Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 776 to 800 of 1679 results

776. Briny Faith

Mark 9:38-50

Sermon

Lori Wagner

When the heart malfunctions it sometimes needs a regulator. It’s called a “pacemaker,” a cardiac pacing device that keeps the rhythm of the heart steady and sure. For those who have heart failure or heartbeat issues, the pacemaker resynchronizes the heart and makes the heartbeat more efficiently. The heart’s electrical system controls the heartbeat. But aging, muscle damage from a heart attack, or some kinds of genetic conditions can cause the heart to beat abnormally. It can get sludgy, therefore not ...

777. Empowering the Powerless

Mark 10:2-16

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Tests. You’ve all taken them, in school, at university, or maybe even on the internet! While most of us grew up dreading the school or workplace kind, we’ve grown to love the kinds that showcase our unique personalities: the MBTI/16 Personalities, the Myers-Briggs, the SAPA, or the new, hugely popular Enneagram test. Each kind of test is designed to reveal or highlight certain characteristics about our character, our personalities, or our emotional wellbeing. Looking at the various ways we have scored, we ...

778. Christ, Our King

John 18:33-37

Sermon

Thomas C. Willadsen

Today is the last day of the church year. The church year starts four Sundays before Christmas, so next week when I wish you all a happy new year, I hope to get a better response than blank stares. The last Sunday of the church is called both “Christ the King” Sunday, and “Reign of Christ” Sunday. This festival goes all the way back to 1925, when Pope Pius XI added it to the calendar. It was set as the last Sunday of the church year in 1970. When I learned this I was a little surprised. I love looking into ...

779. Christ, Our King

John 18:33-37

Sermon

Thomas C. Willadsen

780. The Call to Encounter

Luke 8:26-39

Sermon

Dean Feldmeyer

As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time, he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me…” Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. (Luke 8: 27-31) To ...

781. Take Up Your Cross

Mark 8:31--9:1

Sermon

Harry N. Huxhold

Glenn Tinder, Professor of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts at Boston, has written a book titled, The Political Meaning of Christianity. While the author acknowledges that what he offers is an interpretation, he also believes that he represents a view that could be common to many Christians. He unabashedly confesses that he is beholden to a unique point of view. What he sees as different is that his stance is less optimistic than some Christian perspectives. This is not to say that the ...

782. Proper 24

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40, 2 Timothy 3:10--4:8, Luke 18:1-8, Psalm 119:1-176

Bulletin Aid

William E. Keeney

A Widow And A Bad Judge Recent news articles have reported accounts of judges who have misbehaved. One told of a judge who showed erratic actions on the bench. He scolded persons before him with abusive language and handed down peculiar sentences for those whom he found guilty. Another is suspended from his office and people have called for his impeachment. People charge that he engaged in sexual harassment of a court employee. A third changed the sentence, making it harsher, after he conferred with the ...

783. When It Is Dark Enough

Luke 21:5-38

Sermon

Charles H. Bayer

On clear summer nights my wife and I often stretch out on the deck of our Maine cabin scanning the skies for satellites. While it might be dark at ground level, neither satellites nor stars appear until the sky is black. The ancient Persians put it this way: "When it is dark enough you can see the stars." At the graveside of his brother, the agnostic Robert Ingersoll, said, "In the darkest night hope sees a star and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing." Today is the first Sunday in Advent. The ...

784. Held In His Arms

Isaiah 51:17--52:12

Sermon

Paul W. Kummer

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for collecting art. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed elderly man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they ...

785. The Divine Advocacy

John 16:5-16

Sermon

Maurice A. Fetty

The Festival of Pentecost long has been neglected within American Protestantism. Often coinciding with Memorial Day weekend, it tends to be overshadowed by parades and visits to cemeteries and memories of those loved long since and lost a while. Even more than that, it is overshadowed by the official opening of summer for those of us in northern states. Memorial weekend is for opening cottages, launching boats and for getting a good start on a summer tan. But the Festival of Pentecost has been around about ...

