Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: captured, trapped, catch, took, arrested, grabbed, taken, seized, stuck, apprehended, picked up, entangled, nabbed, jammed, abducted, acquired, got, bagged, gotten, netted, cornered, appropriated, tangled, snared, ensnared

Antonyms: free, freed, unconfined, loose, unrestrained, set free, uncuffed, emancipated, enfranchised, released, ambiguous, flaccid, let go, discharged, unbound, uncaged, unchained, unfettered, unleashed, unshackled, untied, avoided, discounted, disregarded, missed

Showing 101 to 125 of 2233 results

101. Preparing for Something Big

Mark 13:1-31

Sermon

Paul E. Flesner

... days remaining until the time when Jesus will return to the earth in glory and power. I don't know about you, but that completely reverses my personal expectations about celebrating Christmas, let alone getting ready for it. Don't get me wrong. I like to get caught up in the "Christmas spirit." I like to put up and decorate the tree. I like to get out our Christmas music. I like Christmas cookies and Christmas parties. I like shopping for Christmas gifts. But if the theme of this first Sunday in Advent is ...

102. Breaking The Negative Cycle

Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... in the positive. If anything exceeds our need to say no, it is the necessity of saying yes. Have you ever noted the way the ministry of Jesus is introduced in the Gospel of Mark. It’s a marvelous opening chapter there. The meaning of his coming is caught up in the memory of that Old Testament prophecy from Isaiah, the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness, upon them has light shined. And from that time on, the gospel says, Jesus began to preach ...

103. The Rest Of The Story

Genesis 3:1-24

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... people, the sea vanished -- it was no more. So the revelation of John is the final version of the restoration of the hope of the creation story." (James Harnish, Journeys With the People of Genesis, p. 22). There is no escape from the struggle -- we will forever be caught in it -- the struggle between good and evil. To live by faith, though, is to know that one day God will see the Creation's goodness restored. One day God will see this world again, as it was on the first day of Creation. One day God will ...

104. Who Loves More?

Luke 7:36-50

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... he was a retired, not an active, preacher. I wondered. Had he missed that throughout his entire ministry? Open door to whom and to what? Christ is on the side of sinners! On the side of AIDS victims? Yes. On the side of those who traffic in human life, caught in the web of a drug culture that squeezes and smothers life to death? Yes. On the side of those who abuse life because life has abused them? Child abusers? Wife abusers? Yes. On the side of those who know themselves as sinners, and those who don’t ...

105. Smart Living

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Sermon

King Duncan

... except that, after leaving the scene, he returned with a straw to suck up the pool of booze. He was still on his knees when a police officer showed up. He tried to escape, but was caught and arrested. (1) Obviously he's not the smartest candle on the cake. St. Paul writes in our lesson for today, "Be very careful . . . how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but ...

106. Big Fish

John 21:1-14

Sermon

King Duncan

... to lying fishermen when they die?” The answer, “They lie still.” The Associated Press carried a good fish story from Oslo, Norway sometime back that turns out to be true. The story was about a school of herring that sank a 63-foot boat. The herring were caught in the fishermen’s net and refused to give up without a fight. When the crew tried to haul in the net, the entire school of herring swam for the bottom. This actually capsized the ship. The skipper of the ship was quoted as saying, “I have ...

107. In the Darkness of Uncertainty, There Is the Light of Wonder

Luke 2:8-20

Sermon

Thomas A. Pilgrim

... the paratroopers, was the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child. The mayor said, “We designed the window like this so we might never forget that night.”1 When I read that, I remembered seeing that scene in the movie, The Longest Day. I remember how one parachute caught on the steeple of the church and one soldier was hanging there. It was an unforgettable scene. I also remembered talking with a member of the church I served who was in that parachute jump. He had seen the movie, also. But, he did not need to ...

108. In Life Nothing Works but the Impossible

Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... inundated western Washington State and submerged Interstate 5 for five days. Camera crews captured a lot of dramatic rescue stories. But of all the selfless acts of neighbors, friends, and total strangers lifting stranded victims from the waters, there was one insignificant incident caught on camera that showed just how hard it is to be the “good guy” sometimes. While filming the flooded farmlands a tv camera crew spied a lone refugee—-a large grey cat perched on top of an old metal out-buildings. The ...

