Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 2076 to 2100 of 5000 results

2076. An Unnerving Experience

Mark 9:2-13

Sermon

King Duncan

A woman from a military family tells a humorous story. Her father was stationed at the naval base in New London, Connecticut. Then he received orders that he was to be transferred to Hawaii. The family excitedly prepared for the move. Since dogs and cats have to be quarantined for 120 days upon their arrival in the Hawaiian Islands, they sent their family cat ahead of them. Then the father’s orders were canceled. The family didn’t realize their circumstances were of particular interest to anyone else until ...

2077. John 2:13-22

John 2:12-25

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Lent isn’t just a time to be intentional about spiritual renewal. It also coincides with another sacred ritual: spring cleaning. The clutter and accrual of the indoors seasons (fall and winter) need to be cleaned out, sorted out, and in some cases tossed out, to make room in our closets and consciousness for the new life of spring. This week’s gospel text is Jesus’ burst of spring cleaning. While the synoptic texts place Jesus’ temple tantrum towards the end of his ministry (Mark 11:15-17; Matthew 21:12-13 ...

2078. It's Not a Snuggie Love

Mark 15:1-15, Mark 11:1-11

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Now that “March Madness” is over it is time to reclaim our particularities. Part of the “madness” the basketball championships generate is our love for, our longing to be, part of a crowd. In a crowd we can become a totally different person. *Shy, reserved people scream until hoarse. *Non-violent, peace-activists holler for their team to “kill’em!” *Guys who don’t like to take their shirts off at the beach, paint their bellies blue or green or orange, and hope to get their hairy paunch on national ...

2079. Advent 4

2 Samuel 7:1-17, Romans 16:1-27, Luke 1:26-38

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 David tells his prophet, Nathan, that he wants to build a temple for Yahweh. But this idea is rejected. Yahweh declares instead that he will make a house out of David. He promises David that he will make his name great, give him rest from his enemies and will establish him in an everlasting kingdom. David was promised that his descendants would rule God's people forever. Each succeeding king as a son of David was considered a savior-king, a son of God. Each was ...

2080. Anybody NOT seeing red?

1 John 1:5--2:14

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Whether you were paying taxes this past Wednesday, or were lucky enough to rate a refund, its been hard not to see anything but red this past week. The Declaration of Independence has a phrase that is an indictment of King George. Pretend you don’t know who it’s referring to. The US “Declaration of Independence” declares that its people should not have to deal with meddlesome agencies that “harass our people and eat out their substance.” Big-time billion-dollar bail-outs, trillion-dollar infusions and ...

2081. The Comforts of "Thy Rod and Thy Staff": Rulership or Relationship

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

The new geographic “center“ of Christianity has shifted slightly. Anyone want to guess where the global geographic center of Christianity is now located? No, it’s not Vatican City. No it’s not some football stadium sized sanctuary in Texas. No, it’s not in South Korea, South Africa, or Southern Jerusalem. The wonderfully revealing new global center-point for Christianity, the new center of gravity for the Christian religion, is . . . Timbuktu. That’s right, Timbuktu in Mali. Can anyone locate Timbuktu on ...

2082. Yearning for Security

John 10:11-18

Illustration

Scott Hoezee

Perhaps the imagery seems outdated, but has humanity in the modern world really outgrown its need for someone to love us fiercely and forever the way only a truly good shepherd can? In our quiet and secret moments, we yearn for someone stronger and wiser to take care of us. As Neal Plantinga once wrote, those of us who were raised in solid and good homes carry around with us the memory of how delicious it was to be tucked into our cozy beds at night without worries that would threaten our rest. Kids go to ...

2083. Too Good Not to Be True

Luke 24:36-49

Sermon

King Duncan

A company once hired a recent immigrant and put him to work in the mail room. To the foreman’s shock, the guy was a whiz. He stood in front of the sorting racks and shuffled the letters into slots with amazing speed. The foreman had never seen anything like it. At the end of the day, the foreman shook the new man’s hand, thanked him and said, “I’ve never seen anyone who could sort mail as fast as you.” The new immigrant smiled and said, “You think I’m good now you wait until I can read English.” (1) Well, ...

