Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1926 to 1950 of 4938 results

1926. Security Clearance

1 Kings 2:1-46

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... to such a marriage that strengthens his older brother’s claim? While Bathsheba agrees to take Adonijah’s suit to her son, we have just seen her execute an audacious undertaking on her son’s behalf, and surely she is not going to give up that easily. In her conference with Solomon (2:19–25) that takes place while both are seated on royal thrones, she undersells the “small” request of Adonijah (which is anything but). Solomon’s reaction is aggressive: he interprets the proposition as treasonous ...

1927. Hope: God Loves You

Hosea 11:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... beloved children that he has to punish. This does not indicate that God is indecisive, does not know what to do, or is second-guessing himself. Because of his deep love for Israel he is in emotional anguish; he asks himself if it is really possible for him to give up on his children. In the past he was willing to punish the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboyim (Gen. 19:1–38; Deut. 29:23), but it is much more difficult to do something like this to the covenant people he loves so much. In ...

1928. Widows, Elders, and Slaves

1 Timothy 5:1-6:2

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... In this case Paul would be asking Christian slaves to recognize that those masters who serve the community (who live out 6:17–19, for instance) are themselves doing so as brothers. Paul—like Jesus—will expect these masters to give up the normal benefits of their liberality and generosity (such as honorific statues and inscriptions, “front row” treatment like that sought in Luke 14:7–11). Household dependents should accord such masters a brotherly respect. Regardless of which reading is correct ...

1929. And They Lived Happily Ever After... or Did They?

Mark 10:2-16

Sermon

Rick McCracken-Bennett

... was the same one that the first woman had hummed, and the second had danced to. All three were the same woman; she would be his companion, his lover, and his friend. If only the stupid stone would move! He pushed harder. Nothing. He was about to give up when he heard a voice, her voice, through the crack in the door, "Here, let me help you move the stone." She reached through the crack, they put their hands together and the stone moved easily aside. The bells rang; the celebration began, the couple married ...

1930. A Working God

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Sermon

R. Kevin Mohr

... but, like leaven, is powerful in its effects, changing us from the inside out to become the people God wants us to be. The reign of God’s love at work in our lives is so precious that, like a pearl of great price, we will seek it out, giving up the precious commodity of our time in order to be where God’s Spirit promises to be present: in prayer and praise and study of God’s word with other followers of Jesus. Therefore, as God’s workmanship, as God’s masterpieces, created for good works, we are ...

1931. One Feisty Woman

Matthew 15:21-28

Sermon

Roy Howard

... prayer and desire? It would be so much easier to let go of our desires, our needs, and our hopes for the other in the face of what appears to be silence from God. Our prayers seemingly go unanswered, and we walk away in silence. Perhaps that is to give up all too easily. It is also much too common to look upon ourselves and believe that we are unworthy to ask God for anything, much less to ask for the very thing that will help another. We start to believe the lies that undermine our faith and well-being ...

1932. The Way of the Fox and the Way of the Lamb

Luke 13:31-35

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... Lamb –God’s way, the way of truth, hope, and love, the way of courageous discipleship, the way of early Christians who would not deny their faith in Jesus despite threat of injury, torture, or death, the way of people around the world still today, who would give up their lives for the sake of the gospel. Today, in this time of Lent, as Jesus slowly makes his way to face his accusers, and to bear the cross, may you feel the power of Jesus’ sacrificial love, and may you too follow the Way, Truth, and ...

1933. To Be Set Free

Luke 13:10-17

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... Cuba to Florida. But through her journey of determination, she learned to accept her failures as part of her growth and learning process. This transformation of spirit helped her connect with herself in ways she hadn’t been able to before. This time, she wouldn’t give up on her dream. At the age of 64, Diana Nyad reached her goal, swimming 110 miles from Havana, Cuba to Key West Florida. This was her fifth “try” to accomplish her life-long dream, a challenge that kept her nearly 3 days out on the ...

