Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1501 to 1525 of 2844 results

1501. Handling Objections

Psalm 1:1-6

Sermon

James Merritt

One of the concerns that anyone brings to the table when they are going to be in a witnessing encounter is the possibility of objections being raised. Particularly objections that may prove to be difficult or at the time unanswerable. The first thing to remember is this: Objections are to be expected, but they are not to be feared. Much of the message that Jesus Christ Himself gave was objected to by those who heard it. The Book of Acts is full of people who objected (at least initially) to the message of ...

1502. Bethlehem: Where Extremes Meet

Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Sermon

Gary L. Carver

Every year at this particular season, I am amazed all over again at the impact that the old, old story of Christmas has on people. In light of how "fad-conscious" we tend to be in this country, it is a wonder to me that we have not grown weary of this ancient story and the figures of the babe and the manger and the shepherds and all the rest. After 2,000 years of exhaustive repetition, why do you suppose the events of Bethlehem still lay hold of our depths and continue to intrigue us? Is this simply the ...

1503. The Two Prodigals

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

The relationship between and among siblings is a study both intriguing and challenging. Many of us know the truth here firsthand from the experience of growing up in families. Even if one happens to be an only child, we are brought in touch with brothers and sisters in other families. A great deal is made of the birth order in a family. For example, the oldest son has traditionally been known as the child who is to make his mark in the world and, in some cases, look after parents and those siblings who are ...

1504. Cured Cripples and Crabby Critics

Luke 13:10-17

Sermon

Ron Lavin

Have you ever been crippled by something that happened to you? At age seventeen, Joni Eareckson, dove into the Chesapeake Bay, hit the rocks, and was paralyzed for life. She lives in a wheelchair today. Physically, she is still crippled by the accident, but she has overcome the excruciating mental and spiritual pain of her situation. Faith in Jesus Christ made a major difference in her life. Ron Heagy, a football player from Oregon, broke his neck in the Pacific Ocean in California when he dove into a ...

1505. New Creations in Christ

Revelation 21:1-6

Sermon

Richard Gribble

There once was a very unhappy old man. For him, things were never right and, thus, he grumbled quite a bit. He complained that he had to get up in the morning, and when nightfall came it was too soon. He complained when he had to work, but found it boring when he did not work. He talked about how people paid insufficient attention to him, yet when others spoke to him he seemed annoyed or irritated. He hated it when it rained and found the sun too hot when it shined. In winter, he longed for the summer and ...

1506. Caring for Others: The Christian Vocation in the World

Ephesians 1:15-23

Sermon

Richard Gribble

When Bobby Smith was a youngster, his family lived near Mrs. Hildebrand, a widow, who at 95 years of age, was in constant pain and crippled by arthritis, which ravaged her body. Living alone, she could only take a few steps at a time with the help of her cane. Every week when Bobby's mom went to the market, she took her son who would always deliver groceries to the old widow. The family car would pull up into Mrs. Hildebrand's driveway and the command would be heard, "Bobby, here are Mrs. Hildebrand's ...

1507. The Difference between Knowing and Doing

Galatians 2:15-21

Sermon

John Jamison

It is difficult to be the church. What we have been asked to do here is not easy. Jesus' directive to love one another sounds like it should be a fairly straightforward thing to do. Now, I don't want to shock anyone here this morning, but I do have to admit that there have been times in our history that there have been disagreements in the church; disagreements about what it means to love one another. Some of those disagreements are over what it really means to love, and some of those disagreements are ...

1508. Unlocking the Power of God

Hebrews 11:29 – 12:2

Sermon

Clayton A. Lord

What can faith do? It can part a raging sea and allow a nation to walk through. What can faith do? It can knock down the walls of a fortified city so that God can prove a point. What can faith do? It can single out a woman who follows God's lead and protect her from certain death. Today many people are into "reality" television shows where individuals are put to extreme tests. We watch them because we like to see others battle against great odds and come out victorious. When an underdog comes out on top, ...

