Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 4951 to 4975 of 4977 results

4951. In The Beginning God

Genesis 1:1-2:3

Sermon

William L. Self

... approached. When the prince presented the kingdom's most beautiful diamond, nestled in the kingdom's most beautiful box, they were amazed and awed at the spectacle. The peasant girl studied the gift at length, and then startled the crowd by discarding the diamond and keeping the beautiful box. This is not unlike what we have done with the miraculous story of the creation given to us in our text. We have spent our days debating the scientific inadequacies of the story or trying to reconcile it to the results ...

4952. Famous Last Words

Deuteronomy 18:14-22

Sermon

William L. Self

... -out" session for the laymen. Its purpose was to seek ways in which they could become more involved in ministry. No mention was made of "gifts for ministry" or needs in the community. The sole concern seemed to be to find ways to keep their pastors from leading. Yet they complained about the ineffectiveness of their churches. What passes for church democracy and congregational leveling is unbiblical and unwise. Everybody's business is no one's business and it demonstrates a basic distrust within the body ...

4953. Failure Is Not Final

Hosea 2:2-23

Sermon

William L. Self

... here. Do you know who the most miserable people are? Not the ones who have tried and failed. The most miserable people I know are those who never decide. They are living in hell every day. They can't make up their minds. They can see both sides; they keep all their options open, but they never want to close off an avenue or an option. There comes a time you have to choose. You can't live life always having your options open. You are living in an indecision hell. And your life goes down as mediocre, unhappy ...

4954. Lighting A Fire In A Cold Room

Isaiah 6:1-13

Sermon

Harold Warlick

... be cleansed. God's smoke filled the entire temple. Uzziah's response to the barrier placed by the human priests in front of his ego was to fly into a rage against them. This rage was like a live coal which burned hot within him and led him to keep his son, Jotham, at home. Uzziah emerged from the temple with the dread mark of leprosy on his forehead. As he thundered away from the temple, having been refused the chance to light a fire for the fire's sake, he probably retorted, "If you ever need anything, don ...

4955. Forsaking All Others

Joel 2:1-11

Sermon

Paul W. Kummer

... camp (but wait, we haven't lived in tents for decades!); 2) We need to get ready for war (but I didn't know there was even a potential conflict brewing!); or 3) The leaders are calling a sacred assembly (what could that be about?). The boys keep on shouting their alarm, stirring up the people. Finally, the truth is learned. It's not only one of the reasons why the trumpets are traditionally blown, but a combination of two: war and the need to assemble. War with whom? Assemble to do what? The full impact ...

4956. A New Name

Genesis 17:1-27

Sermon

Paul W. Kummer

... , the soldier meekly said, "Alexander, sir!" The leader then replied, "Well, private, either change your conduct or change your name!" The Holy Spirit is the one who "works in you to will and to act according to his good purposes" (Philippians 2:13). He makes and keeps us as little Christs. As we walk with Christ and carry his name, how well are we doing at fulfilling our mission? Every Christian has a call on his/her life to make an eternal spiritual difference in the world each day. I pray that for ...

4957. Just What The Doctor Ordered

Numbers 21:4-9

Sermon

Paul W. Kummer

... lesson through this experience of the children of Israel: first, their impatience (vv. 4-6); second, their petition. (vv. 6-7); third, God's prescription (vv. 8-9). Impatience Here is a list of all the miracles, saving actions, provisions, and general people-keeping that God had done for his people in the recent years before this story: Enemies routed by spectacular means An invisible tour leader of fire and cloud Ten devastating displays, "but none came near their house" A path through water that shouldn't ...

4958. Something Old, Something New

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40

Sermon

Paul W. Kummer

... in the relationship between the children of Israel and their husband, God! He created a new covenant (marriage commitment) with them, and we are a part of that new covenant today. Why was there the need for a new marriage? Not because God didn't keep his wedding vows, but because his bride was continually unfaithful to God. The Old Testament community loved other men constantly more than her childhood sweetheart and that broke God's heart. The covenant with Noah wasn't enough for the wayward wife. Abraham's ...

