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 779 results

676. A Church for the 21st Century: Holy, Charismatic, Apostolic - An Enclave of Resistance

Luke 4:14-30

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

In September of 1997 there was a groundbreaking service for a Catholic cathedral that is going to be constructed in Los Angeles. The Diocese of Los Angeles commissioned the famous Spanish architect Jose Rafael Moneo to design the building. Their hope is that the cathedral will be completed by the beginning of the millennium. It’s to be a peculiar witness to the glory of God. There were models of the cathedral at the groundbreaking service and on the basis of the models a Los Angeles Times reporter wrote a ...

677. The Church: An Enclave of Resistance v2

Romans 12:1-8

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

678. Going Hard against the Grain

Matthew 5:33-37

Sermon

Phil Thrailkill

Perhaps you have heard the story of the star-thrower, first published by Loren Eiseley in his 1969 book The Unexpected Universe. He tells of walking along a beach "littered with the debris of life.... Along the strip of wet sand that marks the ebbing and flowing of the tide, death walks hugely and in many forms. In the end the sea rejects its offspring. They cannot fight their way home through the surf which casts them repeatedly back upon the shore. The tiny breathing spores of starfish are stuffed with ...

679. Before I Was Born

Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-17

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship (Unison) Then I said, "Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord." (Psalm 40:7-9) Collect One: The Lord who called you before you were born says this: All: It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will ...

680. The Sin of Being Less

Colossians 3:1-14

Sermon

Mark Trotter

There is a story about a woman who rode the same bus to work every morning. One day an old man got on the bus. He was shabbily dressed, obviously down and out. She thought about what she could do to express Christian love to this poor man. How could she reach out and help him? She got up, took a dollar out of her purse, went over to the man, pressed the dollar into the palm of his hand, and said, "Never despair. Just remember, never despair." The next day the woman was on the bus again. The man got on at ...

681. You Can't Win them All

Matthew 10:2-14

Sermon

Mark Trotter

The title of this sermon, "You Can't Win Them All," sounds like what Bruce Bochy might say in the locker room after each game the Padres play. At least the Padres aren't as bad as the 1962 Mets, who managed to lose 120 games that season. The last game of the season in 1962, Joe Pignatano hit a triple play to end the game. It was a wonderful ending for an infamous season of the Mets. Casey Stengel was the manager of the Mets that year. After that last game, he called the team together in the locker room, ...

682. Easter 2

Acts 2:14-41, 1 Peter 1:1-12, John 20:19-23, John 20:24-31

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Epistle: Acts 2:14a, 22-32 According to God's plan and David's prophecy, Jesus was raised from the dead. This pericope is a part of Peter's Pentecost sermon. It is a sample of the early church's preaching, as Luke understood it, summarized in the crucifixion, resurrection, and fulfillment of prophecy. Peter emphasizes that what happened to Jesus was according to God's plan. He quotes Psalm 16 as a prophecy by David of the resurrection which was fulfilled. The disciples are witnesses to the ...

683. Easter 3

John 20:19-23, Acts 2:14-41, 1 Peter 1:1-12, John 20:24-31

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

684. Palm/Passion Sunday

Mt 26:14-27:66 · Php 2:5-11 · Isa 50:4-9a · Ps 31

Sermon Aid

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

OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS The Old Testament texts are very appropriate for Passion Sunday. Isaiah 50:4-9a explores the call of the suffering servant, while Psalm 31:9-16 is a lament from the perspective of one who is suffering. As we will see, both of these texts share a similar three-part structure and probe the meaning of suffering from different perspectives. Isaiah 50:4-9a: "A Call to Discipleship" Setting. Isaiah 50:4-9a is the third of the suffering servant songs Isaiah 42:1-4[5-9]; 49:1-6; 50:4-9a; 52:13- ...

685. Saved to Share

Acts 26

Sermon

James Merritt

A man told the following true story: A man suddenly knocked a glass off the table and stood up, his face red and his eyes bulging. A piece of steak had lodged in his throat and he couldn't breathe. I glanced around the room hoping someone would rush to him to apply the Heimlich maneuver. But everyone froze helpless. I pushed my chair back and ran to his side. When I wrapped my arms around his girth and squeezed, the meat dislodged from his throat and I could hear the welcome sound of a deep breath. Later, ...

686. No Place Like Home

Psalm 128:1-6

Sermon

James Merritt

The year was 1852, and if you had been standing on the street corner of Washington, D.C., as this funeral procession made its way down the street, you would have been extremely impressed. First of all, you would have seen standing on that same street with you, with his head bowed, his hat removed, and tears in his eyes, the President of the United States. Next to him you would have seen his cabinet, most of congress, and dignitaries from Berlin, London, Tokyo, and Africa. The crowds lined the streets by ...

687. Step Up to the Plate

Luke 1:26-38

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship One: Perhaps we have heard this story so many times that we take Mary's response for granted. However, surely all of heaven must have held its breath as the angels waited for the answer of a young teenaged virgin, whose response insured glory but also, as Simeon's prophecy made clear, trials as well. All: Here we are, servants of the Lord; let it be with us according to your word! One: Our "Yes" to God means more if there is the possibility of saying, "No." God has been waiting for your " ...

688. The Longest Shortest Half Of A Verse

Mark 6:1-13

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship What a universe in half of a verse! After he was rejected by his own neighbors, Jesus sends out his disciples into a dangerous world, and in between we read that Jesus went about among the villages teaching. Weeks, even months, squeezed into a few words. That's Ordinary Time for you. Extraordinary things happen. Let us take hold of the Ordinary Time, squeezed in between rejection and commission, and with God's help do great things! Collect Lord we may reject you. God, we may serve you. You ...

