Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 26 to 50 of 84 results

26. On Being the Greatest

Mark 9:33-37

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

... was not playing the Palace that weekend, but could be found in a stinking stable out back of a crowded inn. A few years back, when people were giving accolades to theologian Karl Barth, whom many of us believe to be the greatest theological thinker of our age, Barth disclaimed any such honorific title, asserting that, in God’s scheme of things, the little lady who came to clean up his office when he left for home at the end of the day may well be closer in touch with the eternal reality of God than he was ...

27. The Art Of Borrowing And Lending A Donkey

Luke 19:28-44

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... it doesn't matter who we are and what we have. If we respond to that call, we become agents of love and peace and goodness and reconciliation. We may go unnoticed and unheralded because we don't seek the limelight. In fact, we may be surprised and humbly disclaim any designation of being God's agents -- but God knows, and people along the way will know that we are being used by God for his purposes. So, the owner of that donkey, in learning the art of lending his donkey, teaches us the art of being willing ...

28. Standing In the Gap: The Work of Intercession

2 Chronicles 7:11-22

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... sometimes. I know there are needs in my life—attitude changes—lack of faith—strained relationships—things that need to change. I know that if I stay on my knees long enough they’ll change—so my confession, I don’t stay on my knees long enough. My disclaimer is that I’m certainly not a master teacher in prayer—I’m still learning to pray. So as I preach today, see me and hear me as “one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” Let me plant a picture in your mind that will be ...

29. Those Parentheses

Acts 10:34-43

Sermon

Bill Mosley

... explained by the parentheses. A fact can be amplified, qualified, or explained between parentheses; what will ours say? Will our parentheses qualify? You qualify a statement with ifs, ands, and buts. You qualify an offer, such as in an advertisement, with a disclaimer. You qualify for something, a pension, insurance benefits, a job. That just means some ifs, ands, and buts have been met. Look at Peter's parentheses -- they could have qualified his statement -- "Anyone who fears God and does what is right is ...

30. Jedi Christians

Matthew 14:22-36

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... taking; Greed: like the Enron and WorldCom executives, like Lotto fever, like double orders of Big Macs; Addiction: seeking fantasy journeys, fantasy worlds blurred over with the haze of alcohol, drugs, food; Helplessness: believing in that nasty little voice that disclaims "what can I do all by myself?" Busyness: compiling to do and done lists, accomplishing tasks instead of transforming yourself and others. These winds are just a few of the many "disturbances in the force," the gales that seek to distract ...

31. Looking for Shoots or Roots?

Matthew 11:1-19

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... text, he now uses Malachi’s text proclaiming Elijah as the prophet announcing the day of the Lord as a messianic prediction text. John is this divinely sent messenger, this new Elijah proclaiming the Messiah (v.14). Yet Jesus issues a tremendous disclaimer. Yes, John is greater than anyone who has ever been born (above Abraham, Moses, David!). But in the kingdom of heaven he is nothing, absolutely nothing: “the least . . . is greater than he” (v.11). Jesus’ designation of John as Elijah firmly ...

32. Palm/Passion Sunday

Mt 26:14-27:66 · Php 2:5-11 · Isa 50:4-9a · Ps 31

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... narrative, she is a "dreamer," receiving divine communications, but she is a Gentile and so foreshadows the day when the gospel will be universally available to Jew and Gentile alike without prejudice. Fifth, Pilate washes his hands—clearly a symbolic disclaimer of guilt with a symbolic transfer of responsibility. Sixth, Matthew seems harshly inclined toward the Jews at this point in the narrative. His story points to the depravity of Israel. But, as recent scholarship increasingly insists, this is a ...

33. The Bloodline of Christ

John 20:19-23

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... do with the way we live than the products we buy. Each new generation of followers is a new child of faith. We are blood-born and blood-bought. We are red-blooded animations of Jesus’ life by the breath of the Holy Spirit. When the doubtful, disclaiming “St. Thomas Didymus” saw the risen Christ before him, he felt his soul swell with the intake of the Spirit. His re-birth cry escaped like a newborn’s wail: “My Lord and my God! If each new generation are truly “red letter” children of God, we ...

