Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1676 to 1700 of 4884 results

John 1:1-18, John 1:19-28, Isaiah 61:1-11, Isaiah 65:17-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Sermon Aid

E. Carver McGriff

... My favorite, though, is Paul's opening counsel: "Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances." I can't imagine a more upbeat, healthy-minded way to live one's life than by this advice. Also, it has the added advantage of affording us the perfect three-point sermon. (I suppose there is a third possibility: "Do not restrain the Holy Spirit." However, I'm not clear what that means so I'll leave that to someone who is.) Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28 By the time John wrote this, the role of ...

1677. Gifts of Lent II: Mary Gives Her Perfume

Matthew 26:6-13

Drama

Donald Neidigk

Dramatic Monologue You're here to speak with the friends of Jesus, are you? Well then, by all means, let's talk! Shall we sit here in my garden? It's the perfect place. The morning air is still cool and each gentle breeze brings with it the scent of my flowers. How I love my flowers, especially the lilies! Their sweetness always reminds me of that evening so long ago when I poured out an entire flask of treasured perfume on the ...

1678. Gifts of Lent IV: Simon Gives His Strength

Mark 15:1-15

Drama

Donald Neidigk

... then into wood. Still there was no cursing, no cry for God's condemnation of Jesus' tormentors. How different he was from the other two. Efficiently, each victim was hoisted into place. The Romans were good at this. They had gotten the idea from the Phoenicians. Then they perfected it. There were times when thousands of prisoners would be crucified at a time. Was it in mercy that each dying man had a block of wood on which to rest the weight of his body, and thus relieve the pain in his wrists, or was it ...

1679. Gifts of Lent VII: Joseph Gives His Tomb

John 19:38-42

Drama

Donald Neidigk

... and wealth needed a proper burial place. My father and many other relatives were buried in Arimathea, a town north of Jerusalem. But I had set down roots here in the capital. My wife and sons and their wives and children would need a tomb. I located the perfect spot, a garden on a rocky hillside just outside the city. It was near the Joppa road so it would be easy for relatives to find. There was only one problem. It was near Golgotha, the place where the Romans crucified criminals. Perhaps by the time I ...

1680. Welcoming Christ

Romans 14:1--15:13

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

... , the children flew the planes high into the sky -- two mistakes high. This implied that there was little a child could do to place a plane in irretrievable danger (beyond an expert instructor's ability to recover) if it was high enough. And it was almost a perfect rule that day, until a child and an instructor crashed the club plane, the one which had been purchased by club members so that young people could learn the sport without incurring at first the expense of a plane. Club members didn't seem to mind ...

1681. Be Patient

James 5:7-12

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

... any trouble communicating (yes or no). When I make my spouse angry, I always know why (yes or no). I always know when my spouse is interested in making love (yes?). My spouse and I always agree on child-rearing techniques (?). My spouse and I are perfectly matched as far as sexual needs and desires (?). Work, TV, sports, children, and family never interfere with my ability to talk with or be with my spouse (?)." Is it hard to be patient even with your spouse? Establish your heart when patience is richly ...

1682. Moving At The Speed Of Light

Ephesians 3:1-13

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

... those of halting speech. The apostle Paul writes of having prayed to God about his thorn of the flesh: Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weakness, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong. -- 2 ...

1683. For All The Saints

Luke 9:28-36

Sermon

Charles H. Bayer

... our faces shine when we have to face Jerusalem and its cross. We need you and all that multitude of saints you represent. Be with us, surround us, O great cloud of witnesses, that we may run the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God!

1684. The Expectant Parents--And An Unexpected Baby

Isaiah 11:1-16

Sermon

Thomas A. Pilgrim

... Jesus the Savior who brings "peace on earth, good will to men."2 It is through the lives of these expectant parents that God does the unexpected with this unexpected baby. Nobody in those days expected anything of a baby. They respected power. The Romans perfected power. They inflicted power. That is why they had the Pax Romana, the peace of Rome. Nobody was able to fight them. Nobody in those days expected anything of Bethlehem. It was just another little country town in an out-of-the-way province of Rome ...

