Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 676 to 700 of 1533 results

676. How to Live the Good Life (Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness)

Galatians 5:22

Sermon

James Merritt

The French philosopher, Jean Jacques Rousseau, once said, "Happiness is a good bank account, a good cook, and a good digestion." That is what he would call today "the good life." There are many today who would agree with him. There are some who say that the good life is physical. They believe it just doesn't get any better than a hot tub, a back rub, and a drink at the pub. But then there are others who say the good life is material. They think that if you've got the mansion, the Mercedes, and the money, ...

677. A Trip to God's Woodshed

Hebrews 12: 5-11

Sermon

James Merritt

I heard about a young boy that went off to one of these extremely expensive universities. The bills were coming in monthly to these parents, and they were struggling to keep their head above water. One day his mother received a letter from him that read like this: Dear Mom: I'm writing to inform you that I have flunked all of my courses. I had an accident and totally wrecked my car. I owe the clothing store in town $2000, and I have been suspended for the next semester because of misconduct. I am coming ...

678. Put Up and Shut Up

Proverbs 18:21

Sermon

James Merritt

"I have never been hurt by anything I didn't say." Calvin Coolidge It's a funny thing with kids: after they are born we can hardly wait until they start talking, then after they learn to talk we can hardly wait for them to shut up! Someone has observed that children go through four stages in their communication with their fathers. First, they call you "Da-da." Then they call you "Daddy." Then they call you "Dad." Then they call you "collect!" Solomon was extremely concerned that his children be wise in the ...

679. Love: The Happiness of a Godly Family

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Sermon

James Merritt

Thomas Jefferson could truly say, "Been there, done that, now what?" He was Ambassador to France, the first Secretary of State, a Vice President, the President of the United States, founder of a major university, author of the greatest political document in history, a multi-faceted inventor, architect, author, farmer, and scholar. He was perhaps the most brilliant man ever to occupy the White House. He was present at the signing of the Declaration of Independence; he attended the second Continental ...

680. Stop Fuming, Start Forgiving!

Matthew 6:5-15

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

The late Bishop Lance Webb used to tell a story about a little five-year-old boy who misbehaved. His mother decided to give him some quiet time. She had a large closet. So, she pushed back the hangers in the closet so there would be room for his chair. She turned on the light and told him he would have to stay in the closet for 30 minutes. She heard strange sounds inside the closet and then everything got quiet. The mother was curious, so she opened the door. “Jimmy, “she asked, “what on earth are you ...

681. Secret Revealed

Romans 16:25-27

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

At last it happens! Jesus the Christ is born of a woman and is here for all to see in flesh and blood. Paul, as is often the case, is in a celebrative mood. It is as though all of creation is pulsating with his entrance into history. Human nature has a way of enjoying secrets and naturally wants exposures to occur. We are fascinated by the possibility of something or someone being revealed. In this case it is far more than fascinating. It is thrilling beyond adequate words to depict. History seems to stop ...

682. Deep Calling to Deep

Ephesians 1:3-14

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

Wow, our text is not only challenging, it is a momentous portion of scripture that keeps spreading and giving! The profound theology expressed is in some ways more than we are able to handle. Yet, we are called to make an honest and forthright attempt. A conscientious rendering of the passage is in order that others may, at least, taste such wisdom is our goal. To be chosen "in Christ before the foundation of the world ..." is both awesome and ominous. It is as though our free will has been suspended and a ...

683. Transformation to the Light

Mark 1:14-20

Sermon

Richard Gribble

Once upon a time, a diamond was born. He was nothing striking, but rather rough, like the rest of his family. He lived in the darkness and was very content to do just that. As a young diamond he heard tales of how some of his ancestors had left the darkness to a place of light, but that didn't concern him. One day he began to hear noise in the distance, and it came progressively closer. It was the sound of machinery with men talking and often yelling over the roar of the equipment. As time progressed, an ...

