Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1176 to 1200 of 4943 results

1176. The Inspiring Power of the Cross

John 3:1-21

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

... 21:9ff., the very sight of which cured the Israelites of snake bite. The implication that merely beholding the crucified Christ cures sin points to the inspiring power of the cross. Liturgical Color Purple Suggested Hymns Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart "Take Up Your Cross," The Savior Said O Jesus Christ, May Grateful Hymns Be Rising Jesus, Refuge Of The Weary Lent 2 Honor. Glory. Authority. Power. Prestige. Lord, we do like the sound of these words! We are drawn toward these things as moths are drawn ...

1177. He Came Seeking Fruit

Luke 13:1-9

Sermon

Clement E. Lewis

... owner's instruction. Now, as he took inventory of how his farm was producing, he began to wonder if the room the fig tree required, in which several grape vines could be planted, was not unwise and unproductive use of the soil. A large fig can take up a considerable amount of ground in the expanse of its branches and large leaves. The climate in Palestine is very similar to that in Texas, and is conducive to the production of that kind of fruit tree. The owner brought knowledgeable, experienced help to care ...

1178. A Good Thing To Know

Luke 19:11-27

Sermon

Theodore F. Schneider

... to the "far country" could be a reference to the coming days in the tomb or the ascension and the return of glory. But Jesus could not be defined as the servant describes the returning king: "I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow." Herod's Archelaus, definitely! Our Father's Christ, definitely not! There are intentional parallels here, but this parable is not an allegory. The sermon illustration must begin for us, "It is as if ...

1179. Here Comes The King

Luke 19:28-44

Sermon

George Bass

... cross was suspended over the cave where he was born. And that cave became the sign and symbol of an empty tomb outside of Jerusalem. Jesus' approach and advent into Jerusalem packages new life for us, a new birth in the Christmas event. All we need do is believe and take up the refrain: "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest." The silence is broken again as we greet and worship him today, "Here comes our King!" - now and forever.

1180. One More Thing

Matthew 28:16-20

Sermon

Robert Allen

... world where we are to proclaim the good news. It is in the mission field of our world where we are sent to set at liberty those who are oppressed. It is in the mission field of our world where we are to proclaim this to be the time to take up your cross and follow Jesus Christ. We have a commission from Jesus. Our commission is to be his witness and make disciples in his name! Will you be obedient to his commission? III. Jesus Promised Us A Presence It must have been a staggering thing for 11 disciples to ...

1181. One Nation, Under Mercy

Sermon

... , not even unclean lepers, not even thugs and thieves and prostitutes and criminals. Responding to their plea for mercy, Jesus said: • to the prostitute, "Neither do I condemn you. Sin no more." • to the deaf, "Ephatha! Be opened!" • to the handicapped, "Arise, take up your bed and walk." • to the dying thief, "Today you will be with me in paradise." • and to these lepers, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." When the Lord saw all this agony and fear and helplessness, he had compassion - not a ...

1182. PROPER 8

Genesis 32:22-32

Bulletin Aid

... we have made decisions based on personal interest, rather than on our commitment to Christ. Help us to establish all our activities as opportunities to be in discipleship for Christ, through whom we pray. Amen. Hymns "A Charge to Keep" "He Who Would Valiant Be" "My Jesus, As Thou Wilt" "Take Up Thy Cross"

1183. Glorious Surprises

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... of the world rather than the channel of the Spirit, he or she will regard the doctrine of the cross as nonsense. One professor has referred to it as child abuse on the part of God. Returning good for evil will seem absurd. Denying oneself and taking up a cross will seem to be senseless masochism. Justice Scalia of the Supreme Court said recently, "We must pray for the courage to endure the scorn of the sophisticated world. You know, the wise do not believe in the resurrection of the dead. It is quite ...

1184. What Kind of Cross?

Mark 8:31--9:1

Illustration

Larry Powell

... , humiliation, and death. It still does, except in the Christian context. Another dimension was added to Calvary ... victory. Jesus issued a call to discipleship, but the invitation contained an inherent inhibitor: "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." A cross of adornment or embellishment was not what Jesus had in mind. Self-denial and risking the consequences of following the way of Christ are at the heart of the call to discipleship. In the eighteenth ...

1185. Body Language

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

... instance, the choir members are like the mouth of the church. The ushers are like the hands of the church. The Sunday School teachers are like the brains of the church. What if everyone wanted to be a mouth? There would be no one to teach Sunday School, or to take up the money, or to pass out the bulletins. What if everyone wanted to be a hand? Then there would be no one to sing in the choir or work on church committees. We can't all be the same. God made us to be different, to be special. We all ...

1186. The Gift of Me

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

Darrick Acre

... It is impossible to change. Why bother? We will never find the significance and meaning for living that always waits just beyond our reach. We have grasped for fulfillment, only to come up holding wisps of dissipating vapor. Fulfillment and abundance never seem to take up residence in our souls. Victorious, purpose-filled living is for those who write the self-help books, not us. We find such a life impossible. Why bother? Live above sin? Have a heart of love? Mother Teresa maybe, but not common folks like ...

1187. Bearing the Cross

Mark 8:31--9:1

Drama

Angela Akers

... in Vietnam who were arrested in June 2004 on false charges. They are being held indefinitely in a Vietnamese prison.” 3 Reader Three: “Three: the number of times the Gospel writers recorded Jesus’ words, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” Reader Four: “One: The apostle Paul wrote, ‘But this one thing I do: Forgetting what is ...

1188. Preparing for Our Homecoming

Joel 1:1-12

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... by which salvation came to the world. Thus, the Christian people must not run or hide from the cross, but rather it must, in a paradoxical way, be embraced. We remember Jesus' challenge in the Gospels, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24-25). Jesus did not walk to Calvary in handcuffs and leg irons; he went voluntarily. If we are ...

