Sermon and Worship Resources

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1176. Football Fanatics and Religious Fanatics

Mark 1:14-20

Illustration

Maurice A. Fetty

... him if he thought being a sports fan was okay for his son. Of course, he replied. But when I pointed out that "fan" is the shortened form of "fanatic," he was taken aback. His long-neglected wife, a football widow of the first rank, wondered aloud why it was perfectly acceptable to be a football fanatic and not a religious fanatic. "Because," replied her husband without thinking, "unlike a religious fanatic, a football fanatic can be ...

1177. Jesus' Good News of a New World · Part 2

Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” The truth about mercy and forgiveness is that you can’t give what you haven’t received. And you can’t receive what you don’t believe you need. If you think you’re perfect, you’ll judge others for not being perfect too. If you don’t need mercy, why should they? VI. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” This beatitude is about the state of our heart and its relationship with our eyesight. In Jesus’ day ...

1178. Jesus' Good News of a New World · Part 3

Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... world hates those who leave it to live as disciples of Jesus, learning how to be citizens of God’s new world.” And so today, the “good news” becomes something like this: Join the church and Jesus will give you wealth or a perfect marriage or perfect kids or, if you read the paper yesterday, free gasoline. There may exist somewhere someone named Jesus who makes such promises. But not the Jesus, who preached the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus called the persecuted “blessed.” Do you know from personal ...

1179. Lent 3

Exodus 20:1-21, 1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5, John 2:12-25

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... reveal. b. The power of God to save. WORSHIP RESOURCES Psalm Of The Day: Psalm 19; Psalm 19:7-14 "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul." (v. 7) Hymn Of The Day: "O God Of Earth And Altar" Theme Of The Day: Meeting The Demands Of The Law Gospel ... the name of religion. The solution to the problem is in the cross where the price of disobedience was paid and where perfect obedience to God was demonstrated. Since Christ has fulfilled the demands of the law, believers in Christ are free from the curse ...

1180. Advent 3

Isaiah 61:1-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28, John 1:1-18

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... like him. According to Paul, this means we are to be wholly sanctified and blameless in body, mind and soul. This sounds like a hopeless task. Who can measure up to these standards? The good news is that we cannot do it by ourselves nor are we expected to reach perfect holiness. God is going to do it in and for us. Outline: God will do it. a. He promises to make you blameless v. 23. b. He is faithful to do what he says v. 24. WORSHIP RESOURCES Psalm Of The Day: Psalm 126 "The Lord has done great things ...

1181. Advent 4

2 Samuel 7:1-17, Romans 16:1-27, Luke 1:26-38

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... of incarnation. What had she done to deserve this favor, or wasn't it deserved? She was a simple, poor and humble woman. Her character was expressed in her acceptance of the position, "Let it be to me according to your word." Certainly she was not sinless nor perfect. Her favor with God was in her willingness to cooperate with God's purpose and to use her life in spite of what it may cost. 3. How (v. 34). When Mary received the news of her coming motherhood of the Messiah, she asked a sensible and normal ...

1182. Epiphany 2

John 1:43-51, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, 1 Samuel 3:1--4:1

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... wonderfully made." (v. 14); Psalm 67; Psalm 63:1-8 Prayer Of The Day: "Lord God, you shared your glory and led many to faith by the works of your Son. As he brought gladness and healing to his people, grant us these same gifts and lead us also to perfect faith in him." Hymn Of The Day: "Jesus Calls Us, O'er The Tumult" Theme Of The Day: The Call Of God Gospel The call to discipleship. Lesson 1 The call to servanthood. Lesson 2 The call to glorify God in the body. The theme, the call of God, seems ...

1183. Epiphany 6

2 Kings 5:1-27, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27, Mark 1:40-45

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... life is a race, but it is like a race. He uses the athletics of his day to illustrate his point. In once sense, the Christian life is a race because we race throughout life. Salvation is a continuing process. In this life we never "arrive" nor do we attain perfection. The prize is given when life is ended. On the other hand, the Christian life is not a race, for in a race only one wins. In the Christian sense, every person in Christ is a winner. Paul uses a race as an analogy to bring out the need of ...

