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 2126 to 2150 of 4972 results

2126. Mark 4:35-41

Mark 4:35-41

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... cross over the sea of Galilee to begin work on the opposite shore. A word of caution here: Mark's geographical information is not to be taken literally. As Jesus is constantly leaving one area, crossing that sea, he seems to be traveling west to east and west to east apparently without ever having to travel east to west. He leaves from westerly regions and arrives at easterly ones by traveling west. He takes routes that cross territories that do not adjoin. But Mark is not a poor geographer, or even simply ...

2127. 2 Samuel 23:1-7

2 Samuel 23:1-7

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... to speak some final words recalling his greatness, his unique role in the history of Israel, his military prowess. Indeed there is recorded in 1 Kings 2:1-9 another "last words of David" passage. Here David briefly acknowledges Solomon's right to rule but leaves a posthumous list of kingly orders to be carried out, insuring David's influence on the political life of Israel even after his death. Today's passage in 2 Samuel focuses more on the general qualities of leadership, less on the personal legacy of ...

2128. Acts 9:1-20

Acts 9:1-20

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the first to greet Jesus. Since he was stripped for fishing, Simon Peter either "puts on" some garments - or as others read it, "tucks up" his outer garment in order to cover himself - out of sense of decency and respect for Jesus. But this interpretation leaves several problems. First, after recording Peter's leap into the water, the text then abandons him there. The focus shifts to the boat filled with the other disciples and the load of fish and then to Jesus on the shore with his cozy fire. Peter does ...

2129. Hebrews 13:1-8

Hebrews 13:1-8

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... . Verse 4 even goes so far as to include fornication, sexual relations between two unmarried people, among the immoral acts Christians should eschew. But note that, in keeping perhaps, with the phil¡a Christians are to have for each other, this author leaves the judgment of immoral sexual behavior strictly up to God. Christians are called to love and honor each other and their covenantal vows, not to condemn one another. The author now turns to another perennially popular form of illicit love - the love ...

2130. Mark 4:35-41

Mark 4:35-41

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... asleep, safely snuggled down in the ship's stern, but he is curled up on a comfy cushion. In panic and despair, the disciples wake Jesus up, howling, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" (v.38). Some scholars have viewed Jesus' command to leave the pressing crowd and his immediate collapse into such a deep and restful sleep as a sign of a very human Jesus' need to rest and regroup after a demanding day. The disciples themselves seem convinced that Jesus is primarily an exhausted man one who ...

2131. Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... occasion asked the older brother if he might go out and find his lost sibling, appeal on his behalf for the child's return. By his response in the parable, we can guess that even if he had, the brother would have refused. "If the fool was dumb enough to leave this setup, then so be it," we can hear him reasoning. He was found, and that was good enough. Is that the attitude of the church toward those who are lost? Is that your attitude? Is it mine? Paul tells the Corinthians that he is an ambassador for God ...

2132. 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... ). The geography is specific and each stage of their journey is characterized by not only the dialogue between the prophets and Elisha but between Elijah and Elisha. At each point, Elijah says, "Stay here," (2:2, 4, 6) and each time Elisha responds: "I will not leave you" (2:2, 4, 6). This repetitive structure ends when they reach the Jordan River. Even the prophets, some 50 of them, stand apart and at a distance as the two cross over Jordan alone. As they stand on Jordan's banks before crossing, Elijah, as ...

2133. Hebrews 12:18-29

Hebrews 12:18-29

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... to approach and ascend the mountain to receive the divine instructions. Symbols of God's presence fire, darkness, a tempest, not to mention the voice itself all warn the Israelites to leave a wide berth between themselves and the mountain. The fear inspired by the divine signs, sighs, sights and sounds frightened more than common folk. Moses himself, the one with special rights of access, admitted "I tremble with fear" (v.21). What a contrast the author now offers between the environment ...

