Sermon and Worship Resources

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Malachi 2:17--3:5

Sermon

... spread the 4,176 pieces across the floor to see what you have to work with. Then, you look for the directions. You have to follow directions. You have to understand what the creator intended for the toy if you are to put the thing together as it was designed. But we live in an imperfect world - a world still tainted by the fall into original sin. This means that nothing is perfect, so some of the 4,176 pieces you need must be missing. Evidently, this is part of the ritual of assemblying toys. It’s a test ...

977. Advent 4

Romans 1:1-17

Bulletin Aid

... , Paul here provides the Roman Christians, whom he had not yet visited, with a concise compendium of his Christology. Its heart is the parallel construction in vv. 3 and 4, which sets Jesus' fleshly descendency from David over against his spiritual "designation" as Son of God "by his resurrection from the dead." The wording of the latter component of this parallel is especially ambiguous, and at least hints of "adoptionist" sentiments. But the real point withal seems to be the contrast between the ...

978. Christmas 2

Luke 2:8-20

Bulletin Aid

... The humble shepherds are directed to the swaddled child in the lowly manger by an angel messenger, who tells them, not that he is the expected messianic Savior, but only that their finding him will be a "sign" of the arrival of the Christ. That indirect way of designating the identity of the baby may well be Luke's way of underscoring that the holiness of the manger's humble occupant not only could not have been obvious to any observer, had it not been revealed to them by God, but even then could not be ...

979. The Resurrection of Our Lord

Mt 28:1-10 · Col 3:1-4 · Acts 10:34-43 · Ps 118

Bulletin Aid

... s "Yes" Exegetical note The heart of the kerygmatic recapitulation contained in Peter's speech to Gentiles here is his view of the resurrection (in v. 40) as God's validation of Jesus after the crucifixion. The latter was the "no" of humanity (designated with an indefinite "They") to Jesus' ministry, while Jesus was God's resounding, and ultimately prevailing "Yes." Call to Worship (based on Psalm 118) Leader: God is our strength and song! People: GOD HAS BECOME OUR SALVATION! Leader: We therefore shall not ...

980. Proper 15

Matthew 15:21-28

Bulletin Aid

Theme: Faith that overcomes obstacles Exegetical note Matthew's designation of the woman in this passage as a Canaanite (and thus a traditional enemy to the Jews) reveals his intention (in contrast to Mark's) to make this incident speak to the place of Gentiles with respect to the gospel in a most dramatic way. Despite Jesus' insistence (v. 24) ...

981. Proper 24

Matthew 22:15-22

Bulletin Aid

... note The conversation depicted here must be understood in its original setting, in which the distinction between state and religion was blurred in a number of ways, not the least being the claim of the Roman emperor to be divine (and so designated on coins)! Jesus' famous dictum about "rendering," therefore, is a cleverly "safe" way of dealing with a question meant to entrap him, but also a profound statement about the appropriate separation between the secular and the sacred provinces, and thus between ...

982. Easter 3

Luke 24:13-35

Sermon Aid

... or in the church newsletter. Planning for Your Congregation I. Other Scriptures Psalm 116:12-19 Psalm 16 Acts 2:14, 22-28, 36-41 1 Peter 1:17-23 II. Suggested Hymns "That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright" "Come, Risen Lord, and Design to be Our Guest" III. Other Music Possibilities Music for Preparation and Dismissal: Medley of Eastertide Hymns Response to the Scripture Reading: Adult Choir "Song of the Lord Among Us" Response to the Proclamation: Adult Choir "Song of God's Presence" IV. Bulletin Cover ...

983. Good News for Exiles

Psalm 137:1-9, 2 Chronicles 36:15-23, Ephesians 2:1-10

Sermon

... that is seering, painful, debilitating, and crushing - because we know just how far away from God we are. The church, in its wisdom, knows that this can happen in the life of the Christian, any Christian. That’s what this season is all about. Lent is designed for exiles. It’s a time to deal with those things that cut us off from life, that separate us from the Land of the Living, that choke off our prayer life, that poison our spirituality, that stand between us and God. Lent is for exiles - for ...

984. Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Daniel 2:24-49, Daniel 2:1-23

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... ." But Daniel believed in a loving, powerful, and accessible God. Let me tell you the most dangerous, diabolical thought that can enter your brain. It is this---There is no way things can get better. That depressing thought is straight from the devil, designed to destroy you. Dr. Victor Frankl, an Austrian psychiatrist, was interned in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. He studied those persons who survived that horrible experience and those who did not. Dr. Frankl said it wasn't really a matter ...

985. Turn Out the Lights! The Party's Over!

Daniel 5:1-31

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... , his wives and his concubines drank from them. As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone." They were ridiculing and mocking the God of Israel by guzzling their drunken toasts from sacred vessels designed for the Temple in Jerusalem. Now, we know from the Greek historian Herodotus that at this very moment the mighty Persian Army under Darius was camped outside the city of Babylon. The Persians had already conquered the rest of the country. So, why are ...

986. If You Are A Disciple of Jesus Christ

Luke 6:17-26, Luke 6:12-16

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... afraid that if I tried, I would fare no better than Peter, James and John who kept dozing off. Verses 13 through 16 tell us that Jesus chose twelve to be with him constantly. We usually refer to those twelve as the disciples, but he actually designated them to be apostles. The word "apostle" comes from the Greek "apostolos" and means "someone who is sent out." The first thing that strikes you about the twelve whom Jesus chose is how ordinary they were. None of them was educated, famous, or influential. Only ...

987. A Fool’s Tools

Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon

... opportunities of those with fewer tools, an individual must work hard to preserve his own tools. Thinking for oneself has become increasingly more difficult in recent years. Now, more than ever before, we are bombarded by outside influences - carefully designed and planned before they come into our living room, slide into our mailbox, or paste their way onto the scenic-drive signboard. Somewhere there must be someone planning the day when we will become indiscriminate ideology-gobblers, merchandise-gobblers ...

988. The Yestermorrow Eclipse

John 10:1-21

Sermon

... , "Money comes that you may have life and have it abundantly" - the irony of finding abundant life in a cold, lifeless god. Another disturbing feature in this now-oriented product line has a somewhat different twist to it. It’s called the "Ain’t It Awful" design, and in spite of its name it gets a lot of sales and repeat customers. Some of the best-sellers in the line include: "Ain’t it awful what’s happening in the world today ... Ain’t it awful what’s happening among our young people ... Ain ...

989. On Mars Hill

Acts 17:16-34

Sermon Aid

CSS

... of philosophers. Using this information as a starting point, Paul noted that Athenians were "very religious," adding that among their many monuments was one dedicated "To an unknown god." This introduction to his presentation was courteous and designed to establish rapport with the audience. Nevertheless, Paul with his Jewish insistence on monotheism could scarcely praise the Athenians for being god-fearing. The term translated as "religious" might also mean "superstitious." And his reference to the ...

990. Revival at Corinth

Acts 18:1-17

Sermon Aid

CSS

... Romans and in his second letter to Timothy. Greetings are also sent to the "church in their house," indicating that their home was the center for worship and service in Rome. Paul himself sailed to Caesarea, with his arrival there completing what’s usually designated as his second missionary journey, for that had been its starting point. He then "went up and greeted the church" at Jerusalem. We hear nothing about Paul’s stay in Jerusalem, or about his welcome by the church, or of his purpose in being ...

991. Pastor or Priest?

Illustration

John R.W. Stott

Moreover, in seeking to reestablish this truth, it would be helpful simultaneously to recover for these over seers the New Testament designation "pastor." "Minister" is a misleading term, because it is generic rather than specific, and always therefore requires a qualifying adjective to indicate what kind of ministry is in mind. "Priest" is unfortunately ambiguous. Those with knowledge of the etymology of English words are aware that "priest" is simply a contraction ...

