Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1026 to 1050 of 4681 results

1026. Ephesians 5:15-20

Ephesians 5:15-20

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... established by the diatribe against pagan ways in verses 3-14. Far from becoming hopeless in the midst of evil, however, the imperative is for Christians to work harder and faster, reclaiming every possible moment through wise, faithful actions that bear witness and bear fruit. The caution to "be careful" voiced in verse 15 is heightened by verse 17's imperative command to "become" or "be" (or even "prove yourselves) "not foolish." Sounding a definite warning to avoid foolishness and the dangers that the ...

1027. A Very Different Top 10 List

Mark 1:21-28

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... t be easy mass targets for shotguns. So we shot them until there was one left: Martha, the last passenger pigeon. *The melting polar ice is making the future of the polar bears look pretty grim. Either they will have to learn to hunt different species than seals basking on ice flows, or they too will become extinct. Will we name the last polar bear like we named Martha? Oh, that’s another thing to like about dinosaurs. Yes, they are extinct. But no, it was not our fault. Plus, not all extinctions are bad ...

1028. Rainbows and Roses

Genesis 9:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

... this card to your arrangement, but maybe you’d like to read it first.” It read: “Dear God, I have never thanked you for my thorns. I have thanked you a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to you along the path of pain. Show me that, through my tears, the colors of your rainbow look much more brilliant.” (4) Sandra had been through the storm. Now she could see the rainbow ...

1029. The Miracle Fruit

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... a life lived with sacrifice and suffering is a “ravaged life,” not a regal life. Jesus, The Truth, told his followers to “take up their cross,” because that “take up” was a “save up.” Truth is a life of cross-bearing, and it is that truth of cross-bearing that makes life joy-filled. - The more Martin Luther King suffered, the more the strength of the civil rights movement grew. - The more Soviet dissidents suffered, the more the hearts of the Russian people were won over. - The more time ...

1030. The Planted Seed

Illustration

Robert Noblett

... they simply "wait out" the youngster; and then they wait for the young adult to get up and running economically, so they can recall the credit card. Then in time, the planted seed that became the buried seed becomes the fruitful seed; it bears much fruit. The child becomes a contributing adult; the visionary idea becomes a full-fledged program; the trainee becomes trained; the tune becomes a symphony. And so the process goes. This is the kingdom of God. Jesus sees himself as the planted and buried ...

1031. Lent 5

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40, Hebrews 4:14-5:10, John 12:20-36

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... : To be a Christian, according to Jesus, is to carry a cross. In all things, even a cross, we are to imitate Jesus. Jesus must not bear the cross alone. There is a cross for each of us. If so, what can the cross do for you? Outline: What the cross can do ... 51:11-16 Hymn Of The Day: "Glory Be To Jesus" Theme Of The Day: The Fruit Of The Cross Gospel - The cross bears the fruit of eternal life. Lesson 1 - The cross establishes the new covenant. Lesson 2 - The cross teaches obedience and earns eternal salvation ...

1032. Advent 3

Isaiah 61:1-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28, John 1:1-18

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... to Christ and his coming again. These moral qualities are not the result of human effort, for it is God who wholly sanctifies. God is faithful to accomplish it. Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28 According to this passage, John the Baptist had a divine mission to bear witness to Jesus as the Messiah. His witness was in part negative; who he was not. Clearly and emphatically he said he (John) was not the Messiah, not Elijah (Malachi 3:1; 4, 5), and not "the prophet" (Deuteronomy 18:15). He confessed that he was only ...

1033. Lent 1

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40, Hebrews 4:14-5:10, John 12:20-36

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... Need: To be a Christian, according to Jesus, is to carry a cross. In all things, even a cross, we are to imitate Jesus. Jesus must not bear the cross alone. There is a cross for each of us. If so, what can the cross do for you? Outline: What the cross can do ... 51:11-16 Hymn Of The Day: "Glory Be To Jesus" Theme Of The Day: The Fruit Of The Cross Gospel The cross bears the fruit of eternal life. Lesson 1 The cross establishes the new covenant. Lesson 2 The cross teaches obedience and earns eternal salvation. ...

