Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1101 to 1125 of 3852 results

Matthew 6:5-15

Drama

Karren Boehr

... precious time we've wasted, just hating ... (His head drops to his chest) 1ST BROTHER: (Shouts) Get out of my house! 2ND BROTHER: Please, will you give me a moment to explain? (1ST BROTHER grudgingly gestures to the empty chair at the table, then sits back down in original chair) 2ND BROTHER: (With deep emotion) Thank you. (Sighs) I hardly know where to begin. I guess it's no big secret that we've hated one another. 1ST BROTHER: Get on with it! What is it you have to say. 2ND BROTHER: I just want to say I ...

1102. The Last Wise Man

Matthew 2:1-12

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

... shall come to your light" (Isaiah 60:3). I was considered a Gentile -- an outsider. My father, my son, and I were not believers. We believed in some higher power. After all, as I said we studied the stars. Who but an intelligent, powerful being could originate such a system? So, we were searching the western skies for the sign of His coming as the ancient ones had written. The brightness, an explosion of great magnitude in the western sky, lasted for seventy days. During that time many people saw the sign ...

1103. On The Job Training

Matthew 10:1-42

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

... being narrow-minded. ED: I prefer to call it God-centered. JOE: So, that's your decision, is it? ED: That's it. I made a decision for Christ many years ago. He's my Lord. JOE: Do you know how unreasonable you sound? ED: I'm sticking to my original decision. JOE: Well, I'm sorry. You're going to lose all your benefits, too, you know. Have you thought about that? ED: I have. I have to trust the Lord to provide for me. JOE: You're making the wrong decision. ED: I don't think so. Joe, you ...

1104. This House In Its Former Glory

Haggai 2:1-9

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

... my estimation, not compared to the first one, but it was all I had. I turned it in. I won. My wife and I had a marvelous trip to London, extending the trip so we could visit Scotland and other parts of England as well. Months later I found that original first draft. The page had slipped under a heavy piece of furniture. It was awful. It was nowhere near as good as my later effort. If I had submitted it, I'm not sure I'd have won. "The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former ...

1105. On The Twenty-Fourth Day

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

... their pagan customs, now newly baptized. God is no more European than African, and is no less pleased with the fire of our African brethren as he is with the quiet pew perchers of Europe. As we approach Christmas, let us examine our customs, acknowledge their origins, and praise God for the new fire that burns brightly among us, reflecting the glory of the creator, as he brings us together into one family. The nations are coming to the temple. They are bringing the treasure of their customs to share at the ...

1106. Meaning of Advent

Sermon Aid

E. Carver McGriff

... appropriate color, and also blue has become increasingly popular. It's a time to decorate our churches in bright colors including greenery which, in turn, brings to mind freshness and newness of life. Let me share a wonderful true story with you. It was originally told by a Baptist minister from Massachusetts, Dr. Gordon Torgerson. He called it "the man with two umbrellas." He was on a cruise ship crossing the Atlantic when one day he noticed a dark-skinned man sitting in a deck chair. The man was reading ...

1107. Moving At The Speed Of Light: In Corinth Or Cana?

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

... -- Sip It Hugh and Gayle Prather claim that "there is simply no mistake to be made in choosing a mate or at least the chances are very small that you will choose someone who is truly dangerous. You will wind up with someone with far more flaws that you originally thought."3 Choosing a mate is like selecting a bottle of wine with no label -- no tasting, no sniffing, no opening. You may admire the bottle and even consider the richness of the color, but that's it. And by the way this is your last bottle for a ...

1108. Moving At The Speed Of Light: Nazareth: Family Ties

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

... ff. 2. Dacie Custer Shoemaker, Choose You This Day: The Legacy of the Hanbys (Westerville, OH: The Westerville Historical Society, 1983), p. 28. 3. William Hanby, "Autobiography" (Library, The Ohio Historical Society). Manuscript in the handwriting of William Hanby concerning his early life, religious experiences and travels up to 1857. Originally written at the request of John Lawrence, editor of Unity Magazine.

