Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 876 to 900 of 2404 results

876. Marriage: God's Idea

Genesis 2:4-25

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... hearing and often guessed at what was being said. The wife said, "I'm so tired; finally we're through." He replied, "Oh yeah, well after 50 years I'm a little tired of you too!" A long and happy marriage is a glorious but difficult achievement. Nowadays the very institution of marriage is under attack. The veiled message on many TV programs is that marriage kills off real romance as surely as Round Up knocks out weeds. No Ozzie and Harrietts are left on TV. The celebrated marriages of Bill Cosby and Cathy ...

877. God of Wrath and Grace

Genesis 6:1-8:22

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... itself. But there is an ark in every flood and a rainbow after every storm. God is alive and well, even in the federal prisons. On one of my visits there, Frank told me some of his past history. He had grown up in a poor, rural town. Athletic achievement was his only ticket to college. He took it. There he met a beautiful girl from a wealthy background. They married after college. He never felt good enough for her, so he tried to purchase her love with a lavish lifestyle. If she even hinted at something she ...

878. The Wolf and the Lamb Inside Us

Isaiah 11:1-16

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... Christ returns in final victory, I see Precious cuddling up with a cat and licking it affectionately rather than hungrily. How and when will the prophecy of Isaiah become a reality? Remember, the Bible does not say that Isaiah's golden age will come through the achievements of people. It will become a reality when Jesus returns in the clouds with great power and glory for all the world to see. But until then, there will be wars and rumors of war. Nation shall rise up against nation. Therefore, we should be ...

879. God's Design for Marriage

Ephesians 5:22-33

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... laypersons are going to tell me how to run this church..." then you who have spiritual perception would say, "That guy Bill has an ego problem." My responsibility is to submit myself to the established authority of the church, so that the church can achieve God's plans. Jesus Christ was submissive to established authority, even when it was wrong. He acknowledged the authority of an evil high priest and of the pagan governor of his country, Pontius Pilate. In Philippians 2 we read that he was "obedient unto ...

880. Forgiveness

Luke 23:26-43

Sermon

Burton F. Blair

... all our sins into the depths of the sea" (7:19c). God simply forgets our ugly past. God never remembers it again. It is no more! Now, there is nothing separating us from God. God has taken away the barrier. George Romney, an English painter, achieved widespread recognition for his paintings, but he could not handle success. He left home, deserting his wife and children. For 38 years, he remained in London, having no contact with his wife and family. Finally, a debilitating illness robbed him of his power to ...

881. The Voices Of Christmas

Drama

Jerry Nordstrom

... repetition and the volume of these nine lines has grown gradually until nearly deafening, a loud, clear, single, resonant chime cuts through the din. All voices stop very suddenly, and during a lengthy pause, all that is heard is the reverberation of the chime. To achieve this, a triangle, bell, circular saw blade, or a resonant pipe or tube may be firmly struck. At this point, if props or symbolic items of costuming have been used, they can be set side. Soft, ethereal music may be introduced and used as ...

882. The Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew 20:1-16

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

... Confession Lord, so often in our competitive world we would also try to rank ourselves in Your Kingdom as well. Too often, Lord, we take pride in the titles and privileges we extend to ourselves, so it is a shock to hear You will rank us not by our worldly achievements but only on how well we truly shared Your Good News with the world. Forgive us, Lord. In Christ we pray. Amen. Hymns "Rejoice, Ye Pure In Heart" "In Thee Is Gladness" "Open My Eyes"

883. A Perspective on the Ascension

Acts 1:1-11

Sermon

Donald Macleod

... had in store for them. 2. A second thought: these waiting disciples were to experience the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise - the gift of power (vv. 4, 6, 8). It was not, however, power in general or what we associate with social, intellectual, political or administrative achievement. It was power to be used for Christ and his Kingdom. Take Peter, for example. Look at the change this power wrought in his character. One moment he was declaring loyalty to Jesus; the next he was crying cowardly at a word from a ...

