Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 2026 to 2050 of 4977 results

2026. Proper 10

Mark 6:14-29, 2 Samuel 6:1-23, Ephesians 1:1-14

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... and love. Gospel: Mark 6:14-29 What spin are you putting to Jesus? (vv. 14-16). In the media we have the spin doctors who analyze public figures or events for significance and implications. Such was the case even in Jesus' day. The Lord's ministry caused quite a stir; everyone agreed that he was someone of great significance but the spin doctors couldn't agree. Some said he was a great prophet of long ago, others claimed that he was Elijah, and many thought that the Spirit of John had come into Jesus. King ...

2027. Proper 14

Ephesians 4:17--5:21, 2 Samuel 18:1-18, John 6:25-59

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... one for hot dishes and meats, one for fresh baked breads and one for desserts. The amount and variety of food was phenomenal! The place was packed! I couldn't help but notice the huge quantities of food that people were piling on their plates and quite a number of the people there were really enormous, 100 or more pounds overweight. One such lady had obvious disabilities because she was in a wheelchair. What came to mind was a feeding frenzy, like a school of piranhas devouring a pig. The scene presented a ...

2028. Proper 15

Ephesians 4:17--5:21, 1 Kings 3:1-15, 1 Kings 2:1-12, John 6:25-59

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... understand rationally one of the key mysteries of faith. Eucharist, Holy Communion, salvation itself, remains an unsolved mystery. We can't grasp it with intellectual constructs but we can experience the mystery and benefit from it. To experience the mystery fully we must quit trying to explain it away. We must enter into the mystery. Outline: 1. The mystery of eating Jesus' body and blood scandalized the Jews. 2. We too can be scandalized by the mystery if we demand that it fit our thought categories. It ...

2029. Advent 3

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28, Isaiah 61:1-11, John 1:19-28, John 1:1-18

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... will keep them faithful, ready for his coming. Therefore, they should rejoice and give thanks. Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28 (C, RC, E) John the Baptist is presented as the one who gives witness to the light and truth. John's ministry caused quite a stir and raised questions as to his identity. The religious leaders in Jerusalem sent representatives to ascertain John's identity. "Who are you?" they asked. "Are you the Christ?" "No." "Are you Elijah?" (He was expected to precede the Messiah.) "No." Jesus sees ...

2030. Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, Matthew 6:1-4, Matthew 6:16-18, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2

Bulletin Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... not negative. A person known by this name would answer questions, recite poetry and act, as in a play. In the New Testament and especially in the thinking of Jesus, hypocrisis is completely negative. It means to pretend to be one thing, while being something quite contrary. It has the connotation of staging a show that has the intent of fooling the audience into thinking that this was real life and not an act. For Jesus the chief exemplars of hypocrisy were the scribes and Pharisees, many of whom loved to ...

2031. Good Friday

John 19:28-37, Hebrews 10:1-18, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 18:1-11, John 19:38-42, John 19:17-27

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... sadistic gamblers who meet in a smoke-filled bar. A short time later, Nick's friend, Michael, who had returned home, comes back to Saigon to find his friend. He eventually finds him ensconced in a drugged stupor, playing Russian roulette. Michael tries to convince Nick to quit the insane game but he can't get through to him. Finally in desperation, in an attempt to shock him into reality, Michael picks up the revolver and puts it to his head. He is willing to risk his life in order to save his friend. Most ...

2032. Proper 18

Mark 7:24-30, Mark 7:31-37, Proverbs 22:1-16, James 2:1-13

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... help. Just today I read an article in the paper which reports how our electronic tools -- cellular phones, modems, faxes and the like -- leash us to our jobs. Increasingly, people find it difficult to get away from their work. One man reported in the article even quit his job because he couldn't take the constant pressure. For those who experience this problem, you can find solace in Jesus; he couldn't get away from his work either. The New Testament reveals a Christ who is always available to those in need ...

2033. Proper 24

Job 38:1–41:34, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Mark 10:35-45, Hebrews 5:1-10

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... sacrifices on earth. Jesus serves out his high priestly role in heaven (v. 10). A priestly people (v. 5). This verse indirectly links Jesus' high priestly role with his baptism. The writer quotes Psalm 2:7, a coronation Psalm for a Hebrew king. This equates quite closely with the voice of God that was heard at Jesus' baptism. In baptism, Jesus was ordained into his high priestly role. In our baptism, we also are ordained as a priestly people, to offer prayers and supplications on behalf of the world. Boot ...