4959. Shameless Passion

Isaiah 50:1-11

Sermon

Paul W. Kummer

... Your Savior understands what it is like to be falsely accused, to have a finger pointing at you, to feel hurt, betrayal, and shame. Like Jesus, who hung naked on the cross, you feel naked and exposed, vulnerable and wary. You put on a good front and keep buying the newest mouthwash or Odoreaters. But nothing seems to take away the pain. Millions of hurting, shame-filled people in our world need freedom from guilt and fear. The antidote to smelly feet and bad breath is Romans 8:1: "Therefore, there is now no ...

4960. How Odd Of God

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

John A. Stroman

... God would reveal such an awesome message to such ordinary people. This message was not given to Herod in his palace in Jerusalem, nor to Caesar Augustus on his mighty throne in Rome, nor to the priests, rabbis, scribes or scholars, but to the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night. How odd that God would first declare that message to shepherds. There must have been some mix-up, some mistake. You would have thought this message would have first hit the UP wires along with the great dailies in ...

4961. The Highest In The Lowest

Luke 2:1-7, Luke 2:8-20

Sermon

John A. Stroman

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. -- Luke 2:8-9 During a cold winter's night in Bethlehem in the Judean hills, the pains of childbirth came upon ...

4962. By What Authority?

Mark 1:14-20

Sermon

John A. Stroman

... lives that all of the encumbrances of their old lives are jettisoned -- their boats and nets, their families, their old life and old ways of doing things are abandoned. Immediately, they make this radical move in order to become disciples of this charismatic artisan-preacher. One must keep in mind that one of the purposes of Mark's gospel is to help us understand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus of Nazareth. This story by the Sea of Galilee is part of that story. But, are they not taking a risk by ...

4963. Advent 1

Isaiah 63:7--64:12, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Psalm 80:1-19, Mark 13:32-37, Mark 13:1-31

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... against the enemies. Matthew 12:38-42 -- The only sign given to the scribes and Pharisees who asked for one is the sign of Jonah. Matthew 13:41 -- The people of Nineveh rising up at the judgment. Matthew 25:13 -- Jesus admonishes the disciples to keep awake, for the day and hour is uncertain. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 -- The Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in judgment. Revelation 19-20 -- Apocalyptic imagery of the final judgment. CONTENT Precis (Mark 13:24-37) The passage opens with a free quotation by ...

4964. Buying Swamp Land For God

Jeremiah 32:1-44

Sermon

Robert P. Hines

... a kinsman of his, who invited the prophet to buy some land that he was selling. According to Old Testament law, if a man was forced to sell some "family" land because of debt or poverty, the next of kin had the right and duty to buy the land and keep it in the family. We can well imagine that with a mighty army outside the city gates, there probably weren't too many people investing in real estate. It's a bad time to buy land, when you're not sure who is going to be in control of things ...

4965. Accepting Responsibility

Lamentations 1:1-22

Sermon

Robert P. Hines

... ?" The story of God's people in the Old Testament shows that recovery for the Jews began when they took responsibility for their situation. When they were able to understand and admit that the Babylonian conquest was a result of their sin and failure to keep the covenant, they were on the road to recovery. It is noteworthy that the Babylonian captivity was a highly significant period in the development of the Jewish faith. It was in Babylon that the synagogue arose as a way for Jews to practice their faith ...

4966. Coping With Heartache

Jeremiah 29:1-23

Sermon

Robert P. Hines

... . Even the deep pain of losing a loved one is easier to accept when we understand that it gets better. No matter how bad things may be, there is always hope for a better day, a brighter future, for the people of God. There is nothing that will keep you from experiencing heartache. No one is immune to it. But these heartaches don't have to destroy us. Life goes on. We can build homes and plant gardens, marry and have children, because we know our God is with us, because we know our God helps us survive ...

4967. Permission To Daydream

Joel 2:28-32, Joel 2:18-27

Sermon

Robert P. Hines

... . But none of these things is fatal. Oh, yes, they hurt. Make no mistake about that. But the damage they do isn't permanent. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest confirmation of the promise that we have a bright future. Not even death can keep God from doing what is best for us. Because God is sovereign, we have a future filled with promise. What Joel proclaimed is for this life and beyond. He promised that they would once again see rain and experience an abundant harvest. That's something that ...

