Sermon and Worship Resources

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76. Thankfulness, Kind of

Humor Illustration

Michael P. Green

A little boy was asked by his father to say grace at the table. While the rest of the family waited, the little guy eyed every dish of food his mother had prepared. After the examination, he bowed his head and honestly prayed, “Lord, I don’t like the looks of it, but I thank you for it, and I’ll eat it anyway. Amen.”

77. A New Kind of Faith

John 20:19-31

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

Object: A blown-up balloon Good morning, boys and girls. We've all seen little balloons like this, haven't we? Well, did you know that some balloons are so big that you can attach a basket to them and people can fly in them? We call them "hot air balloons," don't we? When big balloons like this were first invented, people were too afraid to ride in them. They didn't believe they would really work, so the first people to ever ride in a balloon weren't people, they were animals. The very first time a balloon ...

78. What Kind of Method?

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

One day a lady criticized D. L. Moody for his methods of evangelism in attempting to win people to the Lord. Moody's reply was "I agree with you. I don't like the way I do it either. Tell me, how do you do it?" The lady replied, "I don't do it." Moody retorted, "Then I like my way of doing it better than your way of not doing it."

79. A Kind Word

Illustration

Warren Wiersbe

Although George Whitefield disagreed with John Wesley on some theological matters, he was careful not to create problems in public that could be used to hinder the preaching of the gospel. When someone asked Whitefield if he thought he would see Wesley in heaven, Whitefield replied, "I fear not, for he will be so near the eternal throne and we at such a distance, we shall hardly get sight of him."

80. What Kind of Egg Are You?

Illustration

Maxie Dunnam

He’s a bag egg! How often have you heard that expression? It has something to say to us. Will you use your imagination with me for a moment? Imagine a bird’s nest in a tree with some beautiful blue eggs in it. Now imagine talking to those eggs and trying to communicate a new vision to them. Now don’t think I’m silly. Use your imagination. You say to those eggs, “Someday you’re going to fly. You’re going to have wings and soar to the heavens.” With the warmth of the parent birds, there is a change in that ...

81. Speak the Kind Word Now

Illustration

Maxie Dunnam

At a dinner party, people were talking about people in their lives who had meant much to them. The famous preacher, William Stidger, told the story of a Mrs. Wendt, an old school teacher who 30 years before had gone out of her way to introduce him to Tennyson. One of the dinner party members asked Stidger, "Does Mrs. Wendt know that she made such a contribution to your life?" That caught William Stidger -- he became troubled that he had never bothered to say thanks. That evening, before he went to bed, he ...

82. What In The World Are We Doing Here?

Micah 6:1-8

Sermon

King Duncan

... most basic, the most minimal requirement of all religion--that we should treat other people as we would like to be treated. A great Quaker gentleman expressed it well over two centuries ago when he wrote: “I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” All good religion begins here. We may not be able to agree on everything. Indeed ...

83. What Really Counts

Mark 9:38-43

Sermon

King Duncan

... in parting with the day that’s slipping fast, That you helped a single person of the many that you passed? Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said? Does the man whose hopes were fading now with courage look ahead? Did you leave a trail of kindness, or a scar of discontent? As you close your eyes in slumber, do you think that God will say, “You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?” (5) We don’t have to earn our tomorrows, thank God. They are the gift of a loving and ...

84. Real Religion

Micah 6:1-8

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... through my eyes," or "put yourself in my shoes," the feeling is one of a changed perspective. To the Hebrews it would have been a special word because it is one of the principal attributes of God in the Old Testament. As God always acted toward the people in loving-kindness, so too God expected them to act in the same way toward one another. If God's people are to be just, they are to be even more - they are to give where no giving is deserved, to act when no action is required. It is not only an activity ...

85. Extraordinary Faith

Luke 7:1-10

Sermon

King Duncan

... into the hand of the gardener. He could scarcely believe what was happening when he was buried underneath a mound of dirt. But when the Springtime came, YES burst forth in radiant color. He was now a beautiful flower. (3) The centurion was a "Yes" kind of person. He was not only a kind man and a humble man, he was a man who was open to the miraculous in life. If Jesus would simply say the word, his servant would be healed. Jesus exclaimed, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." It is ...

86. Living in The Spirit of Generosity

2 Corinthians 9:6-12, Galatians 5:22-25

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... encouraged us since before I can remember to empathize with human suffering. When I was a teenager, he'd say, 'Ann, go do something that helps people. Do something of service. It will always make you feel good about your life.'" (7) We are called to be Generous With Our Kindness. It's what sets Christians apart from the rest of the world. Rev. Don Maddox tells the story of a little girl who was standing in line at church to get a free ice cream cone on a hot summer's day. There wasn't any cost for the ice ...

87. Walk In Newness Of Life

Romans 6:1-14

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... things Paul labeled "fruit of the Spirit in verse 5. I can't deal with all the fruits of the Spirit -- but want to deal with two as a pattern for you to explore. So -- to walk in newness of life means at least this -- to add flavor to our kindness. Sam Kameleson, Vice-President of World Vision International, tells of a woman from Melbourne, Australia. She was 70 years old. Now I know that's not old by today's standard. To be old isn't a matter of years. Again, it was Dwight Koenig who sent me a piece ...

88. The Knot: Tied

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Sermon

James Merritt

... only takes a short time to put it out. How does your love measure up and how is your love working out for you? “Love is kind.” (1 Corinthians 13:4, NIV) This word was used to describe food that was tasty as well as healthy. It is the only time this ... the New Testament. It simple refers to the way we treat the other person or the way we talk to the other person. Mark Twain said, “Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” How does your love measure up to this quality and how is it ...

