Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 601 to 625 of 4508 results

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS The themes of sin and death that were central to Ash Wednesday are carried over into the First Sunday in Lent. These themes, however, are explored somewhat differently. Rather than a prophetic announcement of divine judgment against the people of God in the form of the Day of the Lord, as was the case in Joel 2, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 explores the consequences of sin for al...

602. Shiny Objects

Sermon

King Duncan & Angela Akers

Have you ever heard of Shiny Object Syndrome? Many of us may suffer from this syndrome and we don’t even know what it is. Shiny Object Syndrome is the desire to constantly chase new trends, to try whatever new thing comes along in technology, or management techniques, or fashion or food. There’s nothing wrong with jumping on new trends. It’s good to be open to change. But you know you have Shiny O...

603. In the Wilderness

Sermon

April Yamasaki

In Hannah Hurnard’s classic allegory, Hinds’ Feet on High Places, little Much-Afraid leaves her home in the Valley to journey to the High Places at the invitation of the Great Shepherd. In the High Places she would finally be delivered from all her fears, her crooked feet made straight, and she would be transformed into Grace and Glory. As she travels, she passes through lovely meadows filled with...

604. Faith or Folly

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.” Ecclesiastes 10:1 “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.” Matthew 4:10 Imagine you are a vineyard owner preparing a scrumptious feast for a party for esteemed guests. You’ve gone to a great deal of preparation, and you’re just about ready to serve. You’ve brought out your best, swe...

605. The Temptation Of His Life

Sermon

Thomas A. Pilgrim

Robert Penn Warren wrote a novel called All The King's Men. It was the story of a governor of Louisiana and his rise to power. His name was Willie Stark. At the end of his story he is shot down dead.1 Here was a man who gained a kingdom and lost all he ever had. Two thousand years earlier a man from Galilee said, "What would it profit a man if he gained the whole world and lost his soul?" Perhaps...

606. Turning Away from Temptation

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: A book of matches or enough for all the children with the match heads removed. Well, here we are at the last Sunday in February and it seems as if the month only started. This week was the birthday of a very famous man. Do you know who it was? (Wait for them to say George Washington) Does anyone know anything about George Washington? (See if you can get the story of the hatchet out of the...

607. Where the Scary Things Live

Sermon

Johnny Dean

When I was a child, I had a unique way of positioning myself for sleep. I would lie on my stomach (and it was much easier to do that way back then, when my stomach was flat instead of round, as it is now). And I would make sure that no part of my body – not an arm or a leg or an elbow or a kneecap or a finger or even one little toe – was hanging over the edge of the bed. I did that to make sure th...

608. Transition to Jesus’ Public Ministry

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

Big Idea: Anticipating Jesus’ public Galilean ministry, Matthew affirms Jesus as the bringer of restoration to Israel in line with Isaiah’s hopes and intimates the inclusion of Gentiles. Understanding the Text This passage (4:12–16) transitions between Matthew’s introduction of Jesus’ identity (1:1–4:11) and Jesus’ Galilean ministry to Israel (4:17–16:20). In it, Matthew connects an Isaiah prophec...

609. A New Possibility

Sermon

James L. Killen

Something new, exciting, and promising is about to happen. God is about to put a new possibility before you. Get ready. That is a summary of what Jesus meant when he said, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." That is very important, because it is the heart of the message that Jesus came to bring to you and to all people. The passage of scripture we have just read marks a turning poi...

610. Transition to Jesus’s Public Ministry

One Volume

Jesus’s return to Galilee comes on the heels of news about John’s imprisonment. With John’s preparatory work accomplished, Matthew shows Jesus moving from Nazareth to Capernaum, on the sea (or lake) of Galilee, to begin his public ministry (4:17–16:20; cf. 8:5). Matthew includes another fulfillment quotation in 4:14–16. The connection between Isaiah 9:1–2 and Matthew 4:12 on the plot level focuses...

611. Jesus Begins to Preach

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

4:12–16 The imprisonment of John the Baptist marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee. In chapter 11 Matthew tells of John’s concern while in prison regarding the messiahship of Jesus (vv. 1–6), and in chapter 14 he records John’s death at the request of Herodias (vv. 1–12). Jesus’ return to Galilee was in no way a flight from danger, as some have suggested because of the way the G...

612. Caught Up In A Dream

Sermon

King Duncan

A few years back there was a movie titled, Tucker. It's the story of a man who tried to fight the Detroit automobile industry by attempting to introduce a car named after himself. In one scene, Tucker is talking about how his mother came from the old country. She was Italian and had a very heavy accent. Tucker remembered that for years when he was young she said to him, "Don't get too close to peo...

613. A Great Flashlight

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

Exegetical Aim: To convey the images of darkness (sin) and light (Gospel of Christ) and that the church has been given the source of that great light. Props: A long flashlight that holds many batteries. Pass out the batteries among the congregation. Lesson: What do I have in my hand? (response) Have you ever seen a flashlight this long before? (response) Hand the flashlight to several kids so th...