884. As the Twig Is Bent

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Illustration

Larry Powell

... outstanding scholars of his time. Instruction served them, as it serves us, as a strong potion. We are not speaking of education in general here, though the same claim may be made for it. Some things can be learned on one’s own and achieved from personal experience apart from instruction. The focus here is upon that part of our knowledge which has come to us through intentional instruction. There are simply some things which we must be told and have translated or explained. We are impressed that Jesus ...

885. Genes of Joash

2 Kings 12:1-21

Illustration

Larry Powell

... there have been too many individuals who have risen above either genes or environment to become noteworthy for either suggestion to be the "be all, end all." Mary McLoud Bethune, Charles Tindley, Booker T. Washington, Helen Keller, a multitude of historical achievers, as well as persons we know personally, take away Joash’s alibi. The point is, at some significant time in our lives, we each decide at which level we choose to compete and express. Joash, despite whatever influence his genes and environment ...

886. Man Up A Tree

Luke 19:1-10

Illustration

Larry Powell

... and, who knows, perhaps even to be seen. There is the possibility that the time had come in the little man’s life when his spirit cried out for peace and security ... the kind which the world cannot give ... something he had been unable to achieve by a lifetime of jaded aggressiveness. There is at least the possibility that something more than curiosity caused him to position himself in such a prominent place along the path of the one who was said to "forgive sinners." Whatever his reason, Jesus addressed ...

887. And Their Eyes Were Opened

Luke 24:13-35

Illustration

Larry Powell

... this is still the way Christ often comes into our lives. Off on our own journeys, pursuing some goal or objective, totally submerged in our own concerns ... determined, ambitious, outrunning the spiritual life while in full stride toward that which we hope to achieve. And then, it happens. In half-step we are arrested by the sudden awareness of another presence; we had not expected it, nor do we always recognize it immediately. It just abides, and just as with the Emmaus travelers, it comes into clearer ...

888. Song of a Prophet

Psalm 46:1-11

Sermon

Gordon Pratt Baker

... hold them fast in the faith (Psalm 46:4, 5). A Championing God The singer’s prophetic instincts, however, will not let him rest his case here. For he realizes that none but a powerful King can accomplish what the Lord has done. Nor has the Almighty ceased to achieve victory "in the midst of the earth" (cf. Psalm 74:12). The times are still in God’s hands, and the children of Zion may rejoice in the fact God will always champion his own. Seated in Jerusalem as the Lord is, God will see that neither his ...

889. Song of an Historian

Psalm 78:1-72

Sermon

Gordon Pratt Baker

... , just as matters had reached their worst, declares the author, like a man aroused from sleep the Almighty had sprung into action once more in defense of his people and overthrown their adversaries - undoubtedly the Philistines (Psalm 78:65, 66). His overwhelming victory achieved, he restored the Ark to its place in Zion; and to ensure Israel’s future he enthroned David - he of the skillful hand - as guardian of Israel’s rightful heritage. ... he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loves. He ...

890. Song of a Churchgoer

Psalm 92:1-15

Sermon

Gordon Pratt Baker

... bring forth fruit in old age, they are ever full of sap and green... (Psalm 92:13, 14) In effect, the psalmist is saying that what is good endures, and what is evil dies. Hence, age will not wither nor custom stale the role and achievements of the righteous. For rooted and grounded in God as they are - thanks to the nurturing of the church - they will continuously tap ceaseless powers that neither time nor adversity can diminish (Psalm 92:14). Here is no emphasis on negative goodness. Righteousness, the ...

891. The More Excellent Way

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Sermon

Robert Allen

... oxygen supply last long enough to return the astronauts safely to earth. One of the astronauts asked a simple question. He asked, "Is there any hope?" Hope is not a dreamy, unreal attitude about life. Hope is an essential element if we are ever to achieve any excellence in living. Recently, I went to see the Rogers and Hammerstein play, South Pacific. The starring role was played by Robert Goulet. But, because of sickness, the female lead was played by the understudy - and I thought she stole the show. She ...

892. The Flight From Light

Isaiah 60:1-22, Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon

Erskine White

... aggression which have bedeviled us for so long and empties out once and for all the boiling caldrons of war. Since the dawn of time, what has humanity yearned for more feverently than peace? What has humanity been more tragically confused about than the methods and means of achieving peace? Now, at long last, a light has come into the world to end our confusion, to be our peace (Ephesians 2:14) and to show us in the flesh "the things that make for peace" (Luke 19:42). Here is a light which can answer the ...

