Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: Levi, disciple, evangelist, tax collector, the 12, the twelve, apostle, sermon on the mount, jewish audience, beatitudes, lord's prayer, great commission, parables, olivet discourse, mount of olives, olivet, synoptic

Showing 1401 to 1425 of 3314 results

1401. Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-10

Drama

Jerry Eckert

... because he was fair, even after they had killed his workers. I was about 35, and living in Antioch, when I heard that my parents had disappeared. I don't know what happened to them. One rumor is that they were in prison in Caesarea where Paul the apostle was jailed. The rumor went on that, after he was released, my dad became the leader of the church there. There are a lot of stories about my dad, Zacchaeus. I'll never forget him. When things get really tough, I will always remember my dad saying, "Whenever ...

1402. Paul, The Great Missionary

Philippians 1:1-11

Drama

Jerry Eckert

... 1966, paraphrase. You might choose one more comfortable to your congregation. The other was finding a reader who could make the biblical material flow smoothly and conversationally for the purpose of the interview. According to recent studies by scholars, it appears that the apostle Paul was put in prison during his ministry in Ephesus. It was during the winter of 54-55 A.D., about a quarter century after the death of Jesus of Nazareth. While in prison, he continued to maintain contact with friends in the ...

1403. A Lack of Faith

Mark 6:1-6

Sermon Aid

Richard A. Jensen

... kind of role models are the twelve anyway? But, in spite of their seeming lack of understanding and fear (Mark 4:40-41), the twelve are sent on a mission to do what Jesus does in his mission. When they return from their sojourn they are called apostles for the first and only time in Mark's Gospel (6:30). This is surely a sign of the future. Jesus is preparing the disciples for their ministry beyond his death. This is clearly an anticipation of the Christian Church and its mission. The disciples go forth ...

1404. Trinity Sunday

John 3:1-21

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... their hands on the heads of the praying worshipers. The pastor can say, "What is born of the Spirit is spirit. (Name) , receive the Holy Spirit of God from Jesus Christ, the Son of God." The practice of laying on hands reaches back to the Apostles and helps people visualize what God is doing invisibly. If the second suggestion under "Reading the Scripture" is used, then a sermon on how God makes all things new might follow the singing. The preacher can emphasize the newness found in the "birth from above ...

1405. Teach Fear To Say Its Prayers

Mark 4:35-41

Sermon

Charles R. Leary

... . The boat on a stormy sea, the boat that carried Jesus and his disciples in the midst of an angry sea, has had its counterpart in every generation, possibly in every life. What storm threatens your boat right now? Faith did not shield the apostle Paul from being stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned. Hospitals today have many beds occupied by Christians and non-Christians. The highway deaths include those who profess Jesus as Lord as well as those who couldn’t care less. A study showed levels of stress on a ...

1406. Living By Faith And Trust

Mark 5:21-43

Sermon

Leonard H. Budd

... from most others. This is what he had written: "I desire also to bequeath to my children and their families my testimony to the truth and preciousness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This heritage of the Christian faith, received in unbroken line from the apostles and prophets and martyrs, is of infinitely more value than any house or automobile or land or material possession. I hereby bequeath it to them all." Trust in God and the life that God has given through Christ. Is that you? Beloved brothers and ...

1407. Pathway To God's Kingdom

Mark 4:26-29, Mark 4:30-34

Sermon

Leonard H. Budd

... As they grew in understanding about God's kingdom they also misunderstood. They denied knowledge of their confessed Master. In fear, they hid because of him. But as their growth continued they moved out of their hiding to be called, not disciples, but apostles, speakers for their Lord. This spiritual growth is part of this congregation these days. Through some of the church school classes, through the Bible studies, through our youth group, through the many caring ministries of the people of this church, a ...

1408. When Something Is About To Happen

Mark 13:32-37

Sermon

Thomas Long

... kept the line taut between their present experience and God's future, but as the days wore on and the suffering became intense, and the living memories of Jesus faded, and the world rolled on as before, the tension in the line slackened. The apostle Paul once captured the vibrant anticipation of those early days when he said, "The appointed time has grown very short." But, as one New Testament scholar observed, gradually the time grew "very long." It was not despite this, but, to the contrary, because of ...

1409. There's A Man Going Around Taking Names

John 1:19-28

Sermon

Thomas Long

... going around taking names. We are under constant trial, and it is no wonder, then, that one of the ways Christians have always understood the good news of what has happened in Jesus Christ is in terms of already being acquitted in the highest court of all. The apostle Paul once asked, "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? ... Who is to condemn?" The answer: No one, because the Judge himself was the very one who died for us, was raised from the dead, and even now prays for us (Romans 8:34). The ...

