Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 951 to 975 of 4943 results

951. When We Don't Know God

Philippians 3:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... with your family, friends and all God’s children, as well as God Himself? Do you want to know God better? Do you want to see God more clearly, love God more dearly, follow God more nearly day by day? Simply say “yes” to God. Invite Christ to take up residence in your life and to fill you with his love. Soon you will know that you know God . . . for the grace of God will be evident in your life. 1. Bruce and Darlene Marie Wilkinson, The Dream Giver For Parents (Sisters, OR: Multonomah, 2004), pp. 45-46 ...

952. Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Matthew 9:35-38, Matthew 10:1-42

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... 7) ends with his affirmation to trust and hope in God alone (7:7). In analogous fashion, Jesus speaks of family loyalties that will undergo great strain when some family members acknowledge Jesus and others do not (see also 10:21–22). 10:38 take up their cross and follow me. This section of the discourse (10:32–39) focuses on allegiance to Jesus. Disciples are to count Jesus and the kingdom as their highest priority, even ahead of family and their own life. These sentiments were quite countercultural ...

953. Jesus Announces His Impending Suffering and Death

Matthew 16:21-28

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... of the self, de-centers the self by fashioning it in the image of the self-giving Christ, and frees its will so it can resist the power of exclusion in the power of the Spirit of embrace.”3 Scripture: The image of denying self and taking up one’s cross is embodied communally in the early chapters of Acts, as the members of the church, from its inception, live life together with the needs of others in view. We see them leave behind comfort, security, and individual needs to pursue authentic worship and ...

954. “As the Deer Pants for Streams of Water, So My Soul Pants for You, My God”

Psalm 42:1-11, Psalm 43:1-5

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... is depressed, deprived, and derided. This is a strong point, and one that can further advance our New Testament appeal, particularly if we look at the message of Hebrews 12:1–3, where the saints of the ages are gathered in the grandstands of history to watch us as we take up their torch and begin to run our stage of the race, looking not to the right or left but to Jesus, who is our Guide. If we would like to extend the lesson and expand on the imagery of the vanguard, we can appeal to Psalm 23:6 to find ...

955. Focusing on the Core of God’s Guidance

Deut 4:44–5:33

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... reminder that God is a jealous, zealous God who demands exclusive worship (5:9). His anger is roused by all that opposes the good, right, fair, and just, rather than by envy or a spirit of getting even; it is an emotion roused by evil and sin to take up the cause of righteousness. Often children repeat the sins of the parents going on into the third or fourth generation, but in no way must either the fathers or the children stand responsible for the sins of the other (Deut. 24:16). Commandment 3 (5:11). The ...

956. Recognize that Bad Days Can Bring about Good

Ecclesiastes 7:1--8:1

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the work of God!” (KJV). Alluding to the reminder that humans are not able to contend with the superior strength of God in 6:10b, the author asks in 7:13: “Who is able to straighten what he has made crooked?” Here the author takes up the proverb of Ecclesiastes 1:15 and ascribes this “twisting action” to God. Humans cannot change what God has ordained. So Qoheleth charges us, in pleasant times, to enjoy them and, in unpleasant times, to reflect on the fact (literally “see”) that both good and ...

957. Freedom From Human Regulations Through Life With Christ

Colossians 2:6-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

2:8–15 · Christ is over every power and authority:The identity of this “philosophy” has been discussed extensively above, where I suggested that it encouraged Gentiles to take up the law in addition to their faith in Christ for full attainment of the Christian life. Paul warns the Colossians of this potential threat by using a rare verb, translated as “take captive,” found only here in the New Testament (though Paul uses a similar term in 2 Cor. 11: ...

958. Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Luke 9:10-17

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... omission is due to (1) Luke’s avoidance of repetition and to (2) the fact that the evangelist has omitted a large section of Mark (6:45–8:26, sometimes called Luke’s “Big Omission”) in which the second feeding story occurs (see note below). Verse 10 takes up where 9:1–6 left off. In 9:1–6 the Twelve had been sent to heal and to preach. The news of their activities spread throughout Galilee so that its ruler, Herod, began to wonder who this person Jesus was. With the return of the apostles and ...

