Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1751 to 1775 of 1795 results

1 Timothy 6:10

Sermon

Russell Conwell

... ; and before that bonnet was out of sight he knew the shape of the frame and the color of the trimmings, the curl of the -- something on a bonnet. Sometimes I try to describe a woman's bonnet, but it is of little use, for it would be out of style tomorrow night. So John Jacob Astor went to the store and said: "Now, put in the show window just such a bonnet as I describe to you because," said he, "I have just seen a lady who likes just such a bonnet. Do not make up any more till I ...

1752. Secret Sauce

John 13:31-35

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... language you worshipped in, how far you were from home, how long it’s been, you could come to church and experience the same kind of community, familiarity, and feeling of reverence that you remembered from childhood. The people may have changed, the style of worship may be different. The flavor of the music may be unique to that congregation, but the “taste,” the “feel” of the community, the basic tenants of the faith, the feeling of acceptance, the symbiotic reverence was a “brand” you knew ...

1753. Constant Companion

John 14:23-29

Sermon

Lori Wagner

If there’s anything we learned about the pandemic is that the virus wasn’t the only one. We are living in a pandemic of loneliness like we’ve never seen before. Even in our current semi-post-pandemic world, loneliness continues to plague our psyches. “Isolation, grief, and loneliness which continues even in this phase of the pandemic has “changed our brain” and will continue to do so.”[1] Although necessary, social distancing along with fear of the virus has put us into an almost continual “fight and ...

1754. First World Problems

Luke 12:13-21

Sermon

King Duncan

... minimalist lifestyle, giving away most of their stuff and cutting back on shopping. Since that time, Becker has written best-selling books on the minimalist lifestyle. And the Beckers have started a non-profit organization called the Hope Effect to build family-style orphanages in Mexico and Honduras. (5) One comment changed Joshua Becker’s mindset: “Maybe you don’t need to own all this stuff.” Once he and his wife began giving away their stuff, they discovered an even greater desire and ability to ...

1755. High Anxiety

Luke 10:38-42

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... to treat them well, make them feel pampered and special, give them your best. As it is, Martha appears to be a fantastic cook. She’s obviously a great project manager, and a seasoned manager of others. She knows what it takes to pull off catering a large event-style dinner, and she’s worked out in her mind who should do what in order to get it all done. Anyone here ever work to prepare a large holiday dinner and need a spouse or friend, adult child or teen to run an errand for a missing ingredient, to ...

1756. Small Beginnings, Great Endings

Luke 17:5-10

Sermon

Richard Hasler

... he didn’t improve none as he growed older.”[1] That may be a typical cousin’s reaction, but admittedly, Lincoln never was photogenic and he probably would not have made it in this age of television with all its glitz and style. Nonetheless, it is the considered opinion of our nation’s professional historians every time a poll is taken Lincoln rates as the greatest president of the United States. From these humble and unpromising beginnings, something great happened. Small things do make a difference ...

1757. Into the Light

John 1:1-14

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... of God than ever in the past.[2] What we know for sure is that all life survives only because of light. Light in essence is the generating, activating power for all of creation.[3] It’s no wonder then that John, in Greek philosophical style, affirms the beginning of creation and the Creator himself with Light. Even from the time of Thales of Miletus in 585BC, the Greeks understood the power of light and strove to understand the origins of life. Greek philosophy was endlessly curious about living things ...

1758. The Trust of Simon Cephas

John 1:29-42

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... community—a community of faithful people, dedicating their lives and hearts to Jesus, attempting to follow his Way, loving each other and others around them, spreading the Word of the gospel about Jesus’ gift of salvation and his intent for a radical-style, alternative kind of living in which love rules over all. The only thing you truly need in order to establish a church is hearts set upon Jesus. And upon those rough-hewn stones will come others. Through discipleship, prayer, worship, and scripture ...

