Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 1576 to 1600 of 3926 results

1576. Our Convictions Should Honor God

Romans 14:1--15:13

Bulletin Aid

... interpret discipleship in different ways, resulting in a variety of convictions. We hurt, rather than help one another as we defend our differences. Forgive us for the fractures we cause, when we ought to bring healing and wholeness to your church. Help us to bind ourselves together in Christian love supporting each other in faith and practice. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Hymns "At Length There Dawns the Glorious Day" "God Send Us Men" "Lord, Speak to Me" "O For a Faith That Will Not Shrink"

1577. The Cost of Discipleship

Luke 14:25-35

Sermon

Brett Blair

... like this: I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, But still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something I can do. Let me ask you: What if every member of our church supported the church just as you do? What kind of church would you have? What if every single member served the church, attended the church, loved the church, shared the church, and gave to the church exactly as you do? What kind of church would you be? Last illustration: James ...

1578. Joseph’s Dream

Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon

... company." Criswell even has a plan to meet the projected materials crisis of A.D. 2600; he believes that human beings can take the sun apart through the use of particle accelerators, thereby providing a virtually inexhaustible source of energy and materials to support human life in this universe. Two thousand years ago, the announcement of a "virgin birth" must have been just as incredible as Crisweli’s Plan for "Mother Sun." But through God-given faith, Joseph was able to accept the promised miracle and ...

1579. Jesus - the Holiest Name

Luke 2:21-40

Sermon

... ; they had not abandoned the baby bird and they wouldn’t leave it to its own devices until it learned to fly and care for itself. God would go even farther with Jesus; he would be with him always, "even unto death," and Jesus would need all the loving support he could get before his ministry was completed. Jesus’ name was destined to become a loved and revered name to those who believed him to be the Son of God and the Savior of the world. William Waisham How’s hymn to the Name of Jesus did not make ...

1580. Death by Water

Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon

... to seek baptism at his hands. Surprised, he said to Jesus, "I need to be baptized by you." John knew his role in God’s drama of forgiveness and reconciliation that would unfold in the ministry of Jesus; Christ was to predominate, while John’s was a supporting role. Jesus was the Messiah, and not John, no matter how large a following he had built up into what could be called the beginning of a "baptist" sect, and he, according to Scripture, was the "forerunner" of Jesus, sent "to prepare his way and make ...

1581. Beginning a Ministry

Matthew 4:18-22

Sermon

... potential of people to grow and become the kind of people needed for Christian ministry. That isn’t always easy to do. Fitness and aptitude can’t always be determined by a battery of academic and psychological tests; personal interviews and assessments, supported by academic records and letters of recommendation, need to be put alongside the tests for one’s fitness, even for entrance and, later, matriculation at a theological school. The disciples Jesus chose wouldn’t be able to gain entrance to a ...

1582. Christians Trust in God

Matthew 6:25-34

Sermon

Joe Pennel

... in God, seeking his kingdom and his righteousness above everything else, will liberate us from imprisonment by anxiety, worry, and fear. Trusting in God frees us so we can use our hearts, minds, and strength to do all those things that need to be done to support our lives and to help others meet their daily needs, too. Trusting in God is our response to the faith-knowledge that he cares about us and all people, and is concerned about our physical welfare and the quality of our lives. But trusting in God ...

1583. Given as Light

Isaiah 42:1-9

Sermon

... a kiss, Jesus held out the hand of friendship. Because he had in his heart this Word of God from Isaiah, Jesus could withstand even betrayers like Judas: "Behold my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one, in whom my soul delights." Yet another Word of God could support Jesus as he sat by the River Jordan the day John the Baptizer came along. His feet bathing in the ripples, Jesus may have felt these words from Isaiah sear his heart like a branding iron, "I have called you in righteousness. I have taken you by ...

