Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 751 to 775 of 1795 results

Matthew 4:12-17

Bulletin Aid

"Follow the leader" A fun game for kids A necessary style in narrow places A way to get somewhere safely, But sometimes frustrating! What if the leader doesn't go where I want? What if the leader is too slow Or too fast? Too cautious Or too impetuous? What if I don't trust the leader? What if I don't ...

752. Prayer

Matthew 6:25-34

Bulletin Aid

... to plan for the future? Who's going to see that I survive, If I don't do it? How can I not worry? About big things The threat of war Conventional or nuclear The economy Job security Employment Will I be able to maintain my life style? Population pressures World hunger; About personal things My health and security And that of my family Whether my kids will turn out OK My relationships with others My self worth; Even about little things "What will the neighbors think?" "Is my outfit appropriate?" "Do I have ...

753. Proper 5

Genesis 22:1-19

Sermon

... at the price of his own heir and his own future, he did not waver in his faith or his commitment. We do not like to hear our faith being couched in terms like that anymore. We do not like unreserved commitment. We prefer a more cautious style. Yet, throughout the Scriptures, it is plainly stated the Judeo-Christian faith is an exclusive faith that will not share the worship of the hearts of its followers with anyone or anything. The believer's commitment belongs to God alone. The modern tendency is to rebel ...

754. Seeking Hands

Psalm 141:1-10

Sermon

... gifts. It is a posture of prayer that indicates the great expectations we hold regarding all that the Lord is able to do. II Uplifted hands in prayer can have special meaning for us in this Lenten Season Very possibly we are not going to change our prayer style. We probably are in such a habit of folding our hands and bowing our heads that we are going to continue. However, during this Lenten season as we consider our theme, and as we listen to King David regarding the lifting up of our hands, it would be ...

755. They Watched Him

Luke 14:1-14

Illustration

Wallace H. Kirby

... so that people might begin to wonder if he really believed and followed his own message. A noted TV religious personality is reported to have purchased a $449,000 home in addition to a new Mercedes-Benz and a Rolls-Royce. When asked about this discrepancy of message and life-style, he said that he and his wife "just had to have a little place of our own." Jesus’ watchers wanted to uncover something like that; with it they could deflate the disturbing attractions of this prophet from Nazareth.

756. A Good Picture of Bad People

Luke 16:1-15

Sermon

... . If Jesus were here today, he would still be issuing these kinds of warnings although the words he used and the pictures he drew would be different. He might very well choose the words and imagery of Kurt Vonnegut. In his make-believe style this contemporary author writes about Tralfamadore where the creatures of that land were not nearly as dependable as the machines. They were not as efficient, predictable or as durable. The creatures had the idea that every creature had to have a purpose, and that ...

757. God Is Good But Not Easy

Luke 18:1-8

Sermon

... dying man’s father who was on the opposite side of the bed from the pastor and who was cursing. When the doctor looked directly at the father, he could understand the words. The man was addressing God and cursing God. In one obscene line after another, in the style of Salieri, he was telling God what he thought of God. The doctor was never certain, but he always thought that this hurt and disappointed father was so angry at God because he felt God had let him down. He had made a bargain with God for his ...

758. PARABLE OF THE BEST CHURCH

John 15:9-17

Illustration

... while shopping for clothes, the mother used the material at hand to explain her answer. She pointed out the many different pairs of trousers on the counters. There are some that fit better than others, and even with the size correct her choice of color, style and purpose, as well as cost, would determine the selection. All the trousers were made to clothe the wearer, yet some were most suitable for work or play. "Yes, there are some who will criticize you for what you wear, and for where you worship ...

759. Repent!

Acts 2:14-41

Sermon

... later as we are punished by sin now. How do we escape this inner punishment of guilt, loneliness, and worry? One way is by changing our lives. Part of repentance is changing; we can find inner health as we reform outer habits. Repentance involves developing new styles of living, acquiring new habits such as - using the living room as a place to talk with loved ones instead of a place to hibernate with the T.V.; deciding the purpose of your life, for the next ten minutes, is understanding and helping the man ...