1184. Proper 20

Psalm 1:1-6, Proverbs 31:10-31, Mark 9:30-37, James 3:13-18

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... common welfare, that bridge barriers, that overcome prejudices, that solve problems, that diminish disease and promote healing and health. Eternal God, we rejoice in your empire of excellence and live in the hope of ultimate perfection as you are nurturing your adopted children to be brothers and sisters of your perfect Son, Jesus Christ. We crave the completion of our spiritual maturity beyond death and seek to follow Jesus even now as we rejoice in the provision you have made in heaven for our loved ones ...

1185. Lent 4

Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, John 3:14-21, Ephesians 2:1-10

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... Holy God, you did not send your Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. We believe in him and are not condemned, so we come with our thanksgivings and our petitions in the name of the only perfect Son of God, Jesus Christ. Amen PRAYER OF CONFESSION Ruler of our enemies and our allies, adversary of evil everywhere, Savior of all who put their trust in you, we confess that we do not always turn your light on ourselves as carefully as on the behavior of ...

1186. Advent 1

Psalm 25:1-22, Jeremiah 33:1-26, Luke 21:25-36, 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... that springs up and that buds and blossoms again and again with justice among the nations. We are excited by every victory of truth over falsehood, every triumph of compassion over indifference, every return of those who have gone astray. We live in hope of the final perfection of your world in your time. Amen. PRAYER OF DEDICATION God our Savior, we stand before you as those who are ready to be led by you in your way, to use what we have to clear the way for the coming of your goodness in full measure ...

1187. Easter 2

Psalm 118:1-29, John 20:19-31, Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4-8

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... words of encouragement spoken in your name. Receive and sanctify our gifts to extend the power of your realm to the glory of Jesus Christ, your resurrected Son. Amen. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND COMMEMORATION God of perfection, you condescend to work through imperfect human beings to unify and perfect your church. May we never rest content with divisions nor acquiesce with contentions that jeopardize the unity of the church for which Christ prayed. As there are many members but one body, may the one Spirit ...

1188. First Sunday after Christmas Day

Isaiah 63:7-9, Isaiah 63:7--64:12, Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... ways of settling claims to govern and more equitable distribution of the good things you have created for us all to enjoy. Free us all to serve each other in Christlike tenderness, for your Name's sake. Amen Prayer of Assurance Holy God, though the perfection of Jesus Christ has power to judge our sinfulness you have chosen to accept his advocacy and priesthood on our behalf. We rely on him in confidence that you accept us graciously because of his intercession. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen ...

1189. Proper 15

Genesis 45:1-28, Psalm 133:1-3, Matthew 15:1-20, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... not only to hear your word but to seek the gifts of the Spirit to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of all nations, your name is loved and hallowed in many languages. Yet nowhere in the world is your justice perfectly maintained and the right always done. We confess that we do not worship you in complete allegiance to your covenant with us nor in loving openness to all people of all nations, of all customs, of all conditions. We forget the mercy you have shown us in ...

1190. Epiphany 2

Psalm 40:1-17, Isaiah 49:1-7, John 1:29-42, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... the dying and the bereaved. Sustain those who are ridiculed for their faith by unbelievers and blasphemers. May they remember Jesus who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that they may not grow weary or lose heart. With them we look to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of your throne, O God. Eternal God, you are served not only by your ...

1191. Third Sunday in Advent

Psalm 145:5-10 or Luke 1:47-55, Isaiah 35:1-10, Matthew 11:1-19, James 5:7-12

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... name of your Holy Child Jesus, and as we agree on earth about anything we ask, may it be done for us by his Father in heaven. Give us an unwavering trust in your promises and in your grace, which is sufficient for us, and your power made perfect in human weakness. As your Son Jesus came to us in great humility, so may your church serve you with the same mind, taking the form of servanthood and obedience to the point of death. Cleanse your church from proud pretensions that parade earthly power so contrary ...

1192. Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... this directive is coupled with the notion of being God’s “beloved children.” For good or ill, children will imitate their parents. As “children of God,” the faith community has the perfect model of the divine parent to “imitate.” Finally, the author notes this “imitation” is to be acted out most fully and perfectly by living “in love, as Christ loved us.” Living in love will not only entail all the “virtues” he has just spelled out. It will also involve a commitment to each other ...

