... angry at wrong done to us. It is a selfless anger at the wrong done to others. It comes from a control that is beyond our control. It is a God-controlled life. While others are fighting to get what they believe is due them, the meek are more concerned about their duties. As opposed to those who assert the pride of race, the pride of power, the pride of knowledge, as opposed to those who demand their place in the sun, the meek are content to walk in the shadows where God keeps watch over them. What they ...
... ? Marshall: Believe me, when those folks came to hear me preach, I got to thinking maybe I was the Messiah, the special Son of God. But I knew Jesus was around and there was no way I could let myself get the big head. Jerry: So far as you were concerned, then, Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Marshall: Not at first. You see, all I knew was that he was sharper, more knowledgeable, and had a way with people that I didn't have. People who heard him preach would tell me their opinions. Jerry ...
... : It is so good to hear your voice. I'm sure I speak on behalf of all your friends here! We thank you for your concern about us. Now that you are in lockdown, do you think about being set free? Paul: "I know that by means of your prayers and ... may be encouraged by news of you. He is the only one who shares my feelings, and who really cares about you. Everyone else is concerned only about his or her own affairs, not about the cause of Jesus Christ. And you yourselves know how he has proved his worth, how ...
... . What do you think of my new piece of clothing? (Let them answer.) It's pretty strange looking, isn't it? I might wear this one time and get away with it. If I wore this all the time, you might think I was strange. My family would become pretty concerned about me. What do you think would happen if I wore this everyday for one week? (Let them answer.) I think I know what would happen. My family would probably sit down with me and have a long talk about how I've changed. They would ask me if something ...
... clear up the picture. In the Gospel of John, Jesus does much to unveil the shroud of mystery surrounding the Spirit. Outline: 1. The Spirit is Christ's advocate and witness (v. 26). 2. The Spirit convicts us of sin (v. 8). 3. The Spirit convinces us concerning the righteousness of Christ (v. 8, 10). 4. The Spirit judges Satan (v. 11). 5. The Spirit reveals the truth (v. 13). 6. The Spirit makes known what is to come (v. 13). Sermon Title: Convicts For Christ. Sermon Angle: Many a person has been convicted ...
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28, Isaiah 61:1-11, John 1:19-28, John 1:1-18
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
... with the statement that John was not THE light but came to bear witness to the light (vv. 7-8). Witnesses in court are called upon to witness to the works of darkness and sin. A person can't go through a day without hearing testimony concerning the works of darkness. Our recent obsession with the O. J. Simpson trial exposes our keen fascination with the realm of darkness, regardless of whether Simpson is innocent or guilty. If only we gave half as much attention to those who have committed outstanding acts ...
Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:36-49, Luke 24:50-53, Mark 16:1-20, Ephesians 1:15-23
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
... kingdom. We were marked with that seal in our baptism. Sermon Title: Everything You Wanted To Know About God's Power. Sermon Angle: Verses 19-22 speak eloquently of God's power. While the title of this sermon is misleading, our text does inform us concerning God's power. In these verses, no less than four different Greek words are translated by the word "power." The chief word for power, which summarizes the meaning of the other three words, is dynamis, translated "I am able." This passage extols a God who ...
Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-10, Jeremiah 3:6-4:4, 1 Corinthians 7:1-40
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
... of water into a single precious drop? We all did the best we knew how as we shared the ways that Mom had touched our lives, as we groped to grasp and transmit the impact that her life had upon our own. Through it all, Mom shared her concerns for us and her love for us and for the Lord she had endeavored to serve throgh the years. Our mutual acknowledgment of the preciousness of time enabled us to use it wisely. There was no time for pretending, for playing games. Only time for loving, caring and sharing ...
Mark 7:24-30, Mark 7:31-37, Proverbs 22:1-16, James 2:1-13
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
... deaf man to Jesus (v. 32) had apparently heard about the wonder of Jesus' touch. They begged Jesus to lay his hands on the deaf man. Jesus had the healing touch. Even science is finding that there is healing in the touch, the touch of love, concern, sympathy, to name a few. Jesus touched the man's ears and his tongue, since those were the parts that were not whole, which opened his ears and freed his tongue. Unfortunately, there is also a wrong touch. Shoving a sister away, hitting a neighbor, inappropriate ...
... to his wealth. "You lack one thing," said Jesus. "Sell all you have, give it to the poor and come and follow me." The man's face drops like a brick. He stumps away like a groom jilted on his wedding day. The Lord then teaches his disciples concerning the dangers of having great possessions. The "camel through the eye of a needle" proverb means that it's either impossible or very difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, humanly speaking. Of course, all things are possible with God. The Lord's ...
... that at the moment the shaking began, each knew it was a sign from God his affirming to them the truth contained in the film. Today, these once fervent Muslims are helping to translate training materials for Campus Crusade. Our Lord's teaching about earthquakes (v. 8) and concerning the fact that the gospel must first be preached to all nations (v. 10) came to my mind. I am of a somewhat skeptical bent; yet, I believe in miracles. Was this a sign for me? I was about to get out my checkbook when I read on ...
... come before the Lord this day enter God's house! People: We have things to share and questions to ask our beloved Lord. Leader: We are invited to share freely with God all that is of concern to us. People: May we share even those thoughts of questioning and anger? Leader: The Lord loves us and we are invited to share all that concerns us. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect Almighty Creator God, You have invited us to bring to You all that is in our hearts, and You will not turn away from us. We ...
