Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1351 to 1375 of 4977 results

1351. A Law We Can Live With

Exodus 20:1-21

Sermon

Robert S. Crilley

... some kind of balance and preventing myself from being tipped over and drowning shows that my life is mostly a struggle for survival: not a holy struggle, but an anxious struggle resulting from the mistaken idea that it is the world that defines me. As long as I keep running around asking: "Do you love me? Do you really love me?" I give all power to the voices of the world and put myself in bondage because the world is filled with "ifs." The world says: "Yes, I love you if you are good-looking, intelligent ...

1352. Sometimes, You Gotta Get Your Feet Wet First

Joshua 3:1-4:24

Sermon

Robert S. Crilley

... of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the edge of the water ...." It has been said that faith is always better understood as a verb than a noun.5 But if you ask me, it's actually more of a participle -- that is, something you need to keep doing. Paul Scherer once compared it to riding a bicycle. "The only safety there is," he said, "lies in riding! Otherwise you can't even stay on. Momentum is the secret of poise."6 At the very least, faith can ill afford to be treated leisurely, or worse still, at ...

1353. Emmanuel: An Advent Dayenu

Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon

Mark Radecke

... to the frail and feeble hands of humankind -- what greater risk could there be than that? This is our assurance that God is not asking us to do anything that God is not willing to do: to take a risk. In our case, the risk is trusting God and keeping the faith, despite all invitations to do otherwise. His name shall be called Emmanuel -- which means, "God is with us." To trust that it is so is a risk worth taking, a Spirit-empowered choice worth making. Not only can you believe it; you can bet your life on ...

1354. Details

Matthew 9:35-38, Matthew 10:1-42

Sermon

Marc Kolden

... the mission to the Gentiles will never cancel but will always include the mission to the lost sheep of Israel. A detail here that just cannot be seen in English is found in the force of the Greek form of the word "go"; it has the effect of saying keep going to the lost sheep of Israel. It would seem to press in the direction of a continuing mission to Israel, even though this is not popular among many Christians today. This issue cannot be solved with one little verse. But it can be clarified by the final ...

1355. Getting Out Of Our Own Way

Matthew 16:21-28

Sermon

Roger G. Talbott

... book of Revelation, we wouldn't even think of Satan as the Prince of Darkness. Satan, throughout most of the Bible, is just the one who keeps getting in people's way. You and I both know, when we are really honest with ourselves, that most people's real problem in life -- and ... in life -- is that we get in our own way. We are not as loving and as free as we were created to be because we keep getting in our own way. Sometimes we get in each other's way, too, and we do it thinking that we are being loving. A ...

1356. I Saw The Risen Christ Last Week -- And It Wasn't Even Easter

John 20:10-31

Sermon

Wallace H. Kirby

... the resurrection stories, there is a lot of confusion about where Jesus was seen and who saw him. You can really have a devil's field day if you try to put the world of facts and science alongside the reported resurrection stories. There is one thing we need to keep in mind and remember. The Gospel writers were not as concerned with facts as we are. For example, we do not know, from their accounts, whether Jesus was six feet two inches tall or five feet four inches in height. We don't know if he had a beard ...

1357. Affirming The Ash Heap

Job 2:1-10, Mark 8:31--9:1

Sermon

Wallace H. Kirby

... good luck will not end? Do I depend on my virtuous living to protect me from any mishaps or misfortunes? Do I pray that God will keep me safe? And on the other hand, what do I do if disaster strikes? What kind of person would I be if all that is ... we have kept on living, and even though that pain may be fresh every day, we still get up, wash our face, and keep going. There may have been ash heaps of rejection, alienation, hostility, estrangement, ridicule. We are not exempt from any of these because we ...

1358. More Than Sex

Sermon

John N. Brittain

... , when the Jewish rabbis met in Jamnia in 90 A.D. to set the canon of the Hebrew Bible, there was such great debate over whether such a steamy document should be included. But cool heads prevailed and it was, for two reasons, one of which is very much in keeping with the spirit of our times, and one of which is not; but both of which I suspect at least some couples understand. The first reason the Song of Solomon made it into the canon is that it is about sexuality and sexuality is a good, God-given gift ...

