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 676 to 700 of 3314 results

676. Pride: The Deadliest of the Seven Deadly Sins

Luke 18:9-14

Sermon

R. Curtis Fussell

... any more." The master then looked at the student and said, "You are so full of yourself that there is no room in your life for God. It is not possible for you to learn the ways of God until you learn to empty yourself."5 That's what the apostle Paul says to us. If you want to learn the ways of God, then listen to this: Jesus Christ had the very nature of God, but he did not count himself too good or as deserving special treatment and recognition. No, he emptied himself and became a servant, serving even ...

677. Deadly Sins - A Matter Of Sutton's Law

Romans 7:14-25

Sermon

R. Curtis Fussell

... comes up to expose our highly edited lives. Something always exposes the acts we use to fool others and even ourselves. Things come out of us; we do things and we can't imagine where they come from. Embarrassed and hurt by these things, we suddenly find ourselves repeating the apostle Paul's words, "I do the things I do not want to do, and don't do the things I want to do; sin dwells within me" (Romans 7:15f). This thing in all of us, which the Bible calls sin, has a way of showing up sooner or later ...

678. Advent 2

Matthew 3:1-12, Isaiah 11:1-16, Romans 14:1--15:13

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... that reconciles us with God and will one day bring harmony to all creation. Epistle: Romans 15:4-13 Harmony and hospitality. The Apostle Paul makes an appeal for harmony in the church (vv. 5-6). Why? Because harmony is the outward sign that God's peaceable ... sing harmony there must be four unique voices with different pitch and timbre uniting in melodious song. Not only does the apostle appeal for harmony but also for hospitality (v. 7). Harmony speaks of our relationships with those outside the fold, with ...

679. Ash Wednesday

Mt 6:1-6, 16-21 · 2 Cor 5:20 - 6:10 · Joel 2:1-2, 12-19 · Ps 51 · Ps 103

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... called upon to stand between the sinful people and their holy God, with pleas of intercession (v. 17). The Lord hears the intercessions of the people and assures them of his provision and care of them (v. 19). Epistle: 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 The Apostle Paul pleads with the contentious and divisive Corinthians to become reconciled (at one) with God through Christ. Christ became what we are (took on our sin) so that we might become what he is (righteous). The way to accomplish this goal is to accept the ...

680. Easter 5

John 14:1-4, John 14:5-14, Acts 7:54--8:1a, Acts 17:1-9, 1 Peter 2:4-12

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... local followers of the Way to the authorities. The accusation they level against them is really quite accurate: those who have "turned the world upside down." In Beroea, the gospel is well received. At least, the members of the synagogue were willing to consider the claims of the apostle. However, like hornets whose nest has been disturbed, the enemies from Thessalonica stir up the troops in Beroea also. Lesson 2: 1 Peter 2:2-10 (C); 1 Peter 2:4-9 (RC); 1 Peter 2:1-10 (E); 1 Peter 2:4-10 (L) Peter invites ...

681. Easter 7

Jn 17:1-11 · Acts 1:1-14 · 1 Pet 4:12-19, 5:6-11 · Ps 68 · Ps 27 · Ps 47

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... expression of a demented mind? Perhaps. It could also be the face of one who believed supremely in the rightness of his cause. He assuredly believed that he was about to enter the gates of Paradise. The smile reflected the glow of misguided glory. The Apostle Paul also witnessed the smile of glory. It was on the face of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. As Stephen was being stoned, he looked up and was transfixed by the glow of glory (Acts 7:55). Paul observed that glory and was eventually transformed ...

682. Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany

Sermon

Russell F. Anderson

... prided themselves on their wisdom. Paul responds that he had to preach that way because they were still spiritual babes, immature in their attitudes and actions. This is seen in their conflict over status with its concomitant party spirit. Paul maintains that he and other apostles are only servants of God. God alone is worthy of our adulation and praise. Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 (RC); 1 Corinthians 2:6-13 (L) Paul shows that the gospel is indeed wisdom, but not of the world. Only through the Spirit ...

683. Proper 10

Genesis 25:19-34, Isaiah 55:1-13, Romans 8:18-27, Romans 8:1-17, Matthew 13:1-23

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... We should guard well our words. God's word has special power to create, to restore, to give hope to the despairing and life to the dead. Epistle: Romans 8:1-11 1. Sermon Title: The Two Modes Of Existence. Sermon Angle: In verses 5-11, the apostle contrasts the two modes of existence. On the one hand, there are those whose lives are dominated by the "flesh," who are controlled by their selfish drives and compulsions. Then, there are those who are redeemed by Christ, who live according to the guidance of the ...