89. House of God

Ephesians 2:1-10, Ephesians 2:11-22

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do ...

90. Dressed for Success?

Luke 24:36-49, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:1-11

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... to wear a black skirt or pants and a white blouse. The fact is, there really is an appropriate “dress code” for every kind of place that you frequent in our culture, isn’t there? You dress differently whether you go to work, or to play football, ... and in the lives of others. They are children of the Light who exude the light of God to everyone they meet in love, in grace, in kindness, and in hope. You are the face of Jesus to the world. You are the light of hope, the beacon to others to follow, as you ...

91. Lying By the Side of the Road

Luke 10:25-37

Sermon

King Duncan

... to a local motel. The stepfather paid the proprietor of the motel for the father’s room and meals until he had recovered enough to go home. (5) I don’t know how it is in most second marriages, but I am not surprised that her step-father’s kind deed to her birth father made such a deep impression on Ms. Cubin. There are many Good Samaritans of every race and creed all over the world. Those who follow Jesus, however, are expected to do even more. We are expected to give love and compassion to those whom ...

92. The Flow

John 7:37-39 · 1 Corinthians 12:3-13 · Acts 2:1-21

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... all of the times that Jesus touched people and healed them. They not only felt it in that moment, but it changed their lives completely. When the Spirit flows within us, we live a life free of the stressors that bombard us and instead glow with an internal kind of light that fires us up and propels us forward. We feel both energy and peace. Joy and purpose. On the day of Pentecost, a sound like the rush of a violent wind filled the house where all were sitting. Tongues of light that looked like fire rested ...

93. What Does God Expect Of You?

Micah 6:1-8

Sermon

Robert Allen

... with him. Moffatt, in his translation of the Bible, has translated "to walk humbly with our God" as "to live in quiet fellowship with your God." Living in quiet fellowship with God is simply living one’s life and doing the things God would be doing. There are all kinds of opportunities for us to be the living presence of God in our daily lives. Jack Stephens once received a telephone call from a friend who wanted a favor. A problem had come up in his family and he wanted Jack to fill in for him by taking ...

94. Advice About Widows, Elders and Slaves

1 Timothy 5:1-6:2

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... washed the feet of the saints (cf. 1 Sam. 25:41). As in John 13:17, it is not clear whether footwashing is intended literally or figuratively. Part of the difficulty is a general lack of knowledge of local customs. At any event it certainly would be the kind of thing that if done literally, as seems very likely, would also be an example of her humble servanthood. (4) A woman who has helped those in trouble. There is no way to know to what specifically this might refer. But it should be noted that these last ...

95. Unreasonable Mercy

2 Kings 5:1-27, Matthew 8:5-13

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... Drama Llama Church. Our face, when we look at each other, appears beautiful and good. We pray, we worship, we try to be loving and kind. But to our culture, we can appear to be “judgy.” How do they see us so differently? What face do we show to the world ... of Aram and become a citizen of Israel, I’ll heal you. No. Elisha simply heals him, and wants nothing in return. This kind of unconditional gift from God, this totally unreasonable mercy and grace is so foreign to us, that we often miss it, even when ...

96. The First Sign of Civilization

Luke 10:25-37

Sermon

King Duncan

... live north of Houston Street, you live in NoHo. But this woman lived in a troublesome neighborhood somewhere in between that she called “Uh-Oh.” Jesus’ listeners would have understood that the road between Jerusalem and Jericho was an “Uh-Oh” kind of neighborhood. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho stretches about 18 miles through desert terrain—hot, dry, rocky and rough. In Jesus’ day, it was common for thieves to hide among the rocks along this road and attack travelers passing through. (4 ...

97. Living In The Spirit Of Gentleness and Self Control

Galatians 5:22-25, Colossians 3:12-17

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... in our own lives and problems. But, God has told us to treat others as we'd like to be treated. By looking at others through the eyes of Christ we can spread God's love and message, making a difference to those around us simply by being kind. Be Kind. III. Be Forgiving Wednesday we talked how to Be Forgiving. In the Science Lab we talked about how hard it is to forgive sometimes, and how when we don't forgive it erodes not only our friendship but our relationship with God. But when someone is forgiving it ...

98. That Mountaintop Moment

Mark 9:2-9

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... think we know can’t even touch the vastness of the mind of God. If you think about it, we, as human beings, live in a kind of constructed environment here on earth. Our very ability to make meaning, the ability of our brains to function and to make sense of the ... communion, through faith, we have the ability to connect with God on a relational level in a spirit-driven, intuitive kind of way that offers us an “overview effect” experience, an encounter with God’s grace that has the ability to transform ...

99. Proper 11

Lk 10:38-42 · Col 1:21-29 · Gen 18:1-10 · 2 Ki 4:8-17

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... Hannah and Elkanah, a wealthy woman is given a child for no other reason than Elisha's gratitude for her and her husband's kind hospitality. Elisha often stayed in the home of this nameless couple in Shunem as he went on his travels. The lady suggested to her ... her house, he stopped for food. What made her think he was a man of God? Did he bless the food before eating? Was it his kindness and courtesy? She sensed that here was a man who lived close to God, who knew God. Do strangers see us as "men" of God? 2 ...

100. Getting Rid of Anger

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Sermon

King Duncan

... Spirit is that part of the Godhead that dwells within us. It is the voice of God speaking to us about our ongoing relationship with God, with others and even with ourselves. We grieve the Holy Spirit when we live in a way that is discordant with the kind of person God has called us to be. It’s challenging to be a new person in Christ Jesus. And particularly when we read the details of the new life that Paul describes about never being angry, or deceitful, or having malice in our hearts, or about never ...

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