Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1226 to 1250 of 4986 results

1226. Hebrews 13:1-8

Hebrews 13:1-8

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... to those languishing in prison. Good intentions notwithstanding, the instinct for self-preservation told these struggling Christian enclaves to stay away from those in prison. Associating with those in jail would only bring down the keen eye and long arm of Roman law on the ... rest of them. Better to stay their distance and keep their peace. But the author of Hebrews insists that true phil¡a meant that every captive Christian was ...

1227. Remember Your Baptism

Acts 19:1-22

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... is a missional force. The Spirit is given to animate faith into action in the world. In today’s text, Paul re-baptized the sort-of, wannabe twelve disciples in Ephesus in “the name of Jesus Christ” at the very beginning of his two year stay in that city. That Holy Spirit, which poured forth with “tongues” and “prophesies,” didn’t just create a faith community of those twelve. The Spirit set those sort-of, wannabe disciples on fire and let them loose to blaze the glory of Christ in that ...

1228. John 11:1-45

John 11:1-45

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... because their brother Lazarus is the one whom he loves (v.3). Whether Lazarus might have been the never-named "beloved disciple" (as some scholars have mused) or whether Jesus knew and loved Lazarus because it was at this Bethany household that Jesus had stayed on his previous journeys to Jerusalem, it is clear that they are very close. Jesus' love for Lazarus and his sisters manifests itself at first in a mighty peculiar fashion. Instead of rushing off to his friend's side, Jesus proclaims that Lazarus ...

1229. Philippians 1:21-30

Philippians 1:21-30

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... .24) based on his pastoral duty. Indeed Paul's actual debate between life and death is very short-lived. By verse 25, he has already resolved the dilemma by testifying that he knows it is crucial for him to stay to preach the gospel. That Paul feels compelled to stay stresses the sense of connectedness the apostle felt between himself and the Philippians. Some scholars see this missional partnership as the central theme in the Philippian correspondence. Even though he is locked away in prison, Paul feels he ...

1230. A Job and A Ministry

Mark 1:14-20

Illustration

Michael D. Powell

... the best of your ability, it's a ministry. If you'll do it only so long as it doesn't interfere with other activities, it's a job. If you're committed to staying with it even when it means letting go of other things, it's a ministry. If you quit because no one praised you or thanked you, it was a job. If you stay with it even though no one seems to notice, it's a ministry. If you do it because someone else said that it needs to be done, it's a job. If you are ...

1231. Whatever It Takes

Mark 1:29-39

Illustration

Gary Nicolosi

... about those two responses when it comes to the Church's mission. Jesus said to love your neighbor. Whatever. Jesus said to go and make disciples of all people. Whatever. Jesus said there is more rejoicing over one sinner who is found than 99 that stayed within the fold. Whatever. Now, let's change that response to "Whatever it takes." Jesus said to love your neighbor. Whatever it takes. Jesus said to go and make disciples of all people. Whatever it takes. Jesus said there is more rejoicing over one sinner ...

1232. Thin Spaces

Matthew 17:1-13

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... and dread, on the other. About this time the sun came up, and with it the powerful tug of his growing shadow. He tried to resist it, but could not. But all that day, even as he obediently followed his shadow, the memory of the Voice stayed with him. It stayed with him through the night, too. And while he obediently followed his shadow each day, within him the seeds of hope grew. Then one morning, just a moment before dawn, he suddenly turned his back to the dark, western horizon and faced the glow in the ...

1233. I'm a Leper, You're a Leper

Mark 1:40-45

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... the discovery of bacteriology was isolation. Today we practice isolation by keeping our kids home from school or making ourselves stay home from work. We also isolate ourselves through the wonder of chemicals. I want to do a little experiment this ... Sometimes raging wild sometimes swollen high never have I known this river dry The deepest part of you is where I want to stay and feel the sharpest edges wash away CHORUS: You might even consider passing out a smooth stone to everyone present. Have them watch ...