614. Prayer

Bulletin Aid

"Follow the leader" A fun game for kids A necessary style in narrow places A way to get somewhere safely, But sometimes frustrating! What if the leader doesn't go where I want? What if the leader is too slow Or too fast? Too cautious Or too impetuous? What if I don't trust the leader? What if I don't like her? Who elected him leader anyway? And when is it my turn to lead? Who is the leader, any...

615. Called To Be In Mission

Bulletin Aid

Call to Worship Pastor: Jesus began his ministry by calling disciples to follow him and be in mission for him. People: Jesus is still calling disciples to carry out his mission in the world. Pastor: Our mission is an all inclusive mission to share Christ with our world. People: We have good news to tell! We pray that we will miss no one as we share Christ's message. Collect Most holy God, whose S...

616. Repent Before the Light

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call To Worship Leader: Let us gather today for worship all who would worship the Lord! People: Let us sing the songs of gladness for the world has been given a Savior. Leader: For we were lost and the Good Shepherd has found and redeemed us. People: We were in darkness and the Lord has given us a blessed Light. Leader: Then let us all proclaim again our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. All: Blesse...

617. Epiphany 3

Bulletin Aid

First Lesson: Isaiah 9:1-4 Theme: Jesus' ministry brings light to those in darkness Call to Worship Pastor: Jesus began his ministry in Galilee as God's Servant, bringing light to those in darkness. People: Isaiah had prophesied that Galilee would be filled with God's glory. That certainly came true in Jesus. Pastor: Jesus' mission began in Galilee, but continues to reach out to all generations,...

618. Epiphany 3

Bulletin Aid

Theme: Calling for repentance for a Reign that is coming Exegetical note Matthew's rendition of the beginning of Jesus' ministry agrees with the other Synoptic Gospels in identifying Galilee as the point of departure. But his distinctive connection with "the Galilee of the Gentiles" of Isaiah 9:1-2 is probably intended to underscore the universality of Jesus' mission, of which Matthew here offers...

619. Epiphany 3

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

Gospel Notes Matthew's rendition of the beginning of Jesus' ministry agrees with the other Synoptic Gospels in identifying Galilee as the point of departure. But his distinctive connection with "the Galilee of the Gentiles" of Isaiah 9:1-2 is probably intended to underscore the universality of Jesus' mission, of which Matthew here offers a compendium: preaching the nearness of the coming Reign of ...

620. Epiphany 3

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Isaiah 8:23-9:3 In the darkness of conquest, a light is seen bringing great joy. Today's Lesson is in part a repeat of Christmas Day. Then it was used as a fulfilled prophecy of the birth of the Messiah-king. Here it is used as fulfillment of the glorious time for the land, "Galilee of the nations." Matthew, in today's Gospel, sees the start of Jesus' ministry in Galilee...

621. Epiphany 3

Bulletin Aid

Liturgical Color: Green Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23 Theme: The essence of Jesus' message - "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." (Matthew 3:2; 4:17, R.S.V) Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration One pastor began this way: He welcomed them to the season of Epiphany, with a brief explanation. He followed with this "declaration of joy" between pastor and ministers: Pastor: Come, let's celeb...

622. Epiphany 3

Sermon Aid

THEOLOGICAL CLUE The liturgical/homiletical clue provided for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany combines manifestation and ministry within the overall Christmas Cycle clues of incarnation and Parousia. Jesus comes as the light of the world in his ministry. As the Epiphany Season progresses, however, some of the sharpness of definition is lost, not so much because the theological framework of th...

623. The Call of the Disciples - James, A Fisher of Men

Drama

Thomas Blowers

A Dramatic Monologue My name is James and I was one of the twelve selected by Jesus to follow him. I still remember the first time I saw him. I looked down the shore of the lake down to where Simon and Andrew were fishing and I saw a stranger approach. Usually Dad, my younger brother, and I were first to reach the shore of the lake to begin a day of fishing, but for some reason that morning Simo...

624. To Climb A Mountain

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme: As the disciples learned, following Jesus is not easy, but it is rewarding. Summary: Three climbers seek a guide for the difficult climb up a mountain. They reach the summit and enjoy the rewards of the view. A parable. Playing Time: 4 minutes Place: A neutral playing area that represents the mountain cabin and mountaintop Props: None Costumes: Outerwear for bitter cold Time: The pres...

625. Turn Around!

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: A framed picture with the back showing. Good morning, boys and girls. Today we have one of the simplest lessons to learn, but one of the hardest things to do that we have ever talked about. I brought along a picture with me and I am going to put it right in front of you so that you can see it very clearly. (Put up the picture with the back facing them.) It's a beautiful picture and one th...

Showing 601 to 625 of 4508 results