... Grant was criticized for being the first “cross-over” Christian artist. She began singing “secular” music, and many Christians were outraged. How dare she “cross over” into the secular market. But amidst all the criticism, there were a couple of voices who defended Amy Grant and promised to pray for her. One of them said: “There is nothing better than a Christian cross-over artist if the artist takes the cross over.” Just as Jesus’ sacrifice transformed the cross from a symbol of horror ...
Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 104:1-35, Acts 2:1-13, Acts 2:14-41, John 15:18--16:4, John 16:5-16
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... :4b-15 1. Counselor (15:26; 16:7). As the Spirit of truth, the Spirit is our counselor. The word is sometimes translated as advocate, comforter and helper. All of these words are facets of the meaning of a counselor. As a counselor the Holy Spirit comes to our aid, defends us, fights our battles for us, says a good word for us and pleads our case as a defense lawyer does in a court case. It is comforting to know and to have someone who proves to be our best friend in a time of need. 2. Witness (v. 26 ...
Isaiah 40:1-31, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27, Mark 1:29-34, Mark 1:35-39
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... . Yahweh reminds them that he is creator of the world, an everlasting God who gives strength to the powerless. They that wait on the Lord shall have his strength to bear the burdens of life. Epistle: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 In this chapter Paul defends his ministry against those who condemn him for not taking pay from his churches, for "the laborer is worthy of his hire." Paul was economically independent by working as a tent-maker. Paul explains that he preaches out of necessity, for he was called to ...
Isaiah 43:14-28, Mark 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 1:12--2:4
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... explains that he had a change in travel plans that excluded Corinth, even though he had planned and promised to come. However, this has nothing to do with the truth of the gospel he preached nor the truthfulness and faithfulness of God. He defends his position by affirming that God is faithful. Jesus is the yes to God's promises, and the Spirit confirms their ultimate acceptance by God. Gospel: Mark 2:1-12 This Gospel combines a healing miracle and a controversy with religious leaders. Jesus demonstrates ...
Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:16-24, John 6:1-15, 2 Samuel 11:1-27
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... that we ask. His generosity is seen throughout nature always an abundance of seed, a generosity of food. The ultimate generosity is the giving of his Son. 5. Force (v. 15). Force is not God's way of working. Christ never used force to gain followers, not to defend himself even from death on a cross. Likewise, Jesus refused to allow force to be used on him. He would not be forced into being like a king, the kind of king the people wanted one who could feed them, one who could rid the country of the Romans ...
... 4). When Elimelech and Naomi settled in Moab, their two sons married Moabite women. Apparently at this time intermarriage was permitted. In the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, Israelites with foreign wives had to divorce them. The Book of Ruth was probably written to defend the practice of intermarriage, for Ruth bore a son, Obed, who became the grandfather of David. In Matthew's genealogy, Ruth is one of four women listed as ancestors of Jesus. 3. Clung (v. 14). Though Naomi urged her daughters-in-law to return ...
2 Corinthians 6:3-13, 1 Samuel 17:1-58, Mark 4:35-41
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... ? b. Your life turns people away? c. Your indifference and apathy discourage people? WORSHIP RESOURCES Psalm Of The Day: Psalm 9:9-20 "The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed." (v. 9); Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32; Psalm 107:1-32 Prayer Of The Day: "O God, our defender, storms rage about us and cause us to be afraid. Rescue your people from despair, deliver your sons and daughters from fear, and preserve us all from unbelief." Hymn Of The Day: "Who Trusts In God, A Strong Abode"
Mark 10:46-52, Psalm 34:1-22, Job 42:7-17, Hebrews 7:11-28
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... frustrations of suppressed peoples that they may find more creative means of achieving change than hijackings and bombings. Sensitize governments in all parts of the world to the just needs of minorities that such frustrations may be dissipated through creative action. Defend us from those beyond the reach of reason and whose aggressions are solely for their own lust for power. Bless those of our members and friends who are in the hospital, or are receiving treatment as outpatients. Grant human and divine ...
