Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1576 to 1600 of 4508 results

1576. What Do You Want to Know?

Illustration

Brett Blair

People have been choosing up sides since the Garden of Eden. The movie, "October Sky," illustrates this. Homer Hickam, a West Virginia high school student was faced with an important decision. Homer was part of a small group of friends. They weren't jocks or rich kids, but they knew what it meant when you associated with the wrong kid, especially John, that red-haired pimply-faced nerd that no on...

1577. The Ministry in Interruptions

Illustration

Brett Blair

Henri Nouwen wrote about Matthew 9. He said (I'm paraphrasing) that ministry is what happens in the interruptions. In this passage we see several examples of the types of things that can happen through interruptions. Matthew at work, interrupted by Jesus (v. 9). Jesus teaching, interrupted by Jairus (v. 18). Jesus going to Jairus' home, interrupted by the woman (v. 20). Jesus leaving Jairus' home...

1578. The Fringe

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Those of you men or women who wear protective clothing, aprons, or uniforms know that these not only identify you within a certain profession but assist you in your form of trade. A waitress wears an apron. A chef wears a kind of apron-like garb. A tradesman wears a tool belt or heavy apron. A policeman wears a uniform and belt. You would never do your job without wearing your special garb. They a...

1579. Paying Taxes

Illustration

King Duncan

SEE, this man eats with sinners and tax collectors." Tax collectors are never popular. Many want to adopt a flat tax and dismantle the Internal Revenue Service. "I'm proud to be paying taxes in the United States," said Arthur Godfrey. "The only thing is I could be just as proud for half the money." "President Clinton said he looks forward to the day a citizen can call the IRS and get the right a...

1580. A Reminder of the Graciousness of God

Sermon

King Duncan & Angela Akers

Have you ever been the victim of gossip or rumors? Ever overheard a snide comment that you weren’t supposed to overhear? Knowing that others are judging you, looking down on you, can be a painful experience. There are many warnings in the Bible against gossip and judging others because these activities harm human relationships and they don’t reflect the character of God. I read a news story about...

1581. God Calls Heathens

Illustration

Angela Akers

Rev. Barkley Thompson is an Episcopal priest in Little Rock, Arkansas. In one of his sermons, he shares a moment of life-changing grace that led him to become a follower of Jesus Christ. He writes, “Sitting in a musty gothic classroom at the University of Chicago, a Lutheran friend named Jay Alanis looked me squarely in the eye and said, ‘Barkley, God is here, doing something with you.’ ‘No Jay,’ ...

1582. Jesus Questioned about Fasting

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

9:14–17 Jesus is still at table with tax collectors and “sinners” (v. 10) when a group of followers of John the Baptist come and ask him why his disciples do not fast. Pharisees apparently fasted twice a week (cf. Luke 18:12; Didache 8), and John’s disciples fasted as well. In the previous paragraph the question was whether Jesus should be eating with outcasts; now the question is whether he shoul...

1583. Keeping It Fresh

Illustration

Brian Stoffregen

Usually the orthodox rabbis of Europe boasted distinguished rabbinical genealogies, but Rabbi Yechiel of Ostrowce was an exception. He was the son of a simple baker and he inherited some of the forthright qualities of a man of the people. Once, when a number of rabbis had gathered at some festivity, each began to boast of his eminent rabbinical ancestors. When Rabbi Yechiel's turn came, he replie...

1584. A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The final set of three miracle stories again highlights Jesus’s authority to heal and also focuses on faith that often precedes healing (9:22, 29) as well as Jesus’s growing notoriety in the Galilean region (9:26, 31, 33). The first miracle story involves the healing of a bleeding woman and the raising of a dead girl. A ruler approaches Jesus, asking him to come to his daughter who has just died a...

1585. A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

9:18–19 As Jesus continues to teach, a Jewish ruler comes to him in behalf of his daughter who has just died. Kneeling before Jesus, he declares that if Jesus will but come and touch her she will be restored to life. This ruler of the synagogue (as Mark and Luke both identify him) was an important person in the Jewish community. To seek the help of one who would be considered a dangerous heretic b...

1586. Dr. God

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Let God be a healing presence and power in your life. A popular TV commercial for cough syrup shows a houseful of sick kids lining up outside a closed door apparently a waiting their turn with the doctor. Finally, the door opens and standing there in a white lab coat, spoon in hand, announcing "Next," is ... "Dr. Mom." The cough medicine hawkers are obviously trying to cash in on the fact that d...

1587. Jesus Stays with Us

Children's Sermon

Object: Some artificial flowers and/or artificial fruit. Good morning, boys and girls. Isn't it funny how we become so sure of some things that are not always true? For instance, some Sunday mornings, I pass in my car people who are going in the same direction that I am going and I wonder if I have ever seen them in church before. Pretty soon I get to the church and get out of my car and the peop...

