Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: Levi, disciple, evangelist, tax collector, the 12, the twelve, apostle, sermon on the mount, jewish audience, beatitudes, lord's prayer, great commission, parables, olivet discourse, mount of olives, olivet, synoptic

Showing 1126 to 1150 of 2273 results

1126. Out of the Darkness

Isaiah 9:2-7

Sermon

King Duncan

On April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was assassinated by a well-known actor named John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln was the first U.S. president to be assassinated, with his funeral and burial marking an extended period of national mourning. Occurring near the end of the American Civil War, Lincoln’s assassination was part of a larger conspiracy intended by Booth to revive the Confederate cause by eliminating the three most important officials of the United States ...

1127. Singing the Lord's Song

1 John 3:16-24

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

A father took his little girl to Church for the very first time. After the service he asked her if she liked it. She replied, "I liked the music, but the commercial was too long." I promise that this mornings commercial won't be very long. We are celebrating Heritage Sunday. As Methodists part of our heritage is music. So this morning, I would like to take Wesley's directions for singing and interpret them for everyday life through this passage from John's first letter. In 3:18 John writes: "Little ...

1128. How Much Should We Pack?

Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)

Sermon

William G. Carter

As much as I like to travel, I am never sure how much to pack. When my wife and I take off for a week long vacation, we do our best to keep a week’s worth of possessions down to one suitcase. That is the goal. There is never a guarantee it will happen. Packing is determined by two contradictory principles: how do we move quickly? How can we be prepared for every contingency? How many pairs of pants can I take, or in my wife’s case, how many pairs of shoes? Should we pack a sweatshirt? Does it rain in New ...

1129. The Subject Is Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon

Steve Molin

Elisabeth Elliot was a missionary. She was a missionary to a tribe called the Aucas in a remote section of Ecuador, and that alone may not be very spectacular. What is amazing however is that in January of 1955, Elisabeth’s husband, Jim, and four other missionaries were mas- sacred by a handful of the Auca tribe. They demolished their airplane, they mutilated their bodies with spears, and scattered the corpses throughout the dense jungle. In November, 1957, Elisabeth Elliot wrote these words as an epilogue ...

1130. When Payday Comes

Matthew 20:1-16

Sermon

Steven Molin

Dear friends in Christ, grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and his Son, our Lord Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. He walked into my office with all the confidence of corporate CEO, this fifteen-year old confirmation student. Without much fanfare, he announced, “I don’t think Mike Stevens should be confirmed.” I didn’t know Randy well; I had only been the pastor of that church for about four months, but it was clear that he and Mike had a little competition going between them. Randy grew up in that ...

1131. His Own Knew Him Not

Luke 4:14-30

Sermon

Will Willimon

“And he began to say to them, 'Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”' Luke 4:21 I would wager that this text, Luke 4:14-30, has been preached more than any other here in Duke Chapel. If you're a regular worshipper here, you have heard it used as a text for sermons at least three times in the past two years. Its proper place is here, on the third Sunday after Epiphany. But it's always in season in the Chapel--with young and fearless prophet Jesus in the pulpit, giving the establishment ...

1132. Topsy-turvy Christianity

Luke 6:17-26, Luke 6:27-36

Sermon

J. Will Ormond

Do you know anyone who is financially well off and secure, who has an abundance of things and often dines in the best restaurants, who enjoys life and has a good time, and who is well thought of in the community? You may be such a person yourself, but if not, wouldn't you like to be? In such a situation we could declare that life is good, that we are content, and that the future looks bright. Do you know anyone who is poor, hungry, grieving, hated, excluded, reviled, and defamed? I sincerely hope you are ...

1133. Food For The Body And Food For The Soul

John 6:25-59

Sermon

J. Will Ormond

A good many years ago in a certain theological seminary in the South there was a professor of theology who was the master of the pithy, memorable saying. He used to give young seminarians about to graduate this advice: "Marry as soon as possible and as often as necessary." He had a classic table blessing which he used frequently, especially at public functions: "Lord, we thank you for food: food for the body and food for the soul. May we never lack for either and give us an appetite for both." This ...

