Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1726 to 1750 of 2962 results

John 15:1-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... That I never could spell if I stopped with the Z. I’m telling you this ‘cause you’re one of my friends, My alphabet starts where your alphabet ends! Dr. Seuss’ story goes on to offer up twenty new letters, each one a beautiful, fanciful design. In fact, I’m convinced with no more evidence than a hunch, that when the musician “formerly known as Prince” changed his name to some unpronounceable moniker, he was inspired by this book and in fact picked out one of Dr. Seuss’ extra alphabet letters ...

1727. What Would Jesus Do? - or - How Would Jesus Do It?

John 17:6-19

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... . Some fads never fade. -Cowboys are always cool. -Jeans—whatever their width—can’t be canned. -A great fitting T-shirt never looks bad, whether it was 1950 or 2005. But most of what is called “fashion” is flash in the pan. It is designed with the intention of becoming obsolete next season, so that you will need to buy a new outfit in order to “stay cool.” Fashion is the very definition of “planned obsolescence.” Fashion trends change fast, but not as fast electronic trends. Everyone knows ...

1728. A Mother's Love

John 15:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

... . Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” That’s harsh, but friends, that’s the way the world works. Even secular culture has a phrase for it, “You play, you pay.” My guess is that God designed a world of consequences to help us grow up, to help us mature not only as physical beings, but as emotional and spiritual beings. Whatever the reason, you can be sure God’s motive was love, the same love that motivates the good parent. Now, please do ...

1729. The Regenerating Work of the Spirit

John 3:1-21; Acts 2:1-41

Illustration

Phil Newton

... his understanding being enlightened to perceive the precious truths of Christ; he assents to them with a kind of [full certainty], in a lively, sensible manner. His judgment is changed. His estimate of things is changed. His purposes are changed, he has vastly different designs from those he was [accustomed] to entertain and indulge before his new birth…In short, his purposes were for sin and self, but now they are for God and his soul, now he strives as much daily to get his heart and affections deadened ...

1730. Mark 4:35-41

Mark 4:35-41

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... got underway (“they took him with them in the boat, just as he was”). Recent archaeological discoveries have provided actual examples of these Galilean boats used in the first century. At about twenty-six feet in length and eight feet in width they were designed to carry a maximum of about fifteen passengers. With Jesus and all of his twelve disciples in one boat, then, the small craft would have been fully loaded, perhaps even sitting a little low in the water. The Sea of Galilee sits at the bottom ...

1731. 2 Corinthians 7:3-15

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The Vatican recently designated the Cathedral of Saint Paul (St. Paul, Minnesota) to be the first national shrine in honor of the Apostle Paul in the State of Minnesota and the only national shrine in North America dedicated to honor Saint Paul. What took the Vatican so long to memorialize Paul in the US? ...

1732. Proper 10

Mark 6:14-29, Psalm 24:1-10, 2 Samuel 6:1-23, Ephesians 1:1-14

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... glory be given to you, O God. Amen PRAYER OF DEDICATION Purposeful God, you honor us by including us in your plans for the universe. Receive our offerings and our promised willingness to fit into the place you have for us in the completion of your grand design in Jesus Christ. Amen PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND COMMEMORATION Almighty God, in Jesus Christ, you taught us to pray, and promised that what we ask in his name will be given us. Guide us by your Holy Spirit, that our prayers may serve your will and ...

1733. Advent 4

2 Samuel 7:1-17, Psalm 89:1-4, Luke 1:26-38, Romans 16:1-27

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... love, O God, forever. We will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. You declare your true love in covenants made with humble nations. You reassure the lowly person of your gracious favor. You call young and old alike to serve your purposes and complete your loving designs. We celebrate the motherhood of young Mary and old Elizabeth. We mark again with great joy the birth of the Son of God, the son of David, the son of Mary, Jesus of Nazareth, known as Joseph’s son. We worship you, God the sender ...

