Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 1426 to 1450 of 4490 results

1426. Accepting the Unconventional in Life

Mark 2:13-22

Sermon

Richard Gribble

Once upon a time there was a great teacher, a guru, who had many followers. People came from far and wide to listen, learn, and be enlightened by this man. There were one-on-one classes and apprenticeships for those who came to learn. When the students had finished with their lessons, the guru sent them into the world to share their knowledge with others as masters in their own right. Just before each student left, the guru would give each a special gift -- the teacher taught each student the mantra of ...

1427. Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

In Hebrews chapter 11 we find a well-organized, thematic discussion of faith sandwiched between 10:36's recognition that we need endurance and 12:1's exhortation that we practice endurance. Chapter 11 serves as the author's prescription for nurturing into full maturity the endurance he expects. Endurance, this chapter illustrates, is built upon a firm foundation of faith - a faith foundation that reaches down through the ages from the faithfulness of the patriarchs, matriarchs and martyrs to us today. The ...

1428. Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

1429. Easter 2

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

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Epistle: Acts 4:32-35 Here is a picture of the apostolic church. In this passage we see its oneness. They were one in belief: "believed were of one heart and soul." They proclaimed one message: "gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus." They were one in having received grace. They were one in physical resources: common property and each receiving according to the personal need. It was a Christian community they had all things in common: faith, witnessing, property. Epistle: 1 ...

1430. How Connected Are You?

John 15:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

It helps to have connections. Everybody knows it’s true. It’s not what you know, the cynic says, but WHO you know that makes a difference. Unfortunately in some regards that’s true. In this competitive world where it is so difficult to land a job, it does pay to know somebody who can help you on your way. Oh, your mother’s friend is president of a company? Good for you. Being connected may not help you actually land the job, but at least you are more likely to be considered if you know the person in charge ...

1431. A Family Celebration - Maundy Thursday

John 13:18-30

Sermon

King Duncan

There are many differences in the body of Christ about how the Lord’s Supper should be served, and even what it means. For example, Priscilla Larson’s brother‑in‑law serves as a pastor in a denomination that does not use wine in their service, but substitutes the “pure, unfermented juice of the vine.” And, of course, being a Protestant denomination, they do not believe that the wine and the bread actually become the body and blood in the holy sacrament. One day Priscilla Larson’s brother‑in‑law responded ...

1432. The Covenant is Broken

Jeremiah 11:1-17

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

Betraying the Covenant: At the heart of Jeremiah’s charge against Judah is the accusation that it has broken the covenant and now faces the impending implementation of the curses. In particular and most strikingly, it has broken the covenant by its worship of foreign gods as specified by the following oracle. 11:1–8 The Lord now instructs Jeremiah to accuse the people of Judah that they have broken the covenant. Prophets often functioned as lawyers of the covenant as God commissioned them to accuse his ...

1433. Worship and Humility

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

Big Idea: Christian worship must happen in an atmosphere of humility and self-giving. Self-promoting pride desecrates Christ and brings devastation to his community. Understanding the Text The danger of an amalgamation between pagan and Christian worship loomed in the Corinthian setting. After pointing out how clothing (veiling) blurred what should have been a clear distinction between pagan and Christian worship practices (11:2–16), Paul now turns to the issue of the Lord’s Supper itself. The very rooms ...

1434. Unclean Animals

Leviticus 11:1-47

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: The food laws helped Israel to be a holy people. Understanding the Text Ritual purity must be maintained not only at the sanctuary but also in the whole camp. The death of Aaron’s two sons in Leviticus 10 and the allusion to it in Leviticus 16:1–2 bracket Leviticus 11–15 on Israel’s purity system. That system serves to maintain purity among all Israelites. Nadab and Abihu have failed to maintain purity in the sanctuary. Now the Israelites are taught various other ways that they can become impure ...

1435. Praise the Slain Lamb

Revelation 5:1-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

As though the second movement in a symphony, the celebration in the eschatological temple of God continues, with a reading of a scroll. Typically, in a Jewish synagogue liturgy, the seals on a Torah scroll are broken so that God’s Word may be read to the whole congregation. However, this scroll in the right hand of the enthroned Creator cannot be opened or read (5:1). Even a being as powerful as the angel with the great voice must ask, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” (5:2). The ...

1436. I Wonder about God’s Will for My Life

Romans 12:1-2

Sermon

Charley Reeb

We have all seen them. As we drive down the road, there as plain as day. I am not sure who the source is, but they are certainly there—those signs from God on the highway. You know, the pitch black background with a white message from God. I saw one just the other day that read: “We need to talk” -God I got to thinking about those signs and asked myself: Wouldn’t it be nice if God really spoke to us this way? Wouldn’t it be nice if we were ever confused about something, all we would have to do is look at a ...

1437. It's Okay to Cry

Luke 13:31-35

Sermon

Lori Wagner

I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:4-5) [Optional Prop: crystal teardrops] Tears. Frustration. Grief. Sadness. It’s the name of the milieu pervading the atmosphere of many churches today. Dwindling attendance. Lack of enthusiasm. Fear of the surrounding culture, not to ...

1438. The First Songs of Christmas

Luke 1:39-45, Luke 1:46-56

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18-20) Everyone loves Christmas carols! As the seasons of Advent and Christmas approach, and we begin to hear those familiar songs on the radio, in stores, on loudspeakers, in our worship, our hearts leap a little for joy. Let’s face it. Carols instill joy in ...

1439. More

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Sermon

Will Willimon

There is more to life than meets the eye. There is more in our past than history can tell. There is more going on in the present moment than we know. There is more to our relationships with one another than we are aware. And the more we explore the mystery of our lives, the more we learn about ourselves, the more mysterious our selves become. Seldom have we been content with what appeared on the surface; we know there is more. Seldom have we felt fully at ease in the present moment, sensing, however ...