2034. Proper 28

Mk 13:1-32 · Heb 10:11-25 · 1 Sam 1:4-20 · Ps 16

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... (v. 11). Family members will deal with their believing brothers and sisters with treachery and violence (v. 12). Worship of the true God will be profaned (v. 14). Charles Colson speaks passionately about the culture wars in our country. While I don't quite agree with some of his stands, I do believe that he has a valid point. Christ and culture are in conflict. Christendom is dead but not Christianity. Outline: This passage states that increasing conflict between Christ and culture will signal the end of ...

2035. Proper 5

2 Corinthians 4:1-18, 1 Samuel 8:1-22, Mark 3:31-35, Mark 3:20-30

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... crowds of needy people (v. 20); they turned to him for hope and healing. Other folks considered him to be crazy, including his family, which came to restrain him. The scribes came to find some fault with him so they might discredit this troublemaker. Jesus caused quite a buzz in the highways and marketplaces of his time. Some claimed him as king and others cursed him as Satan. How do you interpret the buzz about Jesus? Jesus in a straightjacket. Jesus' family set out to restrain Jesus; they tried to put him ...

2036. Proper 7

Mk 4:35-41 (5:1-20) · 2 Cor 5:14-21; 6:1-13 · 1 Sam 1:32-49 · Job 38:1-11, 16-18 · Ps 9

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... love boat because Jesus imparted the peace of his presence. 3. Sermon Title: Why Are You Afraid? Sermon Angle: After Jesus calmed the storm he posed the question: "Why are you afraid? Don't you have any faith?" (v. 40). You would think that it was quite obvious why they were afraid. What bothered Jesus was the lack of trust which those closest to him showed when life loomed threatening. They could see that he was in the boat with them, yet they panicked. The question which Jesus put to his first disciples ...

2037. The Good, The Bad, And The Justified

Luke 18:9-14

Sermon

Larry R. Kalajainen

... think that God blesses those who are good and punishes those who are bad. That's the way we would do it if we were God, and we project our own ideas of justice and reward and punishment onto God. The only problem with that is that God doesn't quite fit our expectations of him. As Karl Barth, the great theologian, would say, "God is God." He is not an idol created in our image. God is God. God acts as God acts. And Jesus says in this parable that God is a God who justifies the ungodly. He declares ...

2038. Out On A Limb

Luke 19:1-10

Sermon

Larry R. Kalajainen

... is sometimes seen as a duty that has to be performed, but we're always glad when our guests go away and we get the house back to ourselves. But Jesus, by inviting Zacchaeus to provide him with hospitality is paying Zacchaeus honor and respect. He is, quite literally, gracing Zacchaeus with his presence. But if Zacchaeus was "out on a limb" in the literal sense, he's even more "out on a limb" when he stands before Jesus. Jesus' invitation to come down out of his tree, and his unexpected and gracious offer to ...

2039. The Importance Of Asking The Right Questions

Luke 20:27-40

Sermon

Larry R. Kalajainen

... defeated by the Persians, should we continue to fast and mourn in the fifth and seventh months?" Now that sounds like a harmless enough question, doesn't it? They're a little confused by the change of administrations, and they're not quite sure of how to proceed. Change the words "Bablyonian" and "Persian" to "Republicans" and "Democrats," and suddenly the question seems surprisingly contemporary. But the answer they get from the prophet is not the answer they were expecting. The answer to their question ...

2040. A Good Name

Proverbs 10:1-32

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

... others. Give us Your strength, Lord. In Christ we pray. Amen. Prayer Of Confession Lord, so often we have failed to be the loving and honest people of integrity You would have us be. Too often, Lord, we have held back a part of the truth to avoid being quite so embarrassed or ashamed rather than being fully honest, as You would have us be. Forgive us, God, and help us have the wisdom and courage to live for You. In Christ we pray. Amen. Hymns Be Thou My Vision Holy Spirit, Truth Divine Lord, I Want To Be ...

2041. The Gospel Of Our Calling

Romans 4:1-25

Sermon

Mark J. Molldrem

... England on behalf of the poor -- and won; the English Evangelical Christians, who abolished the slave trade in the British Empire long before the new America began to think about it. You see, just because we are heavenly-minded does not mean that we are no earthly good. Quite the contrary! You have been called in the forgiveness of sins to life everlasting. It is a gift that comes to you through Baptism to claim you by the grace of God, so that you might know who you are and whose you are as children of the ...

2042. The Best For Last

John 2:1-11

Sermon

Richard A. Wing

... world a celebration of diversity but, in fact, the Church falls in line with the world and celebrates likeness. And even among those congregations that profess to affirm the diversity of creation, more often than not they are saying something in the sanctuary that is quite different from their actions in the parking lot. Let me share with you the people and the poets who have taught me the richness of diversity. I. The People The first to teach me about the richness of diversity were the people in a small ...

