Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 151 to 175 of 4508 results

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

Well, here we are in 2003. The bells have tolled. The balls have dropped and the calendars have turned us toward new responsibilities. Before we get bogged down with the hopes and fears of a brand new year, let us take a few moments on our way to Holy Communion to ponder the deeper meanings of life. Who am I? What do I want? Where am I going? Are not these the essential questions of human exis...

152. The New Road

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

Robert Frost is one of my favorite poets. Among his finest words are these: “I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged into a wood, and I I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." Here we are at the threshold of a brand new year. It's not hard to find a seat on the Sunday after Christmas. The crowds have gone home, but like ...

153. Matthew 2:1-12

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Despite the fact that all those nativity scenes we perch on table tops in December include a trio of kingly figures, and despite the presence of three gift-bearing “wise men” at the end of every Christmas pageant, the “magi” described in Matthew’s gospel were not part of that same Christmas Day crowd of angels and shepherds and creatures gathered in a stable. Matthew’s “magi” had a different role,...

154. Matthew 2:1-12

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

A lifetime of bathrobe dramas known as “Christmas pageants” not to mention outdoor “living nativities” (one put on by teenagers witnessed Mary and one of the Wise Men furtively holding hands on their breaks – one can only wonder what the drive-bys and passer-bys thought) have willy-nilly shaped our pictures of the events surrounding Jesus’ birth. It may seem, at times, that our Christmas “remembra...

155. Jesus as True King of Israel

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

Big Idea: Matthew contrasts Jesus’ identity as the Messiah—the true King who enacts Israel’s return from exile—with Rome’s client-king, Herod, affirming Jesus’ identity through Old Testament testimony, God’s protection, and worship of Jesus by the Gentile magi. Understanding the Text Matthew 2 narrates the political threat that Jesus’ birth creates for Herod and the ensuing need for Jesus’ family ...

156. Jesus as Long-awaited and Rival King

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The story in Matthew 2 is organized around four scriptural quotations (2:5–6, 15, 17–18, and 23) that ground Jesus’s identity as king and bringer of restoration and authorize Jesus as true king of Israel. The chapter also serves to introduce a key conflict in Matthew’s story. Jesus as Messiah-King, even in his infancy, is understood as a threat to the existing political structures represented by H...

157. The Wisdom of the Wise Men

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

I heard a story recently about this negative barber that had a customer in his chair and he said to him, “I hear you’re going to Europe; you shouldn’t do that. The weather is going to be bad in Rome, there is bombing and there’s strife and strikes in London. You think you’re going to get to see the Pope, but he won’t give you an audience, you just shouldn’t go.” About a month later, the same man ...

158. Humanity Reaching Out

Sermon

James L. Killen

There is a humanity that lives within us and among us that is always responsive to the showing forth of God whenever and wherever it happens. It is in the response of our humanity to the showing forth of God that fullness of life emerges. But there is also an inhumanity that lives among us -- and sometimes within us -- that pays no attention to God and that works to stifle real humanity wherever ...

159. The Visit of the Magi

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

2:1–2 Luke recounts Joseph and Mary’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in order to comply with census regulations (Joseph was a descendant of David, who was a son of “Jesse of Bethlehem,” 1 Sam. 16:1); Matthew simply states that Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea (there was another Bethlehem within the territory assigned to Zebulun, Josh. 19:15). The name Bethlehem means “house of ...

160. A Light for All Nations

Sermon

King Duncan

As far as our society is concerned, the Christmas season has long been over. The lights and the tinsel have been put away. For most of us Christmas is only a pleasant memory. In the Church year, however, Christmas begins on December 25 and extends for 12 days. You remember the silly little song that starts off, “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree . . ...

161. The Three Kings

Sermon

King Duncan

British pastor Geoff Thomas tells about an amusing event that occurred sometime back at Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee. A gifted preacher, Al Martin was preaching in the main auditorium of the college for a special conference, and the congregation was completely absorbed by what they were hearing. Then toward the end of the sermon, all the lights in the place went out. Now that’s not too unusu...

162. The Glow of a Star

Sermon

King Duncan

A young man sitting in church one day made a startling discovery. He was a pre‑med student, only nineteen years of age. The sermon that day was probably a dull one. There are such things I understand, dull sermons. Of course, you wouldn’t know about such things. Anyway, instead of listening to the sermon, this young man’s attention was drawn to the altar lantern swaying back and forth, back and f...

163. Follow That Star

Sermon

King Duncan

Welcome to this celebration of the twelfth day of Christmas. I hope you ladies are enjoying your partridge in a pear tree, two turtle doves, three French hens, four calling birds, and particularly your five golden rings. This, of course, is Epiphany, the day we celebrate the arrival of the three magi offering their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh before the newborn king. You may have heard...

