Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 26 to 50 of 208 results

Sermon

Alton F. Wedel

Decisions! Decisions! Decisions! Life seems to be one long succession of decisions - • some of them of small significance that could go either way without upsetting anything; • others of a knotty nature that defy a simple choice and may well be life-changing in their consequence; • some of no more hurt than being left outside the candy store, looking in; • others that can mean the difference betwe...

27. The Benefits of Wisdom

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

With Proverbs 2, the parental speaker begins a positive recommendation of wisdom, which encompasses three lengthy exhortations (chaps. 2–4). Proverbs 2 lays the foundation, describing the source and primary benefits of wisdom, while chapters 3–4 offer more detailed descriptions of the values of wise behavior. One striking emphasis in Proverbs 2 is the acquisition of wisdom as the result of both in...

28. Moral Benefits of Wisdom

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

This chapter is a parade example of a wisdom poem, an instruction in 22 verses (the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet). Moreover, it is tightly structured with six strophes: 4, 4, 3 and 4, 4, 3 verses. Each strophe has opening words that are flags, or signs. ʾAlep (the first Hebrew letter) opens verse 1 (after the customary “my son”) and closes verse 4. This conditional strophe (or structur...

29. Proper 18

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

First Lesson: Proverbs 2:1-8 Theme: God as the source of wisdom and knowledge Exegetical Note The fatherly advice in this proverb is to seek out knowledge relentlessly, not as a secular pursuit, but as a religious quest, since all wisdom has its source in God. Also notable here is the connection between wisdom and morality: wisdom is for the upright, those who have integrity and who guard justic...

30. Further Benefits of Wisdom

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Chapter 3 continues the positive recommendation of wisdom. Based on thematic development, the chapter can be subdivided into four subsections: 3:1–4, 5–12, 13–26, 27–35. Verses 1–4 set forth additional advantages of preserving wisdom instruction. The words “teaching” and “commands” (Hebrew torah and mitsvah, 3:1, also in 6:20, 23; 7:2) are commonly paired with reference to Mosaic law (cf. Exod. 24...

31. Pop Verses: Proverbs 3:5-6

Sermon

Charley Reeb

Today I conclude our series “Pop Verses.” I hope it has been a useful and inspiring series for you. For the last few weeks we have looked closer at some of the most popular Bible verses. We have discovered why they are so popular and how they apply to our lives. If I did not cover your favorite verse or passage, email me and let me know. I have a feeling I will do a sequel to this series. So, if ...

32. Further Benefits of Wisdom

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

3:1–2 The NIV wisely prints verses 1–12 as couplets of two verses, with the second verse of each couplet providing some kind of motivation. Thus the command in verse 1 is followed by a promise of long life and prosperity, which is the ideal goal envisioned by the wise. It has been said that the kerygma of the book of Proverbs is life (cf. Murphy, “Kerygma”). The teaching of the sage is further exp...

33. Our Days Are In His Hands

Children's Sermon

Robert B. Lantz

Object: Yearly calendar cards Lesson: Length of days and years in life. Happy New Year! That's an appropriate greeting for this time of year, isn't it, boys and girls? We all want to look forward with anticipation of happiness for ourselves and for others as well. Why do we have a New Year's Day holiday? (Responses may vary greatly. Aim for the idea of marking new beginnings, at least in our ti...

34. Treasures

Children's Sermon

Mark A. Hultquist

Object: A jewelry box. Text: Proverbs 3:1-2 - My son, do not forget my teachings, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years, and will bring you prosperity. Do you have some toys and other things that are very important to you? I don't mean the things you play with every day, but things that are extra special ... that you perhaps can only use on special occasi...

35. In God We Trust

Sermon

James Merritt

At first glance, I thought it was a great victory. The past week a Federal Appeals Court ruled that the phrase "In God We Trust" on a government building, does not violate the separation of church and state. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Richmond, Virginia, ruled on May 13th that the national motto may remain on the facade of a county government building in Lexington, North Carolin...

36. What Do You Want To Be Like When You Are 65?

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

There is a classic story of a Russian countess who sits in the theater on a cold, winter night. Her emotions are played upon by the sad scene depicted on stage -- so much so that she sheds copious tears. Meanwhile, outside, her coachman is shivering in the cold as he awaits to take her home. She allows the emotion of pity to be excited by an imaginary scene, but refuses to allow pity to play on th...

37. Fiscal Fitness

Sermon

James Merritt

"The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat." Jane Wagner, "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe"[1] You would expect that the richest man who ever lived would have something to say about money, and, in Solomon's case, you would be right. He has plenty to say. There is a wealth of wisdom about wealth in Proverbs. With money, there is not only mu...