959. The Jews and the Law

Romans 2:17-29

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... may be Exhibit A of human righteousness, yet even they cannot withstand the straightedge of the law. 2:25–29 Paul now moderates his argument by shifting to a more reasoned and didactic approach. He resumes the general thought of 2:12–15 by taking up the trump card of Jewish confidence—circumcision. Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised (v. 25). Paul allows no separation of sign from reality, of circumcision from ...

960. The Ordination of Aaron and His Sons

Leviticus 8:1-36

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... begun with proper attire and then anointment to set the priests apart for this transition to holiness. The sin and burnt offerings protected from inadvertent mistakes. With the ordination offering, the priests become part of the holy environment and are prepared to take up their priestly role. The placing of the wave offering in the hands of the priests indicates that they are now fit for their task. The chapter concludes with notice that Moses and the Aaronic priests have taken great care with this rite ...

961. Images of War, the Hunt, False Accusation, and Wild Beasts

Psalm 35:1-28

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... heap one image of conflict and hostility upon another. In verses 1–3 the petitions are imperatives calling on Yahweh to engage himself as a warrior. He is asked to match the hostilities of the opponents (Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me) and take up military weapons (to fight with shield and spear). The final imperative of this section is, Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.” It certainly adds a personal note to this rescue, and it may be a formal request for a responding oracle of ...

962. Joy of the Redeemed

Isaiah 35:1-10

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... chapter 34, and it thus remains as a promise regarding God’s ultimate purpose. While it would be an exaggeration to say that it contains the message of chapters 40–55 in a nutshell, each of its motifs is taken up there. Jesus then also takes up some of its motifs and applies them to his own ministry (Matt. 11:5). These two examples of the use of chapter 35 elsewhere provide interim fulfillments of its vision and illustrations of what other such interim fulfillments might look like. In our own experience ...

963. The Field House

Isaiah 2:1-5, Matthew 4:23-25

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. 5Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

964. OK Boomer

Matthew 21:28-32

Sermon

King Duncan

... summons to us. We have not been called to be pious saints sitting in the corner with hands folded in complacent contemplation. We are called to be soldiers in the army of Christ. If we believe in him and the cause for which he died, then we are called to take up his cross and walk in his footsteps doing those good things that he would do if he were with us in the flesh today. Now you may be thinking, “I get it, pastor. I’m supposed to go out and work in the vineyard. I’m supposed to follow Jesus ...

965. Enduring the Trials of Faith

Romans 4:13-25

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... us better, stronger, and more able to endure. Jesus never promised that being a Christian would be an easy road. On the contrary, he very clearly stated that the exact opposite would be the case. “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24b-25). Jean Marie Barette grew into the knowledge that God was sending him a significant ...

966. Deep Water

Luke 5:1-11

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... Scary? For sure. But what does Jesus say to them before he tells them what they’d be doing from now on? “Don’t be afraid.” There’s a reason, Jesus starts his sentence with those exact words. Jesus knows how hard it is to follow Him, to take up his mission as our own. He knows how demanding and grueling true discipleship can be –those days of no success, those times when waves are rough and the sky dark, the times when the boat sports a hole or the nets tear. But he also knows that going “deep ...

967. Praying All the Way

John 17:1-11

Sermon

April Yamasaki

... was their representative who would enter the innermost part of the temple once a year to offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people. On the eve of Jesus’ sacrifice, Jesus was the high priest who offered this prayer on behalf of his disciples. The prayer takes up all of John 17, and is the longest recorded prayer by Jesus in the gospels. The first part of Jesus’ prayer centered on God’s glory. We might think of fireworks or a laser light show, a glittery ballroom and royalty, or the Academy Awards or ...