2134. Luke 19:1-10

Luke 19:1-10

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, 'Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.'" In the Greek, the tense of these verbs is present, which leaves unclear whether Zacchaeus is here offering a defense of his character as a response to the complaints of the crowd, or whether he is announcing a change of character, i.e., a conversion. Those who see this as a vindication rather than a conversion or salvation ...

2135. A Burden or a Song

Matthew 5:43-48

Sermon

James McCormick

... listen to the encouraging words of scripture: “I have come that you may have life, and have it abundantly.” “These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” “My grace is sufficient for you.” “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. But not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” “They who wait upon the Lord shall renew ...

2136. Back To Basics: The Three R's of Baptism - Sermon Starter

Mark 1:4-11

Illustration

Brett Blair

... are beginning to turn from green to red to orange. The birds are beginning to turn and are heading once more toward the south. The animals are beginning to turn to storing their food for the winter. For leaves, birds and animals, turning comes instinctively. But for us, turning does not come so easily. It takes an act of will for us to make a turn. It means breaking old habits. It means admitting that we have been wrong, and this is never easy. It means losing face. It ...

2137. John 4:5-42

John 4:5-42

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... promised to all. Rabbis of Jesus' day referred to the Torah as living water. But both possible meanings Jesus implies go beyond the Law. The living water Jesus offers the woman at the well is not just promise, but fulfillment. The Law can be broken, leaving us parched. But Jesus' revelation is eternally fresh and flowing. The Spirit of God can never dry up. Unknowingly the woman hits upon this truth when she sarcastically asks Jesus if he is greater than Jacob (v.12). But her reference to the overflowing ...

2138. John 17:6-19

John 17:6-19

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... unity between themselves and the Master they follow. Hearts filled with joy will, it appears, be one of the disciple's best defenses against the hardships ahead of them. While Jesus expects joyfulness, he also acknowledges the harsh realities that will confront those he leaves behind. "The world has hated them," Jesus admits, because when they belong to the Father and the Son they no longer "belong to the world" (v.14). Yet, Jesus knows the disciple's place still remains with this world he does not ask God ...

2139. Ephesians 6:10-20

Ephesians 6:10-20

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... wore sturdy sandals or even boots that had nails driven through the soles. These could then act as cleats, helping the battling soldier to "dig in" effectively against an opponent. But this author doesn't stipulate a particular style of shoes; instead, he leaves open the question of what "will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace." Mentioning "peace" in the midst of these images of war and conflict is startling. It highlights the radical difference between the gospel Jesus offers and the violent ...

2140. Mark 10:2-16

Mark 10:2-16

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... marriage from the moment of creation citing Genesis 1:27, "male and female he created them" as evidence of this intention. Verse 7 reiterates Adam's own words about woman in Genesis 2:24. Because the woman is part of his own flesh and bone, the man leaves his own father and mother to be with her. Being "joined" (proskolethsetai literally means to "glue to") into "one flesh," the man and woman become a new entity a new family unit. In the Old Testament, the ultimate call to loyalty was to remind family or ...

2141. Mark 1:14-20

Mark 1:14-20

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... missional, relational, incarnation. Despite Jesus’ unknown status, despite the seeming unsuitedness of filthy fishermen as followers, first Andrew and Simon, then James and John, respond immediately to Jesus’ call. “Immediately Andrew and Simon leave their nets. “Immediately” James and John leave their boat, their livelihood, as well as their father and their family. In Mark’s gospel there is no other reason for these unqualified responses except for the messianic authority that Jesus embodied ...

2142. Mark 1:21-28

Mark 1:21-28

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... 3:2; Psalm 68:31, 106:9). The charge Jesus makes to this demonic spirit demands that it “Be silent and come out of him” (v.25). Jesus’ authority is absolute. With merely his words Jesus causes the evil spirit instantly to leave the man it had possessed. Not surprisingly Mark records that the people witnessing Jesus’ words at work are “amazed” or “astounded” all over again. Throughout Mark’s gospel, awe, amazement, astonishment are the set responses of people to any of Jesus’ miraculous ...