684. Proper 21

Matthew 21:23-27, Matthew 21:28-32, Exodus 17:1-7, Ezekiel 18:1-32, Philippians 2:1-11

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... Paul enjoins the Philippians to do nothing from selfish ambition (v. 3). Ambition can be good or evil depending on what fuels it. Ambition to gain power over others, to make oneself look good at the expense of others, or to gain riches, usually results in evil. The apostle doesn't rule out ambition, but it needs to be directed to a righteous end. The Lord calls us to be ambitious in pursuing the things of the kingdom. A humble spirit. Paul holds up Christ as an example of a humble spirit. He was in the form ...

685. Proper 23

Exodus 32:1-33:6, Isaiah 25:1-12, Matthew 22:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... mental attitude has even been equated with faith. This is where the problem comes in. PMA can aid one in accomplishing her goals, but this is not faith. Faith is trust in God, not in a person's own abilities. Faith, not PMA, was the source of the apostle's can do attitude. Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14 Not fasting but feasting. In the parable, the king invited guests to a feast, the marriage feast of his son. The wedding feast was the epitome of joy because it meant the continuance of his reign through his ...

686. Easter Day

John 20:10-18, John 20:1-9, Colossians 3:1-17, Acts 10:23b-48

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name" (v. 43). Eyewitness News. The news department of almost every television station dubs itself: Eyewitness News. The apostles were also eyewitness reporters to the greatest news in the history of the universe. Peter tells the household of Cornelius that the apostles were eyewitnesses to the signs and wonders which Jesus performed during his ministry. More importantly, they were eyewitnesses to the risen Christ; they ate and drank with him ...

687. Thanksgiving

Lk 17:11-19 · 1 Tim 2:1-4 · Phil 4:6-20 · 2 Cor 9:6-15 · Deut 8:1-18 · Ps 65

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... in peaceful and pleasant surrounding, to reduce stress. That upon which we focus our minds influences our thinking and action. Thus, the wisdom of Paul's words: "Whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing..." (v. 8). Keep on doing it (v. 9). The apostle encourages his followers to keep on doing all that they had learned, heard and seen in him. He points to the discipline aspect of discipleship. It's like losing weight: You can't stop monitoring your diet once you reach your weight goal. The ...

688. On Not Being First

Acts 1:12-26

Sermon

E. Carver McGriff

... effort that we fix a smile and give a word of congratulation when the winner is announced to be someone else. No one likes to lose. We don't learn any more about Joseph. Presumably he was a fine man even to be considered for the honor as apostle (or whatever title may have been in use at the time). But there must have been some inward pain when the announcement was made that Matthias had been chosen. Joseph came in second. One thing becomes clear when we read the New Testament: those people were imperfect ...

689. Invitation To Community

Mark 10:1-12

Sermon

William G. Carter

... Bible addresses a variety of situations when the promise of creation is disrupted or ripped apart. The question is: What does God intend for us? What is God's promise for creation? Does God want everybody to be married? No, that's ridiculous. As the unmarried apostle Paul said, some single people should stay as they are (1 Corinthians 7:8-9). Singleness is their gift. No one needs to be married to belong to God. That's why whenever a faithful church puts out a membership directory, it lists women by their ...

690. When Trouble Comes!

Job 1:1-5

Sermon

Zan W. Holmes

... head, and fell on the ground and worshipped. He said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed is the name of the Lord.' " Here Job captures the spirit of the apostle Paul when he said: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Paul did not say give thanks for everything. Paul said "in" everything give thanks. We can ...

691. We Come to Jesus for Rest

Mark 6:30-44

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... 's fringe, and heal our sickness too. Greeting Use the hymn "Serenity" as the congregation's response below. This hymn can be found in The United Methodist Hymnal. Leader: The twelve apostles gathered around Jesus, just like we are now. "Come away by yourselves," he said to them, "and rest awhile." People: (Sing "Serenity") Leader: Jesus had sent the apostles out with his authority, and their ministry was much like ours. And as we know, there was so much coming and going they had no leisure even to eat. So ...

692. Choosing Your Spirituality

Sermon

Charles R. Leary

... survive, and then die before they know what is happening. I want a spirituality that inspires hope, positive thought, a vision of better things to come. Visit the Hall of Faith: Abraham and Moses, David and Isaiah, John the Baptizer and the Twelve Apostles believed God was inspiring them to look into the future expecting better and greater things to happen. They responded to that challenge and greater things happened. A spirituality that will do these things for me must answer three questions with a gut ...