684. Settle for an F

Hebrews 13:1-8

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

If "A" is for adultery and "F" is for faithfulness, settle for an "F." Faithfulness is central to an "I Do" marriage. "I never knew what happiness was until I got married, but then it was too late." "Marriage is a great institution, but who wants to spend the rest of one's life in an institution." Without the lumps and bumps, woes and warts of marriages, stand-up comics would starve. In some ways our culture has much in common with the attitude that prevailed in the first century - remaining faithfully ...

685. The Resolution to End All Resolutions

Luke 2:41-52

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

The ultimate resolution a Christian can make is to live in the light of divine intentions, not human inventions. Did anyone come down to breakfast this morning and announce "I'm so hungry, I feel as if I haven't eaten since last year!"? It's fun to play with all the brand-new possibilities open to you on January 1. Go jogging this morning, and you've exercised every day this year. Get through lunch without eating potato chips or a candy bar, and this year reflects a whole new healthy and perfectly-kept ...

686. New Beginnings

John 1:1-18

Sermon

King Duncan

Welcome on this first Sunday in a new year. Did you know that New Year’s Day is the one holiday that is almost universal? It is the world’s most observed holiday. I trust you’ve made your New Year’s resolutions one of which is to be in worship each week. Well done for this first Sunday. I won’t ask you if you’ve resolved to lose the weight you gained between Thanksgiving and Christmas, or if you’re planning on joining a health club, or if you’re going to run five miles a day. Five miles, by the way, is my ...

687. Lent 3

Exodus 20:1-21, 1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5, John 2:12-25

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Exodus 20:1-21 The 10 commandments are unconditional demands of God. They are absolute laws that express the will of God for his people. Israel is his people, for a covenant was established at Mount Sinai. The commandments follow the covenant relationship as the people's response to God's grace in making the covenant. They are not conditions to be met before God is their God, but rather because he is their God. They will live as his children according to these absolute laws. The ...

688. Epiphany 2

John 1:43-51, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, 1 Samuel 3:1--4:1

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) In the temple at Shiloh, the boy Samuel is serving the priest Eli. He sleeps near the ark of the covenant, symbol of God's presence. One night Samuel is called. Twice he mistakes the voice of God for Eli's. Then Eli instructs the boy to say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant hears." Samuel obeys and God speaks to him of future happenings in Israel. Epistle: 1 Corinthians 6:11b-20 People in the Corinthian church were sexually immoral for religious reasons. They ...

689. Epiphany 6

2 Kings 5:1-27, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27, Mark 1:40-45

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: 2 Kings 5:1-14 Elisha was a prophet of Israel in the ninth century. He was known as a miracle worker among prophets. In the cleansing of Naaman, the Syrian general, Elisha is in the background that Yahweh might receive the glory. When Naaman humbles himself and obeys Elisha's directive to wash in the Jordan, he is healed. The passage brings to the forefront the superiority of Yahweh over the gods of Naaman and God's graciousness which is extended to Gentiles. Epistle: 1 ...

690. Proper 15

Genesis 45:1-28, Psalm 133:1-3, Matthew 15:1-20, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter - Psalms 133:1-3 First Lesson - Joseph forgoes vengeance for forgiveness and largesse. Genesis 45:1-15 Second Lesson - Paul praises the wideness of God's mercy. Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Gospel - Jesus teaches that purity has more to do with the heart than with the hands, with the spirit than with the external. Matthew 15:10-28 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Mark my teaching, O my people, listen to the words I am ...

691. Third Sunday in Advent

Psalm 145:5-10 or Luke 1:47-55, Isaiah 35:1-10, Matthew 11:1-19, James 5:7-12

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 146:5-10 or Luke 1:47-55 First Lesson—God's People will be gathered with great joy from times of grief and uncertainty. Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 Second Lesson—As the farmer must patiently wait for passing seasons so the sufferer must be patient in anticipation of final relief. James 5:7-10 Gospel—Jesus reassures John the Baptist that truly Messianic ministry is happening and pays high tribute to John's role in the tradition of Elijah the prophet. Matthew 11:2-11 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The ...

692. Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

You think it was hard for the first generations of disciples to explain Jesus’ death on the cross? It was almost as difficult to explain Jesus’ life. Whenever he spoke publicly it was with unique authority and with profound scriptural insight. Yet he abandoned the bimah, the teaching lectern in the synagogue, and instead chose to preach and teach in the fields, by the sea, on remote mountaintop, and from the humble homes of his disciples. Jesus’ lifestyle just didn’t mesh with the cultural expectations ...

693. The Lord’s Supper

1 Corinthians 11:23-34

Sermon

James Merritt

What we are about to do today is observe an event that is 2000 years old, but that event is based upon another event that is 1000 years older than that. I take you back 3000 years to the land of Egypt to an event known to the Jewish nation as "Passover". The God appointed leader of the nation of Israel was a man named, Moses. God had instructed Moses to go to Pharaoh, who was the leader of the Egyptian nation and command him to allow the Hebrews (that is the Jewish people) to leave Egypt so they could ...

694. What Is 40 Days Of Purpose?

2 Timothy 4:9-18

Sermon

James Merritt

We are about to begin a journey, a forty-day journey that I believe will change your life more than any other forty days that you have ever lived. In that forty days we are going to ask and answer the single most important and fundamental question anyone can ever ask in this life which is, "What On Earth Am I Here For? What Is My Purpose? Why Am I Alive?" The Bible says God never created anything without a purpose or a reason. Whether it is animal, vegetable, or mineral, everything that God created has a ...

695. Name Dropping

Exodus 20:7

Sermon

James Merritt

God's Name is so important to Him that it makes the "Top Ten" of the commandments He wants his family to live by. Most every one of us here very likely have some type of an alarm system in our home. We have that because we want to make sure our homes are secure. That is why we are in the middle of a series on the Ten Commandments that I have entitled "Homeland Security." Remember that the Ten Commandments are God's rules for His family. The Ten Commandments were not given to establish a relationship with ...

696. My Mission from God

John 17:18

Sermon

James Merritt

We shared with you over the last several weeks just as God has a purpose for your life God has a purpose for His church. Those purposes are identical. The first purpose we learned was worship. That is how the church glorifies. The second purpose is fellowship. That is how the church gains. The third purpose is discipleship. That is how the church grows. The fourth purpose is ministry. That is how the church gives. All these purposes have something in common and that is - we will continue in some ways to ...

697. God and the Minimum Wage

Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon

James Merritt

In 1938 the United States Congress passed a law called "The Fair Labor and Practice Act." That law affects millions and tens of millions of lives to this very day, because it established for the first time in our history a minimum wage. Believe it or not, it was set at 25 cents an hour. I can remember working when I was in high school in a Five & Dime Store for $1 an hour. The only reason he paid me that much was because he had to, because he would tell me many times I wasn't worth that. That law was ...

698. Handling Objections

Psalm 1:1-6

Sermon

James Merritt

One of the concerns that anyone brings to the table when they are going to be in a witnessing encounter is the possibility of objections being raised. Particularly objections that may prove to be difficult or at the time unanswerable. The first thing to remember is this: Objections are to be expected, but they are not to be feared. Much of the message that Jesus Christ Himself gave was objected to by those who heard it. The Book of Acts is full of people who objected (at least initially) to the message of ...

699. More Time

Luke 13:1-9

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

Who can speak of "justice" in any long-standing and helpful way? It is a subject that fits many who write commentaries but we discover in most cases they are woefully inadequate. You and I, lay and clergy, deal with it almost daily and much of the time when we would rather not do so. It is a theme seemingly as old as history itself. Indeed, when did we not speak and write about it? The Old Testament (Hebrew Scripture) has numerous references to our topic. In that classic verse of Micah, he reminds us "to ...

700. The Two Prodigals

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

The relationship between and among siblings is a study both intriguing and challenging. Many of us know the truth here firsthand from the experience of growing up in families. Even if one happens to be an only child, we are brought in touch with brothers and sisters in other families. A great deal is made of the birth order in a family. For example, the oldest son has traditionally been known as the child who is to make his mark in the world and, in some cases, look after parents and those siblings who are ...

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