Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 151 to 175 of 4937 results

151. Tackling Troubles Triumphantly

James 1:1-18

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... assured that we can survive it--and even become stronger and more sensitive to the troubles of others. As believers, we understand that we cannot AVOID the times of darkness--they will come. But we also understand that our darkness is always followed by light, cross gives way to crown, death is defeated by Resurrection. I agree that the Christian life is not easy--and because of that--it is never boring. All sunshine and no rain only create a desert and not a garden. For a garden to be useful, the soil must ...

152. The Miracle Of an Opened Mind

Luke 24:36-49

Sermon

Dean Lueking

... and power for renewed lives. The dark passages of the Bible which puzzle us we also bring to him who said, "I am the light ..." The judgments of God which come upon us because of our sins, altogether justified in holding us accountable for our transgressions, give way to the Gospel of Christ’s suffering for our sins. Here is the key which opens the Bible and makes it a living word - the key is the resurrected Lord. Dividing What God Has Joined Great harm is done when the Bible is separated from the risen ...

153. Confused But Not Forgotten

Genesis 21:8-21

Sermon

King Duncan

... for deposit. "I felt so all alone and confused," Judy recalls. "I had no family that would let us stay with them and friends just seemed to disappear overnight...." It was a very difficult time for Judy and her six children. "When I felt myself slipping and giving way to my hate I grabbed my Bible and read," Judy recounts. "I talked to God as if He were sitting beside me." Once Judy heard God speaking words of comfort to her, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Suddenly she felt the love of God in ...

154. Haman Hanged

Esther 7:1-10

Understanding Series

Timothy S. Laniak

... of his edict in 7:3; now he is seeking (bqsh) his life from her. The verb for Haman falling on the couch (nfl) in verse 8a is the one Haman’s wife used in her prediction, perhaps less than an hour earlier. 7:8b–10 Irony gives way to slapstick when the king returns to find what he identifies (perhaps conveniently) as attempted rape. The term molest refers to either sexual or military assault and subjugation. A sexual advance on the wife or concubine of an ancient king was tantamount to a run on the ...

155. A Fantastic Feast

Luke 14:1-14

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... Paris. Babette prepares for the feast by acquiring the finest foods available. I gained 10 pounds just watching the movie. My mouth could almost taste the delicious treats. This simple, austere faith community tries really hard not to enjoy it. However, the absence of joy gives way to laughter and joy. The sisters and the others are so transformed by the feast that they open up their lives to the celebrative power of the Holy Spirit and it was like the Day of Pentecost. The power of joy was turned on. They ...

156. Galatians 5:1, 13-25

Galatians 5:1, 13-25

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... leading up to the climax of Paul's argument in chapters 5 and 6. The negative examples and fierce arguments Paul had leveled against the law-oriented Judaizers (who had apparently gained considerable influence over the Galatian Christians) now give way to Paul's positive concluding remarks. Chapter 5 begins with Paul drawing a quite specific conclusion from his previous four chapters of discourse: The Galatians should not be forced to submit to circumcision. The Judaizers' insistence that this ritual be ...

157. Salvation for Others

Isaiah 56:1-8

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

Back in Palestine: Yahweh’s Vision for an Open Community: We have come to another transition point in Isaiah, and to the opening of its last major section, traditionally known as Third Isaiah. The work of the Ambassador and the Poet give way to the work of the Preacher, whose account of being anointed for this task comes in the central chapter in 61:1. So far chapters 1–33 have focused on Yahweh’s dealings with Judah during the latter part of the monarchy. They have challenged Judah about the ...

158. Denunciation of the Intruding Teachers

Judges 1:1-36

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of Michael, are like animals in that they do not understand what they slander. They are also like animals in that they follow their instincts, not realizing that these impulses will in the end destroy them. The reference to the Testament of Moses, then, gives way to the second group of three: Cain, Balaam, and Korah (v. 11). This woe oracle sounds like it was pulled out of Old Testament prophecy. While the first and last of the group were rebels, all three were viewed in Jewish tradition as having taught ...

