Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 2376 to 2400 of 4963 results

2376. What Is Your Holy Week Address?

Matthew 27:45-56

Sermon

Robert Noblett

... laws. If he had accepted it in the earliest ages, we should still be living in prehistoric times. The task of men of culture and faith, in any case, is not to desert historical struggles nor to serve the cruel and inhuman elements in those struggles. It is rather to remain what they are, to help man against what is oppressing him, to favor freedom against the fatalities that close in upon it.4 Resurrection is what I see in the unsung comings and goings of the men and women, yes even the boys and girls, of a ...

2377. Manasseh

2 Kings 21:1-18

Sermon

Warren Thomas Smith

... an upper story, striking him. Part of his skull was crushed, destroying that portion of the brain which controls memory and consciousness. He was dead mentally; he could not speak, he had no power of recognition - a living vegetable. Only his physical body remained alive. At first my friend wanted to turn against God, the human race, everything, everybody. It was the initial check from the government, her allotment for a lost son, that prompted her to think. Her immediate reaction was to tear the paper into ...

2378. Herod Antipas

Luke 13:31-35

Sermon

Warren Thomas Smith

... the Arabs except he ate the rank’s food, wore their clothes, lived level with them, and yet appeared better in himself."3 One who rode a donkey into Jerusalem took his place alongside his fellows, lived level with them, even to suffering and death. Throughout it all, he remained better in himself. The king who was welcomed by Jerusalem is more than a symbol of man at his best; he is the king who died that man might be at his best. Here is the king who did for humanity what no king, past or present, could ...

2379. Phoebe

Joel 2:28-32

Sermon

Warren Thomas Smith

... s world. She learned to stand toe to toe with her male competitors, but unlike George Sand, did not wear masculine attire, nor, like George Eliot, assume a man’s name. She did not choose to outwit her chauvinistic rivals by becoming one of them. She remained her feminine self and beat them at their own game. She possessed a keen mind, could make quick decisions about buying and selling. The market place taught her to be resourceful, and with no husband, she had only her wits, judgment, and common sense to ...

2380. Onesimus

Isaiah 43:1-13

Sermon

Warren Thomas Smith

... and crucified." A revolt of seventy thousand was put down in 139 B.C. In later rebellions, bodies of dead slaves were left in the streets to be devoured by dogs. Under Spartacus, one hundred, twenty thousand slaves were in insurrection; they were defeated. The remaining six thousand captives were nailed to crosses along the Appian Way, the rotting bodies left for months as a grim reminder to all other slaves. During Nero’s time it was not uncommon for one owner to have four hundred personal slaves in his ...

2381. THE WITCH OF ENDOR

Drama

Marcia Miller

This is a play about necromancy, the art of communicating with the dead to predict the future. The actual story appears in 1 Samuel 28:7-25. But the period of history is not important, in that witchcraft has remained more constant than other religions throughout the ages. Costuming should be simple. The Witches should be in the traditional dark (black) colors, whereas Saul and his aides should be in bright reds, purples, and blues. Saul is not dressed as a king or a soldier, but as a peasant. When ...

2382. WE ARE THE BELIEVERS: TESTIMONIES

Drama

Marcia Miller

... seen with their backs to the audience. The first speaker turns to the audience and begins to speak. The next speaker turns toward the first speaker, begins, and then directs his speech to the audience. This same technique should be followed throughout the remaining testimonies. If possible, the speakers should be standing on different levels. If this isn’t feasible, the characters should be in a staggered line with, perhaps, one sitting on the floor, another kneeling, and still another on a stool or in a ...

2383. You Must Be Born Again

John 3:1-21

Illustration

Brett Blair

... many years. Encouraged by U.S. sales, Chevrolet began to market the American Nova throughout the world. Unfortunately, the Nova did not sell well in Mexico and other Latin American countries. Additional ads were ordered, marketing efforts were stepped up, but sales remained stagnant. Sales directors were baffled. The car had sold well in the American market; why wasn't it selling now? When they discovered the answer, it was rather embarrassing: In Spanish, Nova means "no go" The business world is full of ...

2384. An Unidentified King

Matthew 21:1-11

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... his miracles, then about his crucifixion, and then about his resurrection. Finally he informed her that he had decided to become a disciple of Jesus. In her letter of response, Diana said, "What I feared was that it might affect you. It is a beautiful story. Let it remain so. We don't have to do anything about it, do we?" Oh yes, we do, Diana. This Jesus is still marching down the streets of the world. Jesus is the unidentified king who has no crown to wear or kingdom to command...until one person declares ...

2385. It Is Finished

John 19:28-37

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... to allow it. But there was no other way. As the book of Hebrews reminds us, "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." When Jesus declared "It is finished," he had completed the only method by which God's justice and mercy could remain uncompromised even as sinners like you and me were drawn back into right relationship with God, with others, and with ourselves. A second task Jesus completed on the cross was this: He revealed the character of God. As the Bible declares, "No one has ever ...

2386. Easter Headlines

Matthew 28:1-10

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... , to church. They had a long and happy marriage; their love for each other was monumental. They did everything together; everything, that is, except one thing. When George drove Rosie to church each Sunday, she went in but he did not. He remained in the car, reading the newspaper. After 45 years of marriage, Rosie died. George was distraught with grief. On Sunday mornings George no longer made that drive to church, transporting Rosie. But several months after her death Easter Sunday rolled around. George ...

2387. Lazarus Rising

John 11:17-37, John 11:38-44

Sermon

... he could make it by late evening or by early the next morning. In one of the most bewildering scenes in all of scripture, however, Jesus did nothing for two entire days. Surly he must understand their anxiety. Surly he must be eager to help. But there it reads: “He remained two days in the place where he was.” Why did this happen? I can only respond to that by saying: I do not know. When I read this story I want to know. Why did he delay? Surly there must be an answer to this. But read the commentaries ...

