Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 2051 to 2075 of 5000 results

2051. FaithRace

2 Timothy 4:6-8

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

There is no excuse for not running the race of life. Christians need no longer fear that their lives are going nowhere - like some kind of hamster-wheel marathon. Christians are called to join the faithrace, where the "finish" line is just the beginning of our life in Christ. Paul chose his words carefully when he proclaimed to his long-time companion Timothy that he had fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. But today, one is reluctant to reinforce the athletic imagery. In medieval ...

2052. Christ the Apple Tree

Isaiah 11:1-10

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Job 14:7 proclaims "For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease." This is the season where gilded trees and gleaming hopes both move into the midst of our homes and our lives. In the midst of this celebration, remember Dominus regnavit a ligno - "The Lord reigned from a tree." Sometime in the next week or two, if we haven't already, most of us will succumb to a combination of nostalgia, our children's pesterings and cultural peer pressure. ...

2053. Five Steps to Takeoff

Mark 1:14-20

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Jesus' call to discipleship is an invitation to get off the flight deck and into the cockpit! Do you remember "Top Gun"? Remember how planes took off and landed on aircraft carriers? [NOTE: If you have a screen in your sanctuary, you may wish to show a short clip from the movie of an F-14 taking off and landing.] These sleek, large, worth-more-than-their-weight-in-gold jets sit on even bigger, more expensive ships. In order for both pieces of equipment to function without disaster, a bond of complete trust ...

2054. Build a Bridge and Get Over It

Mark 3:20-35

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Jesus built bridges between the divergent unities of his day. The church must do the same. On September 13, 1987, two unemployed young men trying to make a living entered a partly demolished radiation clinic in Goianaia, Brazil, an 18-hour bus ride from Rio. They discovered and then dismantled a cancer therapy machine, the parts of which they peddled to various junk dealers. One junk dealer in particular purchased for 25 reals a stainless steel cylinder, about the size of a gallon paint can. Inside the ...

2055. UpTime

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Downtime is uptime if it's God's time. It's been a long time now since we marked the celebration of Easter on the church's calendar. It's an even longer time until the seasons of Advent and Christmas return. It seems that the hot, humid days of summer are the time of year we set aside not only to get a break from school or take a vacation from our job, but also as a time when we take a little "time off" from God. The fluidity of summertime schedules means that more families are out of town, and Sunday ...

2056. The Monster Under Megan's Bed

John 6:1-21

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

A child saved the day for Jesus. Could it be that our children save the day for us? Is it time for us to sit at the feet of our children? Meet a 5-year-old girl named Megan. Like many kids her age for generations before her, Megan was terrified of a monster that lived under her bed. What to do? But unlike any previous generation before her, Megan did something about the monster under her bed. She sat down at her computer and used a software package for children to tell her story about how scary the monster ...

2057. Easter Completes

Colossians 3:1-4

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

When Easter happens, our "incompletes" turn into "completes." On Easter Sunday, two time-honored rituals rush headlong into each other. In households that are Christian and filled with small children, there is the generational debate about which comes first attending the early "sunrise service" that celebrates the dawn of Jesus' resurrection, or scampering about the house look- ing for celluloid "grass" nests filled with brightly colored eggs and candy treats. Did you ever stop to think how the "secular" ...

2058. A Bill of Rights

Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

A church that believes in anything and everything is standing on the brink of believing in nothing. What is your basis for deciding between right and wrong? Do you even think in terms of right and wrong anymore? Do you have categories of rightness and wrongness in your life? Or are you paralyzed by an overdose of tolerance, drowning in what is "politically correct"? Jesus was more loving and accepting than any person who has ever walked this earth. He dined with sinners and tax collectors, he welcomed the ...

2059. Stone Testaments

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Mark the milestones in your life journey. [Note: This is an interactive, experiential, participatory sermon. You will need to arrange ahead of time for a flower or stone for every person, which is given to them with their bulletins. And you will need a musician, preferably a cellist, who will be a secret partner with you for this experience. The fewer the people who know what you are going to do, the better. The element of surprise is key to the narrative.] Have you ever had this experience? You arrive ...

2060. Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The story of Jonah preaches not just to Nineveh. Rather, the real focus of the story is on the prophet himself. Who and what Jonah represents carries a far more powerful and pointed message to us today than any warning he may have carried to Nineveh. The author of Jonah uses the tale of the spoiled and selfish prophet to speak to a hardened and smug post-exilic Israel. Like Jonah, the Hebrews in exile were increasingly hostile towards all their Gentile neighbors, while nursing a growing self-righteousness ...

