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 1651 to 1675 of 4968 results

1651. Sowers Of The Seed

Psalm 119:1-176, Romans 8:1-17, Genesis 25:19-34, Matthew 13:1-23

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... . As noted above, the central theme of the parables is the initial message Jesus proclaimed. "The kingdom of heaven is nearby" [or "within you" or "in your midst" which are all possible meanings from the Greek.] The chapter shows both the positive response of the disciples and the rejection of the people of Nazareth (verses 53-58) and the Pharisees of the earlier chapters. Context of the Lectionary The First Lesson (Genesis 25:19-34) The story is of the birth of two sons to Isaac and Rebekah. They are twin ...

1652. Thistles Among The Wheat

Genesis 28:10-22, Psalm 139:1-24, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Romans 8:12-25

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... his heirs. The Gospel account waits for the harvest. This passage waits with hope for a full deliverance of all creation. Gospel (Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43). The parable uses a story about weeds in the midst of wheat and Jesus' interpretation of it to the disciples. He deals with the issue of evil in the midst of the world and the church. It addresses God's prerogative in dealing with the eventual elimination of the evil. Psalm (Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24). The psalmist acknowledges that nothing can be kept hidden ...

1653. Proper 12

Mt 13:31-33, 44-52 · Rom 8:26-39 · Gen 29:15-28 · Ps 105:1-11, 45b

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... the bad." (v. 48) According to Levitical law only fish that had scales and fins were edible. People were not to eat any swarming creatures in the water which did not have fins and scales. They were detested. 10. "Scribes...trained for the kingdom" (v. 52) The disciples were to be learners. They had to be experts about the nature of the kingdom of heaven as opposed to the scribes of the Pharisees who were experts in the law. Some raise the question as to whether at the time that Matthew wrote scribes were a ...

1654. The Holy Spirit As The Dove Of Peace

Sermon

John A. Stroman

... one to do in a moment like that? Is it possible to know a sense of peace in the midst of such tumult and pain? For Jesus this peace is a peace even in the midst of hostility, even in the face of Calvary and death. He said to his disciples, "I have this peace; this peace I give to you." The Holy Spirit And Inner Peace Nowhere does the Bible teach that the righteous shall not suffer, or face adversity, or not live amid turbulent events. Religion in the Bible is not an insurance policy where one pays the ...

1655. Gifts of Lent II: Mary Gives Her Perfume

Matthew 26:6-13

Drama

Donald Neidigk

... a man's wages for a year. That much money could feed a thousand people for a day! Judas demanded an explanation. "Why this waste? It could have been sold and the money given to the poor." But he only said that because he kept the money bag for the disciples. The only good cause he was thinking of wasn't the poor; it was himself. But as he always did, Jesus spoke up for me. "Leave her alone. This is a beautiful thing she has done, pouring perfume on my body, preparing it for burial." Having said these words ...

1656. All Saints

Psalm 149:1-9, Ephesians 1:15-23, Ephesians 1:1-14, Luke 6:27-36, Luke 6:17-26, Daniel 7:1-14

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... now receiving their full inheritance. Gospel: Luke 6:20-31 The blessings and woes of discipleship. We have here the opening portion of the Sermon on the Plain compared with the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. In both cases the sermon was delivered to the Disciples suggesting that this is the standard of morality for followers of Christ. Luke's account gives the other side to "blessed." For each "blessed" is a "woe." The Beatitudes look forward to life in heaven, but the quality of life on earth is in verses ...

1657. Easter 6

Jn 14:15-31; Acts 15:22-29, 16:6-15; Rev 21:22--22:5

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... leaving, the fellowship will not be broken because the Spirit will teach and comfort them. They should rejoice that he is leaving them, because by the Spirit he will be with them always and everywhere. THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS Gospel: John 14:23-29 1. Home (v. 23). Jesus assured the Disciples that he and the Father would make their home with them. It is not a house nor living together in a house. A house is not a home, but a home can be in a house. The difference is that a home is based on love. (vv. 23, 24 ...