1584. Jacob’s Dream - A Dream Come True W. Dexter Moser

Genesis 27:1-40

Sermon

... of his children. Some translators use words about the Lord’s position as our verse says: "... and behold the Lord stood above it ..." Other translators say: "stood beside him." "Stood with him." We look up to God in reverence. He stands beside us in support. We stand with him in faith. He continually sends to us, comes to us in loving grace, always giving, giving, and giving! His giving is never more evident than in and through his Word, awe inspiring, spoken, remembered. "... And the Lord (whatever his ...

1585. Expectations of a Vital Faith James K. Cobb

Exodus 1:1-22

Sermon

... expect that God was in the beginning, will be at the end, and is present in all there is in between. "The Lord is my shepherd, I have no other needs." That assurance tells us that we can always expect the presence of God to be near, to guide, to support and to protect. "The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in, now and forever." We can expect the Lord to be close at hand in all our comings and goings. In the New Testament Jesus says, "I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the ...

1586. The Cry for God

Exodus 17:1-7

Sermon

James G. Cobb

... solid faith that we will never be scared and frightened and knocked off balance. Martin Luther once wrote a sermon on this passage and commented that "great faith doesn’t need Christ’s assurance or presence. Great faith stands before God without need of the support or the strength of a Savior." But little faith, "little faith" writes Luther, "needs a Christ." He comments, "if the faith of the disciples had been strong, they would have said to the sea and the waves: ‘beat against us as you may, your ...

1587. The Power and the Glory

Matthew 20:20-28

Sermon

... of the world is concerned with power and glory, but what the church and Stephen Ministers can be in the midst of this world is a community of people who tell God's story in Jesus as the one who came "to serve and to give," and who affirm and support one another in seeking to live in service. In fact, "we have no mission but to serve"; self-concern for power and glory miss the goal. (Lutheran Book of Worship, hymn No. 433, "The Church of Christ, in Every Age") For these belong to the God to whom we pray ...

1588. Easter 3

Luke 24:13-35, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23

Bulletin Aid

... of baptism, we may receive the gift of your Holy Spirit. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen. Prayer of Confession Many facts prevent us from believing the truth about ourselves, Father. We live in a Christian nation; we have a Christian background; and we support the church. But the truth is, we are sinners. In religious ritual, we repent; but it fails to speak for the sins we hide in our hearts. Wash us clean with your forgiveness, that our confirmation of Christian baptism may be an honest invitation for ...

1589. The Day of Pentecost

Isaiah 44:1-5, Acts 2:1-13, Acts 2:14-41, John 20:19-23

Bulletin Aid

... , that others may also enjoy his peace. People: May the Holy Spirit be our strength, enabling us to share the peace our Lord gives. Collect O holy Father, whose Son has commissioned his church to be in his service, giving us the Holy Spirit to be our support: Send us into our community with power to witness on behalf of Christ; that those who hear may respond in honest confession of sin, and receive your forgiveness. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen. Prayer of Confession You have blessed us with the peace ...

1590. Soap Opera Silence

Matthew 10:1-42

Sermon

... the television soap opera, "All My Children." I must admit that it was neither the first time nor the last. One of the segments for this particular day took place at the wedding of two of the central characters. The setting was a large living room filled with supportive guests. The clergyman seemed to be a Roman Catholic priest. He was dressed in a black suit and clerical collar and he had a white stole around his neck. He appeared to be very much in control of things, in the manner of a sure and confident ...

1591. Invincible Harvest

Matthew 13:1-23

Sermon

... different social classes with different versions of the gospel. To put it crassly, programmers discover who is listening and then shape (or better, change) the message in such a way so as to keep them listening and to encourage their support.1 The techniques of market analysis are highly developed and their conscientious use can guarantee success. They can be applied to programs of congregational outreach as well as to media productions. It is, however, a highly dangerous method of kingdom evangelism ...

1592. The Promise of Emmanuel

Isaiah 7:1-25

Sermon

... in our life and world now. God is with us. God is with us calling us into question and judging us for the thousands upon thousands of poor and hungry and homeless people who are with us in the United States. God is with us holding us accountable for our support of racism at home and abroad. God is with us judging us for our giving higher priority in our lives to machines for war and destruction than to those things which make for peace. You will never in a million years convince me that our God is not with ...

