Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 851 to 875 of 1285 results

1 Peter 2:13-25

Sermon

King Duncan

... went through the windshield and was badly lacerated in the face. His wife was also hurt. The worst injuries were to Douglas himself. Douglas hit his head on the dashboard. First, he had trouble with his vision. One of his eyes wouldn’t cooperate and he saw double. He couldn’t even walk down a set of stairs without stumbling. The worst thing to him was that he could no longer read. Douglas loved to read. Yancey knew Douglas. He knew his story. So, when he started to write about the Book of Job, he ...

852. Matthew 10:40-42

Matthew 10:1-42

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... recognition of the “little one’s” status as a genuine messenger from Jesus — that gains the one who does so a “reward. Jesus emphasizes this reward by introducing his conclusion with the attention getting “truly I tell you” and by using a double negative to describe the results” “none of these will lose their reward” (v.42). These “little ones,” his disciples, have been sent by Jesus, even as Jesus was sent by God, thus to accept and welcome them as his “disciples” welcomes the ...

853. When the Caterers Weren’t Available

Matthew 14:13-21

Sermon

King Duncan

... of fillet, dozens of 3 by 5 feet sheets of brownies, and many large baby-bathtubs of salad! (2) Can you imagine such an operation serving a meal to three thousand people? Makes me tired thinking about it. Now imagine feeding five thousand people . . . no, double that. The scripture says there were five thousand MEN, plus women and children. I believe that five thousand hungry men would be enough to feed, but women and children, too? Quite an undertaking, and it had to be done right away. They didn’t have ...

854. A Gospel for Losers

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... cared to think that way. But no one does. It was baseball's opening day in 1954. The Milwaukee Braves and the Cincinnati Reds played each other, and a rookie for each team made his major-league debut during that game. The rookie who played for the Reds hit four doubles and helped his team win with a score of 9-8. The rookie for the Braves went 0 for 5. The Reds player was Jim Greengrass, a name you probably have never heard. The other guy, who did not get a hit, might be more familiar to you. His name ...

855. Being a Christian “Survivor”

Ephesians 6:10-20

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... that is the appropriate use for the sword. Perhaps the phrase might be better understood by looking at another passage where God's word is compared to a sword. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." This is hardly an offensive attack. It is exploratory surgery. If Paul had written in the twenty-first century, he might have called ...

856. Transitions

2 Kings 2:1-12

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... cross on dry ground. Now it is just the two of them and Elijah makes an incredible offer to Elisha: "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" (v. 9a). Without batting an eye, Elisha responds, "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit" (v. 9b), the normal request of an eldest son in that day. Elijah acknowledges that, under the circumstances, this is a difficult request to grant but stipulates the conditions under which it is indeed possible: Elisha must see when Elijah's departure ...

857. Time’s A-Wasting

Mark 1:14-20

Sermon

Robert J. Elder

... of it all, that's when something outside our control can break in with a word or experience that changes everything — perhaps forever. Do you remember when the earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay area in 1989, causing the famous collapse of the double-decker Bay Bridge? Its rumbling effect was felt far beyond the Bay area, insisting itself into the consciousness of everyone attending the World Series game that day in Oakland or watching it on television. The game went immediately off the air, but inside ...

858. Tough Talk for Tentative Disciples

John 6:56-69

Sermon

Robert Leslie Holmes

... . Would it be the teachings and traditions of their old religious teachers or Christ's message that offends more than a few? The moment of decision has come and when his talk gets tough, the people drift away. Christ's call to commitment is a double-edged demand. First, it sets forth clearly his life mission and his expectation for those who would go further with him. Second, it weeds out shallowness of commitment from among them. As a result, thousands drop out. Now, Jesus turns to the twelve and asks ...

859. King Me!

John 18:33-37

Sermon

... what I am about to say. But if you play checkers, you will likely understand. Checkers is a game about moving forward; advancing toward a goal. The way you get there — the way you succeed in checkers — is to conquer your opponent. Jump them and they no longer exist. Double-jump them and they disappear faster. I love checkers, though I hardly ever win. It is not that I am too kind to win; I am, in fact, ruthless! So I must be too dumb to win! Whatever the reason, I always seem to lose at checkers. The ...

860. Spiritual Gifts: God’s Gift of Fulfillment

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Sermon

Scott Suskovic

... told the story of the master who left on a long journey, leaving his three servants in charge of his wealth. To one he gave five talents, to the other three talents, and to the third, one talent. You know the rest of the story. The first two doubled their talents while the third one wasted his only talent by burying it in the ground and not putting it to use. The first two were rewarded when the master returned. "Well done, good and faithful servant." The third was scolded and punished. Life is unfair. It ...

861. The Wisdom of The Cross

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Sermon

Nancy Kraft

... foundation extended out a few inches. As people rounded the corner, sometimes they would trip over the cornerstone that was sticking out. A cornerstone was necessary, but it could also be a problem for those who didn't recognize it. Paul picked up on this double meaning saying that Jesus is both the precious cornerstone of Zion and the stumbling block for those who need a sign. Paul's proclamation is that the cross of Christ may be foolishness to the Gentiles who expect to be persuaded by fancy speech, but ...

862. Jesus Will Lead Us Home

Isaiah 40:1-11

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... was sent to proclaim the message of peace and new life. We hear, "Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins" (Isaiah 40:1-2). It will be a new day for Israel; God has forgiven the transgressions of the people. Their term of exile will soon end. Having told the people that God will give them a new day, the prophet then begins to explain ...

