Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 726 to 750 of 2962 results

Exodus 32:1-33:6

Sermon

Robert S. Crilley

... Israelites insist, "as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him" (Exodus 32:1). The situation is one of utter confusion. Poor Aaron appears as befuddled as a high school teacher designated to enforce the no-drinking rule at an all-night graduation party. Even the Hebrew is somewhat ambiguous. Do the people congregate "before" Aaron? "Around" him? "Against" him? Aaron himself probably wasn't sure. And there's no reason to try to sort it all out ...

727. Life's Loose Threads and The Tie That Binds

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Sermon

Robert S. Crilley

... need would there be of a Sustainer, or for that matter, a Redeemer? Indeed, it may well be that we are destined to dream of the unattainable from the very beginning, when the Creator first hid a pinch of eternity in a handful of clay. Perhaps it is by design that we forever strive to touch the very heaven from which our hearts were hewn. Not so much because we think it ever possible to take hold of God, but rather because, in lifting our arms, it then becomes possible for the Almighty to take hold of us ...

728. Heaven's Wait

Joshua 24:1-27

Sermon

Robert S. Crilley

... into the same river, because that which once was, no longer is, nor shall it really ever be again. Of course, I suppose you could argue that that's precisely the way it was meant to be. And yet, even if change weren't part of the overall design, I suspect it would still be one of our greatest desires. After all, don't we often claim that "Variety is the spice of life"? If nothing ever changed, and every waking hour were sort of stirred together into this bland porridge of predictability, with each dull and ...

729. Expecting the Unexpected

Judges 4:1-24

Sermon

Robert S. Crilley

Whoever started the tradition of referring to the various documents of the Bible as "books" probably meant well. However, it seems to me, this rather generic designation often obscures an important truth: namely, that the "books" are, in fact, an extremely diverse body of literature -- containing everything from laws to letters, and poetry to prophecy. Even a casual reader soon realizes that the so-called "Good Book" is actually an eclectic collection of pieces written over the ...

730. A Long Obedience In The Same Direction

Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon

Mark Radecke

... home for a few weeks of rest and recuperation. With strength renewed, he returned to the point at which he was forced off the trail, and concluded his trek. The journey was undertaken in the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi and was appropriately designated "a hike for the homeless." Some folks sponsored Pastor Patrick so many cents or dollars per mile. The proceeds helped open a new day facility for Roanoke's homeless -- a place of hospitality and refuge for those who daily hike the asphalt trail. That ...

731. Service And Reward

Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... in pruning the vines at the beginning of the growing season and at harvest time. 3. "Vineyard." (v. 1) A vineyard is often used as an image for God's kingdom. 4. "Early." (v.1) The day started at sunrise, which was normally 6 a.m. It was designated as the first hour in their system of reckoning. 5. "Usual Daily Wage." (v. 2) A denarius was usually considered a daily wage. An oral agreement was binding under the law at that time. 6. "Standing Idle." (v. 3) Literally it says they were "hanging about." Day ...

732. Prepared Or Not?

Matthew 25:1-13

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... the coming of the kingdom is unknown. Thesis: Prepare for the crisis of the kingdom which may come unexpectedly. Theme: Seize the day! Key Words in the Parable 1. "Ten." (v. 1) Numbers in Israel had more of a qualitative meaning than a quantitative designation. Ten was a number of completeness, such as the ten tribes of Israel, the ten commandments and the prescription that where ten adult Jewish males were present in one place, a synagogue should be organized. 2. "Lamps." (v. 1) In biblical imagery lamps ...

733. The Church With Nothing

John 20:19-23

Sermon

Thomas Long

... the flour and other ingredients to form the dough for the communion loaves. The plan called for each table to prepare a loaf and, while the loaves baked in the ovens of the church kitchen, the people at each table were to engage in various exercises designed to get them talking about their experiences in the faith. It was a good idea, but like many well-planned events, things looked better on the drawing board than they turned out in reality. There were problems. Children at many tables began to play in the ...