2043. Do Not Be Doubting But Believe!

John 20:24-31

Sermon

Lee Griess

... cold water, swimming for fifteen hours, fighting the cold, sharks and fog. Finally, she asked to be taken into the boat. Her assistants in the boat encouraged her to keep going for surely they must be close. But because she could not see land, only fog, she quit. After she got into the boat, they discovered that they were less than 500 meters from Catalina Island. Two months later, on a clear day, she tried again. This time, encouraged by the sun and fine weather, she met her goal. Only eleven hours and 27 ...

2044. Real Solutions To Real Problems

John 21:1-14

Sermon

Lee Griess

... can do for you. It seems that you have only six months to live." The doomed man left the doctor's office shaken and crushed, but he vowed that he would live his life to the fullest in the six months that he had left. Subsequently he went out and quit his job, cashed in his savings, and bought a new sports car, a closet full of new suits and expensive shoes. Then he went to an exclusive men's shop to buy a supply of the best quality tailored shirts available. He entered the shop and had the tailor measure ...

2045. Overcoming Temptation

Luke 4:1-13

Sermon

Lee Griess

... wish to be, the more we seek to live our lives by faith, the more temptation plagues us. Jesus knew this. And that's why he taught his disciples to pray, "Lead us not into temptation." It's one thing to pray for forgiveness, but it's quite another to express our desire to live the Christian life by praying, "Lord, keep me from being tested beyond my power to resist." Someone has said that opportunity knocks only once. It's temptation that keeps banging on your door! Jesus knew the power of temptation over ...

2046. Fourth Sunday In Advent - Joy!

Luke 1:46-56, Luke 1:39-45

Bulletin Aid

David M. Oliver

... and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God." Verse 50 reads, "His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation." The wisdom of the world suggests something quite different. Conventional wisdom says, "Life is up to us and what we make of it." There is no comprehension that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (Proverbs 9:10). This fear does not mean that we ...

2047. The Resurrection

John 20:10-18, John 20:1-9

Drama

Jerry Eckert

... to gather my wits. To be where death is very frightening. And then, to be where something as strange as the dead coming back to life, that has made this assignment very difficult. All I can do is say to you in closing that I can't look at things quite the same. This is a day that may shake all of history. Back to our studios. Studio Announcer: On the 31st of March, 29 A.D., in a garden tomb, Jesus of Nazareth who was dead was seen to be alive. YOU ARE THERE!

2048. Crossing the Desert and Finding Sand

Luke 18:18-30

Drama

Arley K. Fadness

... a medal. 200 meter dash. Worked for ten years for that goal. (Brightens up) Wow! Was that something great! (Gets excited; jumps up) I ran. I ran with everything I got ... ooo ... Bartender: I saw you on TV. Great run. Let's see your medal. Quite a thrill, eh? Chad: (Glumly) You know it was then. It was great ... but ... Travis: But what? Chad: Now what? For years I dieted, trained, disciplined, worked out, ran hard, achieved my goal ... but now what? Bartender: (To Travis) I think he's actually depressed ...

2049. The Conference

Mark 1:9-13

Drama

Arley K. Fadness

... last month? Parent 1: Yes, we pretty much let him make his own choices while he was growing up. After all, we both work -- in fact, I have two part-time jobs to make ends meet. Parent 2: Well, we both wouldn't have to work ... I am doing quite well ... Parent 1: Nonsense. We need the money! Counselor: Hmmm. Where are you at in all this, Dirk? Dirk: (Role plays an ape) Ugh. Ugh. (Points to fruit basket) Ugh. Ugh. Counselor: (Role plays, too) Okay, okay, Corky Dorky, you want a banana. I'll throw it into your ...

2050. Can Anybody Really Hear Me?

Luke 8:1-15

Drama

Arley K. Fadness

... Thanks for staying over the noon hour yesterday. We sure were rushed and with Nancy gone and all. Mary D: Oh, no problem. (Pause) Sam: You're the best. Mary D: Why, thank you. (Pause) I've been wanting to talk ... Sam: (Interrupts) I've had three quit on me this year. Mary D: Oh ... ah ... I'm sorry to hear that ... ah, Mr. Sam, I've been struggling with ... Sam: I'm planning on setting up a new department. Mary D: Oh ... Sam: Pharmaceuticals -- customers need drugs. They'd really like that convenience. Can ...

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