Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1501 to 1525 of 4935 results

1501. Cross Eyed: Triumph

John 20:1-18

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

Mark was three years old when his pet lizard died. Since it was her grandson's first brush with death, Grandma suggested that Mark and an older boy in the family hold a "funeral" for the lizard. Grandma explained what a funeral was: a ceremony where you say a prayer, sing a song, and bury your loved one. Grandma even provided a shoe box and a burial place in the backyard. The boys thought it was a great idea, so they all proceeded to the backyard. Taking the lead, the older boy said a prayer. Then he ...

1502. No Time for a Sermon

Hebrews 1:1-14

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Merry Christmas! Christmas Day is “No Time For A Sermon.” No, it is not that there is no time for a sermon because the choir sang so many beautiful Christmas songs. It is not because there is no time for a sermon because it took so long to seat the “Christmas crowd.” It is not because the critters in the “live” nativity scene got loose and ate all the Christmas cookies for coffee hour. The reason that on this Sunday, on Christmas Day, there is “no time for a sermon” is because on Christmas Day there is ...

1503. The Two Witnesses

Revelation 11:1-14

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

11:1–2 Many stylistic and thematic elements of this second part of the interlude differ from its first part. For this reason, most commentators think this difficult passage, which centers on the ministry and fate of the “two witnesses,” is derived from some discredited Jewish apocalyptic midrash on Daniel and adapted here by John for his Christian audience (Beasley-Murray, Revelation, pp. 176–81). However, unless John thought it contained an authentic prediction of a temple siege and the ultimate ...

1504. The King Who Exalts Himself

Daniel 11:36-45

Understanding Series

William Nelson

The Final Revelation--The Body: We enter now into the body of the last main revelation of the book of Daniel. There has been some progression in the visions of the book from a more general scope, encompassing larger blocks of history, to a more narrow focus on shorter periods of time. So, for example, Daniel 2 spans four and a half centuries by outlining the four human empires of Babylonia, Media, Persia, and Greece, which are swept away by the fifth—the eternal kingdom of God. Aside from the fact that the ...

1505. Unconditional Commitment

Luke 9:51-62

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Anyone ever visit a water park? It’s that time of year when people flock to parks and stand in hour-long lines to go down the biggest, best water slide in the entire region. You wait and you wait until finally you get to the top of that slide, look down, and….panic! It looks like a long, long way down. You look back. The line is thick and there’s no way you can turn back. You’ve got to go ahead, close your eyes, and risk it, despite the paralyzing fear! Maybe you’ve experienced something similar when you ...

1506. He's Not Dead Anymore

Matthew 28:1-10

Sermon

King Duncan & Angela Akers

Good morning and welcome to our celebration of Easter, the most important day in the history of humanity, the day when Jesus Christ rose from the grave, defeated the power of death, and secured for us eternal life. Christians all over the world begin their celebration this day by loudly proclaiming some variation of the word “Hallelujah!” which means “Praise the Lord!” So, I invite you now to say it with me—“Hallelujah!” It's a powerfully moving thing to think about churches all over the world in nearly ...

1507. The Lord Abhors the Pride of Israel

Amos 6:8-14

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

Israel’s Ill-Placed Confidence: In the preceding group of oracles, Amos announced that God would pass through Israel’s midst to do them to death. Undoubtedly that message met with skepticism on the part of those who bothered to listen to this prophet with a Judean accent. Like everyone who is prosperous and comfortable, most of those in Israel who counted for anything felt that they were enjoying the results of God’s favor toward them, or, if they took no thought of God, that their good life was secure. In ...

1508. Determining Your Destiny

Luke 16:19-31

Sermon

James Merritt

A well-to-do man and his family of five lived in a plush, gated neighborhood in a wealthy urban community. He was a righteous man, by all accounts. A volunteer worker in the student, faithful to his wife, never missed one of his son’s baseball games. “I’ve never met a better man than that one,” someone was overheard saying of him at church. “It’s amazing how the Lord has blessed him.” At night, when the man turned into his neighborhood, he would always catch a glimpse of a young lady on the far street ...