1658. Transfiguration

2 Corinthians 3:7-18, Exodus 34:29-35, Luke 9:28-36

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... about at this summit conference? They spoke of a new exodus, Jesus' departure, meaning his death by which the world would be led out of the slavery of sin to the promised land of peace with God. 3. Listen (v. 35). The voice of the Lord was directed to the disciples. Not only were they told who Jesus was but they were commanded to listen to him, now that they know who he really is. To listen is not only to learn his teachings and preachings but to obey him, for his words are the words of God. Old Testament ...

1659. What A Friend He Had In Judas

Matthew 26:47-56

Sermon

Thomas Long

... to be one of his own, there is another level of meaning in his words. Jesus calls Judas "friend" because, at the deepest level of all, Jesus is his friend. At the deepest level of all, Jesus is the friend of Judas, and he is the friend of all the disciples who "deserted him and fled" (Matthew 26:56), and he is the friend of all of us ... we who, like Judas, do not know how to love him and are betrayers of his trust. The late Lewis Grizzard was a newspaper columnist and essayist known for his offbeat, often ...

1660. Epiphany 2

Jn 1:29-42 · 1 Cor 1:1-9 · Is 49:1-7 · Ps 27

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... husband and you know what her defense was? Her menstrual period. Who needs a Lamb of God to take away my sin, when I don't really sin or when others are to blame? Come and see. When John pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God, two of his disciples followed him and when Jesus saw them he asked, "What are you looking for?" They didn't know quite what to say and so they blurted, "Rabbi, where are you staying?" "Come and see," he responded. That was Jesus' first call. A rather low key approach. "Come and see" is ...

1661. Proper 6

Matthew 9:35-38, Matthew 10:1-42, Genesis 18:1-15, Exodus 19:1-25, Romans 5:1-11

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... yet they did great things in Christ's name. Mission strategy. The reason so many churches never seem to move out in mission is that they have no mission strategy or it's poorly defined. Jesus was very clear about his as he prepared to send out his disciples. He told them to limit their outreach to the Jews. This doesn't mean that he didn't care for Gentiles or Samaritans but his mission strategy was to reach the Jews and, through them, the rest of the world. PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Lesson 1: Genesis 18:1-5 ...

1662. Pass It On

John 1:43-51

Sermon

John A. Stroman

... O'Day points out that Nathanael's resistance highlights the tension that is inherent in Philip's witness (The New Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 9, p. 532). Philip does not argue with Nathanael. Instead he offers the same invitation to Nathanael that Jesus extends to his first disciples (v. 39b). Philip wants Nathanael to come and see and then to decide for himself whether this human (son of Joseph) from Nazareth is really the Messiah or not. The words by Jesus in v. 50 are not a rebuke to Nathanael but rather a ...

1663. Drop-Everything-Discipleship

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 ...

1664. John the Baptist Beheaded

Mark 6:14-29

Sermon Aid

Richard A. Jensen

... :15). Interestingly enough, the characters in Mark's story never do seem to quite "get it" with Jesus' identity. God declares who Jesus is (1:11; 9:7). The demons know who he is (1:24-25, 34; 3:11-12; 5:7). But very few humans get it. The disciples surely don't get it. Neither do the hometown folk. Neither does King Herod. Herod thinks this person he has heard about must be John the Baptist, whom he had killed, risen from the dead (6:16). This becomes an occasion for the gospel writer to bring us up to ...

1665. Jesus' Ministry Beyond Galilee

Mark 7:24-30

Sermon Aid

Richard A. Jensen

... point! They keep seeing "glory" as their destiny (Mark 9:34; 10:35-37. We will take up this series of passages in more detail in subsequent chapters). Returning to the story in Mark 14 we understand that Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem to die. The disciples don't get it. An unnamed woman, however, does get it! She breaks open an alabaster jar of ointment and pours it over Jesus' head. People are indignant with this woman. Jesus steps in to rescue the woman and to say of her deed: "... she has anointed my ...

1666. A Lack of Faith

Mark 6:1-6

Sermon Aid

Richard A. Jensen

... --5:43. How much of a review is necessary will depend upon how much of these stories was shared on the previous pericope text. The purpose of reviewing these stories is to set the context for today's story. The question of Jesus' identity is at stake. The disciples raise the question: "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4:41). Mark 5 provides a stunning answer. Jesus is the One who casts out the devil's legions, heals the sick and raises the dead. In each of these stories the ...

1667. Holy Arithmetic

John 6:1-15

Sermon

Donald Macleod

... to Philip, "How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?" This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little. "One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, "There is a lad here who had five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?" Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down, in number ...

