Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 126 to 150 of 1795 results

1 Samuel 23:7-29

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Saul Seeks Out David: 23:1–6 David’s exile did not mean that he had lost his vision for Israel’s security or his concern for the well-being of his fellow Israelites. The news of particular problems at Keilah stimulated his desire to continue fighting on behalf of God’s people. The Philistines were not taking tribute from the Israelite farmers but were looting the threshing floors. They were waiting until the Israelites had done all the hard work and then depriving them of their livelihood for the next year ...

127. Jeroboam Rebels Against Solomon

1 Kings 11:26-40

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Opposition and Death: A divided heart will lead to a divided kingdom: that was effectively God’s promise to Solomon in 11:9–13. This last section on the great king pursues this theme of division. It tells us of still further seeds of destruction that were planted in the earlier part of his reign and have now grown into plants whose shadow looms darkly over the kingdom. It tells of opposition on the edges of the empire, and it introduces for the first time the man who will be the focal point of that same ...

128. Solomon's Death

1 Kings 11:41-43

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

129. Jeroboam II King of Israel

2 Kings 14:23-29

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

Amaziah, Jeroboam, and Azariah: Second Kings 13 has ended with the description of a modest upturn in Israel’s fortunes. The LORD has saved them, even in the midst of idolatry, because of both his covenant with the patriarchs (2 Kgs. 13:23) and—remembering the context in which the chapter is narrated—his promise to Jehu (2 Kgs. 10:30). The impetus of that recovery continues now into chapter 14, as the house of Jehu brings Israel relief, not only from Aram, but also from a foolishly hostile Judah. 14:1–6 The ...

130. Azariah King of Judah

2 Kings 15:1-7

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

131. Descendants of Hagar

1 Chronicles 1:29-31

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

Abraham’s Descendants: The previous section ended with Abraham, so this section dwells on Abraham’s descendants. The Chronicler hastens from Adam and Noah to Abraham, narrowing his focus all the time to get to the specific part of the family that he wants to portray, namely, the tribe of Judah (see next section). This section starts with a heading in 1:28, introducing the two sons of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael. First Chronicles 1:29–31 contains the genealogy of Ishmael, while 1:32–33 presents the ...

132. Descendants of Keturah

1 Chronicles 1:32-33

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

133. Seeking the Presence of God

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Sermon

Bonnie Bates

It is a well-known cliché that “God never gives us more than we can handle”, but I have sometimes found that not to be so. When my youngest brother died of brain cancer at age five, it was more than I could handle. When my first husband was emotionally and physically abusive, it was more than I could handle. When my second husband and I lost our twin sons at birth, it was more than I could handle. The COVID pandemic was more than we could handle. Wars and violence are often more than we can handle. ...

134. Love Lives

Philippians 2:5-11

Sermon

Bonnie Bates

My friends, as we gather this Sunday to recall the passing of the weeks of Lent and move ourselves into the holiest of weeks in the Christian calendar, there is no better passage for us to reflect upon. Many scholars believe this passage from the letter to the church in Philippi may have been an ancient, early Christian hymn unfolding the stages of Christ’s whole being ― from being in the form of God, to becoming human, to surrendering to humiliation and death, and then to ascension back into heaven. Much ...

135. For Someone Who Led a Happy and a Virtuous Life

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 · Matthew 25:31-46 · 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Eulogy

Richard E. Zajac

Up [If he or she possessed a scrapbook, what would be the snapshots that would most definitely be included? Describe the wonderful adventures, the dream trips upon which they embarked.] A movie years ago won an Oscar for animated films. It was of such high quality that it got nominated for an Oscar for the best picture of the year. I’m talking about Up, a film from the animation wizards at Pixar Studio. It begins with one of the most touching and poetic four minutes ever seen on the silver screen and all ...

136. For Someone Who Will Be Terribly Missed

Job 19:23-27 · John 12:23-26 · John 14:1-6 · Acts 1:21-26

Eulogy

Richard E. Zajac

The Doctor and His Dog [Tell of what they’d wish for us to do, how we can carry on from where their life had ended.] In one of his books, John Braille tells of an old country Doctor who made his rounds in a horse-drawn carriage. The Doctor’s dog would go along for the ride. One day, the Doctor went to visit a man who was critically ill. “How am I, Doctor?” the man asked. The Doctor replied: “It doesn’t look good!” Both men were quiet for a while. The man then said: “What’s it like to die, Doctor?” As the ...

137. What If

1 Chronicles 7:1-5

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

I don't know when the question became so central in my thinking. It didn't emerge full-blown. At first it was at the edge of my consciousness, but now it's at the very center pressing for attention. It became even more clamoring, even more demanding, even more piercing during these past two weeks as we have shared with people behind the Iron Curtain; as we have shared with Christians who have to ask the question and who have to make a response. It's one of those what-if questions -- you know the kind I am ...

138. Focusing on the Core of God’s Guidance

Deut 4:44–5:33

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Applying the Decalogue: The larger context of 4:44–28:68 is Moses’s Second Sermon and involves the application of the the Decalogue. This opening section focuses on the core of God’s guidance (4:44–5:33). 4:44–49. As in Deuteronomy 1:1 and 29:1, so 4:44 introduces the next sermon with the similar rhetorical expression: “This is the law.” It begins with a summary of the story already rehearsed in chapters 1–3, a use of repetition that is not uncommon in other ancient Near Eastern narrative texts. 5:1–33. ...

