Sermon and Worship Resources

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2276. Bitterness: How to Overcome What You Undergo

Hebrews 12:14-15

Sermon

James Merritt

... may borrow money from you and never pay it back. They may borrow something from your home and you will never see it again. Just mark this down. When someone does you wrong—and they will sooner or later—you have one of two choices: You can get bitter or you can ... . If you will look closely you will find there are no happy bitter people. Criticism, cynicism, negativism, pessimism are all the marks of a bitter person. Bitterness will depress you and sadden you and even get you to the point where you can't ...

2277. Pour the Salt and Turn on the Light

Matthew 5:13-16

Sermon

James Merritt

... understand why he is born again. When you begin to live your life in such a way that people are attracted to Jesus Christ, and want to glorify your Father in heaven, you will know that your salt is tasty and your light is bright. Someone has said, "The real mark of a saint is that he makes it easier for others to believe in God." Some of you will remember the days of the Susan B. Anthony dollar. It only lasted for three years. You know why? Because it looked too much like a quarter, and people didn't like ...

2278. The Road Less Traveled

Matthew 7:13-14

Sermon

James Merritt

... hell." Harry Truman replied, "I'm not giving them hell. I'm just telling them the truth and they think it's hell." Well, Jesus was telling the truth. He was giving a warning, just as I'm giving a warning right now. If you are not on the road marked Grace, and you are not driving in the vehicle called Faith in Jesus Christ, you are on the wrong road headed away from God. Someone has well said, "The saddest road to hell is the road that runs under the pulpit, past the Bible, and through the middle of warnings ...

2279. God's Way or the Highway

Matthew 7:13-14

Sermon

James Merritt

... and Good Works Boulevard, and you may have convinced yourself that you're going to Heaven. But if you're not on the road marked, Grace, driving in a car called, Faith, being driven by Jesus Christ, you are on the wrong road, headed away from God. An agnostic ... maze was to follow the rope his loved one had given to him. It opened the right doors; it took him on the right paths; it marked the right gates and it led him to the right place. This world is in a maze called sin. They are on the wrong road, entering ...

2280. Why You Should Manage Your Time

Psalm 118:24

Sermon

James Merritt

... was described by the following: Sometimes it flies, sometimes it crawls, but it always passes in inexorably. We mark it, save it, waste it, bide it, race against it. We measure it incessantly with a passion for precision ... Do you see the word “will”? We are to willfully take time everyday to enjoy the time we have in the day. Our danger is in getting so busy and marking time and making time, we don’t take the time to enjoy time. May I ask you a question. Are Americans busy? Do we have a lot of irons in ...

2281. The Compassionate Christ

Matthew 14:13-21

Sermon

King Duncan

... to multiply. You know, if you have ever been to a church covered dish supper, why there was food left over. It is significant that all four gospels tell variations of this story of the feeding of the multitude. Matthew and Mark tell some version of it twice (Matt 14:13‑21; 15:32‑39; Mark 6:32‑44; 8:1‑10; Luke 9:10‑17; John 6:1‑15). There are very few miracles that have that level of reporting. That this event occurred can scarcely be denied. The scriptural evidence is overwhelming. On at least ...

2282. Almost Persuaded

Matthew 19:16-30

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... of commitment. He almost claimed Jesus as the Lord of his life. But "almost" is not good enough. I call your attention to Matthew's gospel, chapter nineteen, beginning with verse 16. The story of the rich young ruler is in three of the four gospels Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Each version is slightly different. We tend to blend the three into one composite story. All three tell us that the man was rich. Only Matthew mentions that he was young. Only Luke notes that he was a ruler. Verse 16 OF Matthew 19 reads ...

2283. Is There Hope For World Peace?

Matthew 24:1-35

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... trial before the Jewish High Priest, he made a prediction that so horrified the High Priest that he ripped his clothes. Jesus said, “I am the Christ and one day you will see me sitting at the right hand of God and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:62) History is moving toward a single, final, God-planed goal—the creation of a new earth and a new Kingdom of God. King David, writing 1000 years before the birth of Jesus, told us where history is going. He wrote, “The Lord says to my Lord (that ...

