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 2151 to 2175 of 4914 results

2151. Breaking The Negative Cycle

Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

One of the most destructive foibles of human nature is the tendency to lock ourselves into rigid patterns of thinking, ruts of responding, and unalterable avenues of acting. It was this way of thinking that caused Jesus to condemn the Pharisees, admonishing them about straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel. The most common pattern into which we humans tend to move is what I call a negative cycle. I doubt if there’s anything more devastating to daily living, to our effective functioning, to creative and ...

2152. The Cross: God's Answer To Our Deepest Needs

Colossians 2:8-15

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

A popular monk in the Middle Ages announced that in the cathedral that evening he would preach a sermon on the love of God. The people gathered and stood in silence waiting for the service while the sunlight streamed through the beautiful windows. When the last glint of color had faded from the windows, the old monk took a candle from the altar. Walking to the life-size figure of Christ on the cross, he held the light beneath the wounds of the feet, then His hands, then His side. Still without a word, he ...

2153. If Only -- In Spite Of

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

A young man had made it big, had been away from home a long time, traveled to exotic places all over the world. He had not been very attentive to his widowed mother. His conscience began to bother him and he decided to do something about it. He sent her a unique gift, a rare South American parrot for which he paid $1,200. Well, time went by. Two weeks, three weeks, and he heard nothing. In the fourth week he called. When he got his mom on the phone he said, "Did you get the bird I sent you?" "Oh yes! -- it ...

2154. The Heart Has Eyes

Ephesians 1:15-23

Sermon

Mark Trotter

Our lesson from Paul's letter to the Ephesians is one of the majestic passages in the New Testament. It pictures Christ now Lord of the universe, and we, the people of faith, are the inheritors of the gift that he has given to us. Paul uses the most extravagant language to describe this. In fact, it is the language that was reserved for royalty, for the Caesars, used at national festivals, and royal celebrations. Paul intentionally co-opts this royal language to talk about Christ, now King of kings and ...

2155. The Gift of Purpose

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

As a little girl climbed up into Santa's lap, Santa asked the usual, "And what would you like for Christmas?" The little girl just stared at Santa with her mouth open and horrified look on her face for a minute, and then she gasped: "Didn't you get my E-mail?" That had to have been the same sort of horrified look that Mary must have had on her face when the Angel of the Lord appeared to her and spoke to her about God's purpose for her life. You know the story it's in Luke 1:26-38 (NRSV). [26] In the sixth ...

2156. Investing in God’s Future

Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon

Chris Ewing

(Note: At the time of reading this passage to the congregation, explain that a single talent was worth more than fifteen years' wages of a laborer [per NRSV footnote to Matthew 25:14] — in other words, easily a cool quarter of a million dollars in today's terms!) "I was afraid," quavered the third servant, "because I knew that you were a ruthless businessman, expecting profit even when it is impossible. I was so afraid of losing your money that I put it in a box and buried it. Here is your money, exactly ...

2157. The Man of Lawlessness

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

We come now to the heart of the letter, where Paul attempts to put right some wrong ideas about the Parousia (see Introduction). How Paul learned about the problem we are not told. In 3:11 he speaks of having heard a report that some in the church were idle. If this report were more recent than the one brought by Timothy, it might have included the issues dealt with in this section (see Introduction on The Sequence of the Letters). This is one of the most difficult passages of the NT to interpret, largely ...

2158. Taming the Tongue

James 3:1-12, James 3:13-18

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

Wisdom for the Tongue Like the Pauline churches, James’ church was a church of the Spirit. Though there were formal offices, such as elder (5:14), there was no ordination process or schooling needed to teach and preach. As a result it was relatively easy for people with some ability, but worldly motivation, to put themselves forward as teachers. (Our modern seminary-ordination process makes this take longer, but it is not successful in preventing it; rather, it makes such a person a more permanent fixture ...

2159. A Message About Babylon

Jeremiah 50:1--51:64

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

50:1 The superscription that begins the final oracle against the nations identifies the object of this long section as Babylon. It introduces not only the last grouping of oracles but also what are by far the longest in the oracles against the nations. The prophet pulls out all the stops to articulate the destruction that was coming Babylon’s way. Jeremiah understood that the Babylonians were being used by God as an instrument of his judgment against Judah and the other nations, but this fact did not ...

2160. Pressing on Toward the Goal

Philippians 3:12-4:1

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

Paul's Ambition Whatever others may claim for themselves, Paul knows that he has not attained perfection yet. So long as mortal life lasts, there is further progress to be made. Not until the end of the race is the prize awarded. 3:12 Paul now passes from the language of accountancy to that of athletic endeavor (cf. 2:16). He is running a race; he has not yet breasted the tape or won the prize, and he must keep on running until he does so. Some of his converts elsewhere imagined that they had attained ...

2161. The Lord's Devastation of the Earth

Isaiah 24:1-23

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

Devastation and Renewal for the Whole Land: The word massa’ no longer introduces the prophecies, but not until chapter 28 do we return to the direct, confrontational challenges to the people of God that dominate chapters 1–12. Chapters 24–27 thus stand out from the material on either side. The canvas broadens yet further than it had in chapters 13–23, but the tone of these chapters continues. The prophecy depicts further disaster and devastation, but makes fewer references to specific peoples. The effect ...

2162. Jesus’s Ministry and Popularity Continue to Grow

Mark 1:40-45, Mark 1:35-39, Mark 1:29-34

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

Big Idea: Jesus’s ministry of power and authority is universal. He helps every person who comes, and his popularity with the crowds grows in phenomenal ways. However, his desire is not for the plaudits of the people but to proclaim the kingdom truths to everyone. Understanding the Text Mark 1:21–38 describes one twenty-four-hour period (from Sabbath morn to Sunday morn). All of this material (including through 1:45) traces Jesus’s ministry to the crowds, who are filled with wonder at each new illustration ...

