Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1751 to 1775 of 4884 results

Isaiah 40:1-31

Sermon

Harold Warlick

... to connect with where the rubber meets the road in our day-to-day existence. Consider this. Virtually everything we've touched today is a living example of a minus having been turned into a plus. We woke up and turned on a light bulb. The light bulb was perfected by a deaf man. Next we might have turned on a radio to listen to the news or some music. The radio was invented by a hunchback. If we listened to contemporary music we might have realized that three of the eight most popular artists are blind. If ...

1752. Death Shall Be No More

Isaiah 25:1-12

Sermon

E. Carver McGriff

... has pedestrian tastes, caring nothing for the beauty of the classics. So at the concert, the former sits transfixed by beauty, time racing past, while the other fellow fidgits in misery, wondering if this will ever end. So, in the presence of sheer perfect love, those who have learned to give and receive love will bask in its warmth. Those who lived in self-love, interested only in their own welfare, could discover the presence of true love is "hell" itself. Perhaps this is oversimplified. But somewhere ...

1753. Jesus: The Only Way To God?

Acts 4:1-22

Sermon

E. Carver McGriff

... by those words "salvation" and "saved"? In some Christian circles these words are familiar enough and presumably understood. On the other hand, many of us in mainstream Protestantism have been uncomfortable with such language for a long time, even though it's perfectly usable biblical language. Perhaps each of us would define "salvation" uniquely, depending on our life situation. John Wesley would have included in it a desire "to flee the wrath to come." This, of course, would presume a belief in hell, or ...

1754. Leaving A Legacy

1 Kings 2:1-12

Sermon

Timothy J. Smith

... ring back on his finger. He smiled at the young man for a moment and then asked, "What is your name, my son?" Completely flustered David answered, "I am not Catholic, I am Methodist, and I should not be here!" The Pope leaned forward and quietly said in perfect English, "I know you are not Catholic, and you are far from home, and you are welcome here." Again he asked the young man's name. "David Neuer, and I am from Sunbury, Pennsylvania." Then he made the sign of the cross and said, "Bless you, David Neuer ...

1755. Stand Tall

Sermon

Timothy J. Smith

... about a drug rehabilitation clinic in Florida funded by a church and led by a reformed dealer. The pastor's dream was to start a drug rehabilitation center at this church that would help persons living near the church. The pastor felt that Robert was the perfect choice to start such a program. He encouraged Robert to be involved. "If you want me to try it," Robert said after a long pause, "I'll try it." Robert built the program over nine months, drawing on sources personal, clinical, and spiritual. From his ...

1756. A Blessing Behind Locked Doors

John 20:19-23

Sermon

William G. Carter

... merciful word from your lips. Today you could set somebody free. When the benediction is over, you could climb out of your pew, go to that person, and say, "Peace be with you." It is possible because Jesus Christ is risen. He is here among us, bearing a perfect love that casts out fear. He gives us the power to forgive and to stand with others. So what are we going to do about it? 1. Aidan Kavanagh, Elements of Rite: A Handbook of Liturgical Style (New York: Pueblo Publishing Company, Inc., 1982), pp. 77-78 ...

1757. Can Christians Dance?

Sermon

William G. Carter

... , "The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him" (Mark 3:6). What these Rule Keepers did not know, however, is that Jesus learned his dance steps from the Lord Almighty, the giver of every good and perfect rule. What the Rule Keepers also did not know is that God never allows his music to be unplugged for longer than three days. They destroyed Jesus, but the stone was rolled away. The tomb was found empty. Ever since, Jesus has danced a Resurrection ...

1758. When We Feel God Has Moved And Left No Forwarding Address

Job 23:1--24:25

Sermon

Zan W. Holmes

... of four small children. She was a faithful Christian, both in the profession of her faith and in the manner by which she lived it. The calm, quiet air of assurance which she always maintained had led many of her friends to declare that she possessed that perfect faith in God which results in simple trust. A few days before her death her pastor stood by her bedside. As he made conversation about ordinary things, a look of eager longing came into her eyes. "Tell me," she pleaded, "where is God now that I need ...

