Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: Levi, disciple, evangelist, tax collector, the 12, the twelve, apostle, sermon on the mount, jewish audience, beatitudes, lord's prayer, great commission, parables, olivet discourse, mount of olives, olivet, synoptic

Showing 1601 to 1625 of 4942 results

1601. I Am Coming Soon

Sermon

Ronald Lavin

See, I am coming soon... -- Revelation 22:12 (NRSV) ____________ Clyde Schmidt was a member of First Lutheran Church. His family had belonged there for four generations. His grandfather was a Lutheran minister. Clyde and his wife, Ida Mae, were pillars at First Lutheran. Clyde's faith was shaken one day when Ida Mae asked him for a divorce. It had been a difficult year. His lumber business was quite demanding. He had not spent as much time with his wife and children as he had desired. In addition, Clyde's ...

1602. Seder Service: The Passover Haggadah

Bulletin Aid

Robert L. Linder and Rabbi Sol Ester

The Passover "A program of fellowship for adults and/or youth in Christian congregations desiring a better understanding of the heritage and the meaning of the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion." This work was inspired and initially written by Rev. Robert L. Linder while pastor of First English Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio. He was assisted by Jewish leaders of the community. It has since been revised by others, including Rabbi Sol Oster of Lima, Ohio. BLESSING OF THE FESTIVAL CANDLES Before ...

1603. The Meek

Sermon

John A. Terry

Psalm 37:1-11Matthew 5:1-12 This is not the beatitude of anyone claiming "I am the greatest." In fact, like all the other beatitudes, we have to wonder how practical these words are. What business could survive being meek? This is not a slogan you are likely to find above the door to the Stoc_esermonsk Exchange on Wall Street. Meekness will not win the play-off series between the New York Knicks and the Chicago Bulls. We tend to think of the meek as the casualties, not as the winners. "Miserable are the ...

1604. Table Manners

Mark 2:18-22, Mark 2:13-17

Sermon Aid

Richard A. Jensen

We may need to refresh our memory by noting that today's gospel text is one of four controversy stories in Mark 2:1--3:6. Jesus performed a burst of healings and exorcisms in chapter 1 which captured the admiration of the crowds (Mark 1:45; 2:12). With a new set of stories that end in 3:6 we find Jesus mired in constant controversy. These stories end on an ominous note (Mark 3:6). The leaders of the Jewish people come off in these stories in such a way as to suggest to some that they are the hearers of ...

1605. When Matters Hang in the Balance

2 Samuel 12:1-31

Sermon

Robert Noblett

When our son was very small, he developed a strange disorder that manifested itself in an excruciating pain that roamed from joint to joint. It would be in one elbow, then the other; it would then move on to a knee and so forth. As part of the diagnostic procedures, he was given an EKG, and I still have a very vivid mental picture of the little fellow all wired and lying on a hospital bed. Our anxiety was heightened by the fact that for a time, the medical people could not arrive at any definite diagnosis ...

1606. Proper 15

Ephesians 4:17--5:21, 1 Kings 3:1-15, 1 Kings 2:1-12, John 6:25-59

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Being filled with the wisdom and Spirit of God. COMMENTARY Old Testament: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 The story of David comes to an end. He reigned as king a total of forty years. Solomon rules in his father's place, offering lavish sacrifices at the high places of worship. Early in his reign, God appears to him in a dream and tells him to request whatever he desires. Solomon confesses his inadequacy for the task of being king and asks the Lord for wisdom, that he might discharge his duties justly. God ...

1607. Proper 22

Hebrews 1:1-14, Hebrews 2:5-18, Job 2:1-10, Mark 10:13-16, Mark 10:1-12

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Remaining true to our covenants of faith. In the First Lesson, Job remained true to God in his trials. In the Second Lesson, the writer of Hebrews calls the Jewish Christians to keep from falling away from Christ. In the Gospel, Christ calls us to keep our marriage covenant. COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Job 1:1; 2:1-10 (C) This lection comprises the first of four readings from the book of Job, one of the books of biblical wisdom literature. This reading is part of the introduction (1:1--2:13), which sets ...

1608. Proper 9

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, Mark 6:1-13, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: God gives us the authority to bring in his kingdom through our strengths and our weaknesses. COMMENTARY Old Testament: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 David first serves as king of Judah, with his capital at Hebron, for a period of seven years. The leaders of the northern tribes of Israel come to him at Hebron and they agree to make him king over the northern tribes. David's army captures the city of Jerusalem from its inhabitants and it becomes the capital of the united kingdom. David reigns as king of Israel ...

