... of denial. Your denial went with me to the cross. I have risen from the grave to call you to new life in me beyond the times of denial." That's enough. The sermon can end there. If you want to put a stronger accent on the cross you can continue with Jesus saying: "Your sins nailed me to the cross. God has raised me from the cross to new life. I call upon you to follow me to new life. Follow me to Galilee. Rise, take up your cross, and follow. Amen." 1. Donald H. Juel, Mark (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1990 ...
... turn them off. Then pray. Make connection with Jesus, who has authority over the elements, not only the elements of the sea but the elements of your emotions and psyche. When the elements of nature and the elements of your psyche are out of control, in continuous conflict, they destroy whatever is around them. But the moment they are brought under control, you feel the rage begin to calm and harmony begin to heal the wounds. Jesus did not only teach the disciples to pray. He modeled a life of prayer. This ...
... missed not being able to participate in the life of the congregation as she had once been able to do. But she still kept current on all of the activities. She took part where she was able, she was coordinator of the phone prayer chain and she continued to be an extremely good giver to the ministry and mission of the church. As their conversation progressed a veil of complete joy settled upon Mark as he listened to Elizabeth. She was so intensely interested in every aspect of the church's ministry; she was ...
... under the command of Jimmy Doolittle. Those 16 planes planned a surprise attack upon the Japanese mainland, as the Japanese had done to Pearl Harbor only five months earlier. Beginning about noon that April 18th they made their strike and then, because of low fuel, continued on to the China mainland. The fuel ran out and in bad weather the planes crashed. Most of those airmen were saved by friendly forces, but two of the planes crashed on Japanese-held land. Both crews were captured. The crew of one plane ...
... work in that position. If they can, their attitude is contagious. Their work is effective when they elicit the trust of parishioners, patients or workers. Part of claiming authority or accepting responsibility for our actions involves recognizing to whom we are accountable. To continue God's acting in the world, Christ entrusted to his followers his own authority to heal and proclaim the coming of the kingdom. Hear the gift of Jesus' authority within the context of the Isaiah hope: For a child has been born ...
... you could but touch Jesus' clothes, you would be made well. Where does your faith come from? Woman: Prolonged illness has made me selfish.1 My illness has pulled me back into myself. If someone has a nagging problem that just won't go away, the problem continually calls. Illness requires most of our attention. It depletes strength for life. When I heard about Jesus' healing touch, I knew I would find him. The longer my search, the more I believed he could help. But his time was filled. I wondered if I would ...
... good fortune reaches the ears of David. The king then brings the ark up to Jerusalem with great celebration. David is caught up in the joy of the celebration and dances before the ark with all his might. (It would be best to read verses 1-19 continuously and not leave out verses 6-12a.) Old Testament: Amos 7:7-15 Epistle: Ephesians 1:1-14 This is the first installment in a series of eight readings from Ephesians. The church constitutes the main theme of this epistle. Some scholars question Paul's authorship ...
... the peace. This comes about when we permit the Spirit to guide our actions so that we work together as one body. God's Spirit gives us humility, patience and love, which maintains the peace bond. Outline: 1. War requires a concerted effort but peace calls for a continued effort. 2. Christ has won the war, now the Church must keep the peace. 3. How do we maintain the peace? The Spirit (v. 3). The Spirit grants patience, humility and love (vv. 2-3). Use our gifts for the building up of the Church (vv. 11-12 ...
1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Isaiah 63:7--64:12, Mark 13:32-37, Mark 13:1-31
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
... that places a barrier between ourselves and the Lord. 4. If we would ask God to rend our hearts, God would also rend the heavens and come to us. Sermon Title: How Can We Be Saved? Sermon Angle: The prophet bemoans the proclivity of God's people to continue in sin. In light of the extreme seriousness of sin, he questions how they can ever be saved (64:5). Even their righteous acts have become polluted with sin (v. 6). Like clay, God's people are earthly and subject to decay. Though we cannot change ourselves ...
Mk 1:4-11 · Act 19:1-7 · Acts 10:34-38 · Isa 42:1-9 · Gen 1:1-5 · Ps 29
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
... witnessed the awesome power of evil to wreak destruction. Fifty years ago thousands of allied soldiers witnessed the handiwork of the Evil One as they liberated Nazi concentration camps. Yet, that horrible power could not sustain itself. The power of Christ's goodness continues to transform lives after 2000 years. Gospel: Mark 1:4-11 Opening act. Many highly touted musical groups have a less luminous group open for them. Their function is to get the crowd prepared for the main act. That was exactly what ...
John 15:1-17, Acts 8:26-40, Acts 9:19b-31, 1 John 4:7-21
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
... : The word abide seems as old-fashioned to our ears as thee or thou, though it is sometimes employed in legal affairs. Not only does this word sound old but its meaning seems old-fashioned to millions of moderns. Abide means to live, to stay, remain, continue, be faithful....Well, you get the drift. We're not into abiding these days. We're into rising to the top, we're into going places. The concept of abiding seems boring to modern ears. Yet how many hearts could have remained unbroken, how many marriages ...
2 Corinthians 1:12--2:4, Isaiah 43:14-28, Mark 2:1-12
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
... physically, emotionally and spiritually for a long time until we were able to stand on our own two feet. During periods of duress, we continue to be carried along by the prayers and concern of our care givers, who take pains to bring us into the very presence ... this was done because of his great love for us. We also see God's affirmative action in the giving of the Holy Spirit; he continues to act by way of comforting and guiding us. Outline: 1. The gospel is not ambiguous, it is God's "yes" for us. 2. God' ...
