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 2301 to 2325 of 2815 results

2301. Are You Available?

Luke 14:25-35

Illustration

King Duncan

... , and she was dying. She told Shinn that she wanted another woman to come stay with her for such time as she might have left, so Shinn and the old woman's doctor struck out in the darkness to try to dig one up for her. It sounds like a parable the way it is told. They knocked at doors and threw pebbles at second story windows. One woman said she couldn't come because she had children. Another said she simply wouldn't know what to do, what to be, in a crisis like that. Another was suspicious of two ...

2302. Compound Interest Your Life

Luke 15:1-7

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... life with that person. If you are asked for a coat, what do you offer? Let it compound: give your coat and your shirt as well. And your shoes. And your possessions. (See last week’s text) In today’s “lost and found” parables, Jesus practices more kingdom math and compound interest. With ninety-nine sheep still safe and sound, Jesus’ shepherd gallops off into the wilderness in compound interest of one lone lost animal. Jesus’ kingdom math compounds interest in the one lost, and invests more ...

2303. Unconditional Love

Luke 15:1-10; 1 John 4:10

Illustration

King Duncan

... . You have never received it, and you have never given it. Some of you are still trying to earn your way to heaven. And you are expecting others to earn their way as well. Relax, my friend, and let God love you. Jesus is trying to tell us in this parable that God's love doesn't depend on our goodness; it depends on God's character. Here is this truth expressed in I John 4:10, "This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins ...

2304. The Church Squirt

Luke 15:1-32

Illustration

Charles Revis

... and infected and is a danger to the whole organism. An ingrown spirit can ground a body [local church] just as much as an ingrown toenail. Jesus ran into this self-centered attitude among the religious people of his day. It caused him to confront them with a series of parables in Luke 15.

2305. The Ungrateful Scorpion

Matthew 5:1-12

Illustration

Brett Blair

Henri Nouwen told a parable about an old man who used to meditate each day be the Ganges River in India. One morning he saw a scorpion floating on the water. When the scorpion drifted near the old man he reached to rescue it but was stung by the scorpion. A bit later he tried ...

2306. Three Characteristics of Success

Luke 15:1-32

Illustration

Brett Blair

... all these things will be given to you. In other words, put what God values, first in your life, and the success that really matters, will be added to your life, after that. If that's our core value then what is our Goal? It is found in these three parables - save that which is lost.

2307. Criticism Brings Out the Best

Luke 15:1-32

Illustration

Ralph F. Wilson

... fairly and unfairly. And if you retreat in weariness, then you'll be criticized for doing nothing. You can't escape criticism. But criticism has a way of bringing out the best or the worst in a person. When Jesus was criticized, he responded with the most wonderful trio of parables in the Bible the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the lost son. And in them we catch a remarkable insight into the seeking nature of God.

2308. Increasing Our Standard of Giving - Sermon Starter

Luke 16:1-15

Illustration

Brett Blair

... that with increasing income, what should rise is not the Christian's standard of living but the standard of giving. Increasing our standard of giving. What a great Christian man and what a great lesson he taught us. It is the same lesson found in the parable for today. Let's take a look. The Pharisees are standing off to the side watching Jesus as was their custom. Jesus' disciples are listening intently as he tells his story. Probably on this occasion there were more than just the 12. A large number of ...

2309. Play It Safe or Take a Risk

Luke 16:1-15

Illustration

Mark Trotter

... can change the world, and we are going to start right here." It sounds naive. It is naive, when you compare it with the problems that exist, even the problems in his own state. But you are confronted with a choice in this life. That's the point of these parables. You are confronted with a choice. You can do nothing, and play it safe. Or, you can take a risk."

2310. Good and Evil Live Side by Side

Luke 16:1-15

Illustration

Thomas C. Short

... Now as an adult, things are not nearly as clear and simplistic. I went to see a movie recently, and it was so complicated that it was several hours before I realized who was good and who was bad. And still I have some doubts about my conclusions. In this parable, Jesus is telling us that evil is very cunning and shrewd. It is camouflaged so perfectly that we sometimes have difficulty recognizing it. It's not just a matter of knowing who are the good guys and the bad guys on the movie screen, but it is also ...

2311. Beyond Skin Deep

Luke 16:1-15

Illustration

Leonard Sweet

... even one step further. The skin we long for isn't even our own; it's cut and stitched, sculpted, tightened, tanned, lightened, suctioned, all according to whatever celebrity trademark, whatever perfect look we hope to emulate of our cultural gods and goddesses. Jesus' parables challenge us to get beyond our skin deep preoccupation. The gospel is more concerned with our souls than with our skins. Jesus looks at the eternal, not the epidermal surface. Life is not what you make it. Life is what you let God ...

