Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1576 to 1600 of 2157 results

Ephesians 4:1-16

Sermon

King Duncan

... the world upside down. I read a story recently about a circuit riding preacher during the frontier days of our land. He was a humdinger of a preacher named Jesse Lee. He once preached a sermon on Acts 17:6 that reads like this in the new King James Version: “These that turned the world upside down have come here also.” The thrust of his sermon was that sin has turned the world upside down, and the design of the gospel and the business of the ministry are to set the world right side up again. Well, the ...

1577. Christmas Grass and Easter Tinsel

Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Sermon

Cynthia Cowen

... available for them. — Luke 2:6-7 (NLT) "She gave birth to her first child ... and wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger" (Luke 2:7 NLT). Did you hear any mention of a stable in this translation? I checked out other versions, but nowhere can it be found a stable was Mary's delivery room. However, we are told that Jesus' first bed was a manger. A manger is a place where animals were fed. It didn't contain fresh, tender grass. It probably was filled with harsh, dried out straw ...

1578. How Firm a Foundation

Luke 6:39-49

Sermon

Cynthia Cowen

... as high as 72. The variation arises from the difficulty in classifying them. Yet one thing is certain, the parables come from Jesus himself. In order to get a real picture behind the parable of the two foundations recorded by Luke, we need to read Matthew's version of it as well. Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because ...

1579. Believing Thomas

John 20:19-31

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

... , a minister, a scholar, and a Civil Rights activist who founded an interracial community in the South during an era when this was not only foolhardy but downright dangerous, translated the scriptures from the Greek to the vernacular of the South. He called this the Cotton Patch Version. He translated a verse in another one of John's writings, which we call 1 John 3:18, in the following way: "My little ones, let's not talk about love. Let's not sing about love. Let's put love into action and make it real ...

1580. Sit Up and Speak!

Luke 7:11-17

Sermon

Arley K. Fadness

... if not physically, in some manner all their lives. They go through the motions of living, yet, are dead spiritually, or socially, or intellectually, or emotionally. Then one day by the grace of God, their lives are interrupted, and they experience a Damascus Road conversion like the apostle Paul, and they sit up and began to live and to speak. For others, the weight of deadness is lifted through clues and small insights as they grow in faith, step by step, day by day, as did Timothy under the Christian ...

1581. Don’t Be Afraid

Luke 12:32-40

Sermon

... heart follows. May we choose wisely where we put our money and our talents and our time and may these be used more and more for the sake of your kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen. 1. For a more complete version of this story see: Heather Forest, Wisdom Tales (Little Rock, Arkansas: August House, 1996), pp. 117-119.

1582. But I Really Like the Best Seat in the House!

Luke 14:1, 7-14

Sermon

... ). Chew on these words for a few days or weeks and then let them bother you for a while. I know that they bothered me. And I know that they still aren't finished doing their work on me. May they never be finished. Amen. 1. I have heard several versions of this story. One written source is: Heather Forest, Wisdom Tales (Little Rock, Arkansas: August House, 1996), pp. 60-61.

1583. Religion and Politics

Isaiah 1:1, 10-20

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... "political" speech - it is similar to a preacher's publicly expressed concern about cashing his tax-rebate check while knowing how many millions of American children have no health insurance. The tone shifts with verse 18. In the wonderful language of the old King James Version in which so many of us were nourished: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." - Isaiah 1:18 ...

1584. The Most Dangerous Verse In the Bible

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Sermon

David E. Leininger

Which verse is the most dangerous? It is this one that says, "All scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 2:16) or "All scripture is inspired," depending on which version or translation you use. To be perfectly honest, perhaps this is not the most dangerous verse, but as one writer says it is the mother of all proof texts. As the bumper sticker has it, "The Bible says it; I believe it; that settles it." After all, this is God' ...

1585. A Faith That Matters Between Sundays

Romans 3:19-28

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... campaign. In exchange for a contribution, Tetzel would provide donors with an indulgence, either for a departed loved one, or even perhaps yourself to be used later (sort of a pre-need service). The sales pitch was down to a science, like an ancient version of "You Deserve a Break Today." Tetzel's jingle went, "As soon as the coin in the coffer rings/ a soul from purgatory springs." To Luther, Tetzel's preaching was not simply bad business, it was bad theology. That precipitated the 95 Theses. Luther did ...

1586. Good Friday

Psalm 22:1-31, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 18:1-11, Hebrews 10:16-25

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... wish to schedule themselves to “cover” a block of time so attendees are not alone with the Good Friday experience. Have available copies of the Celtic knot from the book cover and the hands found on the divider pages. Record instrumental versions of nineteenth-century cross hymns to play during the hours the sanctuary is open. These hours are for persons who wish to “feel” the pain of injustice, guilt, shame, and betrayal surrounding Jesus’ death. People enter space/sanctuary, dimly lighted, with ...

1587. L4G Live For God

Mark 10:17-31

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... while the #1 hashtag on Twitter has been “YOLO,” an acronym for "You Only Live Once." The phrase was made popular by singer Drake, who used "YOLO" in his song "The Motto.” But it is now used in a couple of ways. For some it is the new version of “Carpe Diem,” which is Latin for “Seize Today” or “Seize the Moment.” We someone reaches out to seize the moment, they say or text or tweet “YOLO.” For others it is an invitation to take risks, or to do something that you normally wouldn’t do ...

