Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 651 to 675 of 4681 results

651. On Golf, Swimming, Gardening and Lent?

Luke 13:1-9

Sermon

Glenn E. Ludwig

... in those days (and sometimes years) when I feel like that barren tree, I am glad that I know a gardener who will not only go to bat for me with the owner, but who will work with me in this next year I am given to see that I bear some fruit. And without making the obvious seem ridiculously simple, that is precisely what Jesus offers each of us today, this day, every day. He pleads mercy for us in our barren days and years, offers nourishment for us to grow in the grace period we are given, and stands ...

652. Easter Joy

John 15:1-17

Sermon

Harry N. Huxhold

... also stated a definite goal for us. He said, "You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands ... upon us. God needs the warm hearts and hands of people to share God's love with the world. God empowers us to bear fruit, "fruit that will last" to eternity. William Sloane Coffin, the former chaplain at Yale University, contends that the major religious question of ...

653. Expanding The Boundaries

Ruth 3:1-18

Sermon

John A. Stroman

... God will be my God." They leave together for Israel. William Willimon reminds us, "To be in any family is to venture forth like Naomi and Ruth, without guarantees for the future, with only the confidence that the future, even the worst of futures, is bearable when we bear it with one another." The most remarkable part of this story is yet to be told. Ruth finally gets to Israel, thanks to Naomi. Ruth, by a strange set of circumstances, meets a man named Boaz. Ruth marries Boaz and they have a son. The son's ...

654. Our Defense In A Stone-littered World

Acts 7:54--8:1a

Sermon

Gerald Whetstone

... an inner city congregation was spending the weekend in my rural parish, as an aspect of our partnership. As we walked along the canal towpath, each boy boasted more boldly of just what he would do should a bear or mountain lion appear from the woods. (Whether or not they knew that neither lion nor bear had been seen within many miles of there for over 150 years, I wasn't sure.) In the very midst of their claims of fearlessness and daring, a large blacksnake crossed the towpath. You know, of course, what ...

655. Clear The Way!

Luke 3:1-20

Drama

Pamela Urfer

... at the audience) JOHN: (Turning on them furiously) You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, "Our parents were Christians and they raised us to be Christians so ... have made the stones in the ground into believers. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire! SECOND: (To FIRST) Whew! I think he really means it. Maybe we'd better not ...

656. Training Wheels For Life

Deuteronomy 30:11-20

Sermon

Paul E. Robinson

... to obey. In Acts 15:10, in speaking specifically of the custom of circumcision, Peter said these words: "Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?" At their worst, when customs and rituals are compulsively followed in order to appease God, they can be a burden and can, in fact, be a wedge between someone and God. However, I would like to remind us this morning that God's commandments can also be ...

657. Adjusting To The Light

Isaiah 9:1-7

Sermon

Paul E. Robinson

... of Jesus Christ, the message that we are loved by God. Then we graciously give time and opportunity to allow our society to adjust to the light, for the darkness in which we live is so deep, that the pain of the light can be too great to bear. I believe an awareness of that one fact will help to give us patience and gentleness in our Christian witness. Some of that adjusting to the light, I believe, is already happening. In some places, in some cities, in some communities, in some schools, the bright truth ...

658. A Misguided Game of Hide-and-Seek

Exodus 32:1-33:6

Sermon

Robert S. Crilley

... little food; thirsty, and someone gave a cup of cold water; a stranger, and someone opened the door, offering a place to stay. The good news of the gospels is that even when we do not see evidence of God's presence; even when we've lost our bearings and struggle to find our place; even when it appears that everything once familiar has been suddenly rearranged, the Almighty is yet at work in the very love which seeks us out. Jesus said it's the love of One searching for an absent sheep, crying aloud through ...

659. The Promise Of The Spirit

Sermon

John A. Stroman

... of the Holy Spirit is the promise of power. It is the promise that the Spirit will lead and guide us into all truth. The Spirit leads us into the future, a future for which we do not need to be afraid, because "it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:16). For Further Reflection And Study 1. What are the reasons for the decline of the mainline churches? 2. What is your response to the statement that "God is not calling us to religion or success ...

