Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 51 to 75 of 160 results

51. Discerning the Way of God

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Sermon

Hubert Beck

How do we know what God wants us to do? It must be assumed that anybody claiming in any way to be godly must ask oneself that question regularly. One need not be Christian to ask the question, for it is a larger question than what kind of activity can be called Christian. It has to do with what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is evil, and many people outside Christendom are concerned about the same kinds of questions. It is a bigger question than the everyday kinds of questions about ...

52. Plea for Discipline

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

In a way, Christians are all in the Olympics! We are running the race that determines our eternal abode. We run to win and the prize is the most valuable we will ever seek. No money or property will purchase it. Only self-control under the banner of Christ grants a chance for winning. The apostle is very clear and speaks to all who would enter the race that leads to everlasting life with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is an old/new teaching to whom all Christians for twenty centuries can relate. It ...

53. Abraham Believed God

Genesis 15:1-18

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

If you've traveled with small children in a car, you've probably heard this conversation more than once. Sooner or later, whether the journey is half an hour or half a day, someone asks, "When do we get there?" "Soon." "How much longer?" "A few minutes." How long do we have to wait? It is an essential question asked in scripture. Job, the psalmist, and God's people wonder over time how long they will have to wait until God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven. We pray that phrase in the Lord's Prayer ...

54. Seeing Light In Darkness

John 11:1-16

Sermon

David Belgum

As death drew near for a seventy-year-old man, a cousin was heard to say to his wife, "Don't worry, Agatha, it seems dark now, but in time you'll see the light at the end of this tunnel." Some use another cliche, "It's always darkest before the dawn." These are not helpful statements. And Agatha, about to become a widow, simply sighs and says to herself, "No one understands." It may have seemed to the sisters, Martha and Mary, that Jesus did not understand the seriousness of Lazarus' illness. Here their ...

55. Permission To Daydream

Joel 2:28-32, Joel 2:18-27

Sermon

Robert P. Hines

Manny pictured it in his mind. He would go to Harvard Law School and graduate with highest honors. He would come back home and run for office: mayor, state representative, governor, and finally, president of the United States. He could see himself doing important things in politics, helping people in significant ways. He would fight poverty, repair bridges and highways, clamp down on crime, and negotiate peace in different parts of the world. When he saw these things happen in his mind, a great big smile ...

56. Giving with Open Hands

Mark 12:41-44

Sermon

Thomas Peterson

A couple stands before the pastor in the midday service. He asks, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” The father says, “I do.” Then the father takes the right hand of the bride in his right hand and places it into the right hand of the pastor who, in turn, places it in the right hand of the groom. The vows are given, and the groom, having taken the right hand of the bride, says, “I, John, take thee, Mary, to be my wedded wife.” Dropping hands, the bride offers her right hand to the groom and ...

57. The Discipline of Witnessing

Isaiah 43:1-13

Sermon

Today we talk about witnessing, or "TELLING OTHERS ABOUT JESUS CHRIST." This is even more difficult for most of us. For, quite frankly, we Presbyterians don’t like to think about witnessing. We leave it to the Mormons, or the Jehovah Witnesses, or some of the fringe groups; we much prefer to do things "decently and in order." Somehow witnessing sounds too fanatic! Someone has characterized us as being parallel to those men who belong to the military reserve. We go to drills once a week but we are not on ...

58. You Fool!

Luke 12:13-21

Sermon

Ron Lavin

The incident stirring up this text is the request of someone in the crowd who asked Jesus to judge between on older brother and himself regarding an inheritance. The real problem isn't the request which Jesus refused, but the greed lying beneath the surface of the request which Jesus addressed with a parable about a rich fool who went to hell. In Jesus' day, the oldest brother got the inheritance when his father died. He was then expected to take care of the rest of the family. This procedure protected the ...

59. 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

Theme: The institution of the covenant meal for both Jews and Christians. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Exodus 12:1-14a This contains the priestly tradition concerning the institution of the Passover, the covenant feast of the Hebrew people. The Passover took over a more ancient springtime agricultural festival, infusing it with fresh content. The month of Nisan (March-April) in which the feast took place marked the beginning of the year for the post-exilic Jews. Formerly, the year commenced in the autumn. The ...

60. Eastern Tribes Return Home

Joshua 22:1-34

Understanding Series

J. Gordon Harris

An Altar Crisis on the Eastern Side of the Jordan River: Joshua closes with three chapters that form an addendum pointing out challenges for the next generation. These chapters include speeches that address concerns of Deuteronomy and use Deuteronomic language. Crises in these passages point toward the book of Judges and the rest of the so-called Deuteronomic History (Samuel and Kings). The closing chapters of Joshua parallel the final chapters of Deuteronomy with its farewell speech of Moses and story of ...

