Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 1126 to 1150 of 4943 results

1126. Isaiah 35:1-10

Isaiah 35:1-10

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... 8, Second Isaiah has taken over the Babylonian tradition with great skill and uses the path of Marduk as a stepping stone to a processional exodus of the exiled Israelites faithfully following an exalted Yahweh on their way home. In verse 9, this holy road continues. But it is not until verse 10 that the author finally identifies the destination of those who travel along this "Holy Way" as none other than Zion. Second Isaiah calls those who are traveling this path to Zion "the redeemed" and "the ransomed of ...

1127. Matthew 2:13-23

Matthew 2:13-23

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... - the angel speaks, and he obeys completely. But while Joseph is the one who acts, he is clearly not the focus of Matthew's concern. Having given his family name, the heritage of the Davidic line, to the newborn, Joseph's actions now simply continue to underline that line. As Jesus' father, he is expected to safeguard his son. But the gospel narrator transforms these actions into the fulfillment of prophecy. The first text Matthew focuses on is Hosea 11:1. By fleeing into Egypt, the infant Jesus becomes ...

1128. Mark 8:31-38

Mark 8:31-38

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... our own lives, and that we can somehow neatly arrange our lives into a series of safe, controlled, self-affirming segments. The truth in Christ is that we are not our own, that we can never insulate ourselves completely, and that life is a continuous and sometimes hazardous journey. If we shirkingly shrink from moving forward with Christ as our guide, we either stagnate or find ourselves in a full retreat, being controlled by Satan's seductive shortcuts. Jesus the Christ is no more the "expected" one than ...

1129. 2 Samuel 7:1-17

2 Samuel 7:1-17

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of a dynastic house of David. God's promise to establish the house of David forever reads here in two directions at once. On one hand the covenant with David naturally fits at the beginning of his long reign in Jerusalem. And the promise of continued lineage counters the revelation in chapter 6 that David's wife Michal would remain barren. But since these words were written and read after the fall of Israel, and during the Babylonian exile of the people from their homeland, these are also words of comfort ...

1130. Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... By counseling that we not let the sun go down on our anger, Paul doesn't ask us to be emotionless, but neither does he give us the latitude to create an environment for nurturing grudges and rivalry, a "room for the devil." Paul's counsel continues to emphasize the traditional communal values of the commandments (he advises thieves to give up stealing and aid those in need). But it is not only actions but Etudes that Paul wants Christians to adjust. Verses 29-32 stipulate the criteria which must prevail as ...

1131. Genesis 2:18-24

Genesis 2:18-24

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... Old Testament lesson stands as a later commentary on the preceding story. The emphasis is, once again, on the "one flesh" concept - the basic sameness, the equality of these beings which were both divinely separated in order to be divinely joined. Relating the Texts The gospel lesson continues to discuss the nature of human relatedness and relationships, specifically marriage, divorce and children. This section of Mark is part of a long section on teachings in discipleship, begun in retreat back in 8:24 and ...

1132. Jeremiah 31:7-14

Jeremiah 31:7-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the center for all worship, assuring that only Deuteronomically orthodox cultic practices would be observed. By verse 8 the direction of God's redeeming activity is both made explicit and poetically expanded to "the farthest parts of the earth." Verses 7-14 continue the message of deliverance begun in 31:2-6. With graphically poignant pictures Jeremiah spells out the meaning of the restoration of Israel in human terms. What the following verses reveal is that God is not intending simply to once again prop ...

1133. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... authority as an apostle for Christ. The Lectionary reading for this week has, unfortunately, hacked off the accepted beginning and ending of this unit. Most scholars see Paul's thought beginning at 5:14 (though some back up even further to 5:11) and continuing through 6:2. Paul spends verses 14-17 elaborating on what Christ has done for us and how that gift has spurred Paul on in his own apostleship. One of the most miraculous changes that Paul has experienced since his "conviction" (v. 14) is presented ...