1034. Anybody NOT seeing red?

1 John 1:5--2:14

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... be “What A Tweep We Have In Jesus.” This past week I posted a tweat that asked if anyone else noticed that Christians have some of the lowest irritation thresholds of anyone around, or if this was just me. Maybe I’m more irritating than “the usual bear,” as Yogi Bear might say. But the response I got was deafening: people agreed with me. I then posted a tweat that asked my tweeps to give me reasons why this might be so. Why are Christians so irritable? Here are a few of the responses I got. I’m ...

1035. Proper 9

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Mark 6:1-6, Mark 6:7-13, 2 Samuel 5:6-16

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... him a thorn in the flesh. Repeatedly he prayed to have it removed, but God assured him his grace was enough to bear it. Now Paul boasts of his weaknesses, handicaps and sufferings, for through these weaknesses the power of Christ comes upon him. Gospel ... uses suffering as Paul did in the text. Outline: What to do when suffering comes – a. Pray for its removal v. 8. b. Accept grace to bear it v. 9. c. Use it as a stepping-stone to greatness v. 10. 2. The good of suffering (12:7-10). Need: Can there be ...

1036. In Communion with Christ

John 15:1-8

Illustration

James Merritt

... difference between union and communion. Jesus said in v.5, "I am the vine, you are the branches." When you trust Christ, you become a branch in His vine. That is union. But he goes on to say in v.5, "He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit." Now that is communion. Union is the basis of communion. To abide in Christ is a twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week, fifty-two week a year intimate fellowship with Him, so that you become a fruit ...

1037. On-Beyond-Zebra Living

John 15:1-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... us. This doesn’t mean that our dreams and yearnings have no play in God-first God-love. In the words of Bishop Gerard W. Hughes, “If God’s love for us bears no relationship to our own deepest longings and desires, then God cannot be a God of love, but a God of commands. If God’s will for you and for me did not bear any relationship to our own deepest longings and desires, we should be obliged to ignore the longings of our hearts and to put our trust in some authority external to ourselves.” (God ...

1038. Proper 25

Mark 10:46-52, Psalm 34:1-22, Job 42:7-17, Hebrews 7:11-28

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... your strong but docile Son, Jesus of Nazareth. Amen Declaration of Pardon Pastor: Friends, hear the good news! God has received Jesus Christ as our representative People: bearing gifts and sacrifices for our sins. Pastor: Friends, believe the good news! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Follow the priestly example of Jesus Christ and bear patiently with the ignorant and the erring. PRAYER OF THE DAY So that we may fittingly be called Christian, divine Light-Giver, grant us the vision to ...

1039. Proper 27

Ruth 3:1-18, Psalm 127:1-5, Mark 12:38-44, Hebrews 9:11-28

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... : Christ now appears in the presence of God on our behalf. Pastor: Friends, believe the good news! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Just as it is appointed for us to die once and after that comes the judgment, so Christ having been offered once to bear the sins of many will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Encourage one another as you see the day drawing near. PRAYER OF THE DAY Save us, good Lord, from half-heartedness in our ...

1040. Easter 5

Psalm 22:1-31, John 15:1-8, Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... news! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Remain united with the Vine, Jesus Christ. No branch can bear fruit by itself. PRAYER OF THE DAY Divine Vine Tender, so prune and tie us as branches of the vine that, being rid of all unfruitfulness ... and directed by the commands of Christ, we may bear fruit to your glory and our joy. Amen PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING God of all nations, Universal Christ, Including Spirit, we praise your name ...

1041. Palm Sunday

Mark 11:1-11, Psalm 31:1-24; 118:1-29, Isaiah 50:1-11, Philippians 2:1-11

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... another and in that way show that your life is like that of our humble Savior, Christ Jesus. PRAYER OF THE DAY Patient Teacher, when we are stubborn as mules, show us a docile donkey, so that when we are willing to bear the burden you place on us, we may find ourselves bearing the Christ. Amen PRAYER OF THE DAY Crucified One, we need your humble spirit if we are to face the ridicule of the unbelieving without retaliation and accept persecution with resignation. So empty us of pride and we will be more like ...

