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 2376 to 2400 of 4490 results

2376. Get the Garbage Out!

Matthew 3:1-12

Sermon

King Duncan

For those of you who are parents or grandparents, I bet you remember your baby’s first words. Were you surprised by what those first words were? You spend the first six to nine months of your baby’s life just babbling at him and making all kinds of words and sounds. And one day, he or she suddenly responds! It’s a great feeling. Unless your baby’s first words are something unexpected. A parenting website asked parents to submit stories of the strangest first words their babies ever said. Laura Conaway from ...

2377. Is There Any Hope?

1 Cor 15:14

Illustration

Staff

This is a long illustration and a sad story, but a remarkable story worth the read. It can be found here: https://www.ussnautilus.org/the-loss-of-uss-s-4-ss-109. On 17 December 1927, USS S-4 (SS-109), an eight-year-old S-class submarine, was running submerged just off the coast of Provincetown, MA, conducting speed and maneuverability tests between the two white buoys that marked the beginning and end of a measured nautical mile. Meanwhile, on the surface, the Coast Guard destroyer USCGC PAULDING (CG-17) ...

2378. Shockwaves of Joy

Matthew 28:1-10

Sermon

King Duncan

One of the most spectacular characteristics of the Hollywood film industry is special effects. How many times have you walked out of a theater thinking “Wow! How did they do that?” For example, those of you who are James Bond fans might already know that the biggest stunt explosion in movie history was in the 24th Bond movie, Spectre. It’s even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. It’s an impressive scene. It took over 2,000 gallons of kerosene, 300 detonators, 24 explosive devices and a mountain ...

2379. Sparkle

Luke 4:31-37

Sermon

Lori Wagner

But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.…Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. (James 14-15; 21) “The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, Destroy.” (Deuteronomy ...

2380. Excuse Me!

Exodus 3:1-22

Sermon

Carl Jech

The Shadows: Low Self-Esteem Introduction One of the most popular programs in the history of old time radio was The Shadow. "The Shadow" was the alias used by fictional crime-fighter Lamont Cranston. A creaking door introduced each show, followed by the sinister and now-famous words: "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!" then came a sinister laugh. (The preacher might risk an imitation.) Have you noticed that the Bible does not seek to cover up the darker side of even its ...

2381. All You Can Do is Laugh

Genesis 18:1-15, Genesis 21:1-7

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“God has given me laughter. Everyone who hears about it will laugh with me.” Sarah (Genesis 21:6) Laughter has got to be one of the strangest phenomena in the human response system. Why do humans laugh? “It’s rarely because something’s funny,” say Peter McGraw and Joel Warner of Slate Magazine.[1]The two describe an example of the vexing phenomenon of “laughing disease” in Tanzania, in which schoolgirls in a strict boarding school couldn’t stop laughing. The “disease” spread so virulently that the school ...

2382. The Greatest Motivator

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Sermon

King Duncan

What motivates you to do what you do? I read recently about a man from Spain who has gained a measure of fame in the world of sports. He’s appeared in the French Open, in Formula One racing, at World Cup soccer matches. Is he the world’s most versatile athlete? No. He’s a streaker. Yes, I said a streaker. The man goes by the name Jimmy Jump. He has shown up at major international sporting events all over the world and run out on the field. Is he doing it for the attention and fame? Not according to Jimmy ...

2383. Bringing Life to a Party

Luke 24:36b-48

Sermon

King Duncan

I read a story recently about a man named Fred Karger who has earned the unofficial title of the “World’s Greatest Party Crasher.” Over the years, Karger has crashed hundreds of high-profile parties and celebrity events. He even ended up several years ago on the stage at the Academy Awards and at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner for President Obama. He had crashed these as well. Karger claims there is no high-profile party or wedding or funeral or political event he can’t crash. He says the key to ...

2384. The Good

Luke 18:9-14

Sermon

Will Willimon

I always hold my breath on Sundays until I find out which texts are assigned by the ecumenical lectionary. Look, I realize that your high tuition pays my modest salary, so naturally I want to make a good impression on visiting parents. (And let me take this opportunity to thank all of you parents for your tuition payments. Without you, not only your Duke sons and daughters, but even this preacher, wouldn't be here!) At any rate, I want to look good for the visiting parents, to reassure you that your kids ...

