Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 2076 to 2100 of 5000 results

2076. The Jesus RX and the Biology of Belief

John 20:24-31

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... -grimmer state of ill health. Given a cancer-fighting drug, but told there's little hope, the tumor increases in size. The drag of your mind impedes your healing. This is called the nocebo response. How sick can you make yourself? "The nocebo response is illustrated by the case of a woman who had a non-serious heart condition as well as congestive heart failure that was completely under control with medication. During a routine visit to the hospital, she overheard a doctor telling someone she had T. S. She ...

2077. The Uncloudy Cloud?

Hebrews 11:1-40

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

One of my favorite books is a children's story called The Trip to Panama (1981) by Janosch, the pseudonym of Horst Eckert, the German illustrator. It's a story about two animal friends, (Little Bear and Little Tiger) who live in a house by a river. They're reasonably happy but share a belief that somewhere else, life might be so much better. One day they find an old banana crate floating past their garden. ...

2078. The Longest Distance in the Universe

Mark 10:35-45

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... use his hands to set free Jesus from the chains that bound him. Head and heart aren't enough. In Roman Catholic iconography one of the most treasured symbols is of Jesus as the Sacred Heart. But the Jesus figure always has his hand on his heart graphically illustrating that the hand and the heart must be bound together. It has been said that the greatest distance in the universe is the 18 inches that separate the head and the heart. Let's see if we can travel that distance. [Put your hand on your head, and ...

2079. Salted with Fire

Mark 9:42-50

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... with Israel. The promises Yahweh had made with Israel was a covenant of salt (Leviticus) it would never spoil or grow old, it was always fresh, nourishing, life-sustaining. In temple rituals of sacrifice it was mandated that every burnt offering be salted illustrating he eternal nature of the bond between God and the people each time an offering was made on the altar. The sacrificial practices and images of temple worship combined the persistence of salt with the power of fire. The magic and wonder of ...

2080. Maker's Mark

2 Corinthians 1:12--2:4

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... only the mark of God's grace, of God's intentionality in our lives, that enables us to make a mark in this life at all. Extended ending: (Editor's note: After looking at available evidence, it's not possible to verify the following illustration as factual. However, it's still a powerful and heartwarming story that could be used to inspire your congregation.) Joseph N. Hankin, President of Westchester Community College, tells a story about a school teacher, Jean Thompson, and a fifth grade student, Teddy. On ...

2081. Looking for Shoots or Roots?

Matthew 11:1-19

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... names as you say: “I thank you God for the Adventual presence in my life of . . . . . .. .”] After the din of all the voices dies down, end the sermon with: “If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.” Animations, Illuminations, Illustrations, Ruminations, Applications: There is a lot of boomer-bashing nowadays. In fact, I’m one of them . . . touting Michael Bywater’s critique of the boomer generation called Big Babies. But there is another side to this boomer generation. Here is something I ...

2082. In Life Nothing Works but the Impossible

Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Do you want the Christmas message in as shorthand form as you can get it? Want the essence of the good news? Here it is: Impossible is nothing. In fact, nothing works in life but the impossible. Animations, Illustrations, Illuminations Here is the full quote from the Zuckerman text: “An endless array of mind-boggling, implausible, and extraordinary truth ... centered around a body of explicitly extraordinary and often fantastical truth claims ... their members sincerely believe the manifestly unbelievable ...

2083. Christmas Is Love

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon

King Duncan

Years ago the cartoon strip “Family Circus” carried a cartoon that illustrates what happens so often to Christmas. It showed a little girl holding her baby brother in her lap and telling him the story of Christmas. Here is how her account read: “Jesus was born just in time for Christmas, up at the North Pole, surrounded by tiny reindeer and the ...

2084. Which End Is Up?

Ephesians 3:1-13

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... s when the gravity of a grace-bearing, gift-bearing, God-bearing Epiphany will give you the levity you need to be “more than conquerors,” and to turn the world upside down. Or more accurately, turn the world . . . right-side up. Illustrations, Animations, Illuminations, Ruminations Back in 1984, the legendary comedian George Burns wrote a book called Dr. Burns’ Prescription For Happiness: Buy Two Books and Call Me in the Morning (New York: Putnam, 1984). The comedian writes: "If you were to go around ...

2085. Our Sin Against God

Genesis 2:4-25

Sermon

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... say a word. We just go along. The result of our failure to heed God’s commandments and to follow his will for our lives results in the distortion and corruption of every one of the good gifts that God has given us in his good creation. And that is illustrated by verse 7 of our text. The man and the woman in this story, who stand for you and me, were created as mutual helpers for one another, to be joined together in the joyful oneness of matrimonial love (3:18, 23-25). But when they break God’s ...

2086. The Counter Intelligence of the Cross

1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... has for me, when I should ask what kind of me God wants for his mission. You and I, brothers and sisters, are counter-intelligent officers in the mission of God in the world. Let’s get busy spreading some oxy-moron wisdom this week. Additional Illustrations I read the story recently about a busy airport, where a line of travelers were waiting to buy tickets. The line grew so long and moved so slowly that patience was wearing thin. At the worst possible moment, two boisterous women carrying large suitcases ...