760. Practicing and Preaching

Acts 7:54--8:1a

Sermon

... the scene. So rapidly had the church in Jerusalem been growing the Christians had long since moved out of the small homes in which they had met each night for dinner. Now they meet in a social hall which strives to be a family-style restaurant, but is degenerating into a soup kitchen. Scurrying about are the waiters - Philip and Matthew, Bartholomew and Nathan and most of the other disciples, juggling stacks of dishes in their fishermen's hands and undoubtedly dropping many of them. In the center stands ...

761. Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

2 Kings 13:10-25

Sermon

... "goodness" and wonder what it has accomplished. 3. Wild men. Men who wasted their time, perhaps as hedonists, look back and see that they learned too late what life is all about. 4. Grave men. Men who are very serious about life also need to answer for their style of life and see what they might have missed of happiness and joy. Dylan Thomas closes the poem by asking his father to either curse or to bless him, and ends with these words: Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of ...

762. A Moment of Brightness

Matthew 17:1-13

Sermon

Dean Lueking

... : "JESUS ... JESUS ... JESUS." Her angry question about "my Jesus" made me want to shoot back an answer, "... because, lady, there is more to Jesus than you ever dreamed. He’s not just your Jesus. You don’t have him all to yourself, locked into your own style and experience. For God’s sake, woman (literally, for the sake of God), make room in your mind and soul for the mystery, the glory, the transcendence of our Lord." That’s what I felt like saying. But I didn’t. It doesn’t matter what was ...

763. Not Blind but Seeing

John 9:1-12

Sermon

Dean Lueking

... him into a cheerleader instead of Savior and Judge. It is common to want his gifts but not his people, to profess a private kind of line to him but never to see our place in the church to which he always calls us. Jesus does not go out of style. His word of truth holds for this time and every time. The blind spots in our faith life need clearing up; for that purpose he gives us a text like this one today. As long as we live, and worship, and participate in his mission, and take our place among ...

764. The Cost of Being Christian

Acts 7:54--8:1a

Sermon

... mind of Jesus? In reality, these are the only true pictures we have. All of the others are simply portraits or caricatures, which the artist has painted from the image the artist has in mind of the same Jesus. Very often the artist also reflects something of the art style of the period in which the picture was drawn. So your picture, at least in terms of your own faith and development, is as important to you as any other picture you might see. How then do you see Jesus? Do you see him as the Good Shepherd ...

765. Advent 2

Malachi 2:17--3:5, Philippians 1:1-11, Luke 3:1-20

Sermon Aid

... : hope - v. 5a c. The level highway: humility - v. 5b d. The smooth highway: love - v. 5d 3. Why Repent? (3:3). Need: The average person asks, "Why should I repent? I am happy as I am. I don't see any need to change my life-style." During this Advent season, a time for repentance as preparation for Christ's coming, people are preparing for Christmas dinners, parties, and family reunions. Least of all is there any time given to the need for repentance as preparation for Christmas. Yet, we all know we are ...

766. Corpus Christi

Lk 9:11-17 · 1 Cor 11:23-26 · Gen 14:18-20

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... a lunch. b. Our hunger, physical and spiritual, often comes from carelessness on our part, not lack of generosity on God's part. 3. The banquet always waits (Lesson 2) a. Abraham ate "on the run" (Melchizedek brought food "out" to him.) b. The crowds ate picnic-style. c. By contrast the Eucharist draws us inside, to God's own banquet hail. As often as we come, we share the King's own life and love. WORSHIP RESOURCES Theme of the Day: The Lord Feeds Us With His Own Body Lesson 1 - God provided for Abraham ...

767. Proper 24

Lk 18:1-8 · 2 Tim 3:14--4:5 · Gen 32:22-30 · Ex 17:8-13 · Hab 1:1-3, 2:1-4

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... big question that divides churches is the manner of inspiration. Did God dictate the Bible word for word? Then it must be errorless. Did God inspire men with the truth and allow them to express the revelation to the best of their ability and according to their style? If so, then the Bible is infallible in the truth conveyed through frail and faulty people. 3. Ministry (4:5). Paul was writing to a young minister who was ordained to the ministry by the laying on of hands. It was a ministry primarily of Word ...