1359. The First Hole

Acts 2:42-47

Sermon

Robert R. Kopp

... solid! Over two decades later, I cannot get those three B's out of my mind. Whether it's planning church strategy or facing the first tee, it's how I approach just about everything. Reverend Mante gave me a Princeton Seminary chair to celebrate my ordination. I keep it in my study. I sit on it for meetings and during counseling. It helps me to remember the two greatest lessons taught to me by my pastor. First, unconditionally love people no matter how weird or wily -- and I recall how he loved me when I fit ...

1360. Leave It On The Course

1 Timothy 3:1-16

Sermon

Robert R. Kopp

... . Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.' " Jerry lived thanks to the skills of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything. And that's why I keep all of those smiley faces in my study. That's why I play golf. That's why I tell folks to find a therapeutic distraction and become addicted to it. That's why I tell folks and often remind myself, "Leave it on the course!" The problems don't go ...

1361. A Positive Addiction

Romans 1:1-17

Sermon

Robert R. Kopp

... focus of our faith. And as I tell our new members, if we agree on Jesus, everything else will eventually work out. 2. Career Bureaucrats Need Not Apply -- Everybody knows our denomination is dying. So why would we be interested in someone schooled in keeping us headed in the wrong direction? We need someone who has been in the trenches, survived, succeeded, and empathetically knows what makes churches grow. Moreover, nobody in our local churches is going to listen to someone who tells us how to do what she ...

1362. Where The Halls Cross

Luke 10:25-37

Sermon

David O. Bales

... of you to write a page using the image of the student body as a video game, and what rules you'd change to make life here better. Keep asking yourself what the new social world would look like and what image you would use to describe it." Since Laura Epstein and I both planned a ... -- and he wouldn't even have to prepare. If he'd try one Sunday I'd be with him in the room. I guaranteed him I'd keep quiet if he didn't want help, but if he did I'd leap right in and do whatever I could. He wasn't as happy about ...

1363. King Ahaz,Idolater

Drama

Peter C. Garrison

... the gods in line. Ahaz: What do you mean? Other: Well, what good is a god without worshipers to be a god of, or a place to be god at? If your god doesn't keep up the good work, then you can move to a different place or take up someone else's god. It keeps gods humble -- in their place, if you get my meaning ... Ahaz: Yes. None of this, "You shall have no other gods before me," stuff. When I was king ... Other: Oh, you're a king? Ahaz: Was ... anyway, when I was a king, I worshiped about anything ...

1364. Dad, Does God Play Football?

Drama

Karren Boehr

... said everyone goes to heaven when they die. Is that right? FATHER: (Nervously continues to munch popcorn as he stares at the screen) Ah, sure ... something like that. Wow! Look at that! Boy, does that wide receiver have legs. (Excitedly) Go, go, go! First down! All right! (Keeps eye on screen) Remind me to throw you a few balls later. I'll bet you could be that good some day if you worked at it. SON: (Frustrated) Dad, I don't like football! FATHER: Oh, yes, you do, Son. Every man likes football. You'll ...

1365. Is There Any Seed Left In The Barn?

Haggai 2:19

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

... , not a day, and that requires some serious resolutions. Here are my Ten Commandments of Christmas: 1. Honor the Lord of the season -- not through deprivation or some misplaced sense of solemnity. We have been waiting all year for the king's arrival. This is a holiday. Keep it holy by celebrating with friends and family. 2. Let your gift giving be joyful. 3. You shall not be a slave to the greeting cards. 4. You shall do one thing you have never done. 5. You shall destroy one sacred cow, ignore one holiday ...

1366. The Season Of The Resurrection

Luke 24:44-53

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... , it also challenges us to confront the evil powers of the world, beginning in our own lives. It means that we open ourselves to the whole gospel, not just to those parts that make us feel good. All: Well, we have some fear about proceeding, but let's keep going. Hymn of Praise In light of the call to worship, I invite us to use this powerful hymn, "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name!" Prayer of Praise Focus on the victory of Jesus and the power that the ascended Christ promises us, as the body of believers ...

1367. Lent 5

John 12:20-36

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... of Praise Prepare the people for the necessity of Jesus' death, and what his death means to us as the church, as the world. ACTS OF CONFESSION Confession of Our Sins Which parts of your attitudes and behavior do you need to bury, and to keep them buried? Grudges, greed, lust, self-righteousness, false pride, and so on. Take two minutes to write them down. How will you go about having a burial service? Collect them in a fireproof container, and burn them, either in the sanctuary or outdoors. (One minute ...