1134. Talk Show I

Luke 10:38-42

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme: Which is more important, religious duty or religious zeal, the doer or the worshiper? Summary: A talk show with Martha and Mary going at it about which is right, religious duty or religious zeal. This sketch leads right into the Sermon. Playing Time: 3 minutes Setting: A TV studio Props: Microphone Costumes: Dress appropriate for church Time:The present Cast: Phil Dennehy -- host Mary Martha -- her sister Lazarus -- their brother Dr. Fitznour -- an expert (THERE IS A PANEL OF FOUR PEOPLE SEATED ON ...

1135. Prayer Power

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme\n Prayers have more power than we realize.\nSummary\n Two senior angels are discussing a third angel who is a real \nfighter, but doesn't seem to fit too well in the prayer answering \ndivision. He wants to fight evil in the world but is limited by \nwhat the believers are praying. \nPlaying Time 3 minutes\nSetting The heavenlies\nProps Sword, scroll\nCostumes White, casual clothes\nTime The present\nCast LOQUE -- the captain of the angels\n HOM -- a friend\n RINNAHEL -- a warrior angel\n(A COUPLE OF ...

1136. Sabotaging The Sabath

Luke 13:10-17

Sermon

Richard Patt

We wish the story here would have ended another way. Yes, it was the sabbath (always meant to be a beautiful day for God's people!). And even on the sabbath people become sick or continue to be sick. Jesus notices a woman, all hunched over, obviously one who had been ill for a long time. He is a merciful Lord, so he takes the initiative to call her over and lay his hands on her. In these gracious acts, the woman is healed on the spot. Her body is straightened again, and she praises God for God's goodness. ...

1137. Flatliners

Luke 6:17-26

Sermon

Richard A. Wing

What would happen if on this Sunday we were to come to Jesus and ask, "Tell us flat-out what you're about?" Jesus might, on this particular day, say, "I have come to give comfort to the uncomfortable and to make uncomfortable those who have comfort." He has a way of flattening things out. Jesus is a flatliner. What if we were to ask that question of the entire Bible? "Don't give me the six-week course. Just give me a compendium of that battered and complex book. What does it look like?" He would have to ...

1138. God's Going To Bring His Children Home

Hosea 11:1-11

Sermon

James McLemore

In this family, there are four children, two boys and two girls. The oldest girl taught school, volunteered at the women's mission, and went to church every Sunday. The youngest girl kept a good house, raised five good children, never met a person she didn't like, and never met a person who didn't like her. The oldest boy followed his dad into missionary work, spent his youth in India feeding the hungry, and spent his manhood in South America building homes for the homeless. But the youngest son didn't ...

1139. Advent 1

Luke 21:5-38, 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Jeremiah 33:1-26, Psalm 25:1-22

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

The Sprouting Fig Tree The season of Advent prepares us for the coming of the birth of Christ. While our celebration is usually associated with expectation, hope, and joy, the events themselves have an underlying tone of tragedy and sorrow. Tragedy and sorrow are most explicit in the account of the slaughter of the innocent children at Herod's orders in his attempt to eliminate a potential rival to his throne. A less evident underlying theme of sorrow is the injustice existing in the world when babies have ...

1140. Lent 3

Luke 13:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Psalm 63:1-11, Isaiah 55:1-13

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

The Barren Fruit Tree At first reading it may not be apparent as to why the two parts of the passage from Luke are considered together. A question about the wickedness of persons who suffer from accidents leads into a parable about a barren fig tree. A closer examination will show why the two parts belong together and the important distinction Jesus makes in terms of ethical behavior and its outcome. Jesus is faced with a question about the link between the results of disasters and wickedness. He does not ...

1141. Proper 19

Psalm 14:1-7, 1 Timothy 1:12-20, Jeremiah 4:5-31, Luke 15:8-10, Luke 15:1-7

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

Recovering The Lost Most of us have experienced loss. It may be money or something else of value. It may be a pet or an animal we were raising. It may be a person who rebelled against the family or cut all ties with church and community. Loss always results in sadness. If the loss is due to our carelessness or our actions, we probably have a sinking feeling in the pit of our stomach. It is a combination of guilt and sadness at the same time. Even if the loss may not be of great value, we may spend hours ...