1734. Lent 3

Exodus 20:1-21, Psalm 19:1-14, John 2:13-22, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... call us despite our faults and failing. Thanks be to you, O God. Amen PRAYER OF DEDICATION Your house, O God, is meant to be a house of prayer. May nothing we do here be inappropriate to that purpose, but be supportive of your design in Jesus Christ. Amen PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND COMMEMORATION God above but not beyond us; Jesus of history, Christ of glory; Spirit of God’s presence: may our Lenten penitence be more than a seasonal commitment to humility before you. In renewing our covenant relationship ...

1735. Nobody Is Too Big to Fail. Nobody Is Too Small to Prevail.

Mark 6:1-6

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... force, impenetrable resistance. The “Titanic” really set the tone for the next hundred years, when 100 million people would be killed in the bloodiest century on record. In that single ship, the most advanced engineering, the heights of luxury and lavish design, the cutting edge of ingenuity . . . were combined and epitomized. There was nothing greater, or grander, than the “Titanic.” And she sank on her maiden voyage. The epitome of progress was destroyed by a big chunk of hard, blue water: an ...

1736. Proper 16

Hebrews 12:14-29, Jeremiah 1:1-19, Psalm 71:1-24, Luke 13:10-17

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... Son, older and wiser. Praise to your Spirit, who makes us brothers and sisters. Amen. PRAYER OF DEDICATION As you, Holy One, received the offerings of Israel and chose some of them as priests to serve in your temple, accept our offerings as well and designate some of us to serve you in the ordained ministry so that more people and nations shall worship you. Amen. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND COMMEMORATION Almighty God, you have promised to hear our prayers for others in the Name of your Son, Jesus Christ. We ...

1737. Epiphany 3

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Psalm 19:1-14, Luke 4:14-21, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... INVOCATION Creator of planets and stars, we come to worship you and to seek the guidance we need to keep our lives in the more excellent way. Guide us in our worship and in our daily life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Living Designer, you have created the church to be one body with many members working together under the control of the Head, Jesus Christ. Forgive us if we have acted toward anyone as if they did not matter, or as if the church could get along without them. Excuse ...

1738. Easter

Psalm 118:1-29, Jeremiah 31:1-6, Matthew 28:1-10, John 20:1-18, Acts 10:23b-48, Colossians 3:1-17

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... to the realm above and to the eternity beyond death. Forgive our lack of vision and spiritual aspiration, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen Declaration of Pardon Pastor: Friends, hear the Good News! Jesus Christ is the one who has been designated by God as Judge of the living and the dead. People: We trust in him and receive forgiveness of sins through his name. Pastor: Friends, believe the Good News! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Aspire to the realm above, where Christ ...

1739. First Sunday after the Epiphany (Baptism of Our Lord)

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

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. Pastor: Friends, believe the Good News! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation God has commanded the church to proclaim Jesus Christ to the people and to affirm that he is the one who has been designated by God as judge of the living and the dead. PRAYER OF THE DAY Condescending God, we also would conform to all that you require, both being baptized and baptizing in the name of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Grant us the assurance that ...

1740. Proper 4

Genesis 6:11-22, Psalm 46:1-11, Matthew 7:21-29, Romans 1:16-17, 3:22b-28 (29-31)

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... of the liberating Christ, who is making us free. Amen Declaration of Pardon Pastor: Friends, hear the Good News! All are justified by God's free grace alone, through his act of liberation in the person of Christ Jesus. People: For God designed him to be the means of expiating sin by his sacrificial death, effective through faith. Pastor: Friends, believe the Good News! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Do not brag about keeping the commandments. Justification by faith excludes such pride ...

1741. Easter 6

Psalm 66:1-20, John 14:15-21, Acts 17:16-34, 1 Peter 3:8-22

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... also our advocate with the Father. Amen PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING God everywhere, God with us, God in us, we may find you and know you anywhere. We are grateful that you give us life and breath, together with all human beings. We acknowledge your greatness in designing the world and creating boundaries of time and place. You display great patience with us in our times of ignorance and delay the day of judgment that we may rediscover you and our solidarity with all humanity. Most of all you have given us Jesus ...