893. Pressing On

Illustration

Lloyd John Ogilvie

... race is a new beginning. Pressing on to the finish tape is all that’s important!" This young man knew what he was talking about. He was right about athletic running and spiritual living. The freedom to forget is a gift of the Master. He frees us to forget past achievements and failures so that we can press ahead to the goal.

894. Pontius Pilate - Adamant, But Acquiescent

Luke 22:66--23:25

Sermon

Carl E. Zahrte

... trying to cause a rebellion. But that was part of my problem. Here were these priests, accusing Jesus of perverting their nation, forbidding them to pay taxes, and saying that he was a king called Christ. Well, please believe me. I was no fool. I had not achieved that office as prefect of Judea by chance. My superiors had recognized my skill in the service of Rome, both as a commander of armed forces and as an administrator. I had always been intensely loyal to the emperor and used my talents quite well on ...

895. Wheel Within The Wheel

Acts 1:12-26

Sermon

Durwood L. Buchheim

... grows as the leaders lead." It has been my experience that the single most important factor that influences how a congregation will function, is the nature of its leadership. By leadership, I mean the "art of influencing people to work for the achievement of individual or group goals." There is no substitute for this kind of leadership. A few years ago in his commencement sermon to the graduates of Princeton Seminary, the preacher said these words, "More churches have been hurt by leadership default than ...

896. Out of Doors: Nature and Supernatural

Matthew 14:22-36

Sermon

J. Ellsworth Kalas

... my awkwardness in venturing into the unknown. I am only trying to say, from what we do know, that there may not be such a mystery in what we do not know. I am trying to show, from marvels of our human experience - from the verifiable achievements of the scientist and the engineer - that what was unknown or miraculous yesterday may be explained and fulfilled today or tomorrow. Jesus cooperated with nature. He understood it better than we do, because it was His creation. He saw nature, not as an obstacle, nor ...

897. Obedience to God

Drama

Curt M. Joseph

... . Philip: Jesus came not to destroy what Yahweh has instituted. But he came to change the hearts of people, so they would be what Yahweh intended them to be - his people. He came to show us that we must work for justice, peace, harmony, and mercy. That we can achieve those things through any form of government, whether it’s Roman or Jewish, as long as we are faithful to the Creator. Joseph: What you say makes sense. But I am not sure what to do. I would like to talk to Jesus. Philip: We can arrange that ...

898. Jesus Christ, the Truth

Drama

Curt M. Joseph

... , no more poverty, no more hatred. Men would lay down their weapons and live as brothers. The lion and the lamb would lie down together and graze in green pastures. There would be perfect shalom. Pilate: A wonderful thought. But just how was all this to be achieved? Ruth: Through God’s Messiah. Pilate: Ah, yes. Caiaphas told me about him. A military champion who would destroy the Gentiles. He’d have to be some general to do that, and this Jesus doesn’t look like a general to me. Ruth: That is only one ...

899. Resurrection: Temporal to Eternal

Luke 24:13-35

Sermon

Leonard H. Budd

... The painful memory came to the runner as he moved toward the city he had so recently left. Each dead tree, standing stark against the evening sky, was reminder to him of the cross that had held Jesus’ body in place until a merciful death was achieved. Shortly thereafter, with gentle but hurrying hands, Jesus’ body was eased down from the cross. Since the Hebrew Sabbath was about to begin, his wounded body was hastily wrapped in a cloth and carried into the tomb lent by Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57 ...

900. Resurrection: From Lesser to Higher Morality

Matthew 5:17-20

Sermon

Leonard H. Budd

... very ancient days, but it was not a static thing. It grew as did the species. But it has grown no higher than the example of Jesus. The world is still working to attain it. As it does that work, new resurrections of life are achieved. There is a modern, funny story that goes like this: A man consulted a psychiatrist. He complained, "I’ve been misbehaving, Doc, and my conscience is troubling me." The doctor asked, "And you want something that will strengthen your willpower?" The fellow replied, "Well, no ...

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