Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 176 to 200 of 1138 results

176. The Collapsing Circle

Galatians 3:26--4:7

Illustration

Richard A. Jensen

Allan Nelson is a consultant to business operations throughout the world. Allan Nelson is also a deeply committed Christian. He ofttimes walks a fine line through life as he seeks to live out his Christian faith in the midst of a variety of culture clashes. One such clash for Mr. Nelson took place in 1978 in a visit to Soweto in South Africa. In a profound and exciting way he experienced in this land afar off the collapsing of a circle of innate suspicion and hostility. Mr. Nelson was in South Africa ...

177. The Joy Of God

Luke 15:8-10, Luke 15:1-7

Illustration

Richard A. Jensen

... Japan as a professor in the theological seminary. After these years of service in Japan, Dr. Ishida was called to serve at the headquarters of the Lutheran World Federation in Geneva, Switzerland. He gave dedicated service to the global church in Geneva in a variety of positions. He was next called to head up a new "Institute of Global Mission" in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Ishida and his American-born wife, therefore, moved to Chicago. Just a year ago he was called again, now almost at retirement age, to come ...

178. God Is Faithful To Godself

2 Timothy 1:1-2:13

Sermon

Richard A. Jensen

... church. Who did he think he was anyway? What gave him the courage to carry out his convictions in this way? Thanks to the new media of print, Luther's 95 Theses were spread all over Europe. The church was not pleased. They tried to curb Luther in a variety of ways. They even declared him to be excommunicated from the church. The matter came to a head several years later in a meeting held in the city of Worms, Germany. The meeting was called a "Diet." It was a meeting of none other than the Holy Roman Empire ...

179. Tears At The Tomb

John 11:17-37

Sermon

William G. Carter

... all appearances, the junior high youth group at First Church was going well. Bob and Betsy, their two enthusiastic advisors, planned a full calendar of events to keep them busy. The youth went to roller skating parties and winter retreats. They played a variety of sports, discussed a lot of movies, and celebrated every holiday with a party. But when it came to leading the young teens into the deeper waters of faith, Bob and Betsy were frustrated. One Sunday afternoon, Bob announced the group was beginning ...

180. It's OK To Stir Up God

Luke 11:1-13

Sermon

Richard Patt

... didn't give us a stripped-down, boring universe. On the contrary, our world of landscapes and the universe of planets and stars constantly invigorate us with their beauty and agreeable surprises. God could have had us live minimally; instead we are constantly surrounded by a variety that brings spice to life. God gives us extras; God is on our side! The First Article of the Creed tells us as much. But it is in the Second Article, where we confess Jesus Christ as Savior, that we come to realize in the most ...

181. The Fear Of Taking The Plunge

Luke 12:35-48

Sermon

Richard Patt

... storehouse that brings comfort to their souls. Elderly people also face the challenge of filling up the time at their disposal. But some of them have no trouble with that at all, because in earlier years they developed interest and expertise in a variety of cultural and mental activities that have now become a valuable storehouse upon which they draw. Music, literature, hobbies and arts fill their hours as they maintain a fascination with life and its rich spectrum of offerings. For them the plunge into ...

182. A Ministry Of Hospitality

Luke 14:1-14

Sermon

Richard Patt

... you would probably hedge at the prospect of such a ministry: preaching the sermon on a Sunday morning. You would probably feel uncomfortable about doing that because of a lack of experience and training. But what, then, is your ministry? For you see, there are a variety of ministries in which all the people of a church can be involved. These ministries are based on various gifts we have as people. Saint Paul once made a list of these gifts when he talked about church people being involved in such things as ...

183. Dinner Parties With A Difference

Luke 7:36-50

Sermon

Maurice A. Fetty

... had the religious people of his day chattering about his behavior. Aside from the time of his wilderness temptation experiences, Jesus apparently avoided the ascetic way of life. Unlike John who scorned polite society, Jesus seemed to enjoy being with people on a wide variety of social occasions. He turned the water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. He dined often with friends like Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Matthew and Zacchaeus each had a large feast with Jesus as an honored guest. Today's scripture ...