863. You Are in Good Hands with God

Isaiah 40:21-31

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... of their exile, God, through the prophet, spoke lovingly to them that they were not abandoned. The prophet proclaims, "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins" (40:2). In today's first lesson, Isaiah speaks of the close proximity of God by describing how the Lord is attentive to the actions of his people. The prophet speaks of God who lives in the heavens and brings ruin to those ...

864. Commissioned for Christ

2 Kings 2:1-12

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... that he is to stay while the master moves on, but the young disciple wants to share with his master, the prophet, in all respects. His devotion to Elijah is laudable, but possibly more importantly is his desire to follow in Elijah's footsteps. He requests a double portion of the prophet's mantle, a sure sign of his desire to continue the prophetic ministry. When Elisha witnesses the prophet's rise to the heavens on a flaming chariot, he knows his wish shall be granted for he has the promise of God. Elisha ...

865. Small Sin, Large Grace

2 Samuel 11:26-27, 12:1-13a

Sermon

Donna Schaper

... that the preacher could be seated after breathy repetitions of the words "cosmos" or "galaxy," but that instead she will remain risen, as an act of praise to the human spirit. You see, David comes back from this horror. He manages a new and useful life after his double insult and injury. He manages to have new life. He is a living example of resurrection before Jesus ever went to the cross. I went to St. Mark in the Bowery's Good Friday Blues Service. A man sang with a voice as robust as Paul Robeson's ...

866. When Necks Break

2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33

Sermon

Donna Schaper

... . We will enjoy it. We will predict it, anticipate it, tame it, laugh at it, and revel in it. Of course, we will say, there are always two plus choices for every moment. I am a choice maker. I make choices. I am aware of the scripted life of the double bind and I unbind myself from it. I choose X sometimes and Y other times and I suffer the loss of the one I don't choose. I am not afraid to suffer. I sometimes choose X and Y at the same time. But I only choose a small pile ...

867. Which Mask Will You Wear?

Matthew 23:1-39

Sermon

King Duncan

... Those are wise words. Be careful about judging people by the masks they wear. For example, young people often try on many masks as they seek to determine an authentic identity. Goth dress, piercings, tattoos all of these are masks. Of course, so is the double-breasted suit, and the Coach handbag. Be careful of judging people on their outward appearance. We all wear masks of one kind of another. The Pharisees were wearing masks. They were pretending a piety they did not possess. Who among us has not done the ...

868. America: Fight For Your Country

Illustration

William J. Bennett

... the Index of Leading Cultural Indicators, a statistical portrait of American behavioral trends of the past three decades. Among the findings: Since 1960, while the gross domestic product has nearly tripled, violent crime has increased at least 560%. Divorces have more than doubled. The percentage of children in single-parent homes had tripled. And by the end of the decade 40% of all American births and 80% of minority births will occur out of wedlock. These are not good things to get used to. In 1940 ...

869. Caught Up in the Spirit

Illustration

Charles Swindoll

When Ralph Houk was manager of the New York Yankees, baseball schedules were even more exacting than they are now, with double-headers almost every week. Occasionally a player would get sick of the grind and approach Houk, asking for permission to sit out a game. "I know how you feel," the manager would say genially. "Sure, take the day off, But do me a favor. You're in the starting lineup. ...

870. Modern Proverbs

Illustration

M.R. De Haan II

... as a foolish one makes a glum mum (Prov 10:1). Thank God for Fathers who not only gave us life but taught us what to do with it. If you're amazed at how hard your dad can make it for you, try it without him (Prov 15:5). Double whammy; foolish son and contentious mammy (Prov 19:13).

871. Grammar Fumblerules

Illustration

William Safire

... good usage. The following are "fumblerules." Mistakes that call attention to the rule: Avoid run-on sentences they are hard to read. No sentence fragments. It behooves us to avoid archaisms. Also, avoid awkward or affected alliteration. Don't use no double negatives. If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times: Resist hyperbole. Avoid commas, that are not necessary. Verbs has to agree with their subjects. Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky. Writing carefully, dangling participles should not ...

872. Practice What You Preach

Illustration

Peter Wallace

... I can always study it if they ever slip my mind. Each pronoun agrees with their antecedent. Just between you and I, case is important. Verbs has to agree with their subjects. Watch out for irregular verbs which has crope into our language. Don't use double negatives. A writer mustn't shift your point of view. When dangling, don't us participles. Join clauses good, lie a conjunction should. Don't write a run-on sentence you got to punctuate it. About sentence fragments. In letters themes reports articles and ...

873. How Long Things Last

Illustration

Frank Kendig and Richard Hutton

... to 7,500 feet long. Leather combat boots have a wartime life-span of six months, a peacetime life-span of eight months (The army walks during war and peace.) The projected life-span of a baby born in the U.S. today is about 71 years, nearly double what it was at the end of the 18th century. The longest authenticated life-span of a human being is 113 years, 214 days. Studies show married people live longer than those who remain single. A group of subatomic particles known as unstable hadrons exists for only ...

874. Bound By Your Own Chains

Illustration

... this order had to go to work and forge the chain. When it was done, he brought it into the presence of the tyrant, and was ordered to take it away and make it twice the length. He brought it again to the tyrant, and again he was ordered to double it. Back he came after he had obeyed the order, and the tyrant looked at it, and then commanded the servants to bind the man hand and foot with the chain he had made and cast him into prison. "That is what the devil does with men," Mr. Spurgeon said ...

875. A Joke for Your Trash

Illustration

A city in the Netherlands had a problem with litter. The sanitation department tried doubling the littering fine and even increasing the number of litter agents who patrolled the area, but to no avail. Then someone suggested that instead of punishing those who littered, they could reward people who put garbage in trash cans. A plan to devise a trash can that could dispense coins ...

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