Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 26 to 50 of 164 results

26. For What Are We Fishing?

Luke 5:1-11

Illustration

J. Ellsworth Kalas

... glance, that may seem an unlikely reaction to a moment of success. Sometimes, however, it is the experience of achievement which forces us to see how superficial our victories are. Andre Thornton, star home-run hitter with the Cleveland Indians and an exemplary Christian, has predicted that there may be a very real religious awakening among athletes as a result of the exorbitant salaries so many are now receiving. He feels that when they find themselves suddenly so financially secure they will realize how ...

27. That They May Be One

John 17:6-19

Sermon

Dean Lueking

... holds us all together as a people forgiven. Prayer is an action of the soul; it is the response to God that arises out of faith. Prayer is centered in God. He is the object of faith, not the church or even the most exemplary strategies for unifying Christians. This cannot be emphasized too strongly: the unity of believers in Christ is commparable to a living organism rather than organization. The New Testament Scriptures speak of unity in ways that correspond to Jesus’ high priestly prayer: a living body ...

28. Pilgrimage of Faith John M. Cobb

Exodus 3:1-22

Sermon

... and carrying off people into slavery. For many years only the fittest could survive, and the growth of the colonies remained at a standstill. The harsh conditions, however, in time sobered up the erstwhile religious fanatics and turned them into exemplary Christians who prayed and toiled to eke out an existence from the barren soil. Their industry and ingenuity eventually triumphed over the wilderness and [they] built oases of prosperity in this forbidding frontier land.8 Dear friends, I have read ...

29. Pentecost 23

Exodus 22:16-31, Leviticus 19:1-37, Ruth 2:1-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16, Matthew 22:34-40, Matthew 22:41-46, Psalm 1:1-6

Sermon Aid

... that he and his companions tried to be an example of Christian living for them, commending them on their positive response at being "imitators of us and of the Lord." In their Christian faith and life style, they acquired the reputation of exemplary Christian living and influenced other people of Greece by renouncing the worship of idols and accepting the good news in Jesus Christ. They heard the gospel, learned of Jesus' death and resurrection, and lived in expectation of his imminent return. Paul couldn ...

30. Proper 8

Genesis 32:22-32, Psalm 17:1-15

Bulletin Aid

... of God") in the story suggest that the "man" with whom he wrestled throughout the night was actually God, and that what we therefore have here dramatized as a physical altercation is an internal, spiritual struggle. The implication is that, even for those with exemplary faith, encounters with God are not always easy. Call to Worship Leader: May God lend us an ear! People: MAY GOD HEAR OUR WORDS! Leader: May our Creator show us steadfast love! People: MAY OUR REDEEMER GIVE US A GLIMPSE OF GOD'S FACE! (Based ...

31. Christ My Light

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Sermon

Dennis Kastens

... pivotal and eternally important things can happen! For Dr. Martin Luther, the most outstanding man of God to have lived during the Middle Ages was a saintly individual by the name of Bernard of Clairvaux. The story of his early life and career is an exemplary lesson for us on what the light of Christ shining in darkness really means. Early in the twelfth century in the valley near Lausanne, France, a young man was waylaid by robbers and held for ransom. Though tragic, the crime was not new to the province ...

32. Holy Handicap?

2 Cor 12:9

Sermon

Robert Noblett

... life of a handicapped individual that reads "useless" makes about as much sense as discarding a dozen jelly donuts because one has been found bereft of jelly! Easily could we compile a lengthy list of very impressive people who functioned in an exemplary way with a handicap. Lord Byron, the English poet, had a club foot. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a paraplegic. Milton was blind when he wrote Paradise Lost. Beethoven was deaf when he wrote the Ninth Symphony. Neitzsche was a syphilitic; Dostoevskey was ...

33. The Cunning Craftsman, God

Luke 18:9-14

Sermon

Allan J. Weenink

... had achieved perfection. It might be well to reflect on what an impressive record this is. The man is honest in his business dealings, sets fair prices, gives value for value received. He is a model husband. To top it all, he is an exemplary churchman, devout in his religious duties and astonishingly generous in supporting the church budget. Yet in reality, his prayer had a hollow ring. In it we find every shibboleth of superiority and sanctimony. There is no compassion, no love, no sympathy, no concern for ...