2084. Tear Down This Wall!

Ephesians 2:11-22

Sermon

King Duncan

On June 12, 1987 former President Ronald Reagan spoke in front of the Brandenburg Gate at the Berlin Wall. In his speech he issued a direct challenge to Mikhail Gorbachev, leader of the Soviet Union. Here are the best-known words from that speech: “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Twenty-nine months later ...

2085. Easter

Psalm 118:1-29, Jeremiah 31:1-6, Matthew 28:1-10, John 20:1-18, Acts 10:23b-48, Colossians 3:1-17

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter - Psalms 118:1-2, 14-24 First Lesson - Here is an early outline of Peter's sermon, the heart of the Gospel, which will be preached to the ends of the earth. Acts 10:34-43 [OR] As Israel once found grace in the wilderness, an even greater grace and restoration awaits them, declares the prophet. Jeremiah 31:1-6 Second Lesson - Paul promises a spiritual resurrection for us as profound as the resurrection of Jesus from death. Colossians 3:1-4 Gospel - The dearest friends of Jesus discover the ...

2086. Proper 25

Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Psalm 90:1-17, Matthew 22:34-46, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter - Psalms 90:1-6, 13-17 First Lesson - With the death of Moses, Joshua succeeds to his the leadership of the people of Israel. Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Second Lesson - Paul expresses a motherly affection for the church at Thessalonica. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Gospel - Jesus asks questions, as well as answering them, in a debate with the Pharisees. Matthew 22:34-46 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Revere our Sovereign God ...

2087. Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Psalm 27:1, 4-9, Isaiah 9:1-4, Matthew 4:12-23, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter--Psalms 27:1, 4-9 First Lesson--The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Isaiah 9:1-4 Second Lesson--Allegiance to church leaders other than the Crucified and Risen One disjoints the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Gospel--Jesus begins his public ministry in enlightening preaching and calling disciples. Matthew 4:12-23 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Be constant in God's house all the ...

2088. A Piece of Him

John 6:35, 41-51

Illustration

At the time of the Napoleonic Wars, the famous British Admiral Horatio Nelson was due to be buried in St. Paul's Cathedral. His sailors lifted his casket over their shoulders and majestically carried his body into the cathedral. Draping his coffin was a magnificent Union Jack. After the service, the sailors once more carried his body high in the air, this time to the graveside. With reverence and with efficiency they lowered the body of the world's greatest admiral into its tomb. Then, as though answering ...

2089. Did You Know...That You Can Know God?

1 John 2:3-5

Sermon

James Merritt

Why were you put on this earth? What should be your greatest goal in life? What is the single greatest achievement you could obtain on this earth? What is the secret to eternal life? The answer to all of these questions is the same. It is found in two words - Knowing God. That is what God wants from you and for you more than anything else in your life. God said in Hosea 6:6, "I'd rather for you to be faithful and to know Me than to offer sacrifices." (Hosea 6:6, CEV) More than your time, more than your ...

2090. Got Milk?

1 Peter 2:1-3

Sermon

James Merritt

His name was Howard Hughes. As an aviator, he once held every speed record of consequence and was called the world's greatest flyer. At various points in his life he owned an international airline, two regional airlines, an aircraft company, a major motion picture studio, mining properties, a tool company, gambling casinos and hotels in Las Vegas, along with a medical research institute and a vast amount of real estate. He dated some of the most beautiful Hollywood stars of all time. When Howard Hughes ...

2091. When the Bills Come Due

1 Timothy 6:6-10

Sermon

James Merritt

Our Extreme Home Makeover is going according to plan, but there is one little matter we have not yet discussed. How are we going to finance the project? When the bills come due, can we finance this project without going into bankruptcy? The answer to that question is very easy. It all depends on whether or not we have managed our money properly. That is exactly what we are going to be talking about today - managing money. How many of you feel like the former pro golfer from Georgia, Doug Sanders, who said ...

2092. Until He Comes

2 Timothy 4:7-8

Sermon

James Merritt

The last two years of my life have passed by faster than a speeding bullet. Though the pace of being President of this Convention has been exhausting, the honor has been exhilarating. I will never get over the fact that you, my fellow Southern Baptists, have entrusted me with this position. Being President of the Southern Baptist Convention has made me realize more than ever how blessed I am to be a Christian and how great it is to be a Baptist. I am reminded of Charles Spurgeon the great British preacher ...

