Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1801 to 1825 of 4884 results

Mark 8:27-30

Drama

Dr. Raymond Bailey

... Paul, who wrestled much with God over his frailties, reports that he had the distinct impression that the Almighty was saying to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, Paul." But additionally, He said something we often don't hear.He said, "My strength is made perfect in your weakness."I don't know what his problem was -- something about "thorns" -- but in his very weakness God used him. I guess that's my message to you: What others, indeed you yourself, consider to be your greatest fault, may, from a divine ...

1802. It's Hell, I Say: Herod Speaks

Matthew 2:1-12

Drama

Dr. Raymond Bailey

... than you might have if you trapped a rat. Vermin! That's what they were to me. I had heard an old wives' tale that when one dies, his life flashes before his eyes. That cut no ice with me. I had no reason to think I was less than perfect. You imagine that we tyrants are some sort of evil plotters. Not really. Not as I know myself, or others like me. I would imagine that the Pharaohs, the Hitlers, etc., were just like me. We thought we were doing good! A narcissist like me can't comprehend any morality ...

1803. A Wilderness Prophet · John The Baptist

Jn 1:6-8 · Mt 3:1-12

Sermon

Gordon Pratt Baker

... decisive steps to quell it in the bud. Not knowing where else to start he sent a deputation of priests and Levites to check John out. Was John himself the Christ, Herod wanted to know. (John 1:24) III The deputation's very question provided John with a perfect opportunity to witness for Jesus, and he was quick to pounce upon it. Speaking in a voice all could hear he replied, "Among you stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." (John ...

1804. Life As An Investment

Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon

Donald Dotterer

... worship and study the Bible. We must spend time in prayer talking to God our Father in heaven if our faith is to grow and develop into a source of strength and peace in living. The garden of the human heart is a place where one can encounter God in perfect fellowship, but it is also where serpents of doubt and despair can rise up. It is a place where agonizing struggles and decisions take place, but it is also where angels come to minister to us when we need the touch of God's loving hand upon our lives.5 ...

1805. The Condition Of Mercy

Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon

Donald Dotterer

... party here, and they killed your son. You better send somebody over." A few blocks away, in a racially mixed neighborhood, about a mile from the Mobile, Alabama, police station, they found Michael McDonald's body hanging from a tree. Around his neck was a perfectly tied noose with 13 loops. On a front porch across the street, watching police gather evidence were members of the United Klans of America, one of the largest and most violent of the Ku Klux Klans. Looking across the street, Bennie Jack Hays, the ...

1806. Dressing For The Marriage

Colossians 3:1-17

Sermon

Mary Venema Swierenga

... beloved compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. And above all these things, put on love, which binds everything in perfect harmony. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. -- Colossians 3:12-15a For this word from God's Word, thanks be to God! Amen. Mary Venema Swierenga is associate pastor of Vienna Presbyterian Church, Vienna, Virginia.

1807. Playing In The Streets

Zechariah 8:1-23

Eulogy

James W. Weis

... in God's new Jerusalem. And in that holy city, there shall be no more sorrow, or sighing, or pain. For the problems that plague this world have all been destroyed in the activity of God on the cross. And in this kingdom, where all is perfect joy, unstained by isolation and tragedy, we shall be with our children. Like Zechariah of old said, we shall sit in safety in the streets of this new Jerusalem, and "the ... city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets." And ____________, healthy and ...

1808. There Is No Condemnation

Romans 8:18-27

Eulogy

Deborah D. Steed

... was considered too much trouble to tolerate. Why, then, do we find ourselves so unacceptable when we do not meet those cultural standards? If the cross teaches us anything, it is that because God accepts our brokenness, we must, too. God doesn't ask for perfection but for authenticity. Surely ____________ death can push us to pray for the courage to look deeply inside ourselves and accept whatever we find there, as we know our Lord does. And we must remember that self-acceptance is a shining witness to God ...

1809. Words As Images

Sermon

Michael Rogness

... of good feelings" with a kindly, harmless God who loves us but doesn't bother us much. I needed an image which would convey banality. I chose muzak, that travesty of music which businesses use to soothe people into feeling good. It was a perfect image to contrast the power of the gospel and Jesus' warning to his disciples. People would immediately picture themselves in stores, offices or elevators where this "grocery music" is playing, as my children call it. The film The Sound Of Music was popular at ...

1810. The Miracle Of Life

Psalm 139:1-24

Sermon Aid

Clement E. Lewis

... Our Father, we come into your holy presence, with thanksgiving that you have given us life, and the capacity to enjoy it and to live it meaningfully. Continue to nurture our souls, we pray, that we may grow in grace and knowledge, and do your will more perfectly. Grant that we may ever remember that we were made in your image, and should do all possible to retain its sacred design. These things we pray in the name of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen. Scripture: Psalm 139:13-15 (NRSV) It was you ...

1811. What Do You Expect Your Religion To Do?

James 1:1-18

Sermon

Clement E. Lewis

... deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act -- they will be blessed in their doing. If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that ...