734. Since He's In Charge, We're In Luck

Psalm 33:4-5, 8-9, 13-22

Sermon

Robert G. McCreight

... chemical reactions of natural elements, and everything else that is predictable. Those who argue that we live in this kind of a world would say that whatever happens, happens because the Laws of Nature made it happen that way. Combined with that is the design of an Absolute Tyrant who sets in motion every action within Creation, both great and small. At the other end of the spectrum is the argument of some that nothing is planned. Everything that happens is accidental. Two events may appear to be related ...

735. Love Without Limits

Matthew 15:21-28

Sermon

Roger G. Talbott

... glory: the right to love without limits." In our gospel lesson we see two people who love without limits. Neither of them seem very glorious. One is a tired itinerant preacher named Jesus. The other is a woman who has no name -- only a racial designation: a Canaanite woman. "Canaanite" was to the Jews of Jesus' time what "Native American" is to the majority of North Americans. The Canaanites were the people from whom the ancestors of the Jews took their land. The dialogue that takes place between them doesn ...

736. The Backside Of God

Sermon

John N. Brittain

... a liability rather than an asset. It is this business of living by the letter of the law, by legalism, rather than in a living relationship with God that lies at the heart of the familiar Gospel lesson for today. The trap laid for Jesus was a simple one, designed to be a no-win situation. If Jesus said it was okay to pay taxes, he would lose face with the masses, who deeply and passionately resented the Roman presence and domination; if he said it was wrong to pay taxes, he would take the side of those ...

737. "Ascribe To The Lord The Glory Due His Name ..."

Sermon

John N. Brittain

... it may not be a natural part of our approach to God either. The English word "worship" comes from the Saxon "worth-ship" -- acknowledging that which is worthy of our praise and attention. In the Bible, worship is homage. It is the attitude and activity designed to recognize and describe the worth of the person or thing who is the focus of the worship. A variety of Hebrew and Greek words that might literally be rendered "to serve," "to adore," to "fall-down," or "to prostrate one's self" are all translated ...

738. The Christian Journey I: The Path

Mark 1:14-20

Sermon

John N. Brittain

... . Paul's often quoted words about lostness are not the last words, thankfully; there is another sentence in the paragraph: "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:25). It is no wonder that one of the earliest -- perhaps the earliest -- designation used to describe those who were devoted to Jesus was "followers of the way," in Greek hodos, a path, a road, a highway, but a term that soon enough came to mean a way of life. Commitment to Jesus Christ, Christian discipleship presupposes, then ...

739. The Christian Journey IV: The Pool

Sermon

John N. Brittain

Psalm 114; Ezekiel 47:1-12; Acts 1:1-9; John 4:1-30 We have been thinking about the Christian Journey in terms of some biblical images for the past few weeks. The first image was the path. We saw that one of the earliest -- perhaps the earliest -- designation used to describe those who were devoted to Jesus was "followers of the way," in Greek hodos, a path, a road, a highway, but a term that soon enough came to mean a way of life. This image reminds us that commitment to Jesus Christ presupposes that we ...

740. Prayers for the Sundays After Easter

Bulletin Aid

Rolland R. Reece

... , O God, that we will be able to endorse life in all its fullness. May we never -- out of fear or anger -- choose to hide behind negative responses to life that drive us away from ourselves, from each other, and from you. Undergird our faith that life is designed to bring its participants meaning and joy. Make us sensitive to your Son, who though he lost the life of his body, did not lose the life of his spirit. He received his strength from you and remained faithful to the end. So may we respond to you ...

741. Prayers for Memorial Day, Election, Thanksgiving

Bulletin Aid

Rolland R. Reece

... pray for our allies. Even though it is sometimes difficult for us, we pray for our enemies. They too will twist in pain and die ignominiously upon the earth's crust. How we yearn for peace, the reunion of families, and the resumption of tasks that are designed to meet human needs in the ways of compassion and gentleness. Take our words, as faulty as they may be, and transform them through the power of the Holy Spirit that they may serve your purposes among all humankind. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray ...

742. Prayers for Pentecost

Bulletin Aid

Rolland R. Reece

... took place in our lives this past week, be it sorrow or triumph, we present these events to you for you can fashion meaning from them. You take our experience into your hands, as a potter takes clay and gives it symmetry, shape, and design. Otherwise these experiences may become meaningless or destructive. It is our delight to sing together. Our voices mingled with those of family and friends give witness to our faith. The words describe the purpose of our existence in ways that are forever fresh and ...

