Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1401 to 1425 of 4977 results

1401. Joseph's Pit

Genesis 37:1-11

Sermon

Jerry Eckert

... Why then did you take me?" I asked. "There is a small callous on your second finger. You still write, I see. And I need scribes desperately." Over the next nine years, I have worked my way up to chief steward with Joseph. We have the responsibility of keeping accounts on and distribution of the grain we have stored during seven very good years. The drought of the last two years has brought people from all parts of the world here to get food. I understand it was Joseph who saw this coming and Pharoah put him ...

1402. Those Who Mourn

Isaiah 40:1-31

Sermon

John A. Terry

... grieving, we found that the way in which people were mourning these various losses was strikingly similar, basically following the patterns observed by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. It is good that our society has moved away from the notion that the way to deal with a loss is to keep a stiff upper lip. It is good that there is a lot more openness in many places about loss and grief. But there is still much work to do. Some seem to cling to their grief as a way to call attention to themselves and to create sympathy ...

1403. Jesus And The Disciples

Mark 10:17-31

Sermon

Jerry Eckert

... a lot less confident, but pretty soon, everybody had told a story and it looked like the Rabbi was going to do all right. In the afternoon, we went down to the Sea of Galilee to swim and relax. The two of us women would not have been able to keep track of them if it had not been for Philip and Andrew. They volunteered to be "life guards." Being twelve and about to do their bar mitzvahs, they were ready to act grown up. They organized a race. Only Bartholomew stayed in the shallows. He couldn't swim. Judas ...

1404. God, The Son

Matthew 2:1-12

Drama

Jerry Eckert

... enough to think what good you are supposed to be doing. Quit running scared. Do all the good you can. Cut out the bad stuff. Keep on messing around and you'll fall apart. The whole country will break up! Jerry: That's pretty good. But it is still fairly general ... he abused his power as king, so they hunted up scripture references to a priestly Messiah. That way, there would be someone to keep an eye on the kingly Messiah. Jerry: Which was Jesus? Marshall: He was neither and he was both. He knew all about the ...

1405. Called To Freedom

Galatians 5:1-15

Drama

Jerry Eckert

... your act back together? Barnabas: Well, you ... just do it. Paul: Right ... especially when you get down on yourself about having broken the law. Easy to start over, right? Far easier to get cynical about yourself! Barnabas: Okay, I think I understand that. What keeps us from becoming cynical about ourselves? Paul: Two things. One, we can understand God as having sent Jesus to be the one who takes our punishment for the sins we've done, and thus offers us a reprieve. That gets some people going. The other ...

1406. How Do You Remain Religious?

Mark 7:1-23

Sermon

Donald Macleod

... of God." (John 3:3) There is no other way, because it is out of the heart the issues of life come, and, therefore, the roots of sin must be torn from us. Someone said, "There is no power on earth to make a bad heart good." Or, similarily, to keep it so. Social reforms cannot do it. Education cannot achieve it. Armed conflict cannot enact it. Initially, it is the human mind that makes the decision to accept Christ; but it is the heart and will that make that decision stick and ...

1407. What Does Jesus Expect of Us?

Mark 8:27-38

Sermon

Donald Macleod

... ) 3. Jesus expects us, by sharing his life, to reach an understanding of what our life ought to be. William Barclay wrote, "God gave us life to spend and not to keep." There are life hoarders whose eyes are always on personal comfort, worldly status, and financial security. They build around themselves walls of protection to keep every challenge and trouble out. Theirs is a prescription for stagnation. They are unaware that, in spite of their caution, they are actually losing the life they have. But if they ...

1408. What’s a Sunday For?

Sermon

Charles R. Leary

... State of Nebraska forbids the husband to quarrel with the wife on Sunday. That is the only one on the list we need to keep. Here are a few of the Sabbath restrictions our Jewish ancestors had to work through. Work was defined as carrying anything heavier than a ... you do when you’re on a trip, a vacation, an away-from-home assignment? Do you feel satisfied that you keep those fundamental commitments consistent with your Baptismal and Confirmation vows? Yes, when you are tired, you need rest. When you are ...

