Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: Levi, disciple, evangelist, tax collector, the 12, the twelve, apostle, sermon on the mount, jewish audience, beatitudes, lord's prayer, great commission, parables, olivet discourse, mount of olives, olivet, synoptic

Showing 2026 to 2050 of 3314 results

2026. So Who Needs A Shepherd?

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

... have a hunch that God never gives up on any of us. I am not at all sure that all of us will respond to God’s love, but I believe that God’s love is always an open option for any of us. The older version of the Apostles’ Creed insists that “He (Jesus) descended into hell.” Why? Over the centuries, most Christians have believed that Jesus descended into hell to bring back those who had never had the chance to hear the good news and respond to it. It sounds like something that the Good Shepherd would ...

2027. Whatever became of Kingdomtide?

John 16:17-33

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

... : two contained robbers and violent revolutionaries; the third contained a Person who proclaimed a totally different kind of revolution: a revolution of love. The Mamertine Prison in Rome contained many sordid criminals from Roman society; but it also contained the apostle Paul who was put there for daring to proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord - even over Caesar! In the Birmingham, Alabama jail in the 1960’s there were murderers, thugs, and criminals, but also Martin Luther King, who dared to proclaim ...

2028. The Huddle Is Not the Game

John 20:19-23

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

... are called to do something more than simply congregate once a week! This is not to say that the huddle it not important. The huddle is where we get the signals, where we learn the game plan. According to the 20th Chapter of the Gospel of John, the apostle Thomas was absent at that first Easter huddle when Jesus appeared to give the game plan to those first Christians. He got a second chance later, of course, but I wonder how often he kicked himself for staying home from the gathering on that first glorious ...

2029. A Terrorist among the Twelve

Luke 6:12-16

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

One of the retired ministers in our congregation bet me that I won’t be able to finish my series of sermons on the Twelve Apostles. The reason is because we know so very little about some of them, especially these last four. In the case of the one we are considering this morning, we only know one word. But that one word speaks volumes. The Gospel says that he was a “Zealot.” Luke refers to ...

2030. Secretary to Saint Peter

Mark 1:1-8

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

... which says that Mark had a source of information better than even those, excellent though they be. Toward the end of the second century there was a man called Papias who said that Mark’s Gospel was nothing less than a record of the preaching of the apostle Peter, the leader of the apostolic band. Indeed, he stood so close to Peter that the Big Fisherman could refer to him as Mark, my son. (I Peter 5:13) If this tradition be true (and I am suggesting that it is) then you can understand some things ...

2031. When Compassion Overcomes Irritation

Mark 6:30-44

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

... knew that we cannot be everlastingly at it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Jesus knew that, and so, immediately after He sent forth His disciples on that first evangelistic mission, (a mission which was crowned with success); we read that “The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught.” (6:30) But as result of their doing and teaching, the crowds pressed in on them so closely that “they had no leisure even to eat.” (Mark 6:312) (And we thought that we ...

2032. Salty Saints

Mark 9:42-50

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

... have asked Dr. Asimov to make a distinction between “religion” and “Christianity,” but then I remembered my Christian history. Down through the centuries from the time of the Emperor Constantine onward, most Christians have acted more like attack dogs than apostles of the Prince of Peace. The government (any government) says: “Kill!” and Christians obediently say: “Tell me who.” They don’t even stop to ask: “Is this what Christ would do?” Or better, “Is this what Christ would have me ...

2033. Where Is My Guest Room?

Mark 14:12-26

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

... to the householder who made it possible for Jesus to have a quiet place for His last meal with His friends. What were these men’s names? We do not know. Jesus, like every great leader had His public followers...persons whom He called to be apostles, preachers, and teachers. But as you read the Gospels, other shadowy figures emerge, unnamed persons, persons who come upon the scene for a brief moment, and are then heard of no more. Persons whose lives come into contact with Jesus for but a brief instant ...