2312. The Art of the Con Man

Luke 16:1-15

Illustration

King Duncan

... him something of a con man. There's something about a con man that captures the imagination. There have been several successful weekly television shows through the years in which the hero is a former con man now using his creative skills for the greater good. Jesus once told a parable about a man with that kind of wily disposition. He, too, was something of a con man. Most of you know the story quite well.

2313. Radiate Love

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... Love wherever we go. We're called to a life of "Mutual Love that reaches out to both the Stranger and those outside our doors." Radiate the Love of Christ in all you do. 1. Dale E. Galloway, Dream a New Dream (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 1975). 2. Parables, Etc. (Saratoga Press, P.O. Box 8, Platteville, CO, 80651; 970-785-2990), October 1997

2314. A Double Portion

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... Stuf in your life. It might be for a broken relationship or an illness, it doesn't make any difference. Ask for a Double Portion of God's blessing. 1. The Pastor's Story File (Saratoga Press, P.O. Box 8, Platteville, CO, 80651; 970-785-2990), July 2001 2. Parables, Etc. (Saratoga Press, P.O. Box 8, Platteville, CO, 80651; 970-785-2990), June 1994 Tom Bresko "All In a Day's Work" Reader's Digest, 3. Autoillustrator 4. Christian Reader, "Lite Fare." 5. From Dennis The Menace, January 15, 1991

2315. LENT: The Passion of Christ: "Raised"

John 20:1-18

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... know, but they believed. And then because they believed, they came to know. Jesus has been raised from the dead and that changes everything. We're called to believe, too. REMEMBER THE TOMB IS EMPTY, BUT NOT THE PROMISE. REMEMBER THE PROMISES SO YOU CAN LIVE BEYOND THE TOMB. 1. Parables, Etc. (Saratoga Press, P.O. Box 8, Platteville, CO, 80651; 970-785-2990), May 1990 2. Homiletics, April 11, 2004 (Communications Resources, Inc., Canton, OH) 3. www.HolyLandPhotos.org

2316. Come On In The Water's Fine

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... Baptism, CLAIMS US, NAMES US AND AIMS. Show clip 2, "Come on in, boys, the water's fine." 1. Phil Bloom "A New Identity" 2. King Duncan, Dynamic Preaching 3. Jane and Robert Handly, The Life Plus Program for Getting Unstuck (New York: Rawson Associates, 1989), pp.56-57. 4. Parables, Etc. (Saratoga Press, P.O. Box 8, Platteville, CO, 80651;970-785-2990), May 1984

2317. She Needs It the Most

Luke 16:19-31

Illustration

Thomas C. Short

... did not laugh, but unable to hide his surprise, he asked, "Why do you love this one the most?" She replied, "Because she needs it most. If I didn't love her, nobody would." In the attitude of this young girl we see a part of the secret in this parable. God is in the lives of those who cry out to us for our love and compassion. These signs, signals and revelations are all around us; we can't miss them unless we choose to miss them.

2318. The Ministry Of Do WOP

James 1:17-27

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... Forgiveness you have received through Jesus Christ. Let you words and you actions be consistent. Give it away. Give it to everyone you meet through The Ministry of Do WOP. DO WORKS OF PRAISE, WORDS OF PRAISE AND WORKS OF THE PRINCE. 1. Parables, Etc. (Saratoga Press, P.O. Box 8, Platteville, CO, 80651; 970-785-2990), June 1995 2. Pastor Bill Hybels, "Becoming A Contagious Christian - Authenticity," Seeds Tape Ministry 3. Les Hughes, The Sound of God's Applause (Nashville: Broadman & Holman 1999), 57. 4. I ...

2319. Remember: No Deposit, No Return

Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... You're so ugly if you pressed your face in some dough... you'd have gorilla cookies." Sanford and Son was about Fred and Lamont Sanford who owned and ran a Junkyard. But it was really about all the junk and clutter in their lives. I think it's a parable for our lives, too. You see, we all have a lot of trash and garbage and clutter in our lives. We all have emotional and spiritual baggage and garbage that we just drag along with us wherever we go. Today Paul talks about "putting away" all that junk. And he ...

2320. Remember: Live Worthy of the Calling

Ephesians 4:1-16

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... of the Calling. What you give makes a difference. Our work is "to equip the saints for the work of ministry." What you give makes a difference it changes our hand tools into Power Tools for God's Kingdom and allows us to "Make Disciples". 1. Parables, Etc. (Saratoga Press, P.O. Box 8, Platteville, CO, 80651; 970-785-2990), February 1993 2. Adapted from Building The Body By: Rev. Adrian Dieleman, Sermon preached on January 3, 1999 3. Old Story 4. The Abingdon Guide To Funding Ministry, p 30 5. Adapted from ...

