Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 651 to 675 of 1354 results

651. Proper 22

Exodus 20:1-21, Isaiah 5:1-7, Philippians 3:1-11, Philippians 3:12-4:1, Matthew 21:33-46

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... Isaiah 5:1-7 God's judgment upon his people for their failure to produce proper fruit. Epistle: Philippians 3:4b-21 Forgetting the past, Paul pressed on toward the goal of Christ and lives an example to be followed. Prior to this pericope, Paul defends himself as a Christian of the first order through the mercies of God. Yet, he does not think he has it "made," but keeps striving for complete devotion to Christ by becoming one in the sufferings, death, and resurrection of Christ. Because he imitates Christ ...

652. Proper 15

John 6:25-59, 1 Corinthians 10:14-22, Deuteronomy 8:1-20

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... came not for spiritual but for more physical food. He identifies himself as the Bread of Life. If they will come to him, they will never hunger nor thirst. The religious leaders objected to his claim, for his statement implied that he was more than a human. Jesus defends his claim by saying that he is the living bread from heaven and whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood has eternal life. By such eating he will be with them and they will be in him. This union deals with the Eucharist. It was probably ...

653. Trapped in Paradise

Matthew 25:1-13

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... of Homeland Security to devise and execute plans in the event of terrorist attacks or natural emergencies. The problem becomes when plans, emergency or otherwise, are suddenly faced with unanticipated consequences or unforeseen difficulties. For such fools who depend upon and defend such foolproof plans, these unexpected incidents become pitfalls. But for those who focus less on the plan than on being prepared for a variety of scenarios, it's far easier to find a new way, to think in a new direction ...

654. Why Not a Christian Live 8 for the Environment?

Romans 8:18-27

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... creation "This Whole Experiment with Green." If God has a green thumb, why shouldn't we? And why isn't Christianity doing all it can to make red-white-and-blue more green? We sing patriotic songs like "America the Beautiful," and swear to defend America the beautiful. So why do we do so much to make the song "America the Ugly"? Why are those most dedicated to keeping America beautiful (some politicians are fond of calling environmentalists "green-green lima beans") often seen as the most unpatriotic? After ...

655. More Power to You!

Romans 1:1-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... through another high alert weekend, with official government warnings about credible terrorist threats. The highest ranking military officers in the world's most powerful armed-forces (ours) are candidly admitting on national TV that they have no way to really defend against a suicidally-committed homicide-bomber. It seems that all our standing armies, all our military hardware, all our advanced weapon's systems cannot protect us from a single-minded, monomaniacal madman or madwoman. I don't know about you ...

656. True Disciples

Isaiah 1:1-31

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... doesn't make ritual sacrifices; a disciple makes real sacrifices. · A disciple doesn't avoid evil; a disciple does good. · A disciple doesn't sidestep confrontation; a disciple seeks justice. · A disciple doesn't remain aloof; a disciple rescues the oppressed, defends the orphan, pleads for the widow. A disciple also doesn't accept directions complacently. Believers are happiest when they're doing exactly what they've been told to do. No questions asked, no hackles raised, no challenges offered. It's as ...

657. Can You Smell the Perfume?

John 12:1-11

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... for love. Any wonder the disciples were so mad? Any wonder when Jesus rebuked the disciples saying, "Let her alone...Why do you make trouble for her?" they almost lost it. One did lose it. Mark says Jesus made Judas so mad when he defended this woman, Judas went out and betrayed Jesus. "Messiah" literally means "the Anointed One." There were diverse, even conflicting understandings and ideas of messiahship. But one thing was sure: "All four gospels presuppose that 'The Anointed One' was in common use as a ...

658. Building Bridges While Getting Shot at from Both Shores

Revelation 22:1-6

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... hooding him, and then threatening to electrocute him, offered as his defense the fact that he had not been given the Geneva Convention statutes on prisoners' rights until after the hooding and harassment. The picture of this innocent, fresh-faced young man defending his actions revealed another supposed facet of his character glinting in the camera lights was a large, gold cross around his neck. Once again, images of violence and images of faith are linked together in the public eye. Religious people have a ...