184. The Perisitent Noise Of Solemn Assemblies

Luke 10:25-37

Sermon

Maurice A. Fetty

... his."1 So it is that Jesus illustrates in an unforgettable way what it means to be neighborly. However, the story of the Good Samaritan has been variously interpreted through the centuries. Saint Augustine, for example, in the fifth century, attached varieties of allegorical meanings to it. The fallen man was Adam. Jerusalem represented heaven, the thieves were the devil and his angels, and so on. Therefore, since such an auspicious figure as Augustine has tampered with the parable, I thought we might take ...

185. Why Did Pastor Hypnotize Jenny?

Jeremiah 33:1-26

Sermon

Tony Everett

... turned into discouragement. The Temple in Jerusalem was still in ruins. Progress on rebuilding city walls was minimal. Some doubted that their return actually was the Lord's doing. Some were ready to renounce their religious heritage and give allegiance to a variety of differing pagan practices. Sound familiar? The Lord spoke to the discouraged inhabitants of Jerusalem in the sixth century B.C., and to the Jewish exiles in Babylonia fifty years before. The Lord also speaks to us today on this first Sunday ...

186. Seeing With New Eyes

Isaiah 6:1-13

Sermon

Tony Everett

... are in the pews. The number of unchurched or "underchurched" persons is rapidly overcoming the number of the baptized in many areas of our nation. There is a growing number of the "sentimentally religious," who find ultimate meaning in a variety of new age beliefs and gatherings. A recent survey of Presbyterian baby boomers indicated that there was little difference in the beliefs of persons in the two largest categories: "moderately active in any congregation" (29%), and "uninvolved, but religious" (21 ...

187. What Will It Profit a Man?

1 Tim 6:7; Matt 16:26

Illustration

Chevis Horne

... We are often afraid to speak of money in the church. We are concerned that someone will become offended. We do not want to confirm the position held by many that all the church wants is your money. As a result, we respond to this perception in a variety of ways. I know of one church that prints in its Sunday bulletin that visitors to the church are not expected to give financially but that this is the responsibility of the members of that church. I know of another church where the pastor announces that they ...

188. The Blind Guiding The Blind

Psalm 92:1-15, Luke 6:46-49, 1 Corinthians 15:35-58, Isaiah 55:1-13, Luke 6:37-42

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... whom they influence. They can also have double reward. 2. Confronted with Choice. Jesus clearly delineates a choice for his followers. He spells out the inevitable consequences of differing kinds of conduct. He calls his hearers to choose the opposing types of life by a variety of images. Many decisions we have to make do not have a great impact on our lives and conduct or that of others. It does not matter too much whether we choose apple or cherry pie when that is the choice. It does not usually matter ...

189. Lent 4

Psalm 32:1-11, Joshua 5:1-12, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2, Luke 15:1-7

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... people. Most people narrowly restrict the extent of their love. For many their love does not reach much beyond their family, their race, their nationality, and their religious group. It was characteristic of Jesus that he could extend his love to a variety of people. He reached the mentally ill; the Samaritan woman who crossed national, religious, and gender taboos of his day; the collaborator with the Roman occupying army; and the Roman nobleman himself. People need to look at the wealth given them. Do ...

190. Proper 18

Psalm 139:1-24, Philemon 1:8-25, Philemon 1:1-7, Jeremiah 18:1--19:15, Luke 14:25-35

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... . A. Starting With High Purpose B. Abandoning Purposes Midway C. Settling for Low Achievement CONTACT Points to Ponder 1. Family Values. "Family values" has become a political slogan. It is used as a shibboleth to determine whether a person is correct on a variety of issues. People on both sides of issues, such as abortion, planned parenthood, single parenthood, and welfare, claim they are for family values. What really serves family values is not a simple or easy thing to determine. Jesus puts family as of ...

191. A Double Recipe

John 6:25-59

Illustration

CSS

... the congregation? She planned out the program and together with some other parishioners focused particularly on the last of their summer suppers. On the final Wednesday when the congregation gathered for the evening meal, they sampled a variety of homebaked breads parishioners had brought; pita bread from the Spiros household, lefse from the Johnsons, nine-grain bread from the Sullivans. People joked together about eating every Wednesday night meal as a congregation. Finally, several parishioners, including ...

