Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1501 to 1525 of 4972 results

1501. Giving Up Our Monkeys

Hebrews 12:1-13

Illustration

... today we meet Christ, our rescuer, our deliverer. He says, "Come, go with me." He comes to set us free - and he will, if we are willing to give up our pet monkeys. He will release us from whatever islands we have been marooned upon, if we are willing to leave behind the things we cannot take with us. So, let's turn loose our monkeys. In the words of Hebrews 12:1, "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely ..." Let us part ways with whatever keeps us from going His way, and from here ...

1502. Just Loving Him

Illustration

Staff

On Christmas Day a priest observed a small girl repeatedly entering alone into the church building. Each time she would sit for a while before the altar and then quietly leave. At last, as the child was leaving, the priest approached her and asked, "What gift did you ask of the Christ Child?" "Oh," was the reply, "I didn't ask him for anything - I was in there just loving him for a little while." Whatever else may happen here before this altar this morning, I hope that ...

1503. The Cracking Point

Mark 12:1-12

Sermon

Harold Warlick

... into God's cracking point. Like a madman hurling baggage from the trunk of a car, God called out the debris he was going to leave all over the backyard of humankind. "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth; you will have to earn a living all the rest of ... only humans. They want to be God. A man plants a vineyard, digs a pit for a winepress, rents it out to tenants and leaves. When harvest time arrives, this owner sends a servant to get some fruit from the tenants. They beat him up and run him off. ...

1504. The Master Has Come - To Proclaim God’s Kingdom

Mark 1:9-13

Sermon

... life is a call to make the Kingdom of God a reality in our lives. Gerald Mann, a Baptist minister in Texas, wrote a book called Why Does Jesus Make Me Nervous? He told of going to see his friend Carlyle Marney, and telling him he was thinking of leaving the ministry. When asked why, Mann replied that he was unhappy. Marney said, "Well, you ought to quit! Whoever told you that you had a right to be happy? The ministry is no place for the pursuit of happiness ... it’s a place for the pursuit of the Kingdom ...

1505. The Life We Prize

Luke 9:18-27

Sermon

Various Authors

... father and finding reconciliation. Fred finally went to his father’s bedside. The son said, "Dad, I love you and I ask you to forgive me for any way in which I have hurt you." The father shouted, "Why don’t you go back to your fancy living and just leave me alone!" Fred had the choice of whether to quit and to give up or to go to the Cross and to die to any claims for himself. He identified with Jesus’ humiliation and suffering. He went back again to a father who could only be more and more spiteful ...

1506. What kind of Cup Do You Bring?

1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Sermon

Various Authors

... to let these concoctions of our spirits contaminate the gifts God pours in our cup. This is what Jesus was getting at when he advised his disciples: "If you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24) Jesus knew that our acts of worship were useless if we allow our partially filled cups to contaminate God’s gifts ...

1507. The Gathering, The Scattering

Hebrews 10:19-39

Sermon

Various Authors

... it is. Don’t spoil it!" Now the party host climbs up to pool-side. To the gate he goes. He whispers in the ear of the gatekeeper. In ten seconds the pool is wide open. Everybody may come in. Among the original guests, there’s confusion. Some leave in a huff. Some scowl, but stay. Some welcome strangers to their midst. Before an hour is past, a grand time is enjoyed by all. For weary bodies, hearts and souls, the Lord Christ opens his refreshing swimming pool, his holy meal, his gracious future, to the ...

1508. Responding to What We Hear and See

Matthew 11:1-19

Sermon

Joe Pennel

... have you done to us? We wanted a pet kitten And you turned into a tiger. We liked you the way you were. Why couldn't you leave us alone? We wanted you to show up when we wanted you to make us feel good. We wanted a pretty church for weddings and baptisms and ... raff, The church followed them Straight out into the suburbs. Looking at all we've done for you, Jesus, Why can't you leave us alone? We've got enough troubles now. Why do you keep pricking our conscience? What do you want for Christmas, our hearts? ...