2061. Hebrews 10:5-10

Hebrews 10:5-10

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The author of Hebrews reaches back to the traditions of the Psalms and Jeremiah to clarify the new situation which now confronts those who would be obedient to God. Whereas chapter 10 began by describing the old,cultic sacrificial ways of obedience, verses 5-10 introduce the new reality which now applies. The author begins to explain the impetus for this change with the statement that Christ " came into the world. " More than a simple reference to Christ's incarnation, this phrase points to the entirety of ...

2062. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5

2 Thessalonians 2:13 – 3:5

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

The letters to the Thessalonian church may be the earliest extant Christian writings in the modern canon. Although debate continues over the authenticity of Pauline authorship, there is no doubt that these letters grapple with the heart of Paul's missionary message. Significantly, the challenge that confronted the Thessalonian Christians is one that still faces the faithful today: remaining true to the word of God when it conflicts with the message of popular culture. As a much-favored free city in the ...

2063. Romans 5:12-19

Romans 5:12-19

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Much of our understanding of Paul's discussion on "sin" in Romans 5:12-19 is colored by centuries of church history and theology. For instance, nowhere in today's text or anywhere else in the New Testament is there any reference to something called "original" sin. That phrase was derived from the Vulgate's Latin translation of Paul's Greek text - a translation which makes a much stronger grammatical case for a causal connection between Adam's sin and the resulting sinfulness of all future generations of ...

2064. 1 Peter 1:17-23

1 Peter 1:17-23

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Although its authorship is constantly questioned, the epistle of 1 Peter was unquestioned by first-century Christians as an example of apostolic faithfulness. Its focus on the relationship between a minority Christian population and an aggressively pagan culture in Asia Minor was designed to give strength and encouragement to neophyte believers and help them build up a genuine sense of Christian community. 1 Peter recognizes how difficult the status of the cultural outsider is. This epistle acknowledges ...

2065. Joshua 3:7-17

Joshua 3:7-17

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Today's lesson narrates the events which finally brought the wandering Israelites into the Promised Land. When the people completed this final stage of their journey from Shittim to Gilgal the Abrahamic promise is at last fulfilled. As befitted such a momentous occasion in the history of Israel, the first steps into Canaan are carefully orchestrated and ritualistically precise. Furthermore, the symbolic "crossing over" marks the first real demonstration of Joshua's divinely anointed leadership since Moses ...

2066. Luke 4:14-21

Luke 4:14-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

This week's gospel text demonstrates well how each of the three synoptic gospel authors could use the same material, remain true to the sense and power of the story and yet sculpt it to their own purposes. Here, whereas Luke has the same basic story of Jesus' experience in Nazareth, he uses it quite differently from either Matthew or Mark. Luke 4:14-15 combines comments scattered in Mark (1:14-15, 28, 39) to create a summary-type text, one of Luke's favorite compositions. Having already dealt with John the ...

2067. Luke 6:27-38

Luke 6:27-38

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

In Luke, Jesus goes to the mountains for prayer, reflection, refreshment, rejuvenation. It is while enjoying one of these mountaintop moments that Jesus singled out 12 apostles from among his many disciples. Immediately after this, Jesus leads his newly appointed apostles back down the mountain to "a level place," a place where apostles, disciples and a crowd of eager people stand shoulder to shoulder. The level place accords them all equal footing, just as they are all equally in need of Jesus' message. ...

2068. Hebrews 10:5-10

Hebrews 10:5-10

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The author of Hebrews reaches back to the traditions of the Psalms and Jeremiah to clarify the new situation which now confronts those who would be obedient to God. Whereas chapter 10 began by describing the old, cultic sacrificial ways of obedience, verses 5-10 introduce the new reality which now applies. The author begins to explain the impetus for this change with the statement that Christ " came into the world. " More than a simple reference to Christ’s incarnation, this phrase points to the entirety ...

2069. Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15

Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

This week's text presents the story of one of Jeremiah's greatest symbolic acts. Besieged, imprisoned, branded as a traitor, despised by king and court, Jeremiah's response to hatred and rejection is to invest in the future a future nation, a future faith, and a future fulfillment. Although the story is presented in chapter 32, to fully understand Jeremiah's situation we must look ahead at chapter 37. The final redactor of Jeremiah had other organizational criteria than strict chronological order when this ...