1193. The Lord’s Supper

1 Corinthians 11:23-34

Sermon

James Merritt

... of His coming. It points backward to the crucifixion. It points forward to His coming. It looks backward to a cross. It looks upward to the clouds. Each time we take it, we are reminded, that this same Jesus who was born of the Virgin Mary, who lived a perfect life, who died a sinless death and who was raised from the dead is one day coming back to this earth so we can forever sit at His table. I read a story recently of a little town in Alabama where the major livelihood was raising cotton. One year ...

1194. The Paralysis of Analysis – The Fear of Failure

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Sermon

James Merritt

... earth is a spiritual failure from the Pope to Billy Graham. The Bible says in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard." (Romans 3:;23, NLT) In God's eyes, we have all failed to meet His standard of absolute perfection because nobody is perfect. II. Reject The Fear Of Failure Listen again to Paul's words in verses 8 and 9, "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but ...

1195. What Is 40 Days Of Purpose?

2 Timothy 4:9-18

Sermon

James Merritt

... us respond in such a way that we become more like Jesus. That raises the question - what is Jesus like? If you want a perfect picture of Jesus, it is called the fruit of the spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 names them. The fruit of the spirit is: Love Joy ... once you get to heaven you don't do anything else. In fact, just the opposite is true. You'll do more for God and do it perfectly than you ever did on earth. The better you serve God on earth, the more opportunities you'll have to serve God in heaven. That is why ...

1196. Me - A - Missionary?

Acts 1:8

Sermon

James Merritt

... how we can be missionaries. I. I Can Use God's Power For Missions I want to give you some great news and take a tremendous amount of pressure off of you and a great load off of your shoulders. You do not have to be a perfect Christian, seminary trained, great at public speaking or even extremely knowledgeable of the Bible to fulfill your role as a missionary. Quite frankly, if those were the requirements very few people could ever do any mission work. The first requirement to doing missions for God is the ...

1197. What Do I Do When My Prayers Go Unanswered?

Deuteronomy 3:1-11, 23-26

Sermon

James Merritt

... times to remove that thorn from him and do you know what God's answer was? "My grace is sufficient for you for power is perfected in weakness." (II Corinthians 12:9, NASB) God very lovingly, but very firmly said to Paul, "No, I am not going to take the ... absolutely fabulous ministry there. God blessed in a tremendous way, but my heart always wanted to come back to Georgia. I was perfectly satisfied and totally surrendered to the Lord's will and if God never brought me back to Georgia, I would have served ...

1198. When I Grow Up

Ephesians 4:15

Sermon

James Merritt

... big as she was, her father looked down at her and said, "Honey, are you sure you can eat all of that?" She looked up at him and said, "Don't worry Daddy. I'm a lot bigger on the inside than I am on the outside." That story captures perfectly God's third purpose for your life. We are in the middle of a tremendous forty days that we are calling forty days of purpose. In these forty days, we are going to be discovering what God's five purposes are for your life. We learned that God's first ...

1199. Name Dropping

Exodus 20:7

Sermon

James Merritt

... become a part of His family and not only know Him on a first name basis, but even to call Him our father. When we misuse God's name it is because we have forgotten two things: Who God is Who we are When we remember that God is a perfect, holy, righteous God and we remember that we are imperfect, unrighteous sinners, then we won't dare misuse His name. In fact, we will live in gratitude that we know His name. What does all of this have to do with the family? The first thing you have to do ...

1200. My Mission from God

John 17:18

Sermon

James Merritt

... fellowship in heaven. You can worship in heaven, but there are three things you cannot do in heaven. First of all, you cannot sin in heaven. There is no sin in heaven. You will be absolutely perfect in heaven. I am so grateful that I can no longer be tempted with M&M peanuts in heaven! In fact, I am so grateful that with a perfect body, I can eat all I want. There is something else you can never, ever do again once you get to heaven. You cannot give financially to God work. I realize that will make some of ...

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