Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 926 to 950 of 4943 results

926. Flashing Lights

Acts 9:1-19a

Sermon

Robert Beringer

... we would hear God speaking, we must prepare. C. Open One last word that is of key importance in any authentic experience of the Living God is the word open. God's voice seldom speaks in easy or comfortable ways. More often, God speaks with a call to take up some task that literally stops us in our tracks, and beckons us in a new direction. God called Moses to lead his people out of slavery, but Moses' initial response was, "Get someone else, Lord, I am not eloquent." God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, but ...

927. The Servant of All's Second Prediction

Mark 9:14-32, Mark 9:33-37

Sermon Aid

Richard A. Jensen

... 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), pp. 133- 134.

928. Seeking Honor

Mark 10:35-45

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... " * "Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service" * "Make Me a Servant" * "Master, Let Me Walk with You" " Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone" * "Now Let Us from This Table Rise" * "O God of Youth" * "O Master, Let Me Walk with You" * "Son of God, Eternal Savior" "Take Up Thy Cross" * "Teach Me, My God and King" Reading the Scripture A good storyteller could bring this story to life for the congregation. Have such a person tell it from memory. One way to help the congregation hear the words of this lesson is to ...

929. First Sunday After Christmas

Luke 2:21-40

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... as the firstborn. He grew and became strong with your wisdom and your favor. In his twelfth year, the point of entry into the adult world, Jesus is again seen in the temple speaking with scholarly adults. At the age of thirty, when rabbis can take up their calling, Jesus began his ministry. Jesus was constantly in the temple on sabbath days, as was his custom, Luke tells us. Always Jesus fulfilled the law. Never did he circumvent or destroy that precious gift that you gave us through Moses. (To be prayed ...

930. Grow Like a Fruit Tree

Matthew 3:10

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

... teaches us something. Jesus said that when fruit trees stop making fruit we should get rid of them. Chop them down and use them for firewood or whatever you need the wood for. There is no sense letting a fruit tree that is not making good fruit stand and take up space where another fruit tree could grow. That sounds right and I am sure that all of us agree with Jesus. But Jesus told that story with a teaching because he wanted us to learn something about ourselves and the way that we belong to God. We are ...

931. Marked For Ministry

Sermon

George Bass

... is a matter of response, commitment, and self-sacrifice. Jesus -- now as then -- gathered disciples around himself, calling for complete commitment in terms of “the cross”: “If any man (woman) would come after me, let him (her) deny himself (herself), take up his (her) cross, and follow me.” The last statement of the baptismal service (Lutheran) affirms that we, as Christians, are “following” Jesus, and we, therefore, invite the newly baptized to join us in our ministry: “We welcome you into ...

932. The Big Meaning of a Small Gift

Mark 12:41-44

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

... is not a determinant of the one who has made the greatest sacrifice. Prop: 35 one-dollar bills, two pennies, and an offering plate. Keep the offering plate behind you. You might ask one of the ushers to participate by bringing out the offering plate and taking up the offering. Be prepared yourself to give this thirty five dollars to the church because the kids will be placing it in the offering plate and you very well cannot take it out once you have put it in. Lesson: Good morning! (response) I have some ...

933. Searching for Peace

Matthew 10:1-42

Sermon

... not teach what they in their closed minds thought was religion. As a result of this there was certainly no outward peace in the land. Jesus said that he came not to bring peace, but a sword. He came to divide families. He came to ask people to take up a cross and to follow him even to the death if necessary. Jesus came to employ a spiritual judo by allowing weakness to overcome strength. Jesus also attacked traditional theology with its lists of what one should do or not do. It is most unfortunate that much ...

934. Tearing the Roof Off

Mark 2:1-12

Illustration

Larry Powell

... the paralytic’s sins! The scribes could sit still no longer: "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Jesus replied, "Why do you question me like this? Let me ask you a question; which is easier to say to a paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk?’ " In a word, it is a small matter to mouth the words, "Your sins are forgiven." It is true that anyone can repeat these words whether they have the authority or not but in order that the scribes might know that Jesus ...

935. With All Your Heart

Joel 2:12-17, Joel 2:1-11

Sermon

Carlyle Fielding Stewart

... sin, and unnerves the power of sin. Sin creates its own patterns of domestication and subordination that solidifies its dominion and reinforces its hegemony in our lives. Confessing our sin is subverting sin’s power and authority, sin’s legal right to take up residency in our hearts and souls, the rulership and governance of sin in our lives. Confessing our sin is a declaration of war against sin’s providence and devastations. Confessing our sin seeks the eviction of sin from permanent habitation in ...

936. Be Joyful

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Sermon

King Duncan

... story with new ears. He wanted to sing with new fervor, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." (9) Scott Walker discovered what many of us have discovered. The joy of Christmas is so precious. We can't afford to let it slip away without having it take up residence in our hearts. After all, this is God's will for us this Advent season. That we should discover joy! 1. Michael Hodgin, 1001 HUMOROUS ILLUSTRATIONS FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING (Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House), p. 163. 2. (New York: Walker and Company, 1993), p ...

937. The Cost Of Being A Disciple

Luke 14:25-35

Bulletin Aid

H. Burnham Kirkland

Call To Worship Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow him. Are you willing and able to pay the cost of being a disciple of Jesus? Come, and as we worship together, let us look at the cost of being a disciple! Collect Almighty God, make us loyal followers of ... , so we would follow you. We pray that these offerings may be used by your Church to further your kingdom, and we ask that you will use us to seek out and enlist new disciples. Amen. Hymns "Are Ye Able?" "I Surrender All" "Take Up Thy Cross"

938. What If It Is True?

Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon

Mark Trotter

... only two stories of the nativity, Matthew and Luke. On one of the three years we read Matthew, and the other two years we read Luke, which is by far the more popular, and by far the more complete of the stories. Luke's story of the nativity takes up two chapters, two long chapters. It is read like an opera, with a scenario, arias, choruses, the whole thing. It is just beautiful. Matthew's account of the nativity is only eight verses long, twenty verses if you include the story of the wise men. Compare it ...

