Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1976 to 2000 of 4937 results

1976. Warnings from Israel’s History

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , these experiences did not succeed in protecting most of the people from evil or from God’s judgment when they failed to take their actions seriously. This should now serve as an example to dissuade Christians from stubbornly refusing to acknowledge and give up what is evil. The temptation (as one eats, drinks, and indulges in the “revelry” of any pagan occasion) to stubbornly ignore evil and acquiesce in an act of idolatry should be rejected (1 Cor. 8:10–12; 10:14–22) if the Christians ...

1977. The Widow's Offering

Luke 21:1-4

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... ’s action (as is often assumed; see Marshall, pp. 750–52), or if he saw in the episode an illustration of what he had said earlier in 20:46–47. In other words, because of the teaching of the religious authorities of her day, the poor widow gives up her last penny and so is victimized for the sake of an oppressive religious system. Her wealth, or what little wealth there was, was “devoured” (see v. 47). Jesus’ statement in 21:4, therefore, is not one of praise, but one of lament (so Fitzmyer, p ...

1978. The Cost of Following Jesus

Matthew 8:18-22

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... general way as indicating that the ordinary priorities of this life are to give way to the demands of Christian discipleship. (In Luke 14:25–33 one cannot be a disciple without placing Christ above family ties, carrying one’s own cross, and giving up everything one has.) Additional Notes 8:20 Son of Man: Albright-Mann translate hyios tou anthrōpou with “the Man,” on the basis that it emphasizes the representative character of Jesus’ ministry as Matthew sees it and is more faithful to the original ...

1979. Jonah Goes to Nineveh

Jonah 3:1-10

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... to power”? Why does God not destroy it immediately and be done with it? That certainly would be Jonah’s wish. But here the book of Jonah looks into the heart of God and finds there only love, even for the worst of sinners. God does not want to give up on the Ninevehs of the world—the message for all readers of the book! God cares about even the most wicked, and cannot endure their loss. This is a God of justice, to be sure, whose lordship cannot be mocked. But above all else, this is a God of love ...

1980. Taken Identity

Illustration

Rev. Adrian Dieleman

A Jewish woman was fleeing the German Gestapo in France. She knew she was close to being caught and she wanted to give up. A Christian woman, a widow, told her it was time to flee to a new place. The Jew said, “It’s no use, they will find me anyway. They are so close behind.” The Christian widow said, “Yes, they will find someone here, but it’s time for you to ...

1981. Joy as Our Hallmark

Sermon

George Reed

... with hands waving over our heads with a band playing at full volume is not the hallmark of whether we are Christians doing Christian worship or not. No, our hallmark is that we are people of joy and that joy is based on the love of God who never gives up on us. Joy is that deep quality of peace and contentment that comes from knowing that we are loved and nothing in heaven, on earth, or in hell can ever separate us from the love of God we have received through Jesus the Christ. How that joy gets expressed ...

In giving us children, God places us in a position of both leadership and service. He calls us to give up our lives for someone else's sake - to abandon our own desires and put our child's interests first. Yet, according to His perfect design, it is through this selflessness that we can become truly fulfilled.

Charles Stanley

1983. The Will

Illustration

Henrietta Mears

Will is the whole man active. I cannot give up my will; I must exercise it. I must will to obey. When God gives a command or a vision of truth, it is never a question of what He will do, but what we will do. To be successful in God's work is to fall in line with His will and to do it His way. All that is pleasing to Him is a success.

1984. Following God's Plan

1 John 5:1-6

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... thought, “I will be alone with God. Nothing can distract me from God.” He prayed day and night in the dark cave, but God sent him great temptations. He imagined all the good things of life and wanted them desperately. However, he was determined to give up everything in order to have God alone. After many months the temptations stopped and Saint Anthony of the Desert was at peace having nothing but God. According to the legend, one day God came to Anthony and said, “Leave your cave for a few days and ...