1509. The Easter Era

Acts 10:34-43

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

Most of us probably enjoy taking part in Easter rituals both here at church and at home. There are things we have done since we were children, and we're glad to pass them on to the next generation. Some of these practices are deeply religious. We may have taken part in solemn Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services, or greeted the Easter Sunrise with song and celebration! Some of the practices may be a little secular, but we practice them religiously as well — breaking our Lenten fasts with a special ...

1510. Jumping through Hoops

Acts 11:1-18

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is a place where the old ways matter. The Amish still ride their buggies up and down the green hills. Most churches have spires, and they frame the landscape with the proclaimed piety of their people. Change comes slowly. Sometimes that's good, especially when we're talking about the basics of the faith. Sometimes that's bad. Like when people refuse to change the little things. A lot of the churches, especially the Plain People like the Amish, Brethren, and Mennonite, ...

1511. New Covenant, New Testament

Jeremiah 31:27-34

Sermon

John Wayne Clarke

Our reading today from the prophet Jeremiah is one in which the Hebrew people, not knowing what else to do in terms of addressing their predicament, decide to blame it all on God. They believed their problems to be the result of their sins and the sins of their fathers. Of course, one person's sin does indeed affect other people, but all people are still held personally accountable for the sin in their own lives (Deuteronomy 24:16; Ezekiel 18:2). This theme would later be taken up in the New Testament as ...

1512. Angels and Shepherds: Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

There is a special joy in children at different stages of their lives. This is a gay time for Jerry and me with Kerry and Kevin. We were together for a happy time – Thanksgiving. We had a very special time with Kerry. It pleased us that she was so excited about school; that hasn’t always been the case. She’s primarily excited about her art. At one point in our conversation, Kerry grew quiet and subdued - which is very unusual for this most bubbly of all our children. She began to talk about the way she was ...

1513. Startled By Jesus

Luke 24:36-49

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

Years ago I read the supposedly true account of a judge in Yugoslavia who was electrocuted when he reached up to turn on the light while standing in the bathtub. His wife found his body sprawled on the bathroom floor. He was pronounced dead and was placed in a room under a crypt in the town cemetery for twenty-four hours before burial. However, in the middle of the night, the judge came to, realized where he was, and rushed over to alert the guard. Startled, the guard promptly ran off, terrified. ...

1514. Living By The Spirit

Galatians 5:16-25

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

When I was a boy, back in the Stone Age when we rode dinosaurs to school, one of the things my brothers and I looked forward to was when my Mom bought fruit cocktail. That might seem odd for some of our young people because today, in our global economy, we can walk into the store and buy almost any fruit or vegetable any time we want. But back then, we were dependent upon fruit and vegetables being in season. Besides, fresh fruit (other than apples) was seen as a luxury of sorts. That why having fruit ...

1515. Joshua People Study

Joshua 1:7-8, Psalm 119:10-18

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

Years ago I heard the story of a Pastor who was preaching and casting the vision for the future of their congregation. He told them, "With God's help we can see the day when this church will go from crawling to walking." And the people responded, "Let the church walk, Pastor, let the church walk." He continued, "And when the church begins to walk, next the church can begin to run." And the people shouted, "Let the church run, Pastor, let the church run!" Fired up, he continued, "And finally the church can ...

1516. Gratitude Not Platitudes

Matthew 6:25-34

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

A certain preacher was known for his uplifting prayers. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so cold, dark and gloomy that one the church members thought to himself, "I'll bet the preacher won't be able to think of anything for which to be thankful to God about today." But to his surprise, however, the preacher began by praying, "Gracious God, we thank You, that the weather's not always like this." You and I have so much for which to be thankful. Sometimes ...

1517. Digging Deeper

Philippians 3:12-16

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

Three students were discussing various versions of the Bible. One said, "I like the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. It is easier to read than the older versions." A second student said, "I like the Message. It's easy to read and it's pithy and to the point. I can use it in my daily prayer." The third student surprised them all and said, "I like my mother's version the best. She translated the Bible into action I can use in my daily life." I really like that. Somebody once said, "You may be the ...