693. I Saw a New Heaven

Revelation 21:1-27

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... hadn’t insisted on our eating oat bran.” If you’re going to Heaven, the earlier the better, but let God appoint the time. There’s a barbershop quartet song that has these words, “Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.” The aged apostle John, in lonely exile on the little Mediterranean island of Patmos, was given a vision of Heaven, as reported to us toward the very end of the Bible. (Each year its glories come to us in the First Lesson for All Saints’ Sunday.) Wonders Beyond ...

694. Maundy Thursday/Holy Thursday

John 13:1-17, Exodus 12:1-30, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, John 13:31-38

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... a memorial to Yahweh's wonderful redemptive actions, which made them a people. Epistle: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (27-32) The institution of the Lord's Supper appears within the context of the apostle Paul dressing down the Corinthians for abusing the Lord's Supper. In recalling this direct verba from the Lord, the apostle wishes to impress upon the unruly Corinthians the sacredness of the Eucharist's origins. The church members are to remember the roots of the church's meal and observe it with reverence. The ...

695. Proper 12

John 6:16-24, John 6:1-15, 2 Samuel 11:1-27, Ephesians 3:14-21

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... . 11-13). The Second Lesson celebrates the extravagance of God's love. The Gospel emphasizes the profligacy of God's grace. Every person at the feast had all he wanted to eat and yet there were twelve baskets left over (also symbolic of the twelve apostles and the twelve tribes of Israel). God doesn't parcel out his grace like a penny-pinching miser; he supplies our needs in abundance. SERMON APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 11:1-15 Sermon Title: Perils Of Prosperity. Sermon Angle: David was ...

696. Epiphany 3

Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-10, Jeremiah 3:6-4:4, 1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... you if the sermon is over 12 minutes and the service is over an hour. With these few exceptions, it seems that we're constantly coming up short on time. Paul's awareness of the shortness of time promoted him to give the advice in our text. The apostle felt that God was about to consummate the kingdom which Jesus had commenced. He was wrong about that and we can see from his later writings that he altered his position. Nevertheless, it remains true that the kingdom could come at any time and the things we ...

697. Epiphany 8

Hosea 2:2-23, Mark 2:18-22, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... , through the power of the Spirit, to do the job excellently. Competent churches really believe that the Spirit has given each believer gifts that he has empowered us to put into practice. Outline: 1. Confidence and competence are needed for success. 2. The apostle Paul had both confidence and competence. His confidence was based on the Lord's faithfulness (vv. 4-5). His competence was a gift of God. 3. Overconfidence in ourselves leads to the sin of pride but to excuse ourselves from ministry for lack ...

698. Proper 6

Mk 4:26-34 · 2 Cor 5:6-17 · 1 Sam 15:34 - 16:13 · Ps 20

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... : A Faith Walk. Sermon Angle: Have you ever participated in a faith walk? That's where two people take turns at leading and following. Typically, the person being led is blindfolded and the other person leads/guides the other person. The object is to develop trust. The apostle reminds us that life is a faith walk. "We walk by faith, not by sight" (v. 7). Outline: Begin your sermon with a demonstration faith walk. Ask the person how he felt as he was being guided about. Life is a faith walk (v. 7). The more ...

699. The Resurrection Of Our Lord

John 20:1-9, John 20:10-18, Acts 10:23b-48, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Mark 16:1-20

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... . They enter the tomb where they encounter an angel. They are filled with fear and awe but the angel attempts to quiet their fears. He then announces that they won't find Jesus here. He is risen from the dead. He orders the women to tell the news to the apostles and to Peter. Peter is specifically mentioned not only because he was the chief leader among the disciples but as a sign of God's grace to the man who denied, in the courtyard of Caiaphas, that he even knew Jesus. The women flee the tomb in fear and ...

700. The Day Of Thanksgiving

Mt 6:25-33 · 1 Tim 2:1-7 · Joel 2:21-27 · Ps 126

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... and especially those in leadership positions. Unless we are filled with God's Spirit and with the knowledge of his will, we will not realize our mission. Outline: This letter was addressed to a church that was splitting into factions, much like today. The apostle lifts up that which is foundational for the Church -- prayer (vv. 1-4). Prayer unites us as we reach out to the one God and Mediator (v. 5). Are we making prayer the first order of our personal and communal life? Sermon Title: Eucharist. Sermon ...

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