Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 726 to 750 of 4884 results

Sermon

John R. Bodo

... God suspended on two wooden posts stained by his own blood rather than seated in splendor on a throne of gold? But Jesus did not come to explain why God behaved this way or that way. Jesus came to reveal the love of God in action, by his perfect life and willing death. The explanations he was ready to leave to the professionals. A Person The Pharisees, then, and even the disciples, saw in the man born blind a case, a human peg on which to hang a doctrine, perhaps even a doctoral dissertation. But Jesus saw ...

727. Come As You Are

John 21:1-14

Sermon

Alex Gondola

... a more powerful change agent than belittlement, put-downs, condemnation, and fear. Jesus never said, "Stay as you are," to anyone. But he did say, over and over again, "Come as you are." It's not so much that any of us need to change our whole life to moral perfection before we are welcomed by God. It's more like we come to God in humility with all our sins and imperfections and then we start to change. Or put another way, you don't have to "get good" before you are invited to be God's friend. You have ...

728. Prayers for Family Days

Bulletin Aid

Rolland R. Reece

... want to rest. Is it so bad that we ask this after months and years of struggling to succeed? This brings us to the matter of success. Why does our work need to succeed? Do you know what a painful and impossible goal this is? A striving after perfection would be best left in the hands of others -- our sons and daughters. People who have greater insight, persistence, who aren't so limited and weary as we are. Ones who are much better versed in the scriptures, who can say things better than we, who are gifted ...

729. Wedding: Garments Of Marriage (for a formal wedding)

Colossians 3:1-17

Bulletin Aid

Derl G. Keefer

... patience. Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any one of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity. Here you are, (Bride) and (Groom), all dressed up in your very best. What you are wearing today makes a statement about the importance of what is happening. It says you desire to bring the very best that you have and the best that you ...

730. Equipped To Play

Ephesians 6:10-20

Sermon

Robert R. Kopp

... it's coming around for the golf industry right now according to the latest stock reports. But if I could ever find a putter allergic to three-putt greens, I'd pay almost as much as Nevillewood's pro shop charges. "You never stop searching for the perfect putter," Nick Price noted just before the 1998 PGA Championship, "but this one has worked really well." Yeah, right! They all work for a while. Bob Dehls, my favorite clubmaker and an elder at Center, often says, "Every club has a 45-day guarantee. After 45 ...

731. The Upside Of The Practice - Performance Equation

Galatians 6:1-10

Sermon

Robert R. Kopp

... of some would evoke the refrain, "Ding! Dong! The witch is dead!" So we'll complain more than a little bit about God's not consulting us first for more appropriate alternatives. Of course, we would never begrudge Nancy the faithful's reward of that perfect place of personal peace where "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (see Revelation 21). For as David A. Redding reasoned, "Anyone who feels sorry for a dead Christian, as though the poor chap were missing something, is himself ...

732. The Downside Of The Practice -- Performance Equation

Romans 8:28-39

Sermon

Robert R. Kopp

... president from Pittsburgh, often said, "Life keeps coming at you left-handed." It's called the rub of the green in golf. You hit a great shot and it takes a bad bounce into a hazard. Arnold Palmer has said many times, "Golf is full of perfect shots that end in disaster." Marino Parascenzo theorized, "In football some coaches have stated, 'When you throw a pass, three things can happen, two of them are bad.' In golf, there is no limit." Or as Sam Snead told Ted Williams after one of the greatest hitters ...

733. Is Your Christmas A Compromise?

Drama

Karren Boehr

... told her my cards said "Merry Xmas." I know the real reason for Christmas! But that doesn't keep me from having fun. Well, better get those cookies baked. Wouldn't want those shut-ins to starve to death at Christmas time. (Mumbling) To think I'm giving up a perfectly wonderful evening to stuff stupid baskets. It's insane, that's what it is ...

