Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1551 to 1575 of 3852 results

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon

Thomas Long

... understated when it reports that the shepherds "were sore afraid." Tonight, all across the land, in fellowship halls, sanctuaries, and church basements, those who know and love this story will try to re-create it, and the results, compared to the original, will seem pitiably small. A gaggle of neighborhood boys, the very ones we have seen kicking a soccer ball across the front yard, will stand on a hillside of indoor-outdoor carpet, guarding cardboard and cotton-ball sheep with makeshift staffs, their ...

1552. Party in Room 210 ... Everyone Invited

John 1:35-42

Sermon

Thomas Long

... professional responsibility; perhaps some young people who had slipped out of their parents’ rooms, anxiously curious about what was happening in room 210. Alas, the sign by the elevator soon came down, replaced by a typewritten statement from the motel staff explaining that the original notice was a hoax, a practical joke. That made sense, of course, but in a way it was too bad. For a brief moment, those of us staying at the motel were tantalized by the possibility that there just might be a party going ...

1553. Goodness Is Not Good Enough

Mark 10:17-31

Sermon

James W. Robinson

... the kingdom of God. Gold, which stands for affluence and abundance of possessions, can interfere with our quest for the kingdom, too. It has the power to make us forget our dependence upon God. It can cause a kind of amnesia that blots out memories of our humble origins, and makes us think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. It can transport us to an ivory tower where we live in unreality, out of touch with most of the human race. From that lofty perch we see, from a distance, the plight of the ...

1554. All-Out Love

Mark 12:28-34

Sermon

James W. Robinson

... 19:18b. "It was probably Jesus who first combined the two great commandments of Deuteronomy 6:4 and Leviticus 19:18b into a summary of the law." (The Interpreter’s Bible [New York and Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1951] , Vol. 7, p. 847.) "In its original context [Leviticus 19:18] has to do with a man’s fellow Jew. It would not have included the Gentile, whom it was quite permissible to hate." (William Barclay, "The Gospel of Mark," The Daily Study Bible Series, [Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1975 ...

1555. A Cup Running Over

John 11:17-37

Sermon

James W. Robinson

... Bible (Nashville and New York: Abingdon Press, 1952), vol. 8, p. 647. 2. Starr Daily’s story, summarized here, was first published in the defunct United Methodist magazine, "Together." I do not have access to the issue in which the story appeared, and retell it, with little deviation from the original, from memory.

1556. When Things Don’t Work Out, What Then?

2 Samuel 12:1-31

Sermon

Edward Chinn

... t work out, check for a message. Even in our disappointment, there is an answer to our prayers. The answer may be that, in this disappointment, God is making a new appointment with us for a whole new experience which will be greater and better than our original plan. II Secondly, when things don’t work out, we can change our outlook. When David’s hopes for his child did not happen, he changed his outlook. That change is reflected in his behavior. When he returned to the palace, he asked for food and ate ...

1557. How Can We Foretell the Future?

1 Kings 2:1-12

Sermon

Edward Chinn

... writer to develop the capability for poetry he finds in his personality, he must fulfill the conditions of study and intellectual discipline. God has chosen to create his "poems" in a similar way. The word poem is derived from the Greek verb "poem." Originally, it meant to make something. In his Letter to Christians in Ephesus, Paul wrote: "For we are God’s handiwork [in Greek, "poem"], created in Christ Jesus to devote ourselves to the good deeds for which God has designed us" (Ephesians 2:10, NEB ...

1558. God’s Dwelling Place

2 Samuel 7:1-17

Sermon

Thomas D. Peterson

... the law, happy is he" (Proverbs 39:18). The church lives on the vision; indeed, the church is this vision buried in the daily lives of those who are the faithful-waiting. We await that time when our Lord comes in all his glory and restores the creation to its original unity in him. Then God will dwell in us even as we dwell in him, and God and the Lamb will be the everlasting temple. Jesus Christ is the supreme gift and word of God to man. He is the beginning and the end. In him the timeless love of ...