743. Wedding: Building A Marriage (for a couple fixing up a house)

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Bulletin Aid

Derl G. Keefer

... , buying your first house is a lot like beginning a marriage. For one thing, it is not a matter of starting from nothing. You will be moving into a house that already has a history behind it. There are probably things that you really like about its design. There are probably other little aspects of your new home that you wouldn't have chosen to include if you had been in on the original planning and building. But you will learn to work around those things, because you appreciate having a house to make into ...

744. Outlook Determines Outcome

Acts 1:1-11

Sermon

Rodney Thomas Smothe

... . Not only had Jesus been raised from the dead like he said he would be, but now he had returned to instruct the disciples regarding their unfolding mission. Was he not satisfied with what they had already learned? Or was this last class in techniques designed not only to reinforce the basic principles but to teach application. When I read the book of Acts that is what comes to my mind: application. This is clearly a book about doing what has already been taught. For 40 days Jesus instructed them in ...

745. Following God's Lead

Joshua 5:1-12

Sermon

Rodney Thomas Smothe

... unexpected miracles to pass we often suggest that luck or our own ability are responsible. If obedience is the first step, then submission must be the second step in following God's lead. Again, as a culture we are faced with a dilemma of our own design. In a "me, me" generation to think about submission to anything or anyone other than our own desires seems foreign. Submission is not a giving away of one's identity; it is yielding oneself to the authority or will of God. Another important understanding of ...

746. It's Called Forgiveness

Matthew 6:5-15

Drama

Karren Boehr

Theme: Forgiving Is A Command Based on Matthew 6:14-15: In the family of God, forgiveness is a command, not a choice. In order to be forgiven, one must forgive. There are no options. (This play is designed for easy production and special lighting is not needed. The occupation in the story may be changed to fit the church congregation best.) Scene: Kitchen of a farm house Props Table and two chairs Newspaper Coffee cup Seed corn cap Characters 1ST BROTHER: Middle-aged man who is loud and ...

747. The Heralding Of Advent

Drama

Karren Boehr

... Almighty. For all the nations will come and worship before thee. For thy righteous acts have been revealed. Hail King Jesus. ALL HERALDS: (All raise hands) For he is King! King of kings and Lord of lords! Forever and ever! (Two additional scenes have been designed for use Christmas morning and when there is a need for a fifth Sunday) Christmas Morning (Scripture passages include: Isaiah 52:7-10; Jeremiah 33:15; Malachi 3:1-4; Zephaniah 3:17; Luke 1:39-55) Bulletin insert: The four candles of Advent: Justice ...

748. The Season Of The Resurrection

Luke 24:44-53

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

Theme: Jesus Appears to the Disciples; Jesus Ascends to Heaven. Instead of debating the mechanics, discover the meaning of the Ascension. AN INVITATION TO ASCENSION SUNDAY Pastoral Invitation Pastor: Welcome, in the name of the risen Christ, to this Sunday designated as the Ascension of Jesus. What do you as a corporate community of faith know about the ascension? (Wait.) Now, what do you consider its meaning for your life, for our life, for your life, this day? (Wait for a response; offer no insights of ...

749. Advent 1

1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Isaiah 63:7--64:12, Mark 13:32-37, Mark 13:1-31

Sermon Aid

E. Carver McGriff

... 30 A.D., and if average longevity was in one's thirties, then it should have been apparent to Mark that either what Jesus was predicting had already taken place, or that the timing was somehow off. Or, Mark may have understood this as figurative language designed to warn the people of the Church that God is at work and there are moral rules to this universe with severe consequences when they are broken. Whether the world or history will literally come to a specific conclusion or not, each one of us will ...

750. Advent 2

Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:1-18, Isaiah 40:1-31

Sermon Aid

E. Carver McGriff

... situation occurs, God will do the work. Heavy-handed evangelism does, if anything, drive people away until the time is right. Dr. Weatherhead told of an experiment performed years ago in England. A Dr. Hadfield had a large group of men squeeze an instrument designed to measure the strength of their grip. The average measure of this test group of men was 101 pounds. He then brought in a hypnotist. The men were all hypnotized and, while under hypnosis were told that they were weak and inadequate. The men ...

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