1985. Swimming Against the Tide

Luke 6:27-38

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... your way! For many right now discipleship may be the hardest thing you will ever undertake. Loving in the face of dissension may feel like you’re struggling to swim upstream. But remember –that’s what disciples do. They swim when others give up. They reproduce love under the uncommon circumstances. May your greatest desire, your most driving instinct as a disciple of Jesus –be above all…love. [1]The Talmud states that Jewish fathers have a number of holy obligations (or mitzvos) they must fulfill ...

1986. Against All Odds

Luke 14:25-33

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... ’ll need to carry the same cross that I’m destined to carry – even to the death! You’ll be opposed at every turn and challenged beyond belief! Every bit of your faith will be tested and dragged through the gauntlet! You’ll have to give up your dream of accumulating wealth, status, and adhering to the old traditions. This will be the hardest journey you will ever undertake! Ok? Who’s with me? They all take it on. Every disciple – at least initially. Eventually, Judas would break. But the others ...

1987. Paths Of Desperation

1 John 5:1-12

Sermon

Richard A. Jensen

... the doctors gave her only six months to live. They had no cure for her ovarian cancer. She would surely die. That's when Dick learned about hopelessness. Dick's dad was also in shock. And he was angry. He was angry with the doctors who had seemed to give up hope on his wife. Suddenly hopelessness was the order of the day. And where to go with this hopelessness? Dick's parents found a place that offered some hope for cancer treatment. A doctor about an hour's drive away claimed to have a cure for this type ...

1988. Sent Out By The Master

Luke 10:1-24

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

... , remember how some people didn't receive me -- well, some people will treat you pretty rough. Don't make a big deal about it. Just shake it off and go on about your business. Some people will say they want to join with you but they won't want to give up their family or their jobs or they'll have some other excuse. Just remember, it won't be easy. It's dangerous to do what you're going to do. Don't spend a lot of time socializing -- get on with the message of the Kingdom. And live simply. That ...

1989. Your Reflection In God's Mirror

Isaiah 1:1-31

Sermon

James McLemore

... obedient to God. But when God looks at your reflection in his mirror, you don't look like an obedient people. Your relationship with God extends back to Moses. Moses was raised in Egypt, in the "Big House," with Pharaoh's children. But when God asked Moses to give up the "Big House" and to lead his people out of Egypt, then Moses went to Pharaoh and told him, "God said, 'Let my people go.' " Moses had faith in God. But when God looks at your reflection in his mirror, you don't look like a faithful people ...

1990. God's A Catcher

Exodus 17:1-7

Sermon

Gerald Whetstone

... , it's likely to be just the opposite. She'll feel she doesn't fit in. They may well ridicule her new self-image. And they may not compensate her with the kind of conditional acceptance they gave her before. A person who seeks to give up a compulsive or addictive behavior finds his determination constantly challenged. It's not only the addiction itself. Old friends may feel threatened by his change of habits. Even people who objected to his behavior may feel threatened by his new self-control. He may have ...

1991. Sowers Of The Seed

Psalm 119:1-176, Romans 8:1-17, Genesis 25:19-34, Matthew 13:1-23

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... was not high, but for those who responded, the results were amazing. 3. Sponges. If we change the image from soils and seeds, we might suggest that some hearers are like sponges. They may absorb the message given, but they have to be pressed to give up to others what has been received. 4. Results Exceeding the Sower. Teachers often find that their students go on to do greater and better things than the teachers were ever able to accomplish personally. It is gratifying to have students who are prodded or ...

1992. Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities

Isaiah 43:14-28

Sermon

Rodney Thomas Smothe

... two rewarding opportunities related to Christian education. She is now able to devote her attention to that ministry that God had in store for her. What we sometimes perceive to be lost can really turn out to be a blessing. The Lenten season invites us to give up and make a sacrifice in order to discover God's provision in our lives. What obstacles do you see preventing you from reaching your goals? How would you relate to these obstacles if you knew that they were really just stepping stones to success? I ...