1759. A Moment Of Decision

Mark 1:9-13

Sermon

John A. Stroman

... thought that he was a skilled craftsman like his father. One New Testament scholar has suggested that there might have been a sign over his carpenter shop which read, "My Yoke is Easy," indicating that his yokes were so skillfully crafted that they fit perfectly over the shoulders of the oxen, causing no chafing and making heavy burdens light. John came preaching a baptism of repentance. His message declared that God's judgment was imminent. The only way people could escape it was to confess their sins and ...

1760. By What Authority?

Mark 1:21-28

Sermon

John A. Stroman

... don't know exactly how to answer a question like that. It was obvious by his appearance that he was in need of help. I could have said, "Look, my friend, I just preached two great sermons on Christian commitment. I can't be bothered with you." That was a perfect test of what I had just been talking about. Relating Belief To Practice At church we sing "O how I love Jesus." We go home and discover the stewardship commitment card has arrived in the mail. It is then that we change our tune to "Jesus paid it all ...

1761. He Shepherds Us!

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Harry N. Huxhold

... we have to face. He knows what we must endure. He is alert to the many difficulties that we must face. That is important for us to understand. What Jesus makes clear about his claim to power is that he so completely identifies with our problems that he is perfectly willing to lay down his life for us. What makes Jesus so sensitive to what we must endure is that he had the same enemies and the same problems confronting him. It was not as though Jesus was merely trying to understand what we have to face. He ...

1762. Resist Temptation

Mark 1:9-13

Sermon

Harry N. Huxhold

... opportunity to walk off with a million dollars, that might be difficult. People do tend to have their own price, one way or another. All of us have to face the fact that temptations usually come tailored to fit our situations. They normally come on the heels of perfect rationalizations of why we should and could get away with something. We are willing to set aside what we know, our morals, and our best behavior to take up what we are sure will be for our benefit. Flip Wilson's famous line in The Devil Made ...

1763. Clean House

John 2:12-25

Sermon

Harry N. Huxhold

... of Christ. Thus it was true that the people did destroy the Body of Christ, but he was raised to new life in three days, and we are now part of that Body. The boast that Jesus made that day in view of the promises of God and in perfect trust that God would complete them in him are now fulfilled in us. What was also important to the evangelist was the sacramental character of the church. When our Lord talked about the temple of his body replacing the Temple at Jerusalem, that was also true in a sacramental ...

1764. The Hour of Death

Mark 5:21-43

Illustration

Harold H. Lentz

... circling over Detroit and unable to land because of fog. As the plane's fuel ran low and the danger of a crash landing became more apparent, the missionary got out paper and pencil and jotted down his last will and testament. He wrote: "There is peace, perfect peace in my heart and soul. Life with Christ is the way to live. Now in this hour there is assurance that God is underneath all the uncertainties of human experience. So I rest in God." We must all face the possibility of death. It is certain. Have ...

1765. I Want To Go South, Lord

Genesis 12:1-8

Drama

Jerry Eckert

... son. Here we are in our late seventies and no son. No son to inherit the land You are giving me. Are You ever going to come through for me? God: YOU SEEM TO WANT EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW. (Yes, I do want everything right now.) Abram: Lord, I left a perfectly good life at Ur. I didn't complain. I've done all you asked. But there's no son. God: I'M WORKING ON IT. (You're working on it.) Abram: Big deal! You're working on it. God: YOU HAVE TO GIVE ME TIME. (Give you time!?) Abram: How ...

1766. Cows In Church

Luke 2:7

Children's Sermon

B. Kathleen Fannin

... why I brought up something this morning so silly as cows in church. Did you ever think of laughter as a gift?" Numerous little heads shake their negative answer. "No? Well, it is. Laughter is something you can share with almost everyone, even with a perfect stranger. Laughter is something you can share with people of other cultures, other countries, the entire world. Laughter can be an expression of love, a gift you all have within you, a gift that is well worth giving. "So, this week, when you give someone ...

