Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 26 to 50 of 4999 results

Luke 10:25-37

Sermon

James W. Moore

... a volatile jealousy and cause us to hurt other people, even those closest to us. III. THIRD AND FINALLY, DISLIKING OURSELVES CAN LEAD TO SELF-PITY. Remember how Charley Brown put it: “I know the world is filled with hatred because the whole world hates me!” This kind of self-pity causes us to look for crutches… temporary attempts at “pick-me-ups” like drugs or alcohol… that only add to the problem. They don’t pick us up; they let us down. They don’t make us stronger; they make us weaker. Now ...

27. What Kind of Vote Would Jesus Get?

Mark 15:1-15

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

... dreamer. Both men wanted to help their people, shake off the yoke of oppression, and usher in the reign of God. But they chose radically different ways of going about it. II. WE STILL HAVEN’T DECIDED WHO WAS RIGHT, HAVE WE? One can only wonder just what kind of a vote Jesus would get around here. We Christians say (in Church) that Jesus is right. That’s what we mean when we call Him “Lord.” But when it comes right down to it, out there in the “real” world, we are a lot more comfortable with ...

28. A New Kind of Authority

Acts 9:1-19a

Sermon

King Duncan

... to do for me what he’s done for Daddy.” It’s hard to argue with a testimony like that. Strobel says that God changed not only him, God changed his family and changed his world. Today he is a well-known author and pastor. Can you give the same kind of testimony? Saul was a big man with big plans. But he was an angry man who took out his anger on others. Christ humbled Saul and gave him a new name, Paul, a name that means small. Ironically, after becoming small, after becoming the least of the Apostles ...

29. A Spooky Kind of Love

1 Samuel 28:1-25, Matthew 28:11-15

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... to our resources. Yet we cannot find assurance. We continue to be plagued by worry, anxiety, feelings of unworthiness, and fear. When God does appear in our midst, instead of calming us, we are spooked. For faith is also grounded in expectation, the kind of expectation that prepares and welcomes the unexpected. And the Holy Spirit nearly always catches us by surprise. While we seem to expect tragedy, somehow, we never expect God to appear. God always appears in the midst of us unexpectedly. With grace and ...

30. The Kind Neighbor

Illustration

Maxie Dunnam

... , after we had gotten the car started. "It's good to know there are Christians still around." The perfect opening for me to respond and share. I was a bit amazed that she put being kind and being Christian together. Words often die or at least lose their power. They need people to keep them alive. The word kindness is a good illustration of this. It doesn't carry the weight it should. Maybe this is one of the prices we pay for technological progress. We lose the crucial dimension of human existence -- how ...

31. A Different Kind of Meeting

Matthew 18:15-20

Illustration

Staff

... meet in the worship of him, somehow he is uniquely there. Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." There seems to be a special and singular kind of way in which God is present where his people meet. Or, it may be that when God's people gather it is they who are present in a special and singular kind of way. Or, it may be that both God and his people are. Anyway, when God's people meet in the name of Christ, it is a special and singular ...

32. Two Kinds of Belief

John 1:43-51

Illustration

Roger Lovette

... of belief is to believe things about God. He said there are some things we can affirm about God that we can also say about the Turks, the devil, or hell. These are facts: encyclopedia knowledge. This is belief. Luther then talked about another kind of faith. Not only do we believe in God, but we begin to put our trust in him. We bet our lives on the truth that there is a God. We even begin to give him our money because we really do believe this business. We surrender to him. We ...

33. God’s Kind of Happiness

Matthew 5:1-12

Illustration

John Thomas Randolph

... of preparedness for war. "Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires." We have tended to call such people fools or fanatics! "Happy are you when people insult you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers." We tend to say, "Don’t get mad, get even!" We say it again: God’s kind of happiness reverses almost everything we have been taught about happiness. But if one of us has to be wrong — either us or God — you can be sure that it isn’t God.

34. What Kind of Pillar Are You?

Matthew 5:13-16

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... explore both these images of water and salt. Today it salt’s turn. Jesus wants us to become salt. Why? Salt flavors and preserves. But becoming “salt” is not always good. Wasn’t becoming salt the curse that petrified Lot’s wife? What kind of “saltiness” did Jesus envision for the people whom he was challenging to walk towards the kingdom of God? The key to understanding Jesus’ image of salt as positive is combining saltiness with mobility — a “moveable” pillar of salt. What might have ...

35. A Special Kind Of Friend

Romans 8:28

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

... Lesson: We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Good morning, boys and girls. Do you know what this is? (Hold up wedding ring.) That's right. This is a ring -- a very special kind of ring. What kind of ring do you think this is? (Let them guess.) This is a wedding ring. Why is a wedding ring so special, boys and girls? (Let them answer.) That's right. A wedding ring says that this person is very important to someone else. One person has ...