1518. Valley of Weakness (Series: Peace in the Valley)

Luke 6:17-26

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ...For when I am weak, then I am strong” (II Corinthians 12:9-10). Let me tell you a very personal story. As a kid I was bullied a lot by older siblings and teased to tears almost daily by adults who somehow saw something humorous about intimidating a small child. In elementary school, I stayed to myself and avoided conflicts at all costs with the big eighth graders in that little four room schoolhouse. ...

1519. Where do You Live?

Romans 14:1-12

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

In the irreverent comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, which is a send up of the King Arthur tales, there is a scene where one of the knights, Sir Bedevere is confronted by a group of villagers. It seems they have gripped one of the local women and claim she is a witch. It's very obvious that her long crooked nose is fake and has been tied on and she's been dressed up to look like a witch. Sir Bedevere questions the evidence and the people confess that they made it all up. But they still want to burn ...

1520. How Does Your Garden Grow?

Matthew 13:1-9

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

This morning I want to start with a short quiz. 1. True or False? Grass seeds can't be planted in hot weather? False. It just takes more work to keep the ground damp. 2. True or False? Newly planted seeds should be kept in soggy soil? False. Damp soil is best. 3. True or False? Fruits can be grown indoors. True. Mary's grandpa grew strawberries in a wash tub. 4. True or False? Plants need dark as well as light? True. They are just like us in that respect. Look at the Poinsettia. 5. True or False? Berry ...

1521. Why Am I So Lonely? (Series: Real Faith For Real People)

Acts 2:42-47

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

Why am I so lonely? Do you ever ask yourself that question? On Google’s “Lonely Life” website, a lady by the name of Amanda made this entry: “I am living in NYC. I miss my family really bad. My boyfriend dumped me. I lost my job. I am feeling very, very lonely tonight - lonely enough to Google loneliness.” Loneliness is increasing in America. IN 1985, 10% of Americans said they had no close friends. By 2004, that percentage had increased to 24.6%. Loneliness is an epidemic. And I think I know the reason ...

1522. If, Because, Regardless

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

There's a silly story going around about two factory workers, Joe and Lester, who were talking. "I know how to get some time off from work," said Joe. "How do you think you'll do that?" asked Lester. Joe proceeded to climb up to the rafters of the factory and hang upside down by his knees. The boss walked in, saw Joe hanging from the ceiling, and asked him what on earth he was doing. "I'm a light bulb," Joe answered. "I think you need to take some time off," said the boss. So, Joe jumped down and walked ...

1523. John 5:1-9

John 5:1-15

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

No matter how much you might dispute the use of public monies for “artistic” projects, it’s hard to argue with the results — even if you hate them. An artist’s eye is a special angle on the world, and the artistic focus reflects a different vision of what is going on around us. It might not be a “pretty” picture. It might not be something we want to visually record at all. But the artist’s eye is an eye that catches truths in an original prism and reveals territories that a less-honed eye might miss. An “ ...

1524. Freedom to Set Free

Galatians 4:21-31

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

We are continuing our sermon series on Dynamic Discipleship. Last Sunday our theme was in the image of Charles Wesley’s hymn: “He breaks the power of cancelled sin.” The big word of that message was “Christ frees us from something - specifically, from meaninglessness, guilt, and death. Today, we pursue a variation on that theme. Christ not only frees us from something, He frees us to something. Let’s begin by exploring our scripture lesson. Verse 1 of Galatians 5 is Paul’s Magna Charta of spiritual freedom ...

1525. On the Road with Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-10

Sermon

James W. Moore

When our granddaughter Sarah was 12 years old, she tried out for cheerleader at her Middle School. After her try-out we asked her how she did. She said – “in a word ‘flawless’ and she said ‘the judges really liked me.’” Evidently she was right because she did make the cheerleader squad. Well, Zacchaeus was not flawless… and he was not liked by anybody until Jesus came into Jericho that day. When Jesus came over to him and reached out to him with love and acceptance, Zacchaeus was bowled over… and he came ...

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