61. Does Jesus Have a Health Plan?

James 2:1-13

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Back-to-school time is lay-down-the law time. As all the kids go back to school, Moms and Dads are busy laying down the ground rules to help make it a successful year. Little ones get instructions on crossing the street, holding hands, and eating their lunch. Middle-school kids get cautionary tales about bullying behavior, harder homework, and budgeting their time. High school students get lectures on safe driving, curfews, and the looming threat/promise of college — which means “buck down and buckle-down ...

62. The Price of God's Glory

John 18:1-19:42

Sermon

Richard Gribble

Long ago, on a high mountaintop, three trees were speaking about their future dreams. The first tree said, "I would really like to be made into a cradle so that a newborn baby might rest comfortably and I could support that new life." The second tree looked down at a small stream that was flowing into a big river and said, "I want to be made into a great ship so I can carry useful cargo to all corners of the world." The third tree viewed the valley from its mountaintop and said, "I don't want to be made ...

63. Worry and Wonder

Matthew 6:24-34

Sermon

Susan R. Andrews

Well, the orange alert has finally been lowered to yellow. The purported organizer of the 9/11 attacks is now under arrest. And this week, rather than protecting us from biological or chemical poison, it seems that duct tape is being promoted as the perfect cure for warts! Perhaps, just a bit of our terror has subsided. And yet unsettling news is still around us. Tens of thousands of our troops are still in Iraq. Contrary to the wisdom of most religious leaders, including the Stated Clerk and Moderator of ...

64. Significance in Life

Isaiah 55:1-13

Sermon

Jon L. Joyce

"WHY DO YOU SPEND ... YOUR LABOR FOR THAT WHICH DOES NOT SATISFY?" A woman in our parish referred a lady to me for consultation, and the parishioner said of her friend: "I don’t know what her problem is. She has a very successful husband. She is certainly a success at everything she tries herself. I really can’t understand what her difficulty is." But when the lady came in, she placed her finger precisely on her problem, as she said to me: "You know, it seems that nothing I do feels important." You see, ...

65. Help Wanted, Dad. Ask For Calvin And Hobbes.

1 Kings 19:1-8

Sermon

Lowell D. Streiker

1. What Do Daddies Do? Six-year-old Calvin is talking to his stuffed Tiger Hobbes: Calvin: Here's a box of crayons. I need some illustrations for a story I'm writing. You can draw something besides tigers, can't you? Hobbes: Sure, Leopards, pumas, ocelots....you name it. (Time passes and we find Calvin in bed with his stuffed tiger, ready to be tucked in by his father.) Calvin: Here Dad, read this story tonight. I wrote it and Hobbes illustrated it. Dad:...Um. OK. (He reads aloud.) "The Dad Who Lived to ...

66. Exposed and Expunged

Mark 10:17-21 · Hebrews 4:12-16 · Job 23:1-9; 16-17

Sermon

Lori Wagner

To aspire to perfection is to curse oneself to eternal frustration. Have you ever felt that feeling that no matter how much you do, it’s never enough? Did you ever try to please an unpleasable person? No matter what you do or how you do it, you can never reach their standards. Or how about those people, who are so insecure that no matter how much you show you love them, they will never believe you. Or are you simply that person who sets for yourself unattainable standards, sets the bar higher than humanly ...

67. The Peace Of Christ In A Chaotic World

John 14:15-31

Sermon

Brett Blair

One of the best newspaper cartoons of all time is Calvin and Hobbes. One day Calvin and Hobbes come marching into the living room early one morning. His mother is seated there in her favorite chair. She is sipping her morning coffee. She looks up at young Calvin. She is amused and amazed at how he is dressed. Calvin’s head is encased in a large space helmet. A cape is draped around his neck, across his shoulders, down his back and is dragging on the floor. One hand is holding a flashlight and the other a ...

68. Mark 8:31-38

Mark 8:31-38

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Mark's gospel begins by focusing on Jesus' power and authority. It is full of wonder-working displays of God's vital presence in the midst of Jesus' early "hometown" work in Galilee. This week's gospel text changes both the direction and the message of Mark's record. Jesus turns himself and his disciples away from Galilee and faces them towards Jerusalem. As the first leg of their travels takes them to Caesarea Philippi, Mark's portrayal of Jesus also shifts. Three different times on this trip (recorded in ...

69. Mark 8:31-38

Mark 8:31-38

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

70. Proper 18

Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, Jeremiah 18:1-11, Luke 14:25-35, Philemon 1-21

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

Call To Worship Leader: Good morning! It’s great to be alive this early autumn day! School has begun; summer gardens are closing up; darkness comes sooner. People: The earth seems to be slowing down and we know that winter comes soon enough. Leader: What are you grateful for this morning? People: In our conversations with God and with one another, we express thanks for joyful events, for cheerful hearts especially during difficult circumstances, and for friends who walk with us on life’s journey. Leader: I ...