109. Are You Going to Fish or Cut Bait?

Mark 1:16-18

Sermon

James Merritt

... purpose of Christ's life the purpose of your life." I want you to understand that the church exists for the fish who have not yet been caught. It is our job to go out and to find those fish, and to catch those fish, and to bring them in to the kingdom of ... wording of Rom. 10 and apply it to fishing. For whatever fish bites the bait of the gospel, shall be saved. How can fish be caught without bait? How can they bite the bait unless they see it? How will they see it unless it is placed in the water? How will ...

110. Let God Do the Rest

Ephesians 3:14-21

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... gave him a few loaves of bread she had just taken out of the oven. She thought he would need them for his journey home. As he went in search for the man he stopped by the local lake and caught a couple of fish. He then continued on his way with the loaves and two fish he had caught. Finally, he caught sight of the people who were listening to the man. The man had much to say that day and the people listened and were fascinated. As it grew late the boy sensed that the people listening were hungry. He was ...

111. O Holy Nightmare

Matthew 24:36-44

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Preparing for the holy day of Christ's birth should mark us as Christians before our colleagues and friends. As Matthew insists - we are to stand prepared for the Lord's arrival, but we are not to stand still. When the Lord arrives, we should be caught busily carrying out God's will. One of the most beautiful chapters in the Christmas story is the tale of the Magi and their obedience and faithfulness to the point of extravagance. But from the Magi's precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, Christmas ...

112. The Fishing Business

Mark 1:16-20

Sermon

James Merritt

... about him unless someone tells them? How will anyone go and tell them without being sent?" (Romans 10:13-15, NLT) Let me change the wording of these verses and simply apply it to fishing. Whatever fish bites the bait of the Gospel will be saved How can fish be caught without bait? How can they bite the bait unless they see it? How will they see it unless it is placed in the water? How will the bait get into the water unless the fisherman goes to the lake? You see the problem is, so many of us will leave ...

113. You Fool!

Luke 12:13-21

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... God. That day was coming sooner than he thought, but like a lot of folks, he lived as if he'd never die. Like him, we are caught between the voices of good and evil. A story is told about a man who described the human predicament in terms of two dogs. "We have ... wrong things in life. At best, God was on the periphery of his life. Success and possessions were in the middle. He was caught in the trap of giving his life to the attractive distractions of this world and neglected to focus on the world to come. ...

114. Like a Venomous Snake

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Sermon

King Duncan

... froze. The rattler struck. The man moved so that the snake’s fangs barely missed grazing his neck. Still, the snake’s fangs got caught in the man’s pullover sweater. He could feel beside his neck the snake trying to get loose, so the man reached back ... began to squeeze. He said later he could feel the hot venom dripping down his neck from the snake’s fangs that were still caught in his pullover. He squeezed for a long time until he was sure the snake wasn’t moving anymore. Keeping his death grip on ...

115. Wednesday: The Way Of The Cross: Oooh, That Smell

John 12:1-11

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... adultery. But that's an unfair connection started by misogynist Pope Gregory 1st and corrected by Vatican 2. John tells us the woman was none other than Mary, the sister of Lazarus. Maybe Mary was the woman caught in adultery? Jesus act of kindness certainly would have endeared him to the family. Maybe it was that act of forgiveness that brought Jesus into this family's life and brought them back together. None of the speculation really matters, though. What matters is the simple act of love Mary ...

116. Rahab: Seven Minutes To Midnight

Joshua 6:15-25

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... panic. Simon realizes this is that moment. He yells Stop it and takes charge of evacuating the kids through the emergency exit door in the back of the bus. As each of the kids leaves he counts them and then realizes there is one missing. The boy's foot is caught. Simon frees him but while getting his foot loose the door closes and the water pressure is too great for him to open the door. But he opens a bus window and he and the last little boy escape through the tiny opening. He had that one small spark of ...