1685. On The Cross-Road

John 7:45--8:11

Sermon

Glenn E. Ludwig

... he puts us in this vineyard of his, and gives us the freedom to work at it, and even gives us the freedom to harm his messengers and each other by acts of hatred and violence. And yet, God sent his son in love -- for you and me. What a perfectly illogical, irrational, profound thing to do! So, what is our response? Take that parable apart any way you want to, and we are the tenants in the vineyard. And what are we to do? -- to tend the place, to bear fruit, to care for each other, and to thank the ...

1686. Life's Final Flight

2 Kings 2:1-18

Sermon

Barbara Brokhoff

... standing on the end of the runway. His white shirt sleeves showed up clearly as he pointed the direction for me to land, regardless of what that fluctuating wind-sock said. So, when the terrors of death would grab hold of us, we can relax in perfect safety and peace, knowing our Divine Instructor is pointing the way -- not with a white-sleeved shirt, but with a nail-scarred hand, saying, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." No one ever trusted this Divine Pilot without coming in for a safe landing ...

1687. You Can Be Eternal

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Sermon

Michael B. Brown

... 's tires rolled over part of her skull. A week or more in ICU followed. During that time for a few brief minutes my friend died clinically. She reported to me later that during those few minutes she felt transported in the direction of perfect peace and beauty, and she knew that she was accompanied on the journey. She did not recognize her travel guides but was absolutely certain they were caring and benevolent spirits. In her words, she experienced a sense of absolute freedom bordering on exhilaration. In ...

1688. Easter 4

Revelation 7:9-17, Acts 13:13-52, Acts 9:32-43, John 10:22-42

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... , Paul in Lesson 1 says Jesus is the Son of God. In Lesson 2 Jesus is in heaven at the right hand of God sharing the glory of the Godhead. How important is this understanding for the average person? Only when we see Jesus as God, can we explain his perfect life, his prayer power, his miracles, and both his resurrection and ascension. If he is not God, how can he send the Holy Spirit? This may boggle the mind: How can two be one? How can one plus one make one? Sermon: How one and one make one. a. The ...

1689. Epiphany 2

1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Isaiah 62:1-12, John 2:1-11

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... love, O Lord, extends to the heavens." (v. 5) Prayer Of The Day: "Lord God, you shared your glory and led many to faith by the works of your Son. As he brought gladness and healing to his people, grant us these same gifts and lead us also to perfect faith in him." Hymn Of The Day: "All Praise To You, O Lord" Theme Of The Day: God's Glory In Transforming PowerGospel God's glory seen in Christ's transformation of water into wine. Lesson 1 God transforms his people from "forsaken" to "married." Lesson 2 God's ...

1690. Epiphany 4

Lk 4:21-30 · 1 Cor 13:1-13 · Jer 1:4-10 · Ps 71

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... love is the greatest. Chapter 13 is a hymn of love. In this chapter Paul points out that all other gifts are worthless without love. This can be seen by the characteristics of agape love. Other gifts are temporary but love is the perfect and eternal gift. Lest love be misunderstood as moralism or sentimentalism, Paul combines love with faith and hope, with love being supreme. Gospel: Luke 4:21-30 The people of Nazareth react negatively to Jesus' first sermon. When Jesus read the scripture, the congregation ...

1691. Epiphany 5

1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Isaiah 6:1-13, Luke 5:1-11

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... gifts of the Spirit to the Gospel of the resurrection. As usual, the Psalm (Psalm 138) is related to Lesson 1 "Though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly." The prayer has in mind Isaiah's experience, "eyes to see and ears to hear." The hymn is perfectly related: before we can proclaim, we must hear God speak to us: "Lord, speak to us that we may speak." Though we are five Sundays removed from the Epiphany, the theme of Epiphany's manifestation of the glory of God in Jesus, we see the glory being revealed ...

1692. Epiphany 8

Luke 6:37-42, Isaiah 55:1-13, Jeremiah 7:1-29, 1 Corinthians 15:35-58, Luke 6:46-49

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... ? O death, where is thy sting?" Outline: For the Christian death is dead. a. The cause of death is sin -- v. 56. Death is separation from God. Sin separates from God. "The wages of sin is death." b. The strength of sin is the law -- v. 56. The law demands perfection. To violate law is sin. c. Christ is stronger than death -- v. 57. Christ overcomes death by the cross which reconciles us to God, removes the separation. Christ also fulfilled the Law for us and thus the Law no longer makes us sin.