734. The Compelling Call

Drama

Karren Boehr

... to death a few days ago. Boy, that was an angry mob. PAUL: (Laughs and puts hand on Barnabas's shoulder) Barnabas, I'd say your observation skills are still intact. Did you see the size of some of those boulders? But, you'll notice, (Hold arms out) I am perfectly fine. BARNABAS: And I praise God for that. Since the brethren in Antioch laid hands on the two of us and sent us out to preach the forgiveness of sins through Jesus, it's amazing what we've faced: angry crowds, opposition from men and women in high ...

735. Dad, Does God Play Football?

Drama

Karren Boehr

... while stuffing popcorn in his mouth. Football game sounds are in the background. He is obviously into the game and very frustrated. Jumps up, gestures, and shouts) Another fumble! I can't believe it! What's the matter with you, guys. That was a perfect throw! Absolutely perfect! (Continues to mumble as he sits back down) SON: (Enters and flops down on chair beside his father) Dad, do you have time to talk? You promised last night we'd have time today. FATHER: (Continues to stare at the screen) Sure ... sure ...

736. God And The State

Matthew 22:15-22

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

... Roman government, eh?" LAWYER: And if He says He is in favor of high taxes ... well, we will charge Him with blasphemy. It's perfect. DULLER: Wait. Blasphemy? How? BRIGHT: Whose head is on the Roman coin? (PRODUCING COIN) DULLER: I refuse to say it. BRIGHT: Of course ... get it. If Jesus says He supports taxes to Caesar we will charge Him with supporting this self-proclaimed god, Caesar. BRIGHT: It is perfect. Let's try it on Him right now. I'm very interested to meet with Jesus again. ALL: Yes, why not. Let's ...

737. For I Have Chosen You!

Haggai 2:20-23

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

... myself like the Most High." -- Isaiah 14:12-14 and: Moreover the word of the LORD came to me: Mortal, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord GOD: You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, carnelian, chrysolite, and moonstone, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald; and worked in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you ...

738. Hard Questions!

1 Kings 17:7-24

Sermon

Barbara Brokhoff

... he prayed, "Not my will, but thine be done." Let us suppose that you've decided that above and beyond all other persons and things, that God is completely trustworthy. The next hard question that logically follows is, "Will you obey him?" Perfect trust always involves perfect obedience. Obedience is difficult for us because we want our own way much of the time. An overweight business executive decided he had to lose some excess pounds. He went on a strict diet, and took it very seriously. He even changed ...

739. When Life Seems Out Of Control

2 Samuel 18:1-18

Sermon

Timothy J. Smith

... along thinking everything is all right, without a care in the world, when suddenly, quite unexpectedly, something does not go our way and we find ourselves out of control. At those times when we are out of control we can no longer think in rational ways. So we smash a perfectly good lawn mower, we break the storm window because it doesn't go in easily, we turn over the table because we can't seem to get it level, we swear at the computer for losing a program we forgot to back-up, or we kick the dog just ...

740. Silly Love Songs

Sermon

Timothy J. Smith

... Stress was getting the best of him. In despair, Carl decided to take some time off of work and hike along Sky Line Drive in Virginia. The time away from the stresses of his life would do him good. Carl took a lawn chair with him, and at one picture perfect spot he sat down and just looked at the beautiful scenery. He sat there for several hours, just looking out over the valleys. When he continued on his way, he found a small stream. At one time there must have been a bridge across the stream, but all that ...

741. Advent 1

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Jeremiah 33:1-26, Luke 21:5-38

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... you blameless in holiness? v. 13. 2. Who can measure up? (3:11-13). Need: In Handel's Messiah a recitative asks "Who can endure the day of his coming?" In our language we put it, "Who can measure up for Christ's return?" Think of who is coming the perfect man Jesus, the glorious Son of God, the judge of all the nations, the savior of the world! The important point is that we cannot measure up by ourselves and our efforts. In the text Paul makes clear that it is God who will make us the kind of people ...

742. Proper 16

Hebrews 12:14-29, Jeremiah 1:1-19, Luke 13:10-17

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... her by casting out the evil spirit that handicapped her. The woman did not go to Jesus, fall on her knees, confess her faith, nor beg to be healed. He called her to come to him and when he put his hands on her, she was healed. Here is a perfect picture of unmerited and unsolicited grace. 3. Untie (v. 15). When Jesus was criticized for healing the woman on the sabbath, he pointed out to his critics belonging to the synagogue that on the sabbath they untied a donkey or an ox to give it water. He did no more ...