192. What's So Great About Jesus?

2 Samuel 23:1-7

Sermon

John A. Stroman

... would you respond? I have thought a great deal about this question. I realize that we would probably have as many answers as we have people in church today. Each of us has come to Christ by a different road or pathway. There is a vast variety of religious experiences. Since your answer would relate to your own personal experience of Jesus in your life, you can see how our answers would be so varied. Today we are completing our liturgical journey that has encompassed the entire life of Jesus. In our journey ...

193. Take Up Your Ministry

Mark 9:38-41

Sermon

Steven E. Albertin

... will not be limited to "official channels." He is free to do what he wills where he wills. His Spirit blows freely and cannot be manipulated by our human connivances. Ministry, the work that God has given his people to do, can be carried out by a great variety of people. Ministry, the casting out of demons, the proclamation of God's Word, the giving of a cup of water to the parched and thirsty, is not something bequeathed to only a select few of God's people. Ministry, the mighty works done in the name of ...

194. Miracle Three: Healing A Leper

Mark 1:40-45

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

BACKGROUND MATERIAL There is considerable variety to the miracles performed by Christ. One was performed in a synagogue (curing the demoniac), another in a home (healing Peter's mother-in-law), and this one he performed on a public thoroughfare. While Jesus and his disciples were walking, a man afflicted with the terrible disease of leprosy ...

195. Miracle Four: Healing A Paralytic

Mark 2:1-12

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

... mind with things that are acceptable to Christ?" Someone once said, "It doesn't matter so much what I think, but what I think of what I think." This gives us a good standard of measurement, because modern advertising can fill our minds with a wide variety of material; we must judge what is worthy. Forgiveness Of Sins · The scribes, in their criticism of Jesus, declared that God alone can forgive sins. That is true. When we are guilty of maltreatment of another, we can ask for their forgiveness, and it is ...

196. Miracle Five: Healing A Withered Hand

Mark 3:1-6

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

... . Christ, in various ways, is continually calling us with the invitation, "Come here." To receive his inspiration and blessing we need to act on the invitation. A pastor once said that in calling on some of his members who did not attend church, he was appalled at the variety of their excuses. He marveled at how many different excuses people gave: 1. That's my only morning to sleep. 2. I worship God in the outdoors. 3. The sermons don't give me a lift. 4. The choir sings poorly. 5. I like to get comfortable ...

197. Miracle Six: Stilling A Storm

Mark 4:35-41

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

... only comfort and refuge some people have, and it calms the nerves as one waits out the fury of the storm. There are many storms in human life other than those of nature. And always Christ can be called on in every time of trouble. Among a great variety of life's storms are those of anxiety, the death of a spouse or other family member, and loneliness. In compiling a list, one finds that there is no end to the numerous tragedies that can befall a human being. But always, Christ is the one sure refuge, the ...

198. Miracles Seven and Eight: Healing An Issue Of Blood & Healing The Rulers Daughter

Mark 5:21-43

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

... held any prejudice toward Christ, he suppressed it and sought the help of Christ. How often prejudice cuts us off from the full utilization and enjoyment of life. It is so restrictive. In contrast to the confining power of prejudice, a good life offers much variety. It can be like a flower garden in which flowers of different colors grow side by side, each adding to the total beauty. Christ brushed aside all prejudice based on race by saying that all humans are of one blood. Prejudice can cut us off ...

199. No Shortcut To Glory

2 Kings 2:1-18

Sermon

William L. Self

... diploma today. Then those who desire an education could go about their studies unhindered by those who are spiritually shallow." The student experience in a theological seminary is interesting as well as educational. There are all kinds of people there for a variety of reasons. Most seminaries have a way to screen applicants so that there is some consistency in the purpose of the student body, but many do not last even the full first year. Some are not prepared for the difficult studies. They come ...

200. The Star - Conversations

Matthew 2:1-12

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

... Nativity sets contain three wise men. The writer of Matthew does not tell us how many other people accompanied you. Surely there were women and a following of the curious. Yours was a long journey that took time by foot or by camel. We can imagine a variety of possible tales about your journey. We know that you probably came from the East, but we do not know your nationality. Wise Person: Do those details matter to the truth of this star? What matters is that we were drawn to follow it. One always wonders ...

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