Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1351 to 1375 of 1795 results

1351. Spiritual Needs of Americans

Illustration

Staff

... has a purpose. To have sense of community and deeper relationships. To be appreciated and respected. To be listened to and heard. To feel that one is growing in the faith. To have practical help in developing a mature faith. This is a powerful indictment of the tepid, culture-soaked style of church life in our generation. It is astonishing to discover that the majoirty of Americans are now disillusioned with the traditional church!

1352. Nervous Stomach

Illustration

C. Swindoll

... . Then, in a radio interview, I heard a comment from Russell that immediately made me feel closer to him, though I have never met the man. The sports reporter asked the all-pro basketball star if he ever got nervous. Russell's answer was surprising. He said, in his inimitable style of blunt honesty, "Before every game, I vomit." Shocked, the sportscaster asked what he did if they played two games the same day. Unflappable Russell replied, "I vomit twice."

1353. Method to the Madness

Illustration

... of lives during and after World War I. He was familiar with Latin and proficient in the principles of mining and metallurgy. Yet his Presidency was a failure. Poor judgment (high tariffs and taxes) did him in. Franklin Roosevelt's managerial style was the antithesis of Hoover's. He often put off making decisions. He didn't respect lines of authority. He would deliberately give different aides similar assignments. He incessantly played members of his official family against one another. Internal battles were ...

1354. But Not Today

Illustration

Grace E. Easley

... this stout heart be brought to terms by age? I shall grow old, perhaps, but not today, and scorning Time who would enlist my tears, I stand convinced there is a better way, of occupying all the coming years. I shall grow old, perhaps, but not today, in my own style and in my own sweet time, no night so dark there does not fall a ray of light along the pathway that I climb. Just say of me, when my last hour slips like one bright leaf to softly rest among the others..."Life was Summer to the heart, of ...

1355. How Much Is That Preacher?

Illustration

Jean Shaw

... sermons, two of which have been printed in Christian Leaders Magazine. He's not too bad. Can you do something about his bald head? Mrs. Penner especially insists that our minister have some hair. Madam, all our ministers come in a variety of hair styles. Keep him in mind. I want to show you the Areopagus #222. Four years of varsity sports at Boston College. Plays football, basketball, volleyball, and Ping-Pong. Comes complete with sports equipment. What a physique! He must weigh 200 pounds! Yes, indeed. You ...

1356. Old Scrap Iron

Illustration

Jon Johnston

... for the Baltimore Orioles in the 1950s. During his career he earned the nickname of Scrap Iron, implying that he was hard, weathered, tough. Old Scrap broke no records only bones. He had little power or speed on the base paths. As for grace and style, he made the easiest play look rather difficult. But armed with mitt and mask, Scrap Iron never flinched from any challenge. Batters often missed the ball and caught his shin. Their foul tips nipped his elbow. Runners fiercely plowed into him, spikes first, as ...

1357. True Service

Illustration

Richard Foster

... chooses whom to serve. True service is indiscriminate in its ministry. Self-righteous service is affected by moods and whims. True service ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need. Self-righteous service is temporary. True service is a life-style. Self-righteous service is without sensitivity. It insists on meeting the need even when to do so would be destructive. True service can withhold the service as freely as perform it. Self-righteous service fractures community. True service, on the ...

1358. Reword the Question

Illustration

Roger van Oech

... one color ("Any color you want as long as it's black'). He believed that he had a formula that worked, and he didn't want to change it. This prevented him from seeing the rise of a post World War I consumer class that wanted a variety of styles and colors from which to choose. As a result, Ford lost market share to General Motors. The moral of the story is don't take the first solution that comes to you. Turn things over. Make obvious solutions wrong and find another way. Avoid falling in love with ideas ...

1359. The Ways of the World

Illustration

Dave Roper

... the pride of life (self-satisfaction in who we are, what we have, and what we have done). Worldliness, then, is a preoccupation with ease and affluence. It elevates creature comfort to the point of idolatry; large salaries and comfortable life-styles become necessities of life. Worldliness is reading magazines about people who live hedonistic lives and spend too much money on themselves and wanting to be like them. But more importantly, worldliness is simply pride and selfishness in disguises. It's being ...

1360. Bless Our Ferrari

Humor Illustration

... our Ferrari?" "How can I do that?" he asked. "I've never heard of a Ferrari!" Finally, they called a somewhat liberal Protestant minister. "Pastor, would you say a blessing over our new Ferrari?" "Wow! A Ferrari!" he answered. "With the powerful engine and the great handling, and that sleek styling! But tell me, what's a blessing?"