1812. The Wonderful Mystery Of The Christian Religion

1 Timothy 3:1-16

Sermon Aid

Clement E. Lewis

... , "Without any doubt the mystery of our religion is great," and we find ourselves in agreement for there is no other religion like it. Its wonderful mystery is based on the life and love of Jesus Christ, who became the Savior and Lord of life. Jesus was the perfect revealer of the nature of God and his concern for mankind. He showed himself as a human being, and met as such, every demand of the Spirit. Without the dynamic of his life in all its aspects, such a redemptive faith could not have come into being ...

1813. The Virtue Of Self-Management

Proverbs 3:1-35

Sermon Aid

Clement E. Lewis

... he will abundantly pardon. A Prayer Of Preparation (May be offered in unison) Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Hymn "A Charge To Keep I Have" Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6; 11-12; 25:28 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ...

1814. The Lightning And The Current

John 7:46; 14:6

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... to us by God. With these powers we have also received the responsibility to use them in a proper way. In the Christian faith, we believe that no one can learn the proper use of these God-given powers alone. Therefore, we turn to Jesus for the perfect example of what it means to use the gifts of God as they were intended to be used. When Jesus acted, miracles were performed; and there is no greater miracle than the act of kindness and compassion. When Jesus spoke, people replied, "No man ever spoke like ...

1815. The Wishbone

Philippians 3:12, 13b-14

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

... wishbone is fun, but it is not a very realistic approach to life. Paul knew the right way to reach a goal. He saw the goals that were set before him by the example of Jesus, and then Paul said, "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own .... Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12 ...

1816. Easter 7

Acts 1:12-26, Psalm 1:1-6

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... ; Spirit of God, loving and impartable; we have come to know and believe the love which you have for us. We are grateful for the love we share in the family of Jesus Christ, as his brothers and sisters. Your love is being brought to perfection within us through our need to seek and grant forgiveness, through our search for the full and true meaning of your Word, in the struggle to understand one another and overcome misunderstanding. For all experiences of growth and every increased capacity to love as you ...

1817. Lent 3

Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 19:1-14, 1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5, John 2:12-25

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD ...

1818. Lent 5

John 12:20-36, Psalm 51:1-19, Psalm 119:1-176

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... yet been incorporated into our lives and we need a willing Spirit, new and steadfast like your obedient child, Jesus. Amen. Declaration of God's Forgiveness Hear the Good News! God has named as our high priest, the Son who learned obedience and was made perfect in suffering, thus becoming the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Follow the Son of Man, that where Christ is, there you may serve and in serving be honored ...

1819. Proper 13

John 6:25-59, Psalm 51:1-19

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... joys that we experience in the shared intimacy of others with similar commitments to the truth. We are grateful for your patience in teaching us, your understanding through incarnational experience, your perseverance in developing our relationships. All praise to you perfect Parent, loving Brother, family Spirit. Amen. PRAYER OF DEDICATION Generous Giver, we would emulate your generosity, making possible the sharing of bread of life at the Lord's table, and in the gathering of your people where they live ...

1820. Prayers for Mark 8: 27-38

Mark 8:31--9:1, Mark 8:27-30, Psalm 19:1-14

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

1821. Proper 24

Job 38:1--41:34, Psalm 104:1-35, Hebrews 4:14-5:10, Mark 10:35-45

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... and others to the point of pain. In this we are unlike your Son and Mary's, Jesus Christ, who suffered with us and for us. Amen. DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS Hear the Good News! Jesus Christ was named high priest by God and being perfected in the school of suffering is the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. EXHORTATION Seek true greatness through serving, not waiting to be served, but serving each other and all within your ...

1822. Prayers for Divine Signs

Mark 13:1-31, 1 Samuel 2:1-11

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... a prophetic word or action discloses the vision of truth. Be worshiped, O God, now and ever. Amen. Prayer of Dedication True God, there are offerings for sin no longer for by the offering of Christ have all been consecrated. What we offer then is what is being perfected for all time by that climactic sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Amen. 1 Samuel 2:1-10 Hannah prayed and said,"My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in my God. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in my victory. "There is no ...

1823. Thanksgiving Day

Psalm 126:1-6, Joel 2:21-27, Matthew 6:25-34, 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... will be given to you as well. Prayer of the Day Heavenly Parent, make us mindful of the many provisions you make for your children in things temporal and things eternal that we may be content with what we have now, and eager for the perfections of eternity, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayer of Thanksgiving Great God, we give humble and hearty thanksgiving for the blessings of your creation; for the good earth and rich crops, for poultry and cattle and the harvest of the sea, for orchards and ...

1824. The Infinite Becomes An Infant

Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... ceiling. The problem has been overcome by placing a long table with a mirror top underneath the painting. The mirror reflects exactly the painting on the ceiling. People gather around the table and look into the mirror to see the painting. Jesus is the mirror who perfectly reflects and reveals God the Father. Stepping out of the Picture. Dr. E. Stanley Jones told about a boy who stood in front of the picture of his absent father. He turned to his mother and wistfully said, "I wish Dad would step out of the ...

1825. Jesus Is a Ladder to Us

Luke 19:1-10

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

... after he died on the cross. We knew that we had committed a few sins here and there, and that we were not the kind of people that God wanted us to be. But we were not sure that we were as bad as we were until we knew how perfect Jesus was. Jesus did not have any sin, and still he loved us so much that he died for us so that we could live with God forever. That is a great love, and a real rescue job. Jesus saved us from our sins and made us good enough to ...

Showing results