2163. More than Conquerors

Romans 8:28-39

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Paul concludes in 8:28–30 by emphasizing that all things that may happen to believers, including the sufferings of the present time, assist their “good” (their salvation). This is a fact because those who love God have been called according to God’s purpose (8:28). Nothing can harm believers; everything helps them on their path to future glory. Believers who love God are the people whom God has called in accordance with his gracious decision to save sinners. God’s gracious decision to save sinners is ...

2164. Two Kinds of Wisdom

James 3:13-18, James 3:1-12

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

2165. God’s Quality Control Crew

Matthew 21:33-46

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Self-made. That’s one of the phrases that fills people with pride, especially in this country, where for years “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” was the primary goal to attain. A couple of weeks ago, we talked about the idea of working hard and feeling we deserve our own brand of “fairness” based on our measurement and success paradigms. Last week, we talked about the politics of authority and winning through rhetoric rather than personal identity, faithfulness, and authenticity. Today, Jesus’ ...

2166. Mountaintop Moments

John 2:1-11

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“We saved the best for last!” We all do it. We want to save our most treasured things for last. At the family meal, we’ll eat the peas and the brussel sprouts first, all so we can savor that caramel mousse at the end of the meal. That’s the flavor we want to remain in our minds and on our tongues long after the meal has ended. We spend time with our loved ones. But the last moments before we part are by far the best and most emotional for us. We linger before saying good-bye, treasuring those moments in ...

2167. Learning to Lean

Luke 11:1-13

Sermon

Lori Wagner

In 2012, Cheryl Strayed released a heart-wrenching memoir called “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail.” The book describes the author’s own struggles with loss, grief, and relationships and her need to come to a place of peace with herself and her life. As she undertakes her journey of self-discovery in 1995, she physically sets off on a 1,100-mile hike, following the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert to Washington state. As she moves forward through the challenges of the trail, ...

2168. Proper 10

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

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: Unity through the Lordship and headship of Christ. COMMENTARY Old Testament: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 David brings the Ark of the Covenant up from Kirjath-jearim to his new capital, Jerusalem. The ark is set on a new cart and David and his men dance and sing in procession. On the way, the ox pulling the cart stumbles and Uzzah reaches out to steady the ark and keep it from falling and is struck dead by the Lord for taking such liberties. David becomes angry with the Lord and also afraid. He leaves the ...

2169. Epiphany 2

1 Corinthians 6:12-20, 1 Samuel 3:1--4:1, John 1:35-42, John 1:43-51

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: The call of God. The boy Samuel had to be taught not only to hear the call of God but to recognize the call as coming from God and respond affirmatively. In the Second Lesson, the Corinthian Christians had to be made to realize that they must respond to Christ's call not only with their minds but also their bodies. In the Gospel, Christ calls his first disciples. COMMENTARY Old Testament: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) The young Samuel has been apprenticed to the elderly priest, Levi, and is sleeping near ...

2170. It's All in the Perspective

Psalm 8:1-9

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... eyes of the world, we are too small and powerless to make a difference; through the eyes of faith, we know that when we walk out of here, we do not walk out alone - we go with each other, and our God goes with us, and that IS power. • Through the eyes of the world, you and I are unbelievably insignificant - just one of six-billion-plus; through the eyes of faith, we are incredibly important - God knows us so intimately that even the hairs of our heads are numbered (a figure that changes by the hour for ...

2171. Naming And Being Named

John 15:1-17

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

...Comes from the 15th chapter of John's Gospel. I'm going to read verses 12-17. Let's share now this Word of the Lord. "This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard ...

2172. It's All In the Perspective

Psalm 8:1-9

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... the eyes of the world, we are too small and powerless to make a difference; through the eyes of faith, we know that when we walk out of here, we do not walk out alone - we go with each other, and our God goes with us, and that is power. Through the eyes of the world, you and I are unbelievably insignificant - just one of six-billion-plus; through the eyes of faith, we are incredibly important - God knows us so intimately that even the hairs of our heads are numbered (a figure that changes by the hour for ...

2173. A Call to Persevere

Hebrews 10:19-39

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

The Grounds for Faithfulness With his central theological argument concluded, the author turns now to some practical applications of what he has so effectively argued. Thus, as is true throughout his epistle, he is never content simply to present theology without showing its practical relevance to his readers. Indeed, he has had his Jewish readers in mind through all the argumentation of the preceding section. But now he comes again to their immediate situation. In this section he draws together motifs ...

2174. The House on The Rock

Lk 6:12-49 · Mt 5:1-12

Sermon

Lori Wagner

I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18) Props: river stones (rocks) passed out among the people at the beginning of the service or beginning of the sermon OR small tools (such as small hammer, nails, concrete trowel) OR bricks Setting: Consider holding your service outdoors on the lawn today. One option may be to read the entirety of Jesus’ sermon (scriptures ...

2175. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Sermon

King Duncan & Angela Akers

Let me ask you an odd question: If you died tomorrow, how hard would it be for your loved ones to sort through your belongings? I stole that question from Ashley Hamer, a science writer and podcaster, in an article she wrote about the practice of Swedish death cleaning. Have you heard about this? It sounds morbid, but it’s actually a good idea. Swedish death cleaning is the practice of going through your possessions every few years and getting rid of the things you no longer need or no longer feel ...

Showing results