Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1051 to 1075 of 5000 results

Mark 7:31-37, Mark 7:24-30

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

... to receiving praise from above. Our ultimate goal should be to avoid condemnation on the day of judgment. Instead we count on our faith in Christ, and a life lived in obedience to him, to win for us the ultimate reward, the crown of life. ILLUSTRATIONS And His Ears Were Opened · There are so many things in life today that require the use of our hearing. We listen to the telephone, to the radio and television, to signals and warning sounds. A great blessing for the hearing-impaired today is the hearing ...

1052. Miracle Ten: Healing A Blind Beggar

Mark 10:46-52

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

... . What should we do? Perhaps the best plan is to help them. After all, they may truly be in need. If they are not it is they, not we, who can be criticized and have it on their conscience while ours is free of guilt or judgment of our action. ILLUSTRATIONS It Is Spring And I Am Blind When we consider the handicap of blindness, a spring of pity arises for those who cannot see. One thinks of the beauty of nature, climaxing in a gorgeous sunrise or sunset. Then there is a full moon, or a starry night, the ...

1053. The Man With Two Umbrellas

1 Samuel 3:1--4:1

Sermon

William L. Self

... ashes were found to be strong in radium. We cannot get rid of influence. The Bible tells us that no man lives or dies to himself (Romans 14:7). To influence is to sway, to affect, to be acted upon by mental, moral, or spiritual power. The Bible illustrates influence as a leaven (Matthew 13:33), as sound spreading forth (1 Thessalonians 1:8), or as salt (Matthew 5:17), cancer (2 Timothy 2:17), ointment or fragrance (Proverbs 27:18). Influence is not an option for us; we all have it. The option is the kind ...

1054. Forever Plaid

Isaiah 42:18-25

Sermon

William L. Self

... eyes. The church has been born; Pentecost is here; the old religious system is dead. At Pentecost three thousand were added to the Kingdom of God and thus began a new paradigm. The old paradigm was left behind and a new paradigm opened. The greatest illustration of what happens to an institution or person who is not open to changing with the new paradigm is the Jerusalem church. They absolutely refused to allow change. The church fathers insisted that all the old rules be followed, no matter what. They were ...

1055. A Bad Temperament Can Kill You

2 Kings 5:1-27

Sermon

Harold Warlick

... respond to life as you focus your attention on something beyond the discomfort of the present. You realize you've got places to go and that the world is large enough for you to walk around that discomfort. Amazingly enough, Jesus Christ used as an illustration in his very first sermon a man who possessed an attention deficiency disorder and was healed of an incurable disease because he overcame it. Jesus stood in his home synagogue and said, "Many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and ...

1056. Advent 1

Isaiah 63:7--64:12, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Psalm 80:1-19, Mark 13:32-37, Mark 13:1-31

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... we look for signs of opportunities to do the work of Christ in the midst of the changing vicissitudes of time. We look for signs that the kingdom of God is breaking into the midst of the change and align ourselves with God's unchanging word. Illustrative Materials 1. Signs of the Fig Tree. God gives us constant signs of the persistence of life and goodness. Even in the midst of the greatest disasters we get signs of grace and mercy. After the disaster of the Russian earthquake of Neftegorsk Vladimir Chichin ...

1057. The Fruitful Vine

John 15:1-17, 1 John 4:7-21, Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 22:1-31

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... of a loving God. It comes from the awareness that our life is empowered and directed by the very source and meaning of life itself. It comes not so much because of what we do, but who we are as persons connected to God in Christ. ILLUSTRATIONS 1. Abiding and Acting · Two major figures in church history demonstrate the results of meditation and devotion to Christ, abiding in him. A. Bernard of Clairvaux was a monk who was part of the movement of the Medieval period that tried to achieve a mystical union ...

1058. Changing Nature

Colossians 1:9-10

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... people. Now, I hope your time in church will help you to know that you are loved by God and by the members of your church family. Knowing that, I hope it will make you happy and that you will be more loving to others. Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home: In the spring, when the weeds appear. When a child is careless about the condition of the interior of your house. At Easter, when you are coloring eggs.

1059. The Silent Language

Isaiah 55:8

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... your eyes and ears and heart and mind open here. What you find in church may surprise you; and it may help you see life in a different way. And that may change the way you use all the things you will have in life. Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home: When you need to replace a broken window. When your child is working with paints. When your child rebels against going to church.

1060. Learn To Wait Creatively

James 5:7-12

Sermon

Richard Hasler

... to wait for another?" (Matthew 11:3). James, writing to restless Christians in the first century, has to deal with their impatience concerning the return of the Lord. James' words are forthright: "Be patient ... beloved, until the coming of the Lord." To illustrate what he means he uses an agricultural example noting that the Palestinian farmer learns to wait for the early rains (October-November) and the latter rains (April-May). Both rains are needed for a fruitful crop. Therefore, the farmer goes about ...

1061. You Can Be Intelligent

2 Chronicles 1:1-17

Sermon

Michael B. Brown

... is only accomplished by listening carefully to him who said, "I am the way (and) the truth ...." 3 -- Wise folks understand the difference between that which is important and that which is insignificant. I first heard from my father the famous illustration about the storefront window. In the window, he said, were mannequins dressed in clothing the store wished to sell. Some were dressed in expensive articles, while others had on bargain attire. Some had gold bracelets and diamond cuff links. Others wore ...