1134. John 20:19-31 [Genesis 2:5-24]

John 20:19-31 [Genesis 2:5-24]

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... and husbanding the animals - Adam is the bearer of God's image. We are not simply to "keep" or "tend" the garden but also to "till" it. God's creative work is not yet finished. Thus we sing "Finish then thy new creation" ("Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"). God continues to create the world with us partners in that ongoing creativity. vv.18-19: "It is not good for Adam to be alone. I will provide a partner for him."(18b) So what did God create next? Don't look at your Bibles. Look up and remember. What did ...

1135. Acts 9:1-20

Acts 9:1-20

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... was examined and their identity as faithful Jews established. Mann suggests that the Jerusalem priests were worried that sectarian believers, such as those professing to follow Jesus, would be willing to look the other way and perhaps even allow Gentile believers to continue undetected to join the throngs at the Jerusalem temple. Were a Gentile to enter the temple the whole structure would be defiled. Whether or not maintaining strict ritual purity adds to Saul's motivation, it is clear that he intends to ...

1136. John 17:20-26

John 17:20-26

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the witness of the community. In verse 21 Jesus prays that the unity experienced by believers will be the same as that shared by the Father and the Son - in other words it will be a unity made possible by the common indwelling of the Spirit. This theme continues in verses 22-23 in even stronger language. The "glory" of Jesus was shown most fully in his death (In John 11:52 Jesus' ability to "gather the dispersed" is directly tied to his death.) If Jesus now gives his followers a share in that glory, he is ...

1137. Romans 5:1-5

Romans 5:1-5

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... Hope for Paul is an eschatological term - hoping for the time when the kingdom of God will be fully realized in our midst. Christ's first coming, his life, death and resurrection, started us on this path of hope with a startling gift - "access" to grace. We continue in hope once into our newly redeemed relationship with God. We now look for Christ's second coming which will fulfill all God's promises. Thus it is that Paul links this hope to the ongoing vitality of God's love, "poured into our hearts" by the ...

1138. Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)

Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... to the glorious light and love and power of Christ. We don't talk about it much, but after being struck blind, how scared was Paul? I have got to believe he was scared sightless. Yet in spite of his fear, he got up off that dusty road and continued on. His faith overcame his fear. When confronted with his own spiritual blindness, he asked the question of Jesus that we all must ask: "Who are you Lord?" If we ask, Jesus will answer and reveal himself to us in all his light and glory. Let us pray: Gracious ...

1139. Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... for this writer, who has spent so much time teaching and admonishing, to close with simple, straightforward ways his readers may apply the lessons of this epistle to everyday life. Some scholars view the list of exhortations in verses 1-6 as a continuation of those begun in 12:14. Having digressed from the listing with a parenthetical warning against spurned grace, the author now returns to his intended remarks. The axis around which all these admonitions in chapter 13 appear to turn, however, is the ...

1140. 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12

2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... here picking up on the themes noted in the first letter. Not surprisingly, Paul offers thanks especially for the Thessalonians' faith, love and steadfast endurance. Paul's language here previously led some scholars to question the genuine nature of the apostle's continued delight in them. But although Paul stipulates he is bound to give thanks ("must always give thanks ... as is fitting") or "as is right," a more careful reading negates these doubts. Paul is referring here not to some odious obligation but ...

1141. John 1:29-42

John 1:29-42

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... one." The next pericope proceeds to the third and final day of John the Baptist's revelations about Jesus. Verse 35 loops the reader back to the previous confession in verse 29 by repeating the unusual "Lamb of God" title. The ensuing story demonstrates how the Baptist continued to fulfill all that was expected of his own mission, as stated in verse 7 of the prologue: He "came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him." There is no doubt that John the Baptist had his own ...

1142. Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28

Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... taken aback by her bold confession and supplication, momentarily undecided about how he should respond, trying to ignore her in hopes she will go away; or whether he is using his silence to evoke more engagement on her part is unclear. Apparently, however, the woman continues her pleading, and her persistence leads the disciples to add their voices to the clamor. The advice of the disciples is not to "send her away" empty-handed, but rather for Jesus to respond quickly to her request so that they can be rid ...