786. Advent 4

Mt 1:18-25 · Rom 1:1-7 · Isa 7:10-17 · Ps 80

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

THIS WEEK'S TEXT Revised Common: Is 7:10-16 · Rom 1:1-7 · Mt 1:18-25 Roman Catholic: Is 7:10-14 · Rom 1:1-7 · Mt 1:18-24 Episcopal: Is 7:10-17 · Rom 1:1-7 · Mt 1:18-25 Lutheran: Is 7:10-14 (15-17) · Rom 1:1-7 · Mt 1:18-25 Seasonal Theme: Attitude of Obedience Suggested Text For Preaching: Matthew 1:24 and Romans 1:5 COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Isaiah 7:10-17 This selection contains a verse (v. 14) that rings musically in the Christian's ear at Christmas. It speaks of a virgin (almah actually means young woman) ...

787. Come Out!

John 11:38-44

Sermon

Thomas Peterson

Years ago I had the rare privilege of hearing a lecture in which the question was posed, “Did the angels actually sing to the shepherds on Jesus’ birthnight?” Instead of tackling this directly and trying to prove an historical fact, the lecturer asked a secondary question, “Have angels quit singing?” Many testimonies give evidence they have not, he claimed. People still receive guidance from “voices” they call “my angel.” People listen to heavenly harmony and find their lives set in peaceful channels. God’ ...

788. Proper 20

Proverbs 31:10-31, Mark 9:30-37, James 3:13-18; 4:1-12

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: A warning against selfish ambition, which fractures community. Rather, Jesus teaches us to receive the kingdom like a child and find our joy in Christ-like service. COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Proverbs 31:10-31 (C) This description of a more than capable wife contrasts with the position of women in most of the societies of the Middle East. In many cultures women were almost considered property. In this description, she is able to purchase property on her own and she has her own business. Four traits seem ...

789. Proper 14

Mt 14:22-33 · Rom 9:1-5 · Ex 14:19-31 · Ps 106:4-12

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

The Miracle Of Walking On Water When it comes to a body of water (river, lake, gulf or sea), there is one thing humans cannot do. We can drink water, float on it, swim in it and under it, and drown in it. We can sail on it, fly over it and in submarines we can travel and explore under it. But, there is one thing we cannot do: walk on it. Yes, we can ski on it, even without skis when we barefoot ski behind a speeding boat. To walk on water like walking on the ground would be a miracle. Since it is ...

790. Wedding: Marriage as Gift-giving

Sermon Aid

John M. Braaten

(Name) and (name), as you stand here in the front of the church, it may feel like you're onstage, and indeed you are. All eyes are upon you, and all hearts are beating with yours in the excitement of this much-anticipated event. But in truth. we are all on stage. We are participants in the Service of Worship you have created to honor our Lord, as he comes to bless your new life together. You designed this worship experience to praise God for all he has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is your ...

791. Lent 4

Luke 15:1-7, Joshua 5:1-12, Isaiah 12:1-6, 1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2, Luke 15:11-32

Sermon Aid

George Bass

THEOLOGICAL CLUE The Fourth Sunday in Lent used to go by two names. The first came from the Introit for the Day - Laetare, or "Rejoicing" Sunday; it meant that the faithful pilgrims, who were keeping Lent, were halfway to their goal, the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord. This Sunday also became known as "Refreshment" Sunday, because the Lenten fast was more than half completed and the two-week period of the Passion of our Lord was only one week away. It might have been called "Recharge" Sunday, ...

792. And Who is my Neighbor?

Luke 10:25-37

Sermon

Johnny Dean

The final Episode of the Seinfeld show which aired at the end of the 1998 TV season received a lot of flack for being disappointing. Perhaps the reason so many were disappointed in the show is because it moralized. It wasn’t very funny; in fact, it was self deprecating. All of the characters receive a one year sentence for failing to help someone who was robbed. What happens is this: Jerry plays a comedian on the show and he has just received a contract from NBC to do a sitcom and the network is flying ...