1062. Sending And Receiving

Matthew 11:25-30

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... us so we can go out and do good things for others. We receive so that we can give, like this wireless mike. Its purpose is to be a sender for the good of others. I hope you will learn to be like that, too. Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home: When you have been to a worship service where a wireless microphone was used. Any time when you need to replace or recharge a battery. When your child questions why he or she has to go to church every Sunday. When you have been to a sports ...

1063. Living In A Special Time

Psalm 118:24

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... give you to help make this a special day for you. I decided to share with you ... (Use whatever is appropriate: balloon, candy, homemade cookie, etc.). I hope you will enjoy this little treat and that it will help to make your day happy. Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home: When your child is feeling unhappy because the weather is bad and he or she has to stay in the house. When your child has been to a special party. When a person has been baptized in your church. When you think the time is ...

1064. Riding A Train

Mark 10:17

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... friend. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Love your neighbors. Part of growing up is learning about the rules of life that work; and Jesus is the best teacher in that regard. Jesus can open the gateway to true life. Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home: When a child has ridden on such a train as described above. When a child fails to follow the rules. When a child tries to change the rules in a game.

1065. Symbols Of Easter

John 1:4, 5

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... helps us to grow into the type of person God wants us to be. As we celebrate today, we must remember that, in Jesus, we are offered the way to a better life as we see that life in the light that shines from him. Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home: When spring begins. When there is a full moon. When a child needs to be reminded of what Jesus offers us.

1066. Beware Of Imitations

Matthew 7:14

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... life God wants you to have. Your Sunday school teachers and everyone else who is with you each Sunday have that goal in mind for you, and you can help them help you by listening to them and doing what they teach you. Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home: When a child does not want to go to Sunday school. When your child is spending too much time with computer games. (A real life is more than games.) When a child does not want to study. When a child is more interested in watching television ...

1067. Nuts*

2 Thessalonians 3:13

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... and you must be willing to do it to get the fruit of your labors. Now I'd like to share the fruit of my labors by giving you a homemade cookie this morning; and, of course, the cookie has nuts in it. Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home: In the fall, when you have been gathering nuts. When you have prepared something to eat that contains nuts. When your child needs encouragement to continue doing anything that is hard to do. Scriptural Background: "Brethren, do not be weary in well-doing" (2 ...

1068. The Easter Lily

John 10:10; 20:1-18

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... like a tomb, and bursts forth with new life at Easter. So the lily is a good symbol to help us to remember what we celebrate today. In Jesus we have a new, rich, beautiful life; we have life as God wants it to be. Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home: When an Easter lily is brought into the house. When you are preparing for Easter. When you are planting bulbs.

1069. A Lesson From A Broken Arm

Isaiah 55:6

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... 't want to lose your ability to walk or play an instrument or read or have a friend or know God, then be sure to spend time doing what is important to you and don't let just one thing take up all your time. Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home: When someone breaks an arm or leg. When your child is spending too much time on one thing. When your child needs to be encouraged to try doing something new.

1070. What Day Is This?

James 5:19, 20

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... us like to be happy in life, and one of the best ways to find happiness is to learn what to do when you make a mistake. You can always ask for help. Now, what day is this? ... Right. Thank you for setting me straight. Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home: When your child needs help in learning how to handle making a mistake. When your child needs to be encouraged to ask for help when help is needed. When your child is too stubborn.

1071. Living In A Special Time

Psalm 118:24

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

1072. The Meaning Of Stewardship

Galatians 6:10

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... to take this piece of paper towel home and try to be a good steward with it. See what good thing you can do with it there. Then remember to take good care of all that you have, for that is the meaning of stewardship. Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home: When your child does not give enough thought to the proper use of what he or she has. When replacing a roll of paper towels at home. When you and your child see some other person misuse a possession. When your church is having its annual ...

1073. Week Four Of Lent

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... to be a delight. People will live very long lives; the cries of former days will not be present. The people will live in the houses they build and eat of the fruit of the vineyards they plant. The renewal of hope which only God can give is illustrated in the Gospel as well. The royal official believed that Jesus could cure his son. He came from Capernaum specifically to ask Jesus to act. The man not only believed; he had complete trust. When Jesus told him that his boy would live, the man left confident ...

1074. Surprise!

Psalm 77:11; 118:24

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). Now, I have a surprise for each one of you, but I want you to wait until you get home to open it. And have a nice, surprise-filled day. Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home: After a birthday party. When your child seems bored with life. Whenever something surprising has happened in the family.

1075. Week Two Of Lent

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... journey of reconciliation has begun. The journey of reconciliation continues with the discovery of the three active aspects of forgiveness, within self, with others, and ultimately with God. The parable of the Prodigal Son which we hear in today's Gospel best illustrates this second step in the journey of reconciliation. Active reconciliation must begin within our own person. The so-called prodigal son comes to the realization that he needs to forgive himself. He has wasted his father's money; he has lived ...

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