Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: Levi, disciple, evangelist, tax collector, the 12, the twelve, apostle, sermon on the mount, jewish audience, beatitudes, lord's prayer, great commission, parables, olivet discourse, mount of olives, olivet, synoptic

Showing 201 to 225 of 779 results

201. The Awesome Power Of Love

John 15:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

In one of the PEANUTS cartoons, a little girl calls Charlie Brown on the telephone. "Marcie and I are about to leave for camp, Chuck," she says. "We're going to be swimming instructors." Marcie takes the phone and adds: "We just called to say goodbye, Charles. We are going to miss you. We love you." The perennial loser Charlie Brown stands by the phone with a grin on his face. One little friend asks, "Who was that?" He answers, "I think it was a right number." Jesus was speaking to the church: "This I ...

202. Baptism: The Common Call To Holiness

Mark 1:4-11

Sermon

Richard Gribble

Once upon a time long ago a young man decided to become a saint. He left his home, family, and possessions and journeyed into the hot sands of the desert where he eventually found a dark cave. He thought, "I can find God here. I will be alone and nothing will disturb me." He prayed day and night in the cave, but God sent him many temptations. He imagined all the good things in life and wanted them desperately, but he was determined to give up everything and be with God alone. After many months, the ...

203. Accusations

2 Corinthians 1:12--2:4, 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

After the thanksgiving in 1:3–11, the body of the letter begins with a lengthy section in which Paul seeks to deal with various accusations the Corinthians have made against his character and conduct (1:12–2:13). By the writing of 2 Corinthians, Paul has heard the good report from Titus that most of the Corinthians have been reconciled to Paul (cf. 7:6–7). Yet, because of the discrepancy between Paul’s written word and his actions, the Corinthians have become suspicious of Paul’s motives, accusing him of ...

204. Meet Israel’s New King

1 Sam 9:1–10:8

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: Even when his people’s faith falls short of his expectations, the Lord remains faithful and makes provision for their deliverance. Understanding the Text Israel demanded to have a king like the nations that lived around them (1 Sam. 8). They wanted a leader who would ensure national security (8:19–20) through an army and alliances. Despite how they may have viewed this request, the Lord regarded it as a rejection of his authority (8:7): it showed that the people were not willing to demonstrate ...

205. Proper 10

2 Samuel 7:18-29, Ephesians 1:1-14, Mark 6:7-13

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

First Lesson: 2 Samuel 7:18-29 Theme: The gracious greatness of God Exegetical Note David’s prayer seems to reflect utter astonishment at the news (previously delivered by Nathan on the basis of a dream) that his own house would be established by God. Yet, David recognizes, this is the way God works: by taking small, humble entities - such as the little nation Israel - and graciously making them great by virtue of the greatness that is God’s. Call to Worship Leader: Let us give thanks and praise for the ...

206. Have I Got News For You!

Isaiah 9:1-7

Sermon

William L. Self

My favorite Christmas story is about the young boy who was given a very important role in the church Christmas play. He was to be the angel and announce the birth of Jesus. For weeks he rehearsed the line that had been given to him, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy." The grandparents got in on it and any time the family was together and the boy was there, they would dress him up in his costume and he would rehearse his part for them, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy." They were ...

207. Tomorrow Doesn't Always Come

James 4:1-12

Sermon

Edward Inabinet

A very popular song from the musical Annie called "Tomorrow," was sung by the little red-haired orphan girl, and the words go something like this: The sun will come out tomorrow Bet your bottom dollar That tomorrow there will be sun And the refrain goes: Tomorrow, tomorrow It''s almost tomorrow It''s only a day away. Our hearts are really attracted to that, lifted up by those words. And the song does express the popular and comforting idea that there is always going to be more time, a second chance and ...

208. Fish Miracle

1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Isaiah 6:1-13, Luke 5:1-11

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

While the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. 2 And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 And Simon answered, "Master, we ...