992. Let Yes Be Yes!

Matthew 15:21-28

Sermon

... they hadn’t been inside a church for years - some of them ever! But now, here they were, bringing their children to spend precious hours of their young lives inside the walls of a parish church. The pictures on the bulletin boards, the designs in the sanctuary windows, the warmth the pastor and the secretary shared with them, all spoke important messages. In time some of those children started coming to that congregation’s Sunday School. Some of their parents started coming back on Sunday morning, to ...

993. Which Way?

Matthew 16:21-28

Sermon

... it will - not at the time, not in the short run. But we must remember in what context Jesus’ cross was set. He died because all other avenues were closed to him. His death was planned and orchestrated by his Father. It was a power play, a strategy designed to bring the war with Satan to a head, much as a raging fever in the human body brings the issue to a climax after which the evil is dispersed. The cross makes no sense until it is seen for what it really was - a strong, decisive, cauterizing stroke ...

994. For Freedom!

Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon

... world was full of possibilities he never would have had, had his debt been collected or been kept hanging over him. The problem was, he didn’t really want to take the gift and pass it on. He didn’t want it to be the changing, shaping gift it was designed to be. So he missed the opportunity to feel the changing power of grace inside him, where it could have changed the quality of how he looked at life and how he then related to the people all around him. We have all heard of the statue in the parish ...

995. Christians Die Well

Acts 7:54--8:1a

Sermon

Barbara Brokhoff

... , and understanding that directed his life. He could see the long view of things, as God sees them. His reasoning and logic were not as shortsighted as the man who decided to manufacture dog food. He said, "I’ll use all the selling arts. I’ll design an alluring can, an eye-arresting label, catchy slogans, and jingles. I’ll blanket the media with advertising. I’ll use coupons. I’ll use direct mail, and I’ll have conspicuous displays in all the big stores." He did all these things, but the dog ...

996. Sinners Anonymous

Matthew 9:9-13

Sermon

Dennis Kastens

... Scripture that he got used to this quite early in the world’s history, beginning with Adam. He never argues the point. It is only sinful man that pretends to be startled by his own sinfulness. God takes it for granted. So much for granted, in fact, that he designed the key event in all of history to center on this - the coming of Jesus Christ to this earth to die on Calvary’s tree in payment for all sins. When the Pharisees, or we, protest the kind of company Christ keeps, he doesn’t bother to argue ...

997. Count Me In!

Isaiah 56:1-8

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... others from copying them. In housing, we may exclude children from adult condominiums or blacks and Jews from selected neighborhoods. A civic club may exclude women from membership. The use of a country club is for members only. Immigration laws are designed to keep out illegal aliens such as Mexicans, Cubans, and Haitians. Constantly, we are drawing circles to exclude people whom we do not want in close fellowship. Does this exclusiveness apply also to the field of religion? Do we say, "Believe, worship ...

998. Father Damien

Luke 17:11-19

Sermon

Carroll Gunkel

... quarantine provided a possibility for halting its spread. It was the theory of quarantine which led to the development of a colony for lepers on Molokai in the Hawaiian Islands. The idea behind the colony on Molokal was a creditable one. The land to be designated for the colony was on a peninsula. It was a rather large tract of land with fertile soil so that the people could grow their own food; the harvests would be bountiful. Much timber was available for the construction of houses, schools and a hospital ...

999. Gabriel Speaks to Mary

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

George Bass

... called this day the Festum conceptionis Domini, the feast of the conception of the Lord. Jesus would be both human - fully human - and divine, born of Mary but conceived through the Holy Spirit. At Christmas we sing, "Jesus, Lord at thy birth," but he was really designated to be the Lord before he was born, at his conception. And this was God’s doing, God’s intention; "therefore," said Gabriel, "the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God." It was God the Father who initiated his plan to ...

1000. A Person Approved by Christ

John 1:43-51

Sermon

George Bass

... s interviews began with, "What do you want to do?" If the recruit indicated that he or she simply exploring possibilities for a career, the interview was cut short. But if the new engineer said something like, "I’m really interested in computer design," or "I want to build one," Carl Alsing would ask, "What makes you think you can build a major computer?" And, as the interview progressed and Alsing liked the person’s possibilities, he would describe the tough competition between the engineers, the long ...

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