Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 101 to 125 of 4489 results

101. Worried About Her Child

Matthew 15:21-28

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

Object: An Ice Cube Boys and girls, how do you move a mountain? I was reading about a mountain recently--a mountain of ice. What would we call a mountain of ice? (Let them answer.) We would call a mountain of ice an "iceberg," wouldn't we? That is what an iceberg is. I read about a piece of an iceberg that had broken off and had floated a few miles and was blocking a harbor. The fishermen who used that harbor were very disturbed. How could they do their fishing if they could not get their boats out into ...

102. If Everybody’s Okay, What’s the Problem? (Series: Real Faith for Real People)

1 John 1:5--2:14

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king’s horses, And all the king’s men, Couldn’t put Humpty together again! Like Humpty Dumpty, WE HAVE A PROBLEM. The Bible calls that problem sin. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves” (I John 1:8). Forty years ago, Dr. Tom Harris wrote a best seller entitled I’m OK, You’re OK. As a tool for analyzing interpersonal transactions, the book was immensely helpful. As a philosophical statement of the human condition, the book ...

103. What Would Jesus Say About the Media?

Mark 9:1-9

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

I was 11 years old when Santa Claus brought our family its first television. I was ecstatic! This black and white, three-station miracle with a tall antenna towering above our roof put me in touch with the outside world. It’s hard to believe that after all these years. After all, where I come from, a mega-bite was something a snake might inflict on you, a mouse was a critter to be found in a corn crib, a net was something to fish with, and only spiders spun webs at night. My how times have changed. In my ...

104. The Shipwreck

Acts 27:27-44

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

27:27 About midnight on the fourteenth night of their leaving Fair Havens (or some say from Cauda) the seamen detected signs of approaching land. Perhaps they heard breakers on the beach, a suggestion that has the support of Codex Vaticanus, which instead of “a certain land approaching” (as most texts) has it “resounding.” As a rule in seeking to identify a biblical location, tradition is an uncertain guide. In this case, however, there is every reason to think that they had come as tradition asserts, to ...

105. Will the “Real” Jesus Please Stand Up

Mark 3:20-35

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Who is the “real” Jesus? How hard is it for us to see Jesus as a real person who felt sadness, happiness, grief, joy, who experienced laughter, who joked with his disciplines, who got angry, who could wrestle with his own pain? And yet, if we don’t recognize this Jesus, we lose the gift that God gave to us in the reality of the fully human (not just divine) Son. Watching the way Jesus handles his own struggles, reveals his own humanness, can help us to recognize and accept our own. Today, nearly every ...

106. Proper 15

Lk 12:49-56 · Jer 20:7-13; 23:23-29; 38:4-10

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

THE LESSONS Jeremiah 20:7-13 For preaching Yahweh's message of doom, Jeremiah is persecuted but is confident of victory. Jeremiah expresses his inner turmoil as a prophet. True to God's Word, he preaches doom and destruction for the nation at the hands of the Babylonians as God's judgment upon their sins of idolatry and wickedness. For telling the truth of what is coming, he is ridiculed and thrown into stocks; friends wait to catch him in a word of treason. Because he loves his people, he is hurt by their ...

107. The Cross Way of Life

Matthew 10:1-42

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

"He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me ... and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it." [Matthew 10:37-39] During the presidential campaign of 1976, Jimmy Carter became famous for his teeth. Cartoonists had a holiday exaggerating the size of his teeth. His teeth were prominent because he went across the country constantly smiling which certainly was an important factor ...

108. Four Cornerstones

Ephesians 2:11-22

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Both Elizabeth and I hail from paper-mill towns. A few years ago the blue collar-redneck-good-old-boy logging town Elizabeth grew up in (Springfield, Oregon) found itself very interested all of a sudden in building sushi bars and trendy, high-tech fitness centers. Why? Sony Corporation seriously considered the town as a new factory headquarters site. Like every other economically struggling small town, the prospect of a large employer coming to town with deep pockets and wide wants encouraged the community ...