1409. You Can Never Go Home Again

Mark 6:1-6

Sermon

Charles R. Leary

... do the job, I will do it. If people reject me, I refuse to waste my energy in anger and self-pity. I’ll keep moving on. Somewhere, someone will feel the conviction that moves me. They will respond.” This thing about not being accepted in one’s ... That means, treat your problems as challenges. People who are difficult to work with, problems that seem insurmountable notice how they keep you digging inside yourself for greater strength. In the end, you accomplish great feats, not in spite of, but because of ...

1410. Come Out!

John 11:38-44

Sermon

Thomas Peterson

... gospel that has taught me to hold on to my self-interests before anything else. A voice from within whispers, “If you don’t do for yourself who will do for you?” We hold on tighter. When bound, what do my feet do? They keep safe. The way they know how to keep safe is to keep going as suits the fancy. They do not branch out; they walk in tighter circles, ever more protective of the self. Like a cartoon, I discover at last that I have painted myself into a corner. A little death in me had gotten hold ...

1411. Runaway Lives

2 Samuel 18:1-18

Sermon

Robert Noblett

... much of 1 and 2 Samuel. Certain forces have been set into play, are gaining momentum, and might very possibly become the keepers of the people who once kept them. Ever notice how often in life the balance subtly shifts, and what we were intended to keep now keeps us? The Prime Movers Look at the prime movers in this drama, a drama that actually goes back several chapters. Absalom: We first gain a flavor for this son of David in connection with the rape of his attractive sister Tamar. Her fate so enrages him ...

1412. A Sleeping Bag God

2 Samuel 7:1-17

Sermon

Robert Noblett

... can just as surely come as one from a far-off place who stands over against us. Frederick Buechner has described it beautifully when he writes of his decision to embrace a ministry of writing on a mountain in western Vermont: I discovered that if you really keep your eye peeled to it and your ears open, if you really pay attention to it, even such a limited and limiting life as the one I was living on Rupert Mountain opened up onto extraordinary vistas ... There is no event too commonplace but that God is ...

1413. I Saw a New Heaven

Revelation 21:1-27

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... we can have Heaven on earth to a certain degree when Christ lives and rules in our hearts. It will not be perfect, for there is always sin on earth, but the joys of Heaven can continue to increase on earth among those who hold Christ in their hearts. He keeps changing their lives into more and more of his likeness. This is what the Lord’s Prayer means when we pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” When we mean what we pray, something of God’s heaven is let down on ...

1414. We All Sin So What?

Genesis 3:1-24

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... to live in. Above all, they were unwilling to be what God made them: human. They wanted to be God. It is amazing that God did not keep his promise in this case, “You shall die.” I suppose he could not bring himself to do it. Adam and Eve were the crown of his creation ... in the world, we are to put on the whole armor of God. Thanks be to God for the robe of righteousness that hides our sin and keeps us warm in the love of God. Now we see that it’s not so bad to be a sinner! That is, if you are a Christian ...

1415. The Dream For Wisdom

1 Kings 2:1-12

Sermon

Sue Anne Steffey Morrow

... discern what is right, behold I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before. I give you also what you have not asked, riches and honor. And if you walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, then I will lengthen your days." Threaded throughout these Old Testament texts appointed for these Sundays in Pentecost is the truth of what it means to be chosen by God as opposed to isolated and alienated. It means to seek to discern ...

1416. Watch Your Promises

Mark 6:23

Children's Sermon

... collect these? (Let them answer.) This card reminds me of this morning's lesson. The lesson is about making promises. Have you ever made a promise to someone that you wish you hadn't made? (Let them answer.) Have you ever made a promise that you weren't able to keep? (Let them answer.) I want to tell you about a boy your age who made a promise that he was sorry he made. Once there was a boy who had a birthday party. Many of his friends came to the party. This boy collected baseball cards. Some of the gifts ...

1417. Always Rising

John 6:25-59

Children's Sermon

... any number of variations, but the basic recipe calls for flour, water, yeast, and a warm place for the yeast to ferment. Check any general cookbook for detailed instructions.) Allow your child to do most of the work. He will have to mix the flour and water, then keep a close eye on the starter batch until if is ready to add to the dough. As the initial batch of sour dough is used to bake bread, the remaining portion can be renewed by the addition of more flour and wafer. If properly cared for and renewed ...