1742. Small Saves

John 6:1-15

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

A box came in the mail the other day. It was a surprise free gift from the local power company. Or I should say two free gifts. The power company sent every one of their customers a new “low flow” showerhead, designed to cut down on water usage, but still feel like a real shower. The second free gift was four of those new curly-q fluorescent light bulbs, the kind that last longer and use less electricity while putting out the same amount of light. This small act cost the power ...

1743. Sorry, Wrong Plane

John 6:24-25

Illustration

Staff

... aircraft was backed away from the gate while the maintenance crew worked on it. The passengers were then told the new gate number, which was some distance away. Everyone moved to the new gate, only to find that a third gate had been designated. After some further shuffling, everyone got on board. As they were settling in, the flight attendant made the standard announcement, "We apologize for the inconvenience of this last-minute gate change. This flight is going to Washington, D.C. If your destination is ...

1744. Where Does God Start?

1 Chronicles 29:1-9

Sermon

James Merritt

... of this country has lived there except one, and the one who didn't was George Washington. Here's the interesting fact. It was George Washington who chose the site where the White House would sit. It was George Washington who selected the architect who would design it. It was George Washington who made sure that the government provided the funds to build it. But he never lived there himself. George Washington was a servant leader. Although he knew he would never live in the White House he took great pains to ...

1745. Decoding the Da Vinci Code (Part Two - Explaining the Facts)

1 Peter 3:15

Sermon

James Merritt

... of the church and that God really is to be worshipped as the "Divine Feminine." One of the reasons why the book is so appealing is because when you read it carefully, you realize that what the author is doing is giving everyone their own custom made designer spiritually. Brown wants to paint spiritual truth as a buffet. You go to this buffet and you choose what you would like to put into your heart - take a little bit of the humanity of Jesus, but leave off His divinity, take the feminine Mary Magdalene and ...

1746. The Paralysis of Analysis – The Fear of Failure

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Sermon

James Merritt

... of the biggest boondoggles in manufacturing history. You may not know the rest of the story. Remember: you don't fail when you fail; you. You fail when you quit. Ford didn't quit, because out of the Edsel came incredible success. The same scientists that designed the Edsel took the technology that they learned through the development and research of the Edsel and used it to produce the Ford Mustang, which was in its time Ford's all time best seller and at one time the most profitable car in America. From ...

1747. All By Myself: The Fear of Loneliness

2 Timothy 4:9-21

Sermon

James Merritt

... sad words in verse 10, "For Demas, because he loved this world has deserted me." (II Timothy 4:10, NIV) If you have ever been deserted by someone you thought loved you, cared for you, or would stand by you, you can understand what Paul felt. You see we were designed by God with a deep emotional need to be accepted. When you don't get accepted and you get rejected, it can be a crushing blow. That is why the most devastating thing you can ever do to someone else is to reject them. Separation is one cause of ...

1748. The Big Picture

Romans 11:36, Ephesians 1:5, Colossians 3:18-21

Sermon

James Merritt

... when that perfect picture is broken. Some of us are sitting here saying, "We don't want it to ever happen again." The rest of us, who have not experienced a family breakup, want to make sure that it never happens to us. Hopefully, that is what this series is designed to do - to show you what a picture perfect family is in the eyes of God. God has something to say both to the family as a whole and to each individual member of the family. Over the next five weeks, we are going to plant ourselves in a passage ...

1749. At Your Service Lord

Ephesians 4:11-12

Sermon

James Merritt

... for existence. Everything created by God was created for a purpose. Birds were created to sing, bees were created to give honey, cows were created to give milk, fish were created to swim, dogs were created to win championships, and you were created for ministry. God designed you to make a difference. God made you the way you are so you could do what He wants you to do. Let me remind you again of our Purpose Statement. Cross Pointe exists to lead people to be different through knowing Christ and growing in ...

1750. Member Means Minister

Ephesians 4:11-12

Sermon

James Merritt

... that about everything you do? Let's face it, a lot of what you and I do doesn't mean a hill of beans in eternity, but nothing you do in the Lord's work is ever without eternal benefits. Here at our church, we have designed three distinct areas of work where every member and even a non-member can find a way to do something. We call them: Service Ministry Leadership Service - This is available to members, non-members, and new believers. This can entail anything from practical responsibilities in pre-school ...

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