2385. The Power of the Staff

Mark 6:1-13

Sermon

Lori Wagner

A year or so ago, when our primary activity during lockdown was to sit on the porch and watch the wildlife, I noticed a mother bird building a nest. I had never seen the process up close like this, and so fascinated, I took note of everything she was doing. In fact, I became so engrossed in Mama bird’s family that I would perch on my rocking chair each and every day, just so I could observe the entire scenario up close and personal. She gathered bits of grass, twigs, leaves, and other odds and ends and ...

2386. Take Heart

Matthew 14:22-33

Sermon

Will Willimon

Jesus needs a vacation. Crowds pressing in, so many hungry, hurting people seeking something from him. He tries to get away from it all, to be by himself to ponder his future, to pray. He got in a boat in order to get away from it all. But he can't get away. When he finally arrives at some ''lonely place'' it is anything but lonely. Great, hungry crowds press in upon him. He heals them. It grows late and they have had nothing to eat. And so Jesus commands his disciples to help bi1n feed the hungry ...

2387. Not As the World Gives

John 14:23-29 · John 5:1-9

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

I remember when our twins were infants we lived in a third floor walkup in Greenwich Village in New York City. One day I decided to give my wife a break and take the kids out for a stroll in our neighborhood. With twins there is a certain amount of baggage required when you head out the door. Stroller built for two? Check. Diaper bag with snacks and so on? Check. Bottles of formula and other necessities? Check. Carrying two, active ten-month-old babies and navigating down the stairs with all that stuff was ...

2388. A Miracle of Grace

Philemon 1:1-21

Sermon

King Duncan

Many years ago, Deputy Sheriff Bill Cromie was called to investigate a traffic accident in Constantia, New York. A drunk driver had crashed into the pumps at a gas station. Fortunately, none of them exploded. The situation was under control. But the driver was nowhere in sight. Deputy Sheriff Cromie ran into the nearby woods to find him. It didn’t take him long. The man was nearby, crashing around in the bushes. As soon as Cromie shined his light on the suspect, the driver surrendered. The intoxicated man ...

2389. We Have Waited

Isaiah 25:1-12

Sermon

Will Willimon

It will be said on that day, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” (Isa. 25:9). About the best that can be said of the church in the past days of Lent is that we have waited. Lent is the church waiting. Questions were raised that had no ready answers—questions of sin, injustice, evil, suffering, the demonic power of Pilate's state, the limitations of the howling, democratic mob, the ...

2390. Welcoming Jesus

Matthew 10:40-42

Sermon

William G. Carter

Some years ago, my wife and I landed on the mystical island of Iona. Located off the western coast of Scotland, the small island has an abbey that traces its roots back to the sixth century. The abbey has been rebuilt over the last eighty years, and it now serves as a center for conferences and spiritual retreats. We arrived on an August afternoon in time for the evening worship service. Taking our seats in the ancient stone sanctuary, we discovered we were in the midst of a Christian youth conference. ...

2391. Chief Among Sinners

Luke 19:1-10

Sermon

Jill J. Duffield

Zacchaeus’ parents must have had high hopes for their son. They named him Zacchaeus, after all, which means, “righteous one, pure one.” A name, as it turns out, which was rather ironic because he grew up to be the chief tax collector, not just a tax collector, but that person in charge of other tax collectors, the chief among cheats who extorted the exploiters and as a result got rich. I wonder if people rolled their eyes when they saw this short man coming to get the fees, fines, and burdens imposed by ...

2392. The Future and What to Do About It

Luke 16:1-13

Sermon

Will Willimon

Today we inaugurate the Joseph Harrison Jackson Preacher Fund, established by Professor Kenny Williams in memory of her distinguished father. Dr. Jackson led one of this country's great churches. He preached for a lifetime. I expect he preached on today's gospel. I wonder what he said about it. For my money, this has to be the toughest of tough biblical texts. An employee goes to the boss and snitches. “Boss, your manager has been cheating you.” The boss calls the dishonest manager on the carpet, tells him ...