John 19:28-37, Hebrews 10:1-18, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 18:1-11, John 19:38-42, John 19:17-27
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
... the servant's innocent suffering must be viewed as a sin offering. It is not meaningless but has redemptive purpose. This brings to light the truth that God's people can let their suffering make them bitter or they can use it redemptively. The child of God continues to believe that all things do indeed work together for good (Romans 8). Light at the end of the tunnel (v. 11). The Suffering Servant is given hope that the light of life will follow the dark tunnel of suffering. Those children of God who suffer ...
Mark 9:38-41, Esther 7:1-10, Esther 9:18-32, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:42-50
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
... feast. Haman is hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordicai, a kind of poetic justice. This text explains the institution of the Feast of Purim. Old Testament: Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 Epistle: James 5:13-20 The concluding remarks of James continue the practical nature of the book. Those who suffer are instructed to pray, the joyous are to sing, and the sick are to contact the Elders, so they could anoint the sick with oil and pray over them. Confessing one's sins is also commended as a part ...
... I might hope to render. That challenge, however, is easily overcome by the pleasure, privilege, and personal honor I now feel, and indeed continue to find, in being allowed to speak a word to the two of you on this special day. As I am sure you ... to this place; and it is our common hope and prayer that it shall be God's love which will follow you from this place, and continue to abide with you both in all places that you shall enjoy and experience together. Today the two of you begin building a new life as ...
... the truth stated at the start of this book from Luther's 95 Theses: "The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God." The final measure of preaching is fidelity to the Word. Communication styles will continue to change, and we shall continue to adapt, but the gospel of Jesus remains constant. It is precisely the love for this Word which compels us to understand the nature of today's communication and to use all the skill we can to convey the great and wonderful message ...
Hymn: "Take My Life And Let It Be" Prayer Of Invocation Our Father, we come into your holy presence, with thanksgiving that you have given us life, and the capacity to enjoy it and to live it meaningfully. Continue to nurture our souls, we pray, that we may grow in grace and knowledge, and do your will more perfectly. Grant that we may ever remember that we were made in your image, and should do all possible to retain its sacred design. These things we pray in the name ...
... life more meaningful and blessed with his saving grace. Just as the shepherds in the field were surprised when the angels sang of the Lord's birth, and so were Mary and Joseph, when the wise men brought wonderful gifts for the Christ Child, so we are continually amazed at all the blessings and wonders you give us each day of our lives. Thank you for surprising us with the light of salvation, and the promise of goodwill and peace among all men. We hope to surprise and gratify you and ourselves by living the ...
Acts 1:1-11, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:50-53, Luke 24:36-49
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... assured the disciples that Jesus would one day return to earth in the same manner. How did the disciples respond to Jesus' ascension? They worshiped him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and while waiting for the promise of the Holy Spirit to be fulfilled, they continually went to the temple to bless God. The Setting 1. Scriptural Setting. The account of the ascension is limited to Luke who writes about it in his gospel and in Acts. Matthew and John make no mention of it. In Mark's appendix, chapter 16 ...
... gift the disciples became apostles. The Holy Spirit changed them from learners to teachers, from receivers to givers. And it has continued through the ages, right down to the current moment. It is a gift to you! Life today finds strength and meaning ... or famous. You and I know that God's spirit has been part of the lives of some good folks whom we have known and continue to know. We thank God for them! There are countless examples of God's spirit within daily life. God's Holy Spirit is reality! Therefore, ...
... before healing. That's why, in our New Testament story this morning, Jesus first says to the paralyzed boy, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Then He says, "Rise up and walk." Forgiveness is the foundation of healing, while the lack of forgiveness means continued suffering and brokenness. You can see the need everywhere around you. It's in the person whose soul is troubled by some misdeed of long ago. She is wracked by regret and governed by guilt. She is never completely happy, even when everything seems ...
... We won't be satisfied until we can find Him and praise Him to His face, but in the meantime, He has given us the grace to live the rest of our lives in the fullness of joy with thankful hearts. Amen Pastoral Prayer Most Loving and Generous God, who continues to pour Your blessings upon us even though we rarely can deserve them, help us to live more fully as persons with thankful hearts. Do not let us be blind to the kindnesses of others, or Your own kindnesses in our lives. Make us eager to give as much or ...
... Epiphany. The ORDO selects it for this Sunday only. It is the lament of a man who is old and in deep trouble, afraid, perhaps, that he might lose his faith, despite the fact that he has been faithful to God all of his life. In his old age he continues to pray to God, placing his life in God's hands. Psalm 71 might well be called "a psalm of the elderly," and it might be used in all sorts of devotional situations. It appears to have been appointed here because it reflects the actions of Jeremiah, when he got ...
... renews them again and they live in love, peace, and hope. The Prayer Of The Day This classic collect for the day, which originated in the Gelasian sacramentary, is one of the loveliest of the prayers of the church. It has been revised a bit and continues to guide the prayers of the faithful on the Fourth Sunday - now the Fifth Sunday of Easter - that comes after Easter. This prayer is most appropriate in the "aftermath" of Easter: "O God, form the minds of your faithful people into a single will. Make us ...
John 14:15-31, Psalm 67:1-7, Acts 15:22-35, Joel 2:18-27, Revelation 21:1-27
Sermon Aid
George Bass
... and the Sunday would have at least two practical and related thrusts. One of these would be to continue the practice of some of the churches in the Northern Hemisphere, of blessing the fields, in the hope of ... ." Revelation 21:10, 22-27 (C); 21:10-14, 22-23 (RC, L); 21:22--23:5 (E) John's description of the heavenly city that descends to the earth continues and is elaborated upon in great detail for this reading. He adds that he saw no temple in the city, "for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and ...