968. Glimpses of Eternity

Luke 9:28-36

Sermon

Will Willimon

... ....and be killed,..."(Luke 9:22). It came as a great blow to the disciples to hear that God's Messiah must also suffer and be killed. Worse, Jesus tells those who would be his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (9:23). They suffered a double shock to their preconceptions of bow they were to be saved: Jesus must suffer in order to be obedient to God; they must suffer in order to follow Jesus. And the transfiguration on the mountain ...

969. Hearing A Familiar Voice

John 10:22-30

Sermon

Wayne Brouwer

... were always a few who were simply running away: “I hope to find solace from the world and refuge from the problems that have plagued me.” But Merton said that there was really only one answer which all needed to voice before they could take up residence. “I need mercy!” was the true cry of the heart. “I need mercy!” Merton said that any other answer betrayed our prideful assertion of self-determination. We wanted, we planned, we were running away from, we desired… But the person who knew his ...

970. In the Meantime: Between the First and Second Comings

Isaiah 2:1-5

Sermon

David Busic

... all people. The Lord will establish a “holy temple” where God will be worshipped by “all nations.” God will be the one to settle any disputes among various peoples. “They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore,” (vs. 4). This is quite a scene. Will it really take place? Dare we hope? We cry, yes! And yet, what do we do in the meantime? That is the relevant question. A question ...

971. Ascension Day

Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:36-49, Luke 24:50-53, Mark 16:1-20, Ephesians 1:15-23

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... the promised Holy Spirit. COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Acts 1:1-11 (C, RC, E) The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts are the only two books in the Bible addressed to an individual (Theophilus). In this introduction, Luke informs Theophilus that he is taking up where his gospel ended. The Gospel of Luke concludes with the witness to the resurrected Christ and Acts begins by putting to a close this forty-day string of appearances. The disciples are still anticipating a kind of earthly reign (v. 6) but Jesus tells ...

972. Like A Mighty Army

John 17:20-26

Sermon

King Duncan

... of God as exemplified in Jesus Christ should be counted by us as the lost who need to be found. Our purpose as a congregation is to touch the life of anyone who is hurting, anyone who is feeling unloved, anyone who doesn't know why he or she is taking up space in this world. Our purpose is to be a beacon of hope for the hopeless, a beacon of joy for those who are in despair, a beacon of peace for those who are in torment, a beacon of love for those who have been used and abused. Our purpose ...

973. Baptism of the Lord

Psalm 29:1-11, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:23b-48, Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... . Structure. There are three distinct movements in this account: (1) In v. 13, Jesus appears in the contest of John's ministry, following on the heels of the Baptist's prophecy about the one who was coming after him. (2) In narrative form, vv. 14-15 takes up the very real and even problematic question of why Jesus submitted to John's baptism of repentance. (3) The final verses (16-17) recount Jesus' vision of the opened heavens, the descent of the Spirit upon him, and the declaration of the voice of God. A ...

974. Proper 26

Joshua 3:1-4:24, Matthew 23:1-39, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16, Psalm 107:1-43

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... in all times and places are called into conformity with Christ's experience. A life of Christian faith is a process of faithful obedience to the will of God that blossoms into the very pattern of the life of Jesus Christ. A secondary concern of this passage takes up the current status of those who oppose the work and the people of God. They live under God's present judgment, experiencing God's displeasure until the end (the Greek behind the end of v. 16 literally reads, [or the end," implying wrath now, not ...

975. Mind Your Manners

Matthew 7:7-12

Sermon

Robert R. Kopp

... . We could say that minding our manners is the best way to determine if we've found our game. Does it heal or hurt us? Does it heal or hurt others? If it heals, we've found our game. If it hurts, it's time to give it up and take up another. When it comes to golf, Abe Mitchell, the great British champion, was right, "The sum total of the rules of etiquette in golf is thoughtfulness." That sounds a lot like the sum total of discipleship. Jesus said, "In everything do to others as you would have them do to ...

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