1234. An Unnerving Experience

Mark 9:2-13

Sermon

King Duncan

... me of the last words of a redneck, “Watch this!” These were healthy, fun-loving young men on a grand excursion. Perhaps they were winded from the climb when they reached the top. If one of them suffered from acrophobia, a fear of heights, maybe he stayed back from the edge a little bit, resting uncomfortably on a rock. Some of you will identify with that. Though I really doubt that this group showed much fear. You’re familiar with Peter’s personality. He’s the one who impetuously jumped out of the ...

1235. The Darkness of a Youniverse

John 3:1-21

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Vegas’ resident theologian of the tourism board, whoever the person is. The head priest of that agency came up with a perfect 21st century rendition of John 3:19-21: “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” In the city that is known for going and flowing in the dark, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” is a slogan that pretends that what happens “in the dark” does not impact our “real” life, our “relational” life, our “link” life. But like we tell our kids . . . everything that ...

1236. What Have You Done for Me?

John 12:20-36

Illustration

George Bass

... him that he was a child of God. One day, on a trip to Paris, he stopped for a rest in Dusseldorf; during his stay in the city, he visited the art gallery. There he caught sight of Domenico Feti's painting of the crucified Jesus that he ... Savior, he was filled with a sense of shame. He could not answer that question in a manner which would satisfy his own conscience. He stayed there for hours, looking at the painting of the Christ on the cross until the light failed. And when the time arrived for the gallery ...

1237. On-Beyond-Zebra Living

John 15:1-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... this on-beyond-zebra letter: And way, way past Z is a letter called ITCH. And the ITCH is for It ch-a-pods, animals which Race around back and forth, forth and back, through the air On a sidewalk between HERE and THERE. They’re afraid to stay THERE. They’re afraid to stay HERE. They think THERE is too Far. They think HERE is too NEAR. And since HERE is too NEAR and out THERE is too FAR They are too scared to roost where-so-ever they are. The choice is ours: An ITCH life that never gets off ...

1238. Too Good Not to Be True

Luke 24:36-49

Sermon

King Duncan

... That phrase was very poignant to me, but it’s also a very good definition of a person who’s come to see that life is not about carnal things, or success, but is about eternity rather than time . . . I don’t really belong here, I’m simply staying here.” (4) The point is that Muggeridge experienced a radical change in his life after he came to the realization that Christ is real and that Christ is alive. But what he discovered much to his amazement was that his new life was so far superior to his ...

1239. A Mother's Love

John 15:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

... ? She wants it to remember how it got up. “In the wild, baby giraffes must be able to get up as quickly as possible to stay with the herd and avoid becoming a meal for lions, hyenas, leopards, and wild hunting dogs. The best way a mother giraffe has of ensuring that ... love for us is eternal. Like a mother’s love for her child. He is the vine, we are the branches. Stay connected to Christ . . . for heaven’s sake. 1. Teresa Bloomingdale. Cited in God’s Devotional Book for Mothers (Colorado Springs, CO ...

1240. Penguins in Mission

Ephesians 1:1-14

Sermon

King Duncan

... don’t try to fend for themselves. They huddle together in tight bunches for warmth and protection against the bitter winds and sub‑zero temperatures. The entire flock moves as one, huddles as one, stays together as one unit in order to preserve these eggs. They strive together for one goal to stay warm in order to produce offspring; and the bitter and brutal winter of Antarctica will not deter them from their goal. (1) This singleness of purpose and cooperative spirit, says Margaret Manning, are a ...

1241. In Search of Jesus

John 6:16-24

Sermon

King Duncan

... appear that the end was near. She had virtually no strength. She couldn’t walk or carry out her daily living activities without help. She slept for long periods of time. She entered the hospital for what the doctor was sure was her last stay there. Then it happened. One of her daughters became pregnant with the granddaughter Eva had always wanted. Eva made a rally that amazed everyone. Her strength increased, but, more important, her will to live was renewed. Within days she was released from the hospital ...

1242. Go Fly A Kite

John 6:25-59

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... a sturdy string, tethering it to the ground, the kite can fly. But there is a paradox at the heart of kite-flying. In order to stay aloft, you have to be grounded. And the higher you soar, the more tethered you need to be. Holding tight to the tethering string is ... with the kite. A kite can do all sorts of spectacular things sail, dip, soar, swoop and re-group as long as the string stays taut and tough. Let go of the string and what happens? The kite might make a few impressive free-for-all swoops and spins. ...