34. THE DAY LABORER

Deuteronomy 24:15; Matthew 20:1

Illustration

Stephen Stewart

... ." The workers did not only have rights; religious doctrine imposed duties upon them too. The Bible required, as St. Paul reminded them, that they should respect their masters, obey them and serve them faithfully. The rabbis had some excellent moral tales in which exemplary workmen were held up to be admired. For example, one day the rabbi Joseph, who was a mason, was on his scaffolding when a man below him called up, asking for advice on a religious question. "Wait until this evening," replied Joseph. "I ...

35. Who Do You Say I Am? - Sermon Starter

Matthew 16:13-20

Illustration

Brett Blair

... of God, divine, of the same nature as the Father, and people will line up to express their disapproval. A billion Muslims will say: "Prophet, yes. God, no!" Jews scattered around the world will say: "Teacher, yes. Messiah, no!" Liberal Protestants and religionists of various stripes will say: "Exemplary man, yes. Divine, no!" Who do people say he is? Who do you say he is? And what are we called to do? Let's take a look at the answers to these three question: 1. Who do men say that I am? 2. Who do you say ...

36. Who Do You Say I Am?

Matthew 16:13-20

Sermon

Brett Blair

... divine, of the same nature as the Father, and people will line up to express their disapproval. A billion Muslims will say: "Prophet, yes. God, no!" Jews scattered around the world will say: "Teacher, yes. Messiah, no!" Liberal Protestants and religionists of various stripes will say: "Exemplary man, yes. Divine, no!" Who do people say he is? Who do you say he is? And what are we called to do? Let’s take a look at the answers to these three questions: I When Jesus asked the first of these three questions ...

37. Whom Do You Sit East Of?

Jonah 3:1-10

Sermon

Richard L. Eslinger

... ascends to the mighty God of Israel an especially pious Psalm of lament. Probably, there are more "fish-belly" type prayers than any other kind - at least of the individual sort. "Get me out of this mess I got myself into, Lord, and you will have an exemplary servant on your hands." "God, I have just borrowed my folks’ car without permission and wrecked it. If you get me out of this, I won’t miss youth fellowship for the rest of the year." "God, I’ve over-eaten, smoked too much, and never exercise ...

38. As First Fruits

James 1:1-18, James 1:19-27

Bulletin Aid

Dallas A. Brauninger

Call to Worship All good gifts around us are gifts from God who wishes us well. Like first fruits of old brought to God, let us live exemplary lives that are gifts of thanksgiving to God. Like first fruits produced when the plant is at fullest potency, let us spend our highest energy on best acts. Come, let us bring thankful selves to God. Collect We offer you our best, O generous Creator, by living decent, honorable lives. ...

39. Someone Greater Than a Prophet

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

Maurice A. Fetty

... Christians will do. But there you have it -- one of the world's leading, fastest growing, resurgent religions -- Islam -- affirming Jesus as something greater than a prophet, as someone more than a mouthpiece and messenger for God. He is, as it were, a model man, an exemplary man, a paradigm for future generations. That is close to what the angel Gabriel told Mary in the annunciation. He is not to be just a prophet of God. Instead, said Gabriel, "He will be great, and will be called the son of the Most High ...

40. Days of Promise

Jeremiah 33:1-26

Sermon

Harry N. Huxhold

... , “I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David.” The reference obviously is to what God had done for Israel through the servant King David. David had been that ideal king whom God had established upon the throne for Israel. David had been exemplary, because he had trusted the covenant God had made with the people. Because David had been this model, God had promised God would continue the line of rulers who would be able to rely upon God’s goodness and providence through good kingly rule. It ...

41. Light from the Word

Nehemiah 7:73b--8:18

Sermon

Harry N. Huxhold

... salvation over and over again in our worship, be given to the study of God’s word so that we can apply it, and be regularly in communion with one another at the Lord’s feast. Our Lord Jesus Christ not only made that necessary for us by his own exemplary life but also he is the fulfillment of the covenant Ezra shared with the people. Jesus died and rose again, so that the covenant is for real for us by the manner in which he comes to us, which is through the word and sacraments. He is even more. He ...