1934. Temptation

Luke 4:1-13

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

... . What are you going to do? ANGELA: Just keep going as I have, I guess. There's not much else I can do. But, that's enough about me. What about you? It must be something pretty weighty on your mind to bring you out here and for you to give up food, for how long? GUY: I don't really know. I lost track of the days. ANGELA: Oh, yeah, that's right. Well, what's your problem? GUY: Me, oh, just the weight of the whole world, that's all. ANGELA: You have some strong shoulders. GUY: Not that strong ...

1935. What Law is Operating Here?

Illustration

John Killinger

... Let me see your breasts." At first, Isabel says she can't. He wants to know why. She says merely because they are hers. But then she thinks: What could it hurt? She remembers the woman in The Brothers Karamazov who tells a priest she cannot give up an adulterous affair because "it gives him so much pleasure and me so little pain." She locks the door, unbuttons her blouse, loosens and removes her brassiere, and stands there. Mr. Spenser says nothing. He looks, then closes his eyes. "You have done me a great ...

1936. Is there really a God?

Illustration

John R. Brokhoff

... make both God and a false god. If your faith and trust is right, then your God is right as well, and again where the belief is false and wrong, then the right God is absent, too. For the two belong together, faith and God. So that to which you give up and hand over your heart is truly your God. In summary, then, Luther tells us what makes a god: "Whatever, then, your heart clings to or relies upon, that, I say, is properly your God." In other words, your God is whatever or whoever comes first in your life.

1937. Advent 1

Mark 13:1-31, Mark 13:32-37

Bulletin Aid

David M. Oliver

... with anticipation." The bells we ring will serve to help people to remember to wait with confident hope in Christ, even when it is difficult. Ringing the bells is a way of calling people to holy waiting in the context of a season which tempts us to give up waiting and entices us with myriad activities that ultimately will not strengthen but only frustrate and drain us. Celebrating the Lord's Day Opening: 1 Corinthians 1:3 "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ who was and is ...

1938. How to Get Rich

Mark 10:21

Children's Sermon

... young man who had a lot of money. Jesus said to him, "Your money won't make you rich. What makes you rich is following God." So Jesus told him to give his money away and come follow after Jesus. The young man would not do it. He could not give up all that money. He had come to enjoy it too much. The really rich people in our world may not have any money at all. They are the people who have learned what God wants the world to be like, and they are busy helping make it happen. They do ...

1939. Those Tempting Crayons

Matthew 4:1-11

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

... , or as the Bible calls him Satan? (Let them answer.) That's a true story. Jesus was high in a mountain and the Devil came and tried to get Jesus to follow him just like that little voice tries to get you to color the table. But Jesus did not give up. He was tempted, but he told the Devil to get away for he was not going to do anything that was a sin against God. After three times of the Devil offering Jesus everything he had, the Devil left Jesus and went away. We must often do the same thing ...

1940. Wedding: The Most Excellent Way

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Sermon Aid

Joel W. Kreger

... but nothing:a void of empty lonely thought. In the marriage covenant,the most excellent way is the way of love. In your marriage covenant, let your wisdom and your faith be centered and guidedin the way of God’s love:the most excellent way. You could give up all the wealth that you have, your money and name, possessions and fame.You could die for your faith, but it would count for no gain. For shed without love these efforts and deeds are but feeble and shallow devoid of true life, no meaning indeed. In ...

1941. A New Heaven and a New Earth

Revelation 21:1-27

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

... for Your saints such a wonderful reward for those who are faithful it is hard for us to contain our excitement. We thank You, Lord, for Your love. In Christ we pray. Amen. Prayer Of Confession: Lord, so often when times are tough and we are tempted to give up, we have forgotten about the wonderful things yet to come in the eternity You have planned for us. Forgive us, Lord, and help us remember this world is not our final home and we have no reason to doubt that all the wonderful promises are real. Give us ...

1942. God's Way Of Doing Things

Ruth 3:1-18, 4:13-22

Sermon

John P. Rossing

... all from dying sinners into resurrected saints through our baptism into Jesus' resurrection. And he'll change the old corrupt world into a new world at the end of time. We live in a world of sin and death, of frustration and disappointment, but we never need to give up hope for better things. Changing bitterness to joy is God's trademark. A third thing this story tells us about God's way of doing things is that God's way is full of surprises. What confounded Job in his dealings with God was that God didn't ...

