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 1626 to 1650 of 4968 results

1626. More Than Gimmicks

John 6:24-35

Sermon

David Coffin

... any meaning beyond our grace. Jesus delivers each of us from these threats today. We are reminded of this when we partake in the communion meal in our church. We are all recipients of God’s grace and new life at the communion table. What else is a “disciple” in John’s gospel? Jesus was on the forefront of healing people of many types of illness. To Lazarus who died, he reminded Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,” John 11:25 (RSV ...

1627. AAA=A

John 6:35, 41-51

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... Jesus requires. But we must go further than that. And Jesus will continue to talk about this as he continues his dialogue through the coming week. The next step is attunement. We must tune our hearts to hear Jesus’ voice. This will become all important, as he leaves his disciples in person and sends instead the Holy Spirit! We must tune in to the Spirit of Christ around us and in our lives and world. We must abide in him and he in us. We must allow our spirits to resonate with his voice. We must raise our ...

1628. Lord To Whom Shall We Go?

John 6:56-69

Sermon

David Coffin

... In this text, he reminded the listeners that partaking in this meal of Thanksgiving (Eucharist) points to the body and blood he was giving for the sins of humanity. Rather than gratitude for his ministry, it is stated in John 6:66 “After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him.” Later, Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” John 6:67-68 (RSV). John is unique ...

1629. When the Rules Change

7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Sermon

David Coffin

... of fifty or more applicants in the urban area where they attended the university, might be one of only four applicants in a remote rural state which does not have many of the pay perks as in the Jerusalem or urban locations. Jesus told his disciples who had abandoned him on the cross that he was willing to still work with them, despite their shortcomings. However, he would meet them in Galilee. Where is the Galilee for people today who seek opportunities? He works with us today in our church here despite ...

1630. Risky Business

Mark 8:27-38

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... spent three years training people whom he believes will have the courage to undertake it. He didn’t simply put out a sign saying: “Wanted: 60 able people willing to risk their lives for faith and community.” No, he chose his disciples carefully. He cultivated them, taught them, discipled them, nurtured them, motivated their hearts and lit a fire in their souls for God’s mission of love to the world. And then through the power of the Holy Spirit, he set them loose in the world. And with fervor they ...

1631. Seating Arrangements

Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon

John B. Jamison

... words become points of pride. Sometimes they become weapons. While we certainly need to hear these words that Jesus spoke, there is a very real danger that we might get caught up in the picture they create and miss the real question we ought to be asking; The question the disciples asked Jesus when he first said those words to them. What are we to do? What am I to do if I want to end up on the right side? And Jesus then told them the two things they must do. First, he said, “Watch out that no one deceives ...

1632. Night and Light

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Sermon

Wayne Brouwer

... washed away so that they might travel with Jesus into the new age. And the badge that would mark them would no longer be circumcision but rather a visible expression of love. A World Waiting To Be Born Nevertheless, this intimate gathering of Jesus with his disciples takes place on a very dark night. C. S. Lewis captured well the biblical tension between light and darkness in his space trilogy about Venus. The planet Mars, in his tale, was populated by an ancient race of God’s creatures who never gave in ...

1633. Going Home – Part One: Which Me Will It Be?

Luke 4:14-21

Sermon

John B. Jamison

... explain who Jesus was and who he became, and what it meant. Luke’s second goal was to explain what it meant to be a disciple of Jesus: who we were, who we have become, and what it meant. Keeping those things in mind might help us hear what Luke ... much more difficult it can be when we are with those people who knew us before, and who expect us to still be that person. As disciples of Jesus of Nazareth, we have been called to tend and feed God’s sheep — all of God’s sheep. That includes each of us here ...

1634. Messiah’s Community

John 20:19-31

Sermon

Wayne Brouwer

... ’s different version of Pentecost (Acts 2)? Actually no, it is not. John was very consistent about every detail in his gospel. Remember that on Thursday night, as they sat together in the upper room, eating a meal, Jesus had a lot to say. He told his disciples that they would run from him. He said that he was leaving them. He made it clear that they would be frightened and discouraged, and that the world would threaten them. But he also said that he would send to them the “Paraclete.” The Holy Spirit ...

1635. Starting Over

John 21:1-19

Sermon

Wayne Brouwer

... and again. That’s why he wrote about her. He knew that she had God. That was the source of her strength, her energy, and her inner beauty. But Mother Teresa was herself only a reflection of the one who first gave her a vision as well. Like the disciples at the seashore, in the initial encounter, we all need to see Jesus. And when we see him, we can start life again ― with purpose ― with mission with passion. Reborn A.J. Cronin was a doctor who worked in England in the 1920s, and saw this well. In his ...

1636. Wait for It...

Luke 24:44-53

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... it tastes so good is because you took the time to allow it to soak in those spices and herbs, oils and wines. Once you taste that scrumptious meal, you know it was worth the wait! It’s like that with our faith, our call, and our mission. We as disciples can’t simply rush out willy nilly with no preparation. We must soak in the nurture of the Holy Spirit. We must allow ourselves time to listen for God’s call and the Holy Spirit’s direction. We must make sure we are following God’s lead and not our ...

1637. Spirit Struck

Acts 2:1-21 · John 14:8-17, 25-27

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... the mighty, rushing wind, although at the time, it certainly got people’s attention! Not the blinding streaks of light that seemed to alight on the heads of all who were present! Not the shaking of the house or the strange shouts of the disciples! But the sudden transformative realization of unity! For all were speaking together in their own tongues – not just about the weather or the time of day – but of “God’s deeds of power”! The moment they were Holy Spirit “struck,” they began declaring ...

