Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1926 to 1950 of 4943 results

1926. Responding to Christ's Birth

Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon

... life is always dwarfed when cut away from history. Mysticism is empty unless it is enriched by outward and historical revelation. The supreme education of the soul comes through an intimate acquaintance with the Jesus Christ of history. Likewise, the symbol of myrrh continues to call Christians to live a life of passion. Today it appears that passion for life itself is disappearing. Many fear that the world will end in atomic death. Others expect ecological death. It seems that we will come to ruin long ...

1927. Settling Our Differences

Matthew 5:21-26

Sermon

Joe Pennel

... , "If we, as extremely diverse people, had learned over the years how to handle our differences, how much pain we would have avoided." But, because we have not learned to settle our differences in the social arena and on the international stage, we continue, and shall continue, to pay a higher and higher price. And, that price might someday be higher than any of us really wants to pay. The survival of humankind demands that we learn how to settle our differences at the national and international level. The ...

1928. Advent 1

Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122:1-9, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 24:36-51

Sermon Aid

... be composed on this text, even for this Sunday, is whether or not anyone actually expects Jesus to return today. Has the church waited too long for the Second Coming of the Lord and become spiritually and mentally exhausted by the delay? And if people continue to believe that Christ will come again, why has God delayed so long in allowing it to happen? What people do believe in is that, for all practical purposes, the world might very well end quickly through nuclear accident or nuclear war. Could this kind ...

1929. Advent 2

Isaiah 11:1-16, Psalm 72:1-20, Romans 14:1--15:13, Matthew 3:1-12

Sermon Aid

... megaphone, and they shout verses of Scripture, calling on all who pass by within earshot to repent of their sins before it is too late. When the school principal ordered them to enter the school building and go to their classes, they refused and continued to "preach" their version of the Gospel; their father does the same thing. The story made national news, including several of the prominent news programs. The five-year-old has received the most publicity, probably because he is so young, and he could pass ...

1930. The Nativity of Our Lord

Isaiah 9:1-7, Psalm 96:1-13, Titus 2:1-15, Luke 2:1-7, Luke 2:8-20

Sermon Aid

... from sin and death, and also to "purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds." He came to make servants of God of us all. 3. Christmas is really and fully celebrated when those who have blessed the Lord at his birth continue to live thankfully and obediently, serving God by serving his people in the manner he prescribes for believers. 4. At the table-feast, at which he is the ever-present host, Jesus blesses and renews people and assures them that he will be with them in the Holy ...

1931. Epiphany 2

Psalm 40:1-17, John 1:29-34, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Isaiah 49:1-7

Sermon Aid

CSS

... eighth Sundays after the Epiphany while the Lutheran and Common lectionaries celebrate the Transfiguration on the Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany (the Last Sunday after the Epiphany this year), rather than on August 6. This reading from Isaiah is the second "servant song," which continues to speak, from the Christian point of view, of Jesus' manifestation to the world as one called by God before his birth who could say, "from the body of my mother he named my name." Later in the prophet, he says, "And now ...

1932. Transfiguration of Our Lord

Matthew 17:1-13, 2 Peter 1:12-21, Exodus 24:1-18, Psalm 2:1-12

Sermon Aid

... and the beginning of Lent. SERMON SUGGESTIONS Matthew 17:1-9 - "The Spectacle on the Mountain." St. Paul Outside the Walls is one of the seven pilgrimage churches left in Rome; at one time, there were at least 55 such edifices. Pilgrims, as well as interested tourists, continue to visit this and the other six churches when they go to Rome, mostly to give honor to St. Paul, who is buried there. But the glory belongs to Jesus Christ, as the mosaic in the apse of the church announces. In it, Jesus is "seated ...

1933. Lent 5

Psalm 116:1-19, John 11:38-44, John 11:17-37, John 11:1-16, Romans 8:18-27, Romans 8:1-17, Ezekiel 37:1-14

Sermon Aid

... from Exile and the restoration of Israel, to be a type of the resurrection and new life given to the faithful by Jesus Christ. The psalm picks up this theme and makes solid connection with the second reading and the gospel. Romans 8:11-19 As a continuation of the second reading for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, this passage solidifies the resurrection theme as a reality in Christ and a hope for believers, and it also affirms the nature of the new life in Jesus Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit, which raised ...

1934. Easter Day

John 20:1-9, Colossians 3:1-17, Psalm 118:1-29, Acts 10:23b-48

Sermon Aid

... and opened for us the gate of everlasting life." The petition could fit any Sunday worship service, but it really speaks to the purpose of Lent and Easter, which is to renew our lives and bend them to the doing of God's will on earth: "Give us your continual help; put good desires into our minds and bring them to full effect." The content of these prayers is such that the "or" in the LBW might well be changed to "and" so that both would be offered before the readings of Easter Day. The Psalm of the Day ...