109. The Unforgivable Sin

Mark 3:20-30

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

One of my favorite preachers, Clarence Forsberg, tells a story about a man who realized his life-long ambition by going on a safari in Africa. “He took along his wife, even though she was not the outdoors type. They set up camp in a jungle cleaning, and as he prepared to go out the first day he presented his wife with a little silver bell. He explained, ‘There is really nothing to worry about. I’m not going to be very far away. If you have any trouble at all, just ring this bell, and I’ll come right back.’ ...

110. Ruth: The Problem of Grief

Ruth 1:1-8, 16-18

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

It's a love story that would make Danielle Steele blush. It's full of sex and seduction. It has dead ends and new beginnings. It deals with grief and explores commitment. It's the story of Ruth. It takes place during the period of Judges. You can read it in about 15 minutes. But before you dig in let me glean a lesson or two about life that is worth taking with you. The Book of Ruth teaches us that: I. LIFE IS FILLED WITH DETOURS DETOUR AHEAD—don't you hate that sign when you are traveling somewhere? They' ...

111. Job Considers a Legal Dispute with God

Job 9:1–10:22

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

Big Idea: Job wants God to declare him righteous, but he cannot envision how to bring this about. Understanding the Text In chapters 9 and 10, Job takes up the challenge made by Bildad in 8:5 to plead with the Almighty. As he contemplates this possibility, Job focuses on his legal status before God. In this speech he begins to work out in his mind how he might approach God with his situation, and how God might respond to him. In his soliloquy in chapter 9, Job turns over in his mind whether he should enter ...

112. The Accent Of Heaven

John 13:31-35

Sermon

Wayne Brouwer

She opened our eyes to the way that civilizations unfold and develop. Cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead became the talk of society with her study, Coming of Age in Samoa. For decades she toured the world, explaining what she had observed as children were born, how they were raised, what families and groups did to reinforce certain behaviors, what happened to non-conformists, what marriage looked like, and how people aged and died. When Ms. Mead was speaking at a university, one student asked her what ...

113. Food for the Fed-up

John 6:25-59

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

Some years ago I had a friend who was on a 300-calorie-a-day diet under a doctor’s supervision. 300 calories! That boggles the mind! I inhale 300 calories just smelling the aroma of a good pizza. But my friend on the three-hundred-calorie-a-day diet lost sixty pounds, and as a result reached his near-ideal weight in a very short time. But one cannot subsist indefinitely on a 300-calorie-a-day- diet. Sooner or later there must come and end to the dieting, for starving oneself in this manner is highly ...

114. Will the Real Christian Please Stand Up?

Acts 11:26

Sermon

James Merritt

The year was 1995. It was called "Global Mission with Billy Graham." It took over a year to pull off and by the end of the event it would be the largest single evangelistic effort in the history of Christianity. Bob Williams, Director of International Ministries for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, had set an incredible goal: Through the medium of satellite technology, he wanted to reach the largest audience ever to hear a series of messages by Billy Graham. In order to appreciate the size and ...

115. Unexpected Invasions

Isaiah 64:1-9

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

He looked me in the eye with deep intensity, as young adults tend to do, and then he said, “Do you believe in miracles?" “Indeed I do," I said with all the authority of my office and ordination. “Good," he replied. “I need an especially big one this week." With that he disappeared in the crowd and I never saw him again although I continue to pray for him often when his face comes into my mind's eye. Here we are in December. December is not so much another month as it is another state of mind. In December ...

116. Come to Bethlehem and See

Luke 2:8-20

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

T'was the night before Christmas and all through the earth Every creature was stirring, and needing new birth. Some faces were guilty, others were worn, Some filled with sorrow, some sin torn. When God up above, without much clatter, Sent a Savior to earth to remedy the matter. He came without splendor, saying life's not a waste, Will you rise up and follow and see Him with haste? When it's the night before Christmas from the ground to the sky God's glory is near and Jesus comes by. It is Christmas Eve. ...