2087. The Lonesome George Church

Matthew 4:23-25, Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 4:12-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Christian life is not about you doing something for God; it’s about your letting God doing something for in and through you. 3) Will you pray that the kingdom of God will come crashing down on you, your family and this church? Animations, Illuminations, Illustrations, Ruminations, Applications Quiz: If a turtle loses its shell, is it naked or homeless? If FedEx and UPS were to merge, would they call it Fed Up? “The whole person,” writes Kallistos Ware, “is a person who is on the one side open to God ...

2088. Cha-cha-cha Christians: The Dance that Advances

2 Peter 1:12-21

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... be my new romance? On the clear understanding That this kind of thing can happen, Shall we dance? Shall we dance? Shall we dance? Can you hear the divine music this morning? It is God’s invitation to you: “Shall We Dance?” Illustrations, Illuminations, Animations, Ruminations, Applications There is a wonderful exchange in a Peanuts cartoon where Snoopy says, “It’s nice to be nice because it’s nice.” Woodstock responds: “But everything isn’t nice!” . . . . I tend to side with Woodstock ...

2089. An Impossible Sermon

Matthew 17:1-13

Illustration

Fred Craddock

... life in more ways and in more depth than interpretations that reduce the text to lessons that assume `this is the way life is for us today.'" Dr. Craddock's caution makes this an almost impossible sermon. He seems to be saying, "Tell the story, but don't worry about illustrations; Jesus is Jesus, and we are, after all, just us."

2090. Advent 1

Matthew 24:36-51, Romans 13:8-14, Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122:1-9

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... a poster that came out several years ago by Steinberg entitled "A New Yorker's View of the World." The Hudson River is pictured as the outer reaches of the globe because of the centrality of New York City for those who live in it. The poster illustrates how important even secular locations can become in structuring a vision of the world. The Temple in Jerusalem played an even stronger role in Israel's perception of the world, for it was not simply a familiar or comfortable place to live; rather it was the ...

2091. Advent 3

Psalm 146:1-10, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-12, Matthew 11:1-19

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... strict Advent, the Old Testament lesson could guide us to this Sunday as the one for the hanging of the greens. An alternative rendering of the Old Testament lesson in this service might be from its arrangement in Handel's Messiah. A restrained celebration of Advent can be a vivid illustration of the practice of patience, as discussed in the epistle lesson. The whole tenor of the liturgy becomes an exercise in patience, the present work of the people of God. Our very worship helps us learn patience.

2092. Christmas Eve\Christmas Day

Luke 2:1-7, Isaiah 9:1-7, Psalm 96:1-13, Titus 2:1-15, Luke 2:8-20

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... its own historical reference to holy war when we are told that God has overturned the oppressor as "on the day of Midian." The story of Gideon in Judges 6-9 provides an excellent example of divine holy war for two reasons. First, it illustrates how the breaking in of God's salvation into this world necessarily creates conflict between different kinds of power; in this case, the Midianites against Israel. Second, it underscores how salvation, or victory in this holy war, can come only from God. Even though ...

2093. Christmas 1

Mt 2:13-23 · Heb 2:10-18 · Isa 63:7-9 · Ps 148

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... how the divine qualities of goodness, mercy, and loving-kindness are directed toward the people of God. Third, in vv. 8b -9 the prophet again speaks (note how God is once again referred to with the third person he) to interpret the divine quotation by providing illustration from the past of how God's qualities are directed toward Israel and how God is indeed present with the people of God. Significance. The point of emphasis in Isaiah 63:7-9 is in the third section, when the prophet describes how God became ...

2094. Christmas 2

Psalm 147:1-20, Jeremiah 30:1--31:40, Ephesians 1:1-14, John 1:1-18

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... summarized in the following way, "All is right with my life, therefore God rules." An interpretation of Psalm 147:12-20 in isolation from the rest of Psalm 147 runs the danger of such an interpretation. A closer look at the reasons for praise in vv. 13-20a will illustrate how Psalm 147:12-20 is not simply a celebration of the status quo. Two themes predominate in vv. 13-20a in providing a reason for why God must be praised. First, the point of focus in vv. 13-14 is that God is praiseworthy because God has ...

2095. Easter 3

Psalm 116:1-19, Acts 2:14-41, 1 Peter 1:13-2:3, Luke 24:13-35

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... proper response to the dangerous presence of God, for it indicates our awareness of salvation—namely, that we have been pulled into a world that is larger than our mundane routine, if not at odds with it. The story of Moses at the burning bush illustrates this point. Upon first appearance, Moses is only curious about the bush, though he should be frightened. This problem in the story must be resolved. Thus God must break into the story and comment on the dangerous character of the bush, after which Moses ...

