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 2326 to 2350 of 2844 results

2326. Ephesians 1:3-14

Ephesians 1:3-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

The enthusiasm and eloquence of the Ephesians' author are magnificently apparent in these opening texts. Ephesians 1:3-14 is actually one very long complex sentence, into which the author weaves both the traditional opening blessing format of a formal letter, an internalized hymn and the outline of concerns and issues that will direct the rest of this epistle. While far richer and more extensive, Ephesians 1:3-14 is similar in style to the opening texts in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 and 1 Peter 1:3-12. All of ...

2327. John 6:35, 41-51

John 6:35, 41-51

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

As the Bread of Life discourse continues from last week's gospel lesson into this week's texts, John re-emphasizes the similarities and contrasts between the old "manna in the wilderness" experience and this new notion of a bread of life that is directly tied to Jesus. In verse 41 John takes advantage of the Jewish identity of the "complaining" crowd and recalls their own unique history. Those listening to Jesus begin to "murmur" against Jesus and his gifts of heavenly bread even as the ancient Israelites ...

2328. Mark 12:38-44

Mark 12:38-44

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Once Jesus enters Jerusalem and the temple, Jesus' run-ins with the religious authorities are constant. Today's gospel text demonstrates why all those who held traditional positions of religious power found Jesus' presence and preachings so disturbing. In the text immediately preceding this week's reading, Jesus questions the scribe's theology. He challenges their image of a powerful royal Davidic Messiah with his own observation that the expected Messiah will be a much different kind of "Lord" than a ...

2329. LIVE-SAVING STATIONS

Mark 1:14-20

Illustration

Mickey Anders

On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur there was once a crude little life-saving station. The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for themselves went out day and night tirelessly searching for the lost. Some of those who were saved, and various others in the surrounding area, wanted to become associated with the station and give of their time and money and effort for the support of its work. ...

2330. Rainbows and Roses

Genesis 9:1-17

Sermon

King Duncan

One of the best known stories in all literature is the story of Noah and the Ark. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the more modern version of that story. Let me give you an abbreviated version as posted by somebody on the Internet: The Lord spoke to Noah and said, “Noah, in six months I’m going to make it rain until the whole world is covered with water. But I want to save a few good people and two of every living thing on the planet. So I am ordering you to build an Ark.” “OK,” Noah said, trembling ...

2331. The Darkness We Create

Luke 15:11-32

Sermon

Mike Ripski

I. Aware of Our Need Our theme this Advent is “Come Home for Christmas.” The Belle Meade Church family is using this season to invite all its members to a family reunion. There are empty chairs at the table the family dinner table. This image of home, of family, of absence and return, of invitation, led me to one of our favorite parables. It goes by different names, each focusing on one of its main characters: The Parable of the Prodigal Son, the Elder Son, the Loving Father. For the first three Sundays of ...

2332. Mark 1:40-45

Mark 1:40-45

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

There is one particular facet of Jesus’ mission that was a complete failure. At least in Mark’s gospel, time and again Jesus instructed those he healed to keep quiet about their experience (see Mark 1:25, 34, 44; 3:12; 5:43; 7:56). Yet those who experienced healing or witnessed Jesus’ miraculous works blabbed the news to everybody they met. The result, according to Mark’s gospel, is that Jesus ended up surrounded by great crowds of the curious (1:45; 6:35-34; 7:24-25; 10:1). What has been tagged as “the ...

2333. John 20:1-18

John 20:1-9

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

Easter always begins in the dark. In every gospel account, those who come first to the tomb travel in pre-dawn gloom to reach Jesus’ burial site. The journey that reveals the greatest light begins far down a tunnel of darkness. The bleak, bitter, post-crucifixion Sabbath endured by the disciples concluded at sundown. In order to reach Jesus’ borrowed tomb, and prepare him for a final burial, the women followers of Jesus started out even before daybreak. As do all the gospels, John’s text declares that Mary ...

