Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1176 to 1200 of 4946 results

1176. Grounds for Blessing

Matthew 13:1-23, Luke 8:1-15, Mark 4:1-20

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.” (Proverbs 8:19-21) Prop: Mustard seeds / soil [Have someone hand out some small black mustard seeds to everyone at the start of the sermon.] In your hand, you have some mustard seeds. These are seeds from the black mustard plant that grows still today in Israel. [Note to pastors: you can ...

1177. It's Okay to Cry

Luke 13:31-35

Sermon

Lori Wagner

I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:4-5) [Optional Prop: crystal teardrops] Tears. Frustration. Grief. Sadness. It’s the name of the milieu pervading the atmosphere of many churches today. Dwindling attendance. Lack of enthusiasm. Fear of the surrounding culture, not to ...

1178. When the Music Stops

Matthew 24:36-44

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Ever notice that right before a storm is about to hit the birds go silent? All of a sudden, an eerie blanket of quiet descends all around you, and you know something ominous is going to occur. For us it could mean a storm, a hurricane, or some other natural disaster. For all of our gifts as human beings, we are the last creatures on earth it seems to sense when something momentous is coming to pass. Scientists believe that this is because animals have a better sense of sound and vibration than we do. They ...

1179. 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 ...

1180. Proper 4

Mark 2:23-3:6, 1 Samuel 3:1--4:1, 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: The Lord sends his spokesmen to speak words of judgment against religious authorities. In the 1 Samuel text from the Revised Common Lectionary God speaks out against the corruption under Eli. In the Gospel Jesus challenges the common understanding of the Sabbath, which leads to Jesus' condemnation of the powers that be. COMMENTARY Old Testament: 1 Samuel 3:1-20 This pericope continues the story of Samuel from 2:26. The text begins with a statement about the spiritual poverty of Israelites under the ...

1181. The Five-a-Day Rule

John 20:24-31

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

By now all last week’s hard-boiled eggs have been transformed into egg salad and consumed. Right? Of course, it goes without saying that the contents of all those Easter baskets have disappeared, except, of course, the nasty black jelly beans. On this Sunday the spiritual and sugar high of Easter Sunday is wearing off. Hence the colloquial designation of this week as “Low Sunday.” After the “high” of Easter, we come back to the everydayness of life. It is when we are most “low” in energy, in desire, in ...

1182. Wicked

Luke 20:9-19, Matthew 21:33-46

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Prop: plant with fruit (olive tree or fig tree or grape vine) ”Then God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply.” (Genesis 1:22) "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Most of us today are not much familiar with the idea of “tenant farming.” But it was a popular practice in many countries up until the 20th century. The term referred to a landowner who hires tenants to live on and ...

1183. A Christian With A Conflict Of Interest

Isaiah 5:1-7

Sermon

James McLemore

This was a Christian family. The husband was a Christian, at least that is what he put on his job application when it asked for religious affiliation. Sex: male Race: African-American Nationality: U.S. Citizen Religion: Christian His mother has been a good churchwoman. He used to attend Sunday school as a little boy, but that was thirty years ago. He had a religious heritage and, after all, that made him Christian by parental relationships. Or did it? He wanted to think of himself as a Christian every day ...

1184. On Golf, Swimming, Gardening and Lent?

Luke 13:1-9

Sermon

Glenn E. Ludwig

As the days lengthen (remember the meaning of Lent?) and get warmer, I begin to think about that game some of us play that keeps us humble -- golf. It is a game I find frustrating, challenging and fun all at the same time. This last fall, I was playing a round with someone who is quite good at the game. I am always open to tips and pointers and we were having a very good time, until we ended up behind a foursome that was playing in front of us. They had one golfer who was not very good. He would hit three ...