117. A Chance To Be Made Whole

Matthew 9:18-26

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... shock to everyone. Coming to Jesus for this father was really a last resort. You see, he was a leader in synagogue. He was one of those out to get Jesus, one of those who may have been standing in the crowd, stone in hand ready to stone the woman caught in adultery. He was one of those who thought Jesus was a charlatan and a heretic and was constantly trying to catch Jesus up in some little twist of the law. His desperation must have run deep. And it must have been hard for him to swallow his pride. Can ...

118. Blessed To Be A Blessing

Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... meal, turn to Mom and say, "See, Mom, I told you they wouldn't notice that the turkey was four months past its expiration date. You were worried for nothing." Or, when everyone starts sharing what they are thankful for, say, "I'm thankful I didn't get caught" and then refuse to say anything more. B. Better yet, look at your family through the eyes of Christ. Treat each of them as if they were Jesus, the honored guest in your home, even if you're in someone else's home. Remember, they might only be family ...

119. Who Will Cast the First Stone?

John 7:45--8:11

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... s anguish, pain and despair? Isn’t it still true to a marked degree — especially where sexual immorality is concerned? How much more intense and cruel the wrath of society against women who are caught — and I use that word caught advisedly how much more intense our wrath and scorn and condemnation against women who are caught in sexual immorality than against men? So, the word of Jesus is always applicable — “ he who is without sin let him cast the first stone.” Can you feel the dilemma of this ...

120. Fresh Grilled Forgiveness

John 21:1-19

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. [9] When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. [10] Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." [11] So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. [12] Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared to ask him ...

121. The Ashes of Our Lives

Luke 5:1-11

Sermon

Cynthia Cowen

... sized fish," he said to the clerk. "But before you wrap them, toss them to me, one by one." The clerk looked puzzled at his request, "Sir? That's a strange thing to ask." Smiling the man said, "This way I'll be able to truthfully tell my wife I caught them!" Jesus had been preaching to a large crowd on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Needing more space, he noticed two empty boats at the water's edge. The owners were on the beach washing their nets. They recognized Jesus for they had heard his preaching and ...

122. We Are Not The Light

Sermon

Craig MacCreary

... personal and communal darkness. The foolishness of some seasonal office parties reflects the lack of authentic community. As we go through the Advent cycle, our hopes grow stronger and our anxieties grow deeper. The texts the lectionary gives us for this Sunday speak to people caught in the build-up to Christmas, who are perhaps worried that the season might not deliver. Remember we are not the light but we can point to the light. Rejoice always, make all things a prayer, and don’t get in the way of the ...

123. Seismic Shift

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Sermon

James Merritt

... of what it has and does do to God. Real repentance involves a spiritual change. When you change your mind and you change your heart, you change your direction. You do an about face. You do a 180. You turn away from your sin like the woman who was caught in adultery. Jesus said to her, “Go and sin no more.” That determination to do everything within your power and God’s help not to commit that same sin again is the spirit of repentance. I want to close by talking to two different groups of people today ...

124. It Was a Dark and Stormy Evening! Father's Day

Mark 4:35-41

Sermon

King Duncan

... man, we’ll call him Bob, tells about a friend of his named George, an ex-Marine pilot, who wanted to show off his new twin-engine plane. George invited Bob to ride along as he put the plane through its paces. Suddenly, they were caught in a violent thunderstorm with lightning crashing all around them. Everything went black. Then they lost the radio and most of their instruments stopped working. As they were being tossed about in the sky, George, the ex-Marine pilot, said, “Uh-oh!” Fearing the worst ...

125. When Heartbreak Turns to Heartburn

Luke 24:13-35

Sermon

Robert Leslie Holmes

... the disciples who have been to the empty tomb. So blinded are their eyes by doubt that even when Jesus joins them for their walk along that road, they do not recognize him. Luke tells this story as a lesson for present-day people like us. We can be so caught up in our doubts about faith that we fail to see and hear the obvious. Again and again the Bible tells us that if we look around, we will see evidence of God. Consider, for example, these words, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above ...

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