743. Proper 6

Lk 7:36 - 8:3 · Gal 2:15-21 · 1 Ki 21:1--21 · Ps 5

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... . He who claims he has no sin misses out on the greatest things of life. In today's gospel, the poor, unfortunate character was not the sinful woman but the "good," proud Pharisee. His life was empty. There are many "good" Christians who claim guiltlessness but are perfectly miserable. Outline: The values of a true confession of sin. a. The value of being forgiven -- v. 48. b. The value of loving -- v. 47. c. The value of having peace -- 50. 2. Our church is too small - 7:36-50. Need: One of our problems is ...

744. Reformation Sunday

Jn 8:31-36 · Jer 31:31-34 · Rom 3:19-28

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... him as innocent because of the penalty paid by another, Christ. The sinner is not righteous, but he is accounted or considered righteous for Jesus' sake. 2. Righteousness (vv. 21, 22, 25). The righteousness of God is not the popular understanding of goodness, perfection, or justice. In the Scriptures, righteousness means right-relatedness to God. This understanding of the word gave Luther his liberation and insight into the Gospel. It is not a word to fear nor to cringe at the wrath of God. It means God ...

745. Advent 1

Luke 21:5-38, Psalm 25:1-22

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... and that buds and blossoms again and again with justice in Israel and in America. We are excited by every victory of truth over falsehood, every triumph of compassion over indifference, every return to your war of those who have gone astray. We live in hope of the final perfection of your world in your time. Amen. Prayer of Dedication God our Savior, we stand before you as those who are ready to be led by you in your way, to use what we have to clear the way for the coming of your goodness in full measure ...

746. New Year's Eve/Day

Ecclesiastes 3:1-22, Psalm 8:1-9, Revelation 21:1-27, Matthew 25:31-46

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... give us time to develop characters shaped by joy and sorrow. We do not always learn willingly and change our ways to follow the way of Jesus Christ. Pardon our stubbornness and give us further time to learn and improve our times for the sake of your perfect Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS Hear the Good News! We have been given time to reconsider our ways and to prepare ourselves for the day of judgment yet to come. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven ...

747. Proper 14

Psalm 50:1-23, Luke 12:35-48

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... going steadily on, lest you come and find us not at our work and not prepared for your return. Amen. Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 The mighty one, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes and does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, and a mighty tempest all around him. He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: "Gather to me my faithful ones, who made ...

748. Proper 16

Jeremiah 1:1-19, Psalm 71:1-24, Hebrews 12:14-29, Luke 13:10-17

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... would rather go our own way and avoid the training you insist on giving us. We like to be easy-going, slack in our morals, haphazard in our prayers, spiritually out-of-condition. Forgive such denial of our responsibilities as your children, so unlike your true and perfect Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS Hear the Good News. By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we are called to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of ...

749. Father's Day

Psalm 78:1-72

Sermon

Brett Blair

... standing at the front of the house while he dashes off to the hospital) “R” is for the recitals that you attended (father is shown as being literally drug to his child's piano recital) The ad concluded by saying: He may not be a perfect father but he does deserve a perfect gift. Give him an arrow shirt for Father’s Day. As a father, how would like to be remembered? A man once said that as a child he was terribly afraid of his father. “He was a pretty awesome figure,” he said. “When he spoke ...

750. Anger - Eleven Ways To Blow Up, Seven Ways To Cool Off

Matthew 5:21-26

Sermon

R. Curtis Fussell

... point here is, when and where do you act like this? 1. If you want to be angry, take pride in being a perfectionist and expect perfection in everyone else. Be a picky person; make it a habit. Live with the conviction that you can mold and change the people around you. Make ... that made you so angry was in fact helpful. Fourth, you can avoid anger by being self-critical. Remember, no one is perfect; we all make mistakes. As the saying goes, if you never make a mistake, you never learn. We all need acceptance and ...

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