1142. With All The Saints

Isaiah 25:1-12

Sermon

John A. Stroman

Isaiah 25 is a remarkable passage for All Saints' Sunday. It begins with an outburst of praise for what God has done and for what God will do. An unidentified city -- strong, oppressive and hostile -- will be destroyed and never rebuilt. Amid the destruction God protects and cares for the poor and the needy. Once this evil city and its ruthless inhabitants have been destroyed and vanish, another city will rise on Mount Zion where God will invite all people to a magnificent feast. God will wipe away all ...

1143. Queen Of Hearts!

Sermon

Stephen M. Crotts

Sociologists have defined her. Psychologists have analyzed her. Pollsters have surveyed her. But here's what those who know her best -- children -- have to say. Liz Ann, age 8. "Who is a mother? She knows what is important. This is why God asked her to be a mother." Louise, age 7. "A mother is the only one if she sings your favorite song it stops thundering." Jimmy, age 8. "A mommy is a wife. A mommy looks after children and she yells." Gary, age 6. "A mother doesn't do anything except she wants to. Nobody ...

1144. Miracle Six: Stilling A Storm

Mark 4:35-41

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

BACKGROUND MATERIAL Jesus sometimes got into a boat and headed for the farther shore in order to be free of the demands of the crowd who now followed him in great numbers. On this day he was weary from his work and from arguing with the scribes who constantly took issue with his pronouncements. He was on the Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Gennesaret. The lake was about eight miles wide and twelve miles long, so it would take at least an hour to make the crossing. Because of his weariness Jesus lay down ...

1145. Miracles Seven and Eight: Healing An Issue Of Blood & Healing The Rulers Daughter

Mark 5:21-43

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

BACKGROUND MATERIAL Jesus' performance of miracles was now assuming a rapid pace. Great crowds now came to meet him wherever he went, and they brought with them their sick and lame to have the Master apply his healing powers. Here Jesus sets out, in response to a plea from one of the rulers of the synagogue, who asks him to come to his home to heal a sick daughter; on the way, still another miracle comes to pass. The interruption was unusual. A miracle was performed without a request. A woman who had ...

1146. No Shortcut To Glory

2 Kings 2:1-18

Sermon

William L. Self

At the beginning of every new fall term, Dr. Sydnor Staley, the first president of Southeastern Theological Seminary at Wake Forest, North Carolina, welcomed the new freshman class with these words: "I wish that we could give each of you a theological diploma today. Then those who desire an education could go about their studies unhindered by those who are spiritually shallow." The student experience in a theological seminary is interesting as well as educational. There are all kinds of people there for a ...

1147. Open Grave, Open Hearts

Acts 4:32-37

Sermon

Paul W. Kummer

As the Cadillac owner walked to his car, he saw a boy about ten years old staring intently through the windows. Wondering what he was up to, the man put his hands on the youngster's shoulders, pulled gently and asked him what he was doing. The boy said he was interested in cars and had read a lot about different models. The owner talked with the boy for a while explaining to him details about this particular model and style. After a little while, the boy asked, "Mister, how much did you pay for this car?" ...

1148. So Much To Say, So Little Time

John 16:5-16

Sermon

Alexander H. Wales

The hours were passing rapidly. Time was running out. Jesus was trying to get everything in before the end of his ministry. He had so much to say, and yet, he was aware of the fact that the disciples were just not ready to take it all in. Up to this point, they were struggling just to understand what he had been trying to tell them. They were still stumbling over the meaning of the parables, attempting to put some flesh on stories that seemed to be like a gossamer cloth spun with gold thread, yet ...

1149. Share Your Unique Story

Acts 10:23b-48

Sermon

Richard Hasler

The ageless comedian George Burns once told how a church amateur contest started him in show business more than 90 years ago. When he was only seven years old he and three other Jewish kids from the neighborhood organized a singing group and called themselves "The PeeWee Quartet." In those days growing up in New York City a large department store, Siegel and Cooper, used to hold an annual picnic. The highlight of the festivity was an amateur contest involving churches throughout the city. Near where George ...

1150. Signed, Sealed And Delivered

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Sermon

Sandra Hefter Herrma

On this night, more than on any other night, we consider the meaning of the sacrament of Holy Communion. Tonight, we gather in the presence of the Lord, and we consider the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples in this life. And at this point in the epistle narratives, we share with Paul a basic link: We are all talking about an event we did not witness with our own eyes, but a tradition that has been handed on to us. Paul, remember, was not one of the original disciples. While those twelve who are ...

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