1588. The Healing Power of Touch

Sermon

Brett Blair

As Matthew’s story begins this morning, Jesus, the great physician, is on his way to make an emergency house call. There was a little girl who was in a grave state and her father implored Jesus to come. We are told that a large crowd of the curious followed Jesus. Some were hoping he would succeed, others that he would fail; most probably got caught up in the excitement of the parade. In this thr...

1589. A Chance To Be Made Whole

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

A young man and woman had been dating for a long time. One starlit evening, the young man called up his sweetheart to ask her to go on a ride with him. He said he had something very special to share with her. He picked her up in his much loved antique sports car and drove out to the park. There they had a lovely candle and starlight picnic. For some reason, the young man did not talk much. He see...

1590. How to Motivate People

Sermon

Stephen M. Crotts

A few years ago a fellow took me on a tour of his sock manufacturing plant. He showed me the loading dock where raw materials were unloaded, the washing machines, fluffers, twisters, looms, finishers, and packagers. In all, I found out there were over 150 different steps taken to manufacture one pair of socks! Well, that set me to thinking about the church and the making of disciples. How many ste...

1591. The Special Olympic Race

Illustration

Brett Blair

John Beck used to be a football star for the University of Kentucky. Later on he became a preacher and was named as Chaplain of the U.S. Olympic Teams. For a number of years he traveled with our Olympic Teams all over the world, leading in their devotions, counseling & praying with many of the athletes. As he watched these young men and women train for the events in which they competed, he decide...

1592. Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The healing of two blind men occurs after they cry out to Jesus for mercy (cf. 9:13), recognizing him as “Son of David” (Messiah; see “Theological Themes” in the introduction). Jesus heals them “according to [their] faith” in his power to heal them (9:28–29). Matthew again highlights the faith of those coming for healing as well as Jesus’s authority to heal simply by a touch of his hand (9:29). As...

1593. Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

9:27–31 Isaiah 35 tells of a coming day when God will open the eyes of the blind and unstop the ears of the deaf (v. 5). Matthew’s account of Jesus as the giver of sight says, in effect, that the day of messianic deliverance has arrived. As Jesus walks along, two blind men follow him and call for mercy. The title they apply to him, Son of David, was messianic, but in the popular mind meant little...

1594. A Chance To Sing

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

In the middle of the soloist's anthem at church one Sunday, a young boy turned to his grandmother and whispered, "She can't sing very well, can she?" Grandma knew the woman had had a deep love for God so she said, "Well, she sings from her heart. That's what makes it good." He nodded thoughtfully. Several days later they were riding together and singing along with the radio when the grandson tur...

1595. Do you need a Pharisectomy?

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“To whom shall I speak and give warning that they may hear? Behold, their ears are closed, and they cannot listen. Behold, the word of the Lord has become a reproach to them they have no delight in it.” (Jeremiah 6:10) Props: Coffee and rolls Every home gets to set their own rules. Some are strange. Some are stringent. Some are strident. Some are just plain goofy. Ever been in a home with a whi...

1596. Details

Sermon

Marc Kolden

It's probably not a good idea to speed-read the Bible. You might get the overall story and you might even improve your comprehension but you would be likely to miss the little details. And in our passage today from Matthew 9-10 the details are at least as important as the story of the events themselves -- and the details may be more interesting. The story has to do with Jesus seeing all the people...

1597. The Interview

Sermon

Larry Goodpaster

The young woman squirmed uncomfortably in the cushioned chair to which she had been directed by the receptionist. Not only was she nervous about the impending job interview, but the shuttle service which had provided transportation from the airport to this office building had been the worst of her life. The others who had been on the van seemed as upset as she was -- and just as captive. Now, beca...

1598. Laborers Needed for the Harvest

Sermon

Dennis Kastens

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord o...

1599. Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

Mission Discourse: The Twelve to Follow Jesus’ Lead (9:35--10:23) Big Idea: In the second major Matthean discourse Jesus calls the Twelve to lead in mission to Israel, following his model as an authentic shepherd of God’s people despite persecution. Understanding the Text The brief narrative transition between chapters 8–9 (9:35–38) and Jesus’ second teaching section in chapter 10 highlight Jesus’...

1600. The Workers are Few

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Matthew concludes this section on Jesus’s messianic teaching (chaps. 5–7) and kingdom enactment (Matthew 8–9) by summarizing Jesus’s ministry to Israel in teaching, preaching, and healing (9:35; almost verbatim to 4:23). Upon seeing the crowds who have heard his teachings and brought their sick to him, Jesus is filled with compassion for the people of Israel, whom he likens to sheep without a shep...

Showing 1576 to 1600 of 4508 results