1368. Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

John 6:16-24, John 6:1-15

Sermon Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... , night and day, to make us similar to everyone else -- means that we fight the hardest battle which anyone can fight -- this brings joy to us. We stay on top, though we do have our down times, because Christ first bids us to walk on the water, to keep our eyes on him. How do you stay on top? (Partial paraphrase of e.e. cummings.) Response "If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee" PROCLAMATION Message with the Children of All Ages Today, I am inviting only adults, all those over eighteen, to come forward for ...

1369. The Season Of The Holy Spirit

Mark 10:35-45

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... '; it requires love."1 So, in the light of that statement, Lord, open us to your use of power. M: And our lives shall express your power of servanthood. All: In Christ's power, we pray and live. COMMUNITY RESPONSE Message with the Children of All Ages Keep encouraging the "older" children to come forward each week. Do any of you enjoy being in charge, being the center of attention, when everyone does what you want? Your birthday party may be one of those times. Name some others. That's what James and John ...

1370. Gifts of Lent IV: Simon Gives His Strength

Mark 15:1-15

Drama

Donald Neidigk

... was King of the Jews, then he would be released. And Jesus' followers believed he was the King of the Jews, and therefore could not deny it. So the charges stood, and Jesus was crucified. At Golgotha, my job finished, I could have left and returned to Jerusalem. But now, keeping the feast was the last thing on my mind. I couldn't leave. I stayed to the bitter end. I even began to wonder if there was something else I could do for this man with the kind eyes. The day had started off sunny and full of hope ...

1371. The Mechanics Of Prayer

Matthew 6:5-15, Luke 11:1-13

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... everlasting God, who hast revealed thy glory to all nations in Jesus Christ and the word of his truth: Keep in safety, we beseech thee, the works of thy mercy, that thy church, spread throughout all nations, may serve in ... us. We see no sense in going on. All hope has been lost. We are in the cellar of our lives and cry out for light and reason to keep on going when all seems to be lost. Reflection/Discussion 1. Are there any "meaningless" prayers offered in your church? 2. What can anyone do to get a variety ...

1372. You Can Be Real

Matthew 5:33-37

Sermon

Michael B. Brown

... us that being dishonest is unnatural. It forces us to live in two worlds: one of fact and one of fantasy, and to remember and keep in order both those worlds. And that is unnatural. Boyd says: "If you decide to be a liar, you better have good memory, because you' ... had sat for decades. There was, though, one peculiar stipulation. Mr. Bentham's will read that in order for the hospital to keep the money, Bentham had to be present at every board meeting. So, for over 100 years the remains of Jeremy Bentham were ...

1373. Epiphany 8

Luke 6:37-42, Isaiah 55:1-13, Jeremiah 7:1-29, 1 Corinthians 15:35-58, Luke 6:46-49

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... . Lesson 1: Jeremiah 7:1-7 (8-15) What do you mean by what you do? Need: It is one thing to talk about doing. It is another to "do" without sincerely meaning what we say or pretend we mean. Actions can become empty lies. We need to keep a healthy marriage between head and heart, between action and intent. Outline: a. We are God's advertisement. 1. Worship is our proper response to God. 2. Worship says a lot about who we are. 3. Worship can become false advertising. b. What we need is "truth in packaging ...

1374. Advent 3

Luke 13:1-9, Exodus 3:1-22, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Isaiah 55:1-13

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... . Can we learn the lessons of history and save ourselves from future tragedy? 3. Faithful (v. 13). Why do we become disobedient even though we have received the blessings of God and his grace? It is due to temptation to rebel against God. No one can keep temptations from enticing us into sin and thus we must beware of being smug in our Christian membership, our church activities, and our devotional life. Our remaining faithful to God is in God's faithfulness to us. He will give us no greater temptation than ...

1375. Proper 11

Amos 8:1-14, Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:21-28

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... once estranged that they might be blameless before God, and Paul explains the purpose of his sufferings and ministry. Paul teaches that Christ suffered and died to reconcile us to the Father that we might appear before him as blameless. This depends on keeping the faith gained from hearing the Gospel. Paul rejoices in his sufferings which are lacking in Christ's sufferings for the church. Since the church is the body of Christ in the world which persecutes the church, both Christ and Christians continue to ...

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