Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1976 to 2000 of 4972 results

1976. Now What Do We Do?

John 1:1-18

Sermon

Mark Trotter

... taken right out of the Book of Revelation. In his movies he would ride into the scene quietly, like an angel of vengeance. Nobody knew where he came from. Then with a surfeit of violence, he would solve the problem, eliminate the evil, and then quietly leave, mysteriously going to nobody knew where. I believe that one of the reasons for the growing incivility of our time is that the "in your face" confrontation that is so much of our life together, is seen and encouraged in the Eastwood films, and in the ...

1977. On the Beach

John 21:15-25, John 21:1-14

Sermon

Mark Trotter

... and another will gird [help] you. When you are young you are like Peter was. You are confident, brash, and boastful, confident of your powers, sure that you can do anything in this life. You remember, Peter said to Jesus, "I will never leave you. Others will betray you, I am sure, but I will never leave you." And he left him. There is a time in your life when you think you can do anything. You believe that, usually when you're young. Then soon or late you fail, you fall on your face. That is when you learn ...

1978. Where Can I Find the Church?

Acts 2:1-8; 4:32-37

Sermon

Mark Trotter

... of my twenty years as one of your ministers. Actually, it has taken us nine months to get packed. Anyway, we are leaving tomorrow morning and will be tourists in Germany for two weeks. Anticipating the trip I was reminded of an incident that happened ... a tourist here in our city. He had no money, and he had to get to the airport right away because his plane was about to leave. He showed me his passport and something that looked like a ticket to legitimize his request. I was not happy about it. I was already ...

1979. Who Is This Man?

Mark 14:43-52

Sermon

Mark Trotter

... Gospel of Mark. The theory is that he was the son of the woman from whom Jesus and the disciples rented the room. The theory is that he had gone to bed on that Thursday night, and was awakened with the disciples and Jesus leaving the house. Curious, he got up, wrapped a sheet around himself, obviously he slept without a nightie, and then followed them into the garden. Therefore he witnessed Jesus praying. He witnessed the disciples sleeping. He witnessed the arrest. He witnessed the flight of the disciples ...

1980. Two Christmas Dinners

Luke 21:3-4

Drama

Matthew Powell

... you it was my pleasure to see you eat so heartily. It has made my Christmas merry, indeed. Storyteller 1: Then, Snuffy Pete rose heavily with glazed eyes. (Snuffy and Mr. Cabot stand up) Storyteller 2: Mr. Cabot carefully counted out $1.30 in change, leaving three nickels for the waitress. Storyteller 1: They parted as they did every year at the door, Mr. Cabot going south, Snuffy north. (Snuffy crosses to the bench at right) Storyteller 2: Around the corner Snuffy turned and stood for a minute. Then he ...

1981. Lent 2

Genesis 12:1-8, Romans 4:1-25, 2 Timothy 1:1-2:13, John 3:1-21

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... because of his faith. In Abraham we see one who found adventure in faith. It was faith in the promise of God. This resulted in a daring, risky venture into an unknown future in an unknown land. His faith was expressed in his obedience to God's command to leave for a far country and depend on God completely to provide for and to protect him. 2. God's blessing. God promises to bless Abraham. The blessing is not for Abraham's benefit nor well-being alone. It is not a selfish blessing. God does not bless that ...

1982. Easter 4

John 10:1-21, Acts 6:1-7, Acts 7:54--8:1a, 1 Peter 2:13-25

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... new way of life. 4. Sheep. Sheep are associated with straying and wandering off from the shepherd and the flock until they get lost and in danger of their lives. Peter calls people straying sheep. It is our nature to wander into sin, to carelessly leave the leadership of God, and to go our own way. Modern people are known for their mobility, insecurity, restlessness, rootlessness, and loneliness. PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Three Lessons: Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10 1. Going Back Home. Need: It ...

1983. Proper 17

Matthew 16:21-28, Romans 12:1-8, Romans 12:9-21, Jeremiah 14:1--15:21, Jeremiah 20:7-18, Exodus 3:1-22

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... of God and of Satan. After Peter's confession, Jesus called him "blessed." Now Peter is Satan incarnate. This reminds us that we can be possessed of a good or bad spirit, and we are spokesperson of each. The Holy Spirit not only can come but can also leave us. Even Peter, leader of the Apostles, could be Satan's agent. Satan can possess church members, and even in the church Satan can be active. It is important to ascertain whether God or Satan is speaking when Christians speak to us. 3. Loses (v. 25). As ...