1993. Joy For The Journey

Drama

Karren Boehr

... . Is this God's journey? SARA: (Stops stirring, hesitantly) Yes, it must be, for I admit I feel the Lord's presence every day. I can't explain it. It's as though I can reach out and touch him. Yet, it's so scary out here. People are giving up, quarreling, dying. ANNA: People are also living. (Takes SARA's hand) God needs people of strength, people of prayer to follow the call on their lives wherever it might take them. SARA: So ... you're not afraid? ANNA: Yes, Sara, I'm often afraid, but the joy is always ...

1994. No Longer Servants, but Friends

John 15:18--16:4

Sermon Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... and Ministers) In the Name of the One who called us servants and now calls us friends, welcome to this Easter celebration. Today, we come to learn what friendship with God means. I warn you that this discovery is both exciting and fearful. I invite us to give up some preconceived notions about friendship, and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us some new truths. P: We say about Jesus, "He was the greatest!" M: We say, "Amen!" to that! P: Jesus also says to us, "You are the greatest!" M: We say "Alleluia!" to ...

1995. Who Can Be Saved?

Luke 19:1-10, Luke 18:18-30

Illustration

Richard A. Jensen

... Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me" (Luke 18:22). The smile immediately left the young man's face. He was very rich. There was just no way that he was going to give up all his wealth. Not even for his salvation. Jesus reflected upon his departure: "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" (Luke 18:24). Now there was a crowd observing all this. They were scandalized by Jesus' words and the ruler ...

1996. God's Medicine of Mercy

Matthew 9:18-26, Matthew 9:9-13

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

... was ready for something better, and when he heard you say, "Follow me," he did! He left his former life behind him. We have heard those same words spoken today. "Follow me." We want to, but we are afraid. What will it mean for us? What will we have to give up? The truth is, whatever we leave behind was never needed in the first place. So, it is up to us. Lead us, Lord, for we are ready to follow! Amen.

1997. Jesus Said, "Don't Fear, Only Believe"

Mark 5:36

Children's Sermon

... down the path for help. He found a house where two people lived. He told them, "My daughter is in danger. Please come quick to help!" One of the people in the house said, "I'm sorry, there's nothing we can do to help." But the father didn't give up. "Please come help!" he cried. Then the other person in the house said, "Don't fear. I know the spot on the hill. I'll come along with you." The father and the helper raced back to the girl. The father was amazed to find that the man who agreed ...

1998. Gabriel: I Was There

Luke 1:5-25

Drama

Dr. Raymond Bailey

... be the second Adam.In the first Adam men would all die.In the second Adam, all would be made alive.I myself, Gabriel, brought the message to Mary that she would be the mother of this child -- the child whose birth you celebrate this day. Satan does not give up easily, however. He had a decree go out from the ruler Herod that all male Israeli babies in the Bethlehem area be put to death. But, my God, in whose presence I stand, whispered into the ear of Joseph, Mary's husband to be, to flee into Egypt, taking ...

1999. On Our level

Hebrews 2:9

Children's Sermon

... ? The best way to get to know wht this pet is feeling or thinking would probably be to become another animal just like him or her. Of course, that's impossible for us to do. And it would be scary too, because if we did that we would have to give up all the power and advantages that we have of being a human being. And if we became an animal like this one, we don't know what somebody might do to us. They could put a rope around our neck or lock us up or forget to feed us. I ...

2000. Jerusalem: City for All Time

2 Samuel 5:1-5

Sermon

Donald Zelle

... want one simple word to symbolize all of Jewish history, that word would be Jerusalem." So wrote Teddy Kollek in 1981, then mayor of the city. He explained it further. "I do not think you can find any Israelis who are willing to give up Jerusalem. They cannot and will not. This beautiful golden city is the heart and soul of the Jewish people. You cannot live without heart and soul." Similar words, though probably without military overtones, would express the feelings of many Christians. Moslem Arabs have ...

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