Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 1851 to 1875 of 4963 results

1851. Always Rising

John 6:25-59

Children's Sermon

... instructions.) Allow your child to do most of the work. He will have to mix the flour and water, then keep a close eye on the starter batch until if is ready to add to the dough. As the initial batch of sour dough is used to bake bread, the remaining portion can be renewed by the addition of more flour and wafer. If properly cared for and renewed, one batch of sour dough can last (at least in theory) forever. Point out to your child that the starter dough is a lot like people - we are quickly used up or ...

1852. When Something Is About To Happen

Mark 13:32-37

Sermon

Thomas Long

... nothing really, has happened. In a far more profound way, the church has always struggled with its pain over a future which fails to come. "Come, Lord Jesus," they prayed, but it was Roman soldiers who came. "This world is passing away," they sang, but the world remained. One can live on tiptoe just so long, before the muscles grow tired and the eyes grow weary of looking for the light of a day which never dawns. If the church is standing at the threshold of God's future kingdom of justice, then the church ...

1853. They Also Serve Who Wait

Luke 2:21-40

Sermon

Thomas Long

... tapped his cane on the vaulted ceiling of the old and decaying synagogue in New York's lower east side. Morris Weiser was among the few Jews who survived the Janowska concentration camp in Poland, and now, a retired butcher in his seventies, his one remaining passion is to keep alive the Chasam Sopher synagogue. The synagogue has few Sabbath worshipers now, but Morris has put all of his savings into this place, sustains it by his constant effort, keeps it barely alive by the sheer force of his will. "When ...

1854. The Fruitful Vine

John 15:1-17

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... affect the livelihood of many. In a like manner God watched over and cared for the livelihood of his people. 4. "Removes Every Branch." (v. 2) Any branch of a vine that does not bear fruit draws nourishment away from those that do. If they are permitted to remain on the vine, the crop will be smaller and of less quality. So a good vinedresser will remove the non-bearing branches. 5. "He Prunes." (v. 2) Pruning is necessary to force the vine to produce new growth. It is on the new growth that fruit develops ...

1855. The Unclean Spirit

Mark 1:21-28

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

... mine. I would not have spoken them if I were given the choice. Asker: After certain centers in the brain are damaged by a stroke, some people say things they never would have before the injury. Yet, it is the same person inside. The soul of the person, the essence, remains unchanged. Is that what you mean? Man: I did not want to claim those words as mine. Asker: You did not ask Jesus to heal you. Man: I did in a way because the words came out of my mouth. Sometimes our actions speak for us. They do not keep ...

1856. The Healing Of Simon Peter's Mother-In-Law

Mark 1:29-34

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

... less desirable than a son. A father could sell his daughter for debt or prostitute her. A grown woman had considerable freedom to act within her status and role of a wife. Despite the barrier of a husband's ruling over his wife, the woman remained a person. She kept her own name and individuality while being called by her husband's name. She shared in the harvest, manufacture and sale of cloth products. Participating in the arts, she preserved ancient forms of dance and song. Women performed the rituals of ...

1857. Lent 1

1 Peter 3:8-22, Genesis 9:1-17, Mark 1:9-13

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... , Peter compares the flood to Christian baptism. The flood was an instrument of judgment for the unrepentant. In contrast, baptism into the death and resurrection of Christ saves us. Water, in the flood account, symbolizes death, but for Christians the water of baptism remains the prime symbol of life. Gospel: Mark 1:9-15 Mark sets the stage for Jesus' public ministry. John the Baptist has been preaching a baptism of repentance. Jesus comes to John for baptism, a type of ordination. Note there is no protest ...

1858. Lent 2

Mk 8:31-38 · Rom 4:13-25; 8:31-39 · Gen 17:1-7, 15-16; 22:1-18 · Ps 22

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... stay true to her covenant with her husband and family? She finally decides that her leaving would only cause untold grief for her family and that the passion she felt for her lover would turn to resentment for having betrayed her family. She would remain in the fertile, but less than exotic, corn fields of Iowa, with her solid, but less than exciting, husband, who continued to love her. Francesca was temporarily unfaithful to her husband but, in the end, kept her covenant. It's about time, Hollywood! Old ...

1859. Lessons for Lent 3

John 2:12-25

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... of the cross (v. 18). The Jews regard the cross as a stumbling block (scandal) and the Greeks viewed it as foolishness. For Christians the cross of Christ is both the wisdom and power of God (v. 24). Epistle: Romans 7:13-25 The law of God remains good and pure, even though it exposes human sin. Paul discusses the inner spiritual conflict of his soul between his sinful human nature and God's will as revealed in the law. In this passage Paul seems to regard sin as an outside power which invades the human ...