159. Minding Your Heart

Mark 6:30-44

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... they re-located their hunches and referred to their "gut reactions." As we enter a new Post-modern Age, it appears that some semblance of balance is beginning to assert itself once again. The discriminatory preference for head knowledge is giving way to a new appreciation for heart knowledge. Even more significantly, these two kinds of knowing are finally being meshed, letting people respond with their whole selves. After centuries of battle, "reason" and "emotion" are on the verge of acknowledging their ...

160. Ascension Day

Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:36-49, Luke 24:50-53, Mark 16:1-20, Ephesians 1:15-23

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... day period, providing "many convincing proofs" that he was alive. Thus, we have a forty-day Easter season. A forty-day feast follows a forty-day fast, representing the forty days when Jesus was tempted by Satan. For the Christian, times of abstention and loss give way to feasting, fullness and celebration. Let's not get ahead of God. Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were empowered by the Holy Spirit (v. 4). Had they not been warned to wait, they might have shoved out of port on their ...

161. Ash Wednesday

Isaiah 63:7--64:12

Sermon Aid

... give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. R: The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Adapted From Psalm 51) Prayer Of Confession Almighty God, forgive us when we yield to despair, and give way to darkness. Forgive us when we act as if our salvation depended on ourselves alone. Forgive us when we do not trust you enough to see hope even in loss, light at the end of our darkness. O Lord, in your refining fire burn away our doubt and ...

162. When God Comes with a Blessing

Luke 1:39-45, Luke 1:46-56

Sermon

John P. Jewell

... sent the rich away empty." [1:51-53] As well as news that must be shared and celebrated, this is news that must be lived. When God comes with blessing, there is a specific promise that wrong will be made right and injustice will give way to justice. The poor and dispossessed will be filled the powers of those who are filled will be scattered. In his commentary on this passage, Bruce Larson tell how "William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, warned his missionaries to India never to read the Magnificat in ...

163. Easter 3

Psalm 30:1-12, John 21:1-19, Acts 9:1-19a, Revelation 5:1-14

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... who have finished their time of earthly service, who now serve you beyond our sight. Grant that we may continue to live this present life as their heirs in grace, accepting responsibilities they have left for us to fulfill. Finally, reunite us all in your heavenly service when hope will give way to sight and we serve you face to face in all humility and love. To you, holy God, fatherly, brotherly, motherly, one God, be ascribed all wisdom, and love, and perfection, now and forever. Amen.

164. Proper 13

Colossians 3:1-17, Hosea 11:1-11, Psalm 107:1-43, Luke 12:13-21

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... of your written Word and love in the worship of you that will be reflected in their concern for the healthy growth of the immature to maturity in responsibility. Bless all who confer in the cause of peace, that sham and posturing may give way to genuine dialogue and agreements be reached that will bring an end to conflict and bloodshed. Be with all who till the soil and reap the harvest. Protect miners, mariners, flyers, and all who work in hazardous occupations to meet our common needs. Compassionate ...

165. Baptism Of Our Lord

Psalm 29:1-11, Isaiah 42:1-9, Matthew 3:13-17, Acts 10:34-43

Bulletin Aid

Amy C. Schifrin

... And also with you. Leader: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them to the Lord. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right to give him thanks and praise. Leader: It is indeed right and salutary...that our darkness should give way to his own brilliant light. Leader: God of all holiness, by your power you make all things holy. The creation echoes your praise. The rivers flow with your mercy. In the desert the nomads gathered to water their flocks by your wells. In the cities the poor and ...

166. Family Ties and Good-byes

Mark 3:31-35

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... be done? Who changes the diapers? What about new financial responsibilities on top of the old ones? These are just a few of the potential areas of stress and conflict. As the child grows, problems pile up and multiply. The ecstasy of the birth often gives way to agony and drudgery. Needs and demands of the child are compounded when the child insists on being the center of family life. And those teen years can be a challenge, even in the best of families. How about the agony and ecstasy of the relationships ...