2 Samuel 23:1-7, Psalm 132:1-18, John 18:33-37, Revelation 1:4-8
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... The final words of King David are full of hope for the future. 2 Samuel 23:1-7 Second Lesson—Not a kingdom of military power but a kingdom of priests is envisioned by John on Patmos. Revelation 1:4b-8 Gospel—The ruler of the realm of the Spirit defends himself before a ruler of this evil world. John 18:33-37 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Holiness is the beauty of God’s temple while time shall last. People: We worship God ...
Psalm 96:1-13, Isaiah 9:1-7, Luke 2:1-14, (15-20), Titus 2:1-15
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... power, unity, and peace. Grant that all who trust you may receive your Word, and live together in love. Lead all nations in the way of justice and goodwill. Direct those who govern, that they may rule fairly, maintain order, uphold those in need, and defend oppressed people; that this world may claim your rule and know true peace. Give grace to all who proclaim the gospel through Word and Sacrament and deeds of mercy, that by their teaching and example they may bring others into your communion. Comfort and ...
Joshua 5:1-12, Psalm 32:1-11, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... will be lessened and humility bring peace. Uphold all whom you have ordained to the ministry of word and sacrament and elders and deacons and all officers in your church that their private life and public service may honor your name. Bless and defend our country and our leaders at every level of government. May truth and justice be established among us, good manners and customs be maintained, wickedness curbed, your laws observed, and true religion increased. We pray for all who find themselves in times of ...
Galatians 1:11-24, 1 Kings 17:7-24, Psalm 146:1-10, Luke 7:11-17
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
READINGS Psalter—Psalm 146 First Lesson—The "bottomless barrel" is a sign of God’s providence to the widow and the prophet who is her guest. 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24) Second Lesson—Paul defends the authenticity of his gospel as being truly a revelation of God. Galatians 1:11-24 Gospel—Another resuscitation of a widow’s son gives the people a reason to have hope that another prophet like Elijah has come. Luke 7:11-17 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of ...
Psalm 52:1-9, Amos 8:1-12, Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... unrelieved by the knowledge of your caring. Help them as they have need and restore them through the mercy and power of Christ our Savior. Eternal God, we bless you for all who, holy and humble of heart, served you here until you received them into heavenly service. Guide and defend us in our earthly service that we may be worthy with them to see you face to face in Jesus Christ our risen Lord and ascended Savior, to whom with you, O God, and the Holy Spirit, be given endless praise and honor. Amen.
Psalm 50:1-23, Isaiah 1:1-31, Luke 12:32-40, Hebrews 11:1-40
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... exclusive. Let the church be an example of love overcoming strife. God of our ancestors, bless this land, its leaders, legislators, and judges. Grant that without fear or favor they may maintain the rights of all, tempering justice with mercy and defending those who cannot plead their own cause. Divine Creator and Re-Creator, cleanse the bloodstream of nations that are poisoned by corruption in high and low places. Strengthen forces of law enforcement in pursuit of extensive organizations of crime. Jesus ...
Psalm 14:1-7, Jeremiah 4:5-31, Luke 15:1-10, 1 Timothy 1:12-20
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... Hear our intercessions, gracious God, for the sake of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Continue, Holy Spirit, to cleanse the church of all fault and sin, and strengthen us in resisting the temptation to depart from the truth as it is in Jesus Christ. Defend us against all slanderous attack and give us an adventurous spirit in seeking human need and meeting it from the spiritual resources that you will supply. So may your church be seen not as a naysayer but as a harbinger of good things to come ...
Lamentations 1:1-6, Lamentations 3:19-26, Luke 17:5-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-14
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... to you with the bread you sent from heaven and the cup of the new covenant so that we may not become weary in well doing. God of martyrs and saints, save your people who live in lands where your church is persecuted by governments or peoples. Defend them from the rage of their enemies, and grant them unwavering faith that in life or death they may bear faithful witness to your gracious forgiveness. We pray for our country and ourselves. Stiffen our wills to do your will and to resist all evil compromise ...
