... to them, or down to them. One of the best gifts you can give to your family is a set of solid, Christian values. It is a great thing when a person knows who he is, what he believes, and how he should act, and knows that he has the support of his family in all of that. How strengthening it is when a person is able to say, “Our family does this because we think it is important.” Or, “Our family does not do that because it goes against our values.” Harry Emerson Fosdick, one of the great preachers of ...
... invited me into good experiences. By their love, they have forgiven me and set me free of guilt. By their love they have encouraged me, supported me, and believed in me. By their love they have called forth the best from within me. If I know that, if I care at ... The wife was not well educated. She had no work experience, not well equipped to do very much. So, she took in sewing to support herself and her little girl. She worked late into the night most evenings so that she would have time during the day to ...
... day of the rest of our lives. We can chart out a new direction, set new goals, renew our relationship with God to give us the support we need to be what God has called us to be. What does it take to make new beginning? First of all, we must be a ... lighting policy. TV evangelist: Just one. But for the message of light to continue, pick up that phone and pledge your support today. Amish: What’s a light bulb? And finally, Presbyterians: Change? My grandmother gave that light bulb!!! (1) Well, Presbyterians ...
Psalm 34:1-22, Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 2:28--3:10, Matthew 5:1-12
Sermon Aid
Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe
... must be kept clearly in mind when interpreting Revelation 7:9-17, for it underscores how the snapshot of the eschatological age is being taken during a time of persecution. Thus the present experience of the Church at the time of John's writing does not support in any way his future vision of it. The power of this text lies precisely in this discontinuity, for it states that our experience in this world cannot be a reliable indicator of the character of God or even of the quality of our salvation. John ...
Exodus 1:1-22, Matthew 16:13-20, Romans 12:1-8, Psalm 124:1-8
Sermon Aid
Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe
... are at least two dimensions to the work to which Peter is directed. First is the himself to the service of the Church. Christ's charge to ministry calls Peter to bear the weight of the Church, providing through the strength of God-given faith the support the Church needs to be established in the world. Second, Peter is directed beyond the walls of the Church to work "on earth." This kind of ministry is the establishment of God's ways among humanity. Whether we call it social action or community service ...
Exodus 16:1-36, Matthew 20:1-16, Philippians 1:12-30, Psalm 105:1-45
Sermon Aid
Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe
... that has been given them through the gospel of Christ. Their lives, despite adversity (or, especially in relation to it), are to bear witness to the presence and the power of the Spirit (perhaps spirit should be capitalized in v. 27) which gives them a mutual and supporting life of faith. Paul's point is easily missed given the translations of the last phrases of v. 27. For example, NRSV reads, "I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the ...
Judges 4:1-24, Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Thessalonians 4:13--5:11, Psalm 123:1-4
Sermon Aid
Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe
... . Perhaps we should follow the apostles' lead here and engage the text with our congregations for educational purposes. Too often we have surrendered these strange texts to social groups that operate in secretive sects on the fringes of Christianity or to support groups that use the language to construct elaborate schemes for spiritual warfare. Our own lack of concern with such passages is often a point of condemnation in charges that the Church has moved away from scripture. A serious struggle with this ...
... crowd’s messianic expectations are clear: Jesus is the prophesized deliverer, the messiah for Israel. Verse 10 introduces the first note of unease, of the conflict that is about to unfold. The exuberant, joyful shouts of Jesus’ friends, disciples, and supporters bring a different reaction from the inhabitants of the city of Jerusalem. The city was “shaken,” or “in turmoil,” or “in an uproar,” as the inhabitants asked, “Who is this?” An unknown person creating such a ruckus upon entering ...
... , his happiest moments were here at the church. Jerry was one of those special people who had a "yes" face… always ready to support St. Luke's in every way. Sundays were his happiest days. He would sometimes sing with Pure Sound in the 8:30 service ... it because it shows what we do. When someone in our church family is hurting, we bring food… as a symbol of our love and support during this difficult time, and that's great. But over the years I have become convinced that in addition to prayers and calls and ...
... on the call-in-talk shows. A minister in North Carolina had members of his church voted out of the church because they had voted for a Presidential Candidate different from the one he voted for and supported. In October last year (2004) he preached a sermon in which he told the congregation who he was supporting for President of the United States… and he said that if any of them were planning to vote for the other major candidate, they should come to the altar and repent and then vote for his candidate ...
... in remembering that their "brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering" (v.9). God's love and protection are not localized. They extend over "all the world" and the community of faith is united in love and support. While ultimate comfort is confidence in God's power, all members of "the flock" can also take comfort in each other's presence and in the strength of community. Finally, 1 Peter contrasts the suffering of the faithful, which is "for a little while," with ...
737. Learning Mercy
Illustration
J. Scott Miller
... of God. And the more she perseveres in loving him, the more his defenses begin to crumble. Finally on the night before his execution, Gary confesses to his crime and asks for God's forgiveness. In a flood of tears, he thanks Sister Helen for all her love and support. He then tries to send her home, insisting that her work with him is done and that he is now ready to meet his Maker. "No, that's okay," she responds. "I'll stay through the execution." "But why?" Gary wants to know. "I'm only getting what I ...