1410. Easter 4

Psalm 23:1-6, Acts 4:1-22, 1 John 3:11-24, John 10:1-21

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... that the full import of the claim becomes clear. CONTEXT Context of the Lectionary The First Lesson. (Acts 4:8-12) Even though Jesus was crucified the contention with his enemies continued. In this passage Peter asserts that the healings which the apostles performed were actually accomplished by the power of Jesus Christ, whom his enemies had had crucified but whom God had raised from the dead. Peter further made the bold claim that salvation, the fullest meaning of healing, was only possible according to ...

1411. Lessons for Lent 3

John 2:12-25

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... to do with duties toward God. The last six or seven focus on our relationship with other people. Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Paul receives reports of factions in the Corinthian church (v. 11). Different people claimed to possess the correct philosophy. The apostle informs them that a person cannot come to know God through human wisdom but through what the world considers foolishness, the gospel of Christ. We come to experience God not through the power of our intellect but through the power of the cross ...

1412. Proper 10

Mark 6:14-29, 2 Samuel 6:1-23, Ephesians 1:1-14

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... question Paul's authorship because the style and vocabulary differ and there are no personal references. I accept William Barclay's suggestion that the epistle differs because it was written under different circumstances than most of Paul's other letters; the apostle was in prison in Rome. Therefore, he had the time to reflect and carefully choose his words. Barclay maintains that this was a general letter, circulated to all the churches and not expressly written for the Ephesians, whom Paul held very ...

1413. Advent 1

1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Isaiah 63:7--64:12, Mark 13:32-37, Mark 13:1-31

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... he speaks of the gifts with which they were equipped for the wait (v. 7). These spiritual gifts were not to be guarded but used in the service of Christ. Only active waiting will prepare us for the time of Christ's visitation. Crossing the finish line. The apostle assures the Corinthians that the God who had begun a good work in them would bring it to completion by the time of Christ's return. The Lord would keep them strong to the end, so that they could indeed cross the finish line of faith. Note that ...

1414. Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, Matthew 6:1-4, Matthew 6:16-18, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2

Bulletin Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... our righteousness is always wrong, but gathering the community for repentance and renewal is what Lent is all about. Young and old, people and priests must respond to God's trumpet call. Epistle: 2 Corinthians 5:20 6:10 Beggars for Christ (v. 20). The apostle begs and pleads with the Corinthians to become God's friends through Christ. Being reconciled to God is not a matter of indifference. God's heart aches for his separated children. Does our heart also ache for all those estranged from the Lord? We are ...

1415. The Baptism Of Our Lord

Mk 1:4-11 · Act 19:1-7 · Acts 10:34-38 · Isa 42:1-9 · Gen 1:1-5 · Ps 29

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... to how they had received the Holy Spirit, when they came to faith. They replied that they had never even heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul then inquired concerning the nature of their baptism. They responded that it was the baptism of John the Baptist. After the apostle more carefully explained the Christian faith, they were baptized in the name of Jesus. Then Paul laid his hand on them, conveying the Spirit which came upon them in the form of tongues and prophecy. See also Acts 8:14-18. Lesson 2: Acts 10:34 ...

1416. Easter 2

Acts 4:32-37, 1 John 1:5--2:14, John 20:19-23, John 20:24-31

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... but he refused to do that. He was imprisoned by his lust. The living Lord freed the believers in Jerusalem to release their grip on their possessions. They didn't regard any of their possessions as their own. They shared them freely. Not only did the apostle's preaching testify powerfully to the Lord's resurrection but also to the spirit of sharing in the Christian community. Outline: 1. Tell the story of the chimp or a similar opener. 2. Greed keeps our fists clenched and attached to things. 3. The risen ...

1417. Easter 3

Luke 24:36-49, Acts 3:11-26, 1 John 2:28--3:10

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... and the other disciples and so Peter uses the opportunity to preach the gospel. Peter is brutally blunt in his preaching, accusing them of killing Jesus, even if it was in ignorance. The God of their fathers has glorified Jesus by raising him from the dead. The apostle then pleads with his hearers to repent so that their sins might be washed away and a time of spiritual refreshment might come. Epistle: Acts 4:5-12 (See Easter 4) Epistle: 1 John 3:1-7 The child of God is to live in holiness and obedience ...