1109. Moving At The Speed Of Light: On The Mountain

2 Peter 1:12-21

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

... base covered with fresh snow caused animals and soldiers to founder, and a landslide blocked their narrow path, delaying progress for a day. After fifteen days crossing the Alps, Hannibal descended into Italy, with 26,000 troops and a few of the original elephants. So, Hannibal got the elephants over the mountains, with mixed results. For some time he controlled large sections of Italy, but he never reached Rome, and finally was driven from there. Unwelcome at home because of his perceived mismanagement of ...

1110. Priest Without Peer

Genesis 14:1-24

Sermon

Barbara Brokhoff

... 's doxology is spoken by the psalmist as a blessing from God: "May the Lord of heaven and earth bless you from Zion" (Psalm 134:3). More than any other verses in Genesis do these words of Melchizedek invite us to take our faith out of worrying about "creation origins," and believe that God would like to bless us! He is our Source, not only for life, but also for buoyancy, and even joy in the trials of our way. Because God is God, he can both curse and he can bless. Woe to those whom God curses, whether ...

1111. Advent 1

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Jeremiah 33:1-26, Luke 21:5-38

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Jeremiah 33:14-16 The days are coming when Yahweh will fulfill his promise to send a son of David who will save his people. This prophecy by a post-exilic author is a repetition of Jeremiah's original promise in 23:5-6. Jeremiah predicted that the Davidic kingdom would be restored soon after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. when Judah was carried captive to Babylon. During the exile the people lost hope of the restoration of their nation. The unknown author repeated Jeremiah's ...

1112. Corpus Christi

Lk 9:11-17 · 1 Cor 11:23-26 · Gen 14:18-20

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... letter. Had he not been so provoked, we might not have received this classic text: Paul's telling of the tradition by which the report and practice of Eucharist was handed on from one believer and believing community to another. The original disciples shared with Paul what he here shared with the Corinthians: something happened in an upper room at Passover one year in Jerusalem -- that New Passover has now become normative for Christians. PREACHING POSSIBILITIES A Corpus Christi Homily (All Three Lessons ...

1113. Easter 4

Revelation 7:9-17, Acts 13:13-52, Acts 9:32-43, John 10:22-42

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... leave Christ, but he will not allow anyone nor anything to deprive us of Christ against our wills. Epistle: Acts 9:36-43 1. Disciple (v. 36). Dorcas was considered by the church of her day as a "disciple." Of course, she was not one of the original Twelve. But, she must have been so devout in her faith and so concerned about the poor that she was called a disciple of Christ. In our day we can be disciples of Christ without ordination into the ministry. 2. Clothing (v. 39). When Peter arrived, they ...

1114. Epiphany 3

Lk 4:14-21 · 1 Cor 12:12-31a · Isa 61:1-6 · Neh 8:1-10 · Ps 19

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... Church; Church of Christ, Scientist; Church of Latter Day Saints? Moreover, is the church a certain liturgy or policy or hierarchy or program? This confusion can be cleared up by the text. Outline: The truth about the church a. Her identity "the body of Christ" v. 27. b. Her origin the Spirit v. 13. c. Her variety. 1. Variety of members v. 14. 2. Variety of leaders v. 28. 3. Variety of gifts v. 30. 2. Marks of Christ's Church (12:12-26). Need: Would you be able to tell a church if you saw one? What are ...

1115. Lent 2

Philippians 3:12-4:1, Genesis 15:1-18, Luke 13:31-35, Jeremiah 26:1-24

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... focus in this pericope is the making of a covenant. It is a religious term which in the secular world is a contract or an agreement. Yet, a covenant is more than that. It is not an arrangement between two equal parties, and it does not originate as a cooperative project. A covenant is a relationship based upon promises to each party of the covenant. Another word for the covenant is "sacrament." The sacrament of baptism, for example, is a covenant between God and the believer. Epistle: Philippians 3:17--4:1 ...

1116. Proper 15

Luke 12:54-59, Hebrews 12:1-13, Luke 12:49-53, Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:1-40

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... Christian takes off the clothing of sin. c. Run with perseverance -- "Let us run with perseverance." Keep the faith no matter how weary you get or how fierce the competition. d. Look to the goal -- "Looking to Jesus." 1. Jesus is the "pioneer," the originator of our faith. 2. Jesus is the "perfecter," the fulfillment of our faith. 2. Having someone to look to. 12:2. Need: We all look to someone for something, because we are not all-sufficient. Children look to parents for examples. Students look to teachers ...