2034. The Ultimate Thirst Quencher (Alternate Addition to the "I Am" series: Living water)

John 7:25-44

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... because of the wrong thirsts? How many Wall Street gurus and corporate leaders of the 1980s and 1990s succumbed to greed and immorality. We need to be reminded how seductive and sophisticated some of the claims for quenching our thirst can be. The Apostle Paul reminded us more than once that we are wrestling against something greater than flesh and blood. To take the road less traveled requires commitment, courage and an informed consciousness about life. So in the midst of all this, the cry is, "What ...

2035. The Lord's Prayer: Our Father

Matthew 6:5-15

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... all alone." Our Father, declares we cannot make it alone--without God and without the need for nurture by a faith community. Rugged individualism fades away when we truly become part of a faith community. The Bible further expresses this truth when the Apostle Paul describes the church "as the body of Christ." SECONDLY, DO NOT LET YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF GOD AS FATHER BE LIMITED BY OUR PRESENT DAY UNDERSTANDING OF FATHERS AND FATHERHOOD. It is a tragedy that Fatherhood as depicted in our media generation is ...

2036. The Lord's Prayer: Forgive Us Our Trespasses

Matthew 6:5-15

Sermon

Eric Ritz

Have you ever noticed that the great documents like this perfect pattern prayer, the Apostles'' Creed, the Nicene Creed, doctrinal statements of various church traditions, all affirm our need for forgiveness and God providing the means and methods by which we are forgiven? As we continue in our series on The Lord''s Prayer, I want to share with you why I believe this is ...

2037. Don't Let Your Tongue Bite You

James 3:1-12

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... the inability to control his tongue and tame it. His tongue became careless and carefree. His words, often about other players and coaches were discouraging, degrading and destructive. We also at times use our tongues to win arguments rather than demonstrate integrity. Remember the Apostle Paul gave a great insight when he declared: "Even though I can speak in the tongues of men and angels, if I have not loved I have gained nothing." Our tongue, if used for harm, leaves a great stain in the fabric of life ...

2038. Hissing in the Garden

Genesis 3:1-24

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... of ways. From our Old Testament lesson from Genesis 3:1-9 to the reading of our Holy Gospel lesson, we see that the power of temptation is an ever present reality in all moments of our history. It is not surprising that James, Peter, and the Apostle Paul must write letters of instruction and insight on how the Christian community is to resist the power of evil and its trappings and temptations. The Bible resounds with a crystal clear message. There is a power at work in the world whose mission is not of ...

2039. The Power of Remembrance (Part III)

Philippians 1:1-11

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... we decided to leave them like they were. They remind us there are people who served the kingdom we didn't know anything about." (1) This brings us to our glorious scriptural text in which Paul shares: "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you." The Apostle Paul never wanted the believers at Philippi to lose their purpose for life, which was to glorify God and to witness to the saving power of Jesus Christ. Paul knew that to lose one''s purpose for life was a tragic experience. It usually involves a lack ...

2040. Emptying and Exalting (Part XI)

Philippians 1:1-11

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... , the well-known comedian, tells of going to his psychiatrist and saying, "Doc, there is something wrong with me. Every time I look in the mirror, I vomit". His doctor replies, "Look at it this way. At least your eyesight is perfect." Well, the Apostle Paul''s eyesight is absolutely on target with the problem the Christian believers are facing at Philippi, and therefore, the number-one problem facing the human family today. Two truths emerge that I want to share with you today. There are many other truths ...

2041. The Destructive Power of Dis-Unity

Philippians 4:2-9

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... " than it is to fly alone. Paul wants the Philippian congregation flying in the "V" formation--which, translates "Victory in Jesus"--not victims of juicy jealousies that could infect and steal the joy of the Lord from them. In verse three, we see that the Apostle Paul recognizes the reality that these two sisters in the Lord need both help and encouragement from the congre-gation to stop fighting. There is also a call to action for the members to do exactly that. An ancient Rabbi once asked his pupils how ...

2042. Peace or Pieces

Philippians 4:2-9

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... it. They did exactly that. You may be familiar with Maurice Ravel''s "Piano Concerto in D for the Left Hand." That was written for Paul Wittgenstein. He went on to have another brilliant concert career, playing with only one hand. Paul Wittgenstein''s secret, much like the Apostle Paul''s, was to focus on what he had to work with, not to complain about what he did not have. When you have a refuge from the storm, you can begin to focus and utilize your gifts for something else besides the storm. (1) Paul, I ...