1189. Remember Your Baptism

Romans 6:1-14, Colossians 2:6-23

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... when we self-consciously made our decision of faith, our commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. That means, my friends, that you are never a spectator to baptism. Never. You assist in baptism. You not only assist, you participate in baptism. We take up our baptism again, remembering who we are, named as God’s people. Dear old Martin Luther, whenever he was depressed and undergoing strong attack from the devil, or sensed his courage and spiritual strength failing, he would lay his hands on his head ...

1190. Remember Your Baptism

Luke 3:1-20

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

1191. Epiphany 6

Matthew 5:17-37, 1 Corinthians 2:6-16; 3:1-23, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119

Bulletin Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... of the Day: Living By The Law Gospel - Live by the spirit of the Law - Matthew 5:17-26 Lesson 1 - Live by obeying the Law - Deuteronomy 30:15-20 The overall theme of this Sunday seems to be life in the light of the Law. Jesus takes up the Law, emphasizes the Christian's obligation to obey it, and re-interprets it in terms of motivation (Gospel). In his final address to the Israelites, Moses calls for a renewal of the Sinai covenant which calls for obedience to the Decalogue (Lesson 1). The prayer refers ...

1192. Easter Vigil

Genesis 1:1-2:3, Romans 6:1-14, Matthew 28:1-10

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... Christ is a representative figure. Earlier (5:12-21) Paul treated Adam and Christ as universal representatives of humanity, speaking in apocalyptic categories about the "first" and "last Adam." Similarly, in Romans 3:21-25 Paul cast Jesus as a universal human, taking up the language of the Jewish sacrificial cult to say that Christ died "for all who believe." In that same vein, here, Paul applies the death, burial, and Resurrection of Christ to the lives of the Roman Christians. Paul explains what it means ...

1193. Who, Me?

Matthew 28:16-20

Illustration

Billy D. Strayhorn

Unfortunately, most of us act like the out-of shape, overweight man who decided to take up tennis. He took lessons from a pro. He read several self-help books which advised him to "think positively" and "develop a winning attitude." A friend asked him how his tennis was going. With a positive, winning attitude in his voice, the man replied, "When my opponent hits the ball ...

1194. Yet Alive....Are We?

Romans 12:1-13

Sermon

John E. Harnish

... decade, this congregation has responded with a resounding "YES!" Are we alive with passion for the Gospel? YES! Are we alive with a compelling message? YES! Are we alive in outreaching love for the world? IN THE POWER OF JESUS' NAME, YES! AMEN. Let us take up the cross till we the crown obtain, and gladly reckon all things loss that we may Jesus gain. 1. UM Hymnal, page 552. 2. Al Bamsey, "United Methodist Identity Crisis," Christian Century, May 16, 1984, page 510 3. Quoted in Context, July 2005, page 4 ...

1195. The Lure of the Easy Way - Sermon Starter

Matthew 16:21-28

Illustration

Brett Blair

... him this time in Simon Peter: "Forbid it, Lord, that you should have to suffer and die." If there is any doubt that Jesus is resisting the lure of the easy way, listen to the words that follow: "If any man would be my disciple, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." We are the devotees of the easy way even though everyone in this room knows two important truths. 1. The Path to Personal Success Is that of Self-Denial. 2. Self-Denial Is Essential to the Salvation of the World.

1196. I Know! I Know!

Mark 8:31-38

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

... we cling to our confession of faith — You have died, you have risen, you will come again. Amen. Prayer Of Confession I know you are the Christ, the Messiah. I know you are the Son of God. I know you took up your cross for me. I know I must take up my cross and follow you. I believe. Help my unbelief, Lord Jesus, Christ, Messiah, Savior, King. Amen. Hymns Ask Me What Great Thing I Know I Know That My Redeemer Lives I Know Not Why God's Wondrous Grace

1197. Acts 5:27-32

Acts 5:27-32

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... or evidence to dissuade listeners that the Sanhedrin was in fact not responsible for Jesus' death, the high priest further weakens his position by declaring with his own mouth the thought that has crossed everyone's mind. In verses 29-32, Peter once again takes up his new role as voice of the apostles and articulator of their faith. Peter's previous testimony in front of the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:8-12) went well. Filled with the Pentecost Spirit and buoyed by his absolute sense of rightness, Peter doesn't ...

1198. Mark 8:27-38

Mark 8:27-38

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... things" in verse 33. Jesus specifically identifies this divine way of thinking as a prerequisite to those who call themselves his followers. Jesus has not yet revealed that his impending death is to be suffered on the cross, so his directive to "take up their cross" is more meaningful to the Marcan reader than his actual listening audience. To the gospel reader, this image suggests both a willingness to shoulder the burden of rejection and opposition a disciple may encounter, and a literal readiness to ...

1199. Mark 10:35-45

Mark 10:35-45

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... queuing up for good seats in the hereafter. In each case, Jesus responds to his disciples' confused comments by discussing the true essence of missionary discipleship and explaining how it differs from all the disciples' expectations. In 8:34-38 Jesus counsels taking up the cross; in 9:35-37 selflessness and acceptance are touted; and finally in 10:42-45 Jesus explicitly identifies service to others as the key to genuine discipleship. This week's text begins by identifying two specific disciples, James and ...

1200. This Road Ends in a Knothole

Mark 8:31-38

Illustration

Brett Blair

... piece, then it turns into a hog trail, then a squirrel track, and finally runs up a scrub pine tree and ends in a knothole." Maybe you have been down that path, perhaps you feel like you're on that path right now. But you don't have to be. Take up your cross and walk a while with the Savior and learn what a life of service can do in ending your confusion, in getting you out of that knothole.

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