659. Are You Getting Hymns Out of Your Lions?

1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... in today's text Paul redirects the discussion. He focuses on the eschatological tension that all must learn to live with if they would call themselves Christians. We must read closely and carefully if we are to follow Paul's argument. Paul has just finished defending the institution of marriage ("if you marry, you do not sin" verse 28). Then he declares a seemingly contradictory series of "as if not" corollaries: " . . . let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though ...

660. Our Sin Against God

Genesis 2:4-25

Sermon

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... the woman. First, the serpent tempts the woman to think that God is not good (v. 1), that he won’t give the woman what she desires and what will be good for her (cf. v. 6). But like all of us pious folk, the woman is very zealous to defend God, and so she replies that she and her husband may eat of any tree except that in the midst of the garden, “Neither shall you touch it, lest you die” (v. 3). The Lord never said not to touch the tree, of course. And so a little self-will ...

661. Successful Judas

Matt 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-13

Illustration

Tim Kimmel

... men. Judas is now a byword for betrayal, and Peter is one of the most honored names in the church and in the world. Judas is a villain; Peter is a saint. Yet the world continues to chase after the successes of Judas, financial wealth and political power, and to defend itself against the failures of Peter, impotence and ineptness.

662. Advent 3

Psalm 146:1-10, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-12, Matthew 11:1-19

Sermon Aid

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

... Lord and do not engage in such activity themselves. Believers suffer rather than grumble because of the transforming hope of the Lord's promised coming in judgment. After a jury brings a guilty verdict, a plaintiff awaits the judge's sentencing of the defendant with a different attitude from that held before the trial began. Third, v. 10 summarizes the meaning of the altered abilities of those who await the Lord; they have patience and the capacity to suffer because of the freedom brought by the hope given ...

663. Christmas 1

Mt 2:13-23 · Heb 2:10-18 · Isa 63:7-9 · Ps 148

Sermon Aid

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

... Corp.). The following collect from the Church of England's Alternative Service Book is also recommended: Heavenly Father, whose children suffered at the hands of Herod, though they had done no wrong: give us grace neither to act cruelly nor to stand indifferently by, but to defend the weak from the tyranny of the strong; in the name of Jesus Christ who suffered for us, but is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Prayers for refugees should also be included in today's ...

664. Lent 1

Mt 4:1-11, Rom 5:12-21

Sermon Aid

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

... find David mourning his lost son rather than praising their victory. Although David's actions are inappropriate (and indeed shameful, see v. 5), nevertheless, it is his troops who are in a situation of shame, because the opposite of what they had intended by defending David with their lives in fact happens—David is weeping. Consequently, we read in v. 3 that "the people stole into the city that day as people steal in who are ashamed when they flee in battle." Even though David has acted shamefully, shame ...

665. Proper 27

Joshua 24:1-27, Psalm 78:1-72, 1 Thessalonians 4:13--5:11, Matthew 25:1-13

Sermon Aid

Soards, Dozeman, McCabe

... in different ways both passages are concerned with the implications of Christ's coming for everyday Christian living. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - "Encourage One Another with These Words" Setting. Having greeted the Thessalonians (see Proper Twenty- four), having defended the character of their ministry (see Proper Twenty-five), and having addressed the suffering that the Thessalonians are experiencing (see Proper Twenty-six), the apostles explained why they wrote to the church (chapter 3). Then, in chapter 4 ...

666. The Lost and Found Celebration

Luke 15:15-24

Sermon

James W. Moore

... and I began to put together some good excuses. By the time, we got there, I had a pretty good list. When we went into the hospital room, the woman turned on us and set us straight; she berated us and told us off. Just as I was about to defend us with my “ready-made excuses,” D.L. spoke up first and he said to her: “You are absolutely right. We have neglected you… and it is inexcusable. We are so sorry we failed you and we want so much to make it up to you right now. We want ...