2284. There Is Something about Jesus

Matthew 16: 13-20

Illustration

David E. Leininger

Malcolm Muggeridge, for most of his life a skeptic, following his conversion became wonderfully reflective. In his book, Jesus Rediscovered, he writes, "Beneath the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, a silver star marks the alleged precise spot where Christ was born. A stone slab nearby is supposed to mark the exact site of the manger wherein he lay. The Holy Land is littered with such shrines, divided up like African territories in the old colonialist days, between the different sects and denominations ...

2285. Great Joy

Isaiah 35:1-10

Sermon

John E. Harnish

... already come," I knew they knew what they were singing about and their voices began to lift. When we got to "O for a thousand tongues to sing, my great Redeemer's praise," the voices became stronger, their backs straightened with courage and the pock-marked, war-scarred church building began to shake with the force of their singing. And in the despair of a parched and brutal land, there was joy—radiant, deep, joy. Joy…like streams in the desert. Joy…like springs of living water breaking forth in an ...

2286. Joshua: Why These Stones?

Sermon

John E. Harnish

... nature of this moment in the history of the Hebrew people—the link between the past and the future. "Why these stones?" They mark the point of "crossing over," the movement of the People of God from the past into the future. You see, it's not ... , my signpost along the way." And the next phrase defines the word "Ebenezer:" "Hither by thy help I've come." It is to say, "I'm marking the path right here, right now. I've come this far by the grace of God, and I have confidence to trust him for the future." ...

2287. The Revelation Code V: Cruisin' Toward the Dream

Revelation 21:1-27

Sermon

John E. Harnish

... media money-maker known as the "Left Behind" series, which really ought to be left behind, along with most of the TV preachers. We've seen that John's primary concern is not the "mark of the beast," the 666, which is nothing more than initials for the emperor. He is primarily concerned about whether the mark of Christ can be seen in our lives. The "four horsemen" are not a prediction of some future apocalyptic event, but rather the ongoing cycle of violence which stampedes through human history in every ...

2288. Apostolic Instruction

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... kingdom's sake, this is all very important and helpful. Give thanks for such motivating inspiration. Focus We are called to exercise a formula for right living. Body 1. Commands are required for our well-being. Like rifle shots, the Pauline teaching comes to us hitting its mark again and again. Do we feel like we are at a remarkable shooting gallery, being hit by blessed requirements? Well, that might be a bit of a stretch for the imagination but it seems to me the point is well taken. Over and over we are ...

2289. Deep Calling to Deep

Ephesians 1:3-14

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... who are willing to agree and adjust accordingly. But let's not be too harsh in our day and time. We have checks and balances today that provide stopgaps for those who are traveling toward a dead end. We are helped greatly by knowing we were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit. We ought not to frighten our flocks by telling them they are expected to become their own theologians! Pastoral guidance is often necessary and this means clergy who are rooted and grounded in the faith, refusing to be ...

2290. Jesus Is the Recipe for Eternal Life

Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... or most. We know as well that if we choose not to follow the recipe, the end will not be what we want or intend. The choice is ours! The challenge to fulfill the recipe for eternal life is twofold. First, we must be willing to follow the path marked out by Christ. Too often, however, we think that we know the path better than Jesus. We place greater trust in our own ability, knowledge, confidence. We value our self-autonomy over following a plan that we did not create. We have a "do it our own way" attitude ...

2291. Strength through Diversity

James 2:1-17

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... begging him and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.' Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!' Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean" (Mark 1:40-42). We all recall the popular story (Luke 17:11-19) of the ten lepers who came to Jesus and were cured, yet only one, a Samaritan, returned to give thanks. Jesus also welcomed foreigners, even those who were despised by Hebrew society. Recall how ...

2292. God’s Wisdom or the World?

James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... the beggar Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) we recall how Dives seemed unconcerned about the beggar until it was too late. He made his choice and so, too, will his family have the opportunity to choose, God or the world. All the synoptic evangelists (Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30) report the story of Jesus' encounter with the rich young man who was challenged to divest himself of his wealth. Again, in essence it is a choice between God and the world. Jesus provides a great challenge to those who are ...