1559. Noise Is Anything That Corrupts the Integrity of a Message

1 Samuel 3:1--4:1

Sermon

Thomas D. Peterson

... . All three types of interference are from outside. They are noises or produce kinds of noises. The message as meant at its source - its integrity - is corrupted, so the receiver cannot reproduce it faithfully. Noises come from outside and distort the message as originally given. Sometimes, though, the noises that corrupt the integrity of a message are not from outside but from inside. We hear words. We are so bent on our own interpretation that we block the message and literally do not hear it. Often I ...

1560. Monday in Holy Week

Hebrews 9:11-28, John 12:1-11, Isaiah 42:1-9

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... Lesson: Isaiah 42:1-9 Theme: The Servant’s ministry of justice Exegetical Note The first four verses here comprise the so-called "First Servant Song" of Second Isaiah, verses 5-9 being a kind of elaboration upon it. Whatever its original referent, from a Christological perspective, the passage bespeaks Jesus and his ministry from baptism to crucifixion, with a special emphasis on the work of Christ (including the cross) as a ministry of justice (or "righteousness"). Call to Worship Leader: Behold the ...

1561. Easter 3

Acts 3:11-26, 1 John 2:28--3:10, Luke 24:36-49

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... be. In his name we pray. Amen Gospel: Luke 24:35-48 Theme: Reading the Scriptures with open minds Exegetical note Luke uses here a post-resurrection appearance story that, in light of its emphasis on Christ’s physical aspect, was probably originally an anti-Docetic piece. For Luke, however, it is a "set-up" for some instruction by Jesus to his disciples concerning mainly scriptural hermeneutics: he "opens" their minds by giving them, not a closed system of literalistic rigidity, but a new Christological ...

1562. Proper 6

2 Samuel 1:1-16, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2, Mark 4:26-29, Mark 4:30-34

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... , that we may learn to live in him and for him, whose death brings life abundant. In his name we pray. Amen Gospel: Mark 4:26-34 Theme: The growing reality of the Kingdom of God Exegetical Note Mark probably connected these two originally independent "seed parables" because of the similarity of subject and metaphor. Each speaks to the nature of the Kingdom, but with a particular nuance: the secretly growing seed suggests that the Kingdom’s growth on earth is beyond human comprehension or control; while ...

1563. Proper 14

2 Samuel 18:1-18, John 6:25-59, Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... to God’s sovereignty in the redemptive process. Call to Worship Leader: Listen, people: Jesus Christ is the living bread, which gives life to the world. People: THOSE WHO COME TO HIM WILL NOT HUNGER, BUT WILL EAT AND LIVE FOREVER. Leader: That bread is of divine origin and is heaven-sent for the sustenance of all who partake. People: LET US GIVE THANKS TO GOD, WHO INVITES US TO THE GREAT SPIRITUAL FEAST. Collect Life-giving God, who sent us the Bread of Life for our spiritual food, open our ears to your ...

1564. Proper 19

Proverbs 22:1-16, James 2:1-13, James 2:14-26, Mark 8:27-30, Mark 8:31--9:1

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... allows another interpretation worth exploring. Some exegetes suggest that in the pre-Easter version of the saying, stauros meant not a "cross" but a "cross mark" (a tau or chi, perhaps), such as was used to mark livestock. If that is the case, Jesus’ original reference was to the Christian’s taking on a mark of identification rather than martyrdom, which became the post-Easter meaning. Call to Worship Leader: As Christians we are a marked people: we bear the name of Christ. People: AS CHRISTIANS WE BEAR ...

1565. Proper 21

Job 42:1-6, James 4:13-17, James 5:7-12, Mark 9:38-41, Mark 9:42-50

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... as we are, our proper role is to discern your objectives and to work patiently toward them. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen Gospel: Mark 9:38-50 Theme: God’s unauthorized helpers Exegetical Note The first of the loosely related (probably originally independent) sayings contained here speaks to the issue of authorization or credentials. Instead of an anticipated institutional response - "He who is not with us is against us." - Jesus opts for blurring such distinctions, and even hints at a high doctrine of ...

1566. Proper 29

Jeremiah 23:1-8, Revelation 1:4-8, John 18:28-40

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... than bucolics. The reference to the inept shepherds is therefore a veiled way of talking about the ineffectual (or unrighteous) kings of Judah; and the promise of a "righteous Branch" of the house of David is messianic. It is important to note that the original concept of the Messiah was political: he would be a great king who would stabilize and secure Judah and Israel. Call to Worship Leader: A great ruler is like a shepherd who protects his flock. People: THE GREATEST JEWISH KING WAS DAVID, WHO RULED ...

