Proverbs 31:10-31, Mark 9:30-37, James 3:13-18; 4:1-12
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
... matter of opinion. Some people would point to those who have become eminently successful in business as being wise -- the Bill Gates and Warren Buffetts and Donald Trumps. According to James the wise and understanding person is the person of good and Godly character. Such a person shows forth the wisdom from above (v. 17), which is essentially identical with those traits lifted up by Jesus in The Beatitudes. A rich harvest (v. 17). Those who show forth the wisdom from above produce fruits. The apostle Paul ...
... family and her homeland. Nevertheless, she didn't want to encumber her daughters-in-law, urging them to return to their families. She had the confidence to take what life gave her and move on. Ruth also was a widow who showed great strength of character, refusing to part with Naomi. Finding security (v. 9). Naomi ordered Orpah and Ruth to return to their ancestral homes in order to find security. Being connected with a family was a person's only security, especially for women. Orpah realized this and opted ...
... privacy of our own hearts, and that we may become better and more useful than we hardly dared to dream. I am not offering a psychologizing version of personal transformation here. This encounter with the living Christ which calls forth from us qualities of character and behavior we never knew or allowed, but perhaps always hoped, we had, is nothing less than a miracle of grace. It is, in fact, what salvation is all about. When Jesus says, "Today salvation has come to this house," he is responding to this ...
... swift currents of disobedience and become disconnected. The relationship with God is broken. We become lost to God. Who am I? I am lost! Mark Twain, who plied the Mississippi River for many years, observes that our actions are what betray us, revealing the true character of our hearts. He graphically describes humanity with these pessimistic words: "Of all the animals, man is the only one that is cruel. He is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing it ... He is the only animal that loves ...
... a clammy, cold and ugly appearance, do not forget the oyster and how to look for the treasure inside. When life brings you crosses to bear, do not forget the cross of Christ. It is the power of God to lead you through suffering with patience, character, and hope which will not disappoint you. Vernon Bittner, in his book Make Your Illness Count, talks about how an illness or a tragedy can be a stepping stone to greater living. That was certainly true for Gordon Gund. In his early thirties, his eyesight gave ...
... your pain. We are found when we are open to holy disorder. Nancy Baker, editor of our church paper, is among the most well-read persons I know. She recalled a novel I spent time with by Morris West, titled The Clowns of God. In one place the main character lifts up how we all want order in our lives. He says that God comes in disorder, chaos, emptiness, and vulnerability. This is why the coming of Jesus is a healing and saving event. He is not what we should have created for ourselves. His is truly the sign ...
... and he is the head of the Church. The disciples knew that. That's why they responded the way they did. Luke tells us that after they had returned to Jerusalem, they were all of one accord. When you think about the diverse personalities and characters who were part of that circle of disciples, that in itself is a minor miracle. The disciples' hearts were bonded together by the resurrection. It's almost as if the experience of the cross had shown them their own weaknesses their shared failure to "buck ...
... , in fact, that he decided not only to boycott the party, but to spill his misery on as many people as he could, to wither the lettuce of their joy with the hot grease of his bitterness. But thank God the plowboy and the playboy are not the only two characters in the story. There is also the loving father, the father who loved his sons with a deep, abiding love. And in spite of the great joy he had over the return of his long-lost son, he would not let it eclipse his love for the elder brother. And ...
... that is the Old Testament antecedent to the story of Pentecost and was printed in Volume 1 of this set, I thought I'd try it. It was more difficult to execute this time, since I added a few extra stage directions including some major character movements and requiring several people to speak with rapidity at two points. It was worth the effort. Again, the experience of the congregation with doing plays and leading in worship made it possible for me to consider trying this. These stage instructions should be ...
... the parents. First there is Joseph. He may have been young. He may have been old. The only time we hear of him is in the beginning of the Gospels telling the birth stories. And we get little information. Except, except, we meet a man with character and faithfulness. One whose relationship with his family as a father was so carried out that his son, Jesus, addressed God as "Father." Was he an extraordinary person, or was he simply, like us, trying to do the best he could, and somehow being there when ...
... . This is a mock radio broadcast. The movements are meant to assist in building the responses of the readers -- Field Announcer being startled, and so forth. Please practice your readings so you are familiar with them. Bring the scripts to church. Characters: Studio Announcer Field Announcer Mary Magdalene Officer 1 Officer 2 Gardener Disciple John Angel Studio Announcer: March 31st, 29 A.D., Jerusalem, YOU ARE THERE! Today, our journey takes us to the Jerusalem of the first century, a walled city with ...
... twelve disciples. Passing along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Come, and I will make you fishers of men." They left their nets and followed him. Simon was of such character and strength of personality that Jesus named him Peter, the rock (2). Second Person: Further on along the Sea of Galilee, Jesus encountered James (3) and John (4), the sons of another fisherman named Zebedee. Legend has it that the four young fishermen may ...