2093. At Your Service Lord

Ephesians 4:11-12

Sermon

James Merritt

Recently I was flying into Washington, DC, and as always I immediately saw the Washington Monument which towers above the entire city. It is 555 ft. 5 1/8 in. high. From the lobby to the observation level it is 50 stories. To get to the top you could either take the elevator, which is the easy way up, or you can take the stairs, 896 of them in all, which is the harder way to the top. As I was gazing at that monument I remembered my good friend Zig Ziglar telling the story of going to Washington, DC and ...

2094. The Clone Zone: The Bible and Cloning

Genesis 1:26-28

Sermon

James Merritt

If I've ever dealt with a topic that is hot, it will be the topic I will deal with in this message. If you don't believe me, John Cusey, Director of the Pro-life Caucus in the House of Representatives said, "I believe the cloning issue will be the most contentious issue before Congress in the next ten years." Coming from a Congressman, and with the state of politics as they are today, it doesn't get any hotter than that. On June 26, 2000, scientist Francis Collins and J. Craig Venter joined Bill Clinton at ...

2095. A Cure for the Workaholic

Genesis 2:1-3

Sermon

James Merritt

If you are from the Deep South especially, you have to like Jeff Foxworthy. He made the word "redneck" universally famous. He was the one who said, "You might be a redneck if all of your salad bowls have "Cool Whip" stamped on them." Nobody knows how to identify a redneck, better than Jeff Foxworthy. I came across some ways you can also identify a workaholic. In case you are wondering whether or not you might be one, just consider the following: If it frustrates you that they don't allow laptops on a ...

2096. Holding to Tradition

Mark 7:1-23

Illustration

Brett Blair

The pharisees obsession over ritual uncleanness reminds of the story about two monks, Tanzan and a younger monk, walking down a muddy street. They arrived at the river crossing and there was a lovely young girl dressed in fine silks, who was afraid to cross because of all the mud. "Come on, girl," said Tanzan. And he picked her up in his arms, and carried her across. The two monks did not speak again till nightfall. Then, when they had returned to the monastery, the young monk couldn't keep quiet any ...

2097. Here Comes the Bridegroom

Matthew 25:1-13

Sermon

James Merritt

As you well know you certainly cannot always believe everything you read in the papers. Some of the headlines in papers are absolutely astounding. These are actual headlines that actually ran in American newspapers. Experts say jet crashed because something went wrong. Police begin campaign to run down jay walkers. Crash probe decides plane was too close to ground Minors refuse to work after death Cold wave linked to temperatures Couple slain: police suspect homicide New study of obesity looks for larger ...

2098. The Opportunity of a Lifetime

Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon

James Merritt

Country singer Darryl Worley once wrote a song about meeting the girl of his dreams and proposing to her. I couldn't help but think of my wife Teresa and my feelings for her when I listened to the song it goes like this: Big brown eyes, soft red lips I'm thinkin' I could get use to this This could be the opportunity of a lifetime My heart melts when you whisper my name I've got a feeling if you're feeling the same This could be the opportunity of a lifetime We've got a chance at real true love We'd have to ...

2099. One Step at a Time

Nehemiah 2:1-10

Sermon

James Merritt

Two hundred thousand miles from home. You can't pull over to a gas station. You can't take your spaceship into the garage, but you now know that you have two hours to keep your space ship from becoming a permanent tomb floating in outer space. Jim Lovell, John Swigert, and Fred Haise realized they were facing an elephant of a problem, but they kept their wits about them enough to realize that the way to solve their problem was the same way you eat an elephant - one bite at a time. Has it ever occurred to ...

2100. The Dream Work of Teamwork

Nehemiah 3:1-32

Sermon

James Merritt

Apollo 13 reminds us that it doesn't take a village to raise a child, but it does take a team to have success. If you watched that video carefully you noticed that there were actually three levels of people involved in helping to devise a contraption that would keep the air pure enough for the astronauts to survive until they could get back to earth. B.C. Forbes, the founder of Forbes Magazine, once said, "You spell success T-E-A-M-W-O-R-K." That is truth in every area of life. Show me a successful coach ...

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