209. Proper 6

Matthew 10:1-42, Matthew 9:35-38, Romans 5:1-11, Psalm 116:1-19, Genesis 18:1-15

Sermon Aid

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

OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS The Old Testament texts for this Sunday explore the question of whether anything is too difficult for God. This question is central to the story of Sarah's miraculous birth in Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7, while Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 is a song of thanksgiving, which celebrates the fact that indeed nothing is beyond God's reach. Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7) - "Is Anything Too Difficult for God?" Setting. The Old Testament lesson for this Sunday is a familiar miracle story about the birth of Isaac ...

210. Accusations

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

Each of the three main sections of 2 Corinthians mentions Paul’s imminent third visit to Corinth and in some way prepares the way for that visit (see Introduction). In the preceding section of the letter (chs. 8–9) Paul builds on the confidence that he has in the Corinthians by reactivating the plan for the collection. In the third section (chs. 10–13) he handles the problem of the opponents in a more frontal way. In the process, Paul reinforces the defense of his apostleship from 2:14–7:4, particularly in ...

211. To the Church in Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

In the first chapter, John introduced himself and his composition (1:1–3; 1:9–10) and then greeted his readers who belong to seven different congregations of the Asian church (1:4; 1:11). Chapters 2 and 3 expand upon this introduction in continuation from the preceding commissioning vision (1:12–20). In this way, John’s own perceptions of his audience are conveyed through the authoritative voice of “the First and the Last,” who instructs the seer to write the Lord’s greetings to the angelic representatives ...

212. Blessed To Be A Blessing

Genesis 12:1-8

Sermon

Justin Tull

Abram was a remarkable man. Forget the fact that he was still able at age 99 to father children! The first remarkable thing about Abram was that he was willing to believe God and so set out on a journey to an unknown land, without the security of country and kindred but only the promise that God would take care of him. How many of you at age 75 or even 35 would make that kind of journey, that kind of commitment? At first it seems like a rosy future: a great nation, a new land, blessings promised to those ...

213. The Twenty-Ninth Chapter of Acts

2 Timothy 4:1-22

Sermon

John E. Harnish

Pentecost and Peter and the first great sermon of the new era. Andrew and Barnabas, and yes, Ananias and Saphria in their greed. Philip and the Ethiopian. We have tracked the early days of the early church in these first eight chapters of the book of Acts to try to catch a glimpse from the first century of what God might have in mind for us in the twenty-first century; to discover what it means to be a model New Testament Church for today. Now fast-forward… I realize we are skipping over the greatest ...

214. Restoration of Israel

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

30:1–3 The Book of Consolation begins with a general statement of hope for the people of Judah who have so far heard a message predominantly of judgment. It is identified as a divine oracle to Jeremiah (This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD and This is what the LORD, the God of Israel says, vv. 1–2a). Jeremiah is further instructed not only to speak this message, but to write in a book all the words that God has spoken to him. Such a command underscores the importance of the message as well ...

215. Joshua Appointed as Moses’s Successor

Numbers 27:12-23

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: God raises up new leaders for his people. Understanding the Text The decision allowing the daughters of Zelophehad to inherit land (Num. 27:1–10) is an appropriate occasion for God to remind Moses that he will not enter the promised land. Moses instead must appoint a successor in leadership. Moses is thus instructed about how he will soon die after viewing the land from atop the Abarim mountain range in Moab, though this foretelling is not immediately fulfilled. Moses still needs to convey the ...

216. Seeking Honor

Mark 10:35-45

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

Greeting: Leader: The kingdom of God is not what many would expect. Left: In the world, people who are recognized as leaders lord it over everyone else. Right: And people who reach greatness become tyrants over everyone around them. Leader: This is not the way it works among Christ's disciples. Left: For us, whoever wishes to become great must be a servant to everyone else. Right: And whoever wishes to be first among us must become a slave to all of us. Leader: Jesus, Servant King of the new world, we come ...

217. Death to Glory

Revelation 5:11-14

Sermon

Richard Gribble

Once in a far-off land, there was a great king whose dominion extended far and wide. His power and authority were absolute. One day, as events would happen, a young man, a commoner, committed a grave offense against the king. In response, the king and his counselors gathered together to determine what should be done. They decided that since the offense was so grave and had been committed by a commoner against someone so august as the king, the only punishment that would satisfy justice was death. The king' ...