2043. The Powerful Fragrance of Sharing and Caring

Philippians 4:10-20

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... crowd was touch-ed by the child''s demonstration of love and concern for the feelings of another human being. Yes, caring is a gift of God that can melt the hardest hearts. (1) As we open our scripture lesson today, we observe that the Apostle Paul is very grateful for the gift shared with him by the Philippian fellowship. It touched his heart very deeply. There always was a special relationship between them, because God has used the ministry of Paul to birth this congregation in Philippi. Paul had shaped ...

2044. The Taming of the Tongue

James 3:1-12

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... say. Years later came the results. Not one of the men in the men''s group went on to become a writer of note, but from the women''s group, over half a dozen became famous writers, including Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings who wrote The Yearling. (3) Remember the Apostle Paul gave a great insight when he declared, "Even though I can speak in the tongues of men and angels--if I have not love--I have gained nothing." Our tongue, if used for harm, leaves a great stain in the fabric of life. That, unfortunately, is not ...

2045. Taxes and Tightwads

James 5:1-6

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... : I have not varied in my testimony. I have testified to you the very same thing from the first day even until now. But "who hath believed our report?" I fear, not many rich. I fear there is need to apply to some of you those terrible words of the Apostle: "Go to, now, ye rich men! Weep and how for the miseries which shall come upon you. Your gold and silver is cankered, and the rust of them shall witness against you, and shall eat your flesh, as it were fire." Certainly it will, unless ye both save all you ...

2046. Tired of Trying?

James 5:7-12

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... can be crucified--but it cannot be defeated. This gives us the balance we need to live in times of trouble and triumph. Second, because God is patient with us, we must be persistent. This is why we never grow tired of trying. Except for the Apostle Paul, probably the greatest example of persistence I know of is Abraham Lincoln. If you want an example of someone who never got tired of trying, he is your man. Born into poverty, Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. He lost eight elections, twice ...

2047. The Lamb Wins

Revelation 5:1-14

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... when history closes here on earth (and it will) only the praise and worship will continue into eternity. In Psalms 22:3, we read that God inhabits the praises of His people. Week after week, we share together in the historic words of the Apostles'' Creed: "(We) I believe in the Communion of Saints...." Today, as we sing our hymns in this church sanctuary, we join our voices in harmony with the many centuries of Christian worshippers. In the hymn "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" the fourth stanza declares ...

2048. Depression: When the Spirit Is Faint

Psalm 142:1-7

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... spirits up?" He replied, "I am the kind of a guy that if I fell into a mud puddle, I would get up and search my pockets for fish." Let us now turn to our New Testament lesson for today from Acts 18:1-11, as we see the Apostle Paul in a moment of discouragement asking the question, "Is it worth it?" Paul has just left Athens and was greatly discouraged. His spirit was faint. Circumstances in life had not been exactly favorable. It has been tough in this sophisticated center of learning in Athens to make any ...

2049. Thanks for the Memories

Deuteronomy 26:1-15

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... are God''s people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy." (3) While there are some who belong to non-creedal churches, one of the great written statements to be produced in the history of the Christian movement is the Apostles'' Creed. It helps us to remember what the Christian Faith is all about. While this ancient statement does not contain all the truth about our faith, it contains enough to keep us going in the right direction. It connects us to "THE STORY." Another important ...

2050. Do You Know What Time It Is?

Luke 10:38-42

Sermon

Eric Ritz

... and trade CHRONOS time for KAIROS time. This alone will open your life to a new perspective, new attitudes and a deeper source of power. I believe that nothing ever happens in this world until someone gets an idea and stays with it until it prevails. The Apostle Paul, writing in Philippians 3:13 said, "This one thing I do." Bruce Larson, now co-pastor of the Crystal Cathedral, tells the story of a man who retired from forty years of work and catching the 7:30 a.m. bus every morning. The first morning ...

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