1609. The Transfiguration

2 Corinthians 4:1-18, 2 Kings 2:1-18, Mark 9:2-13

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Seeing the vision of God's glory. This being The Transfiguration Of Our Lord, the last Sunday in the bright Epiphany season before the fast of Lent, we need to fix the vision of the glorious Christ in our hearts and minds. God's blessings are promised to those who have the faith to catch the vision. COMMENTARY Old Testament: 2 Kings 2:1-12 It seems to be general knowledge among the prophetic school associated with Elijah that the prophet is going to be taken into heaven on a certain day. Elisha, the ...

1610. Christmas 1

Isaiah 61:10–62:3, Luke 2:21-40, Galatians 3:23–4:7, Colossians 3:12-21

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Hope for the future. Simeon and Anna viewed Jesus as the fulfillment of their people's hopes and dreams. In a similar manner we see our hopes being fulfilled in our children and youth. We can be advanced in years and still live in hope. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Isaiah 61:10--62:3 The prophet of the third portion of Isaiah (circa 530 B.C.) holds up a brilliant hope for the discouraged Israelites returning from exile to their own land. He thanks God for clothing him in the Lord's robe of ...

1611. A Lady With A Listening Ear · Mary Of Bethany

Luke 10:38-42

Sermon

Gordon Pratt Baker

There are as many ways to witness as there are witnesses. Not everyone can be like Andrew, who never met a stranger, or Peter, whose eloquence brought thousands to Jesus. (Acts 2:14-42) But one thing is sure. Each of us has a witness to bear. I For Mary of Bethany the witness took the form of the hours she spent at Jesus' feet. It was an act of devotion the very sight of which must have spoken as tellingly to her neighbors as anything she might have said to them. It was not that she would have been content ...

1612. Transfiguration

Luke 9:28-36 · Matthew 17:1-8 · Mark 9:2-8

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they awakened they saw his glory and the two men who ...

1613. Epiphany 6

Luke 6:17-26, Psalm 1:1-6, Jeremiah 16:1--17:18, 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

Sermon Aid

George Bass

THEOLOGICAL CLUE The numbering of the Sundays of Epiphany warns the liturgically-initiated that the climax of the season of manifestation and ministry is approaching, and that with it comes the beginning of Lent. Christmas and the Epiphany of our Lord have diminished in the thought and worship of the churches by this point in Epiphany. Theological clues continue to surface in the name - Epiphany - of the season that the Episcopal and Lutheran churches use for these Sundays. "Ordinary Time 6" and "Proper 6 ...

1614. Advent 3

Zephaniah 3:1-20, Philippians 4:2-9, Luke 3:1-20, Isaiah 12:1-6

Sermon Aid

George Bass

THEOLOGICAL CLUE It should be remembered by the preacher that the church year is not simply a framework which surrounds the liturgy of the church, but it is also a skeleton which needs to be fleshed out with readings from the Old and New Testaments. This becomes manifestly clear by the Third Sunday in Advent, because the world is pulling in one direction while the Christian year orients and points us to the past, the present, and the future. When filled out by the various sets of propers, including the ...

1615. Proper 6

Galatians 2:11-21, 1 Kings 19:1-8, 2 Samuel 12:1-31, 2 Samuel 11:1-27, Psalm 32:1-11, Luke 7:36-50

Sermon Aid

George Bass

THEOLOGICAL CLUE The theological clues coming from the church year state that the Lord will return to rule over the earth - and direct the ministry of God's people to include the earth and everything in it, not simply ministry to other human beings. Christians must love and care for others in positive and practical ways, not merely mouth a few prayers of thanksgiving and lift petitions for the benefit of others, if their liturgy - in and outside the worship service - is to be pleasing to God. The gospel of ...

1616. Dispelling Ministry Illusions

Jeremiah 1:1-19

Sermon

Ron Lavin

Jeremiah is often regarded as a Christ-figure, a prophet like Jesus, who suffered at the hands of his own people because he loved them enough to tell them the truth. A God-inspired man, fearlessly denouncing the religious laxity and social ills of his day, Jeremiah paid the price for his words. Tradition says that in 587 B.C., when the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem as Jeremiah had predicted, his own people murdered him. The text we have before us is the call to ministry of the prophet Jeremiah in about ...