738. Hospitality Opens the Door for Healing
Matthew 10:40-42
Illustration
Andrew R. Wolfe
... people who seek me out for counseling. I don't really know how to help people. I don't really do anything at all". He said simply, "What is important is that people are trying to find their way, and so I try to welcome them and I try to support them. And in that welcoming and in that supporting, the possibility for healing is opened." When we extend hospitality, we open the door for healing to happen.
... more than halfway to the moon, and it was hopelessly crippled. What followed was perhaps the most daring, miraculous, nail-biting rescue in human history. The three astronauts were forced to shut down the command module and take refuge in a lunar module intended to support only two people for two days now it had to keep three men alive for four days. Experts gave the crew only a 1-in-10 chance of survival; but ingenuity and determination, combined with the grace of God, was to give ultimate victory. Taking ...
... your families and your peers is indescribable. The embarrassment of facing other Christians who once appreciated you, respected you, and trusted you, will be overwhelming. If you were engaged in the Lord's work, you will suffer the immediate loss of your job and the support of those with whom you worked. The dark shadow will accompany you everywhere and forever. Forgiveness won't erase it. Your fall will give others license to do the same. The inner peace you enjoyed will be gone. You will never be able to ...
... they say, "We will stand behind you come thick or thin, regardless of what you do, regardless of what our individual personal feelings might be about its rightness or wrongness. We have given you a tough job, and we will stand behind you and we will support you. There will be no knives in your back".[1] What Judge Landis demanded in one word was - authority. One of the greatest lessons a parent will ever teach their child is how to submit to proper authority. The reason that is so important is this—the ...
... of God, and prayer. But I want you to notice that Joshua could not have succeeded without Moses. But Moses could not have prevailed without the support of an Aaron and a Hur. Moses got tired. He got weary. He needed men to come alongside of him to hold up his hands ... every Christian can be an Aaron and a Hur, holding up the arms of men of God and of Christian leaders who desperately need their support in prayer. That's why we need a call to arms. You see, if there is no Hur and there's no Aaron then Moses ...
... Epaphroditus, one of their members, to Rome which was a 700 mile trip that took several months, with some encouraging notes and a financial gift for this sainted apostle. Paul is excited. Paul is humbled. Paul is grateful for their tremendous prayer and love and support, and out of that excited gratitude he writes this letter to them. In essence, Philippians is a thank you note for their involvement in his life. He begins this letter by thanking God for them, and in the midst of this opening greeting he ...
... Well, first of all, a vine clings. A vine puts out its tendrils and wraps itself around wherever it’s growing, and clings to it. That’s what a good loving wife will do. She will cleave to her husband and strengthen him and support him. But a vine also climbs. Once a vine is adequately supported, it will begin to grow and mature. Its roots will go down, its branches will grow out, and as it begins to grow it will cover whatever it is clinging to and make it a thing of beauty. That’s exactly what a wife ...
... T-3 brochure, the section entitled “T-3 Projects Unfunded.” Six projects are listed. First, we want to provide an excellent operating room and x-ray lab for the Zimba Medical Clinic in Zambia. Secondly, we want to establish a fund to support Christ Church members who feel called to the foreign mission field. Thirdly, we want to provide scholarships to Asbury Seminary for Christ Church members who feel called to ordained ministry. Fourthly, we want to provide a much-needed bus for our sister congregation ...
... , you know, the one from Cyprus. Then they called him by his middle name, Barnabas. They called him that, as well, because it was exactly who he was—Son of consolation, Son of refreshment, Son of encouragement. That's Barnabas, all right. Generous, caring, encouraging, open-handed, helpful, supporting others in their journey of faith and enabling others to be in ministry. Luke says Barnabas sold a field and brought the proceeds to the apostle—like so much rummage, I suppose—in order to build up, to ...
... you in later life what most lawyers start out with right out of law school? What kind of a future is that? How could you really enjoy the good things in life with that kind of income? How would you put your kids through college? How could you support a family anywhere near your accustomed lifestyle?" "I know, Dad," said the son. "The low pay of ministers does bother me. It seems to me that many churches do exploit their ministers. But I was talking with our minister about that and he showed me our annual ...
... same route to God. Industry today certainly needs trailblazers to provide the path to an ethical and just way of conducting day-to-day business. The bottom line of profit must be replaced with an ethic that stresses the common good. Surely we labor to support our families, but there must be more. We can only blaze a path toward Christ in our daily eight-to-five routine if we have an attitude that is less self-centered and more community oriented. Today people concentrate in large measure on themselves, but ...
... note, to reconnect with God, when despair could very easily be the order of the day. When we know we’re on the verge of something really, really scary, and it’s all we can do not to give up. That’s when we need a place to go, for support and love and strength. Communion is that place, and we are blessed to have it in our lives. I know of a college student who came from a fine Christian family, and a good community, and who had, if not an affluent background, certainly every advantage that one should ...
... quickly degenerate into nothing more than gossip sessions. While there is no substitute for one-on-one, individual sharing of the gospel, there is also an opportunity to be involved in places we cannot go. Together we support missionaries and evangelists who spread the seeds of the gospel for us as we support their work. This does not relieve us of the responsibility to be personally involved, but it does allow us to participate in the planting of fields far away. As we sow the seeds of God we also help ...