1509. The Image of Gold and the Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3:1-30

Understanding Series

William Nelson

The Gold Image and the Blazing Furnace: There are a couple of loose links between chapter 2 and chapter 3. First, when the astrologers (Chaldeans) accuse the three friends, they refer to them as “some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon” (3:12), alluding to their promotion in chapter 2 (2:49). Secondly, the term “image” generally connects chapter 2 to chapter 3. First, Nebuchadnezzar sees an image (2:31; NIV “statue”); then he erects one (3:1). It is unlikely, as some have ...

1510. The Tale Of Three Women

Ruth 1:1-22

Sermon

John A. Stroman

Ruth, what a remarkable book. Here is an interesting portrayal of three women -- Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth. Against the brutal setting of a famine in Judah, Elimelech flees from Judah with his wife Naomi and their two sons to the country of Moab in search of food. After their arrival in Moab Elimelech dies leaving his wife Naomi alone with her two sons Mahlon and Chilion. The two sons marry Moabite women, Naomi and Ruth. Ten years later the husbands of Ruth and Naomi die leaving all three woman widowed. Naomi ...

1511. An Unfamiliar Place For God

Jeremiah 29:1-23

Sermon

Thomas G. Rogers

They looked over their shoulders one final time to see what was left of their city and their homes. The prisoners searched the rubble with their eyes hoping to find a familiar sight. They longed to see something familiar that might bring comfort to their unsettled hearts and minds. But when the smoke from the fires cleared enough for them to see, they saw only empty spaces where their houses had stood. They felt anger toward the soldiers who had replaced their homes with sky, but their anger turned to ...

1512. What Triggers Your Panic Button?

Matthew 14:22-36

Sermon

Charles R. Leary

***This sermon focusses on the Markan Version.*** What triggered their panic buttons? The disciples thought they saw a ghost. J. B. Phillips’ version says, “they screamed ... they were absolutely terrified ... they were scared out of their wits ... But Jesus spoke quietly to them, 'It’s all right, it is I myself; don’t be afraid!'" What triggers your panic button? Several months ago, soon after we had installed a smoke alarm, my wife was broiling steaks to entertain guests. The alarm went off in a room ...

1513. They Also Serve Who Wait

Luke 2:21-40

Sermon

Thomas Long

"The whole thing is rotten," said Morris Weiser, as he tapped his cane on the vaulted ceiling of the old and decaying synagogue in New York's lower east side. Morris Weiser was among the few Jews who survived the Janowska concentration camp in Poland, and now, a retired butcher in his seventies, his one remaining passion is to keep alive the Chasam Sopher synagogue. The synagogue has few Sabbath worshipers now, but Morris has put all of his savings into this place, sustains it by his constant effort, keeps ...

1514. Proper 25

Hebrews 7:11-28, Job 42:7-17, Job 42:1-6, Mark 10:46-52

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: God in Christ is ever available to hear and heed our cries for mercy. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Job 42:1-6, 10-17 The story of Job comes to completion as the sufferer comes to acknowledge his own finitude and God's power. Job does not receive a direct answer to his questions but receives something better, the very presence of God. "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you" (v. 6). This verse contrasts knowledge of God from tradition with a more direct relationship of God ...

1515. Liking the New and Improving the Old

Isaiah 43:14-28

Sermon

Barbara Brokhoff

Next to "love," the word "new" is one of the most overworked words in our world. If it isn't new, we immediately consign it to ancient history. A minister friend, tells of speaking to a group of seventh grade confirmands. They were at a rather rustic retreat center. One boy came up to him, saying, "Boy! Is this place old! In the bathroom you have to turn on two faucets to get hot and cold water!" New and old is always relative, of course, but we quickly tire of the old and readily embrace the new as better ...

1516. The Faith of the Cannanite Woman

Mark 7:24-30

Sermon

Brett Blair

What would you think if I told you that on your tombstone would be inscribed a four-word epitaph? Well, you might respond, it would depend on who would write this epitaph--an enemy or a loved one. It might also depend, you might say, on how well this person knew and understood you. If a newspaper critic wrote of a concert pianist the four words: He was a failure, you could always say: That was his opinion. But if one of the world's great musicians wrote, “He was a genius,” then you are apt to take the ...