1638. The Call to Encounter

Luke 8:26-39

Sermon

Dean Feldmeyer

... did so with the afflicted man. But they wanted him to leave because they were afraid of the demands of the gospel. And he did. Just as he was getting into the boat, the man he healed came running up and asked to go along with him and be a disciple. Wouldn’t it be cool if Jesus had said “Yes?” Wouldn’t that just complete this story in the nicest way, tying up the loose ends in a neat bow? Sorry, not this time. “No,” Jesus told the man. “You need to stay here and tell everyone what God has ...

1639. Love And Money

Mark 10:17-31

Sermon

William G. Carter

... coming and going all the time. Two kinds of people want more money those who don't have it and those who do. Either way, the gospel calls our priorities into question. Jesus loved a rich man as he loved nobody else. When he invited him to follow as a disciple, the man turned and walked away. Jesus said, "You lack something." What was he talking about? The man had money. Mark doesn't say how much, but we can assume he had a lot of things that others enjoy. He had a nice house with a sturdy roof over his ...

1640. The Fear Of Taking The Plunge

Luke 12:35-48

Sermon

Richard Patt

... phrases in that speech have become legendary: "... do not be anxious about your life ... which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his span of life? ... Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin...." In short Jesus was coaxing the disciples with the appeal, "Let go, and let God." But after saying all that, Jesus realized that such appeals scare most of us half to death. So he adds those comforting words: "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you ...

1641. Weather Signs

Luke 12:49-53

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... Is it where the society does not provide sufficient opportunities to meet people's needs? How does the church help to blow up a virtual storm of the spirit so that God's kingdom may come more fully on earth? 5. Smooth Sailing. Jesus prepared his disciples for rough times ahead. His prediction of weather indicated that his followers would not always have smooth sailing. He wanted to prepare them for the stormy times ahead. He could already read the signs as surely as a west wind might mean storm weather or a ...

1642. The Tiger At The Edge

John 21:1-14

Sermon

Glenn E. Ludwig

... know, but we do know the result: a huge, huge catch of fish. And then they know the voice: "It is the Lord!" You see, these disciples are like us in our endeavors to do things our way and on our own. They had gone from the joy of resurrection back to the ... to answer to some alien name and to be who we are not. "Don't forget who you are," was the maternal benediction. The disciples that morning as they fished without success were called from the shore by one who was calling them back to who they were. They ...

1643. The Peace That Invades

John 14:15-31

Sermon

Glenn E. Ludwig

... them: "I'm telling you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." "My friends, I shall not be with you very much longer." And to Peter, the rock, he said: "Before the rooster crows you will say three times that you do not know me." Those disciples sat in stunned silence. What Jesus had just said to them shook them to the timbers of their faith.And so, they probably never heard his words of promise; they were probably too confused to comprehend the gift he gave them when he said: "Peace I leave with you ...

1644. Milestones And Mustard Seeds

Luke 17:1-10

Sermon

John G. Lynn

... said. "Go in peace." To the sinful woman who had bathed his feet with her tears he had said, "Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." With the traps of betrayal and denial set clearly on the road ahead, no wonder the disciples wanted more faith. They wanted to be healed of their propensities to fall into traps. They wanted to go in peace. Sometimes the snares in our lives are like those around that seminary in Kurseong -- little wire webs to keep us from moving into villages where it ...

1645. Judgment Day

Mark 13:1-31

Drama

Steven E. Albertin

... (air pollution, depletion of the ozone layer, global warming, and so on) and it is easy to start thinking of giving up. But there is a strange irony in all of this. The supporters of nuclear weapons and the critics, the environmentalists and the disciples of big business, the hawks and the doves, all have one fundamental assumption in common: Survival of this world and this life is all that matters. Fearful about the water we drink, the air we breathe, the great mushroom cloud looming over our heads ...

1646. Miracle Six: Stilling A Storm

Mark 4:35-41

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

... , but which should have restored them to full faith in Christ as the powerful Son of God. With a word or two he demanded of the elements that they stop their raging and restore a peaceful situation. The result was an amazing cessation of the storm. The disciples could express their awe at this miracle which proved the power of Christ even over the acts of nature. We do not have to be at sea to encounter the storms and raging seas of life. A complete disruption of one's calm, replaced by upsetting uneasiness ...

1647. By What Authority?

Mark 1:14-20

Sermon

John A. Stroman

... of them. Not what is, but what can be. The Call To Discipleship Notice how Jesus called them. He simply said, "Follow me!" It was a personal invitation of himself. They did not follow Jesus because of what he said, but because of who he was. The disciples perceived Jesus' invitation as one full of power and promise. The kingdom of God which Jesus has proclaimed as "at hand" is so vividly alive in him that his words bring that kingdom to life. The simple fishermen respond to Jesus' call to "follow me" as ...

1648. Seeds And The Kingdom

Mark 4:30-34, Mark 4:26-29

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... . Just as Samuel looked at the choice of a king from God's way of evaluating him, Paul looks at the world from the whole new creation which God is seeking to bring into being. Gospel. (Mark 4:26-34) Jesus tells two parables to help the disciples understand the nature of the coming of the kingdom. It does not enter into history by some divine and spectacular intervention. It comes more like the growth of life from a seed to full maturity. Despite the slow process the results are both large and sure. Psalm ...

1649. Signed, Sealed And Delivered

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Sermon

Sandra Hefter Herrma

... , however, the cup was taken up at the end of the meal. His time had come. The announcement was to be made. He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." As each disciple drank from it, each one of them became, in a way, Elijah, ready to step forth and announce that the Day of the Lord had come, that Messiah is present, that communion with God is not only possible, but available right now, right here, in this place, at this table ...

1650. The Eighth Meal

Sermon

Robert F. Scott

... , "When you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters and say to the owner of the house, 'The teacher asks you, "Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?" ' He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there." So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him ...

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