793. The Ladder of Success

Genesis 2:4-25

Sermon

Paul Hegele

The window into my childhood sometimes opens for me. I can catch glimpses of scenes from the past. The image most vivid is of two small boys - my best friend and me - sitting on the steps of my back porch. Our conversation is always the same. It begins when one asks the other: "What are you going to be when you grow up?" The answers then are much like the answers children give today. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" A cowboy, a teacher, a football player, a doctor. Being Superman was my personal ...

794. For Those On The Outside

Luke 8:40-56

Sermon

Let us pray: O Lord, as I seek to preach the word, and as your people struggle to know who you are, let our minds in these moments be illuminated with understanding from your Holy Spirit. Now may my words be thy words, as I seek to preach the gospel. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. The New Testament lesson this morning is about a woman on the periphery; it is the story of one who stood on the outside of the life and ministry of Jesus. She plays only a minor role in the New Testament and preachers do not ...

795. The Collateral Damage of Our Attitudes

Luke 16:19-31

Sermon

Brett Blair

We continue to gauge how our lives are effected by all this. It has been difficult taking in all the things happening over these past three weeks, much less make sense of it all. Occasionally you read something in the paper or you see something on TV which helps you put things in perspective. I remember Thursday September 13th all of the sporting events that weekend had been cancelled. One of the NFL athletes was asked about playing on Sunday. He said, "Why? Who wants to play? I have a family and my heart ...

796. Salvation: Authentic and Powerful

Amos 5:18-27

Sermon

King Duncan

Christian unity elevates authentic and powerful salvation. The fiery and abrasive Amos said many things his listeners did not want to hear! He was about as rugged as any individualist could be. Continually at odds with the power structures of his day, the prophet spoke directly, with no regard for those who tried to compromise his message. Our Lord’s plea for his church to be One is not a way of reducing denominations and Christians to forms that are listless. Ecumenism, by its very nature, seeks integrity ...

797. Peter’s Net

Luke 5:1-11

Sermon

Richard F. Bansemer

The sermon is from the fifth chapter of St. Luke, verses 4 and 5: "... (Jesus) said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ And Simon answered, ‘Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.’ " Unless someone here is extremely wealthy, and very lucky, and easily contented, each of us has wanted something in our lives, but could not have it. Usually we can have whatever we wish, if the wish is reasonable and reachable. But there are ...

798. Do I Dare Be Different?

Matthew 5:10; 10:1-42

Sermon

Wallace H. Kirby

William Inge was one of England’s most outstanding preachers. At the beginning of this century, because of his insight and forthrightness, he was either greatly admired or bitterly disliked. After the First World War he was speaking at a public gathering, and in his speech, he urged that realism instead of revenge be his country’s guide in its treatment of a defeated Germany. Three days later, Dr. Inge received a letter which rebuked him for what he had said, and then added: "I have been praying for your ...

799. An Altered State of Consciousness

Romans 5:1-11

Sermon

Robert G. Tuttle

Now we move to the fourth Sunday after Pentecost, and from the reading we select the text: "For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." We shall come into new life by his life. That means a different life, a new way of seeing things, "an altered state of consciousness." Let me give it to you in the terms of one man’s experience. He was an exceptionally fine plumber - so good that he was employed in a nuclear ...

800. The Impartiality of God

Acts 10:23b-48

Sermon

Hubert Beck

There are more saviors in the world than the mind can comprehend. Bookstores have shelf after shelf of books that promise to save us from anything we can name - anxieties, fears, personal difficulties, or whatever else may be causing us distress. A whole range of people - some of them reliable counselors but all too many of them little more than hucksters - offer themselves to the troubled (for a fee, of course), usually with implicit or explicit promises of remedies for whatever problems one may have ...

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