1668. Proper 8

Mark 5:21-43

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

... hands on his daughter, so that she may be made well, and live. (See Mark 5:23.) So I went with Jairus to his home. God notices even the least noticable and God persists. With the woman, I felt someone draw energy from me. Despite the chiding of my disciples, I needed to find that person for her sake. Despite the messenger's words and the ready mourners outside the house of Jairus, I needed to get to that little child just in case there was still something God could do for her. God recognizes the role people ...

1669. Easter 4

John 10:1-21, Acts 4:1-22, 1 John 3:11-24

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... were the godfathers of the temple; Jesus had disrupted the family business when he walked as a mortal, now he was causing even more trouble after his death. A follower of Jesus was healing in his name and hundreds of Jews were becoming disciples of Jesus. The priestly clique was intent on doing whatever was necessary to dispose of those who were meddling in the family business. Prescription for good health (v. 10). The apostles carried on Jesus' healing ministry. Health, in all its dimensions, is associated ...

1670. 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

... silly things. I think people need to sit down and talk." Sermon Title: Let Jesus Bless You. Sermon Angle: It was the custom of Jewish mothers to bring their children to a noted rabbi for a blessing, especially on their first birthday. The disciples viewed these mothers as a distraction rather than an opportunity for ministry. Children and women had relatively little status or importance. Jesus became angry and ordered that the children be allowed to come to him. He took them in his arms and blessed them ...

1671. Proper 6

Mk 4:26-34 · 2 Cor 5:6-17 · 1 Sam 15:34 - 16:13 · Ps 20

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... him to proclaim the gospel; that Christ died for all people so that they might no longer live for themselves but for Christ. Gospel: Mark 4:26-34 This lection brings to conclusion Mark's section on Jesus' parables. The mystery of the kingdom is revealed to the disciples but remains obscure for outsiders. The first parable (vv. 26-29) lifts up the mystery of growth. The seed sprouts and grows of its own, not because of human efforts. The growth of the kingdom is a gift of God. The second parable (vv. 30-32 ...

1672. Trinity Sunday

Jn 3:1-17 · Mt 28:16-21 · Rom 8:12-17 · Isa 6:1-8 · Ps 29

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... of water and the Spirit. Both passages affirm that we are not God's children merely through natural birth. Not every person is a child of God. Gospel: John 3:1-17 From a distance. Nicodemus was attracted to Jesus. It's likely that he was a disciple of Jesus, but from a distance. You see, Nicodemus was an important man of eminent position. He was called to uphold the traditions of the past. He would lose face if his comrades knew of his affinity for this radical named Jesus. Nicodemus chose the cloak of ...

1673. A Shepherd To Lead Us

John 10:22-42

Sermon

Lee Griess

... death of a loved one. It may be a battle with disease or a fight with cancer. It could be a broken relationship or a time when your child didn't come home on time and worries overcame you. We have all been there and we have all shared the disciples' question, "Master, don't you care?" And that's why the Gospel reading this morning is so precious to us. For Jesus' own words remind us that he does indeed care. "I know my own and my own know me." Of course the Master cares. That's the secret in ...

1674. Overcoming Temptation

Luke 4:1-13

Sermon

Lee Griess

... on the children of God every single day of the year. In fact, it seems that the closer to God we wish to be, the more we seek to live our lives by faith, the more temptation plagues us. Jesus knew this. And that's why he taught his disciples to pray, "Lead us not into temptation." It's one thing to pray for forgiveness, but it's quite another to express our desire to live the Christian life by praying, "Lord, keep me from being tested beyond my power to resist." Someone has said that opportunity knocks only ...

1675. Easter Sunday

Luke 24:33-41 · Psalm 23 · Acts 4:33-36

Bulletin Aid

Jack Brownlee

... wait for you to respond to our wants. We make a good show of belief, but often our faith is hollow, a thin veneer. Find us in our restlessness, O God. Do not let us be the same as we fully grasp the significance of this resurrection day. Make us disciples. In the name of the risen one. Amen. Assurance Of Pardon Blessed are you when you seek the Lord. God has a way of finding us even when we are searching for something or someone else. Open yourself to what God has in store for you. The tomb opening for ...

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