1185. Leave It On The Course

1 Timothy 3:1-16

Sermon

Robert R. Kopp

If someone does not know how to manage.... -- 1 Timothy 3:5 My son and I just joined Indian Guides. Sponsored by the YMCA, it encourages dads and sons to be "Pals Forever" by providing opportunities and activities that build character and deepen family relationships. We really like it! One of the first big events is announcing your Indian name. Daniel picked "Golden Eagle" for himself and "Bald Eagle" for me. At least he didn't name me "Water Buffalo Waistline." Of course, that's not as bad as those school ...

1186. The Shouting of the Crowd

Matthew 27:11-26

Sermon

Wallace H. Kirby

Spivey's Corner is a little town in Sampson County, North Carolina. I never heard of it until I lived in a nearby county. I passed through it numerous times on my way back and forth to Clinton and was aware of a terrible automobile accident there. A few years ago, Spivey's Corner became famous, featured on the nightly news, written about in news magazines, and visited by people who would never have thought of going there if it had not gained notoriety. That little community, really a mere crossroads, is ...

1187. The Challenge of God's Harvest

Matthew 9:35-38

Sermon

"Then saith he unto his disciples, 'The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will sent forth laborers into his harvest.' " (St. Matthew 9:37, 38 KJV) What a stirring picture Jesus lays before us in this text! He looks out, as it were, on the whole world. He sees mankind as a great field to be harvested. Have you ever looked out on a golden grain field in the summertime? Here in Wisconsin it always seems to be such a beautiful sight - ...

1188. Lent 3

Psalm 142:1-7, Isaiah 42:10-17, Isaiah 42:18-25, Ephesians 4:17--5:21, John 9:1-12, John 9:13-34, John 9:35-41

Sermon Aid

THEOLOGICAL CLUE In the pre-Vatican II scheme of the liturgical year, which was employed in the Lutheran and Episcopalian Churches, too, the Sundays of Lent had definite and identifiable themes built into them; these were announced in the Introits of the several Sundays. Thus, the First Sunday in Lent was invocabit - "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;" the Second Sunday in Lent was reminiscere - "Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses;" the Third Sunday in Lent was oculi ...

1189. Pentecost 4

Psalm 100:1-5, Genesis 25:19-34, Exodus 19:1-25, Romans 5:1-11, Matthew 9:35-38, Matthew 10:1-42

Sermon Aid

THEOLOGICAL CLUE The eschatological stance of the church year continues to throw its theological aura around the assigned readings for the day. It insists that the call to the ministry of the church and the proclamation of the gospel began with the calling and naming of the disciples, and that the church must establish evangelism as its outward thrust and its reach into the world. The church is evangelical by the work and definition accorded it by Jesus Christ; its business is the Word of God, and ...

1190. As Good As God

Leviticus 19:1-37

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

The Lord said to Moses, "Say to all the congregation of the people of Israel, You shall be holy; for I the Lord your God am holy. You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. You shall not go up and down as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand forth against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason with your neighbor ...

1191. Elijah’s If

Mark 9:2-13, 2 Kings 2:1-18

Drama

Richard F. Bansemer

A quotation from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament make up our sermon texts for today. From 2 Kings, the second chapter, the 10th verse, we find Elijah saying to Elisha: "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if you do not see me, it shall not be so." From Mark 9, the 7th terse, we read: "... a voice came out from the cloud, ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him.’ " While the Old Testament lesson was read today we heard a ...

1192. Claudia Procula, Peter, and Centurion

Drama

Jon Joyce

Setting Near Golgotha, but far enough away from the three crosses that there are few people. The background may show the three crosses and some observers, if you want to paint a backdrop. Cast and Costumes Centurion: knee-length white or tan robe; at the bottom of the robe is a four-inch decorative hem of bright colors. He carries a small sword, sheathed at his left side. Sandals. If available, he also wears a Roman helmet. If a Roman soldier’s outfit is available from a costumer, it would be ideal. Peter ...

