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Showing 1376 to 1400 of 4933 results

1376. Maundy Thursday

John 13:1-17

Bulletin Aid

Craig M. Sweet

Reader 1: Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. Reader 2: And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel ...

1377. Expect Great Things To Happen!

Genesis 15:1-18

Sermon

Clement E. Lewis

Who of us has not, at some time, had the experience of feeling, that in spite of all that we have done, nothing of great importance is going to come of it. When that is the case, we often blame others, God, or ourselves as failures, and become apathetic, disgusted, or depressed. Some even have tantrums because they feel so frustrated. It is no small wonder that Abram was disquieted. Often when a man had no direct descendant, the chief servant became the overseer of his estate. He was concerned that Ishmael ...

1378. A Daze of Days

2 Peter 3:1-18

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: A box of salt. Good morning, boys and girls. Do you remember that we talked last week about the idea that this was a new year in church? (Let them answer.) Everything starts over with the first day, the first week and even the first month. It all seems fresh to us as we wait for Jesus to come into our hearts all over again. Have you ever wondered how many times Christians have done this? (Let them answer.) I wonder why God doesn't send Jesus so that we can be done with all of our waiting. Most of ...

1379. When God’s “No” Means “Yes”

Habakkuk 1:1-4, Habakkuk 2:2-20

Sermon

Richard Hasler

Augustine in his autobiographical work Confessions tells the story of his mother Monica’s constant prayers for him. She wished that one day her vagabond son would become a committed Christian. When Augustine decided to leave North Africa and sail for Rome she was horrified. She believed that in Rome’s cosmopolitan environment he would go further astray. She pleaded with him not to sail and prayed with tears that God would intervene, but to no avail. Later, Augustine inscribed these words in the Confessions ...

1380. Honest to Goodness Religion

Hosea 4:1-19

Sermon

"For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice." (v. 6) Prayer: Lord, Instill in us a sense of wonder that you really care what we do with our lives. Lead us to a greater appreciation of your love so we may never take it for granted. Amen There is a captivating story written by an English novelist, C. E. Montague, entitled Rough Justice.9 The story tells of a little boy, Bron, who was brought to church for the first time in his life, where his uncle was the vicar. For the boy it was an intriguing ...

1381. Right on the Bull's-Eye

1 Timothy 6:11

Children's Sermon

Object: A target. Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have ever used a bow and arrow? (Let them answer.) A lot of you have shot an arrow with a bow. How many of you have ever played the game of darts? (Let them answer.) Some of you have done this also. Now, when you use a bow or throw some darts, what do you aim at? (Let them answer.) That's right, a target. You need a target if you are going to shoot an arrow or throw a dart. Otherwise there would be no fun to it. What do you try to hit on the ...

1382. Lent 4

John 9:1-12

Sermon Aid

Liturgical Color: Purple Gospel: John 9:1-41, Matthew 20:17-28 Theme: Who in the world wants to be a servant? Bulletin Cover Suggestion: Kairos, Box 24056, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55424 has developed "The Church in the World Bulletin Series." For the theme of servanthood. Jesus' words about servanthood appear on the cover with a picture of "Playboy" symbols. Of all the bulletin covers I've ever used, this one has caused the most conversation. Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration Consider this: If this is ...

1383. Who Is He?

Matthew 16:13-20

Sermon

King Duncan

Like other great newspapers the Washington Post has a room filled with file folders. These folders contain information on famous people who are no longer alive. Each of these famous people is identified with a single vocational notation ("home run king," "motion picture star," etc.). One of these is marked "Jesus Christ." The notation is simply "martyr." Coming to grips with who Jesus is and what He means to us is the most important task we have. It has often been noted that Jesus' favorite teaching method ...

1384. Would You Mind Rescuing Me?

Luke 24:36-49

Sermon

King Duncan

The headline read, "He Can `Marry' People If Not Distracted By Mouse." The article was about a scam operation that was exposed in Cleveland, Tennessee this past year. The operation ordains ministers for $20 each. The president of the Huntsville, Alabama, Better Business Bureau decided to check out the operation. She sent in an application and a check for her few-months-old cat. She answered questions truthfully and listed his birthdate as a few months previous. Explaining his call to ministry she wrote, " ...