1759. To Cross Over

Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

Sermon

Dr. Ronald Love

... who provided their blessings. Though Hill was educated at some of the best schools in England, because he was so outspoken churches would not let him use their pulpits, so he began to preach outdoors in the fields. Because of Hill’s outspoken style, he was a successful evangelist. Rowland Hill’s last words before his death on Thursday, April 11, 1833, were these, “I have no rapturous joys, but peace — good hope, through grace, all through grace. Grace, hope, security — they are the hallmarks of a ...

1760. Moksha

Romans 8:6-11

Sermon

Dr. Ronald Love

... the one that is most often quoted: “The very word ‘sin,’ which seems to have disappeared, was a proud word. It was once a strong word, an ominous and serious word. It described a central point in every civilized human being’s life plan and life style. But the word went away. It has almost disappeared — the word, along with the notion. Why? Doesn’t anyone sin anymore? Doesn’t anyone believe in sin?” Has the word sin gone out of your vocabulary, or is it just reserved for the other person? Has ...

1761. All We Are Left With...

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Sermon

King Duncan & Angela Akers

... know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." 1.“The story of my tattoo: ‘It sounds ridiculous, but it holds me to account’” by Patrick Freyne, Irish Times, November 14, 2021. https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and style/the-story-of-my-tattoo-it-sounds-ridiculous-but-it-holds-me-to-account-1.4722703?utm_campaign=mb&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=morning_brew. 2. “Bono: The Rolling Stone Interview” By Jann S. Wenner, Rolling Stone, https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features ...

1762. Leaving an Empty Chair

Acts 2:42-47

Sermon

King Duncan & Angela Akers

... members of the group were taken care of. (2) Sacrificial generosity and community could only come from the Spirit of God living in us. Notice that verse 27 doesn’t read, “. . . the Lord added to their number daily those who liked their worship style, or their family-friendly activities, or their cool coffee shop/bookstore.” It says “. . . the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Outsiders saw this diverse group of people living in radical and joyful devotion to God and one ...

1763. The Hidden City

John 3:1-17

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Caspar David Friedrich: Wanderer in a Sea of Fog The artist Caspar David Friedrich is known for his ethereal, spiritual, otherworldly-looking paintings. In order to grasp the meaning of his art, one needs to contemplate the visuals, noting the colors, shades, objects, and the location of the figure, among other noticeable details. For example, the painting above, called “Wanderer in a Sea of Fog,” lacks clarity. The fog, in the title and in the painting, obscures vision with misty white. The man appears to ...

1764. Seeds

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Sermon

William G. Carter

... of his hearers, uncertain where it will land. There is no telling which response will happen this time. Some of us will race ahead a paragraph or two, and find a freeze-dried, just-add-water explanation of the parable. It’s given in the same style as Saint Augustine, who taught that the parables can function like a hidden code. He liked to say that every detail of the parable stood for something else. The word of God’s kingdom equals the seed. Each patch of soil equals the individual listener. Rocky ...

1765. The Grip

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... once a week, daydream through the sermon, and go on with their week with no significant change whatsoever. In one ear and out the other, as we like to say. Unfortunately, we have many whose hearts lie upon the “path.” They are content with a superficial-style Christianity –in word only. Their practice has no effect on their hearts or their lives, and their behavior shows it. Second, Jesus explains that the seeds that fall into rocky terrain are like those who hear God’s word. They get it and are ...

1766. Playing It Safe

Illustration

Maxie Dunnam

... . I know her and I know that capsizing is not the worst thing that can happen to you. Until I was willing to risk capsizing, I robbed myself of much of the joy of sailing. Playing it safe may have merit in some situation, but as a style of life it is very limiting. We miss the richness of new friendships, new discoveries in faith, new opportunities to serve others, new possibilities for joy and adventure. The problem with most of us is that we prefer the hell of a predictable situation rather than risking ...

1767. Stay—Tuned

Mark 1:1-8

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... is the root of our English word evangelism. It means good news. In terms of literary consideration, when we read that Mark is writing “the beginning of the gospel,” the word is that this is not simply a biography of Jesus. This is a certain literary style that has a point of view. In fact, it is a relatively new form of literature in the ancient world — biographical, yes, but with a purpose, one that wants to make a point. Which, in fact, explains why our New Testament begins with four gospels instead ...