2393. God On His Knees

John 13:1-17

Sermon

Don M. Aycock

The scene is the upper room. Jesus and his 12 close followers are gathered for this, the last time. Only two of them know that fact. The meal begins. Small talk flows, but then the volume and intensity of feeling rise. John tells us that a dispute has broken out among the disciples. The question surfaces: "Who is the greatest disciple?" All join in, "I am the greatest." You can bet that Peter has his say and Matthew, for he is vocal also, and Bartholomew and John. Each in turn extols his own virtue, ...

2394. When Your Nets Are Empty

Luke 5:1-11

Sermon

Charles H. Bayer

May the good Lord save me from perpetual whiners; people who can be counted on to tell you how bad everything is. You don't dare ask how they feel or how they sense the world is going unless you have an afternoon to spend listening to a catalogue of human miseries. I once knew a woman who called me if she happened to feel good, because she always felt bad the day after she felt good and wanted me to know how rotten things were about to become. But may the Lord also preserve me from perpetual optimists, ...

2395. Fire Wood

Luke 12:49-53

Sermon

John G. Lynn

Stretching south for hundreds of miles from Glacier National Park lies a majestic mixture of valleys, rushing streams, and gargantuan mountains called the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Backpackers have hiked there for decades looking for elk, grizzlies and golden eagles. Fortunately the grizzlies stay up in the high country, but a golden eagle may be spotted and the elusive wolverine may be tracked. The Bob Marshall Wilderness hosts some 90,000 packers and hikers each year, most of them in the months of July ...

2396. Miracle Four: Healing A Paralytic

Mark 2:1-12

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

BACKGROUND MATERIAL When Christ began his ministry of preaching and healing, his fame spread, until he was well known throughout a large area. He intended to make clear the message of repentance and salvation from sin, but the news of his astounding miracles was something people immediately grasped, and they spread the information everywhere. As a result, throngs sought Jesus in order to have him cure the victims of ill health within their family circle. To avoid huge crowds, Jesus would sometimes go out ...

2397. Miracle Six: Stilling A Storm

Mark 4:35-41

Sermon Aid

Harold H. Lentz

BACKGROUND MATERIAL Jesus sometimes got into a boat and headed for the farther shore in order to be free of the demands of the crowd who now followed him in great numbers. On this day he was weary from his work and from arguing with the scribes who constantly took issue with his pronouncements. He was on the Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Gennesaret. The lake was about eight miles wide and twelve miles long, so it would take at least an hour to make the crossing. Because of his weariness Jesus lay down ...

2398. What It Takes To Be A Winner

Isaiah 40:1-31

Sermon

William L. Self

This text for the fifth Sunday of Epiphany is probably the most sublime passage of Scripture in the Old Testament. It is the poetic description of the soaring of eagles. The Jewish people were in exile and it is likely that every one of them had looked up at the sky, seen eagles soaring, and cried out in their souls to the Lord to give them the freedom of the eagles. They were beginning to doubt that God cared for them. They desperately needed assurance that God was still in charge and that he cared about ...

2399. A New Name

Genesis 17:1-27

Sermon

Paul W. Kummer

What names did people call you as you were growing up? What nicknames did your parents or grandparents saddle you with? I hope most of the names were endearing. But were others nasty or hurtful? Were you given a nickname because of how you looked or how you talked? Because of where you lived or what you wore? Did anyone ever give you a name because they felt they knew what your future would hold? If so, did that spur you on in your destiny or did it hold you back and discourage you? Did they nickname you ...

2400. To Be Continued

Acts 1:1-11

Sermon

Paul W. Kummer

Here is a remarkable story from World War II. From the island of Guam one of our mighty bombers took off for Kokura, Japan, with a deadly cargo. The sleek B-29 turned and circled above the cloud that covered the target for half an hour, then three-quarters of an hour, then 55 minutes, until the gas supply reached the danger point. It seemed a shame to be right over the primary target and then have to pass it up, but there was no choice. With one more look back, the crew headed for the secondary target. ...

Showing results