42. The Healing Of Simon's Mother-in-Law

Mark 1:29-34

Sermon

James W. Moore

... of Honor at our annual Women’s Ministry Tea for her incredible record of service to our church and for her compassionate “can-do” spirit. Since becoming part of our church family (and years before that in other churches), Jackie has been an exemplary servant of the church. Teacher, counselor, mentor, advocate, leader of workshops and seminars… and caller of first time visitors… Jackie is all of those and much, much more. The Women’s Tea honoring her was held on a Sunday afternoon. The following ...

43. With A Name Like That . . .

Acts 4:1-22

Sermon

King Duncan

... that Jesus is already at work in their life. They are no more hopeless sinners than you and I are. If the love of God dwells in their hearts, then we can love them like brothers and sisters. Meanwhile it is our calling to live such an exemplary life that the power of Christ's name and his spirit are evident in everything we do. There is no other name or spirit by which humanity can be saved. 1. LECTIONAID, July, August, September, 1994 (Kamuela, HI: LectionAid, 1994), p. 38. 2. Contributed by Rev. Curtis ...

44. A Pre-christmas Faith

Jeremiah 33:1-26

Sermon

King Duncan

... problem to his parents and local authorities because of his antisocial behavior, spent several weeks one summer in a peaceful rural area with members of a religious group well-known for their kind, simple modes of living. His behavior among them was exemplary. The following summer, after another violent year in the ghetto, he returned to the country and to his peaceful, friendly mode of living with the comment, "The real me is here." Perhaps we have missed the whole point of Christmas and Christianity ...

45. Salvation By Faith Alone

Romans 3:21-31

Sermon

King Duncan

... moment of expectation for him. He was going to what he imagined to be the center of both piety and power for the church he loved. Surprise. When Martin Luther arrived in Rome, he received a terrible revelation. Instead of finding a church of exemplary devotion and conduct, he discovered a very worldly church weighted down by corruption. His mind and heart went reeling. How often that has happened to idealistic young men and women when they discover that the church they love is not always what the church ...

46. Noblesse Oblige

Revelation 1:4-8

Sermon

King Duncan

... to have his grandson come to live on the fabulous estate as Lord Fauntleroy, and eventually succeed him as Earl of Darringcourt. There is one catch. Little Lord Fauntleroy's American mother who was the cause of the original disinheritance, an exemplary woman with whom Lord Fauntleroy is very close, cannot live on the estate. The story of the initial conflict and misunderstanding, and the subsequent healing and restoration of relationships, is a touching one in which everyone eventually lives happily ever ...

47. Have You Seen God's Heart?

Revelation 1:4-8

Sermon

King Duncan

... about Mohammad and Buddha we would doubtless have great admiration for them as well. After all, millions and millions of persons have had their lives touched in a significant way by these men. And many of the followers of these three men live more exemplary lives than do many Christians. Still, we contend, without apology, that Jesus Christ is the Lord of creation. It is always a mistake to judge a movement by its individual followers. One of the unfortunate byproducts of the actions of fanatics in the Arab ...

48. What Would It Take?

Philippians 3:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... . CRUNCH, MUNCH . . . and I can't recite the Scriptures in the original Greek . . . CRUNCH, MUNCH . . ." He finished the apple. "All I wanna know is: This apple I just ate--was it bitter or sweet?" The theologian paused for a moment and answered in exemplary scholarly fashion: "I cannot possibly answer that question, for I haven't tasted your apple." The white-haired preacher dropped the core of his apple into his crumpled paper bag, looked up at the theologian and said calmly, "Neither have you tasted my ...

49. A Life Without Apology

2 Timothy 1:1-2:13

Sermon

King Duncan

... words: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed . . ." Basically he is urging Timothy to seek a life lived without apology. To be able to stand one day before God having lived such an exemplary life that there is nothing he will have to explain away. Nothing he will have to hide. How does a person live such a life? Paul tells us in this passage. First of all, says St. Paul, honor your commitments. He writes to Timothy, "The saying is sure: If ...

50. From Empty Nets to Full Lives

Luke 5:1-11

Sermon

J. Ellsworth Kalas

... seem an unlikely reaction to a moment of success. Sometimes, however, it is the experience of achievement which forces us to see how superficial our victories are. Andre Thornton, a home-run hitter with the Cleveland Indians in the 1980s and an exemplary Christian, predicted that there might be a very real religious awakening among athletes as a result of the exorbitant salaries so many are receiving. He felt that when they found themselves suddenly so financially secure they would realize how little their ...

Showing results