939. Not Always A Saint

Luke 24:13-35

Illustration

Brett Blair

... vent to my tears; and the floods of mine eyes gushed out…So was I weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when, lo! I heard from a neighboring house a voice, as of boy or girl, I know not, chanting and oft repeating, "Take up and read; Take up and read." Instantly, my countenance altered, I began to think most intently whether children were wont in any kind of play to sing such words; nor could I remember ever to have heard the like. So checking the torrent of my tears, I arose; interpreting it ...

940. Who Do You Say That He Is?

Mark 8:27-38

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

... Lord of Creation Men: but not necessarily Lord of our bank accounts. Women: We admire his cross Men: but are reluctant to pick up our own. All: Set our minds Lord, on divine things, and not on human things. Collect Lamb of God, Shepherd King, we know you. We take up our cross and follow. Amen. Prayer Of Confession We are not ashamed of you, Lord of life. Set our eyes on your cross and our cross. Make us worthy to follow you. For what will it profit us to gain the whole world and forfeit our lives? We praise ...

941. A Funeral for “I Can’ts”

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... your mind not on divine things but on human things." Mark 8:31-33 In other words, Peter said, "You can't." Jesus said, "I will. Watch me and learn." Jesus then told the people, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." He laid out the path of overcoming suffering by clinging to the higher voice of God. He said that there would be dark, shadowy valleys in life, but to hold onto the hand of God when these wilderness temptations assault you. When ...

942. Exodus 34:29-35

Exodus 34:29-35

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... a way that he may right the terrible wrongs that the people have done. Moses once again climbs Sinai, this time staying "with the Lord" for 40 days and 40 nights. It is when he finally comes back to his guilt-ridden, anxious people that our text takes up the story. Verse 29 gives us a clear picture of Moses descending into the Hebrews' camp (which had been moved off the holy mountain after their sinful idol worship). His arms are filled with a second set of two heavy stone tablets. Even though these tablets ...

943. Matthew 5:1-12

Matthew 5:1-12

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... 25, Paul declares human ability and "wisdom" bankrupt before God. Paul recognizes that the cross has become a point of contention among these various "parties" in Corinth - a topic so uncomfortable to them that they would rather spend their energies taking up sides than taking up crosses. Paul's message stands the cross upright in the midst of this stratified community - and in so doing makes what had been the weakest link in Corinthian theology the very cord capable of binding together the entire community ...

944. Are You Better at Wearing or Bearing Crosses?

Mark 1:14-20

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... make his first disciples “fishers of people” it was a mission that came with fishhooks in thumbs, raw and ripped hands, long days of hard work and the possibility of empty nets. Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24-25). Life’s “crosses” are not barricades blocking your path to the future but bridges that take you across. The hard things of life make it easier, not harder, for you to be the human God made ...

945. 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... that in Paul’s description of his personal plurality he uses the comparative “as” in vv.20-21. He became “as” a Jew. He became “as” one under the law. He became “as” one outside the law. But in v.22 Paul drops the comparative when he takes up the cause of the “weak:” “To the weak I became weak.” To be weak and powerless, to have no status except that of a slave, albeit a slave of Christ, is the heart of Paul’s identity. In weakness Paul finds the greatest strength of the gospel ...

946. Why We Do What We Do

Matthew 6:1-4

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... himself. I know a church that has decided that, when it publishes memorials and honorariums in their newsletter, only the names of those being remembered and honored are listed. Next Jesus takes up prayer. He tells us to pray to God and not to people. God is your audience. God already knows what you need before you ask. Then Jesus takes up fasting, ascetical practices of self-denial. He says that fasting is our offering to God. God knows our hunger, our emptiness, the cost of our sacrifice. Don’t act like ...

947. Commitment

Mark 8:31-38

Illustration

... he cannot be my disciple." Even something as noble as the love of family, as good and right as that is, cannot stand in the way of commitment to the Kingdom of God. Jesus said, "If any man would come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Laziness, fear, selfishness, family nothing can stand between us and the call to discipleship. Jesus Christ demands our obedience. Jesus is not some wishy-washy little fellow coming up to us, hat in hand, hoping to win our favor, saying softly ...

948. Counting the Cost of Discipleship

Luke 14:25-33

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... passage about discipleship in Matthew 10:37-38 emphasizes the same point about comparison. "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me" (emphasis mine). Counting the cost of discipleship means loving God more than family or self. The first commandment takes priority over all other commandments. "I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other ...

949. When We Get Where We’re Going, Where Will We Be? (Series: Real Faith for Real People)

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... the law of the universe. “For God shall reign forever and ever.” What seems like a daydream now shall one day become the way of life for all people. “They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they study war any more.” What seems impractical now will become a possibility over there. “And now these three remain, faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love.” Sometimes I get anxious for God’s ...

950. Love That Surpasses Knowledge

Ephesians 3:14-21

Sermon

Thomas Lentz

... Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps" (1 Peter 2:20-21). If we are to approach the way of biblical love, we must spend a long time meditating on what it means when the Bible says we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Christ. In the book, The Fire of Your Life by Maggie Ross, there is the story of a Jewish woman, a holocaust survivor, who every day at 4 p.m. stood outside the door of a New York cathedral, screaming obscenities and cursing at ...

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