34. FEAR NOT! You've Got To Be Kidding!

Luke 1:26-37

Sermon

John E. Harnish

... vegetables to Zemmiphobia—the fear of the great mole rat. It even lists Ecclesiophobia—the fear of church and, get this, Homilophobia—the fear of sermons! You can even get a poster of the "Phobia List" which will cover your entire wall. But the most interesting note is the disclaimer at the top of the page. In big red letters, it reads: "If you are looking for a phobia name that is not on the list, sorry, but I don't have it." And then, in smaller print: "Please don't ask me about curing phobias. I'm ...

35. Mark 1:4-11

Mark 1:4-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... with John's important activity is Mark's attempt to make John a physical return of the prophet Elijah. Mark uses descriptions of the prophet from Zechariah 13:4 and 2 Kings 1:8 to flesh out the person of the Baptist as a prophetic figure. John's disclaimers about himself, recorded in verses 7-8, serve the same purpose as do the asides about the Baptist in the prologue of the Gospel of John. The differences in nature and role between Jesus and John are made plain. Jesus' being is exalted over that of God's ...

36. 1 Samuel 16:1-13

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... communities. In 2 Corinthians we find Paul defending himself against a number of unspecified accusations, one of which appears to be the criticism that he talks too much of himself and not enough about Christ. The fourth chapter of 2 Corinthians thus begins with Paul disclaiming any gift of special knowledge or preparation for his work as a missionary for Christ. It is only by "God's mercy" that Paul found himself chosen for such a task. Because of this truth Paul can then assert in verse 5 that he has ...

37. 1 Samuel 16:1-13

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

38. Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Deuteronomy 18:9-13, 14-22

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the same. First, all the prophets who genuinely speak God's word for Israel will be personally called to their positions. Becoming a prophet is not a position one can learn or an office one can earn. In fact, true prophets are noted for disclaiming their worthiness. Their "chosenness" surprises them as well as others. Second, prophets need not be concerned about "coming up" with a pertinent message for the people. God promises "I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet" (v.18). This pledge suggests ...

39. Mark 10:17-31

Mark 10:17-31

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... pedigree of his inquiry, the scene betrays the perverse notions of this seeker from its very beginning. Jesus first responds by refusing to accept the designated title of "good" for himself, citing Jewish tradition that reserves that appellation for God alone. Jesus' disclaimer also serves to shift the focus of this conversation away from the actions and attitudes of the human players in this scene. The man who kneels at his feet is obviously focused on human abilities ("what must I do") and capabilities ...

40. 1 Timothy 2:1-7

1 Timothy 2:1-7

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... . There are no divine errors in time-keeping. The cross came at the "right time." Also part of God's perfectly timed plan for salvation is the divine choice of a proclaimer. Paul defines himself as "herald," "apostle" and "teacher." Again it would appear that Paul may have some gnostic disclaimers in mind for he emphasizes his role as "teacher" by more fully explaining his mission as to "the Gentiles in faith and truth."

41. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... reference (i.e., "to you" in vv.3 and 5, "on you" in v.7). Even without these additions, however, there appears to be a distinctly personal note flavoring verses 3 and 5-7. Although Paul does not specify any particular nemesis, his emphatic disclaimers "our appeal does not spring from deceit," "we never came with words of flattery" suggest that the apostle may have been seeking to distance his missionary work from that of some other traveling band of philosophers or preachers. But if verses 3, 5-7 ...

42. Luke 1:39-45 (46-55)

Luke 1:1-4

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... two cousins into the same conversation. Mary’s journey also gets her away from Galilee and her betrothed, immediately after the angelic pronouncement of her miraculous pregnancy. That Mary stays away from home and Joseph for three months also helps dispel disclaimers about the manner in which her child was conceived. As would be appropriate, it is Mary, the younger woman with less status, who travels to meet Elizabeth, the older woman and wife of a member of the respected priestly class. Although Luke ...