36. What Kind Of Love?

1 John 4:7-21

Sermon

John N. Brittain

... . As a rule I don't know what about the couples I marry is unlovable -- and I'm happy that way! But I am sure that there is something in each of them as there is in all of us that can be loved only by patience, kindness, forbearance, forgiveness, and grace -- by Divine gift-love -- by all those things mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13. "Beloved, let us love one another," our modern translations of 1 John read. They could equally well say, "Let us love amongst ourselves," awkward grammar, but a good thought. A ...

37. Another Kind Of Success

6-16, 2 Samuel 5:1-5

Sermon

Arthur H. Kolsti

... splash with a palatial house, designer clothes, a fancy stable, and a retinue of servants. The rich man would go on to amass more wealth and power. But that's not the way the versions of Jesus go. These are kingdom stories and the burden of these stories is another kind of wealth and another kind of success -- making it big as a human being in whatever circle we walk, large or small.

38. God’s Kind of King

Jeremiah 23:1-8

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... is not like other kings, however. He is not just another king. He is different. He is not only king but King of kings. He is not like the ancient Egyptian king, Rameses, whose arrogant motto was inscribed on temples still standing, “I am the greatest.” Jesus is not the kind of king, a savage tyrant, like the king of China who used millions of slaves to build the great wall of China, a wall so huge that it can be seen from the moon. He was not a king like Louis XIV, who lived in excessive luxury in his ...

39. A Special Kind of Kiss

2 Corinthians 13:12

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

... . That is the very special gift that I was talking about this morning. In the Bible St. Paul talked about a "holy kiss". It was a kiss that was made holy because it was a special sign between Christians that showed a new kind of love. I hope that you won't mind if I show you what kind of a kiss that was. [Take one of the children whom you feel will not be embarrassed and kiss him/her gently on the cheek.] This is the way that Christians in the early church greeted each other. It was a kiss that ...

40. The Kind of People Whom God Chooses

Luke 5:1-11

Sermon

William G. Carter

... ’t talk so good.” Mary said, “I am only a woman.” God never hears any new excuses. Simon Peter pulled in a load of fish, and said, “Lord, get out of here. I can’t handle this. It is too much for me to take in. I am not the kind of person who can handle such generosity. I am not good enough to have you in my boat.” Call him, if you will, the patron saint of inadequacy. Simon Peter stands in a long biblical tradition. These days, the church still squabbles about who is good enough to serve the ...

41. The Long Reach of an Act of Kindness

Matthew 25:31-46

Illustration

Richard J. Fairchild

... called him into his office and showed him a letter he had just received. The letter was from the elderly man whom my father had met on the train, and it contained a check for $518 to cover Dad's tuition and living expenses for one full year." The kindness of an unknown friend made all the difference in the life of Alex Haley's father, Alex Haley himself, and every succeeding generation of that family. As a person who has been in just a minor degree of need, I know what the acts of love and care performed ...

42. What Kind of a Kingdom has Jesus?

John 18:33-37

Illustration

Andrew Daughters

What kind of a Kingdom has Jesus? No castle nor palace has he. No congress nor parliament sitting, deciding what laws there will be. Perhaps he has need of but two laws: Love ... befit our supreme arbiter. Jesus said that his kingdom was really not what Pilate had thought it had been. It was not of this world. And its glory was not of the kind to be seen. For those of us here in his kingdom, there is one other thing we have known: of the kingdoms around in his lifetime, it's the only one left with a throne.

43. The Right Kind of Power

John 14:23-29

Illustration

Robert Allen

... we know it on this planet, but if the purpose is to cleanse our hearts of hate and to help people to find their way to peace with God and with each other, then the atomic bomb is not the kind of power that is needed. The power that is needed is the power to accomplish a purpose. This is the kind of power that Jesus claims. He does not claim a power of coercion, but the power of persuasion. He does not claim a power of force, but a power of devotion from within. He does not claim a dictatorial power ...

44. Be Kind!

Luke 10:25-37

Illustration

Ann Landers

Columnist Ann Landers once wrote, "Be kind to people. The world needs kindness so much. You never know what sort of battles other people are fighting. Often just a soft word or a warm compliment can be immensely supportive. You can do a great deal of good by just being considerate, by extending a little friendship, going out of your way to do just one nice thing, or saying one good word." Being civil to one another is the least we can do. Every major religion or philosophy acknowledges that.

45. Three Kinds of Givers

Luke 12:13-21

Illustration

Keith Wagner

... of givers: the flint, the sponge, and the honeycomb. Which kind are you? To get anything from the flint, you must hammer it. Yet, all you get are chips and sparks. The flint gives nothing away if it can help it, and even then only with a great display. To get anything from the sponge, you must squeeze it. It readily ...

