Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: Levi, disciple, evangelist, tax collector, the 12, the twelve, apostle, sermon on the mount, jewish audience, beatitudes, lord's prayer, great commission, parables, olivet discourse, mount of olives, olivet, synoptic

Showing 601 to 625 of 4968 results

601. Fake News vs. Fantastic Good News

Luke 24:13-35

Sermon

King Duncan

... of the Jews, his gruesome death and the disappearance of his body. Everyone’s talking about it! And that brings me to our second point this morning: sometimes it is in our time of loss that we become aware of God’s larger vision for His world. These disciples still saw Jesus as a prophetic leader, not as the Messiah and King of Kings. They had hoped that Jesus would be the one to return the throne to Jerusalem. Now their hopes were destroyed. They were holding on to their vision of God’s plan for the ...

602. A Robot in the Pulpit

John 14:15-31

Sermon

King Duncan

... follows you, it doesn’t mean they love you. It doesn’t mean they will carry on your work when you’re not there. How do you tell the difference? This was Jesus’ last major rallying cry before his arrest and crucifixion. He needed to know which of his disciples would tough it out and follow his example, and which ones would give up and walk away. Which ones would fall on their sword for him and which ones would fall to pieces. And that’s a question we have to answer in the church today. It’s so ...

603. Faking It or Making It?

Matthew 16:21-28

Sermon

King Duncan

... one’s self to God is the first step in an authentic new life. Does God rule your life or are you, like Phil, simply faking it? But there is a second step to a new life and it is even more challenging. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross . . .” We’ve heard that command all our lives, but what does it mean “take up your cross”? One thing it will mean for many of us is that we will have to give up our addiction to a life of comfort. There ...

604. No Turning Back

John 6:56-69

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

... ’re following Jesus? Sometimes it takes a crisis, a barrier put up by the world, or by other believers, a temptation by Satan, or just proclaiming our belief when others turn away, before we are truly the church. We can say we believe in Jesus, but being a disciple, being the presence of Jesus in a hurting world, and trusting Jesus, is a lot harder. Yet it is worth doing the things that are hard. Besides, as Peter says, where else can we go? Earlier we gave thought to some people referring to the manna in ...

605. Christ’s Call to Discipleship

Luke 5:1-11

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

... us, but we are too often reluctant and sometimes unwilling to do it. Following Christ in obedience is to walk along behind, watch, and observe. As we follow we have determined to learn from him by gathering strength, courage, information and desire. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “The disciple simply burns his boats and goes ahead. He is called out, and has to forsake his old life in order that he may ‘exist’ in the strictest sense of the word. The old life is left behind and completely surrendered. The ...

606. When the Doors Were Shut

John 20:19-31

Sermon

King Duncan

... you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Friends, he's talking about us. We were not there to witness Christ’s resurrection, but one of the reasons we believe is the testimony of people like Thomas who, like the other disciples, gave his life for his belief in Christ’s resurrection. Do you know how Thomas’ story ends? Do you know where he died? He died in India, of all places. He became the apostle to the people of India. He brought the gospel of Christ to that ...

607. A Violent Week

Mark 14:1-2 · Luke 22:14-23:56

Sermon

Will Willimon

... 's a curious conversation. Why would Jesus be asking them to buy swords? It's made all the more strange by what happens a short time later when they go out and are met by Judas, the High Priest, and soldiers who have come to arrest Jesus. One of the disciples draws his sword and cuts off a piece of one of the aggressor's ears. Jesus rebukes him in the strongest possible way: No more of this! And he touched and healed the ear. And he said to his attackers, "This is your hour, and the power of darkness." What ...

608. Divine Things

Mark 8:31-38

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... God has in store for us. We are spiritually “all in.” We have put ourselves aside and our ears are pealed for God’s direction. Today, as we contemplate our role in God’s mission during this second week of Lent, let us focus on “making ourselves ready.” As disciples of Jesus in mission to the world, we may not like what God calls us to do. It may scare us. It may challenge us. But it may grow us too. But our answer to Jesus must always be….hineni. I am ready. Get ready people of God –for the ...