167. The Trial Before Festus

Acts 25:1-12

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... country well, but found himself unable to remedy the ill effects of Felix’s rule. Ehrhardt calls him “the one honourable governor Rome ever sent to Judea” (p. 117). As far as Paul was concerned, though Festus bore him no malice, he was overeager to give way to Jewish demands, perhaps even against his own better judgment. 25:1b–5 Within three days of his arrival in Caesarea (lit., “after three days,” but see note on 24:1) he paid a courtesy visit to the Jewish capital. It was always important for ...

168. When Nature Says No

2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... that happens. III Now let me offer a final word inspired by Paul’s affirmation of faith. Self-pity is inviting, but resists it and visualizes a new possibility. It’s so easy when nature says “No” to some “Yes” in our life to give way to self-pity, one of the most debilitating of all emotions. Christians are saved from self-pity by the remembrance that Christ never allowed his soul to be cornered in despair. Paul followed in Jesus’ steps. “Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner ...

169. The Passion of Our Lord

2 Corinthians 5:21

Sermon

... stress, capillaries in the sweat glands can break mixing blood with sweat.1 This alone could have produced much weakness and possible shock; from this we can only imagine the inward suffering He was going through. His scourging at the pillar Holy Thursday quickly gives way to Good Friday. He has been betrayed in the Garden by Judas; the disciples have fled in fear for their lives; He has been arrested by the chief priests and brought to question; He has been struck across the face for remaining silent; He ...

170. Victory

John 19:28-37

Sermon

Burton F. Blair

... hour of the afternoon, Golgotha’s hill had become an eerie place. A thick darkness had fallen over the Hill of the Skull. The darkness had gathered over the hill around noon, but now, it was a little after three o’clock and the darkness was giving way to the returning of daylight. By now, it was very evident that the physical strength of Jesus was fading away. Most of those who had been watching the events on the hill had gone their separate ways in fear. What they saw and heard would last for years ...

171. Traveling Forgotten Mountains

Isaiah 49:8-26

Sermon

Paul E. Robinson

... at times has a way of throwing me into such blinding confusion and severe pain that I lose all hope. Joy is gone. Nothing encourages me ... The rhetoric we're all 4used to -- " just trust the Lord, pray more, get counseling, follow God's plan more carefully" -- must give way to the reality of finding God. Dr. Crabb goes on to say that we don't feel we can trust God. "We thank him for opening up a parking place in a crowded lot, but we cannot trust him with our souls" (page 95). Perhaps you can relate to ...

172. Is This All There Is?

Revelation 21:1-6

Sermon

Will Willimon

... glorious first act of the circus because we know that inevitably, the show ends, the tents are folded and the joy will be only a wistful memory. That's the way life is. "Every cloud may have a silver lining" but it's more true that every silver lining gives way to another dark cloud. The sun may shine for you on this April Sunday, but tomorrow, a child dies, a young man perishes from someone else's hate, and the obituary may contain a familiar name. The pink slip in the box has your name on it, the grade ...

173. Jesus Appears to the Disciples

Luke 24:36-49

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... in an explanation of the relevance of Scripture for understanding the person and ministry of Jesus. These two appearances are also similar in that both times Jesus eats and both times the unbelief and incomprehension on the part of the disciples give way to belief and understanding. 24:36–43 The second narrated appearance follows right on the heels of the first. While the two were still talking about their experience, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Although ...

174. Job’s Opening Soliloquy

Job 3:1-26

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of the slave master. They are all free. 3:20–26 ·“Why” opens this new section, which focuses on the plight of a sufferer, here and now on earth, before the grave. The nostalgia in the previous verses of what might have been gives way to what is. Light reappears, still unwanted. Earlier, Job desired darkness (3:3–10). Now, in third-person point of view, a shift away from first person, Job explores how light torments the tormented. Why then does God provide it, Job rhetorically poses. The imagery ...

175. On Staying Awake

Luke 12:35-48

Sermon

Wallace H. Kirby

... the metal knob on one end of the pole, and drowsing women were teased awake by the feather on the other end of the pole. But there is more to such a sermon than the need to stay awake in worship. The real problem is that we tend to give way to sleepiness and miss our big moment of truth - in or out of church. I keep thinking about Thomas Bell. He went to sleep just before his big moment. In 1858 he was president of a scholarly organization called The Linnean Society. As he was writing his annual report, he ...

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