1385. Will This Be On The Test?

Deuteronomy 6:1-25

Sermon

King Duncan

To begin this morning, I want to take you back to your school days and start this sermon with some of the worst words a student could hear: "POP QUIZ." (Ask the congregation questions about the Bible and allow them time to answer.) 1. Where in the Bible does it tell how a man wipes dishes? Answer: II KINGS 21:13 "AND I WILL WIPE JERUSALEM AS MAN WIPETH A DISH, WIPING IT AND TURNING IT UPSIDE DOWN." 2. Who took off his shoe to bind a contract? Answer: BOAZ, RUTH 4:7-9. "THIS WAS THE MANNER IN FORMER TIME IN ...

1386. Haunted By The Cross

John 18:1-11; 18:33-19:16; 19:28-42

Drama

King Duncan

A Drama for Good Friday [This Good Friday drama can be approached in two ways: Ideally you have talented people in your church who will memorize their parts and perform in costume. This would be powerful and memorable. Otherwise, it could be presented as Readers' Theater, with a narrator and actors simply reading their lines. Suggested hymns to play softly in the background during readings and monologues: 1. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Simon Peter) 2. Just As I Am, Without One Plea (Samaritan woman) ...

1387. Paths of Righteousness

Psalm 23:1-6

Sermon

Eric Ritz

We are continuing in our study of the 23rd Psalm and we shall begin where we left off last Sunday. Now we examine the words, "In the Paths of Righteousness." Righteousness is a good word. It is strong, clear and concise. Righteousness is a noun, therefore it is able to stand up in any room and say what it is! That is what nouns are, that is what nouns do. If you want definitions, nouns can give you definitions. (1) Now, the word "Righteousness" is a good word, but we have allowed someone to hijack it, ...

1388. Exit and Entrance

Galatians 4:21-31

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

It was in the newspaper back in the late 1950’s, at the height of the civil rights movement - an unforgettable picture which captured not only the emotion of one man, but the deep sense of freedom and joy and release and affirmation of a whole people. A black man, who must have been over 100 years old, was being carried on the shoulders of a group of young men. They were taking him up the steps of a courthouse in a Southern town to register to vote. The caption beneath the picture said he was born a slave ...

1389. Embracing Christ—The Light of the World

John 8:12-20

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

Do you remember the old story about an atheist walking through the woods admiring all the accidents of nature? As he absorbed the majestic trees, the powerful rivers, the beautiful animals, he suddenly heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. Turning to see what was the matter, the atheist found himself face-to-face with a seven-foot grizzly bear. The atheist did what any of us would do. He ran for dear life, but the bear was too fast and the atheist soon fell to the ground in exhaustion. Now eye-to-eye ...

1390. Freedom Calling

Galatians 5:1-15

Sermon

April Yamasaki

Free! No obligation, no sales person will call! Free! Don't miss this opportunity! Free! Two sets for the price of one! In the world of advertising, something is free if you don't have to pay for it; if there's no money down, no payments to make; if you get something for nothing — or at least two for the price of one! Galatians 5:1, 13-25 describes a different kind of freedom. It isn't free in the sense of no cost — in fact, this freedom was purchased at the great cost of Jesus' own life. It isn't ...

1391. Luke 17:5-10

Luke 17:1-10

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

From the moment we enter kindergarten we are told that if we work hard, follow the rules, keep looking ahead, and set goals, we will be rewarded. Good grades in high school will get us into a good college. Graduate at the top of the class and we will get a good job. Work hard, keep our noses to the grindstone and a better position and a bigger paycheck will come our way. Politically we may live in a democracy, but personally and professionally, we want to live in a meritocracy. In this week’s gospel text ...

