Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 2301 to 2325 of 4508 results

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

As the gospel readings in Matthew continue this week, the text moves us from one astounding miracle story to the next. Having healed all the sick and fed all the crowd, Jesus now leaves this deserted place by walking on water. According to Matthew, this one stop on Jesus' itinerary accounted for two of the most well-known messianic miracles. Although Jesus makes the disciples feed the crowd of hun...

2302. John the Baptist Beheaded

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

Feeding of the Five Thousand: Jesus was not the only prophet who was rejected by his own (cf. 13:53–58). John the Baptist had been treated the same way by Herod, ruler of Galilee and Perea. Matthew tells of Herod’s concern that Jesus might be John the Baptist returned from the dead (v. 2). This in turn caused Jesus to withdraw from a public to a secluded area (v. 13). Verses 3–12 record the death ...

2303. Storms

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship Come, all God's people, to this sacred place. Open your ears to God's word and your hearts to God's people. We gather in the name of our God, who is gracious to us in calm and storm. Collect Lord, lest our minds stray too much on the beauty of your sanctuary, open our eyes so that we may fully appreciate the gift you have given us in the individuals who share this precious time wi...

2304. The Death of John the Baptist

Sermon

Lori Wagner

On the news one day a short while ago --some of you may remember this—we heard that eight young high school boys viciously attacked and gang raped an 8 year old girl, a special needs child. One by one, they took turns raping her and beating her until at last she died. The town was shocked. These were their star varsity players…their A students...their church acolytes...their beloved sons. How coul...

2305. Public-pressure

Illustration

Dan Erickson

One of my favorite stories is The Emperor's New Clothes. It is the tale about an Emperor who was swindled by a supposed tailor. The man claims to sew a new, special suit for the Emperor. It is special because only those who are wise will see the clothes, while those who are foolish will find them invisible. Not wanting to be labeled a fool, the Emperor pretends he can see the suit, pretends to put...

2306. You Provide The Bread

Sermon

William J. Carl

When I was growing up, church picnics were a big thing. I can still see it… long tables with white cloths strung out end to end. Plastic forks and knives, napkins and paper plates on this end. Pitchers of lemonade and iced tea on that end. In between assortments of meat dishes and vegetables down here; various salads and desserts down there. Plenty of rolls and butter. Makes me hungry just thinkin...

2307. Miracles

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

Exegetical Aim: To convey the compassion and power of Christ. Props: Two slices of bread and a plate. Lesson: Good morning! (response) This morning I have brought this bread to feed us. But first I need to know how many of us there are. Could you help me count? (response) All right everyone stand up and turn around and I want you to count everybody in the church. You might wish to send them out in...

2308. The Lacking Christian?

Sermon

Dennis Kastens

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. As he went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villa...

2309. Food for Faith

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

Pentecost XI Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. As he went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go i...

2310. Our Lord's Abundant Table

Sermon

Brett Blair

Charles Swindol tells a funny story about a nine-year-old named Danny who came bursting out of Sunday school like a wild stallion. His eyes were darting in every direction as he tried to locate either mom or dad. Finally, after a quick search, he grabbed his Daddy by the leg and yelled, "Man, that story of Moses and all those people crossing the Red Sea was great!" His father looked down, smiled, ...

2311. God Will Take Care of You

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

During the long, hot days of summer, dinner-time seems to get pushed back further and further into the evening. In some places it's just too hot to think about cooking and eating a big meal until well after the sun has slid below the horizon. Families who have kids running a hundred different directions - to day-camps, to the pool or the lake, to friends' houses - can't seem to get everyone collec...

2312. We Divide, He Multiplies

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

Exegetical Aim: To convey the compassion and power of Christ. Props:Two slices of bread and a plate. Lesson: Good morning! (response) I have brought bread to feed us. But first I need to know how many of us there are. Could you help me count? (response) Everyone stand up and turn around. I want you to count everybody in the church. You might wish to send them out into the congregation to do the c...

2313. Matthew 14:13-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The gospel text for this week, Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand, is told in such a way by Matthew that it both recalls Israel’s past and anticipates many faith practices of Christians. The location of this miracle, in a “deserted place,” an “eremos,” harkens images of Israel’s own wanderings through the deserted wilderness, cut off from civilization, and dependent upon God’s protections and car...