71. You Cannot Serve Two Masters

Luke 16:1-15

Bulletin Aid

H. Burnham Kirkland

Call To Worship Jesus taught us that you cannot serve two masters. If you try, you will hate one and love the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Come, let us worship the Lord God, our Master and our Friend. Collect O God, you created the world and all that is in it, and it was good. You entrusted your creation to us, but we have not been faithful stewards. Greed, the desire for power, and the wish to control others have caused us to create problems rather than solve them. May this time of worship ...

72. Lent 5

Psalm 130:1-8, Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 11:1-45, Romans 8:6-11

Bulletin Aid

Amy C. Schifrin

Litany: A Conversation With The Psalmist Leader: The abyss, the unknown, the feared: All: Out of the depths have I called to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice; let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication. Leader: Shouting, running, searing pain: All: If you, Lord, were to note what is done amiss, O Lord, who could stand? Leader: Sinking down, deeper, losing oneself, All: for there is forgiveness with you; therefore you shall be feared. Leader: Will it come? Will it be over? When? When? All: I ...

73. Jesus wins, Pilate loses.

John 18:33-37

Illustration

William R. Boyer

George III of England, America's enemy in the Revolutionary War, felt terrible about the loss of the colonies. It was said, in fact, that for the rest of his life, he could not say the word "independence" without tripping over it. He was an odd duck in many ways, but he had good insights. When the fighting in America stopped, King George and all his royal cronies in Europe were sure that George Washington would have himself crowned "Emperor of the New World." That's what they would have done. When he was ...

One can get just as much exultation in losing oneself in a little thing as in a big thing. It is nice to think how one can be recklessly lost in a daisy.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh

75. A Pair of Ducks and Abundant Life

Mark 8:31--9:1

Sermon

King Duncan

[While King Duncan is enjoying a well deserved retirement we are going back to his earliest sermons and renewing them. The newly modernized sermon is shown first and below, for reference sake, is the old sermon. We will continue this updating throughout the year bringing fresh takes on King's best sermons.] Original Title: A Pair of Ducks and Abundant Life New Title: Paradox Blocks It’s always interesting to discover a child’s take on things. The Internet recently carried a series of letters from children ...

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Showing 51 to 75 of 160 results

51. Discerning the Way of God

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Sermon

Hubert Beck

52. Plea for Discipline

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

53. Abraham Believed God

Genesis 15:1-18

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

54. Seeing Light In Darkness

John 11:1-16

Sermon

David Belgum

55. Permission To Daydream

Joel 2:28-32, Joel 2:18-27

Sermon

Robert P. Hines

56. Giving with Open Hands

Mark 12:41-44

Sermon

Thomas Peterson

57. The Discipline of Witnessing

Isaiah 43:1-13

Sermon

58. You Fool!

Luke 12:13-21

Sermon

Ron Lavin

59. 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

60. Eastern Tribes Return Home

Joshua 22:1-34

Understanding Series

J. Gordon Harris

61. Does Jesus Have a Health Plan?

James 2:1-13

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

62. The Price of God's Glory

John 18:1-19:42

Sermon

Richard Gribble

63. Worry and Wonder

Matthew 6:24-34

Sermon

Susan R. Andrews

64. Significance in Life

Isaiah 55:1-13

Sermon

Jon L. Joyce

65. Help Wanted, Dad. Ask For Calvin And Hobbes.

1 Kings 19:1-8

Sermon

Lowell D. Streiker

66. Exposed and Expunged

Mark 10:17-21 · Hebrews 4:12-16 · Job 23:1-9; 16-17

Sermon

Lori Wagner

67. The Peace Of Christ In A Chaotic World

John 14:15-31

Sermon

Brett Blair

68. Mark 8:31-38

Mark 8:31-38

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

69. Mark 8:31-38

Mark 8:31-38

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

70. Proper 18

Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, Jeremiah 18:1-11, Luke 14:25-35, Philemon 1-21

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

71. You Cannot Serve Two Masters

Luke 16:1-15

Bulletin Aid

H. Burnham Kirkland

72. Lent 5

Psalm 130:1-8, Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 11:1-45, Romans 8:6-11

Bulletin Aid

Amy C. Schifrin

73. Jesus wins, Pilate loses.

John 18:33-37

Illustration

William R. Boyer

One can get just as much exultation in losing oneself in a little thing as in a big thing. It is nice to think how one can be recklessly lost in a daisy.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh

75. A Pair of Ducks and Abundant Life

Mark 8:31--9:1

Sermon

King Duncan

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