768. Proper 25

Lk 18:9-14 · 2 Tim 4:9-18 · Sirach 35:12-18 · Deut 10:12-22 · Zeph 3:1-9

Sermon Aid

... is that matters A. God cares for all who are members of his family: baptized, marked with his love, there is no distinction B. If push comes to shove, God will side with the hurting (the prosperous can better take care of themselves) 3. We need to imitate God's style A. No favoritism in the Christian community! B. Let us not forget the unfortunate beyond our gates Lesson 2: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 1. At the Crossroads of Life. 4:6-8. Need: There will come a time when we will stand at life's crossings. It ...

769. Proper 28

Lk 21:5-19 · 2 Thes 3:6-13 · Mal 3:19-20, 4:1-6

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... , 10, 12). Paul comes right out with it without mincing words. He commands his idle people to go to work. What do you think of this approach in human relations? Can a pastor say this today? People resent being ordered around to do this or that. The contemporary life-style of leadership is for the pastor to be only an enabler. The people are to decide what they are to do. The pastor is there to help them reach their goals. Even if to command was an acceptable approach in Paul's day, what right did he have to ...

770. The Baptism of Our Lord

Lk 3:15-17, 21-22 · Acts 8:14-17; 10:34-38 · Isa 42:1-7; 61:1-4

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... : As in the case of the rich young ruler, we may have one thing lacking. The Samaritan Christians had everything but one thing. The Spirit is lacking in many church members. Evidence for this is the apathy, indifference, and inactivity of church members. In an inductive style, the sermon will come to the missing link in Christian experience. Outline: Do you as a Christian have this? A. Knowledge of the Gospel? Yes - v. 14 B. Baptism in Christ? Yes - v. 16 C. Prayed for? Yes - v. 15 D. Holy Spirit? v. 17 2 ...

771. First Sunday in Advent

Romans 13:11-14

Bulletin Aid

Second Lesson: Romans 13:11-14 Theme: Living in the Light of Christ Call to Worship Pastor: As winter sets in, the days are shorter and we live in more darkness. People: Sometimes we feel that life has its wintertime, too, in which darkness steals the light by which we live. Pastor: Then you can rejoice! For darkness turns to light as we make ready for the advent of Christ, the Light of the world! People: We want to cast off the works of darkness in our lives, and put on the armor of Christ our light! ...

772. Second Sunday in Advent

Romans 15:4-13

Bulletin Aid

Second Lesson: Romans 15:4-13 Theme: Scripture was written that we might have hope Call to Worship Pastor: God inspired men of old to record his Word, that we might have hope. People: Our hope is in Christ, who came in fulfillment of God's promises in his Word. Pastor: Our hope continues to grow because Christ has assured us that our future is also in God's hands. People: We commit ourselves to study God's Word, that hope may continue to grow in us. Collect Eternal God, you who are true to your promises ...

773. Second Sunday in Advent

Matthew 3:1-12

Bulletin Aid

... is a call to repentance in preparation for Jesus ministry of salvation. People: Many of us are baptized Christians. But there is still a need for change in our lives. Pastor: Jesus comes to baptize us with the Holy Spirit; and that calls for a life style which gives evidence of repentance. People: We commit ourselves to new life in Christ, assured that he will enable us with the Holy Spirit to live that life. Collect Merciful Father, who calls us into repentance not only with our lips, but with our lives ...

774. Fourth Sunday in Advent

Romans 1:1-7

Bulletin Aid

Second Lesson: Romans 1:1-7 Theme: Jesus: Son of God, son of man Call to Worship Pastor: What a wonderful Savior is Jesus our Lord! People: He is Son of God, and son of man. Pastor: In the flesh he suffered all the trials of man; yet as Son of God, he brought salvation for all mankind. People: Jesus is Lord! We give him our lives in thanksgiving for his gift of new life. Collect Almighty God, whose good news is the gift of your Son who was born of woman: Convict us of our need to accept him as our Savior, ...

775. Proper 10

Romans 8:9-17

Bulletin Aid

Second Lesson: Romans 8:9-17 Theme: Live by the Spirit Call to Worship Pastor: Throughout life we must struggle with the conflict between our human nature and God's Spirit. People: We want to live by God's Spirit, but our human nature has such strong control over us. Pastor: If we live according to our human nature, we end in death; but if we live by God's Spirit, we are raised from death to life. People: May God's Spirit enable us to put to death our sinful ways; that we may live with him. Collect Eternal ...

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