1860. Lent 5

John 12:20-36, Jeremiah 30:1--31:40, Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... of what is right or wrong and so they can't communicate ... All they care about is power and money." Jesus summed up the problem and the solution of what is wrong in the world this way: "... unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (v. 24). 4. Sermon Title: Christ Is The Magnet, We Are The Steel. Sermon Angle: Jesus glories in the cross as he proclaims: "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself" (v. 32 ...

1861. Maundy Thursday/Holy Thursday

John 13:1-17, Exodus 12:1-30, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, John 13:31-38

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... finished washing their feet he said: "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (v. 17). Knowing something and doing it are two different things. The truth that Jesus spoke, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free," remains. However, having knowledge does not mean that one will benefit from the knowledge or use it. We can know a lot of useful things but unless we do them, we gain no benefit. Jesus told his disciples, "Now you know what to do but you will only gain ...

1862. Passion Sunday

Mk 14:1 - 15:47 · Isa 50:4-9 · Phil 2:5-11 · Ps 31:9-16

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... 2:5-11 · Mark (14:32-72) or 15:1-39 (40-47) COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Isaiah 50:4-9a The third servant song. The Lord gives his servant the task of comforting his beaten people. His efforts meet with rejection and abuse but his faith in Yahweh remains unwavering. Lesson 2: Philippians 2:5-11 Paul shares this lovely hymn of Christ's humility to restore to the Corinthian Church a sense of unity. The hymn contrasts the divinity of the Lord with his humanity. Jesus was in the form of God pre-existent and divine ...

1863. Proper 11

Ephesians 2:11-22, 2 Samuel 7:1-17, Mark 6:45-56, Mark 6:30-44

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... of the fact that David's kingdom was split asunder during the reign of his grandson, followed by further fragmentation and ultimately disintegration? The only interpretation that makes sense is to identify David's kingdom with the Son of David, Jesus Christ. Nothing remains long in this world; only Christ's eternal kingdom is forever sure. Epistle: Ephesians 2:11-22 Then and now (vv. 12-13). Paul contrasts how the status of the Christian Gentiles has dramatically shifted; there's the then and now, before ...

1864. Proper 13

Ephesians 4:1-16, 2 Samuel 12:1-31, John 6:25-59

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... has placed conditions on his return. He must have other adults present when he ministers to children and he must continue to undergo counseling. The story illustrates the principle of forgiveness. God forgives, many other people will forgive, but a cloud of suspicion remains because trust has been put into question. The sinner can never re-create the world as it was before his transgression. Epistle: Ephesians 4:1-16 1. Sermon Title: War And Peace. Sermon Angle: Wars are either won or lost. Victory is ...

1865. Advent 1

1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Isaiah 63:7--64:12, Mark 13:32-37, Mark 13:1-31

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... temple. Some who were alive when Jesus uttered these words saw the destruction of the holy city. Pass away. In verses 30-31, the phrase "pass away" occurs three times. Even the universe is on a time clock, with a beginning and ending. Only God's word remains eternal, a sobering thought indeed. Yet through water and the word we partake of the eternal. Unknown date and time. Jesus asserts that nobody knows the date or time of his second coming, not the angels or the Son himself (v. 32). If only those who set ...

1866. All Saints' Sunday

Jn 11:32-44 · Mt 5:1-12 · Isa 25:6-9 · Rev 7:9-17; 21:1-6 · Ps 24

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... a great iron door leading to the Hapsburg family crypt. Behind the door was the Cardinal-Archbishop of Vienna. The officer in charge enacted the prescribed ceremony, formed centuries before. "Open!" he cried. "Who goes there?" replied the Cardinal. "We bear the remains of his Imperial and Apostolic Majesty, Franz-Josef I, by the grace of God Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, Defender of the Faith, Prince of Bohemia-Moravia, Grand Duke of Lombardy, Venezia, Styrgia...." The officer continued to list the ...

1867. Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, Matthew 6:1-4, Matthew 6:16-18, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2

Bulletin Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... : God's Beggars. Sermon Angle: Paul begs the Corinthians to become reconciled with God. The task of presenting the gospel is not a matter of indifference but of highest importance. How many of us really care for neighbors who are separated from God? If the Lord remains there for us when we need him, we don't worry too much about the neighbor's spiritual state. We're so geared into the concept of the church as a spiritual supermarket, where we can shop for the latest religious goodies, that we forget that ...

