

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Haggai 2:1-9 Haggai encourages the exiles to re-build the temple. After defeating the Babylonians who deported the Jews, Cyrus the Great (558-528 B.C.) permitted the return of the exiles to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. In 521 Cyrus was succeeded by Darius who permitted another wave of exiles to return. Among them was a prophet, Haggai, whose ministry covered only one year, 520. When he saw how the exiles were building their houses to the neglect of re-building the temple, he aroused and ...

4862. Epiphany 3

Lk 4:14-21 · 1 Cor 12:12-30 · Neh 8:1-10 · Isa 61:1-6

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 8-10 Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the returned Exiles. The book of Nehemiah tells the story of the return of the Exiles under Governor Nehemiah during the reign of Artaxerxes. Under Nehemiah the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt and various reforms were introduced. He is known for his relationship with Yahweh and his frequent prayers. Today's pericope tells us of the gathering of the people for the reading of the Mosaic law by Ezra, the priest and scribe. When the people ...

4863. What a Party!

John 2:1-11

Children's Sermon

Object: Some party napkins and some Pepsi or Coke Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you like a party? (Let them answer.) How do you feel when you go to a party? (Let them answer.) Do you feel happy? Do you feel good? Are you almost always sorry when it is over? That is the way I feel when I go to a party. Many years ago, Jesus was invited to a party after one of his friends was married. It must have been a big party, be cause he took some of his disciples with him. His mother was there and also his ...

4864. No Telltale Clues

Matthew 9:9-13

Sermon

At times the author of Matthew's Gospel startles us by the small amount of information he offers. Just when we would like to know what it is that is going on, he is silent. Just when we most feel the need of a telltale clue, he tells us nothing. Jesus stands before the stranger called Matthew and says, "Follow me." Matthew accepts the invitation without question or hesitation. All that the evangelist offers us is the fact that "he rose and followed him." You and I would like to know why. What in the world ...

4865. Give it Away

Mark 8:35

Children's Sermon

Object: Two bars of soap. One bar should be brand new and the other almost used up. Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are going to hear the story about two bars of soap. How many of you use soap? (Let them answer.) Very good. Almost everyone uses it. What do you like most about soap? (Let them answer.) That's right, it gets you clean. A bar of soap is a pretty wonderful thing. I suppose you know that the more it is used, the smaller it gets. The better the soap is, the faster it goes away. It isn't ...

4866. First Jesus, Then Us

1 Corinthians 15:20

Children's Sermon

Object: A box of facial tissues. Good morning, boys and girls. Today I am going to teach you something about living and dying and living again. To do this I'm going to use a box of tissues. Can you believe that there is something in this box that will teach you about living and dying and living again? (Let them answer.) It's the truth, but you will have to pay close attention. First of all, I want you to tell me what is in this box. (Let them answer.) Very good. You know exactly what a tissue is. But how ...

4867. The Called Ones

Matthew 4:18-22

Sermon

Joe Pennel

The Gospel lesson for today makes me want to fuss at Jesus. It makes me want to fuss at Jesus because the message of the text is so radical! It is radical to believe that people would actually leave their place of business to follow after a teacher who said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." After Jesus had finished preaching a sermon in Capernaum, he took a stroll along the banks of the Sea of Galilee. As Jesus walked by the sea side, he noticed two brothers - Simon, who is called Peter, ...

4868. Jesus’ Hospital

Matthew 9:9-13

Sermon

Our Holy Gospel for today says that "as Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ And he arose and followed Him." Now that’s what we call a response to a call don’t we? Jesus said: "Follow Me." Matthew got up and followed him. The problem with many of us is that we haven’t even gotten up yet, much less are we following Jesus. Jesus Christ empowers us to come follow him, but we have to get up and start moving as Matthew did so many ...

4869. Proper 14 & Pentecost 12

1 Kings 19:9-18, Psalm 29:1-11, Psalm 106:1-48, Romans 9:1-29, Matthew 14:22-36, Exodus 13:17--14:31, Jonah 2:1-10, Psalm 85:1-13

Sermon Aid

THEOLOGICAL CLUE Little or no help is forthcoming from the church year as a theological clue for a worship/preaching theme for this Sunday. The title of the day - the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost - is really the only reminder, suggesting how the church got to this point in the year and, for those in the "liturgical know," where we are going, Christ the King Sunday. On this "Pentecost pilgrimage," it is the business of the church to give thanks and to worship the Lord, to seek out the secrets of the ...

4870. Sovereignty: God’s Domain

Zephaniah 1:4-13

Sermon

Christian unity kneels before the awesomeness of the sovereignty of God. Sin, more often than we admit, pushes us in directions that exceed anything resembling a belief in human freedom of the will. It is only by his grace we begin to understand, in the Book of Revelation, "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (1:8) I have been brought to my knees by the God of all, who insisted he was before the beginning and after the ending, as we ...

4871. Surprise! Surprise!

Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon

Michael L. Sherer

A wealthy architect, whose self-designed rambling lake home was the envy of the entire city, was given to hosting lavish dinner parties. They were always the event of the social season, and the folks who were invited always knew they were on a special list. One year the architect changed tactics. Instead of mailing special invitations, he simply ran an advertisement in the personals column of the Sunday classifieds in the metropolitan newspaper. "Masquerade Party!" the heading read, in type no larger - and ...

4872. If You Had But One Request

1 Kings 3:1-15

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I shall give you." And Solomon said, "Thou hast shown great and steadfast love to thy servant David my father, because he walked before thee in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward thee; and thou hast kept for him this great and steadfast love, and hast given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king in place of David my father, although I ...

4873. Does God Give A Damn?

Exodus 5:22--6:12

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

"Moreover I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold in bondage and I have remembered my covenant. Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment, and I will take you for my people, and I will be your God.’ " When someone does not care, bitterly we say in the vernacular, "He does not ...

4874. Forgive To Be Forgiven

Genesis 50:15-21

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil which we did to him." So they sent a message to Joseph saying, "Your father gave this command before he died, ‘Say to Joseph, Forgive, I pray you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.’ And now, we pray you, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also ...

4875. Separation of God and State?

Isaiah 44:24--45:25

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and ungird the loins of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed: "I will go before you and level the mountains. I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut asunder the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. For the sake of my servant ...

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