1193. SURVIVAL IN THE RAT RACE

Psalm 46:1-11

Sermon

Louis H. Valbracht

Dear friends, I know what I am supposed to do up here in this pulpit. I’m supposed to startle you with some stabbing statement of Scripture. I’m supposed to challenge you with some call of Christ. I’m supposed to impress you with some imperative of the Gospel. But, do you know something? I don’t want to do any of those things today. I just want to tell you to relax, to rest, unwind, sit loose, take it easy, let your mind wander, if you will. In fact, you don’t have to listen to what I’m saying, if there’s ...

1194. We Are More Than Laborers - Labor Day

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15, Ecclesiastes 5:8--6:12

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

On this Labor Day weekend, I think it appropriate to tell an old story about a man named Smith. He died and then regained consciousness in the next world. He looked out over a vast expanse of pleasant country. After resting comfortably for a while in a delightful spot, he called out, “Is anybody around here?” An attendant, dressed in white, appeared and said gravely, “What do you want?” Smith asked, “What can I have?” The attendant replied, “You can have anything you want.” Smith named some of his favorite ...

1195. Heal the Sick; Cast Out the Demons

Matthew 10:5-8

Sermon

Ron Lavin

In his sermon to the graduates of Union Theological Seminary in New York City, Paul Tillich, the theologian, preached on the theme of healing and casting out demons. He told the graduating seminarians that they would experience two difficulties as they went to their new parishes with this message of healing and casting out demons: (1) Many people will say that they do not need to be healed and (2) Many will laugh at the absurdity of casting out demons that rule their lives; they may tell the proclaimer ...

1196. Dealing with Depression

1 Kings 19:9-21

Sermon

David E. Leininger

One of the reasons I love the Bible is that it is not afraid of the truth, even the sometimes sordid truth about its heroes. Abraham was a liar. Jacob was a thief. Moses had a murderous temper. King David was an adulterer. Heroes of the faith, everyone of them, but the Bible refuses to gloss over their shortcomings. It shows them "warts and all." We find another "wart" in our lesson from I Kings - one of the greatest of the prophets - Elijah. To briefly recount the background of the story, three years ...

1197. Preparing for the Unexpected

Luke 12:35-48

Sermon

King Duncan

Joe Claro tells a great story about the making of one of Cecil B. DeMille's epic films. The film was a biblical extravaganza with a cast of thousands. Normally, movies are filmed in tiny pieces, but this day's scene was going to be shot live, with all six hundred or so actors and extras going into action at once. DeMille had stationed eleven cameras at various points to pick up the action. They had started work at six in the morning and the complete scene had been rehearsed four times. After each rehearsal ...

1198. Save The Tokens For Uncle Sam

Matthew 22:15-22

Sermon

King Duncan

A sportswriter once asked Joe Louis, "Who hit you the hardest during your ring career?" His reply was "Uncle Sam." Oscar Wilde, the master wit, once protested about the taxes on his house. He was told that by living there he used the protection and services of the government even while he slept. Wilde is supposed to have answered, "But I sleep so badly." A prominent citizen of Washington, D. C. once invited President John F. Kennedy to play golf when Kennedy was President. On the first hole Kennedy floated ...

1199. I Will Not Leave You Comfortless

John 14:15-31

Sermon

King Duncan

Linus is building castles in the sand. He tells Charlie Brown: "Working with your hands is good therapy . . . It takes your mind off your troubles . . . Whenever I feel depressed, I build sand castles . . . I've been feeling pretty depressed lately!" Behind him we see a dozen or so sandcastles. In baseball they tell the story about the rookie who faced the great pitcher Walter Johnson for the first time. Johnson was in his prime. The batter took two quick strikes and headed for the dugout. He told the ...

1200. Jesus, Our Hope

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon

Darrick Acre

So this is Christmas. You’ve heard the song haven’t you? “So this is Christmas and what have you done? Another year over; a new one just begun. Let’s hope it’s a good one with plenty of cheer.” We can always hope, can’t we? Or can we? So this is Christmas. Have you ever said that with more resignation than excitement? Have you ever said it with more disappointment than joy? “So this is Christmas?” Somewhere in a family gathering there will be a moment when hearts are torn because the place at the table is ...

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