1517. Jesus, Mary, Gustav Mahler, Brother Martin, and the Magi

Luke 20:9-19

Sermon

Carl Jech

The scribes and the chief priests ... perceived that he had told this parable against them. (Luke 20:19) No doubt you are wondering what Jesus, his mother, Mary, the composer, Gustav Mahler, Martin Luther and the three Wise Men (the Magi) have in common. The list sounds like it comes from one of Johnny Carson's "Carnak" bits, doesn't it? The simple answer is that all of these people were willing to take a new look at the traditions they had inherited. Like Tevye in Fiddler On The Roof, they could celebrate ...

1518. Lord, Teach Us to Pray

Luke 11:1-13

Sermon

He (Jesus) was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation." And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me ...

1519. Proper 5 & Pentecost 3

Matthew 9:9-13, Romans 4:1-25, Hosea 6:1--7:16, Genesis 22:1-19, Psalm 13:1-6, Psalm 50:1-23, Hosea 5:1-15

Sermon Aid

THEOLOGICAL CLUE The broad, eschatological framework of the church year provides the only clue to the theme for worship and preaching on the Third Sunday after Pentecost. God's promise to bless all those who keep his commandments continues to be announced by the biblical elements assigned to the propers of this Sunday. The Gospel for the Day illustrates, as part of its theme, one example of complete and total adherence to the commands of Christ; when Jesus said, "Follow me," to Matthew, he meant it - so ...

1520. Which Way?

Matthew 16:21-28

Sermon

There is something contradictory and unexpected - inexplicable, in fact - about the way that leads to life. Given the two choices Jesus offers in this text, we on our own would not, not in a million years, make the right choice. Given the options of redemptive suffering on the one hand and, on the other, strongarming the enemy for Jesus’ sake, we’d choose the latter every time. Simon Peter chose plan B even after Jesus gave him all the clues he needed to reject it. It should not surprise us that humanity, ...

1521. Will My Ship Sink or Float?

Romans 8:28-39

Sermon

Robert G. Tuttle

For the key verse in this Scripture reading, like best the King James Version: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." No! Not everything that happens in life is good (much of it is very bad). But when you add all the happenings of life together and look at the whole of life, for the person who has faith in God, for the person who loves God and shares the love of God, that life is good. The whole of life, its ups and downs, are good when we see them interrelated in a ...

1522. Lazarus Rising

John 11:17-37, John 11:38-44

Sermon

John 11:1-46 (suggested reading of only 32-44) The story for this morning begins with a certain sense of urgency. It is easy to stand here now and talk about it with some sense of calm, but I can assure you that there was no calm for Martha and Mary. They were beginning to panic. Lazarus, their brother, was slipping fast. Indeed, it looked as though he would not make it. Now, I want you to envision a person in your mind. I want a face to appear in your mind’s eye. Who would you turn to if you faced a ...

1523. Mary Magdalene, Stephanus, and Lucia

Drama

Jon Joyce

Setting Night on a Jerusalem street. Properties may include background painting of a first century building in front of which Mary Magdalene is standing when she encounters Stephanus and Lucia. Normally, no properties are required other than the audience’s imagination. Costumes Mary: flowing robe of black and white. Veil of same material, white, to cover hair. Sandals. A sparkling ring or two on her hands. Stephanus: simple white toga, sandals. Lucia: long, simple dress of bright colors. She may wear ...

1524. Great Is Your Faith

Matthew 15:21-28

Sermon

Brett Blair

What would you think if I told you that on your tombstone would be inscribed a four-word epitaph? Well, you might respond, it would depend on who would write this epitaph an enemy or a loved one. It might also depend, you might say, on how well this person knew and understood you. If a newspaper critic wrote of a concert pianist the four words: "He was a failure," you could always say: That was his opinion. But if one of the world's great musicians wrote, "He was a genius," then you are apt to take the ...

1525. They Also Serve Who Wait

Luke 2:21-40

Sermon

Thomas Long

"The whole thing is rotten," said Morris Weiser, as he tapped his cane on the vaulted ceiling of the old and decaying synagogue in New York’s lower east side. Morris Weiser was among the few Jews who survived the Janowska concentration camp in Poland, and now, a retired butcher in his seventies, his one remaining passion is to keep alive the Chasam Sopher synagogue. The synagogue has few Sabbath worshipers now, but Morris has put all of his savings into this place, sustains it by his constant effort, keeps ...

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