1567. The Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon

Brett Blair

... the two talent man doubles his money. Well, done good and faithful servant. “ But what about the one talent man? He stepped forward and said: Sir, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow. So he returned that which he had originally been given him. The landowner, incensed, uses words such as “slothful” and “wicked.” Angrily he took the talent back and gave it to the servant who now had ten. It is interesting to note that in the 25th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel there are three ...

1568. What Is God Made Of?

Acts 17:16-34

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: A statue in marble or bronze, a painting of some classical origin depicting God or a likeness of Him, and then maybe a rock, leaf or wood carving. A four leaf clover or a lucky penny Good morning (evening) to you boys and girls and how are you on this beautiful day? This is our third time together and so that means ...

1569. The Gift

Drama

Esther Lense

... stuffed animals.) And that is the third gift of Christmas - peace. As he leaves, the congregation sings Peace, Perfect Peace. READER: These were the promises of old. They were given to give hope and courage to a people who were far away from their original home in Paradise. And at last God’s promise was fulfilled. And this is the fourth gift of Christmas - God’s promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. As the congregation sings Silent Night the following come in procession from the back to the front of the ...

1570. Christmas International

Drama

Dory Younger

... stage right, turns on tree lights, and brings in a lighted [large] candle on a candlestand to place near front of stage right. Use candle only if it can be used safely. Irish child then stands to left of tree.) NARRATOR: In Ireland the custom originated of setting a candle in a window on Christmas Eve to guide homeless strangers to the door so we can share our food and happiness with them. (NARRATOR reads the following as child in Mexican costume enters from stage left carrying poinsettias which he places ...

1571. Facing the Glory Road

Matthew 20:17-19

Sermon

Louis H. Valbracht

... , it will be for a guaranteed annual wage with automatic advancements. And if a hand should be soiled or a blister raised, the union steward will see to it that the company supplies Corn Husker’s lotion to restore our hands to their original soft loveliness. Not only your temperature but also your emotions will be controlled. There will be pills - pills for happiness, pills for intelligence, pills for strength, pills for memory, pills for courage, and pills for love. And if, despite all of your factory ...

1572. THE MARRIAGE GAP

Genesis 2:4-25

Sermon

William McKee Aber

... utterly unexplainable elements. For example, THE RING was the ancient symbol for eternity; the SOMETHING BLUE worn by the bride was based on the colors some Jews wore on their garments to signify purity and loyalty; the RICE thrown at the bridal pair came originally from the custom of offering food to the spirits to appease evil and achieve fertility; the SHOES tied on the car of the honeymooners once represented a transfer of property; the CLASPING OF HANDS was the symbol of community, and has parallels in ...

1573. BECAUSE HE LOVES ME

Drama

Gary C. Bratz

... to Bethlehem - the city in which the prophet had said long before that Jesus would be born. Child: "But you, O Bethlehem, Ephratah, who are little among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be Ruler in Israel, whose origin is old, from ancient days." Pastor: Saint Luke tells us: Child: "Joseph went from the town of Nazareth, in Galilee, to Judea, to the town named Bethlehem, where King David was born. Joseph went there because he himself was a descendant of David. He went there ...

1574. Who Needs a Shepherd These Days?

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Charles L. Koester

... always recognize its shepherd’s distinctive call? Sheep from various flocks might be placed for protection into a common pen during the night. At daybreak the various shepherds would come and call their sheep forth, and miraculously, they separate themselves into their original flooks, following the voice of their shepherd. In our modern times, the illustration still holds true to life. Whose voice is it we heed and follow? Is it Christ, as the Good Shepherd of our lives, or do we heed and follow other ...

1575. COMMAND TO SHARE

Luke 3:1-20

Sermon

Ewart E. Turner

... and his disciples as they echoed through the Temple. But this was not all that the gospel brought from God. They were to learn the meaning of the Christian life from one who came not to be ministered unto but to minister, who became a servant (actually ‘slave’ in the original). He taught his disciples that when they give even a cup of cold water in his name, when they clothe the naked, or give bread to the hungry, "as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me" (Matthew 25:40 ...

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