1418. Eating Living Bread

John 6:25-59

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... today is more clearly using eating of the flesh and drinking of the blood as symbolic of the Eucharist. The First Lesson. (1 Kings 2:1-12; 3:3-14) David gives his dying instructions to Solomon. He first admonishes him to walk with God and keep his instructions and commandments. Then he gives him instructions of how to deal with allies and enemies. Then the death of David is reported. The second passage tells how Solomon worships God and, when offered a blessing from God because of his faithfulness, he does ...

1419. The Healing Of Simon Peter's Mother-In-Law

Mark 1:29-34

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

... is with Jesus. His understanding is beyond measure. So it is with my savior. (See today's pericope, Psalm 147:1-11.) Asker: You were sick in bed with a fever. You must have been quite ill to go to bed because the woman had to work all day to keep the household going. This role must have been foremost on your mind. The first thing you did upon rising was to get back to your work, your duty, of serving those who had come into the household. Mother-in-law: You speak accurately about my household duties, but my ...

1420. Advent 4

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... of time. The congregation began to sink under this tidal wave of debt, which caused the congregation to assume a survival mentality. All energies were consumed by the debt. Only through hard work and the grace of God did these people of God keep their head above the surface. This story illustrates what happens when pastors and congregations become focused on building structures and monuments rather than the people of God and the mission of Christ. Epistle: Romans 16:25-27 Sermon Title: The Power Of Good ...

1421. All Saints' Sunday

Jn 11:32-44 · Mt 5:1-12 · Isa 25:6-9 · Rev 7:9-17; 21:1-6 · Ps 24

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... look was conveyed not only by the position of his head or his eyes but his spirit. His prayer showed a spirit of thanksgiving and faith. He knew that the Father had already heard, had already reached out his hand to save. Nothing can destroy us if we keep the upward look. Death binds us, Jesus frees us (v. 44). When Lazarus emerged from the tomb he was still bound by the grave clothes. Jesus ordered that he be unbound, that he be freed. Fear of death binds many of us. Only Jesus, through his resurrection ...

1422. Good Friday

John 19:28-37, Hebrews 10:1-18, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 18:1-11, John 19:38-42, John 19:17-27

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... (18:28). After Jesus is taken to Annas, then to Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, he is brought to the Roman governor. The scribes and Pharisees would not go into this pagan place because they did not want to become ceremonially unclean and not be able to keep the Passover. They had no scruples about killing a man and breaking one of the great moral laws of God but they had scruples about breaking minor ceremonial laws. Such scruples are screwy, wouldn't you agree? It reminds me of the priest who was being ...

1423. Proper 26

Hebrews 9:11-28, Ruth 1:1-22, Mark 12:28-34

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... first duty is to love God with our whole heart, whole soul, whole mind and whole strength. 3. The scribe added that loving God wholly is better than generous liturgical offering (v. 33). 4. Have you given God your whole life? 3. Sermon Title: Keep It Simple, Stupid! Sermon Angle: There were two contradictory tendencies among the ancient Jewish rabbis. On the one hand, they would add a host of interpreting rules and precepts to the major laws. On the other hand, there was a tendency to distill the commands ...

1424. Proper 28

Mk 13:1-32 · Heb 10:11-25 · 1 Sam 1:4-20 · Ps 16

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... vv. 26-27). Outline: Try to get a mother's description of a mother giving birth the pain and the joy. Explain that the pain and sorrow of this world are birth-pangs. Jesus describes the translation from this world to the kingdom as birth-pangs (vv. 6-8). Keep faith and the birth-pangs will give way to new life in Christ's kingdom (v. 13). 2. Sermon Title: Christ In Conflict With Culture. Sermon Angle: All of the signs that point to the end/beginning have to do with conflict. The power of God is in conflict ...

1425. Proper 9

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, Mark 6:1-13, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... ." Shepherd king (v. 2). David was a shepherd who became a king. The leaders of Israel were convinced that God called David, who was a shepherd of sheep, to become a shepherd of his people. Being a shepherd king means to know the people, to keep them together, to protect them and feed them. Unfortunately, too many kings and rulers have been more intent on fleecing their flock rather than caring for them. Epistle: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Paradise (v. 4). The word comes from Persia and means literally "an ...

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