164. A Misplaced Holy Day

Sermon

King Duncan

John A. Davis mailed a Christmas card to his brother in December 1942. Nearly 55 years later it showed up at a post office in Tinley Park, Illinois. Davis had long ago figured the card, sent from Jackson, Miss., to Maryville, Tenn., got lost. The long-lost card raised eyebrows at the Tinley Park post office, and Davis' family learned about it through a newspaper account. The supervisor had sent th...

165. A Star And A Dream

Sermon

King Duncan

Charles Kuralt travels across the United States learning about people. Recently he visited the mountains of North Carolina. Kuralt claims that mountain people know a lot of things the rest of us have forgotten. For example, at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve the mountain people he visited open their windows. That's to let bad luck out and good luck in. On New Year's Day they eat black-eye...

166. In the Light of His Glory

Sermon

King Duncan

Dr. Les Parrott in his book Shoulda Coulda Woulda tells an old legend about three men. Each man carried two sacks--one sack tied in front of his neck and the other sack resting on his back. When the first man was asked what was in his sacks, he said, “In the sack on my back are all the good things friends and family have done for me. That way they’re hidden from view. In the front sack are all th...

167. Gold, The Color of Wealth and Riches

Sermon

As we face a new year, it is customary in America to greet one another with the phrase, "Happy New Year!" But, New Year’s Day may not be that happy for some. On New Year’s morning, many, many people across our land are not happy with their headaches and hangovers because of the previous evening’s excessive dining, drinking, and dancing. And how can we be happy if the new year is just more of the ...

168. Responding to Christ's Birth

Sermon

Telling the story of Christ's birth was not enough for Matthew! He also told about two reactions to the birth of the Messiah. The first reaction, as Matthew told it, was from the Magi who came from the East to Jerusalem and asked the question, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews?" Contemporary customs - children dressed in faded bathrobes, tired Christmas pageants, and unsightly stable scenes ...

169. The Wise Men From The East Visit Jesus

Bulletin Aid

H. Burnham Kirkland

Call To Worship Leader: Like the Wise Men of old, let us, too, come seeking the Lord Jesus. People: We have come to inquire where we might find him. Leader: Follow the guiding light, and it will surely lead you to him. People: What joy is ours, for we have found our King. All: We will bow down and worship him. Collect O Lord, our God, you have revealed yourself to us in the infant Jesus, who grew...

170. The Visit of the Wise Men

Bulletin Aid

Carl Hoefler

Call to Worship Pastor: When Jesus was born, God caused his birth to attract persons outside the Jewish faith. People: His star was like a birth announcement that invited all persons to accept him as Savior. Pastor: Jesus does fulfill God's plan of redemption. It is to him that all must turn to receive God's salvation. People: We follow that star to our Savior; and commit ourselves to help others ...

171. Epiphany Day

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

Call to Worship Leader: Bethlehem-born king of kings, your people have come to worship you. Right: Star-marked Savior, we bow before you. Left: Desire of prophecy and prayer, we offer you our worship. Right: Downfall of Herods everywhere, we bow before you. Left: Joy of wise men and women, we offer you our worship. Prayer Our holy Father, Creator of all life, we join our brothers and sisters in b...

172. Prayer

Bulletin Aid

Epiphany! The Showing of Light The Dawning of a New Age The Shining Star The Visit of Wise Men. Really now! I know Christmas; I know Easter; Maybe even Pentecost ... But what's this Epiphany? I don't see bright stars. I don't even see much light! Maybe that's because Despite my education Despite my (professed) faith, I walk in darkness. The darkness of doubt The darkness of fear The darkness of...

173. Just Wondering About That Star

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship Lord of light, at this time of new beginnings we come to worship you. Father of glory, we begin again the joyous praise we carry in our hearts. Spirit of power, descend to us, we pray, and move in our midst. You are the word made flesh, you are the word of revelation, you are the word we read in your world all around us. Guide us today in our gathering. These things we pray to you ...

174. The Incarnation

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call To Worship Leader: Come, let us know the Lord God Almighty is present this day! People: We heard the Good News of the birth of our Lord. Leader: Even the stars in the heavens announced the birth of Christ. People: Christ was sent that we might all know of God's Love and grace. Leader: Then let us proclaim the birth of Christ for all the world to hear! All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Co...

175. Come to Worship Him

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship One: Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage. All: In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel." (based on Matthew ...

Showing 151 to 175 of 4508 results