1440. Redrawing The Landscape

Multiple Scriptures

Sermon

Harold Warlick

One summer's day my wife and I journeyed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to attend a conference. We packed early in the morning and joined a colleague and his wife for breakfast. The other couple was also attending the Pittsburgh conference. After saying "goodbye" to our friends, we indicated that we would see them at the hotel in Pittsburgh. We were leaving directly from the breakfast while they were not leaving for another two or three hours, after they went home, packed, and took their children to the ...

1441. Beware Of Your Piety

Matthew 6:1-4, Matthew 6:5-15, Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 6:19-24

Sermon

Harry N. Huxhold

Whatever happened to Lent? It has been some time now since church attendance was swollen during this season. Congregations also conducted weekday services that were well attended. Lenten reading was popular, and people talked a great deal about their Lenten fasting. "What did you give up for Lent?" was a common question. Very often that was done with little thought. In the Chicago area in the '50s, where and when Lenten piety was quite prominent, a woman was shopping at the bakery. While she was waiting ...

1442. The Sixth Meal

Sermon

Robert F. Scott

A Strange InvitationLuke 14:1-6 Worship Focus A toy animal and a doll. One of the fake sheep made for yard decorations would be ideal; the doll should be of comparable size. Or a challah, the large braided loaf of white bread that is often part of a Jewish Sabbath meal. A Litany For The Sixth Meal Leader: O God, we thank you for your matchless love, by which you sent Christ to be our savior. People: In love you call us to yourself and hold us in your hands. Leader: We confess that too often our hearts are ...

1443. How Much Sin Is Too Much?

Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 5:17-20

Sermon

William B. Kincaid, III

Of all the pressing questions of the day, a sign on one person's desk asks, "How much can I sin and still go to heaven?" The question seems amusing until we stop to think about it. Inherent in this question is a bold-faced confession that there is no interest at all in pursuing a life shaped wholly by the spirit of God, but at the same time we do not want to be so recklessly sacrilegious that we forfeit completely the rewards of the hereafter. The late Southern humorist Lewis Grizzard said thinking about ...

1444. Proper 25

Exodus 22:16-31, Leviticus 19:1-37, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Matthew 22:34-46, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; 2:1-16

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Loving God and the neighbor. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Moses goes to the top of Mount Nebo in the land of Moab, where God shows him the promised land. Then he dies and God himself buries him. Joshua inherits the spirit of Moses and the mantel of leadership. He will bring the people into the fulfillment of God's promise. The Deuteronomist summarizes the life of Moses by commenting that there has never since been such a prophet who knew God face to face. Old Testament: Exodus 22:21 ...

1445. Reformation Sunday

Jn 8:31-36 · Rom 3:19-28 · Jer 31:31-34 · Ps 46

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Jeremiah 31:31-34 God will establish a new covenant with his people, not written on parchment or etched in stone, but written on the human heart. God will bestow not only the desire but the power to do his will. This new covenant will be intrinsic rather than external. It will also be inclusive rather than exclusive, not just reserved for the righteous few (v. 34). Lesson 2: Romans 3:19-28 No person will be accounted righteous by keeping the law of God. He who breaks part of it is ...

1446. Evergreen Wreath And Faded Leaf

Isaiah 63:7--64:12

Sermon

Harold Warlick

The occasion was a joyous one as the young bride and groom settled into their seats at the head table at the Country Club. Like most wedding rehearsal dinners, the environment was heightened by candles, flowers, special music, expensive clothes, and family and friends who had not seen each other in years. Most likely many would not embrace one another again until the next family wedding or a funeral shivered its way to the forefront. All the proper symbols of hope were present in the room: the greenery, ...

1447. Lyrics For The Centuries

2 Samuel 1:1-16

Sermon

Arthur H. Kolsti

When David received the report of the battlefield deaths of Saul and Jonathan, he expressed his sorrow and tribute by composing and chanting a lament, that beautiful elegy that is today's first reading. A line from an old spiritual comes to mind. "Little David, play on your harp." Yes, David, play and sing for us the lyrics that span the centuries. Sing the songs that help us express our mourning while celebrating the lives of those whose loss we mourn. Sing us the songs that sustain us when we are beset ...

1448. August 7-13

John 6:25-59

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

Theme: Those whom God draws to Jesus Christ cannot help but bow down in thanksgiving, praise and service as they feast on the bread of life. Call to Worship Leader: "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' " Congregation: God of life, we come to be taught by you. Leader: Jesus said, "Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me." Congregation: We come. Feed us, Living Bread from heaven. Greeting Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father ...

1449. The Temple Of Wisdom

1 Kings 8:22-61

Sermon

Sue Anne Steffey Morrow

The text appointed for today describes the dedication of the Temple, the magnificent house that Solomon built for the name of the Lord. The Temple itself is something to behold, built of cedar and cypress overlaid with pure gold. It takes seven years altogether to complete the Temple, to finish all of the details; doors of olivewood with carved palms, open flowers, cherubim, an inner core of hewn stone and cedar beams. In the inner sanctum, the holy of holies where the ark would be placed, Solomon builds ...

1450. Tough Faith In Tough Times

Luke 18:1-8

Sermon

Larry R. Kalajainen

Two qualities which we Americans value highly and in which we take pride are speed and efficiency. Think of how many products or services which all of us use that are built principally around one or both of these qualities. Hundreds of thousands of microwave ovens have been sold, not because they make food taste better, but because it's possible to cook much faster in them. Since so many people lead such busy lives, anything that shortens time in the kitchen has an instant appeal. A colleague told of ...

Showing results