1617. Coming Back Down

Matthew 17:1-13

Sermon

John Jamison

I have visited some places I really wish I could have stayed. If it were my choice I would still be there right now. As much as I like it here, I would rather be there. There is a tent, set on a hill at the top of a 1,500-foot cliff overlooking the Jordan Valley in southern Israel. When the sun comes up in the morning it breaks over the mountains a few miles to the east and literally shatters the darkness around you. The winds sail up the face of the cliff from the valley below and almost make you believe ...

1618. Under The Wings Of The Almighty

Ruth 2:1-23

Sermon

Sims Robert

The people of God are strong people. We are not weaklings who tremble and quake every time a new threat comes into our lives. We stand with boldness to face whatever life has to offer. Ruth, the daughter-in-law of Naomi, the woman from the land of Moab, was not a weakling. The death of her husband broke her heart but not her spirit. She was determined to make a new life in a new land. Somehow, the text does not tell us how, Ruth learned to believe in the God of her husband and of her mother-in-law. She ...

1619. For a Cancer Victim

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Eulogy

James W. Robinson

Mary at the Party Mary, for thirty years a recovering alcoholic, and afflicted with cancer, "kept on keeping on" with faith, hope, love, and unquenchable cheer, until she crossed life's final finish line. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." So said Paul in his letter to his young friend, Timothy. In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul also referred to a race. He wrote, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." ( ...

1620. Blessed To Be A Blessing

Genesis 12:1-8

Sermon

Justin Tull

Abram was a remarkable man. Forget the fact that he was still able at age 99 to father children! The first remarkable thing about Abram was that he was willing to believe God and so set out on a journey to an unknown land, without the security of country and kindred but only the promise that God would take care of him. How many of you at age 75 or even 35 would make that kind of journey, that kind of commitment? At first it seems like a rosy future: a great nation, a new land, blessings promised to those ...

1621. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Bulletin Aid

Robert G. McCreight

The Order Of Worship We approach the worship of God this evening with a hushed awareness of Christ's presence in our midst. God again breaks through the calm and darkness to reveal himself to us in the stillness of our hearts. Let the praises of your heart and the songs of your voice be "joyful yet restrained" that we might be sensitive to the quiet indwelling of his Spirit. Organ And Piano Prelude: "And He Shall Feed His Flock"Handel Introit: "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"The Chancel Choir The Call ...

1622. ADVENT 1

Jeremiah 33:1-26, Luke 21:5-38, 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Sermon Aid

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Jeremiah 33:14-16 The days are coming when Yahweh will fulfill his promise to send a son of David who will save his people. This prophecy by a post-exilic author is a repetition of Jeremiah's original promise in 23:5-6. Jeremiah predicted that the Davidic kingdom would be restored soon after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. when Judah was carried captive to Babylon. During the exile the people lost hope of the restoration of their nation. The unknown author repeated Jeremiah's ...

1623. Easter 3

Acts 9:1-19a, Revelation 5:1-14, John 21:1-14

Sermon Aid

COMMENTARY Acts 9:1-20 (C, L) The conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus. This is the first of three Lukan accounts of Paul's conversion from hostility to support of Christ and the church. It is a key incident in the life of the early church. The risen Christ stops Paul in his tracks and enlists him as an apostle. It was a dramatic and radical change in Paul's life, from a persecutor to a propagator of the church. Christ comes to him as light which blinds him. He does not see that opposition to the ...

1624. Proper 7

Lk 9:18-24 · Gal 3:23-29 · 1 Ki 19:9-14 · Zech 12:7-10

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY 1 Kings 19:9-14 A discouraged Elijah hears God speak in a still, small voice. This pericope is a continuation of the story begun last Sunday. We left a scared and dejected Elijah in the wilderness where an angel brought him food to give him strength to go to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God. When he arrives Yahweh asks him why he is there. Elijah explains that he has been jealous for the Lord, that God's people turned to idols, and that he is the only faithful one left in Israel. Yahweh told ...

1625. Proper 21

Lk 16:19-31 · 1 Tim 6:6-19 · Joel 2:23-30 · Am 6:1-7

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Joel 2:23-30 After the plague of locusts Yahweh will bless the land with plenty and his spirit. Today's Lesson 1 is taken from the latest of the prophetic hooks written in the post-exilic period around 400-350 B.C. Judah experienced a plague of locusts accompanied by drought and famine. Joel calls upon the people to gather in Jerusalem to repent and pray for relief. Because the people obeyed, Joel assures them that Yahweh will give them plenty to make up for the years of drought. Never again ...

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