1767. The Poor In Spirit

Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon

John A. Terry

... are all promises about the true kingdom to which we belong. The beatitudes are descriptions of those who will receive the promises of the kingdom. The blessed are the agents through whom the kingdom of God becomes visible in our world. They are people not yet perfect, but converted, people headed in the direction of God's kingdom. We value God's Kingdom as the supreme good. These are not commandments but invitations to be accepted. These are not goals to be strived for, but ways we are to relate to God's ...

1768. Holy Thursday / Maundy Thursday

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... the gates of heaven, as you follow his example here on earth, in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. Hymns and Choruses (The asterisk [*] indicates hymns or choruses that are addressed to God and can be used as prayers.) *"For Perfect Love So Freely Spent" "Go Forth for God" *"Jesu, Jesu" *"Jesus, Lord, We Look to Thee" *"Lord, We Have Come at Your Own Invitation" *"Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service" "Love Consecrates the Humblest Act" *"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" "Of the Glorious ...

1769. Loving God with Our Whole Being

Mark 12:28-34

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... worshipers singing the chorus "Father, I Adore You.") Prayer of Confession (This prayer from the church's long tradition is hard to beat.) Our heavenly Father, who by your love has made us, and through your love has kept us, and in your love would make us perfect: We humbly confess that we have not loved you with all our heart and soul and mind and strength, and that we have not loved one another as Christ has loved us.Your life is within our souls, but our selfishness has hindered you. We have not lived ...

1770. Plan Your Leisure - Jesus Did His!

Mark 6:30-44

Sermon

Charles R. Leary

... me down, Lord! ... Teach me the art of taking minute vacations of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog, to read a good book.”1 Most important of all, reconnect with that One whose image you are. Jesus is his perfect image. In Jesus, God keeps reminding you that you don’t have to be involved in everything going on in the world, no matter how good it may be just be selective of a few things that draw all your capacities to complete dedication in Jesus Christ. 1. Source ...

1771. Bread for the Party (Bread of Life I)

John 6:1-15

Sermon

Charles R. Leary

... to mean something. Did he come to hear Jesus? Did he know he was going to celebrate Seder with someone? Or was he just fascinated with the movement of the crowds on the grand occasion? The fact is, he was there. He had his lunch. And he was perfectly willing to let it be known that he had his lunch. And so, no matter what motives brought the boy to that spot, when he went away, he left an everlasting reason for every generation of Christians thereafter to commend him and praise him. Never underestimate the ...

1772. Bread of the Eucharist (Bread of Life IV)

John 6:25-59

Sermon

Charles R. Leary

... in God’s house now. We are honored guests where God invites us to absorb as much of his likeness as we are capable. Eucharist is a personal encounter, a one-on-one meeting with Jesus Christ. When our companions see us, they may think we are perfect specimens of health and beauty. But no one knows what pain, what struggle, what emptiness, what need for approval, yes, what guilt, we carry behind that good appearance. Right here in these moments we are as near as this life will allow us to being completely ...

1773. Making the Mystery Work for You

John 3:1-21

Sermon

Charles R. Leary

... world to a vulnerable world. Several years ago, in a parish I served, a couple I’ll call them Bill and Pat adopted a little boy who had been reared in an abusive environment. Bill and Pat had two children, a son and a daughter. They were a perfect couple for this endeavor. They were happy, relaxed, friendly, committed to God and the church, stable in their lifestyle and marriage. They were a great couple. The little boy they adopted was Joe. During Joe’s first four years in this world, his life had been ...

1774. From Mourning to Morning

2 Samuel 18:19--19:8

Sermon

Robert Noblett

It was a perfectly lovely day and we had no reason to suspect that it would be anything but a typically happy Saturday a day to run errands, wash the cars and anticipate an evening with friends. But that all changed when, around 1:30 p.m., a phone call came from my wife’ ...

1775. I Saw a New Heaven

Revelation 21:1-27

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... that must be noted in the vision in Revelation. John saw “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.” This suggests that we can have Heaven on earth to a certain degree when Christ lives and rules in our hearts. It will not be perfect, for there is always sin on earth, but the joys of Heaven can continue to increase on earth among those who hold Christ in their hearts. He keeps changing their lives into more and more of his likeness. This is what the Lord’s Prayer means when we ...

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