... , "Eddie's doing a great job for me." The men respond in disgust, telling Francis that "This is the U.S. Open, not some junior club championship!" The problem is that Eddie doesn't want to step aside. The men offer a bribe. They say that they will "take up a collection" for Eddie, with one saying, "I understand his family could use it." Eddie pleads with Francis not to replace him, but Francis wants to make sure Eddie knows what's at stake. Eddie is determined, "I wouldn't do it for ten bucks; I wouldn't ...
1127. A Hole In One
Illustration
Hoagy Carmichael, the story goes, once decided to take up golf. Lessons were arranged with an instructor. At the first session Carmichael was patiently shown the basics of the game: how to hold the club, How to stand, how to swing, etc. Finally, after a half hour of this, the instructor felt Carmichael was ready to drive a few toward ...
1128. To Tell the Truth
Humor Illustration
... . A.A. Deckett officiating. The groom is a popular young bum who hasn't done a lick of work since he got expelled his junior year in college. He manages to dress well and keeps a supply of spending money because his dad is a soft-hearted old fool who takes up his bad checks instead of letting him go to jail where he belongs. The bride is a skinny, fast little idiot who has been kidded by every boy in town since she was 12 years old. She sucks cigarettes and drinks mean corn liquor when she is out joy-riding ...
1129. The Parable of Wings
Illustration
Michael P. Green
The legend is told about how birds got their wings. They were first wingless creatures. Then God made wings, put them in front of the wingless birds, and said to them, “Come, take up these burdens and bear them.” The birds hesitated at first, but soon obeyed and picked up the wings in their beaks. Because the wings were heavy, the birds laid them on their shoulders. Then, to their amazement, the wings began to grow and soon had attached themselves to their bodies. ...
... him there (2 Cor. 2:12; see disc. on 14:27). But his heart was not in it. He could not rest until he had heard from Titus. When Titus failed to rendezvous at Troas, Paul resolved to go on to Macedonia (2 Cor. 2:13). 20:1b–3a Luke takes up the story again at this point with a brief notice of what may have been quite a prolonged “missionary progress” through the province of Macedonia (see disc. on 8:4 for the verb “to go through”). It must have been a joy for Paul to renew old friendships. But this ...
... story is, of course, about being surprised by the power, love and beauty of God. But the point of it is that we should learn to recognize that same power, love and beauty in Jesus, and to listen for it in his voice—not least when he tells us to take up the cross and follow him.4
... two incidents involve Joseph and Daniel, one at the beginning and one at the end of the Old Testament. And both times they interpret the dreams of a non-Israelite. The cupbearer’s dream anticipates a happy future. Joseph tells him that within three days Pharaoh will take up his case. The verdict will be a good one. The cupbearer will be restored to his position. The baker’s dream does not bode well for his future. Birds in the flood story were a good omen, but here they are a threat. Within three days ...
... the attack, and Aram and Israel have been conquered by Assyria. In chapter 9 the prophet speaks about “a son” to whom the everlasting government will be given and whose throne will be established with justice, righteousness, and peace. In chapter 11 Isaiah again takes up the theme of the messianic rule. Assyria and all world powers will fall like “lofty trees” (10:33), but the Lord will raise up his Messiah as a “shoot” (11:1–9). This shoot does not spring from one of the branches of a ...
... objection to his gospel, namely, that there is no value in being a Jew. He is most emphatic that there is. To the Jews God made himself known, and even their faithlessness to God has not altered God’s faithfulness to them. Verses 5–8 take up a second objection related to Paul’s doctrine of justification. This objection presupposes 1:16–17 and anticipates 3:21ff. It raises issues related to justification by faith which Paul has yet to discuss, and as a consequence he cannot fully develop his argument ...
... on the kind of repentance that the Corinthians have shown. Seven terms connected by the adversative particle alla (“[not only this,] but rather”) are listed here that describe with rhetorical intensification the Corinthians’ repentance. The apostle thereby takes up the terms longing and “zeal” (here translated concern) from verse 7. The issue had been Paul’s apostleship, and now the Corinthian church has repented of its previous attitude and actions toward Paul. Moreover, its members have ...
... American society to rule in our house, we would probably be eating macaroni and cheese on an almost daily basis and Thomas the Train would be running on repeat on our DVD player. Not to mention that the entire contents of the toy cupboard would take up permanent residence on our living room floor. There is something to be said for the fact parents know better than kids what is good for them. It would be risky and downright dangerous to allow children to literally govern themselves. A visit to any Juvenile ...
1137. We Go Up to Jerusalem
Matthew 20:18
Illustration
Jon L. Joyce
... a foreign tongue or master a musical instrument. A book on camping was entitled "Roughing It Smoothly." That is the motto of modern life. But the worthwhile things come only at the cost of self-indulgence. The discipline of Christ calls on us to deny ourselves and take up our cross. And he made himself the great example. Only by a cross could God’s plan of salvation be fulfified. Other places beckoned; they offered him a crown, not a cross. But Christ went up to Jerusalem. Do we follow in his train?