660. The Scope Of The Spirit

Sermon

John A. Stroman

... every human activity. This also applies to our personal lives. Where is there evidence of the Holy Spirit in your personal life? How do you know that the Spirit leads and directs your life? The apostle declared in Romans 8:16, "It is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are the children of God." If we are the children of God, led by the Spirit, would it not be a logical conclusion that all things are then controlled, directed, interpreted, and integrated by the Spirit within our lives ...

661. Behold The Man Who Taught By The Sea

Mark 4:1-20

Sermon

Thomas A. Pilgrim

... mind, your way of thinking, your way of living, your values and ideals, your way of making decisions, who you are and what you have? Would you become good soil that is fertile so a tiny seed of what he says can take root in your life, spring up and bear much fruit in the Kingdom of God? A college student named Fred Smith wrote a paper on developing an overnight parcel delivery system. His professor did not like the idea and gave him a "C" on the paper. But that idea kept growing in Fred Smith's mind. He ...

662. The Vine and the Branches

John 15:1-17

Sermon Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... us; yet, without his pruning, we are out of control.P: The true vine, through God's Spirit, removes our destructive and useless behavior.M: Thank you, Lord, for your pruning shears.P: The true vine, through God's Spirit, makes it possible for us to bear much fruit, healthy relationships, and to take on issues of justice.M: Thank you, Lord, for providing your gifts of pruning. Response Sing again, stanza 2 only, of "Like the Murmur of the Dove's Song." THE TEACHING Message with the Children of All Ages Bring ...

663. Moving At The Speed Of Light: In Corinth Or Cana?

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

... , and seemed to know that in a little while another chapter of life would need to be written. As we lingered in the cemetery on that crystal blue clear day, my eyes were cast again on Rick's young widow and Paul's words came to mind: "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things ... Love never ends...." The Road From Corinth To Cana Paul says in his letter to the Corinthian Christians that we are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as we wait for the revealing of our Lord ...

664. Proper 16

Hebrews 12:14-29, Jeremiah 1:1-19, Luke 13:10-17

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... Our text will help us recover that lost sense of reverence, fear, awe, and adoration. Outline: In our text we see: a. The glory of the old covenant -- vv. 18-21. God's presence was as fearful as a blazing fire. The voice of God was too loud to bear. Even Moses was terrified in the holy presence of God. To touch the mountain of God was to die. b. The greater glory of the new covenant -- vv. 22-24. Christians now come into the direct presence of God and Christ. They associate with angels and saints. How much ...

665. Proper 18

Philemon 1:8-25, Philemon 1:1-7, Jeremiah 18:1--19:15, Luke 14:25-35

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... disciple." Note the final, definite, categorical "cannot." You cannot be his disciple unless . It is time the church starts thinking of quality rather than of quantity of members. Outline: You cannot be Jesus' disciple unless a. You love him more than your family v. 26. b. You bear a cross of adversity v. 27. c. You make him your chief treasure v. 33. Old Testament: Jeremiah 18:1-11 1. Need: Is anyone in charge of our world? Can a nation or an individual do what it jolly well pleases? Is there no stopping ...

666. Luke's Stories

Luke 7:1-10, Luke 1:5-25, Luke 1:26-38

Illustration

Richard A. Jensen

... to Mary. Like Zechariah before her, Mary was troubled and afraid at the sound of the angel's voice. Gabriel spoke to her as he had spoken to Zechariah: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus" (Luke 1:31). Mary, like Zechariah, heard a word spoken to her from God. Mary, too, is unsure. "How can this be," she protests, "since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34). Gabriel told Mary that it will be because the Holy ...

667. The Face Of God

Isaiah 55:1-13

Sermon

Steve Burt

... ministry brimming over with conflict. Jesus' face shows it. His is a face of loneliness, for he must face not only the Gethsemane night alone, but he must face his fate -- drink the bitter cup -- alone. He must bear the betrayal by a friend, a betrayal with a kiss, of all things. He must bear the denial -- not once, but three times -- by one of his closest friends. He must face disgrace, a mock trial, scourging, crucifixion. He gets so worked up about it all, one gospel tells us, that he sweats drops ...