1984. Proper 19

Exodus 13:17--14:31, Romans 14:1--15:13, Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... the waters came together, the Israelites saw the Egyptian dead bodies washed ashore. If God loves all people, why does he favor the Jews over the Gentiles? When we consider the massacre of the Egyptian firstborn to force the Egyptians to let the Israelites leave Egypt, is it just and merciful that innocent children should pay the price of death? Probably the answer is that in these cases we see the judgment of God upon all evildoers who afflict people. Whenever people oppose God, they are subject to his ...

1985. Lessons for Year A Proper 27

Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... in the spectacular glory of Christ. For Christians, the end time will be a glorious time and we want our loved ones to share it. 3. Bring (v. 14). When Christ returns at the end of time, the living and the dead in Christ will be together. When Christ leaves heaven for earth, he will bring with him those who died in faith. There is going to be one great, colossal reunion of heaven and earth! Since this is the case according to Paul, we know where our departed loved ones are now. They are with Christ in ...

1986. Kairos Commitments

Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 4:12-17

Sermon

Susan R. Andrews

... - to abruptly change that which we have been in order to become that which we can still be. In today's scripture story, all four of the fishermen, comfortable middle-class workers like us, respond immediately, leaving job security, family security, turning their backs on previous commitments and responsibilities, letting go of all that is dependable and familiar in order to respond to Jesus. Personally, I much prefer the Old Testament call stories: Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, all of whom hemmed and ...

1987. God Never Gives Up on Anyone

John 14:15-21

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... wasting a moment and always doing whatever is necessary to assist us. God is with us every step of the journey. In the gospel, Jesus realizes that he will soon leave this world and return to the Father. Thus, he gathers his best friends, the apostles, together and gives them some important instructions before he leaves. Listening to their Master speak about his impending departure, the apostles most probably were fearful and worried. How would they be able to continue in the world without the assistance ...

1988. Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired?

Matthew 9:35-10:8

Sermon

Stephen M. Crotts

... place. He did not heal Saint Paul's thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12). Nor did he heal young Timothy's stomach disorder (1 Timothy 5:23). He didn't even heal his own wounds of crucifixion on the cross. And in John 5, Christ walked off leaving an entire crowd unhealed except for one. Now, understand this, dear people: The Lord always heals, either right now or in the resurrection. He can choose to heal us, or he can choose to give us the grace to bear it until death and the resurrection when we receive ...

1989. Two Harvests

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Sermon

Stephen M. Crotts

... Darnel. Cheat. Tares. Imposters. The Bible says we must learn to live with it for a while. Impurity, corruption, deceit are a part of our very real struggle to live by faith in Christ in a world of two sowers and two seeds. Like the text, it will undoubtedly leave each of us scratching our heads and asking a lot of questions of God. Reminds me of a needlepointed quote on Mrs. Harvey Milton's kitchen wall in Virginia. I first read it there as a newly minted and naÃ¯ve 25-year-old pastor. The sign said, "In ...

1990. Things to Come!

Matthew 13:47-52, Matthew 13:44-46, Matthew 13:1-23

Sermon

Stephen M. Crotts

... is like a householder, literally a house despot or lord, who brings out, literally lavishes upon others the things of his treasure old and new. In other words, regardless of the world's tastes or demands, rejection or applause, we lavish God's word on the world ... and leave the results to God. Yet all the while knowing there will be a treasure in Israel, a pearl of the gentiles, a net full of fish! Just you wait and see! Suggested Prayer: Oh Lord God, the duty is mine, the results yours. Keep me true, keep ...

1991. As Long As It Is Day!

Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon

Stephen M. Crotts

... the worry? Things get bleak, don't they? One holds his head down and avoids all eye contact. Frustration compounds fatigue and leaves you drained. God is saying that unforgiven sin in our life is like those unpaid debts. They weigh heavily upon us ... sudden release. Try this experiment when you get home today. Take a trash can lid and lay it on a healthy portion of your lawn. Leave it there for a week. Afterward, lift the lid and look under it. See the pale, sickly grass? See the roaches and worms nesting in ...

1992. A Guide to Christmas

Matthew 21:23-32

Sermon

Stephen M. Crotts

... call long distance from the country. You dial direct, but there is a delay in the connection, the lines buzz and crackle, and the operator comes on the line saying, "Hold on, I'm trying to connect you." When the operator has made the connection she fades out to leave you talking with your party. This is John the Baptizer's function in your life at this time. He is trying to connect you with Jesus. Why not allow him to come into your life, make the connection to Christ, and fade away? Until John has done his ...