1117. Reformation Sunday

Jn 8:31-36 · Jer 31:31-34 · Rom 3:19-28

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... truth. b. What truth does -- "the truth makes you free" -- v. 32. 2. Made free -- not born free (8:34-36). Need: A popular song claims we are "born free." This is a widespread opinion. The truth is we are born slaves to sin, born in original sin. We are in bondage to the power of the Devil. This bondage was broken by the cross. Christians are now slaves of Christ, but in Christ slaves are free. The Reformation was the event that called for religious freedom -- freedom of conscience, freedom from the false ...

1118. Lift High The Cross

1 Corinthians 15:12-34

Eulogy

Barbara G. Schmitz

... has destroyed death. Secondly, just as Christ was raised with a new body, so will we be raised. "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?" Paul answers: When you plant a seed in the ground, what comes up looks nothing like the original seed. So it is with resurrection in Christ. A physical body is placed into the ground, but it is a spiritual body that is raised. For the perishable body must put on imperishability, and the mortal body must put on immortality. In this time of N.'s death ...

1119. Welcome To The Banquet

Isaiah 25:1-12

Eulogy

Barbara G. Schmitz

... who have been washed in baptism, lived in love, and been nourished by Christ's body and blood will find at our death that Christ awaits us. Christ washes our feet. Christ invites us to servanthood. And Christ will welcome us to heaven, saying, "Welcome to the banquet." Amen. _____ Originally published in The Word Is Life: An Anthology Of Funeral Meditations by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio, 1994.

1120. Easter 5

John 13:31-38, Psalm 148:1-14

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... 's people,Young men and women alike,old and young together! PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of hope, you promise to make all things new, to make a new heaven and a new earth. You have been patient in your desire to restore your world to its original perfection. You have shown great forbearance to belligerent and stubborn humanity. Forgive our unwillingness to be changed, to be open to others, to open the doors of the church to those quite different from ourselves. We are sorry for the petty quarrels that spoil the ...

1121. Maundy Thursday

John 13:1-17

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

... and blood is made; and the eschatological reference to the coming reign and Jesus' declaration of abstinence are placed before the distribution of wine and bread, thereby emphasizing that aspect of this pivotal Passover meal of liberation (because of its Exodus origins). Liturgical Color Scarlet or white Suggested Hymns We Who Once Were Dead Love Consecrates The Humblest Act Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared Around You, O Lord Jesus Maundy Thursday Gracious Lord God, you ...

1122. Proper 24

Luke 18:1-8

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

Gospel Note There seems to be a discrepancy between this parable's original meaning in Jesus' teachings and its intent in Luke. For although the story itself and the concluding commentary by Jesus would seem to be focusing on God's speedy vindication of the elect (in contrast to that of the judge), Luke's introduction concentrates on the necessity that the faithful ...

1123. Proper 28

Luke 21:5-38

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

Gospel Note It is difficult, if not impossible, to determine how much of this apocalyptic material was originally with Jesus, and how much an elaboration on the part of the early church. In either case, the central notion here is that tribulations and trials are to be expected and accepted as opportunities for Christian testimony, that this witness will be assisted by none other than the Holy Spirit, ...

1124. Advent 4

Luke 1:39-45

Sermon Aid

First Lesson: Micah 5:2-5a But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from who shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of ...

1125. Jesus' Countercultural Sermon

Matthew 5:38-42, Matthew 5:43-48

Sermon

Mark Radecke

... force us to reevaluate long held beliefs about the world and the way life works. As idealistic youths in Sunday school and Luther League, for instance, my friends and I vexed and perplexed our ultra-orthodox pastor by arguing against the doctrine of original sin. We were convinced that people were innately and instinctively good. And then we grew up and were "mugged by reality": stung by the selfishness that lies hard by the heart of each and every mortal being, including ourselves. Some among us once ...

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