38. You Can Know What to Do With Your Life

Sermon

James Merritt

Two hundred years ago, banks invented checks so they could transfer money between company accounts and between banks themselves without actually having to risk moving large sums of cash. Eventually, someone came up with the idea of allowing individuals to use checks so they, too, could forego carrying large amounts of cash on their person that they could either lose or someone could rob. People b...

39. The Virtue Of Self-Management

Sermon Aid

Clement E. Lewis

Words Of Preparation from Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek the Lord while he may be found,call upon him while he is near,let the wicked forsake his way,and the unrighteous their thoughts;let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them,And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. A Prayer Of Preparation (May be offered in unison) Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and ...

40. Why You Should Trust In God

Sermon

James Merritt

Have you ever wondered "Why people ask why?" Here are some "Why?" questions that I think are worth asking. Why are there Interstate highways in Hawaii? Why are there floatation devices under plane seats instead of parachutes? If a 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors? Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM? Why do we drive on p...

41. Kill Them with Kindness

Sermon

James Merritt

One of the advantages of growing older and getting a few more years under your belt is the opportunity to learn. In fact, I really believe if you're not learning, you are really not living. The day you quit learning or the day you lose your desire to continue learning, your life basically is over. The longer you live, the more you can learn. One of my goals in life is to try and learn something n...

42. Figuring The Answers

Children's Sermon

Teresa L. Major

Concept: A calculator can help us figure out math problems, but some things cannot be figured out. We believe them even though we don't understand them or have the answers. Preparation: A hand-held calculator. Have you ever used a calculator? You punch in a problem and the calculator figures the answer for you. Kind of neat, huh? Let's give it a try. 23 + 12. (Put in the problem.) Boom, the calc...

43. Wisdom is Supreme

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Proverbs 4, which concludes the positive commendation of wisdom, consists of three instructions, each of which begins with a direct address (4:1, 10, 20). In 4:1–9, which utilizes several terms from the preceding section, the father passes on counsel from his own father that is marked by another metaphorical presentation of wisdom as a woman. Verse 1 uses “my sons” rather than “my son” for the fir...

44. Wisdom is Supreme

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

4:1–9 This section is noteworthy because the sage repeats verbatim (vv. 4–9) his own father’s exhortation which personifies Wisdom as a woman to be possessed and embraced (the erotic language of 3:18 is intensified in 4:5–8). My sons (not “my son”) are addressed, as in 5:7; 7:24; 8:32. The call for attention is motivated by the promise of sound learning in verse 2 and the urgency is increased by t...

45. Blessed Are The Focused - Father's Day

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

This is Father's Day weekend when Dads are complimented, pampered, and given gifts. One little boy gave an interesting description of Father' Day. He said, "Father's Day is just like Mother's Day; only you don't spend as much on a present." This is a tough time to be a parent because of all the competing claims on our time, energy, and money. The typical parent, mother or father, could be respond...

46. This Is Not a Race

Illustration

Bill Bouknight

Clovis Chappell, a great preacher of a previous generation, used to tell the story of two paddleboat steamers. They left Memphis about the same time, traveling down the River to New Orleans. As they traveled side by side, crew members made disparaging remarks about the slowness of the other boat. Words were exchanged. Challenges were made. And the race began. The competition was keen as the boats...

47. Too Close To The Edge

Children's Sermon

Teresa L. Major

Concept: It's a lot smarter to stay as far away from trouble as you can, rather than trying to see how close you can get to it without getting hurt. Preparation: None. I have a story for you today. There was once a king who was searching for the perfect husband for his daughter. The king was like any father. He wanted his daughter's husband to take care of her, love her, and protect her. Finall...

48. The Shortest Distance

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

Purpose: To encourage children to stick with a task until it is finished. Materials: Two pencils or sticks and a piece of string; the ends of which are tied to the two sticks. Lesson: With the help of these two pencils (or sticks) and this piece of string tied between them, we can see proof of the fact that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. The length of the cord is fi...

49. Warnings Against Folly, Especially Sexual Infidelity

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Proverbs 5–7 forms the second major section of the prologue. Whereas the lessons in chapters 2–4 primarily involve the commendation of wisdom and its benefits, those in 5–7 offer warnings against folly (i.e., against harmful relationships) and its consequences, especially involvement with “the loose woman.” Instruction regarding sexual issues (5:3–6, 8–20; 6:24–35; 7:16–19) is supplemented by ethi...

50. Warning Against Adultery

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

This chapter picks up the theme of sex and adultery (mentioned briefly in 2:16–19) and, except for the puzzling interruption in 6:1–19, this topic continues into chapter 7. Such emphasis is striking in view of the fact that there are only very few sayings concerning this subject in chapters 10–31. Is there another level of meaning indicated here? Is the “strange woman” also a symbol? 5:1–6 The te...

Showing 26 to 50 of 208 results