1993. How to Love God

Matthew 22:34-46

Sermon

Stephen M. Crotts

... the guest shouted, "Hallelujah!" and he raised his hands. The chief usher whispered, "Sir, you'll have to behave yourself or leave." The man answered, "I can't help it, sir. I've got religion." The usher quickly answered back, "Well, you didn't ... to ask, "Lady, are you God?" "No, son," she said, "I'm not God. But I am one of his children." The little fellow turned to leave, saying, "Well, I knowed you must be some kin to him." It is true that love for people is a mark of our relationship with God. The ...

1994. Influence!

Matthew 23:1-12

Sermon

Stephen M. Crotts

... hot room at night with but a single blood-sucking insect. Its high-pitched whine and sharp proboscis can leave you sleepy, itchy, and whelped. On the other hand, consider the lowly honeybee. One single winged creature lurching flower ... it. That's when I saw the camera pointing toward me. Chris Craft at Houston control chewed me out for my antics." "When it came time to leave, we didn't want to go. We begged to stay two more hours." But orders were orders. So Charlie Duke flew home to earth. He made colonel ...

1995. Praying Through

Luke 18:1-8

Sermon

Stephen M. Crotts

... do not limit God by telling him what to do about it. Just envision the problem in both your hands. Then envision God. Think of his presence. Meditate on his marvelous light, his love, and his power. Then lift the problem right up into God's presence and leave it there. A little boy knelt down to say his bedtime prayers. His parents heard him reciting the alphabet in very reverent tones. When asked what he was doing, he replied, "I'm saying my prayers, but I cannot think of the exact words tonight. So, I'm ...

1996. Don't Make Me Come Down There

Luke 18:1-8

Sermon

King Duncan

... Before we go on, let’s get one thing straight: Billy is not a bad person. He is not out to hurt his brother. He is like all of us--determined to look out for #1, so focused on our own fulfillment that we don’t notice the injustices we leave in our wake. Billy used his age and strength to get what he wanted, without looking out for the needs of his weaker brother. But the boys’ mother soon becomes wise to the situation. She knows that it is important to treat both boys fairly. She also understands that ...

1997. The Process of Love

Luke 19:1-10

Sermon

Stephen M. Crotts

... the plane in Albany, I planned to sleep. But the elderly woman beside me wanted to talk. "Are you flying to Baltimore?" "Yes," I said wearily, "there I'll change for North Carolina." Then I shut my eyes and slumped in my seat, all body language meant to say politely, "Leave me alone. I'll go to sleep now." Still the woman rattled on. "Oh, I do hope it is not raining in Baltimore!" I thought to myself, "Lady, who cares?" On and on, she talked. So finally I sat up and politely inquired, "Why are you flying to ...

1998. Soul Deep Not Skin Deep

Luke 16:1-15

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... in the world: the blackberry. Only pick the ones with the slightly dulled sheen, the ones whose individual kernels appear heavy and plum, for they're the sweetest. Forget the fact that your hands will be stained purple for days; forget the fact that you may have to leave your shirt hanging in shreds on a vine; forget the fact that your arms and legs may look like you've been trying to wrestle full-grown tigers: those are all but hunting injuries. The prey is worth the fray. One taste of fresh blackberry pie ...

1999. The FUD Club: Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... . Filled with lovely people who were always there to help you. Even the politicians tried their best to do their best for the citizens. I wish I didn’t have to leave on account of my job.” “Well, that’s pretty much what you’ll find here,” reported the gatekeeper. So the man entered the city. Into this world of doomsayers, you leave here and become a doomslayer. Don’t join any FUD Clubs. In fact, you can turn FUD clubs into DUD clubs with the “good news” of the gospel: Christ is alive ...

2000. If the Shoe Fits, Wear It

Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 4:12-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... belongs to a well-shod centipede. So I suppose it's only natural that a large segment of that shoe population should travel with her. Men and women appear to have significantly different shoe needs. But not since Ferdinand and Imelda fled the Philippines leaving its economy in tatters and a closet stuffed with over 4,000 shoes has footwear been the focus of so much attention and concern. Now we have people smuggling explosives on airplanes in their shoes. Shoes have become the secret weapons of terrorists ...

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