1693. A History Of Epiphany

Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... to the manger. The Epiphany star is a five-pointed star representing the incarnation. It is not a six-pointed star, for this is the star of David, representing the Old Testament with its prophecies. It is not a seven-pointed star which is the star of perfection. Nor is it an eight-pointed star which stands for regeneration and is associated with baptism. The purpose of the star of Bethlehem was to guide men to Christ. The star is help from above in bringing us to Christ. This is one reason why Epiphany is ...

1694. Advent 3

Luke 13:1-9, Exodus 3:1-22, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Isaiah 55:1-13

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... and receiving grace through the Sacraments may lead to a smug complacency and false security. At a time like this, Christians can lose faith and fall into disobedience. For us to be faithful to God, we need to appropriate the faithfulness of God. His faithfulness is perfectly demonstrated in the cross -- he provided an escape from the threat of death. THREE LESSONS Isaiah 55:1-9; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9 The Trouble I'm In. Need: Trouble is a universal experience more or less, sooner or later, for ...

1695. Pentecost

John 20:19-23, Acts 2:1-13, Acts 2:14-41, Genesis 11:1-9, John 14:5-14, Romans 8:1-17

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... emphasize secular education, we neglect a spiritual education. One of the main functions of the Holy Spirit is to teach us. (v. 26) Because of our ignorance in spiritual matters, it is time to convince the congregation to enroll in the school of the Spirit with the Spirit as the perfect teacher. Outline: What the Spirit can teach us – a. Who Jesus is vv. 8-11. b. How to get prayers answered vv. 13-14. c. What the Spirit can do for you vv. 16-17, 25-26. Gospel: John 20:19-23 1. The Spirit of Jesus (20:22 ...

1696. Proper 10

Colossians 1:1-14, Amos 7:10-17, Luke 10:25-37

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... and character. Outline: Are we asking the right questions? a. The question of eternal life v. 25. Eternal life is the result of obedience to God's laws. "Do this and you will live." But, who is able to "do" all the commands? It would require a perfect person. The question that should have been asked, "How can I, a sinner, inherit eternal life?" This would give the answer, "And this is eternal life: to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent." b. The question of neighbor v. 29 ...

1697. Proper 11

Amos 8:1-14, Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:21-28

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... time Jesus overlooking Jerusalem cried because the people would not accept him. What joy, what peace, what love awaits anyone who will "receive" Jesus into their houses or hearts! 2. Distracted (v. 40). Because Jesus was a celebrated guest, Martha wanted everything to be perfect -- the best food, expertly served, and on time! But, she got no cooperation from her sister who let her do all the work while she listened to Jesus talk. There was so much to do -- food to be cooked, table to be set, candles lighted ...

1698. Proper 17

Hebrews 13:1-25, Jeremiah 2:1-3:5, Luke 14:1-14

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... that sameness we have certainty, security, and a standard by which we determine whether our changes are good or bad. Our text gives us good news about a changeless Christ in a changing world. Outline: Consider the changeless Christ a. Why doesn't Christ change? 1. Perfect he cannot change for the better. 2. Sinless he cannot change for the worse. b. What does a changeless Christ mean to us? 1. Truth is changeless his teachings are applicable in every age. 2. Atonement his love for us shown on the cross is ...

1699. Proper 18

Philemon 1:8-25, Philemon 1:1-7, Jeremiah 18:1--19:15, Luke 14:25-35

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... . "Can" reminds us of the omnipotence and sovereignty of God over creation and nations. 3. Change (vv. 8, 10). The New Revised Standard Version translates "repent" as "change." To repent means to change one's mind. There is no need for God to repent, for he is perfect and does no wrong. But he can change his mind. He is free to change his mind about his people. He may intend to destroy his people, but if the people change their minds and behavior, he will not destroy them but bless them. Epistle: Philemon 1 ...

1700. Proper 19

Luke 15:1-7, Luke 15:8-10, Jeremiah 4:5-31, 1 Timothy 1:12-20

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... a person. PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10 Facets Of Forgiveness Need: Humankind's most basic need is forgiveness in order to be reconciled to God. Without being right with God a life cannot have perfect peace and joy. The most important thing God did for the world was to open the way to reconciliation through the cross of Jesus. In the Lessons we have three facets of forgiveness. Outline: Face the facets of forgiveness -- Our need of forgiveness -- Lesson 1 ...

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