46. Two Kinds of Preaching

1 Cor. 9:22; John 1:1-18

Illustration

Scott Hoezee

... enough, everyone in the world will be able to understand us. It doesn't work that way. The only language people understand is their own. We need to be sure that when we talk to people about God, it is in speech they can comprehend. The other kind of preaching that fails to connect, Buechner says, is "algebraic preaching." x + y = z is a pretty typical algebra formula. If you know what number is represented by just the "y" of that problem, you know a little something but still won't likely solve the whole ...

47. We’re Kind of Stupid That Way

Matthew 4:1-11

Illustration

Brett Younger

... replies, "They like tuna fish, huh?" As Calvin walks off, he says, "Tigers will do anything for a tuna fish sandwich!" The final frame shows Hobbes, hanging by his foot from a tree, munching on a tuna fish sandwich. He says to no one in particular, "We're kind of stupid that way." Every day we are tempted, even by traps we design ourselves. And we fall we become less than we can be. Without giving it much thought, we choose what's easiest. We seldom consider how much more is possible. We take tuna fish when ...

48. Little Acts of Kindness

Matthew 25:31-46

Illustration

Philip W. McLarty

... Carney wrote these words in the mid-19th Century. They still speak to us today: Little drops of water, little grains of sand, make the mighty ocean and the beauteous land. And the little moments, humble though they may be, make the mighty ages of eternity. Little deeds of kindness, little words of love, make our earth an Eden, like the heaven above. I like to think it's the little acts of kindness that often go unnoticed that have the best chance of transforming the world around us into the kingdom of God.

49. Two Kinds of Wisdom

James 3:13-18, James 3:1-12

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... lake of fire. 3:7–8 Having said some rather strong things about the tongue, James now turns to arguing his case in detail. His main point will be that the tongue, that is, human speech, is hopelessly evil. He begins with an analogy from nature: “All kinds of species are being tamed and have been tamed by humans.” He is not arguing scientifically: It would not bother him to learn that no one had yet tamed a rhinoceros or that in his day killer whales still lacked human contact; nor is James concerned ...

50. A Supremely Kind Man

Illustration

William Barclay

... wife, he had moved to London and had rented a room at the Central YMCA. When he retired, he began helping out in every possible way--collecting letters, going out for stamps, running errands, buying Sunday papers for staff members. But more than that, he was doing all sorts of kindnesses that most people knew nothing about until after he had died and they began sharing stories. Dr. Barclay describes Oliver as a “supremely happy man,” “a supremely useful man,” and “a supremely ...

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Antonyms: deficient, imperfect

Showing 26 to 50 of 4999 results

26. The Third Kind of Love

Luke 10:25-37

Sermon

James W. Moore

27. What Kind of Vote Would Jesus Get?

Mark 15:1-15

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

28. A New Kind of Authority

Acts 9:1-19a

Sermon

King Duncan

29. A Spooky Kind of Love

1 Samuel 28:1-25, Matthew 28:11-15

Sermon

Lori Wagner

30. The Kind Neighbor

Illustration

Maxie Dunnam

31. A Different Kind of Meeting

Matthew 18:15-20

Illustration

Staff

32. Two Kinds of Belief

John 1:43-51

Illustration

Roger Lovette

33. God’s Kind of Happiness

Matthew 5:1-12

Illustration

John Thomas Randolph

34. What Kind of Pillar Are You?

Matthew 5:13-16

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

35. A Special Kind Of Friend

Romans 8:28

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

36. What Kind Of Love?

1 John 4:7-21

Sermon

John N. Brittain

37. Another Kind Of Success

6-16, 2 Samuel 5:1-5

Sermon

Arthur H. Kolsti

38. God’s Kind of King

Jeremiah 23:1-8

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

39. A Special Kind of Kiss

2 Corinthians 13:12

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

40. The Kind of People Whom God Chooses

Luke 5:1-11

Sermon

William G. Carter

41. The Long Reach of an Act of Kindness

Matthew 25:31-46

Illustration

Richard J. Fairchild

42. What Kind of a Kingdom has Jesus?

John 18:33-37

Illustration

Andrew Daughters

43. The Right Kind of Power

John 14:23-29

Illustration

Robert Allen

44. Be Kind!

Luke 10:25-37

Illustration

Ann Landers

45. Three Kinds of Givers

Luke 12:13-21

Illustration

Keith Wagner

46. Two Kinds of Preaching

1 Cor. 9:22; John 1:1-18

Illustration

Scott Hoezee

47. We’re Kind of Stupid That Way

Matthew 4:1-11

Illustration

Brett Younger

48. Little Acts of Kindness

Matthew 25:31-46

Illustration

Philip W. McLarty

49. Two Kinds of Wisdom

James 3:13-18, James 3:1-12

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

50. A Supremely Kind Man

Illustration

William Barclay

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