2143. A Demon Speaks Out in Church

Mark 1:21-28

Sermon

King Duncan

... you up bodily, put you in my car, and we’ll drive you home, and dump you on your steps till you sober up. You leave these people alone.” The man went red and silent, got up and left without a word. This is a promise the pastor did keep. And ... came along and said, “If you learn to praise the Lord in all your circumstances, you won’t hurt so much. Your spiritual life leaves something to be desired. Start reading your Bible and praying every day, and it will get better.” Finally a little girl came along ...

2144. God's Workmanship

Ephesians 2:1-10

Sermon

King Duncan

... that?” “Oh, it’s simple,” replied Mr. Good‑natured. “You see, I work for the Lord. And I do every task as though I were doing it for Him. See you next week!” And with a smile, and singing at the top of his voice, he drove away leaving the awestruck crew with their mouths on the ground. (8) What these amazed construction workers didn’t realize was that they were in the presence of God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Here was a man so in touch with the amazing grace ...

2145. He Stands Alone

Mark 1:29-39

Sermon

King Duncan

... Chaplin was visiting the study of his friend Pablo Picasso. Picasso made a sudden gesture and accidentally spilled some paint on Chaplin’s white slacks. Picasso said, “I’m so sorry, Charles! I’ll get some spirit and remove it.” And Chaplin said, “Please don’t! Just leave the paint where it is and sign my trousers.” Chaplain was joking that now he owned a Picasso. Someone has said that it is much easier to get rich than it is to get famous. And it is true. There are many rich people in this ...

2146. An Unpopular Preacher

Matthew 7:15-23

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... knew her. Then, about six months later, the pastor was shocked to hear the woman say, “In one sense, the burglary was one of the best things that has happened to me. I didn’t realize it, but I had become tied down to those things. I was afraid to leave the house for fear this might happen. I spent half my day polishing that silver, keeping all that old china. That was really stupid when you think about it. Life ought to be more. I thought I would die after the burglary. But I’ve come to the conclusion ...

2147. God Loses, So We Can Win

Genesis 32:22-32

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... bless me.” Jacob still is seeking that blessing that will truly bless. The stranger asks, “What is your name?” “Jacob.” “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel.” Jacob asks, “What is your name?” “Why do you want to know my name?” And the Nameless One leaves Jacob with a new name and a limp, due to a dislocated hip. Jacob is given the blessing he asked for. Do you think what he got was what he had in mind? Had he reached the point where he no longer wanted to a heel-grabber? Had ...

2148. God’s Tattoos

Isaiah 49:8-26

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... my Son. His blood seals this covenant, because I have redeemed his death for good, for the salvation of the world.” V. The Flood and the Rainbow How God redeems bad memories can be seen in the aftermath of the flood. After Noah and his family and all the animals leave the ark for dry land, God’s make a covenant with Noah and all his descendants never to do that again. It’s as though God said, “That not who I AM and how I want to relate with humankind.” God places a rainbow in the sky. The next ...

2149. Memories of Home: The Prodigal Son

Luke 15:11-32

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... seeds of never measuring up, of failure, of being made to feel flawed because he’s not his big brother, can be planted deep within the kid brother. The seeds eventually become a vine that chokes the boy to death. The only way for him to survive is to leave home. The only way to make the pain of unacceptability to go away is to seek whatever promises escape from it. Escape as from prison. Free of the confines of expectations that can never be met. Home is where his heart is and where he doesn’t want to ...

2150. Jesus' Good News of a New World · Part 3

Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... churches that want to be successful is, “Let’s get folks in and then will tell them about what Jesus really wants from us. Let’s not talk about the cross, sacrifice, and surely not about persecution. Don’t mention that the old world hates those who leave it to live as disciples of Jesus, learning how to be citizens of God’s new world.” And so today, the “good news” becomes something like this: Join the church and Jesus will give you wealth or a perfect marriage or perfect kids or, if you ...

Showing results