... are thirsty as well. All conclude they are thirsty for something more lasting than what the bartender has to offer. Note: This chancel drama is a setup for preaching to the theme of "The Need To Believe That Life Has Meaning And Purpose." Characters: Travis (a travelin' man) Bartender Joe Olympic Athlete Chad Sad Selma, college dropout Clancy Clown, dressed as a clown Tone: Mix of humorous and serious Setting/Props: The Last Chance Bar Approximate time: 5-6 minutes (Music: Sons of the Pioneers' "Cool, Cool ...
... has experienced. Hattie longs for human contact. Note: This chancel drama is a setup for preaching to the theme of "The Need For A Sense Of Community And Deeper Relationships." Theme: The Need For A Sense Of Community And Deeper Relationships Characters: Hattie Elderly lady Heidi Hattie's young niece Voice over a microphone backstage Tone: Humorous, empathetic Setting/Props: Living room in Hattie's apartment Exaggerated large cell phone Approximate time: 5-6 minutes (Music, such as the piano playing of ...
... , the student acts out strange antics in order to call attention to himself. The counselor shocks the parents with a surprising diagnosis and prescription at the end of the consultation. Theme: The Need To Be Appreciated And Respected Characters Dr. Hobbs, school counselor Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rosett Dirk troubled student Tone: Humorous, underlying serious Setting/Props Counselor's office chairs Approximate time: 5-6 minutes (School sounds may be heard, such as bells, announcements over a public ...
... change indicates a sudden growth spurt in their relationship. Note: This chancel drama is a setup for preaching to the theme of "The Need To Feel That One Is Growing In Faith." Theme: The Need To Feel That One Is Growing In Faith Characters: Alma, wife, wearing an old, outdated wig George, husband, wearing an old, outdated sweater Tone: Humorous Setting/Props: Home setting, telephone, large travel map Approximate time: 5-8 minutes Alma: Say, George. George: Say, what? Alma: I think it's time. George: Time ...
THEME: Reuben is one of the forgotten characters of the Bible -- the one who, by normal processes, should have received the birthright as the firstborn son of Israel. He tells of the common experience of feeling like a second-class son, because Israel favored Joseph. He shares family events, as well as his inner soul. SETTING FOR THE ...
... her. I was a contemporary, after all, with her father-in-law, Elimelech. "May the Lord bless you," I exclaimed. "You haven't run after the young men -- either rich or poor. You've come to me? I'll do what you ask. All my townspeople speak of your noble character. There is one relative, closer than I, who has the first right. I'll speak with him before this day is over." I filled her shawl with grain for Naomi, and I set off for town at dawn. I went to the town gate. When the kinsman redeemer came along ...
... 's passion to do away with him. Yet here he was sharing a quiet rendezvous with its third-ranking member. He who "knew what was in man" (John 2:25) was confident that Nicodemus would not betray him. So the midnight meeting attested the scholar's character as much as his passion for truth. For another thing, we see here not the high-powered official whom many must have both hated and envied for the post he held, nor the pundit whose reputation preceded him wherever he went, but the man -- the sincere ...
... of our youth here at the church to write an essay on the German bombing of England during World War II. This exercise was not only a good way to teach history, but it forced the schoolboy to place himself both outside and inside the character of another person in another place and time in history. Mr. Wall believes that the proper role of religion is to fight against the struggle of selfish interests. True religion should fight against the perspective that nothing but the private self exists, and that life ...
... hear them again. For those who are not married, they are commitments you may someday utter. At the very least, they are basic to the assurances of marriage that affect all of us in one way or another. Today especially, this is the character of __________ and __________ relationship that they are putting before the entire community. They are going public with their intentions for their life together. We gather to support that relationship. We are backing you, __________ and __________! We are for you in your ...
... . This occasion enables each of us to evaluate where we have been in life and where we are going. And it matters not whether we are married or single, young or old, employed or unemployed, this occasion enables us to focus on those positive values that build character and the ingredients that make intimate personal relationships endearing and enduring. The first thing we look for in a healthy marriage is some kind of equality of sharing. And when I say sharing, I don't mean a 50-50 deal. I don't even mean a ...
... attempted to live out his commitment to Christ. While many people today put their careers ahead of all else, ____________ lived as though his true calling was to serve his family, his church, and his community. (Here thanksgivings are given for the deceased's character and forms of service.) We give thanks today for ____________ life on earth, but we also give thanks that his life continues in God's heavenly kingdom. His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whose birth we are about to celebrate, has come again and ...
... who didn't like her impudent manner were interested in the truth of what she had said. The man from Nazareth, now upstairs with the High Priest, had been a Rabbi of sorts and he did have followers. A dozen or more. They were such nondescript characters that people didn't particularly remember what they looked like or who they were. Pointing now to a humiliated and possibly angry Pete the tiresome girl said again: "This man is one of them."Once again Peter denied any association at all with Jesus. He didn ...
... why examples and illustrations are so important. They make the abstract concrete. From the words the mind pictures what's going on. When you listen to a radio drama or read a book, by the end of it you have created in your mind a vision of what the characters look like and how the scenery appears. The reason films of books are often unsatisfactory is that the people on screen don't look like we imagined them to be. We created a picture in our minds from the printed page. As we shall see below, television as ...