609. Which Kingdom Do We Serve?

Mark 6:14-29

Sermon

David Coffin

... gospel allows us to write our own chapter ending of our discipleship journey. Will we meet Jesus to do more mission wherever we identify a Galilee or will we simply live in fear? The good news is God gives us many second chances, even if we fail like the disciples did in Mark’s gospel. The other good news is that the Herodias’ and King Herod’s need not have the last word in our lives if we serve the kingdom of God that John and Jesus preached. In modern terms being told, “You’re fired!” need not ...

610. Gathered Around Jesus

Mark 6:30-34; 53-56

Sermon

David Coffin

... our roof in many forms and now in many age groups. The teachings such as the Ten Commandments and Sabbath command are given to us as a way of living out a better and more harmonious community life — they not meant to be a burden. Jesus rested as did his disciples. There is a time to stand back and ask why we are doing what we are doing as a Christian, church, and community organization. What are we willing to die on the cross for as Jesus would for the sins of humanity? When is it time to get into the ...

611. The Legacy

Mark 9:30-37

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... to us not only the presence of women and children in Jesus’ presence and discipleship group but that he saw them as worthy, honorable, and an important part of his life and mission. Imagine the pride of that child! In that moment, Jesus not only taught his disciples a lesson about leadership. He changed that child’s life. Still today, many in our churches look at children as those who aren’t “as mature as we are,” who don’t know how yet to “behave” as we think they should, as those who haven ...

612. The Spice of Death

Sermon

Harry N. Huxhold

... an act it was. The ones who took charge of the burial certainly knew that Hebrew tradition allowed that the worst of criminals and poorest of citizens should have a decent burial. However, they attended to Jesus at great risk. Joseph of Arimathea is described as "a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews." Nicodemus is remembered as the one "who at first had come to Jesus by night." Nicodemus is remembered elsewhere by the evangelist John as a leader of the Jews (3:1-15) and ...

613. Advent 1

Luke 21:5-38, 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Jeremiah 33:1-26, Psalm 25:1-22

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... he prays that their hearts may be strengthened in holiness and that they may be found blameless at the return of Christ. Gospel. (Luke 21:25-36) The parable of the budding fig tree is embedded in a warning about apocalyptic events that are to come. His disciples should be alert and on their guard for these cataclysmic occurrences. Psalm. (Psalm 25:1-10) The psalmist offers a prayer for divine guidance. He does not want to give his enemies a chance to gloat over his failures. He looks to God's mercy and love ...

614. Proper 22

Luke 17:1-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-2:13, Lamentations 1:1-22, Psalm 137:1-9

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... to do this and the slave does it. Matthew 10:24-25 -- A slave is not above his master. In Luke 6:40 this becomes a disciple is not above his master. In John 13:15 and 15:20, servants are not above their masters. Matthew 18:26-33 -- The parable of the ... question by saying that the slave would only acknowledge that everything he had done is what is expected to be done. Thesis: The faithful disciple will do as the Lord expects him to do. Theme: Christians will do the will of God as if they are obedient slaves. ...

615. So Much To Say, So Little Time

John 16:5-16

Sermon

Alexander H. Wales

... . We have to be fairly smug if we believe that we are somehow going to stop his message from getting through to us. Jesus has so much to say and we have so little time to listen to all that he wants to teach us. It was true with the disciples. It continues to be true with us. We intend to listen. We are determined to be faithful followers. But the moment we hear his voice, we begin to get anxious. His words pour down upon us like a shower, and we worry about getting wet rather than seeking to understand ...

616. Sermons

Sermon

John R. Bodo

... did not come to explain why God behaved this way or that way. Jesus came to reveal the love of God in action, by his perfect life and willing death. The explanations he was ready to leave to the professionals. A Person The Pharisees, then, and even the disciples, saw in the man born blind a case, a human peg on which to hang a doctrine, perhaps even a doctoral dissertation. But Jesus saw the man as a person, a suffering, defeated person who was appealing to him for help. For Jesus never saw people as cases ...

617. Proper 8

Luke 9:57-62, Galatians 5:16-26, 2 Kings 2:1-18, Luke 9:51-56

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... follower. The sermon needs to show how it is possible to be totally committed to Christ in the midst of daily claims for our allegiance. Outline: Like Jesus, a Christian a. Knows where he is going v. 51. b. Knows what he must do vv. 51, 52. Jesus sends his disciples ahead to prepare the people for his coming. He wants to teach, preach, and heal, to bring the Kingdom to these people. c. Knows why he is going v. 51. "When the days drew near for him to be received up." The time is short; his days are numbered ...