... had always been there when anything important was happening to Jesus. It needs to be remembered, however, that Salome did not lack support in doing what she did for the Master. In a day when a man's word was law where his wife's activities were concerned she apparently had the full backing of her husband, Zebedee. For there is no inkling at any point that he tried to bar her from following Jesus. For one thing Zebedee realized as well as Salome that unless there were someone to minister to the minister ...
... who are entirely indifferent to God, to spiritual values, and moral obligations. The agnostic is really in search of answers. The atheist is a protagonist. The "unpardonable sinner" is one who cares about nothing -- not even enough to argue with or against God. If you are concerned about your soul's well-being you are not on the list of the "unpardonable sinners." Several tests apply to the value of what we say. Do we honestly feel that it is true? Are we comfortable living by the words we say? Does what we ...
... for them for then there is a great deal of darkness in their life. If that is the case, then our little light will shine very bright and it will make life better for them. Now, one of the little deeds of concern that even a little child can do is the deed of friendliness. When you see another person do you take time to say "Hello?" I have seen so many boys and girls who do not even say hello to someone when that person greets them. When you greet someone, especially ...
... passage is related to the Gospel for the Day in that Matthew quotes verse 14 as a promise fulfilled by the birth of Jesus. Lesson 2 (Romans 1:1-7). Paul introduces himself to the church at Rome as one called to proclaim the gospel. The gospel concerns the Son of God who was a descendant of David (human) and Son of God with full divine power demonstrated in the resurrection. This human-divine person is Jesus Christ our Lord. Not only does Paul introduce himself but also Jesus as one fully human and divine ...
... then writers and poets wrote about kings and great heroes and the gods. But they wouldn't think about wasting their time writing about old widows struggling against a famine. The gods, you see, would not be concerned for the likes of her. The gods and their poets were concerned with kings, heroes, grand designs and great events. Only the Hebrews wrote of and recorded things about ordinary people such as a struggling widow in Zarepheth. In Palestine today, in the Orthodox churches especially, you see old ...
... on the backs until we believe most of our own press, and feeling pretty good about ourselves we look with magnanimity on others and say, "I'm okay and you're okay." True, we further defend ourselves, maybe we are a bit self-centered, self-serving, self-concerned, self-confident; but what's wrong with that? If we don't watch out for ourselves, who will? Don't all the self-help books, programs, and courses say you have to have self-esteem, self-love, and self-worth before you can amount to anything? So ...
Mt 14:22-33 · Rom 9:1-5 · Ex 14:19-31 · Ps 106:4-12
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... you doubt (v. 31)?" 3. The miracle witnesses to Jesus. We learn more about him. It tells us that he is a man of prayer. Like us, he needs to be alone with God for reflection and meditation. Further, the miracle shows that Jesus is a person of compassion and concern. When his friends were in peril on the sea, he goes to them to still the storm. Because a boat is not available, he walks on water to get to them. Moreover, he is not only gracious but great in power. He has the ability to levitate on the water ...
... his point. In the 1940s and 50s, he said, we had a magazine called Life. Now, that's a big enough subject to be concerned about, Life. In the 1960s, we got a magazine called People. That's a somewhat smaller subject, but still, it's broad enough, People ... His fullness, you will hold His likeness to us and His likeness to God in a single thought. Is God near to us and is He concerned with each of us as individuals? Of course He is! God even numbers the hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30). He deals with each of ...
John 14:15-31, Psalm 67:1-7, Acts 15:22-35, Joel 2:18-27, Revelation 21:1-27
Sermon Aid
George Bass
... from Easter Sunday through Pentecost.) The propers for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, including the pericopes, are intended to remember the resurrection and anticipate the ascension. The Prayer Of The Day The classic collect for the Fifth Sunday after Easter speaks to the concern that the people of God have for the earth and everything in it, in the light of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It picks up the themes of responsiveness to the reality of the resurrection and obedience, that is living the "new life ...
Psalm 80:1-19, Micah 5:1-4, Hebrews 10:1-18, Luke 1:39-45
Sermon Aid
George Bass
... lectionary seems to make the most of it, because it is central to the thought and prophecy of Micah and, also, because it is a perfect selection for the Fourth Sunday in Advent. Micah was a prophet concerned with social justice and reform in Judah; he doesn't seem to be very much concerned with the results of significant events, such as the invasion of Assyria, which brought destruction on the northern kingdom of Israel as well as invasion to Judah. His prophecy, that the Messiah should be born in Bethlehem ...
... like this: “Mahatma Gandhi had a better shot at heaven than most Americans who go to church every week because he really lived what I was trying to teach. And those who pour bowls of stew have a better shot at heaven than you who are so concerned to get the liturgy exactly right or are bickering over which hymns we’re going to sing as if that makes any difference to God at all!” Typical church people ought to be pretty nervous about this passage. I am. Preachers and teachers especially ought to be ...
... as they wait unknowing and uncaring for my funeral procession to clear the intersection. What my musings point to is this: when someone we love dies, we become a part of the funeral procession and that entirely changes our perspective on the matter. Our concern then is not toget through the intersection as soon as possible. Rather our concerns lie at a different level, We feel the loss, the terrible emptiness left by the absence of one who occupied an important part of our lives. We seek assurance ...
... Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as citizens, and one Spirit was given to all to drink.” v. 17f -- “Now you together are Christ’s body; but each of you is a different part of it.” v. 25 -- “… but that each part may be equally concerned for all the others.”1 Corinthians 12:12-13 “The cross is still there” and it reminds us that we have become part of a very special community, one in which all of the members really care about one another’s welfare and happiness. The Christian church ...