43. Cross Eyed: Anger

John 2:13-22

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... turning. Road maps that aren't folded back up correctly. I don't know why, it just bugs me. I guess it's like the next one, tangled and wadded up extension cords. Fast food lines that aren't fast. All the prescription drug ads on TV with their long disclaimers of possible side effects. (They make me want to run and hide, not ask my doctor for help). How about you? What are some of your pet peeves? My number one pet peeve is the phone system. I hate it when I dial a number and I get that "Boodeebeep ...

44. The Real GPS: Gospel Positioning System

John 21:15-25

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... way” the singer proudly proclaims, “I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway. And more, much more than this, I did it my way.” In “My Way” the singer proclaims as the highest mountain “the things that he truly feels” and disclaims the sacrifice and sanctity of “the words of one who kneels.” When Simon Peter confessed his love to the risen Christ, he was charged with a shepherding mission. But Jesus also let his First Follower know that there was a price to pay. In ...

45. The Broken English of Pentecost

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... , salty snack food seem like a virtuous act. But the most amazing thing about the new Sunchips bag? It is not that it is compostable. It is how LOUD it is. Pick up a bag and you’d swear it was wearing a microphone. There is even a disclaimer of sorts printed on the bag: “This bag is louder because it is compostable.” Every crunch and crinkle is amplified and resonates. Digging into a bag of Sunchips makes your ears hurt. Going to rock concerts and wearing ear buds connected to a cranked up Ipod are ...

46. No Instant Maturity

Matthew 7:15-23

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... that’s what I want to talk about today as we continue our consideration of Christian growth. Two weeks ago I asked the question, where do we grow from here? Last Sunday we looked at a guide for growth. Today I want to sound a firm disclaimer: There is no instant maturity. I. FASCINATION FOR SHORTCUTS Note first, though, that our life situation intensifies a fascination for short-cuts. Over 50% of the products in our grocery stores were not there ten years ago. The great bulk of these new products are in ...

47. “Not Responsible for…”

Matthew 4:1-11

Illustration

David E. Leininger

... agreed upon at a convention they held in Warsaw in 1955. Park your car in some high-priced garage or lot, and a sign will tell you that management is not responsible for any items lost or stolen from your vehicle. Do those "Not responsible for..." disclaimers bother you? They do me. It seems no one takes responsibility for anything anymore. I read about a man who was suing a hospital. A doctor had performed staple surgery on his stomach to help him lose weight. A couple of days after his operation, he ...

48. When the Caterers Weren’t Available

Matthew 14:13-21

Sermon

King Duncan

... to ensure that the food had been prepared by qualified food handlers in a hygienic environment. Baskets of leftovers would also need to be disposed of properly. Walking on water. This could only be done if it were preceded by a disclaimer that nobody should try this at home, particularly not children or young people. The miraculous catch of fish. Fish stocks are now rigorously conserved to protect against over‑fishing, and such large catches would undoubtedly exceed the fishermen’s quotas, leading ...

49. The Vision of God

2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Sermon

Gibson “Nibs” Stroupe

... communal captivity to sin, to the brokenness and injustice and exploitation that permeate our lives. We hurt others, we hurt ourselves, and we hurt God. That is a fact of our lives, and the consequences of our participation in injustice are painful. Having read this disclaimer, however, we should note that Paul's focus is not his participation in the human condition. Rather it is that his chronic pain (whether physical or spiritual or both) is a tool of God's discipline for him in his own life and journey ...

50. Thanks for the Memories!

Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14

Sermon

Ken Lentz

... the ancient Semites, today named sin, death, and the devil. Christians express the Jewish awareness of inclusion in their salvation story when they ask, "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?" Of course, we were! How pitiful are the disclaimers who insist that the Jews killed Jesus! Hitler cheered the productions of the Oberammergau Passion Play depicting the Jews as sneering monsters with horns protruding from their heads. Modern Oberammergau productions omit the horns and depict only a portion of ...

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