Psalm 66:1-20, Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, Luke 17:11-19, 2 Timothy 2:8-15
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... . PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND COMMEMORATION Eternal God, fill the whole church of Christ with your presence, that it may be the light of the world, radiant with the grace of your Son, Jesus Christ, the Bright and Morning Star. Holy God, source of all just power, defend, bless, and sustain those who govern us. Give wisdom to all judges and legislators that our laws may be justly written and fairly interpreted. Teach all people to do to others as they would have others do to them, so that our enmities may end ...
Psalm 96:1-13, Isaiah 9:1-7, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Titus 2:1-15
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... power, unity, and peace. Grant that all who trust you may receive your Word, and live together in love. Lead all nations in the way of justice and goodwill. Direct those who govern, that they may rule fairly, maintain order, uphold those in need, and defend oppressed people—that this world may claim your rule and know true peace. Give grace to all who proclaim the gospel through Word and Sacrament and deeds of mercy, that by their teaching and example they may bring others into your communion. Comfort and ...
Isaiah 63:7-9, Isaiah 63:7--64:12, Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... maintaining this heritage and grant wisdom to restore what may have been laid waste. Bless us with honorable industry, honest business, sound learning, and good manners. Save us from mischief, violence and disorder, from arrogance and every kind of exploitation. Defend our liberties and preserve our unity in diversity. Make our government leaders strong symbols of wise counsel and action that exceeds the limits of party considerations. Heavenly Parent to the baby Jesus and all our children, show us how to ...
Genesis 18:1-15, Psalm 116:1-19, Matthew 9:25-10:23, Romans 5:1-11
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... love, they may tap that resource all their lifetime. We pray that you will heal and restore the sick, especially those we name in the silence of our hearts. Be near to all who mourn, and in their bereavement be their comfort and hope. Defend the innocent, deliver the tempted, and rescue those entraped by evil and addiction. Let no trial of faith shake or embitter your children, but bring them through their ordeal purified and made stronger in their trust in you. Eternal God, your perfect Son Jesus shared ...
Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Psalm 90:1-17, Matthew 22:34-46, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... gentleness we see in those who care fondly for children. We are grateful for the deliberate beneficence of those who have more than they need and provide for those who are needy. We are thankful for those who use their power not to exploit others but to defend and protect those who are vulnerable to exploitation. We are glad to honor all who declare the good news of Jesus Christ without base motives of greed or hunger for power. Help us always to seek only your favor and to pass every test of our motives ...
Isaiah 50:1-11, Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 118:1-29, Psalm 31:1-24, Matthew 26:14-16, Philippians 2:1-11
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hostetter
... heroically, and rising victoriously. Vicariously and in reality help us to join you in your suffering in conflict with evil that we may worship you here and hereafter. Amen PRAYER OF CONFESSION Court of last appeal, we are too ready to judge others and to defend ourselves. We are impatient that you should set things right and vindicate our "good name." We are more prone to insult others than to accept slight and insult with patience. Rather than turn the other cheek, we lash out with as much vehemence as we ...
... with this Philistine." (I Samuel 17:32, NASB) David had gone from feeding sheep and running errands to confronting giants. God had been preparing David for the big thing by teaching him to be faithful in the little things. David had learned by tending sheep, running errands, and defending his flock how to step up and do a job that nobody else wanted to do. The first thing you have to do to solve any problem in your life, to meet any challenge in your life, to overcome the giants in your life, you've got to ...
... pregnancy, so what is our solution?—hand out condoms and open abortion clinics; all the while teaching kids they ought to be having sex. We say we ought to protect our children from those that would prey on them and from pedophilia, so what is our solution?—defend Internet pornography as free speech. We say we need to stop Aids, so what is our solution?—practice "safe" sex. I tell you what we need to do. We need to quit rearranging chairs on the deck of the Titanic, and realize that without God all of ...
... this country is the Medal of Honor. The highest honor that can be given in Germany is The Iron Cross. You may not know the story behind The Iron Cross. Early in the 19th Century King Frederick William III of Prussia, was carrying on an expensive war trying to defend the freedom of the Prussian people. He didn't have enough money to finish the war so he came upon an idea. He asked all of the women to bring their gold and silver jewelry to be melted down and made into money so their country could continue the ...