1588. Sing Praise

Colossians 1:15-23

Sermon

April Yamasaki

... the world around us. One of the ancient hymns that expressed the theology of the early church and shaped its understanding is found in the first part of our scripture reading for today. Colossians 1:15-23 is written in regular paragraph form in some English versions of the Bible, but many scholars believe that it was actually an ancient song of praise. Like the well-known hymn, "Fairest Lord Jesus," or a praise song like "Here I Am To Worship," this ancient hymn was meant as praise to the Lord Jesus Christ ...

1589. Killing What Is Already Dead

Colossians 3:1-11

Sermon

Charles L. Aaron

... that part, we come in. We participate in Jesus' death and resurrection through our baptism (2:12, 20). In baptism we die to the old self, and we are raised to a new self. I know all of this has sounded complicated, but it really is a nutshell version of what comes before the "so" that begins chapter 3. Christ is the instrument of creation; Christ's death and resurrection reconcile all things; we participate in Christ's reconciling work through our baptism, by which we die to the old self. Before we go on to ...

1590. The Unchanging Christ in a Changing World

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Sermon

Charles L. Aaron

... us to God. When we worship, we draw on traditions that go back centuries. We read scripture written as much as 3,000 years ago or more. We recite prayers from ancient cultures that still speak to our hearts. We unite ourselves with Christians through the ages. Some version of the Lord's Prayer came from Jesus' lips. Taking the bread and cup go back to the upper room. The Apostles' Creed goes back to the second century. All of these things give us roots and stability in a changing world. We can look back and ...

1591. The Word Alone

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Sermon

Scott Suskovic

... Luther and said, "Martin Luther, the teachings found in your book have been declared to be in error with the church. I ask you for the last time, do you recant your teachings or are you willing to bear the consequences?" This is where the Hollywood version of things makes the reality fuzzy. The image that prevails is one of a tall Luther, defying the wicked and corrupt Roman structure, pounding his fist on the table, clutching a Bible and yelling, "Here I stand!" Then he mounts a white horse and begins the ...

1592. Trumpet Medley

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

Sermon

David J. Kalas

... " or "It's for you." And we can even program specific ringtones for specific callers. Likewise, the alarms we set to awaken us in the morning is another area of tremendous variety now. Once upon a time, alarm clocks simply rang. Then some electronic versions offered an alternative: the buzz. Now, however, we can awaken to all sorts of sound effects, voices, messages, programming, and music. Beyond all of that, with small digital devices, we can now have our chosen music with us almost anywhere we go. Our ...

1593. Joshua's New Diet

Joshua 5:9-12

Sermon

David J. Kalas

... famous 1918 photograph taken by Eric Enstrom. Simply titled, "Grace," the photo shows an old man, Charles Wilden, sitting at a small table, with a simple meal before him, with folded hands and bowed head, saying his thanks to God before eating. Painted versions of the original photograph hang in countless homes and churches. For generations, it has been a cherished image of the table grace, and more recently it has been designated as the official state photograph of Minnesota (where it was taken). This ...

1594. The Joy of the Lord

Nehemiah 7:73b--8:18

Sermon

King Duncan

... and religious considerations. It is a dominant theme in our land today. Here is what David Brooks has to say about Secularism. He says it is a big mistake. He writes, “Secularism is not the future; it is yesterday’s incorrect version of the future.” It’s not really economics that drives human behavior, Brooks continues. “People everywhere,” Brooks says, “long for meaning, purpose, and righteousness beyond economics. . . . Human beings yearn for a world that reflects God’s will in many cases ...

1595. Extreme Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Sermon

King Duncan

... streets handing out money to homeless people and do it with an unloving spirit? Amazing, but true! “If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship . . .” That’s the NIV translation. Many of us remember the King James Version: “though I give my body to be burned . . .” Some of you remember the Vietnam War when Buddhist priests would pour gasoline all over their bodies, then set themselves on fire. You mean you can be seized with that kind of religious extremism, and it will ...

1596. Prayer-Conditioning Your Life

Luke 2:29-32

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... need most to “Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord; Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word” 4) When facing his final nunc dimittis, Jesus prayed. No one gets out of life alive. Each one of us will have to say our own version of the “nunc dimittis” Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in peace. The ultimate “nunc dimittis” happens at our greatest moments of sacred intercept. On one end of the human spectrum is the experience of birth. In Luke 2 focus is on the welcoming of the infant ...

1597. Luke 13:1-9

Luke 13:1-9

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... -bearing ability. In the context of Jesus’ message to “repent,” this is the fig tree’s opportunity to “repent” of its barrenness. It now has an opportunity to fulfill its true nature as a fructifying, life-producing creation. Instead of being soundly cursed for its bare branches, in Luke’s version of the fig tree the puny plant is granted a second change — a chance to “repent” and a chance to demonstrate its change of “heart” with quantifiable fruitfulness.

1598. The 5 Worst Things Christians Say After A Tragedy

Luke 13:1-9

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

1599. So Send I You

John 20:19-23

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... -site. We are desperately trying to contain the chaos of the cosmos. In John’s gospel, Jesus’ first appearance to his disciples is when he comes to them behind closed, locked doors. Despite the vision of the empty tomb, despite the version of the resurrected Jesus Mary Magdalene had reported to them, the disciples were still shuttered and shuddering — clamped down and closed off from a threatening world. Then Jesus blasts through their ADT security system, blows out their “LifeLock,” and suddenly ...

1600. See Something, Say Something, Do Something, Be Something

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... on to some website that has the information or product you’ve been searching for. But before you are granted access to that portal you must endure the “Terms of Service” claimer/disclaimer. The “term of service” barrier is the twenty-first century version of the cherubim with flailing; flaming swords set up to guard the Garden of Eden. You are SO not getting anywhere without first “agreeing” to the terms of “service” stipulated by the site you are visiting. Even when all you want to do ...

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