1418. Easter 4

John 10:1-21, Acts 4:1-22, 1 John 3:11-24

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... was healing in his name and hundreds of Jews were becoming disciples of Jesus. The priestly clique was intent on doing whatever was necessary to dispose of those who were meddling in the family business. Prescription for good health (v. 10). The apostles carried on Jesus' healing ministry. Health, in all its dimensions, is associated with the coming of God's kingdom. Health begins with holiness, knowing one's self as God's child and being centered in the Lord. Stumbling stone or cornerstone? Peter preaches ...

1419. Easter 5

John 15:1-17, Acts 8:26-40, Acts 9:19b-31, 1 John 4:7-21

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... enemies plot to kill him and so his disciples let him down in a basket from an opening in the city wall. Paul travels to Jerusalem, where the church greets him with suspicion. Barnabas vouches for Paul, which makes him accepted by the church. The apostle makes enemies amongst the Hellenistic Jews, who want to kill him. Fellow believers spirit him off to Tarsus, his birthplace. Meanwhile, the church continues to prosper and grow. Epistle: 1 John 4:7-21 John urges the believers to love one another because God ...

1420. Epiphany 2

1 Corinthians 6:12-20, 1 Samuel 3:1--4:1, John 1:35-42, John 1:43-51

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... gave Samuel (not in this pericope) was that religious leaders were spiritually asleep and were about to be rudely awakened by the Lord himself. Outline: Introduction: Have you ever slept in church? Take comfort because you are not the first. Remember Eutycus who fell asleep during the apostle Paul's late night sermon and then fell out of the second-story window? In this lesson we see that Samuel slept regularly in church. 1. Like Samuel, we can be in God's house, a part of his family, and not know his voice ...

1421. Epiphany 4

1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Deuteronomy 18:14-22, Mark 1:21-28

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... him feel superior in every way. 3. Love is the more excellent way (1 Corinthians 13), better than knowledge. 4. Knowledge puffs up, love builds up others in community. 2. Sermon Title: Christians Are In The Business of Raising, Not Razing. Sermon Angle: The apostle makes a key point concerning the nature of love. "It builds up" other people; it builds up the church; it builds up society. Prejudice and hatred, on the flip side of the coin, raze (demolish) everything in their sight. A sermon on this topic ...

1422. Epiphany 5

Job 7:1-7, Isaiah 40:1-31, Mark 1:29-39, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... the purpose of winning all possible persons to the faith. His strategy of birthing Christians involves identifying with the people he hopes to reach. To the Jews he is a Jew; to the Gentiles he becomes a Gentile; to the weak, he also lacks strength. The apostle's aim of sharing the gospel dictates almost everything that he does. Gospel: Mark 1:29-39 (C, RC, E) This lection continues last Sunday's text. Jesus leaves the synagogue in Capernaum and enters the home of Peter and Andrew. The ministry begun in the ...

1423. Proper 20

Proverbs 31:10-31, Mark 9:30-37, James 3:13-18; 4:1-12

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... and Godly character. Such a person shows forth the wisdom from above (v. 17), which is essentially identical with those traits lifted up by Jesus in The Beatitudes. A rich harvest (v. 17). Those who show forth the wisdom from above produce fruits. The apostle Paul would attribute these fruits to the Holy Spirit. The wisdom from above is a gift of God, which produces a rich harvest of goodness. Chose your friends carefully (v. 4). Parents desire nothing more earnestly for their children but that they choose ...

1424. Proper 4

Mark 2:23-3:6, 1 Samuel 3:1--4:1, 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... is veiled, it is hidden only to those who have had their eyes blinded by Satan. The treasure of the gospel is contained in earthen vessels (a symbol of our human mortality). The glory does not belong to the vessels but to the treasure they contain. The apostle refuses to be defeated by his afflictions and suffering and views them as a participation in the suffering and death of Christ. The carriers of the gospel take part in the death of Jesus but also the life of Jesus. Gospel: Mark 2:23--3:6 The Pharisees ...

1425. Proper 5

2 Corinthians 4:1-18, 1 Samuel 8:1-22, Mark 3:31-35, Mark 3:20-30

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... deterioration does not deter the untiring missionary. Though the believers' outer transient nature is fading away, their inner spiritual nature is being renewed daily. The temporary afflictions of this life are preparing God's saints for an incomparable glory. The apostle commends us to focus on the eternal rather than things transient. Gospel: Mark 3:20-35 (C, RC, E) Jesus' ministry builds momentum as great crowds flock around him, probably attracted by the healings and exorcisms. Jesus creates such a ...

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