2334. An Easter Heart

John 20:1-9

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Easter is all about a four letter word — and Christians are full of it. Or at least we’re supposed to be full of it. The four letter word is LIFE. New life. Whole life. Abundant Life. Redeemed life. Resurrected life. The purpose of life is not death, Easter says. The purpose of life is life . . . a life that triumphs over death forever. Celebrating Easter is the best thing that the church can do because it is a celebration of all that is good, all that is true, and all that is beautiful. In fact, I would ...

2335. Mark 4: 26-34

Mark 4:26-29

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

What’s the first task of every communicator, be they teacher, preacher, politician, communicator of any sort? Gain Attention. Get people’s attention. In order to be memorable and to get your message across, you have to be both surprising and familiar. Nobody was better at making the familiar strange and surprising than Jesus. You can hear it coming when he says: “You have heard it said, but I say.” Jesus’ crowd communication combined this technique of defamiliarization with incredible charisma and, as we ...

2336. Proper 20

Psalm 1:1-6, Proverbs 31:10-31, Mark 9:30-37, James 3:13-18

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 1 First Lesson—The wise man describes the qualities and occupations of a capable wife. Proverbs 31:10-31 Second Lesson—James advocates heavenly wisdom as opposed to selfish human behavior. James 3:13–4:3, 7-8a Gospel—Jesus makes clear that worldly ambitions for prominence are less important in his domain than openness to children. Mark 9:30-37 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Turn your thoughts to God who ...

2337. Proper 22

Job 2:1-10, Psalm 26:1-12, Mark 10:2-16, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 26 First Lesson—The writer introduces this epic poem of the testing of Job’s faith by the adversary of God. Job 1:1 2:1-10 Second Lesson—The writer to the Hebrews declares the divine purpose in sending Jesus among us to raise us to the glorious dignity of the children of God. Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 Gospel—Jesus confirms that the original purpose of creation was that marriage is sacred and that divorce is one form of adultery. Mark 10:2-16 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord ...

2338. Christmas 2

Psalm 147:1-20, Jeremiah 31:7-14, John 1:1-18, Ephesians 1:1-14

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 147:12-20 [OR] Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21 First Lesson—There is reason for joy in the regathering of the people of God after their dispersal. Jeremiah 31:7-14 [OR] Sirach 24:1-12 The Praise of Wisdom Second Lesson—God’s earthly family is adopted through Jesus Christ to enlarge the heavenly family. Ephesians 1:3-14 Gospel—We are a new humanity through Jesus Christ and our rebirth through receiving him. John 1:(1-9), 10-18 CALL TO WORSHIP Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be ...

2339. All Saints

Psalm 149:1-9, Daniel 7:1-3, 15-28, Luke 6:20-31, Ephesians 1:11-23

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 149 First Lesson—Despite visions of terror the prophet also had dreams of an eternal kingdom for the people of God. Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 Second Lesson—The apostle Paul celebrates our inheritance of glory with the royal Jesus. Ephesians 1:11-23 Gospel—Luke records the woes of Jesus declared against the rich as well as blessings for the poor. Luke 6:20-31 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Exult in glory, ...

2340. Epiphany 3

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Psalm 19:1-14, Luke 4:14-21, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 19 First Lesson—After exile the recovery of the scriptures during the rebuilding of Jerusalem is occasion for great thanksgiving. Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Second Lesson—Even the seemingly insignificant parts of the body of Christ are indispensable. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Gospel—Jesus makes his bravest announcement in his own hometown. Luke 4:14-21 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Strive after the better ...

2341. Third Sunday in Lent

1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Isaiah 55:1-13, Psalm 63:1-11, Luke 13:1-9

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 63:1-8 First Lesson—The prophet makes an eloquent appeal, offering a spiritual banquet of food and drink as the outcome of repentance. Isaiah 55:1-9 Second Lesson—Paul warns the Corinthians that sexual immorality can be a deadly sin. 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Gospel—The relatively innocent may suffer with the guilty, but the day of judgment will come for everyone in due course, warns Jesus. Luke 13:1-9 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: ...

