Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1926 to 1950 of 4945 results

1926. The Constant God in a Changing World

Psalm 48:1, 9-14

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

In Berlin, Germany, after World War II, there stood a church in the center of the city with nothing left but the Gothic arch which framed the main door. Over the arch were these words from Luke 21: “Heaven and earth will pass away but my words remain forever true." I would like to talk about that today. The author of Psalm 48 was enthralled with the strength and beauty of Jerusalem. Her towers seemed immovable; her citadels appeared immutable; her temple looked like nothing less than something immortal. ...

1927. Love Lifted Me

Psalm 40:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

In the television drama, “The Sopranos” there is a scene that takes place at a funeral. The guests receive prayer cards with a picture of Jesus on them along with a prayer. One of the guests at the funeral remarks that as a kid he always wondered about the value of these cards. He collected baseball cards, he said, and they increased in value. Why not the prayer cards? “I don’t get it,” says the guest. “Ten thousand dollars for Mickey Mantle and zip for Jesus . . .” (1) I suspect that says something about ...

1928. God's Day Off

Mark 2:23-3:6

Sermon

David E. Leininger

We know the importance of taking breaks. "You've got to stop and smell the roses." "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy — and Jill a rich widow." Even the Bible affirms the premise — one of the Ten Commandments: "Observe the sabbath day to keep it holy ... Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work ..." (Deuteronomy 5:12-14). And it is not a suggestion; it is a command! To be sure, many, through the years, ...

1929. Belonging to Christ's Flock

John 10:22-42

Sermon

King Duncan

A couple retired to a small Arizona ranch and acquired a few sheep. At lambing time, it was necessary to bring two newborns into the house for care and bottle-feeding. As the lambs grew, they began to follow the rancher’s wife around the farm. She was telling a friend about this strange development. “What did you name them?” the friend asked her. “Goodness and Mercy,” she replied with a sigh. (1) She was referring of course to a line in everyone’s favorite Psalm, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me ...

1930. Tarzan He Was Not

John 15:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

The Week magazine often contains quirky news items collected from periodicals around the world. Back in 2005 they carried a story about a Romanian man who was recovering in the hospital after trying to escape from his wife by swinging from tree to tree on a vine like Tarzan. Stefan Trisca a 66-year old man, of all things - -had wanted to join his friends for a night of drinking, but his wife locked him in his bedroom. This did not stop Stefan. He was on a mission. He climbed through the bedroom window and ...

1931. Serendipity

Matthew 13:44-46

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

My wife is a clown! Wait now—let me explain that. I mean that literally, not figuratively. I don’t mean she’s a clown in terms of being a cutup, an always-clowning-around type of person. I mean she is literally a clown, and she has been involved for about ten years in a clown ministry. Her name is “Serendipity,” given to her by a longtime preacher friend. One thing that name means is “unexpected” and “unsuspected.” The fellow suggested the name because God’s grace comes at unexpected times from unexpected ...

1932. The Jews and the Law

Romans 2:17-29

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

Psalm 51 records the confession of David when the storm of guilt from his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah broke upon him. Psalm 51 is, in fact, descriptive of the human condition, “I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.… Surely I was sinful at birth” (vv. 3, 5). It may be possible to maintain confidence in one’s virtue if one limits or controls the field of comparison. It is common, for instance, in comparative studies of various kinds, to compare the strengths of one system ...

1933. Pay Attention!

Luke 10:38-42

Sermon

Robert C. Cochran

Many people are troubled by today’s gospel. Good Christian folk are disturbed that hard-working Martha got criticized for trying to serve Jesus and wanting Mary to do her fair share. What a blow this passage is to the “Protestant” work ethic! Those who favor gender-specific roles for men and women are disturbed because the one who didn’t seem to know that her place was in the kitchen was commended while the “good housewife” was condemned. Oddly enough, some feminists are also disturbed: Martha seemed to be ...

1934. What Are You Bananas About?

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Sermon

King Duncan

I don’t think I’m making a controversial statement this morning when I say that most sports fans are crazy. Of course, I’m not talking about any sports fans in this room today. I’m talking about fans of other teams. They’re nuts! Doesn’t matter if they’re cheering for preschool T-ball teams or professional athletes in the Super Bowl or the World Series. Sports fans are just plain crazy. They paint their faces in the team colors. They spend hours in a stadium, enduring freezing cold, as well as pouring rain ...