1943. Persistence in Prayer

Luke 18:1-8

Bulletin Aid

Carl Hoefler

... Call to Worship Pastor: Prayer is a wonderful source of strength. But sometimes we become discouraged because we feel God does not hear us. People: We know God answers prayer in many ways. But some prayers do not seem to get through to God, and we give up. Pastor: Then our faith needs to be strengthened to believe that, with persistent prayer, God will hear and answer. People: We want to learn to pray with that kind of confidence and persistence, that God may know we do have faith in his love and providence ...

1944. Seeking the Kingdom of God

Colossians 3:1-17

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

... us the love we need to live as citizens of Your kingdom. We praise You, O Lord. In Christ we pray. Amen. Prayer of Confession Lord, even though You showed us through the cross and the resurrection that all You taught us was true and we must truly give up our lives to save them, we have still sought to find our security in the things of the material world. Forgive us, Lord, and help us keep our lives focused on living according to the things of Your kingdom. In Christ we pray. Amen. Hymns "Siince Jesus Came ...

1945. Prayer

Matthew 22:1-14

Bulletin Aid

... of a friend Is one thing - To a Tupperware party is another! To dinner at the White House is yet a third!! I weigh invitations carefully - Do I really like the people? Am I comfortable with them? What am I obligating myself to? What must I give up in order to accept? Unfortunately, I weigh God's invitation, as well - And I may have a more pressing engagement! Lord, forgive me for ignoring your invitations For weighing it against other calls Other obligations Other needs Other pleasures. Open my ears to your ...

1946. The Day of Pentecost

Isaiah 44:1-5

Sermon

... linguistically like the tribal name Zebulan. If that is the case here, Deutero-Isaiah is using an endearing title, which may be what the Septuagint had in mind when it translated "Jeshurun" by the Greek word for "beloved." It is quite clear God is not willing to give up on his people. He wants to resuscitate them, to raise them from a corpse-like state into a new life of vitality and responsibility. The symbolism of the desert can be found in other places in the Bible, but here it is used in a new sense ...

1947. There’s Gotta Be a Day

Malachi 4:1-6

Sermon

... which will enable the righteous to rejoice like calves running in the spring after being confined all winter. "The fact is, you have broken your covenant with God. He is your God. You are his people. You have forgotten that, but God has not forgotten. He will not give up on you. You may abandon him, he will not abandon you." "He calls you to be faithful to the covenant as he is. Why? In times of broken covenant the ones who suffer most are those who can afford to suffer least. That’s correct: the widow ...

1948. A Renewed Call

Isaiah 49:1-7

Sermon

... a great deal, during the long wilderness trek, about the apparent futility of his ministry. The hard-hearted and stiff-necked people quickly drained Moses' enthusiasm and energy. The apparent silence of God, at times, drove Moses bonkers. He seems almost constantly ready to give up. Elijah the Tishbite was called to be a prophet of the Lord. He was sent to King Ahab and did his task. Elijah, on behalf of God, engaged in a great contest on Mt. Carmel with the priests of Baal, to demonstrate whether it was ...

1949. Proper 17

Romans 12:1-8

Bulletin Aid

... that challenge: that, fortified by your Spirit, we may be able to face every hardship in the name of the Christ. In that name we meet and pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Everlasting God, we confess with great shame that we have been willing to give up little or nothing for the sake of the gospel, much less to sacrifice ourselves, as Saint Paul said we must. Forgive us our timidity and selfishness, we pray, and sow within us the seeds of commitment and courage that will cause us to dedicate ourselves whole ...

1950. Christmas Eve

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon Aid

... ; and that many know what we are going to get. So, he asked them what they really wanted. Here are three responses: 1. One woman told him that, more than anything else in the world, she wanted a word from her husband that he loved her and that he would give up the other woman. 2. A boy told him that he wanted a chance to talk and play with his Dad, but his Dad was always too busy. 3. A churchman told him that he wanted a word of cooperation from a man who had pledged never to support him in ...

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