2321. Family Matters

Romans 8:12-17

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... better news could there be? 1. Autoillustrator, Preaching-Vol. 2, #2 2. Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Hanoch McCarty, Melody McCarty, The 4th Course of Chicken Soup for the Soul (Deerfield Beach: Health Commnications, Inc., 1997) pp. 241-242 3. Steve Burt, United Methodist Church, White River Junction, Vermont in Parables, Etc. (Platteville, Colorado: Saratoga Press), March 1984 4. Mike Cope, One Holy Hunger: When God is All You Want (Abilene, Tex.: HillCrest Publishing, 2001), 21-22.

2322. Earth, Wind and Fire

Acts 2:1-21; John 15:26-27, 16:1-15

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... the earth are filled with the wind and fire of God's Holy Spirit and empowered to carry out God's mission in the world. 1. The Pastor's Story File (Saratoga Press, P.O. Box 8, Platteville, CO, 80651; 970-785-2990), August 2000 2. Parables, Etc. (Saratoga Press, P.O. Box 8, Platteville, CO, 80651; 970-785-2990), July 1984 3. Monsters, Inc. (Disney/Pixar Production, 2001), rated G, directed by David Silverman and Pete Docter, produced by Darla K. Anderson, written by Andrew Stanton; submitted by Dave Slagle ...

2323. Connected

John 15:1-8

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... : "There's no place like home." When you've made your home in Jesus and He's made His home in you, you may have stepped outside for awhile, but you can always come back. You can always come home. That's His promise to you. That's what the parable of the prodigal son is all about. Our God is a God of Second Chances. Conclusion Have you ever seen the movie "Galaxy Quest?" It is a send up and spoof of the sci fi series of the 60's. The "crew" of a long-discontinued TV show is kidnapped ...

2324. Don’t Blow Off What Is God-Breathed!

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... transmitted to us through scripture. How would the truth of scripture sound to you, to your children, to your Sunday school students, if you told the stories instead of quoting verses? Jesus taught by drawing pictures with words. Today we call those stories “parables.” That Pew Survey found that less than half of all Protestant Christians knew who Martin Luther was, although an equally low number of Jews did not know Maimonides was a Jewish rabbi. Jesus first read the Scripture, then he lived his life ...

2325. People of the Book

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Sermon

King Duncan

... Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” How does the Bible rebuke, correct and train in righteousness? An old parable says it best. An elderly man lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Tennessee with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early reading from his old worn‑out Bible. His grandson, who wanted to be just like him, tried to ...

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Showing 2301 to 2325 of 2815 results

2301. Are You Available?

Luke 14:25-35

Illustration

King Duncan

2302. Compound Interest Your Life

Luke 15:1-7

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2303. Unconditional Love

Luke 15:1-10; 1 John 4:10

Illustration

King Duncan

2304. The Church Squirt

Luke 15:1-32

Illustration

Charles Revis

2305. The Ungrateful Scorpion

Matthew 5:1-12

Illustration

Brett Blair

2306. Three Characteristics of Success

Luke 15:1-32

Illustration

Brett Blair

2307. Criticism Brings Out the Best

Luke 15:1-32

Illustration

Ralph F. Wilson

2308. Increasing Our Standard of Giving - Sermon Starter

Luke 16:1-15

Illustration

Brett Blair

2309. Play It Safe or Take a Risk

Luke 16:1-15

Illustration

Mark Trotter

2310. Good and Evil Live Side by Side

Luke 16:1-15

Illustration

Thomas C. Short

2311. Beyond Skin Deep

Luke 16:1-15

Illustration

Leonard Sweet

2312. The Art of the Con Man

Luke 16:1-15

Illustration

King Duncan

2313. Radiate Love

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

2314. A Double Portion

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

2315. LENT: The Passion of Christ: "Raised"

John 20:1-18

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

2316. Come On In The Water's Fine

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

2317. She Needs It the Most

Luke 16:19-31

Illustration

Thomas C. Short

2318. The Ministry Of Do WOP

James 1:17-27

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

2319. Remember: No Deposit, No Return

Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

2320. Remember: Live Worthy of the Calling

Ephesians 4:1-16

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

2321. Family Matters

Romans 8:12-17

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

2322. Earth, Wind and Fire

Acts 2:1-21; John 15:26-27, 16:1-15

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

2323. Connected

John 15:1-8

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

2324. Don’t Blow Off What Is God-Breathed!

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

2325. People of the Book

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Sermon

King Duncan

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