618. The Man From Galilee II: The Transformation Of His Call

Matthew 4:18-22

Sermon

Thomas A. Pilgrim

... to him, "From now on you are Thomas." I do not know what happened after that, who the truck driver was, or what this might have meant to him. But can you imagine what it might mean to you to hear the words, "From now on you are a disciple"? Those words transformed the fishermen. And those words have transformed us as well. May all of us continue in the transformation as we give our lives to Him who said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 1. William Barclay, The Mind of Jesus (Harper & Row ...

619. With Our Heads In The Clouds

Mark 9:2-13

Sermon

John A. Stroman

... you. For many, prayer is the last resort, when it ought to be the first. If we could only learn to speak to God in prayer, before we speak to others, how different and more meaningful life would be. Keeping Alert In Luke's account, Jesus prayed but the disciples slept. They had fallen asleep. With their heads in the clouds, they drifted off into an unconscious state. Remember the story of Rip Van Winkle? He fell asleep one day in a quiet spot on the banks of the Hudson River and he didn't wake up for twenty ...

620. What Does Jesus Expect of Us?

Mark 8:27-38

Sermon

Donald Macleod

... , when they accepted it, they found, through him, the only way to live. 2. Jesus expects us to carry his lifestyle into our own calling. One of the unique characteristics of Jesus' lifestyle was the investing of his life into the training of the twelve disciples. The impact of his mission depended upon their catching his vision and kindling in them a similar enthusiasm. This was to be the seed of the church, namely, a person such as Peter catching the vision and confessing Jesus as Lord. Wherever this was ...

621. Jesus: An Extension Cord

John 20:19-23

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

... cord is like? (Let them answer.) Good. Now I am going to plug the extension cord in the outlet and then I plug the lamp into the extension cord. Now it reaches and we have light where we want it. Jesus is like an extension cord. Jesus reaches the disciples with the word that the Heavenly Father wants to share with them. Just like the electricity flows through the extension cord so does the word of God flow through the person of Jesus. Jesus thought of himself in exactly that way. He knew that he had come to ...

622. Jesus In Gethsemane"Jesus -- Misunderstood And Alone"

Psalm 49:1-20, Mark 14:32-42

Sermon

R. Sheldon MacKenzie

... everywhere to be aware of what is happening all around us. And a call to recognize as our source of strength a life of prayer. This means, surely, that in our day the greatest responsibility rests on those of us who belong to his band of disciples. You are like James and John, and I am like Peter in that we have given publicly lifetime pledges of loyalty and commitment to Christ. He has found us sleeping, when we ought to have been watchful and careful of all the distractions on our loyalty to him. He ...

623. Act III, Scene 2

John 21:1-14

Sermon

John M. Braaten

... may appear before you at any time; in whatever situation you may find yourself, I am never far from you." For 40 days the disciples experienced the ever-possible presence of the Lord, so that even when he was not visible it felt as though he were there. ... Jesus' promise of presence was not meant only for his friends in the dim and dusty past. His promise was intended for all of his disciples in all times and places. It was meant also for you and me. True, he doesn't materialize in front of us, but we sense ...

624. Matthias · A Second Choice

Acts 1:21-26

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

... for Jesus. It was amazing how unafraid they were when they felt the presence of God. This was just the beginning. The apostles of Jesus held a meeting and decided that they must go not only back to work, but they also decided where they must work and what each disciple was going to do. One of the first things they had to do was find a replacement for Judas. This person, they decided, had to be someone who had seen a lot of the wonderful things that Jesus had done. They had the names of two people who fit ...

625. A Good Thing To Know

Luke 19:11-27

Sermon

Theodore F. Schneider

... least have covered himself with a minimum usefulness. His mind had not been much on the king or on the king's business. Isn't it so! So, too, it seems to be with many who accept the title of "Christian." They have little intention of becoming disciples. Therefore, there are important lessons to be learned here. 1. Everyone is gifted in the kingdom. Paul writes: "to each is given the manifestation of the spirit for the common good." At baptism, each of us becomes a servant of the king, and we are given gifts ...

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