1868. Corpus Christi

Mk 4:12-16, 22-26 · Heb 9:11-15 · Ex 24:3-8 · Ps 126

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... is in continuity with the Old Testament covenants. There is great truth here. However, the insertion of the word "new" shows that what Jesus is doing rises far above and beyond anything that God had previously done. This too, by faith, remains undeniable. God had previously offered remedies for sins but, in Christ, God was and is offering himself as that remedy. This was brand-spanking-new. PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Overall Theme: All three texts center around the idea that God has established his covenant ...

1869. Easter 2

Acts 4:32-37, 1 John 1:5--2:14, John 20:19-23, John 20:24-31

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... as a kind of spiritual paradise. "All the believers were of one heart and mind" (v. 32). Nobody was in need and everyone shared with his neighbor. If that isn't paradise, I don't know what is. Unfortunately, that particular community of faith didn't remain as it began. In almost every parish you will find negative, argumentative and divisive people. If you've found the kind of congregation described in Acts, you've probably died and gone to heaven. Grace and giving. Grace and giving go hand in hand. Luke ...

1870. Easter 3

Luke 24:36-49, Acts 3:11-26, 1 John 2:28--3:10

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... handed him over to be killed ... You disowned the Holy and Righteous One..." and much more. With no ambiguity, he charged, indicted and convicted them as being guilty of killing the Christ. Most of us would not be comfortable in being that direct. Yet the truth remains that unless we accept our guilt we cannot receive the gift of salvation. The problem with Peter's preaching for me lies in the fact that he does not lift up his own guilt. He himself, one of the inner circle of disciples, denied three times ...

1871. Epiphany 3

Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-10, Jeremiah 3:6-4:4, 1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... the shortness of time promoted him to give the advice in our text. The apostle felt that God was about to consummate the kingdom which Jesus had commenced. He was wrong about that and we can see from his later writings that he altered his position. Nevertheless, it remains true that the kingdom could come at any time and the things we labor for so diligently will have little meaning. Paul's advice still hits the bull's-eye: don't get too attached to the things of this world, even the good things. Adopt the ...

1872. Epiphany 4

1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Deuteronomy 18:14-22, Mark 1:21-28

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... a pagan temple. Paul counsels that it might be all right to dine on this meat but not if it would cause a weaker believer to eat such meat and be conscience stricken. The situation described by Paul doesn't exist any longer but the underlying principle remains: all that we do should be governed by love for the neighbor. Epistle: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 Gospel: Mark 1:21-28 After calling four disciples, Jesus launches his ministry in the town of Capernaum, along the Sea of Galilee, by teaching in the synagogue ...

1873. Epiphany

Ephesians 3:1-13, Isaiah 60:1-22, Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... be exciting. Such knowledge makes a person feel important and possibly a little smug. The real joy comes not from possessing the secret but in sharing it. It was Paul's privilege to share the secret of salvation for all people. For many the grace of God remains a mystery (secret). The mission of the church impels us to share the mystery of the gospel with all who will hear. It's an open secret. Outline: 1. Explain the meaning of the word "mystery." 2. We have an important mission life and death information ...

1874. Good Friday

John 19:28-37, Hebrews 10:1-18, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 18:1-11, John 19:38-42, John 19:17-27

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... to the care of John (vv. 26-27) and would be in need of talking range to do so. I prefer to think that these faithful women were indeed near the cross of the One they loved so dearly. Lent and Holy Week call on us to remain near the cross. Mission accomplished (19:28). Jesus is in control of his life and his death. He has finished the mission the Father assigned him. He had completed his earthly responsibilities (commending his mother to John) and he had fulfilled the scripture passages concerning himself ...

1875. Proper 16

John 6:25-59, John 6:60-71, 1 Kings 8:22-61, Ephesians 6:10-20

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... 22-30, 41-43 Sermon Title: Confirm The Covenant. Sermon Angle: In Solomon's dedicatory prayer he claimed the Lord's covenant promises. He prayed that Yahweh would confirm and carry out the promise made to his father, that a descendent from his line would always remain on the throne. That promise was conditioned on David's descendents walking in the ways of the Lord (v. 25). The people of Israel also had to confirm the covenant. Because the people broke God's covenant, the line of Davidic kings ended in 586 ...

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