1243. Don’t Tempt Me—But If You Do I’m Ready

1 Corinthians 10:13

Sermon

James Merritt

... of all of us. Mark Twain once said, "There are several good protections against temptation, but the surest is cowardice. It is easier to stay out than to get out." How do you escape temptation? Well, first of all, if at all possible do not get into a ... to steal an apple?" The little boy said, "No, sir, I'm trying not to." If you don't want to eat the devil's apples stay out of his orchard. Let me tell you a second way to escape temptation. If you do happen to stumble into a tempting situation get out ...

1244. Friends

1 Samuel 18:1-4

Sermon

James Merritt

... the people you may work with or live next door to. Then there are genuine friends who will stick with you and stay with you no matter what. One very important lesson to always remember is you cannot choose who your loyal friends will be ... was on the run from King Saul. He was out in the wilderness being hunted like a wild animal. We read these incredible words, "David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph and Saul sought him every day, but God ...

1245. I’ve Lost the Cutting Edge

2 Kings 6:1-7

Sermon

James Merritt

... and upward and outward for the glory of God. One of the ways to deal with losing your cutting edge is to stay productive. Everybody wants to be productive. A psychologist at Stanford University tried to show that we live for productive results, or what ... is the way God's work is to be done. I firmly believe if Elisha had said to them, "I will not go," they would have stayed behind. They were saying to Elisa, "We will work for you, but we will not work without you." You see what mattered to these young men ...

1246. How to Preach a God-Sized Message to a Media Filled World

2 Timothy 4:1-5

Sermon

James Merritt

... he thought to himself that he was a deacon and if the deacons didn't go, who would? He put on his boots, hat and coat and walked six miles to this Methodist church. When he got there, he discovered most of the members did stay home. As a matter of fact, even the pastor stayed in bed. Only 13 people were present (12 members and 1 visitor - a thirteen year old boy). Somebody suggested that they go home since they didn't have a preacher, but Robert Eagland would hear none of that. They had walked this far in ...

1247. The Big Picture

Romans 11:36, Ephesians 1:5, Colossians 3:18-21

Sermon

James Merritt

... , marry good looking people and have beautiful children. We want our husbands and dads to be successful, admired, and above all - cool. We want our wives and mothers to be a good cook, keep a neat house, answer our every beck and call, and other than that stay out of the way. More times than not, family members simply don't live up to those expectations. Here is the good news we are going to learn today. God only has one expectation for the family. His one expectation is this - God desires for the family to ...

1248. Close Up: Husbands - Be a Dream Lover

Colossians 3:19

Sermon

James Merritt

... 3:16, NASB) I will repeat something - it is a volitional love, rather than an emotional love. It is a love that literally refuses to die. It is a love that fights through feelings, conquers circumstances, deals with disappointments and stays the course. I don't have to tell you, you can probably guess, any love that stays the course in this day and age is going to have to make sacrifices. The type of sacrificial love I am talking about is the love that Jesus Christ has shown for you and me. Paul in another ...

1249. At Your Service Lord

Ephesians 4:11-12

Sermon

James Merritt

... said, "I sweep the floor." Everybody gave an answer but one little boy sitting in the back. He didn't say anything. The teacher looked at him and said, "Johnny, what do you do to help out at home?" He said, "I stay out of the way." There are far too many church members in the church who just stay out of the way. A Gallup poll discovered that only 10% of church members are active in any kind of personal ministry in their church. Well what is even more amazing is that 50% of all church members said they have ...

1250. Member Means Minister

Ephesians 4:11-12

Sermon

James Merritt

... said, "I sweep the floor." Everybody gave an answer, but one little boy sitting in the back. He didn't say anything. The teacher looked at him and said, "Danny, what do you do to help out at home?" He said, "I stay out of the way!" There are far too many church members in the church who just stay out of the way. A Gallup Poll discovered that only 10% of church members are active in any kind of personal ministry in their church. What was even more amazing is that 50% of all church members said they have no ...

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