1392. Collection and Travel Plans

1 Corinthians 16:5-18, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

Big Idea: Because the Christ communities in Corinth serve a Lord whose household stretches around the world, their local communities are members of a global community. With this come special relationships, privileges, and responsibilities for “brothers and sisters” who serve the same Lord (or Patron). Understanding the Text Paul has concluded his major discussions and is now rounding out his letter with a series of remarks on issues that just need a brief comment. Before his final remarks and greetings in ...

1393. Zion's New Name

Isaiah 62:1-12

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

Five Responses to Yahweh’s Promises: Chapters 61 and 62 recapitulate much of chapter 60, but they do so in a new framework. They offer five responses to those promises. Whereas the prophet’s word was a brisk preliminary to Yahweh’s word in 59:21–60:22, in chapters 61–62 the prophet speaks a number of times in a way that has significance in its own right but also introduces recapitulations of the promises. Accounts of a prophet’s own experience or actions appear in the OT because the testimony is in some ...

1394. How To Treat Your Enemies

2 Samuel 18:1-18

Sermon

Stephen M. Crotts

Did you hear about the man who went into the preaching ministry, worked for seven years, then resigned to go back to medical school and become a doctor? "People," he explained, "don't want spiritual health. They just want to feel good." But after working as a physician for seven years, he again resigned, this time to go back to school. "I'm going to become a lawyer," he explained, "because, in the end, people don't want spiritual health. They don't even want physical health. They just want to get even." I ...

1395. The Parable Of Big Business

Matthew 25:14-30

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme: In the Kingdom of God increased responsibility necessitates increased faithfulness. Summary: The boss delegates responsibilities before he leaves and each of his assistants handles the responsibility according to his level of faith and obedience. The first two people receive praise for their efforts when the boss returns, but the last person receives no praise because he wasted his time. Playing Time: 8 minutes Setting: The boss's office Props: Files Notebooks Phones Gun Costumes: Business Time: The ...

1396. We Come to Jesus for Rest

Mark 6:30-44

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

In the first days, people came to Jesus for rest, to hear his teaching, and to be healed. We still do this today, because Jesus is still the greatest of all teachers and healers. Greeting Leader: Jesus said to his disciples, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest awhile." People: Jesus, we also need your rest. Leader: Jesus saw the crowds were like sheep without a shepherd, so he began to teach them many things. People: Jesus, be our shepherd and teach us. Leader: Wherever Jesus went ...

1397. The Napkin in the Grave

John 20:7

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: A linen napkin. Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are going to talk about some of the things that the followers of Jesus found when they went to the place where he was buried and found him risen from the dead. We talk a lot about that day a long time ago, but I want you to pretend that you were there the first day when it all happened. You are going to think about how sad you are to know that your very favorite person has died and was put into a grave on Friday. Today is Sunday and that means ...

1398. Lent 1

Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon Aid

Liturgical Color: Purple Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11 Theme: The temptations of Jesus - keeping priorities straight. Bulletin Heading Suggestion: Revise the heading to fit the season, as for example: Lent, The Season of Renewal The Community Gathers To Examine Its Reason for Being As It Prepares for the Easter-event. Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration Try this: Place some contemporary pictures around the sanctuary which depict scenes of the temptations which Jesus faces. Invite the people to walk around ...

1399. The Trinity

Matthew 28:16-20

Sermon

Brett Blair

A preacher proudly boasted that he does not preach doctrinal sermons. They are boring he asserts and people do not understand or relate to them. Further, he claimed, I am a preacher and not a theologian. I get down do the practical issues and simply preach Christ crucified. His thinking is faulty at several points. First, he is wrong when he says that he is not a theologian. The fact is that everyone to a certain extent is a theologian. Theology is nothing more than what you think about God. Well, shouts ...

1400. How Much Do You Trust God?

Genesis 22:1-19

Sermon

King Duncan

A farmer was out driving his tractor one day when he rolled onto a stretch of gopher mounds. The earth crumbled beneath one tire and the tractor rolled over on its side. Luckily, the farmer escaped the situation with only a few bruises. He went home and told his wife. She breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Honey, the Lord sure was with you." The farmer surveyed his bruises and answered, "Well, if He was, He sure got a rough ride." Abraham and Sarah knew that God was with them. They were a fortunate ...

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