2096. Easter 4

Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23:1-6, 1 Peter 2:13-25, John 10:1-21

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... (vv. 3b -5) C. The reaction of unbelief (v. 6) II. The Interpretation of the Parables (vv. 7-19) A. The interpretation of the gate in the first parable (vv. 7-10) B. The interpretation of the shepherd in the second parable (vv. 11-18) The outline illustrates how vv. 1-10 are part of a larger text and how the more limited text of the lectionary requires that we focus on the first parable about the gate and not the second parable about the relationship of the sheep and shepherd. This is a problem because ...

2097. Easter 5

John 14:5-14, John 14:1-4, 1 Peter 2:4-12, Acts 7:54--8:1a, Psalm 31:1-24

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... of God. This Deuteronomistic theology arose in ancient Israel out of the belief that God would be present in any place of worship where his name was called. The account of Solomon's prayer in I Kings 8 during the dedication of the Temple provides illustration of this theology. Note how frequently Solomon states that even though God dwells in heaven and not on earth, nevertheless, when God's name is called upon in worship, God would be present with Israel. Here we see an emerging theology of worship that ...

2098. Easter 6

Psalm 66:1-20, Acts 17:16-34, 1 Peter 3:8-22, John 14:15-31

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... which, by implication, means the affirmation of the one true God and what God has done, is doing, and will do in Jesus Christ. In the pluralistic currents of contemporary society, this text may cause more problems than it solves. What looks like another illustration of the diversity of canonical models for thinking and talking about God turns out to be one of the most narrowly focused claims in scripture. Coming to terms with the complex content and the pointed tone of this passage may be difficult, but it ...

2099. Palm/Passion Sunday

Mt 26:14-27:66 · Php 2:5-11 · Isa 50:4-9a · Ps 31

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... The song closes in vv. 7-9a with the suffering servant confessing the reliability of God's salvation. This closing unit is framed with the confession, "The Lord GOD helps me . . . " Significance. The third suffering servant song presents a blueprint for discipleship, for it illustrates how theory and praxis must be one for any follower of God. The opening section of the song in vv. 4-5aa roots the authority of the servant in the call of God. In the opening and closing phrase, "The Lord God has . . ., " the ...

2100. Proper 19

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

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... is part of a larger story in which Israel is journeying with God. The story should not be read as a chance meeting between a fleeing band of slaves and the Egyptian army but as an event that is being orchestrated by God. The outline of the story illustrates clearly the central role of God at the Red Sea. I. Divine Protection (vv. 19-20) II. Divine Salvation of Israel through the Water (vv. 21-25) III. Divine Destruction of Egypt in the Water (vv. 26-29) IV. Summary (vv. 30-31) Significance. The story of God ...

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Antonyms: deficient, imperfect

Showing 2076 to 2100 of 5000 results

2076. The Jesus RX and the Biology of Belief

John 20:24-31

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2077. The Uncloudy Cloud?

Hebrews 11:1-40

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2078. The Longest Distance in the Universe

Mark 10:35-45

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2079. Salted with Fire

Mark 9:42-50

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2080. Maker's Mark

2 Corinthians 1:12--2:4

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2081. Looking for Shoots or Roots?

Matthew 11:1-19

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2082. In Life Nothing Works but the Impossible

Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2083. Christmas Is Love

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon

King Duncan

2084. Which End Is Up?

Ephesians 3:1-13

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2085. Our Sin Against God

Genesis 2:4-25

Sermon

Elizabeth Achtemeier

2086. The Counter Intelligence of the Cross

1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2087. The Lonesome George Church

Matthew 4:23-25, Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 4:12-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2088. Cha-cha-cha Christians: The Dance that Advances

2 Peter 1:12-21

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2089. An Impossible Sermon

Matthew 17:1-13

Illustration

Fred Craddock

2090. Advent 1

Matthew 24:36-51, Romans 13:8-14, Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122:1-9

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

2091. Advent 3

Psalm 146:1-10, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-12, Matthew 11:1-19

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

2092. Christmas Eve\Christmas Day

Luke 2:1-7, Isaiah 9:1-7, Psalm 96:1-13, Titus 2:1-15, Luke 2:8-20

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

2093. Christmas 1

Mt 2:13-23 · Heb 2:10-18 · Isa 63:7-9 · Ps 148

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

2094. Christmas 2

Psalm 147:1-20, Jeremiah 30:1--31:40, Ephesians 1:1-14, John 1:1-18

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

2095. Easter 3

Psalm 116:1-19, Acts 2:14-41, 1 Peter 1:13-2:3, Luke 24:13-35

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

2096. Easter 4

Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23:1-6, 1 Peter 2:13-25, John 10:1-21

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

2097. Easter 5

John 14:5-14, John 14:1-4, 1 Peter 2:4-12, Acts 7:54--8:1a, Psalm 31:1-24

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

2098. Easter 6

Psalm 66:1-20, Acts 17:16-34, 1 Peter 3:8-22, John 14:15-31

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

2099. Palm/Passion Sunday

Mt 26:14-27:66 · Php 2:5-11 · Isa 50:4-9a · Ps 31

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

2100. Proper 19

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

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

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