117. The Dynamics of Being a Dad

Ephesians 6:1-4, Ephesians 6:10-20

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

The idea of Father’s Day was first proposed by Mrs. John B. Dodd, in 1909. She wanted to honor her father, William Smart, a civil war veteran who raised six children on his own when his wife died at child birth. So the next year at her Methodist church in Washington state, Mrs. Dodd led the first known celebration of Father’s Day honoring the “father’s place in the home and his role in the training of children.” This religious celebration, however, did not stay religious very long. The associated men’s ...

118. Watch!

Matthew 24:36-44

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

A ninety-six year old man won fifty million dollars in the lottery. When his family was notified, they called their pastor for help since they were afraid the news might cause the old fellow to have a heart attack. The pastor agreed to help. He went over to visit the elderly man. They talked about the weather and life in general. Finally the minister asked the old man, “Suppose you won fifty million dollars, how would that change your life?” “It wouldn’t,” said the man, “I would still have arthritis. I ...

119. Valley of Betrayal (Series: Peace in the Valley)

Luke 22:47-53

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

When it comes to naming our children, parents try to do the best we can. We search high and low for just the word that will follow our sons and daughters for a life- time. Sometimes we turn to the Bible. James and John, Peter and Andrew, Mary and Martha are all names quite common in our time. But, one Biblical name you never hear used is the name of Jesus’ most infamous disciple – Judas. In Germany, it is against the law to name your child Judas. In America, it is against your better judgment. Yet, Judas ...

120. Hearing the Questions of Children

Genesis 22:1-14

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

David Harju, a senior at Centennial High School, took the SAT test and scored a perfect 1600 on it this Spring. How did David feel about it? “Ecstatic,” said Tennessean staff writer, Barbara Moore.[1] The Old Testament story we step into today is the life and death test of one man’s faith and obedience. Father Abraham feels directed by God to sacrifice his only son as an act of worship on Mt. Moriah. Suddenly, this boy who has brought laughter to a couple in their elder years, is surrounded by a trail of ...

121. Finding Answers to Family Feuds

Genesis 25: 21-34

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

To live above with those we love, Well, that will be glory. To live below with those we know, Well, that’s another story. Family feuds. I would like to chat with you a few moments about that today. According to a survey done by Randy Carlson about eight years ago, 91% of American adults long to improve their relationships with their adult siblings. The pains of family life continue to haunt us, often for an entire lifetime. One of the most compelling stories of the Bible is the struggle between two ...

122. We Believe in the Holy Spirit

John 14:15-18, 25-27

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

Let us begin this sermon with a prayer. Let us pray: “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful And kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created And you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit Did instruct the hearts of the faithful, Grant that by the same Holy Spirit We may be truly wise and ever enjoy his consolations. Amen. We believe in the Holy Spirit. We baptize our people in the name of the Father and of the Son and ...

123. The Down Side of Christmas

Matthew 2:13-18

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

‘Twas the day after Christmas When all through the place There were arguments and depression— Even mom had a long face. The stockings hung empty; And the house was a mess. The clothes didn't fit; Dad was under stress. The family was irritable; The children were not pleased. The instructions for the swing set Were written in Chinese. The bells no longer jingled; And no carolers came around. The sink was stacked with dishes; And the tree was turning brown. The stores were full of people Returning things that ...

124. News Too Good To Tell

Luke 9:28-36

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

Did you hear the story about an inattentive, workaholic husband who suddenly decided to surprise his wife with a night to remember? He went down to the department store and bought her the expensive dress she had been admiring. He bought her a large bottle of perfume to go with it. He ordered tickets to the Broadway play she had been wanting to see and made reservations at their favorite restaurant. On his way home he stopped by the florist and bought two dozen red roses which he carried home under his arm ...

125. Come to the Party

Luke 14:15-23

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

One of my favorite childhood memories is Sunday dinner. My mother was an excellent cook. Student preachers were always hungry. The combination made for Sunday dinners that would put any country club buffet to shame. In fact, my first inclinations toward the ministry came as I watched pastors feasting at the dining room table on chicken breasts and thighs while we children were stuck in the kitchen with backs and wings. It made one think, even as a child. It was at a Sabbath dinner, during a discussion of ...

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