2070. Matthew 10:40-42

Matthew 10:40-42

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

At the conclusion of the 10th chapter of Matthew, Jesus enumerates once and for all the power and authority that is to be accorded his disciples. All of the chapter focuses on the missionizing responsibility Jesus bestows upon his disciples. Jesus invites the Twelve to be extensions of his own ministry - showing primary concern for Israel (vv.5-6), healing the sick in body and spirit, and expecting nothing in return for their efforts except perhaps violence and persecution. After painting a fairly bleak ...

2071. Mark 9:2-9

Mark 9:2-9

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Scholarly discussions of the Transfiguration event whether examined in Matthew, Mark or Luke nearly all begin by admitting that no one is still very sure what this story is all about. Is it trying to tell early Christians about Jesus' unique, exalted position as Messiah? Or should we focus our attention more closely on the disciples and their experience on the mountain- top? Even if we resolve the issue of focus, the event itself remains strange. Elijah and Moses carry such heavy symbolic cargo in Jewish ...

2072. Ephesians 6:10-20

Ephesians 6:10-20

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The Ephesians' writer has moved from opening texts of praise and blessing through a long section of urgent exhortations. The verses read today mark the conclusion of this exhortative material, but in typical Ephesians' style the writer first crashes to a great crescendo of powerful images before closing. Interlocking pictures are stacked one upon another, increasing the drama of challenges confronting the believer. The author opens this section with a revealing "finally" denoting the beginning of this ...

2073. Mark 7:24-37

Mark 7:24-37

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Finishing up his lesson on what is "defiling" and what is not, Jesus sets off to a region that might be considered "defiled." The text explains Jesus' presence in that disreputable corner of the countryside as part of his effort to lay low and remain anonymous. Certainly in the midst of this primarily Gentile region of Tyre, tucked away in the quiet of a private home, Jesus might have expected to snatch a few days of solitude and silence, avoiding the constant recognition and perennial crowds. But Jesus " ...

2074. Mark 9:38-50

Mark 9:38-50

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

John, the brother of James, acts as spokesperson for the other disciples. He tells Jesus of their recent attempt to stop someone from casting out demons in Jesus' name. At issue here is not the practice of exorcism itself. The problem rather is that the disciples believe since this person is not a member of The Twelve, he has no right to use Jesus' name when casting out demons. Jesus rejects this privatized vision of power. Because this man employs Jesus' name, he is participating in the power of Jesus, ...

2075. Eight Days until Eternity

Mark 11:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

A little girl came home from worship. It was Palm Sunday. Her father asked what she had learned that day. She told him she learned all about the crowd waving their palm branches and singing a song to Jesus. The father was pleased that she had learned so much. He asked, “What was the song they were singing to Jesus?” The little girl paused, then said, “I think it was ‘O Susanna’.” Palm Sunday is the celebration of that momentous day when crowds of people welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem and the crowds sang, “O ...

Showing results

Showing 2051 to 2075 of 5000 results

2051. FaithRace

2 Timothy 4:6-8

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2052. Christ the Apple Tree

Isaiah 11:1-10

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2053. Five Steps to Takeoff

Mark 1:14-20

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2054. Build a Bridge and Get Over It

Mark 3:20-35

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2055. UpTime

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2056. The Monster Under Megan's Bed

John 6:1-21

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2057. Easter Completes

Colossians 3:1-4

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2058. A Bill of Rights

Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2059. Stone Testaments

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2060. Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

2061. Hebrews 10:5-10

Hebrews 10:5-10

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

2062. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5

2 Thessalonians 2:13 – 3:5

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2063. Romans 5:12-19

Romans 5:12-19

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2064. 1 Peter 1:17-23

1 Peter 1:17-23

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2065. Joshua 3:7-17

Joshua 3:7-17

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

2066. Luke 4:14-21

Luke 4:14-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

2067. Luke 6:27-38

Luke 6:27-38

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

2068. Hebrews 10:5-10

Hebrews 10:5-10

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The author of Hebrews reaches back to the traditions of the Psalms and Jeremiah to clarify the new situation which now confronts those who would be obedient to God. Whereas chapter 10 began by describing the old, cultic sacrificial ways of obedience, verses 5-10 introduce the new reality which now applies. The author begins to explain the impetus for this change with the statement that Christ " came into the world. " More than a simple reference to Christ’s incarnation, this phrase points to the entirety ...

2069. Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15

Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

2070. Matthew 10:40-42

Matthew 10:40-42

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

2071. Mark 9:2-9

Mark 9:2-9

Sweet

Leonard Sweet