1042. Tear Down This Wall!

Ephesians 2:11-22

Sermon

King Duncan

... , many of them were jeered and scorned. Many already had doubts about their own role in the war which made it even harder. Bishop William Willimon once told of hearing a man, a US pilot in Vietnam, tell of his experience in that terrible conflict. He told of bearing down on a Vietnamese village to drop his bombs. As he pushed through the clouds, he caught a glimpse of a church. The man said: “It must have been Sunday because I could see a crowd of people entering the church in the village. It was only a ...

1043. Proper 9

Genesis 24:1-67, Psalm 45:1-17, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, Romans 7:7-25

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... whose work is hard, whose load is heavy; and I will give you relief. People: We will bend our necks to your yoke and learn from you, for you are gentle and humble-hearted. Leader: Your souls will find relief. People: For his yoke is good to bear, and his load is light. INVOCATION Compassionate Christ, we have come to learn from you who are gentle and humble in heart. As we seek to emulate you in our worship, prepare us for your service as true and loyal companions. Amen PRAYER OF CONFESSION Creative Spirit ...

1044. Proper 13

Matthew 14:13-21, Psalm 17:1-15, Genesis 32:22-32, Romans 9:1-29

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... grace. If we are estranged from anyone, reconcile us by the forgiving Spirit, that all bitterness and hostility may be removed and the unity of the Spirit be manifest in the bond of peace. Deliver the innocent from temptations too hard for them to bear, and support those on the verge of losing faith and giving up the good fight. Have mercy on hardened sinners and those enslaved by grievous addictions. May these surrender to your higher power. Send true comforters to those who are suffering from the malice ...

1045. Proper 17

Matthew 16:21-28

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... world to test the inhabitants of the earth. Encourage all Christians in every land to hold fast to what has been given them, that their crown of glory may not be taken away but, having overcome, they may stand before you as pillars in the temple of God and bear the name of your heavenly city, and your own new name, O Christ of God. Heavenly Parent, we commend to you all who are joined to us by ties of family and affection, especially the little children dear to us and the aged who have become like children ...

1046. In Search of Jesus

John 6:16-24

Sermon

King Duncan

... Fosdick was the pastor of Riverside Church in New York City. He was one of the most influential pastors in America. Fosdick once wrote something you and I need to hear. “The saddest failure of the church is not hypocrisy,” wrote Dr. Fosdick. “I bear witness after many years in the ministry that I have run into very little conscious, deliberate hypocrisy. But the saddest failure of the church,” Fosdick continues, “is that there are so many who have never gone beneath the form of religion to find ...

1047. Wise, Worshipful, and Wonderfully Wayward

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... some wine, and gave himself communion, speaking these words from John 15:5, the first words from the Bible spoken on the desolate surface of the moon: “I am the Vine, you are the branches. If you abide in me, and I abide in you, you will bear much fruit. But without me you can do nothing.” The first liquid poured out on the moon, was communion wine. And the note that verse was written on sold a year ago for $180,000. What an example of eucharistic living . . . wise, worshipful, and wonderfully wayward ...

1048. Don’t Tempt Me—But If You Do I’m Ready

1 Corinthians 10:13

Sermon

James Merritt

... tempted beyond what you are able…" (v.13) At this point, I know two things about temptation. On the one hand I know that I'm going to be tempted; but on the other hand I know that I'm never going to face a temptation greater than I can bear because God is faithful. Let those three words sink into your soul—God is faithful. That means when you pray "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" He will do exactly that. I saw a bumper sticker one time that said, "Lead me not into temptation—I ...

1049. Liar, Liar

Exodus 20:16

Sermon

James Merritt

... and only 31% believe that honesty is the best policy.[4] To all of that, God gives this commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:16, NASB) God expects us to deal with other people with honesty and integrity. ... drove off. That is what the Bible says in Proverbs 25:18, "Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor." (Proverbs 25:18, NASB) Two of the most vicious ways that you can lie is to either say something about ...

1050. Is God Pleased With Me?

Hebrews 11:1-6

Sermon

James Merritt

... stage the forerunner of the modern Olympics called the Isthmian Games. The highlight of those games was the relay race. The competitors lined up side by side at the starting line each bearing a torch. In the distance waited another line of men and still farther on were other lines of men. When the signal was given the men would begin to run bearing their lighted torches. When a runner reached his partner in the next line, he would pass on his light and that man would then go on and pass on the light until ...

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