... you’ve been going through, come to Jesus, and know that “you are blessed.” “Know that you are blessed!” I hope you can hear Jesus’ voice of assurance in your bones right now today at this very moment. Let his words resonate in your heart and take up residence there, so that when things get tough, when life feels heavy, or when self-doubts creep in and start mussing up the way you see yourself and your life…you can hear his words echoing in your heart in no uncertain terms: “You are blessed ...
... is not to maintain control cognitively but to allow the Spirit to come in to express itself through the person. The goal here is for each believer to clear oneself of all external restraints and worries so that the Holy Spirit may come in, take up residency in the human soul, and transport the believer into higher realms of spiritual consciousness and expression. This is achieved by opening the door to the Spirit and permitting it to come in and use the person to reach a previously unrealized domain of ...
... that sense of fellowship with him. So, if you don'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.
Psalm 149:1-9, Ephesians 1:15-23, Ephesians 1:1-14, Luke 6:27-36, Luke 6:17-26, Daniel 7:1-14
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... the very best, but the rewards are equally great. THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS Gospel: Luke 6:20-31 1. Disciples (v. 20). The Beatitudes are addressed to the disciples of Jesus, not to the public. A disciple is one who believes in Jesus, one who takes up his cross and follows. Christians are blessed or happy people. Does the average Christian convince you of this? Followers of Jesus are happy because they possess the virtues mentioned in the first part of the Beatitudes and because they reap rewards in heaven ...
... words: "Your sins are forgiven." Then, both to address the man's other problem and, as Luke puts it," 'that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins' - he said to the man who was paralyzed - 'I say to you, rise, take up your bed and go home.' And immediately he rose before them. . ." (Luke 5:24-25) Throughout the Bible, God gave both practical and spiritual help without neglecting one in favor of the other. It's still true today. Some of God's gifts today are tangible and real ...
... the gospel of new life in Christ. Help us to live in accordance with the gospel, that we may be faithful in our witness. We pray in our Savior's name. Amen. Hymns "Lord, I Want to Be a Christian" "O Jesus, I Have Promised" "Take Time to Be Holy" "Take Up Thy Cross"
Hebrews 4:14-5:10, John 19:17-27, Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Bulletin Aid
... Jesus died because of religious people like you and me. People: Religion too easily becomes an act we perform, rather than a way of life to which we commit ourselves. Pastor: Jesus' death destroys any reason to pretend with faith; and it challenges us to take up our cross and follow our Master. People: Our faith is in Christ who forgives us, strengthens us, and call us into discipleship. Collect Almighty God, who suffers through the agony of seeing your Son rejected by those he is trying to save: Grant that ...
... " Response to the Confession: "Gloria Patri" Response to the Benediction: "Day by Day" Music for Dismissal: Medley of Commitment Hymns IV. Bulletin Cover and Symbols You may want to include this statement at the end of the order of worship: "To take up the cross of Christ is no great action done once and for all; it consists in the continual practice of small duties [responses] [some of] which are distasteful to us [while others bring extreme joy]." V. Miscellaneous Details (Assignments): Ushers Banners ...
... and in thy sight: I am no longer worthy to be called your son: make me as one of your hired servants." Now that was saying he was sorry. His best thinking and highest sensitivity and deepest need told him that he could not just nonchalantly return and take up living where he had left off before his rude departure. His sense of honor and rightness would not even allow it, were it possible. Even though he knew his father loved him, he did not want to presume upon that love. He wanted it back, but only because ...
... you can he together, and speak, and hear each other, and heal one another, and have a perfectly marvelous return to glory! The word "Communion" is very similar to the word "communication." Right now we are about to come to the Holy Communion. As we eat and drink, we will take up our mission to communicate - to share, to touch, to be at one. Here at the altar we return to glory.
... . But if we are Christ’s, I trust that now, from here on out, there is no further doubt about it. Do you recognize the servant now? Are you prepared to drink the cup and be baptized with his baptism? If any would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. The heart of the gospel becomes the gospel in our hearts.
... hear truths we would rather not hear. Our humanness overrides our first response and we draw away from the agitation or refuse to take it seriously. Help us to get back on track before it is too late. Amen. Hymns "Before Your Cross, O Jesus" "How Can I Say Thanks" "'Take Up Thy Cross,' The Savior Said"
... all. She is just as large in mast and hull as she ever was. Her diminished size lies in me, not her. And at the very moment when someone at my side exclaims, "Look, she''s gone!" there are other eyes eagerly watching her approach, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Look, she''s coming home!" And that is death. _______________ has gone home. He/She has gone to receive his/her just reward--a crown of life which has been promised to those who are faithful unto death.