1593. A Renewed Call

Isaiah 49:1-7

Sermon

... word which renews and refreshes him for his prophetic ministry. In my own discouragement and disappointment, the Lord God meets me in preached and sacramental Word, as the Seminary community gathers for worship to renew and empower my sense of call. Colleagues who are supportive and students who demonstrate care and insight become channels of God's faithful presence to me. Is it not so for us in our own discouragement, disillusionment, and despair about our call to be God's people in mission, to be a light ...

1594. Light Shines

Isaiah 9:1-7

Sermon

... . This word says we are not alone. This word says we are not defenseless nor deserted. It promises that, in the very deepest darkness of our souls, our lives, our world, God is present with us. God is present with us. God is wrapped around people who provide support when our job is lost. God is wrapped around communities, like the church, which provide love and help when life falls apart. For my aunt, God comes wrapped in the person of a cousin of mine who visits and expresses love to her. God comes to us ...

1595. God Turns Darkness to Light

Isaiah 49:8-26

Sermon

... you. The voice on the line says, "Your grandmother has died. When can you come home?" The warmth and brightness become cold, clammy darkness penetrating the living room of life. There are reports that the entire system, both governmental and private, of pensions and support for retirement is on the verge of a disastrous collapse. No one seems to know exactly what to do about it. America is becoming more elderly all the time. The expected years of golden age with leisure and relaxation are and will be, for ...

1596. So Soon We Forget!

Exodus 16:1-36

Sermon

... , even when we behave like spoiled brats, God loves us! Sometime ago a woman went to her pastor with the tragic story of her marriage. Her husband had deserted her and run away with another, younger woman. For several months she had received no child support from him. She had to take a second job, and even then they had scarcely survived. She told the minister the story of her loneliness, heartbreak, shame, and despair. "And now," she concluded, "he has called me, says he still loves me and the children ...

1597. Is God With You, Or Not?

Exodus 17:1-7

Sermon

... His name? Must I be carried to the skies On flow'ry beds of ease, While others fought to win the prize And sailed through bloody seas? And the answer: Sure I must fight if I would reign Increase my courage, Lord! I'll bear the toil, endure the pain Supported by thy Word. Life, even for the Christian, has its share of difficulty, but it doesn't mean God is gone! Even preachers don't have a bed of roses all the time. (Can you believe that?) The great George Whitefield spent a total of two years at sea ...

1598. Communion Is Response to an Invitation

John 6:25-59

Sermon

... for a second term in office. One of the important planks in his platform is to return our nation to her strong religious foundations, especially as they express themselves in voluntary prayer in public schools and the abortion issue. To help build support for his position and to receive the opinions of the "grassroots religious people" of America, the President will sponsor a Religious Banquet and Forum at the White House on Sunday, June __, 19__. Your congregation has been randomly selected to send two ...

1599. R.S.V.P.

Matthew 22:1-14

Sermon

... of a committed core group. Let them assume as much responsibility for things as they’re able to handle. Like all of us, they need to invest themselves if they’re to feel any ownership. Don’t program for them; plan and design ministry with them. Support ‘em, love ‘em and don’t be afraid to challenge ‘em. And keep me informed. In Christ, Mark September 29 Dear Sue, Well, look on the bright side: at least they were honest with you. Calling on every household with junior and senior high youth took ...

1600. The Servant’s Credentials

Matthew 23:1-39

Sermon

As part of my service to the church beyond the local parish, I serve on the Professional Preparation Managing Group of our Virginia Synod, Lutheran Church in America. This group is charged with the task of screening and supporting those of our synod who present themselves as candidates for church occupations, those who perceive in their lives a call to ordained ministry, the diaconnate, or service as lay professional leaders. Most of the time it is rewarding to meet with and listen to those whose lives ...

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