1509. World Communion Sunday: A World In Communion

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Sermon

... of his urgings, he simply could not get people to stand close enough together at the communion rail. In a frustrated tone, he told the pastor how each time he sent the proper number of people up, but they never seem to fit just right. “Some people leave 6 to 8 inches between them and the person next to them, which crowds up the ones on the very end.” In desperation he threw up his hands and said: “Can’t people get close together even at communion?” Perhaps the head ushers frustration points out ...

1510. Come and Find Rest

Matthew 11:25-30

Sermon

... , publisher Bill Lyon ran this notice on page one: THE OFFICE OF THE OBSERVER WILL BE CLOSED JUNE 1, 2, AND 3 DUE TO GOOD FISHING CONDITIONS. THE OFFICE DOOR WILL BE LEFT OPEN AND PAPER AND PENCIL WILL BE ON THE COUNTER FOR ACCOMMODATION OF PATRONS WHO WISH TO LEAVE NEWS ITEMS OR ADVERTISING. This is a man who knows how to rest! But is this what Jesus really meant when he said: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest?" No, Jesus was referring to his Jewish audience that ...

1511. Lent 1

Genesis 3:1-24, Romans 5:12-21, Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:4-25, Psalm 130:1-8

Sermon Aid

... there is forgiveness with you, therefore you shall not be feared." Oh, Lord, hear our voices, for we are all close to death. The Psalm Prayer God of might and compassion, you sent your Word into the world as a watchman to announce the dawn of salvation. Do not leave us in the depths of our sins, but listen to your Church pleading for the fullness of your redeeming grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. THE READINGS Genesis 2:7-9, 15-17; 3:1-7 The garden story of Adam and Eve - and the serpent - shows us how ...

1512. Easter 5

Acts 17:1-9, Psalm 33:1-22, Acts 17:10-15, 1 Peter 2:4-12, John 14:1-4, John 14:5-14

Sermon Aid

... the reality of everlasting life in God's kingdom. There is a place for all believers in the everlasting kingdom of God. 1. Death is always a departure from this world. It was no different with Jesus when he was nailed to the cross; he had to - and did - leave the world and his loved ones behind when he died. Jesus left the world twice; once on the cross and a second time in his ascension. 2. Death means departure for a destination. Jesus was convinced of that, knew that he would return to the Father's house ...

1513. The Ascension of Our Lord

Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:36-49, Luke 24:50-53

Sermon Aid

... in your glory." The old collect has content that suggests a different liturgical and theological direction, addressing the prayer to Christ, not to God the Father, as he "who didst this day ascend in triumph far above all the heavens," and asking the Lord not "to leave us comfortless," but to send the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, to us." The ascension is the final act in the triumph of Christ over death and the grave and is, therefore, a festival of great joy and celebration. The Psalm of the Day (LBW ...

1514. Proper 4

Deuteronomy 11:1-32, Genesis 12:1-8, Matthew 7:15-23, Matthew 7:24-29, Romans 3:21-31, Psalm 31:1-24, Psalm 33:1-22

Sermon Aid

... second readings and the Gospels are, generally, in harmony with those of the other lectionaries. The Psalmody, as a rule, is different. The story of the shaping of Israel's destiny begins, in this reading, with God's call of Abram to leave Haran, where he and his family had settled prematurely after leaving Ur of the Chaldeans, and to make his way to Canaan. Abram packed up his family and went to Canaan. When they had reached Shechem's "Holy Place," the Oak of Moreh, God appeared to him and told him that he ...

1515. Proper 20 & Pentecost 18

Matthew 20:1-16, Philippians 1:12-30, Philippians 1:1-11, Exodus 32:1-33:6, Jonah 4:1-11, Isaiah 55:1-13, Psalm 27:1-14, Psalm 145:1-21, Psalm 106:1-48

Sermon Aid

... 's worship and preaching. The Prayer of the Day (LBW) This prayer was prepared with Matthew's parable of the householder, who hired servants to work in his vineyard, in mind. It addresses God this way: "Lord God, you call us to work in your vineyard and leave no one standing idle," clearly reflecting the content of the parable spoken by Jesus. It asks God to "Set us to our tasks in the work of your kingdom, and help us to order our lives by your wisdom; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." The Prayer ...