1935. Easter 3

Acts 2:14-41, Acts 2:42-47, Isaiah 43:1-13, 1 Peter 1:13-2:3, Luke 24:13-35

Sermon Aid

... arrangement of Luke 24 for two years and John 21 on the third year of the Third Sunday of Easter keeps the resurrection theme before the people for one more week. Preaching on the triumph over the tomb, which God worked in Christ, will help the faithful continue the Easter celebration and, also, get their theology straight. The risen Lord makes himself known to his own in the word - the gospel/good news - and the breaking of the bread. Christ himself gives us hope in the face of sin and death. The Prayer of ...

1936. Proper 5 & Pentecost 3

Matthew 9:9-13, Romans 4:1-25, Hosea 6:1--7:16, Genesis 22:1-19, Psalm 13:1-6, Psalm 50:1-23, Hosea 5:1-15

Sermon Aid

... for what happened; he still loved and trusted God. Awful as his action was in the bunker when he smothered his son, the gift of the Torah in memory of his son must have pleased God because it answered his word given through Hosea. Joseph Kramer not only continued to love God - "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings" - He also turned to him to be healed. He was still the servant of the Lord God. 1. God heals every wound. Ours is to believe it, love ...

1937. Proper 8 & Pentecost 6

2 Kings 4:8-37, Genesis 32:22-32, Psalm 89:1-52, Psalm 17:1-15, Isaiah 2:6-22, Jeremiah 28:1-17, Matthew 10:1-42

Sermon Aid

... get among the rocks, hide in the dust, at the sight of the terror of Yahweh." It is a day when "human pride will be humbled," and "the arrogance of men will be humbled." A time is coming that human beings should fear; all sorts of phenomena threaten the continued existence of the earth. 2. A glorious day. In contrast to "the terror of Yahweh," there is also "the brilliance of his majesty" that will be in full display at the last day. God alone will be exalted on that day; all the world will know that he is ...

1938. Proper 13 & Pentecost 11

Matthew 14:13-21, Nehemiah 9:1-37, Exodus 12:1-30, Romans 8:28-39, Isaiah 55:1-13

Sermon Aid

... importance of this reading is the reason that it is included here in the Roman and Episcopal lectionaries, which also assign it to the Second Sunday in Lent (Roman - 8:31-34a; Episcopal - 8:31-39). It is read in the context of the opening - and continuing - word of Lent: "You are dust, and unto dust you shall return," and in the blessed assurance that Easter gives to the faithful. SERMON SUGGESTIONS Matthew 14:13-21 - "From Crisis to Communion." Just two days ago, my wife and I received a letter from the ...

1939. Proper 15 & Pentecost 13

Isaiah 56:1-8, Psalm 67:1-7, Psalm 78:1-72, Exodus 16:1-36, Romans 11:11-24, Romans 11:25-32, Matthew 15:21-28

Sermon Aid

... it is the woman's faith that made her prayer acceptable to Christ; he doesn't make as much of the miracle as does Mark, but simply asserts that the healing in Jesus' words, "Be it done for you as you desire" took place on schedule - immediately. Her continual cry of "Lord, help me" reached the very heart of Jesus and her faith moved him to appreciative and compassionate response, because it came out of a gift that God had already given, her faith. This Gospel picks up the thread of God's concern for all ...

1940. Pentecost 23

Exodus 22:16-31, Leviticus 19:1-37, Ruth 2:1-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16, Matthew 22:34-40, Matthew 22:41-46, Psalm 1:1-6

Sermon Aid

... he told her that he knew what she had done for Naomi, and invited her to have "bread and wine" with him. Ruth had "found favor" with an important man and one who would make a considerate husband. 1 Thessalonians 1:5b-10 (R, L) In the continuation of his address to the members of the church at Thessalonika, Paul reminds them that he and his companions tried to be an example of Christian living for them, commending them on their positive response at being "imitators of us and of the Lord." In their Christian ...

1941. Green, The Color of Life

Genesis 1:1-2:3

Sermon

H. Michael Nehls

... evergreen is also what it is. It is ever-green. We know that this type of tree is a symbol of life, for it never loses its needles or leaves in winter. Rather, this tree remains green - ever green - all year long. It is always filled with life, continually reminding us of the life - the gift of life here and eternally - that is ours in Jesus Christ. Green is the color of life, but the color green can also have some negative connotations. When I mention the color "green" to you, what is the first thing that ...