1935. Miracle Five: Healing A Withered Hand

Mark 3:1-6

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

Background Material Jesus and his disciples traveled about on foot. They would naturally take advantage of shortcuts. So this day they walked across some farmland that had been planted with wheat. As they were hungry, they reached out and plucked some of the kernels of wheat to satisfy their hunger. But they were seen doing so by some of Jesus' critics who immediately called him to account. But as they were stout defenders of the law, and of the scriptures, Jesus answered them out of their own religious ...

1936. A Special Night

Exodus 12:1-30

Drama

Pamela Urfer

Cast: A FATHER, his DAUGHTER and his SON Length: 8 minutes Setting: The FATHER is seated on his stool, reading a newspaper. The SON and DAUGHTER enter and take the stools on either side of him. SON: Daddy! FATHER: (From behind his paper) Hummm? DAUGHTER: Dad! FATHER: (Still behind his paper) What is it, honey? DAUGHTER: Daddy! Listen to us! FATHER: (Coming out from behind the paper) Sorry! What was that? SON: Tell us, Dad. Why is tonight different from all other nights? FATHER: Different? How is it ...

1937. Empowered By A Vision

Genesis 28:10-22

Sermon

R. Robert Cueni

If your mother taught you to say only nice things about other people, Jacob will push you to the outer limits of your imagination. This younger of the twins born to Isaac and Rebekah has few redeeming qualities. He takes advantage of every available weakness in others. The older twin, Esau, must have had the common sense of a fence post. On two different occasions, Jacob cheats him of his birthright. Jacob's father Isaac was old, blind and on his death bed when Jacob exploits the situation to benefit ...

1938. What Really Happened Christmas Day

Sermon

Jerry Eckert

December 26, 1982 Comment: Having focused on doing the story sermonsduring the summer of 1982, all fall I missed the creativityI had felt. When Christmastime came around, the urge hit meagain. Some years earlier, I had done a Christmas story (seethe next story sermon) and so I decided to try it again. What really happened Christmas Day? Who took care ofthe sheep while the shepherds went to town? What happenedto Joseph and Mary and the baby? How did they get into ahouse where the Wisemen were to find them ...

1939. Children

Sermon

Jerry Eckert

Comment: Sometimes you can prepare a story sermon which reflects a lot of your own experience. And it becomes natural for you to play yourself while making the point of the sermon. The following reflected a lot of my experiences as a young father. Fortunately, my wife did not die, as does the wife of the main character here. But I was quite a disappointment to my colleagues because of how much part I took in household matters and child care. As of this writing, I am the wife my spouse always wanted! I ...

1940. What Really Happened Christmas Day

Luke 2:8-20

Sermon

Jerry Eckert

December 26, 1982 Comment: Having focused on doing the story sermons during the summer of 1982, all fall I missed the creativity I had felt. When Christmastime came around, the urge hit me again. Some years earlier, I had done a Christmas story (see the next story sermon) and so I decided to try it again. What really happened Christmas Day? Who took care of the sheep while the shepherds went to town? What happened to Joseph and Mary and the baby? How did they get into a house where the Wisemen were to find ...

1941. Death Of A Dream - Birth Of A Church

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Barbara Brokhoff

Genesis 11:1-9 This Old Testament lesson is a story of failure, but there is a great truth for all of us in it. I had a dear friend who used to say, "Every man is my teacher. I either learn what to do from him, or what not to do." It reminds me of a cartoon, which showed a bum sitting on a park bench; his clothes were tattered and torn, his toes were coming out of his shoes - the stereotypical hobo. Beneath the picture was the caption, "No man is completely worthless - he can always serve as a horrible ...

1942. Transfiguration

Luke 9:28-36 · Matthew 17:1-8 · Mark 9:2-8

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they awakened they saw his glory and the two men who ...

1943. Straight Talk, Due Process and Grace

Matthew 18:15-20

Sermon

William J. Carl

It never ceases to amaze me how periodically someone joins the church thinking with great naivete that he or she has now left the imperfect, money-grubbing, power-hungry secular world and entered some holy, monastic community where everyone is good and kind and loving and no one ever gossips or spreads rumors or disagrees on any subject. When this happens, I usually watch to see how long it takes before this person’s whole idyllic image of the church comes tumbling down like the proverbial deck of cards. ...

1944. The Yestermorrow Eclipse

John 10:1-21

Sermon

It was a fearsome sight ... striking terror to the hearts of city dwellers and country-folk alike. Mysterious, unexplainable, frightening. Surely the wrath of the gods had come upon them, and perhaps the end of the world was at hand. Few events in history have penetrated human lives with such universal mystery and fear. As the Greek writer Archilochus described it, "sore fear came upon men," and Theoclymenus notes that "an evil mist has spread over all." People would hide, tribes would dance feverishly, ...