1768. Hark, The Herald... What?

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Sermon

David E. Leininger

This is the third Sunday of Advent on the church calendar. It’s getting closer. For us who are parents and grandparents, we might have felt that way back in January, but for our little ones, they probably feel it will never get here. “Hark, the Herald angels sing...” Let’s get to it! In fact, we do get our first liturgical introduction to an angel today. A surprising one, perhaps, but an angel nonetheless. His name is John. That’s right, the same John that we met in last week’s lesson who gained fame of ...

1769. More Than Just Image

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Sermon

King Duncan & Angela Akers

... would spritz the hamburger patty with glycerin and other chemicals to ensure it had the perfect color, sheen and grill pattern. By the time the hamburger was ready for the photo shoot, it was not fit to be eaten. (1) Of course, a little bit of food styling is nothing to worry about. We all know that advertising agencies use all sorts of tricks to make products look better than they really are. But what about using tricks to manipulate our perception of people? In 1988, Bob Dole and George H.W. Bush ran ...

1770. Fearless

Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... perils of “lack of commitment” and “lack of investment.” Although the parable is about talents, it’s clear that Jesus is talking about more than money. He’s talking about emotional and spiritual commitment, emotional and spiritual investment. Covenant-style investment to be clear. Intimate, committed, invested with heart, mind, and spirit. And he’s talking about how we best can establish a secure identity for ourselves within a chaotic environment –by commitment and investment in God, not in ...

1771. Gracious

Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... you feel thankful and gifted, you feel inspired to do the same for others. That’s why Christianity is not meant to be a rules-based, finger-wagging, “you should do this or that” kind of religion but a relational, gratitude-based, covenant-style faith. Christians don’t bestow love, forgiveness, and grace because a rule book says, “they should.” They do it, because they feel a deep sense of gratitude, humility, warmth, and love from the realization of Jesus’ gift of grace, his sacrificial gift ...

1772. Embarrassing Visits

John 3:14-21

Sermon

Mary Austin

The lectionary reading for today gives us verses 14-21, but that’s like reading the end of the mystery book without knowing the whole story. So, we have included all of the verses today. [Read John 3:1-21] For many years, I lived in a small town. It was fun to be able to walk to the community center, the hair salon, and the library. Since I could walk there, I went to the library a lot. I knew the staff, and it was easy to run in and get a new book. It was fun to talk to the staff, and catch up on their ...

1773. Ambassadors For Christ

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

Sermon

John B. Jamison

... , so it was perfectly obvious to them that if Jesus was really with them, then his followers would be able to be miracle workers as well. “If you were a true disciple, then show us your miracles.” Another group of church members had been impressed by the style of some of the other traveling preachers that had come to town since Paul’s last visit. These preachers were far more articulate than Paul. They did not just talk like Paul talked; they spoke in a way that said as much to the eyes as it did ...

1774. A Little Foolishness

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Sermon

John B. Jamison

... each Sunday morning and wonder why they don’t clean themselves up a bit more or pick out something a bit nicer to wear? What if we stack them up beside that millionaire? Beside that doctoral degreed person with the books and awards? What about that coiffed and styled family who drives to church each Sunday in the nice car from the best side of town? The ones beside that couple who were raised to know how to work good jobs, pay the taxes, and still save for retirement? Do they really have the same value ...

1775. The View From The Mountaintop

Mark 9:2-9

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... , hear a sermon, come home, take the younger children out, get on a stump or a log an almost repeat the morning’s message word for word. His family said that, not only would he recall the sermon, but he would also mimic accurately the preacher’s eccentricities of style and voice.[11] Lincoln had his own ideas about what preaching ought to be. Later in life he reportedly said, “I do not like to hear cut and dried sermons. When I hear a man preach I like to see him act as if he were fighting bees!”[12 ...

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