139. Offerings for Priests and Levites

Numbers 18:8-32

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

Duties and Rights of Priests and Levites: Chapter 18 responds to the panic of the people over the danger of holiness in the tabernacle at the center of the camp (17:12–13) and solidifies for the community the duties and rights of the sanctuary establishment. The events of the two preceding chapters have made clear to the people the necessity of the priests’ organization. Apparently the situation of the Priestly tradents also included the need to clarify the roles of priests and Levites. Because this ...

140. Going and Doing

Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon

Steve Molin

Today is the end of the church year. The school year ends in June, and the calendar year ends on December 31, but the church year ends always on a Sunday in late November, and the new church year begins with the season of Advent. Next week, I’ll begin a sermon series called START HERE; appropriate for a new year, with a blank canvas standing before us. But as we today focus on the Reign of Christ, it also seemed like a good time to give you a prologue of where it all started. That’s what the START HERE ...

141. Seeing With The Eyes Of Faith

Mark 10:46-52

Sermon

Thomas C. Willadsen

We’ve been walking with Jesus on the way to Jerusalem for over a month. The stories from Mark’s gospel have showed us many sides of Jesus’ personality. Perhaps more importantly, they have shown us many sides of the disciples’ personalities. The disciples in many ways took our place in that drama. They reacted as we would, most of the time, I think. They were slow to understand that Jesus was going to suffer and die. They were more concerned about their own status and power than anything else. They ...

142. We Build the Tomb

Hebrews 10:16-25

Sermon

Bonnie Bates

All my life I have struggled with the concept of calling this day of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion as “good.” What could possibly be good about Jesus being arrested, tried, convicted, and crucified? How can we call this feast day “good”? Yet, there is a reassurance for us in these words written to the Hebrew Christians. Much as the prophet Jeremiah told the Jewish people that God’s law would be inscribed on their hearts, just as it was once inscribed by God’s own hand on stone tablets, this letter reminds ...

143. For Someone Who Heroically Suffered, Yet Spread Good Cheer

John 19:25-27 · 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Eulogy

Richard E. Zajac

The Window [Tell of how, in bearing the heavy cross of their particular illness or debilitation, their focus was on us and not themselves, how they somehow managed to remain positive and endearing.] A most moving story was penned by G.W. Target, entitled The Window. Its setting was a hospital room which had two beds at opposite ends of each other and one window. The window was placed in such a way that only one patient in one of the beds could look and see out the window. Two patients in that particular ...

144. For Someone Remembered by Many

Luke 24:13-35 · Acts 20:31-35 · Matthew 16:13-20

Eulogy

Richard E. Zajac

Memories [Provide a review of the good memories the deceased had generated.] A good number of you are old enough to remember how you had to wait at least two minutes for the television to warm-up, how you got your windshield cleaned and oil checked, and your gas pumped without having to leave your car, how when you bought a box of laundry detergent, it wouldn’t be unusual to find a free glass or a dish or a towel inside the box. A good number of you are old enough to remember when a quarter was a decent ...

145. Dividing the Spoils

Numbers 31:25-54

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

War with the Midianites: 31:1–2 Chapter 31 alludes to the end of chapter 25 and some unfinished business for the people of Israel. There the Midianites were declared enemies for their part in leading Israel into idolatry and immorality at Peor. The current chapter begins with the divine command to Moses, Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. This act is the last military exercise for Moses, who will soon die. So the new generation’s first military action is Moses’ last. The new generation ...

146. Gershonites

1 Chronicles 23:7-11

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

David Organizes the Cultic and Secular Officials: According to 1 Chronicles 10–22, David prepared everything for the building of the temple, including full instructions to his son Solomon. First Chronicles 23–27 now describes the division of the Levites for various kinds of service and gives an elaborate and intricate overview of how the cultic service was organized in Jerusalem. The short, opening comment that David made Solomon king serves as the bridge between David’s and Solomon’s reigns. From 23:2 ...

147. Kohathites

1 Chronicles 23:12-20

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

148. Merarites

1 Chronicles 23:21-32

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

149. The Setting Apart of the Levites

Numbers 8:5-26

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

Lamps and Levites: Emphasis on the tabernacle continues in this narrative flashback section (7:1–10:10). The community prepares to depart in a kind of promise and fulfillment motif. The concluding note of chapter 7 on the Most Holy Place leads to a comment on the lamps in the sanctuary. 8:1–4 Further revelation comes through Moses to Aaron concerning the lamps and lampstand. These verses refer to the instructions in Exodus 25:31–40 and 37:17–24. The seven lamps are to be set up so they will light the area ...

150. Investment Choices

Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon

Steve Molin

I started reading crime novels about fifteen years ago. Like any pastor, so much of what I read relates to theology or ministry that I needed to find some genre of reading that would take me away from what I do twelve hours a day; something to capture my imagination. I started with John Grisham and read everything he has written. Then I moved on to Swedish author Henning Mankell and read all of his stuff. More recently, I have been reading the murder mysteries of Lee Childs. There is nothing like a good “ ...

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