667. To Be a Christian

Acts 11:19-30

Sermon

James McCormick

... Koinonia Community was a cooperative farming project, built on Christian foundations, which meant it was open to everyone who wanted to come. And, as an integrated community, it was constantly under attack, and frequently in court. Clarence asked his brother, Robert, to defend the community in court. Robert was an attorney, later a state senator, and even a Justice of the Georgia State Supreme Court. Robert said to Clarence, “I can’t do that. You know my political aspirations. Why, if I represented you ...

668. Be of One Mind

2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Sermon

King Duncan

... point out the absurd impossibility of this task, the child replied, “Ah, but I’ll drain the sea before you understand the Trinity.” There’s truth to that child’s comment. We don’t understand the Trinity, but we’re ready to go to war to defend it. Well, maybe not anymore. But there was a time when battles were fought over church doctrine, and even today churches are being split over whose interpretation of the Word is correct. And it’s tragic. Author and priest Anthony de Mello once told a ...

669. Understanding the Trinity

Mt 28:16-20

Illustration

King Duncan

... of this task, the child replied, "Ah, but I'll drain the sea before you understand the Trinity." Okay, so, maybe the child didn't say exactly that, but there's truth to that comment. We don't understand the Trinity, but we're ready to go to war to defend it. Well, maybe not anymore. But there was a time when battles were fought over church doctrine, and even today churches are being split over whose interpretation of the Word is correct. And it's tragic.

670. The Way the World Is

Illustration

King Duncan

... tell a parable about a zoo in which all the animals decided to disarm. They arranged `peace talks' to work out the details. The rhinoceros asked for a strict ban against the use of teeth in war. The stag and porcupine agreed, but the lion and tiger defended teeth as being honorable weapons. The bear, however wanted both teeth and horns to be banned, but suggested that all animals be allowed to give each other a good hug when they quarreled. This only served to offend all the other animals, and so they never ...

671. The Cost of Freedom

Galatians 5:1-15

Illustration

Brett Blair

... will see a Declaration setting forth the causes which have impelled us to this mighty revolution and the reasons which will justify it in the sight of God. I am fully aware of the toil and blood and treasure what it will cost to maintain this declaration and support and defend these states; yes, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory.

672. If I Only Had One Wish

2 Chronicles 1:1-12

Sermon

James Merritt

... the world's most important buildings. He built vineyards, gardens, parks, and reservoirs. Tired of commerce, he turned to science, relentlessly pursuing the classification of nature. He was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, building a vast army to defend and conquer. He was unanimously elected President of his country. He became the poet laureate for his nation. He had a distinguished career as a writer. He was a singularly gifted musician.2 Solomon learned the incredible worth of wisdom, and ...

673. The Attack Never Came

Mt 13:1-23

Illustration

King Duncan

... of Congress and a student of Russian history. Billington happened to be in Moscow in August of 1991. It was a tense and dangerous time, with the old Soviet regime giving way to a new social order. Boris Yeltzin and a small group of defenders occupied the Russian White House and successfully managed to face off an enormous number of tanks and troops poised to attack, and to restore the old guard in the Soviet Union. Surprisingly, a key role in this successful resistance was played, said Billington, by ...

674. Honor To Whom Honor Is Due

Exodus 20:12

Sermon

James Merritt

... . Political and social planning in a wise social order began with the axiom: What strengthens the family, strengthens society. Even when poverty and disorientation strike, as over the generations they so often do, it is family strength that most defends individuals against alienation, lassitude, or despair....one unforgettable law has been learned through all the disasters and injustices of the last thousand years: when the family falters life falls apart.[2] This commandment is short, simple, and sweet ...

675. The Sin of Robin Hood

Exodus 20:15

Sermon

James Merritt

... is the vast majority of those who do get caught try to make up some excuse for what they've done. It was Christmas, and the judge was in a benevolent mood as he questioned the prisoner. He said, "Mister, what are you charged with?" The defendant said, "I was just doing my Christmas shopping early, Your Honor." The judge said, "Son, that's no offense. How early were you doing your shopping?" The man said, "Just before the store opened." Another problem is fraud, or what is called by names such as "white ...

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