1942. Violet, The Color of Royalty

Luke 1:31-35, Luke 23:33-38

Sermon

... . And so it was David who was remembered reverently, hopefully. Wouldn’t it be great if we could just have another king like David? If only King David would return and throw the Romans out! The prophets fueled this longing for another David through the continual promises of God. For example, in our first lesson for this morning, Isaiah calls for a shoot, a branch from the stump of Jesse. You remember Jesse, David’s father. Likewise, our Psalm for the day is a Psalm of Solomon. It is actually a prayer ...

1943. Blue, The Color of Eternity

Romans 6:1-14

Sermon

... our Lord Jesus entered the office of the angel in charge of foreign relations in heaven. "I just heard that I might be making a trip down to earth ..." The angel allowed his gold pencil two taps on his desk. "That’s right ... and soon, too." "Well," continues Jesus, "what I want to know is where? Where on earth? Rome? Athens? Corinth? Alexandria? There’s a fine library in Alexandria, and I hear that the Emperor’s symphony at Rome is even better than the Athens Philharmonic, and I would love to see the ...

1944. What Will He Find… When He Comes? - Shorter Version

Luke 18:1-8

Sermon

Theodore F. Schneider

... appear silent. She has not even a just judge to whom to look. She has no hope whatsoever. Yet, she continues! There's the key. The widow has no hope. The judge was not one who cared one whit about either God or duty. She had no reasonable ... expectation that anything good would ever come from her claim. Still, she continued! In days of turmoil, do Christians persist? A man in his late 20s or early 30s was at a meeting in a congregation in ...

1945. Proper 15

Exodus 16:1-36

Bulletin Aid

... pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Most patient God, we confess that we love to complain about our lots in life, the seeming injustices we suffer, and most any little hassle we experience, and to ignore the many benefits and blessings, graces and gifts that we continually receive from the rich bounty of your love. Forgive us our attitudes, O God; soothe our troubled minds and souls by the sustaining presence of your Holy Spirit; and soften our hearts, so that we shall be moved to share the wonderful things we ...

1946. Advent 1

Matthew 24:36-51

Sermon Aid

... Ministers: In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pastor: To you all, then, who belong to Him, and to one another, grace and peace. Amen Ministers: So be it. Amen Follow this with a choral introit, either with the choir, or the choir and congregation. Then, continue the invitation with pastor and ministers: Pastor: We are here this Advent season. Ministers: We are here because we are persons, but we deny our humanity. We seek new life in him who is the Lord of life. Pastor: Giver of life, heal us and free us ...

1947. Christmas Eve

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon Aid

... pastoral invitation, ask the congregation to slow down, take some deep breaths, and to consider, both what's happened to them the past few weeks, and to reflect about how the Christ has come, is coming, and will continue to come to them tonight and beyond. Second Pastoral Invitation One pastor continues this way: Now, are we ready? If so, I invite us to enter into the call to celebrate, with these words: Pastor: We celebrate the birth of Christ. Ministers: We celebrate God's Presence and Power. Pastor: We ...

1948. Christmas 2

John 1:1-18

Sermon Aid

... Lawrence Ferlinghetti, from A Coney Island of the Mind, published in 1955 by the author. For the act of forgiveness, he said, "I invite us to begin with the knowledge that Jesus Christ died for you, and that it is a crass insult to him to continue to justify yourself, to discount others, to insist that we are not worthy of his forgiveness. God, in Christ, thought otherwise. Look at yourself silently for one minute, and discover the areas that God has forgiven, and find the beauty in you that Christ already ...

1949. Lent 4

John 9:1-12

Sermon Aid

... caused the most conversation. Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration Consider this: If this is God's world, which it is, then, let's celebrate the Presence and Power of the living God as we continue through Lent, in anticipation of Good Friday and Easter. You may want to continue with this litany, asking the people to shout reverently, their response: Pastor: Gladness is ours! Choir: Hallelujah! (sung) Ministers: Gladness is ours! (spoken) Choir: Hallelujah! (sung) Pastor: Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving ...

1950. Lent 5

John 11:1-16, John 11:17-37, John 11:38-44

Sermon Aid

... , because you've already spent some time before coming to prepare yourself to meet God? However you've come, you will receive far more than you're prepared to receive - if you will open yourself to the Spirit of God, beginning now!" You may want to continue with this declaration of joy between pastor and ministers: Pastor: Who are you? Who are we? Ministers: A mixture - of joy and sorrow, of high and low moods; of hypocrisy and honesty; of hope and despair; of sadness and gladness; of hate and love. Pastor ...

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