689. The Blessing Complex

Philippians 3:1-11

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

I know of someone who would have understood the stock market these past few weeks. I don’t mean The Great American Taxpayer Robbery by the Boardroom Bandits. No one I know can understand that 700 billion Main Street bailout of Wall Street. Is there any other word than “hypocrisy” when fat-cats want to privatize profits but socialize losses? By the way, did you know that every child born into the world begins life saddled with a $175,000 debt? And that was before the 1 trillion hijacking of Main Street by ...

690. Mark 6:1-13

Mark 6:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

This week's two separate pericopes combine to paint a poignant picture of Jesus' ministry. Together they demonstrate both the risks and rewards that are a part of Christian discipleship. Chapter six continues Mark's theme of movement along the way of the Lord (1:2,3) but for Jesus this next stop is filled with disappointment. In Mark's gospel Jesus has just accomplished some of his most amazing miracles stilling the wild storm at sea (4:35-41), healing the frightening man at Gerasene (5:1-20), and ...

691. Easter 4

1 John 3:11-24, Acts 4:1-22, John 10:1-21

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Epistle: Acts 4:5-12 Peter and John are standing before the Sanhedrin to give an explanation of the healing of the crippled man at the beautiful gate of the temple. Peter and John do not speak in their own defense, but witness to God's deed of healing. The healing focuses on Jesus' name. The miracle done in Jesus' name implied that Jesus was alive and at work. Epistle: 1 John 3:16-24 If we love in deed, we know we have the truth. Even if our consciences condemn us, God is greater than our ...

692. Proper 4

1 Kings 18:16-46, Psalm 96:1-13, Luke 7:1-10, Galatians 1:1-12

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 96:1-13 First Lesson—Elijah and the prophets of Baal meet in a dramatic confrontation. 1 Kings 18:20-21 (22-29), 30-39 Second Lesson—Paul expresses dismay that the Galatians have so soon turned away from the freedom of the gospel he has preached to them. Galatians 1:1-12 Gospel—Jesus heals the slave of a foreign soldier on duty in Galilee. Luke 7:1-10 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Ascribe to the Lord the ...

693. Epiphany 3

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Psalm 19:1-14, Luke 4:14-21, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 19 First Lesson—After exile the recovery of the scriptures during the rebuilding of Jerusalem is occasion for great thanksgiving. Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Second Lesson—Even the seemingly insignificant parts of the body of Christ are indispensable. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Gospel—Jesus makes his bravest announcement in his own hometown. Luke 4:14-21 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Strive after the better ...

694. Framing Values – Part Two

Daniel 1:1-21

Sermon

James Merritt

We are continuing to make progress on our Extreme Home Makeover as you can see and the framing is coming right along. Last week we talked about framing values for your children. Today, I want to talk about framing values for your teenagers. Have you listened to teenagers talk recently? I want to be honest and tell you that I suffer from TLD - Teenage Language Deficiency. If you have listened to your teenager talk lately, you know that their favorite word now is "like". I counted up one time and Joshua, my ...

695. Never Give Up On God

Matthew 7:7-12

Sermon

James Merritt

A little five-year-old girl was watching her mother in fascination as she was rubbing cold cream on her face. She said, "Mother, why do you do that?" The mother replied, "To make myself beautiful." Well, to the little girl's amazement, in just a minute the mother began removing the cream with a tissue she had just put on. The girl said, "What's the matter, giving up already?" I sometimes believe that God looks at our puny prayer lives and asks the question: "Are you giving up already?" Believe it or not, ...

696. Essentials

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

D. L. Miller of Mount Morris, Illinois, was a world traveler among a people who didn't travel much. He was a Dunker, one of the Plain People, who lived in the late nineteenth century. He wore a dark coat and dark pants and a long beard without a mustache. When others bought cars, the Dunkers kept their horses and buggies. If you were a believer, then you dressed like everyone else in your church, and acted like everyone in your church, and made a point of never standing out. His people made a point of ...

697. The Easter Era

Acts 10:34-43

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

Most of us probably enjoy taking part in Easter rituals both here at church and at home. There are things we have done since we were children, and we're glad to pass them on to the next generation. Some of these practices are deeply religious. We may have taken part in solemn Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services, or greeted the Easter Sunrise with song and celebration! Some of the practices may be a little secular, but we practice them religiously as well — breaking our Lenten fasts with a special ...

698. The Hard Task of Truth-telling

Jeremiah 1:4-10

Sermon

Lee Ann Dunlap

Carrie's[1] high school guidance counselor noticed she had been acting out a bit in school recently. She had appeared depressed and had been having some authority issues over rules and such. The guidance counselor set Carrie up with a local pastor who had been volunteering a few hours each Friday after a teen suicide a few months before. Most of the other students who came to see the pastor just needed someone to listen to their usual teen issues and heartaches. But, shortly into their time together, ...

699. A Chance To Dance

Luke 5:17-25

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

He was born Fredrick Austerlitz in Omaha, Nebraska in 1899. His stage and film career spanned a total of seventy-six years, during which he made thirty-one movie musical. He's generally acknowledged to have been the most influential dancer in the history of film and television. He was named the fifth Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute. In 1932, a Hollywood talent agent made this note on his screen test: "Can't act. Can't sing. Can dance a little." The screen test was clearly ...

700. The World Is Our Parish

John 3:16-21

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

It has been said that life is a little bit like buttoning up a coat. It is hard to come out right if you start wrong. The buttonhole principle can be applied to our religion too. The first basic buttonhole principle of Christian faith is this: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but should have everlasting life. Martin Luther said John 3:16 is the gospel in miniature. Evangelical fans at professional football games put it on banners for all the ...

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