2293. Prayer: A Way of Life

James 5:13-20

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... friends to pray. He took Peter, James, and John up on a mountain to pray and there he was transfigured before them (Luke 9:28-36). After the Last Supper, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray and he told these same three apostles to pray as well (Mark 14:32-42). When Jesus' hour had come he prayed for those who would be left behind; he never forgot his friends (John 17:1-26). Besides being a man of prayer, Jesus also instructed his followers on how to pray. He taught his disciples that prayer was a ...

2294. Our Ultimate Destination

Revelation 21:1-6a

Sermon

Lee Ann Dunlap

... enemies, it is the blood of Christ offered out of his love for us. Jesus, the "pioneer and perfector of our faith" laid the clear path when he came to dwell among us and to confront the wilderness of the human condition. With his life's blood he marked the trail to the dwelling place of God — the path of righteousness, of love, and of radical obedience to the call of the Spirit. With each year's celebration of All Saints, we recognize with gratitude the pilgrims of faith who have preceded us, and who by ...

2295. Mary, Did You Know?

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

King Duncan

... the modern Christmas songs was written by a man who is best known, perhaps, as a comedian. His name is Mark Lowry. Lowry is also a musician of some note. He performed for many years with the Gaither Vocal band. In ... thankful that this Jewish teenager was obedient to God. That’s the key to having a life that is truly blessed. 1. Composed by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene © 1991 Word Music/Rufus Music/ascap. 2. Ed Markquart, http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/series_b_the_virgin_maryGA.htm. 3. David Beckett, D. ...

2296. Blazing a Path to Christ

Mark 1:1-8

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... to a better and more advanced state. On this second Sunday of Advent we hear in our Gospel Reading about how John the Baptist blazed a special path, as he prepared the way of the Lord. We are asked to do the same for our brothers and sisters. Saint Mark quotes Isaiah, the prophet, in speaking of the life and mission of John the Baptist: "I send my messenger before you to prepare your way: a herald's voice in the desert, crying, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, clear him a straight path.' " John was, as ...

2297. God Is Amazing

John 1:43-51

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... was and how people took notice. We are challenged, therefore, to again observe and perceive the amazing power of Christ in our lives. The gospels abound in examples of how the people with whom Jesus had contact were amazed at what he did and said. Saint Mark (4:35-41) recounts the amazement of the disciples at Jesus' ability to control nature. A storm rages on the Sea of Galilee and the terrified apostles call out, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" Jesus rebuked the wind and water and calm ...

2298. Chocolate Cake, Flooded Waters, and Baptism

Genesis 9:8-17

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... our Baptism is a way to come back to God when sin has separated us. This Gospel Reading ends with the stunning reminder of the meaning of ministry: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news" (Mark 1:9-15). When the kingdom of God breaks into time, the possibility of people being restored to a right relationship with God opens up. Repentance is the act by which this restoration happens. In other words, Jesus was baptized not for himself, but for us. In ...

2299. Does Easter Make a Difference?

Acts 4:32-35

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... nine, Albany Stories like this one are told on "Joyful Sunday": Leading a chapel service for a Charlotte (North Carolina) Lutheran School, I called for a volunteer to read the Bible lesson. I asked, "What's your name?" "Mark," the lad replied. "Oh, you have the same name as our church, St. Mark," I remarked. "Are you a saint?" The student shot back, "No, I'm not a saint. I'm a Lutheran."2 The early Christians testified to the resurrected Lord with boldness, in community, and with joy. They also witnessed ...

2300. Man Proposes; God Disposes

Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... 's all there seems to be. Let's look at the facts first, then again ask the question of relevancy. Interesting Historical Facts Fact one. According to Acts 1:12-14, after Jesus' ascension, the eleven apostles met for prayer in the upper room (of John Mark's house) with certain women including Jesus' mother, and with his brothers. Note that they met in the same place where Jesus had instituted the Lord's Supper. Note, too, that there were women in this important prayer meeting. Women, as well as men, were ...

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