1361. How to Handle a Bad Singer

Humor Illustration

... problems? We still need good people for the handbell choir. Here's a book on spiritual gifts, why don't you look through it and we can find another place in the church for you to effectively minister. It's a shame composers don't write more songs in your style. You have a unique range - you hit both notes well. Did you know there is a new Bible study starting the same night as choir practice; I think you'd get a lot from it. You have excellent posture.

1362. The Four Sacred Chords of Home

Mark 13:24-37

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... ?v=4HJ2Qkys86c These four chords are “home base.” These four home-base chords are the foundation upon which a vast amount of human creativity and divine inspiration has been built. Listen to the music. All those songs. All those tunes. All those styles. They all vastly different. Yet they all somehow resonate with our souls. Those four simple chords speak to us —in different ways and at different times. The Christmas story is a homecoming because it strikes all four chords, the sacred chords of home ...

1363. Mark 1:1-8

Mark 1:1-8

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... a century later Josephus found John the Baptizer sufficiently significant to mention his activities in the official historical record. Mark also notes John’s personal distinctiveness. His “wilderness” location is played out in his own “wild style.” Although unusual clothing, lifestyles, hairstyles, and diets are still part of many religious communities (Amish, Luddites, Reorganized Church of LDS), John the Baptist’s dress and diet were unusual enough to merit mention. His wilderness identity ...

1364. Whistling Jesus

John 15:1-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... the now famous name of “Dr. Seuss,” transformed reading to our little ones from dull and dreary tales of “Dick and Jane” to the lyrical fun of “The Cat in the Hat.” Adding to this new literary library was a protégé of the Dr. Seuss style, the books of P.D. Eastman. His “classics” in this new children’s literature include “Go, Dog, Go,” “One Fish, Two fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish,” and especially, my favorite, “Are You My Mother?” Just in case you did not get the chance to read ...

1365. With Age Comes Wisdom?

Humor Illustration

... . I read in Reader's Digest of a man who had just turned sixty, planting his spring garden, with the help of his 91-year-old father. The older man began to set up the bean poles in straight lines, but his son protested that arranging them teepee-style was better. They argued for several minutes over which method was best. Finally, the son said, "Dad, this is my garden, and I want to use the teepees!" The father threw down his hoe and stomped off toward the house, snorting as he went, "You kids! Turn sixty ...

1366. Don’t Get Into Things!

Luke 24:50-53

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... -Elijah-Jesus museum. When Jesus miraculously appears walking on the water towards his boat bound disciples, Peter is the one who eagerly jumps ship to join him. Peter is a man of action. Sitting and waiting on the Lord is not his style. Peter had also denied Jesus three times. Judas’ traitorous actions led to Jesus’ arrest, but Peter’s cowardly denials denigrated his own status as disciple. Although there were strong symbolic reasons to have twelve disciples, representing the twelve tribes of Israel ...

1367. God’s Two Hands

John 16:5-16

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... a manger.” A Son is better than a statement Among scholars both within and without the church, Jesus is lauded for his unique and memorable abilities as a teacher. In fact, more and more writers are arguing that Jesus’ teaching and preaching style seem as much if not more applicable to the 21st century setting than the first century context. Jesus’ pithy parables, probing questions, dissecting diatribes, gentle humor, ironic satire, use of signs — all are trotted out as evidence of a great teacher ...

1368. Ministry Everywhere

Mk 3:20-30

Illustration

King Duncan

Let me tell you about a man named Paige Patterson. Paige's style of ministry and even his theology may not exactly fit ours, but Paige cares about people. Paige ministered to troubled youth in ways that no one else did. He would go to places where youth were, like bars, nightclubs and the streets. At first the people in his church were ...

1369. The Great Divide

Luke 16:19-31

Sermon

... , this week's meal was no different. Some of our congregation arrived early and attended a prayer service upstairs and when they finished and the doors opened, our guests streamed in. Our youth worked hard and when it came time to serve the family-style meals they jumped right in, served the food, filled their glasses, talked with the neighborhood children, and enthusiastically handed out dessert at the end of the meal. We were nervous that we hadn't prepared enough, but somehow, some way, no one went home ...

1370. Humility

Ephesians 6:10-20

Illustration

Billy D. Strayhorn

... the size of their mansion. The preacher was getting excited. If these people, just your ordinary everyday kind of Christians got these kind of mansions, imagine what he was going to get. As they ended their trek through the neighborhood, they came upon a large Texas style ranch house. It was gorgeous, but wasn't huge. It had everything you could imagine, but it was nowhere near what he was expecting. So he asked why? St. Peter sort of grinned and said: "Oh, we appreciate everything you did. You're a great ...