4968. Remembering Who We Are

Deuteronomy 26:1-15

Sermon

Robert P. Hines

... spend a great deal of energy in reminding ourselves who we are. The patriotic celebrations we plan for national holidays are partly an attempt to remind us of our democratic heritage. The family reunions that are so prevalent in our communities are an attempt to keep our ethnic and family identities alive. Even the political elections that take place is this country are an attempt to sort out and reinforce who we are as a people. We always want to remember who we are. Remembering who we are is what worship ...

4969. Simply Simon

Luke 7:36-50

Sermon

Alexander H. Wales

... new comes into the sanctuary, we give him or her the once-over and make our decisions. When people look like they won't fit in, we make sure that they don't. If they seem to be bearing pain or hurt, we move away just far enough to keep from making contact. You see, that's the difference between Simon and the woman who comes to anoint Jesus. Simon does all the socially right things. He is an expert in being politically correct. He knows exactly what society expects, and he does it. He only puts himself on ...

4970. The Last Days

Luke 21:5-38

Drama

Pamela Urfer

... arranged in a "V" shape leading away from the audience with the PREACHER's stool at the apex. The PREACHER takes his stool first and settles himself self-importantly. The members of the CONGREGATION file in slowly and take the remaining stools. The CONGREGATION will keep their eyes on the PREACHER throughout their time on stage but their stools should be arranged so that they will not have to turn their faces too far away from the audience.] PREACHER: (In a loud and impressive voice) Praise to God that we ...

4971. Paring Down Our Pantheons

Acts 17:16-34

Sermon

Gerald Whetstone

... the knowledge of God and the fear of God. How then, do we use such gifts? We learn that the truest thread through all the events and relationships of our lives is that which is lived within the story of God's love for us. Our awe of God keeps us respectful of the jealousy of our God, and our knowledge of our God enables us to trust in his grace. Such a God surely deserves our full loyalty, undivided praise, and complete obedience. What foolish people were those Athenians to have a whole pantheon of gods! We ...

4972. Standing and Understanding with the Apostles

Acts 2:14-41

Sermon

Gerald Whetstone

... a mirror. We seek also to understand the world. It is important, surely, to know what we can of the world. Each of us will only grasp a little of its vast nature. Still, learning languages, studying history and the sciences, discovering other cultures, traveling, keeping abreast of world news -- all these are important ways to begin to understand the world. And yet what we need to understand most is that "God so loved" -- not just us -- but "the world, that he gave his Son." Such an awareness that the whole ...

4973. There's More To Thanksgiving

Deuteronomy 26:1-15

Sermon

Thomas G. Rogers

... It was that time of year again. It was thanksgiving time. Farmers had finished the harvest. Businesses and schools had closed for the break. Not all, but most people had taken time off from work. After all, it was a national holiday. In keeping with tradition, there would be a special worship service, just like there was every year. In addition to the traveling and making special preparations, people would once again have the opportunity to worship. This story is about three very religious people who lived ...

4974. Daring To Trust The Roots

Isaiah 11:1-16

Sermon

Paul E. Robinson

... in fact we find it hard to allow our hearts to trust that these roots will in time produce the Kingdom of God we talk about, to give us in time the security and meaning and hope of which the scriptures and Jesus are so richly full. Instead, we keep some other roots side-by-side in another part of the garden, roots that go into the soil of rugged individualism, cynical "realism," and hedonistic "get all you can now for tomorrow we die." Isaiah said, "It's a sure thingg." Isaiah said you can trust the roots ...

4975. Exercise Your Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Sermon

Richard Hasler

One of the periodicals that I subscribe to is a denominational church magazine. It keeps me up-to-date on late-breaking news within the church and also has provocative articles on current theological thinking. In the back of the magazine is a section of church ads for employment opportunities. If a person is seeking to relocate that is one place to look. A typical ...

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