2342. Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8, Matthew 5:21-37, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter--Psalms 119:1-8 First Lesson--The choice to obey or not to obey is the choice ultimately to live or to die. Deuteronomy 30:15-20 [OR] The wise man seeks to define the line of responsibility between the human will and the will of God. Sirach 15:15-20 Second Lesson--Cooperation, not divisiveness, is a sign of maturity. 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Gospel--Jesus, the law, and the prophets expect respect not only in outward conformance to the tradition but in reconciliation of differences with others. ...

2343. Decoding the Da Vinci Code (Part Two - Explaining the Facts)

1 Peter 3:15

Sermon

James Merritt

There is a true, but old story about a pastor who went to see a play one time that featured a very famous British actor and the theater was just packed. He noticed that a lot of the people there were members of his church who hardly ever attended church. He happened to meet with this actor the next day and he asked him this question, "How do you draw such large crowds by presenting fiction while I present facts and hardly anyone comes to here me?" The actor, who had been at this man's church before, said " ...

2344. One Nation Under God

2 Chronicles 7:14

Sermon

James Merritt

When Ronald Reagan was elected President of the United States, he and Nancy had to get used to the Executive Mansion on their own. President Carter had broken with recent tradition and had not given the Reagans a tour of the White House. If you remember, during those days it was a difficult campaign with Carter and Reagan both bitterly fighting out what was to be a runaway election landslide for Reagan. The Carters greeted the Reagans a few days before the Inauguration, and then turned them over to White ...

2345. Baptism - FAQ's

Acts 2:42-47

Sermon

James Merritt

Today I begin a series of messages that I am entitling "Building Blocks." No institution, no individual is stronger than its foundation. I want to share with you over the next several weeks the "building blocks" that will be the foundation of Cross Pointe. This is a Kodak moment. This is the first official service in the history of Cross Pointe. I want to take you back 2,000 years to another Kodak moment. I want to show you the earliest picture of the very first church in history. It is found in the book ...

2346. Close Up: Husbands - Be a Dream Lover

Colossians 3:19

Sermon

James Merritt

If there is one area in my life where I see so many failures and feel so many frustrations it is in my dual role as a husband and as a father. I see so many expectations that Teresa has for me and the boys have for me and that my churches have had for me and I have even had for myself that I didn't always meet. Quite frankly, for good reason, because I couldn't meet all of their expectations and the truth is - neither can you. Men, many of you can too closely relate to the man in that video. Most of us at ...

2347. Name Dropping

Exodus 20:7

Sermon

James Merritt

God's Name is so important to Him that it makes the "Top Ten" of the commandments He wants his family to live by. Most every one of us here very likely have some type of an alarm system in our home. We have that because we want to make sure our homes are secure. That is why we are in the middle of a series on the Ten Commandments that I have entitled "Homeland Security." Remember that the Ten Commandments are God's rules for His family. The Ten Commandments were not given to establish a relationship with ...

2348. The Revolution Against Evolution

Genesis 1:1

Sermon

James Merritt

It is the ultimate question of all questions - Where did the universe come from? Why does it exist? Genesis 1:1 simply states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1, NASB) So the very beginning of God's word to man says man had a beginning, a divine beginning, a supernatural beginning. Believe it or not, the Christian message does not begin with "Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior." It begins with "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." The Bible ...

2349. Focus on the Finish

Hebrews 12:1-2

Sermon

James Merritt

It was Mexico City 1968. John Steven Akhwari of Tanzania had started the Olympic marathon with all the other runners hours before, but he finished it alone. When he finally arrived at the stadium there were only a few spectators remaining in the stands. The winner of the marathon had crossed the finish line over an hour earlier. It was getting dark; his right leg was bandaged and heavily bleeding. He was obviously in great pain, but he crossed the finish line suffering from fatigue, leg cramps, dehydration ...

2350. Standard Building Codes

Matthew 5:27-30

Sermon

James Merritt

Our Extreme Home Makeover is moving right along, but there is one thing we have not yet mentioned and that is – building codes. As you know, before you can occupy a home, it has to meet standard building codes. Building codes are developed by people who are actively involved in the construction industry. Their purpose is, "To provide minimum standards for the protection of life, limb, property and environment and for the safety and welfare of the consumer, general public and the owners and occupants of ...

Showing results