1516. Proper 22 & Pentecost 20

Matthew 21:33-46, Philippians 4:2-9, Philippians 3:12-4:1, Numbers 27:12-23, Psalm 81:1-16, Isaiah 5:1-7

Sermon Aid

... toward a stand of an old cottonwood trees on my next-door neighbor's property. From my desk, I can see a nest which a pair of squirrels is busy enlarging. It wasn't there last winter, and I didn't see it until the leaves began to fall from the trees. They carry mouthsful of leaves up to the nest, disappear inside, and before long, reappear and repeat the procedure over and over again. What is unusual about this is where the pair of squirrels built the nest; it is not on a solid limb of a tree, or in the ...

1517. Proper 24 & Pentecost 22

Matthew 22:15-22, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Ruth 1:1-22, Psalm 96:1-13, Isaiah 44:24--45:25

Sermon Aid

... that God had reversed the famine so that there was enough food again. The tragedy is alleviated when Ruth, who with Orpah was urged to stay with her people, begged her mother-in-law to take her with her, voicing her love in that beautiful speech: "Entreat me not to leave you or to return from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge; your people will be my people, and your God my God...." After Orpah goes back to her family and Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem, the story ...

1518. Love’s Legacy

2 Samuel 23:1-7

Sermon

... of the eternal city as the dictator’s will was read. Billionaire Howard Hughes’ will has been disputed for years as various people wrangle for the wampum. Several rich eccentrics appear in the press after leaving their fortunes to dogs, cats, or other pets. David left us nothing that we can touch, taste, or try on. He did, however, leave us a will that reminds each of us that we are living in the will of God. David came from a desert tribe acquainted with the parched feel of dry earth. He knew the ...

1519. Green!

Genesis 1:1-2:3

Children's Sermon

... this Advent/Christmas season, we will have a different color as our theme. This morning, we begin with the color green. Can you name some things that are green in color? Grass and leaves? Those are good answers. Green is the color of life, of growth. Each Spring we look forward to the greening of the grass and the coming again of the leaves and plants. When God first created the world, what color do you think it was? Yes, I think it was probably green, too. But green is also one of the primary Christmas ...

1520. Born One Of Us

Drama

... with her. But part way there, Naomi stopped and said to her daughters-in-law, "Return each of you to your mother’s house." And she kissed them. Both Orpah and Ruth wept, and Orpah returned to her mother in Moab. But Ruth said to Naomi, "Entreat me not to leave thee And to return from following after thee. For whither thou goest I will go, And where thou lodgest, I will lodge; Thy people shall be my people, And thy God, my God." So the two went out of the country of Moab and, at the beginning of the barley ...

1521. The Rest of the Christmas Story

Isaiah 40:1-31

Sermon

... You live in a barracks next to your factory with fifty other men who, like yourself, are forced by apartheid to leave their families to be able to provide for them. Because you are black, you must send your children to grievously ... a rent strike, or any other form of nonviolent protest against apartheid, you can be sent to jail. If you urge that American corporations divest and leave your country, you can be sent to jail. If you shelter someone who is in a white area looking for work, you can be sent to ...

1522. Getting Off Of The Mountain

Matthew 17:1-13

Bulletin Aid

... the street, as we select decent reading material, as we visit a lonely person, as we meet our daily responsibilities. A hymn for the Transfiguration puts it this way: "'Tis good, Lord, to be here. Yet, we may not remain. And since thou bidst us leave the mount, come with us to the plain." Consider one, or several, of the following hymns: "O God of Light, Your Word, a Lamp Unfailing" "O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright" "Be Thou My Vision" "We Thank Thee Lord" Meditation Suggestion: This meditation could ...