1143. Mark 16:1-8

Mark 16:1-8

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... upon point is that verse 8 probably is the final original words from the pen of Mark the gospel writer. Whether this was his intended ending or was the result of some fatal scribal faux pas that consigned Mark's final words to a permanently lost record continues to offer debating fodder among those who agree 16:8 is the end. A certain abruptness and less-than-elegant writing style pervades all of Mark's gospel. Scholars who wish to demonstrate that there is nothing odd or "cut-off" about the ending of Mark ...

1144. John 3:1-17

John 3:1-17

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... cost of that life anothen is laid bare. First, Jesus admits that Nicodemus, who does not understand the things Jesus has already presented to him, will surely fail to grasp the far greater significance of what he is about to reveal (vv.11-12). Yet Jesus continues. New life in the Spirit will come only at the cost of Jesus' being "lifted up" for only in that way will men and women like Nicodemus have any chance of seeing and accepting the truth. The reference to Moses' bronze serpent in Numbers 21:9 calls ...

1145. Mark 10:17-31

Mark 10:17-31

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... . Now all comes crashing down. This man is no longer enthusiastic but "shocked." This man is no longer eager; he is "sorrowful" or "grieving," "for he had many possessions." He judges the cost of eternal life too high and sadly leaves. Verses 23-31 continue the lesson begun in verse 17, but Jesus' audience has now changed. The seeking man, now revealed as a rich man, has departed from the scene, leaving Jesus and his disciples alone to discuss this matter further. Jesus' statement in verse 23 explicitly ...

1146. Jesus' Good News of a New World · Part 2

Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... else or because you’ve earned it. You’re blessed because God is making promises to you, promises that will turn your curse into a blessing. You who are poor in spirit are blessed. You who mourn are blessed. You who are meek are blessed. Today we continue with the next three Beatitudes. IV. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. I remember two-a-day practices at the beginning of football season in early August. We practiced in the morning and then at 4:00 in ...

1147. Proper 5

Mark 3:20-30, 1 Samuel 8:1-22, 2 Corinthians 4:1-18, Mark 3:31-35

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... to speak because he believes. He is convinced that the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will also raise him and all believers so that they all will stand in the presence of God through his grace. This results in thanksgiving and glory to God. He continues his ministry even though he is wearing out physically. But, spiritually he never grows old. And when this physical body comes to an end, God will give him a new, spiritual body. Gospel: Mark 3:20-35 The first and last sections of this pericope deal ...

1148. Proper 11

2 Samuel 7:1-17, Psalm 89:1-52, Mark 6:30-34, Ephesians 2:11-22

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... DEDICATION You fulfill all our needs, O God, except our need to give to others and to you. Receive our offerings for the sake of your self-giving Son, Jesus Christ. Amen PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND COMMEMORATION Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, continue your work of creating, redeeming, and sustaining. Create new associations of people in neighborhoods and nations and internationally to accomplish your work in the world. Redeem those whose lives at present are lived for unworthy ends, but whose energies could ...

1149. Advent 3

Psalm 126:1-6, Isaiah 61:1-11, John 1:6-8, 19-28, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... is sure from generation to generation, and firm in the promise to our ancestors. People: God will not forget to show mercy to their children’s children. Pastor: Friends, believe the good news! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Be always joyful. Pray continually. Give thanks whatever happens; for this is what God in Christ wills for you. PRAYER OF THE DAY Outgoing God, gift us again with the Holy Spirit that we may make way for you to the humble with good news, to the captives with ...

1150. Trinity Sunday

Psalm 8:1-9, Proverbs 8:1-36, John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-11

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... of Pardon Pastor: Friends, hear the Good News! We have been justified through faith in Jesus Christ. People: We have been received into the sphere of God’s grace. Pastor: Friends, believe the Good News! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Let us continue at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ and share with others the love with which the Holy Spirit floods our hearts. PRAYER OF THE DAY You have given us the Holy Spirit, Christ Jesus, to enable us to share your peace with others ...

Showing results