1371. Repressive Religion

Luke 13:10-17

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... convey that day in the synagogue? Not really. The word we are to hear is about religion, or better, about religiosity, and how seriously we are to take it. The point is that there is such a thing as too much. Mae West, in her inimitable style, once said, "Too much of a good thing is ... wonderful!" But most of us know that anything good can be pushed beyond its appropriate limits. Be careful. Eighteen years — can you imagine seeing nothing but dirt and other people's feet for eighteen years? Jesus offered ...

1372. Easter 5

Psalm 148:1-14, John 13:31-35, Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... places. The commandments and guidelines for the common good have become “old hat” and are easily set aside as marketing for cars and toothpaste appeals to the human senses as well as to the practical aspect. Bottles are beautiful; aromas tantalize; motorcycles have style. Television and games dull the senses to real violence and real joy. Given these facts, how do children and adults hear “a new commandment: Love one another” and “I saw a new heaven and a new earth”? How do adults let go of ...

1373. Epiphany 6

Psalm 1:1-6, Jeremiah 17:5-10, Luke 6:17-26, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... these thoughts and behaviors and pray for freedom from guilt. As this year matures, transform us to live fully aware of your indwelling love. Amen. Sermon Idea Social events as well as employment events are times when others are observing us — our conversation style, the beverages we hold in our hands, our ability to listen/hear. As friends of Jesus, we also exhibit the gifts of the Spirit. Is there a reward for our good behavior? What is our satisfaction? Where do we get encouragement to be faithful ...

1374. Proper 9

2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30:1-12; 66:1-20, Isaiah 60:10-14, Luke 10:1-24, Galatians 6:1-16

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... (kingdom of God). Given this generation’s technology and dependence upon multiple nations for supplies, we may want to think about non-literal meanings for “shake off the dust” of a place that is not accepting of a particular promotion style of Jesus’ teachings. The scriptures hold out hope for wholeness — spiritual, physical, governmental — for people and the earth. The element of God’s justice/judgment must be handled gently, without arrogance. Some of the ideas used for Earth Day in ...

1375. Proper 13

Psalm 107:1-9, 43, Hosea 11:1-11, Luke 12:13-21, Colossians 3:1-11

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... Canyon; let us find images that open us to adventure with Great Mystery. Flow in and out of us to a world choking on obsolete symbols and perceptions of another era. Lift our faith from the ruts of paths well traveled to explore contemporary styles; help us step from the still life of the institutional church and move with vitality to the shapes and colors of new life. Generous Spirit — warfulness and catastrophe visit so many places and people! Sitting here in the safety of this sanctuary, we abandon ...

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Antonyms: deficient, imperfect

Showing 1351 to 1375 of 1795 results

1351. Spiritual Needs of Americans

Illustration

Staff

1352. Nervous Stomach

Illustration

C. Swindoll

1353. Method to the Madness

Illustration

1354. But Not Today

Illustration

Grace E. Easley

1355. How Much Is That Preacher?

Illustration

Jean Shaw

1356. Old Scrap Iron

Illustration

Jon Johnston

1357. True Service

Illustration

Richard Foster

1358. Reword the Question

Illustration

Roger van Oech

1359. The Ways of the World

Illustration

Dave Roper

1360. Bless Our Ferrari

Humor Illustration

1361. How to Handle a Bad Singer

Humor Illustration

1362. The Four Sacred Chords of Home

Mark 13:24-37

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

1363. Mark 1:1-8

Mark 1:1-8

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

1364. Whistling Jesus

John 15:1-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

1365. With Age Comes Wisdom?

Humor Illustration

1366. Don’t Get Into Things!

Luke 24:50-53

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

1367. God’s Two Hands

John 16:5-16

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

1368. Ministry Everywhere

Mk 3:20-30

Illustration

King Duncan

1369. The Great Divide

Luke 16:19-31

Sermon

1370. Humility

Ephesians 6:10-20

Illustration

Billy D. Strayhorn

1371. Repressive Religion

Luke 13:10-17

Sermon

David E. Leininger

1372. Easter 5

Psalm 148:1-14, John 13:31-35, Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

1373. Epiphany 6

Psalm 1:1-6, Jeremiah 17:5-10, Luke 6:17-26, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

1374. Proper 9

2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30:1-12; 66:1-20, Isaiah 60:10-14, Luke 10:1-24, Galatians 6:1-16

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

1375. Proper 13

Psalm 107:1-9, 43, Hosea 11:1-11, Luke 12:13-21, Colossians 3:1-11

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

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