1945. "When E. F. Hutton Talks"

Jeremiah 26:1-24

Sermon

Peter Rudowski

There are a number of ways that the financial community calls upon us to check and reexamine our investments. How secure are we for the future, they ask. Are we getting the best return for our dollars or are there other ways to invest of which we are not even aware? No investment plan is right for everyone; therefore, we should seek an expert to help us. Magazines, television, and newspapers continually raise the issue with us. One way that we are challenged by an investment firm is through a very catchy ...

1946. He Bore Our Sins

2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2

Sermon

Dennis Kastens

Every year during Lent, the role of Christ bearing his cross to Calvary is re-enacted in the village of Sartene, Corsica. This has been going on ever since the Middle Ages, and it always draws a big crowd of villagers and thousands of tourists who come for the occasion. Time magazine, when reporting on one of the more recent episodes, called it "one of the world’s most brutally powerful Holy Week processions." And the report was a graphic description of what happened: A grotesque lump of a man ... barefoot ...

1947. Food for Faith

Matthew 14:13-21

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

Pentecost XI Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. As he went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to ...

1948. In Which Direction Do You Travel?

Sermon

Harold Warlick

Certain events in life occur that are both odd and dangerous. One such event happened to me upon returning from the state capital this year. I was driving up Interstate 26 from Columbia to Greenville, SC, when my eyes beheld a strange and frightening sight. An automobile was coming down the right hand side of the interstate in the wrong direction. Apparently, its driver, in wanting to head East, had gotten confused, missed a ramp, and entered the westbound flow of traffic. The immediate reaction of the ...

1949. The Prodigal Daughter

Drama

Maxine Dudley

To Prepare: As the audience enters the church each participant is given half a red paper heart. On one side is written the name Jesus and the other side Father. (See page 18. Only found in the printed material.) Reflective music may be sung as participants enter. When all are seated, the Narrator introduces the service. Narrator no. 1: To begin our reconciliation service we will have a short play The Prodigal Daughter. This drama is taken from the parable "The Prodigal Son" and is adapted to include our ...

1950. The Ten Commandments - Part 2

Exodus 20:1-21

Sermon

Brett Blair

A little boy was once asked by his Sunday school teacher if he knew the Ten Commandments. "No ma'am," came the reply, "my dad said that I don't have to know them since they are doing away with them anyway." It is one thing to be ignorant of the Ten Commandments; it quite another to mock them with impunity. Millions dismiss them as mere platitudes fit for nothing more than a dusty old bookshelf. They disdain them because they are "religious." There are still others who want to do away with the Ten ...

Showing results

Showing 1926 to 1950 of 4945 results

1926. The Constant God in a Changing World

Psalm 48:1, 9-14

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

1927. Love Lifted Me

Psalm 40:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

1928. God's Day Off

Mark 2:23-3:6

Sermon

David E. Leininger

1929. Belonging to Christ's Flock

John 10:22-42

Sermon

King Duncan

1930. Tarzan He Was Not

John 15:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

1931. Serendipity

Matthew 13:44-46

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

1932. The Jews and the Law

Romans 2:17-29

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

1933. Pay Attention!

Luke 10:38-42

Sermon

Robert C. Cochran

1934. What Are You Bananas About?

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Sermon

King Duncan

1935. Miracle Five: Healing A Withered Hand

Mark 3:1-6

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

1936. A Special Night

Exodus 12:1-30

Drama

Pamela Urfer

1937. Empowered By A Vision

Genesis 28:10-22

Sermon

R. Robert Cueni

1938. What Really Happened Christmas Day

Sermon

Jerry Eckert

1939. Children

Sermon

Jerry Eckert

1940. What Really Happened Christmas Day

Luke 2:8-20

Sermon

Jerry Eckert

December 26, 1982 Comment: Having focused on doing the story sermons during the summer of 1982, all fall I missed the creativity I had felt. When Christmastime came around, the urge hit me again. Some years earlier, I had done a Christmas story (see the next story sermon) and so I decided to try it again. What really happened Christmas Day? Who took care of the sheep while the shepherds went to town? What happened to Joseph and Mary and the baby? How did they get into a house where the Wisemen were to find ...

1941. Death Of A Dream - Birth Of A Church

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Barbara Brokhoff

1942. Transfiguration

Luke 9:28-36 · Matthew 17:1-8 · Mark 9:2-8

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

1943. Straight Talk, Due Process and Grace

Matthew 18:15-20

Sermon

William J. Carl