1523. The Sent Sitter

Acts 2:1-21

Children's Sermon

... was killed, and then on Easter God raised him, they were glad he was back with them again. They were glad to know he couldn’t die. But then he told them he was going to leave and go back to God, and they wouldn’t see him anymore. When they heard that, they were scared and sad. But when that happened, and Jesus did leave them, they found it wasn’t as scary as they thought. Just like with the sitter, too, they found it could be exciting. You see, when the sitter is with you, Mom or Dad really haven ...

1524. "The Return"

Drama

... in your own pursuits. And Average Man, you will never have a mind of your own, you will never be free, you will never be fulfilled until you face the emptiness inside you and cry for help. And when you do, I will be there. You may all leave. (They do, carrying their labeled stones.) Woman (raising head) They are gone. I’m safe? ... Lord, I have a confession. A lot of confessions. Everything they said was true, all of it. I have been unfaithful to you. I have neglected your brothers. I have been proud, and ...

1525. Whose Fool

Matthew 5:21-26

Drama

... falls limp to the floor] Hey - what ... I hardly touched you. Come on - get up and ... Hey! Oh, my God. I didn’t hurt you. There must have been something wrong with him. I didn’t hurt you. [Looks around] Oh, no - I’ve got to get out of here. [Leaves quickly] I didn’t hurt him - I didn’t. 2: [Gets up after 1 has left and brushes off. Looks around, smirks, and starts to ...

Showing results

Showing 1501 to 1525 of 4972 results

1501. Giving Up Our Monkeys

Hebrews 12:1-13

Illustration

1502. Just Loving Him

Illustration

Staff

1503. The Cracking Point

Mark 12:1-12

Sermon

Harold Warlick

1504. The Master Has Come - To Proclaim God’s Kingdom

Mark 1:9-13

Sermon

1505. The Life We Prize

Luke 9:18-27

Sermon

Various Authors

1506. What kind of Cup Do You Bring?

1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Sermon

Various Authors

1507. The Gathering, The Scattering

Hebrews 10:19-39

Sermon

Various Authors

1508. Responding to What We Hear and See

Matthew 11:1-19

Sermon

Joe Pennel

1509. World Communion Sunday: A World In Communion

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Sermon

1510. Come and Find Rest

Matthew 11:25-30

Sermon

1511. Lent 1

Genesis 3:1-24, Romans 5:12-21, Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:4-25, Psalm 130:1-8

Sermon Aid

1512. Easter 5

Acts 17:1-9, Psalm 33:1-22, Acts 17:10-15, 1 Peter 2:4-12, John 14:1-4, John 14:5-14

Sermon Aid

1513. The Ascension of Our Lord

Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:36-49, Luke 24:50-53

Sermon Aid

1514. Proper 4

Deuteronomy 11:1-32, Genesis 12:1-8, Matthew 7:15-23, Matthew 7:24-29, Romans 3:21-31, Psalm 31:1-24, Psalm 33:1-22

Sermon Aid

1515. Proper 20 & Pentecost 18

Matthew 20:1-16, Philippians 1:12-30, Philippians 1:1-11, Exodus 32:1-33:6, Jonah 4:1-11, Isaiah 55:1-13, Psalm 27:1-14, Psalm 145:1-21, Psalm 106:1-48

Sermon Aid

1516. Proper 22 & Pentecost 20

Matthew 21:33-46, Philippians 4:2-9, Philippians 3:12-4:1, Numbers 27:12-23, Psalm 81:1-16, Isaiah 5:1-7

Sermon Aid

1517. Proper 24 & Pentecost 22

Matthew 22:15-22, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Ruth 1:1-22, Psalm 96:1-13, Isaiah 44:24--45:25

Sermon Aid

1518. Love’s Legacy

2 Samuel 23:1-7

Sermon

1519. Green!

Genesis 1:1-2:3