Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 26 to 50 of 662 results

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... ), in the context of immoral behavior would be the desire to engage in sexual activity solely for selfish reasons. Christians are to remove such evil from their lives as well as from their conversation. Such perversions are a contradiction to one who is called to imitate God and to walk in Christ’s love (5:1, 2). 5:4 The list of prohibitions goes on (in the Greek there is no new sentence) to include obscenity and foolish talk or coarse joking. Obscene words are ugly, base, shameful (aischrotēs); foolish ...

27. Follow the Example of Paul As He Follows the Example of Christ

Philippians 3:12-4:1

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... death and in glory is accomplished by the enabling power at work in him. One day the image of Christ will be revealed in all who have experienced the heavenward call of God in Christ Jesus. In light of this future glory, understanding Paul’s call to imitate him as mere exhortation to Christian living hardly does justice to the text. Paul wants the Philippians to have this goal in mind so that God’s power can be manifested in their lives as well as his. Fundamental to Paul’s thinking is the conviction ...

28. Proper 14

Ephesians 4:17--5:21, 2 Samuel 18:1-18, John 6:25-59

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... same body, we are to be truthful with one another, dissipate our anger, abandon stealing and earn an honest living. We are not to grieve the Holy Spirit by engaging in angry and contentious behavior. Paul's admonitions are summed up by 5:1-2, "Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us...." Gospel: John 6:35-51 Jesus declares that he is the bread of life, that any one who comes to him will never hunger of thirst again (spiritually). Those ...

29. Moving Words

Matthew 10:1-42

Sermon

Larry Goodpaster

... was one! Paul, they called a fool, which he took to be a compliment, even naming himself a fool for Christ’s sake. And what a compliment! Is there a higher one? To be called a name that distinguishes you from the world and names you as an imitator of Christ. The next word for movers is this: spread the word! From the beginning of his ministry, through the dark night at Gethsemane to the darkness of Calvary and into the light of the resurrection and the ascension, Jesus admonished the 12 to be faithful in ...

30. Philippians 3:17-4:1

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... 1,2; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9). Here, however, Paul coins a word unique to the New Testament lexicon which is translated "be followers together" (KJV), "join with others in following my example" (NIV), "agree together to follow my example" (NEB), and "join in imitating me" (NRSV). The salient point here is that Paul does not suggest that he and he alone should be observed as a moral and theological template for Christian living. He quickly notes that there are others "who live according to the example you have ...

31. Personal Rights and Christian Testimony

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... his rights was met with full affirmation. The sting of his emphasis, then, was that although he had all kinds of rights, he gladly gave them all up for the sake of the gospel (9:23). His rhetorical question is simply another way of, once again, telling the Corinthians, “Imitate me” (4:16; 11:1). Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? Paul is careful not to claim the Corinthians are his church or to suggest that he is the cause of their salvation. Rather, Corinth is God’s field (3:9), and the ...

32. Cook Food. Serve Love.

Matthew 10:1-42

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... , a table spread Beneath his name and sign, That other souls, refreshed and fed May share his life through mine. Cook food. Serve love. In 1418 the first copy of what would become the most widely read volume on Christian spirituality appeared. The Imitation of Christ was first published anonymously, but is now accepted as the work of Thomas a Kempis. This book of devotions holds up Jesus’ teachings as the greatest counsel and truths you could ever find, and urges all Christians to follow Jesus’ words ...

33. The Blessing Complex

Philippians 3:1-11

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... is the blessing. Jesus blesses others with his presence and power. Only Jesus has the ability to transform our lives. Not us. Those Judaizers Paul fought against so fiercely? They thought THEY had a blessing to offer others. Yes, they sought to imitate Christ as much as possible. Jesus was a circumcised, observant Jew, a follower of the law. So they too made these traits requirements for life in Christ. Paul said hogwash. Paul protested! In fact, Paul rejected this reasoning with “dirty” language: “it ...

34. Enemies of the Cross

Philippians 3:17 - 4:1

Sermon

Steven E. Albertin

... whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ" (Philippians 3:7). Instead Paul is inviting us to imitate his trust of "the cross of Christ." That cross is everything. God could have simply given us what we deserve. We continue to ... home. Those who once had been his enemies are now not just his friends but his beloved sons and daughters. When Paul invites us to imitate him, it is an invitation in the best sense of the word. It is an invitation to a party where we will receive a ...

35. Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Faith

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... we read the Gk.; see disc. on 1:5) of the two reasons for the statement in verse 4. The writers knew that God had chosen the Thessalonians because, first, he had sent them effective preachers and, second, the preachers had met with a ready response: You became imitators of us and of the Lord (see note on 1:1). Lifestyle is the only evidence that others have of our standing with God. Paul is thus sure that the Thessalonians are in good standing. Paul appears to claim in this verse that he and his colleagues ...

36. A Call to Servanthood and Suffering

Mark 10:46-52, Mark 10:35-45, Mark 10:32-34

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... explain that as you move your hands, he or she is to follow you. Begin slowly so that it is easy for the volunteer to follow, and then quicken the movement so that there is no way to perfectly follow your hand movement. Explain that simply trying to imitate Jesus is not enough. Rather, we have to live in Christ in such a way that we pray regularly, read his word continually, and submit our selfish desires to him on a daily basis. To illustrate this truth, have the volunteer hold his or her hands out once ...

37. Proper 14

2 Samuel 18:1-18, John 6:25-59, Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... hearts your gracious Spirit; that in our every action and deed, love and forgiveness may abound, to the glory of your Kingdom and your Son. In his name we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Merciful God, we confess that we do not live lives in imitation of you and Christ. We are not always kind, or tenderhearted, or forgiving, or loving. Forgive us, we pray. Implant your Spirit in our souls so that we shall do automatically that which is godly in every situation, and our actions may thus reflect the Kingdom ...

38. I Am Christ's

2 Corinthians 5:17

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... of grace. Christ makes us new creatures. Our choice is whether we will start to become new persons. It is our choice to start to become new persons that gives Grace the opportunity to make us new persons. And the start requires two things. It requires imitation and immersion. We begin to walk as we think Christ would have us walk, and we immerse ourselves in Christ -- that is we surrender ourselves to His Spirit within, and allow His grace to make us in fact the new persons we already are in principle ...

39. Staying Alive All Your Ministry Life: Will You Finish Well?

Exodus 32:1-33:6

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... yet seem to lack the will for it. They want, and believe it is possible, to skip over the discipline, to find an easy shortcut to sainthood. Often they attempt to attain it by simply imitating the superficialities of saints, retiring to the desert or taking up carpentry. Some even believe that by such imitation they have really become saints and prophets, and are unable to acknowledge that they are still children and face the painful fact that they must start at the beginning and go through the middle ...

40. Aroma of Christ Church

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Christ Church, might look and smell like. No lies, no evilness, no bitterness, no wrath or anger or wrangling. No lies, only truth. No hate, only love. No condemnation, only forgiveness and love. An Aroma of Christ Church is a reflection of God — “imitators” of God — forgiving, loving, open to all sinners and seekers. Those who embrace and embody these actions and attributes emit a special smell. It is the “fragrance” of Christ, the Eau de Jesus. How much do we spend every year trying to drown ...

41. Dealing with Cantankerous People

Ephesians 4:30-5:2

Sermon

King Duncan

... one day to rise to the standard of the greats. Aspiring dancers practice for hours on end the dance moves of their favorite dancer.” Paul tells us, in Ephesians 5:1-2, that there is no higher goal, no greater aspiration, for the people of God than to imitate God.” (7) And where do we best see God except in Jesus Christ? And what was Christ like? He was the man for others. The only malice, anger or bitterness he ever showed was toward wrongdoers, and he even forgave them. What was Christ like? He never ...

42. Joy at Believers’ Walking in the Truth

3 John 1:1-14

Understanding Series

Thomas F. Johnson

... of Demetrius The writer turns from the negative example of Diotrephes to the positive example of Demetrius. Gaius is to imitate the latter. By so doing, he will align himself with God, the truth, and the Elder. 11 For the fourth ... the false teachers must be avoided, while those who do what is good, who thereby show that they are from God, are to be emulated. Imitating positive examples of Christian living is a common theme in the NT. Paul urges his readers to follow the example of himself and other Christian ...

43. Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... shame of Christ (Acts 5:41; Rom. 12:12; 2 Cor. 4:8–10; 7:4; Phil. 2:17; 1 Pet. 1:6; 4:13–14). Their source of this joy was the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:22; Rom. 14:17; 1 Pet. 4:13–14). The ones who imitated Christ’s and the apostles’ model of suffering in turn became a model for other churches (1:7). The influence and ministry of this church, located in the city known as “The Mother of Macedonia,” spread far and wide (1:8; 4:10). Indeed, the church spread the gospel throughout ...

44. New Life From Old

1 John 2:28--3:10

Sermon

Mark J. Molldrem

... , Jesus washed the disciples' feet. He said, "If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you." The new life in Christ imitates Christ, and that means a life of service. For centuries the servant's role has been considered one of lowly origin. The servant's quarters were distinct from the main house; the servant's entrance was around the side or in back, not at the main gate into the ...

45. God's Passion

Acts 2:42-47

Sermon

... understand, a distant memory of freer times. But it can be more than a memory. Through the years, God calls Christians to renew the passion for his presence which we once knew so clearly. He calls his people to renew it as a passion, and not a mere imitation of early church habits. It's the call he gave to Peter and Augustine and Luther; their faith was rooted deeply and attained great heights because they knew God offered and asked for a love that is passionate and not merely obedient. And it's the call he ...

46. Swoosh

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Drama

Dave Marsh

... from perfect! I mean, he’s ranked 4th on the ATP. Jim: Fourth? Sarah: Yeah. In fact, Pete Sampras just passed him. Jim: Oh. Sarah: Look Jim, it’s okay to like these guys or look up to them for their abilities but if you really want to imitate someone, I think you need to look a little higher. Jim: You mean like Mike? (Jordan if you didn't catch the joke :) Sarah: Um, no. Higher. Jim: (thinks and then realizes she's talking about Christ) Ahhh... Gotcha. Sarah: (hands him the bag) Okay, why don’t you ...

47. Walk In Love

Ephesians 4:1-16

Sermon

King Duncan

... AND I. We are told that in the earlier years Brynner was made up to resemble the part. By the time he reached his sixties, however, he no longer required makeup. He had become the part. What better way to escape our feelings of inferiority than this? "Be imitators of God," Paul says. "Walk in love, as Christ hath also loved us." There is the ultimate secret. We can walk in love because we are loved. We are important persons in God's eyes because of what Christ has done in our behalf. No psychology text ever ...

48. Who Is Your Hero?

Matthew 17:1-13

Sermon

King Duncan

... of Man has been raised from the dead" (NRSV). When they came down from the mountain, who do you imagine became the disciples' hero? IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A HERO, MAY I RECOMMEND JESUS? If a hero is someone you look up to, identify with, even try to imitate, may I recommend Jesus? Let me suggest a couple of reasons. FIRST OF ALL, OTHER HEROES WILL LET YOU DOWN. The truth of the matter is that no matter how remarkable our heroes are, they are still human. They still make mistakes. There was a time when heroes ...

49. Saintly Citizenship - Earthly Responsibilities

Philippians 3:1-11

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... out to her, "You look like the grace of God! You look like the grace of God." In other words, the soldier was able to see the imitation of Jesus Christ in her life and service. One poet put it this way: "To me ''twas not the truth you taught, To you so clear, to ... Jesus Christ. He wanted them to grow and become a great reservoir of truth for the pagan world to tap into and to imitate. The key word is he wanted them to grow into "Christ" and not grow in their ungodly, worldly appetite which could lead them ...

50. Strategic Kindness

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Sermon

King Duncan

... the adult to humanity's petulant child. God took that awful event and used it to save us from our sins. We hated, God loved. We struck out in blind fury: God responded with unconditional acceptance. We shut him out; God brought us in. If you want to imitate God, that is how it is done. Chris Carrier of Coral Gables, Florida, was abducted when he was 10 years old. His kidnappers, angry with the boy's family, burned him with cigarettes, stabbed him numerous times with an ice pick, shot him in the head, and ...

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