218. The Sweet Fragrance of Brokenness

Luke 7:36-50

Sermon

Lori Wagner

Prop: A mortar and pestle. Assorted spices (such as cinnamon sticks, cedar, aloe, pomegranate seeds, saffron). Pine nuts, garlic, basil, salt and olive oil (the ingredients for pesto). Rose petals. A rosary (you can find a true rosary online). Anointing oil (such as spikenard). Candles and/or incense (frankincense and/or myrrh). [You may want to have scents/fragrances in the sanctuary for your service, ie incense and candles. If desired, you may have roses on the altar and/or an olive tree standing nearby ...

219. God’s Flowing and Our Ebbing

Isaiah 6:1-13

Sermon

Robert Noblett

My family and I have spent several enjoyable vacations on the Atlantic Ocean, both at Cape Cod and along the rockbound coast of Maine. Always we have enjoyed the beaches and the pastimes attendant to them. One perennial pastime is the building of sand castles, and I well remember our children building them close to the sea’s edge and how, with tidal changes, the parameters of the ebbing and flowing would be altered, often allowing the ocean to become increasingly bold in assailing what the children had so ...

220. Epiphany 3

Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-10, Jeremiah 3:6-4:4, 1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: The right time. In the First Lesson (Jonah 3) Jonah warned the inhabitants of Nineveh that it was time to repent. In the Second Lesson Paul thinks that the time of Christ's return is very near. The Gospel begins with our Lord's call to repentance and faith. COMMENTARY Old Testament: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 After being vomited up by the great fish, Jonah reluctantly agrees to preach repentance to the citizens of Nineveh. The populous city readily repents and God retracts his decision to punish the sinful ...

221. The Racial Gap

Psalm 53:1-6

Sermon

William McKee Aber

We’ve been thinking, during this pre-Lenten season, of some of the gaps that exist between us - gaps of generations, or sex, between neighbors, and so on. It has been our contention that God has a word for the gaps, and in Jesus Christ has provided a means to bridge them - from the little ones to the big ones. Today - Race Relations Sunday - we stop to look at the racial gap, and as we do we find ourselves enmeshed in confusion! There once was a time when I knew what to say on Race Relations Sunday, when ...

222. Saul’s Conversion

Acts 9:1-19a

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

As far as Luke was concerned, the conversion of Paul was the single most important result of the “Stephen affair.” Its importance is borne out by his threefold repetition of the story here, in 22:5–16, and in 26:12–18. Luke’s authority must have been Paul himself. The three accounts differ in detail, and it is not easy to say to what extent this was due to Paul—or to Luke—though we may be reasonably certain that some, at least, of the variations were Paul’s as he adapted the later accounts to his different ...

223. The God of All Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

In an ancient letter, the purpose of an opening, or prescript, is to establish a relationship between the sender and the addressees. Accordingly, in 2 Corinthians Paul and Timothy are named as the senders of the letter; “the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia” represents the recipients; and “grace and peace” is the expression of greeting and good will. Paul deviates somewhat from the established form by adding details about the senders, and by using the word “peace” in ...

224. Gift

2 Corinthians 8:16--9:5, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

The first part of this letter to the Corinthians (1:12–7:16) is concerned primarily with a defense of Paul’s apostolic authority. The second part (chs. 8–9), which deals with the collection for the church in Jerusalem, has a related issue. When Paul went with Titus to the so-called apostolic council in Jerusalem in order to present his gospel, the other apostles not only unequivocally acknowledged his gospel, his apostolic authority, and his mission to the nations, but they also added nothing to him, ...

225. Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles

Ephesians 3:1-13

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

Paul and the Mission to the Gentiles When the apostle completed his section on the spiritual blessings in Christ (1:3–14), he proceeded to offer a prayer of thanksgiving and petition (1:15–23). After this theological discussion in 2:1–22, it appears that he is once again ready to turn to prayer because the statement, “For this reason” (3:1), refers to what he has just said; furthermore, the actual prayer in 3:14ff. appears to relate to this section and would be a fitting climax to the thoughts that he has ...

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