668. How Blest Are Those Who Know Their Need Of God

Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon

Mark Radecke

... against you and succeed"), now there was an unconditional promise ("Because the cost of your higher education is paid for -- as a gift and not as an acheivement or entitlement -- your studies are not in vain. Your efforts have meaning and purpose, and will bear fruit"). In theological terms, it is what we call the difference between law and gospel, between demand and promise. And the business executive's act of benevolence is an excellent and living parable of the gospel. The sovereign God could say to us ...

669. Facing Up To Temptation

Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon

Thomas Long

... sacrifice. You are the one I am delivering into the hands of those who will kill you. You are the one I am sending to bear the cross for the salvation of all people. You are the one to whom I am entrusting the promise of redemption. You are the one ... drama of God's redemption. "Seek first the kingdom of God, pray without ceasing, repay no one evil for evil, feed my lambs, bear one another's burdens, be kind to one another, forgive one another, love your enemies, be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." ...

670. What A Friend He Had In Judas

Matthew 26:47-56

Sermon

Thomas Long

... to those who had hired him, but he found no forgiveness there. So, throwing down the 30 pieces of silver, Judas, tragic Judas, feeling as though he had not a friend in the world and unable to bear his sin, took his own life. But Judas did have a friend, a friend who loved him to the end, and even though Judas could not bear his own sin, his friend bore it for him on the cross. In Arthur Miller's play The Price, two brothers, Victor and Walter, have come home after their father's death to divide the property ...

671. The Man From Galilee V: The Test Of His Courage

Matthew 20:17-19

Sermon

Thomas A. Pilgrim

... But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Sometimes we face things we would like to get off from, not have to bear, not have to endure. Many times we discover we cannot find an easy way off. When there is no way off, we must prepare ... think you are facing something you cannot handle, something overwhelming which is greater than you are. Maybe you feel you have a cross too great to bear. When there is no way off, go with God over. Alan Walker told about a young preacher who went to be the pastor of a ...

672. The Lamb of God

John 1:29-34

Sermon

William B. Kincaid, III

... its summer vacation to rebuild homes and playgrounds among the poor. Christians of all races work together to build churches. Men and women gather weekly in Bible study to discern the mind of Christ and to appropriate it for their own lives. Some of our efforts bear fruit. Some positive changes occur. We may never see other changes. The arc of justice, after all, is long, and we are left to decide how important these causes are. Are they important enough for us to give our efforts to them even though we may ...

673. It's Your Funeral

Matthew 21:28-32

Sermon

Roger G. Talbott

... have ambivalent feelings at this person's passing. Often, they are sitting in the front row. It can sometimes be a terrible burden to be married to or to be the child of a very good man or woman. Sometimes their greatest virtues can be the biggest burden we can bear. A friend of mine told me of the recent passing of his grandmother at the age of 96. The little church where she had worshipped for most of her very long life was full of people. Maybe a third of them were family. The rest were people who had ...

674. Advent 4

Mt 1:18-25 · Rom 1:1-7 · Isa 7:10-17 · Ps 80

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... instances where anxious people sought a reassuring sign from God, but in this text, however, it is God who asks Ahaz if he would like a sign of God's presence. Ahaz refused but God gave the sign anyway -- that of the young woman who would bear a son called Immanuel. Jesus chastised his generation for always seeking signs, yet the scriptures indicate that God has often granted signs of his saving presence. In the Noah story, it is the rainbow, and in the Abraham account, it is the sign of circumcision. Moses ...

675. Going Through The Waters

Exodus 13:17--14:31

Sermon

... Apollos, or Peter, or the name of some dearly beloved preacher. No, we go through the waters, we baptize, in the name of God, to bear witness to God and the call for faith in God. And so in baptism we are given God's name to live by. God's name ... Catherine wearing a funeral dress and weeping in grief. Luther asked her, "Catherine, who died?" She said, "God is dead, and I can't bear it; all his work is overthrown." Luther was shocked at hearing what could only be described as blasphemy from his wife's mouth. To ...

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