2314. Matthew 14:13-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

This week's gospel reading offers the one miracle story that all four gospel writers saw fit to include in their works the feeding of the 5,000. In the synoptics, this miracle story follows on the heels of the news of John the Baptist's death with both Matthew and Mark giving a full account of the treacherous events that led up to his execution. John the Baptist's death obviously disturbed Jesus d...

2315. Finding Plenty in the Midst of Scarcity

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

For the past six weeks or so, our staff and a host of volunteers have been in the business of hosting conferences and conventions. Your new and newly renovated facilities are being put to good use. When you invite 800 or a 1,000 people to be your guests, the bigger question than where are we going to meet is the question of where are we going to eat? While we have contributed to the restauran...

2316. Matthew 14:13-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

For a meal with the simplest of ingredients, the story of the feeding of the five thousand has been sliced and diced, layered and ladled into a soufflé of complexity. It is true that in this story there are ties to Israel’s past, links to the future kingdom, messianic symbolism, and Eucharistic overtones, it is also true that this story is about the common humanity of sitting and sharing a meal in...

2317. Jesus’ Compassion and Authority to Do the Miraculous

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

Big Idea: Matthew shows Jesus to be worthy of trust as the Son of God, as he acts in compassion and authority to heal the sick, feed hungry crowds, and even walk on the sea. Understanding the Text Matthew narrates Jesus healing the sick, feeding the five thousand, and walking on the water to demonstrate Jesus’ authority over sickness and even the natural elements. Through these miracles Matthew ...

2318. Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

After hearing the news of John’s death, Jesus withdraws to focus on compassionate ministry (14:13; cf. also 12:15; 15:21). A summary statement by Matthew emphasizes Jesus’s compassionate healing of the crowds (14:14; cf. 9:36). What follows is the first of two miraculous feeding stories (14:15–21; cf. 15:32–39), illustrating Jesus’s compassion toward the crowds and his miraculous power. Some have ...

2319. Gratitude and Coping

Sermon

Tom Garrison

Nothing in recent years has been more upsetting than the sharp increase in the use of drugs among young. People have become so traumatized by the subject that any reasonable discussion of it has become well-nigh impossible. This is why I was particularly impressed with a speech made not long ago by a public health official at a large university, for he wisely avoided histrionics and went straight ...

2320. Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

2321. How Much Is Enough?

Sermon

Johnny Dean

I will defend to the death my theory that the most perfect food, the one item that provides nourishment for body, mind, and spirit is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole wheat bread. I have felt that way for as long as I can remember. When I’m feeling a little depressed or lonely or homesick, when I just want a snack, when I’m having lunch by myself, nothing satisfies the hunger of the bod...

2322. The Compassionate Christ

Sermon

King Duncan

A few years ago, flight attendants for Southwest Airlines began spicing up their pre-flight instructions to passengers with humor. Soon other airlines followed suit. After all, why talk to passengers when they’re not listening? Here are a couple of classics: One flight attendant began her routine this way, “In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop...

2323. Where Are Your Loaves And Fishes?

Sermon

King Duncan

A thirteenyearold boy once read about Dr. Albert Schweitzer's work in Africa. He wanted to help. He had enough money to buy one bottle of aspirin. He wrote to the Air Force and asked if they could fly over Dr. Schweitzer's hospital and drop the bottle down to him. A radio station broadcast the story about this young fellow's concern for helping others. Others responded as well. Eventually, he was ...

2324. When the Caterers Weren’t Available

Sermon

King Duncan

Today’s lesson is on one of Jesus’ best known miracles, the feeding of the 5,000. Of course, as someone has noted, if Jesus were alive today, he wouldn’t be allowed to get away with half the miracles he performed. It’s not just that we live in such a skeptical, rationalist age. It’s all the red tape as well. Here are a few examples. Turning water into wine. This would provoke immediate protests f...

2325. Working and Praying Go Together

Sermon

"When Jesus heard the news, he left that place in a boat and went to a lonely place by himself. The people heard about it, left their towns, and followed him by land. Jesus got out of the boat, and when he saw the large crowd his heart was filled with pity for them, and he healed their sick. That evening his disciples came to him and said, 'It is already very late, and this is a lonely place. Send...

Showing 2301 to 2325 of 4508 results