2388. God Doesn't Change

James 1:17

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

... and the most important of these is God. We would like to have a watch that always kept good time and never ran fast or slow or quit. And we would like to have a flashlight that never burned out. But most of all we want a God who will remain the same for us and for all people for all time.

2389. Can a Christian Go to Hell?

Matthew 7:15-23

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... does not obey them is like a man who builds his house on sand. He who obeys his words is like a man who builds his house on rock. In the storms of life only the obedient man, built upon the rock of God’s will, will be able to remain steady and secure. According to our text, the Christian who does the will of God will go to heaven, and the one content with "Lord, Lord" does not stand a chance. To Hell You Go! The word-only Christian, Jesus says, will not go to heaven. "Not every one who ...

2390. The Cross Way of Life

Matthew 10:1-42

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... to discipline their children, resulting in spoiled brats. The daughter of a psychologist with a Ph.D. was put to bed with a sore throat. For the third time she was put to bed and finally her father at great length explained all the reasons why she should remain in bed. Finally she said, "Oh, Daddy, why don’t you just make me?" Even children seem to know the value of discipline more than parents. It is claimed that discipline in our public schools is at its lowest ebb in the history of the school system ...

2391. Holy Tares!

Matthew 13:24-30

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

... the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn." In the face of the shameful condition of weeds in the wheat, God shows his forbearance, his patience. He would let the weeds of immoral Christians remain in the church in the hope that they will repent. He gives them time to change to wheat before the harvest time, the end of the world, the great day of judgment. God surely knows what he is doing and proposing, because we know that it is possible ...

2392. Mary of Bethany and Jesus’ Mother

Drama

Jon Joyce

... another since ... MB: [Interrupts, excitedly, pointing to the Temple, stage right] Look! Whatever are all those people doing there, moving away from the temple? [MJ turns quickly, looks, and becomes very nervous] There’s something strange going on. MJ: [Looks back at MB; remains extremely nervous] Mary, I am concerned. Very concerned. Could we - could we walk on and perhaps find a place to sit. I am weary. MB: [Shaking her head, takes MJ by the arm and the two walk slowly to the bench or benches, stage ...

2393. Caiaphas and Pilate

Drama

Jon Joyce

... : [Smiling craftily] A matter of utmost urgency has brought me here, Pontius. [As CAIAPHAS emphasizes PILATE’S first name, PILATE grimaces slightly but says nothing] It is a very private matter. [He glances toward ANTONIUS] PILATE: [Annoyed] Antonius remains with me at all times, Caiaphas. You should know that by now. He is trustworthy, whatever the clandestine nature of your mission. CAIAPHAS: [Resenting PILATE’S description of his mission, but controlling his tongue] But, Pon ... Excellency, this ...

2394. Mary Magdalene, Stephanus, and Lucia

Drama

Jon Joyce

... hair. Sandals. A sparkling ring or two on her hands. Stephanus: simple white toga, sandals. Lucia: long, simple dress of bright colors. She may wear ribbon in her hair or some simple jewelry befitting a girl of about ten years old. Lighting Lighting should remain constant during the drama. If possible, the lighting should be lowered from normal room or stage lights to indicate that it is night. Make-up Depending upon the lighting, you may want to use some make-up on all the characters. Mary Magdalene should ...

2395. Annas, Caiaphas, and Judas

Drama

Jon Joyce

... . I can’t stand it. I CAN’T STAND IT! [He rushes from the room, panting and gasping, and stops just outside the palace drawing room. ANNAS and CAIAPHAS watch in some amusement, but with some concern. JUDAS falls to his knees outside the door, sobbing, and remains in that position until ANNAS and CAIAPHAS complete their dialogue and exit] ANNAS: Age must be telling on me, for I’ve had quite enough for one day. I must get my rest for the Sabbath. CAIAPHAS: I’m glad to be rid of him. What a nuisance ...

2396. The Bible, Your Mirror? by Dr. Lawrence L. Lacour

Acts 17:16-34

Sermon

Leonard Mann

... Word, which was in the beginning, becomes flesh and dwells among us. Thus God identifies himself with the creature he has created, by becoming such a creature himself. Why does God do this? Doesn’t our experience tell us that true love cannot stand aloof or remain incognito? By becoming flesh in Jesus Christ, God provides us with a model of what is truly human or normal. What is "normal," we all want to know. Mort Sahl used to tell about the bank robber who pulled a gun on the bank teller and commanded ...

2397. Running With Patience

Hebrews 12:1-13

Sermon

Allan J. Weenink

... showed infinite patience with individuals and their needs. So much to do. So little time! Yet, no fruitless haste or irresponsible rush. Running with patience, he stayed in step with God, giving his best self in those brief years. The rest remained with the Lord of the harvest. How often St. Paul, the activist, chafed under undue delays, upset plans, and circumstances that he could not control. Rebellion, he finally found, was fruitless. Rampant frustration led only to useless anger. So, from behind prison ...

2398. On Top of the Mountain

Matthew 17:1-13

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

... day was like, so you will have to watch carefully and use your imagination. I have some clay with me. How many of you like to play with clay? I love it. As you can see, we can make a lot of different things out of clay, but it always remains clay. For instance, I am going to make a face with two eyes, a nose, two ears, a mouth and a happy smile. [Make the face.] Now suppose that I want to change the smile into a straight face. I can do it or I can change all of the ...

2399. God’s Great Chalkboard

Luke 18:9-14

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

... T spells cat, and I will draw a picture of a stick man. Can everyone see what I have written on the chalkboard? Good! Now I am going to take my eraser and erase what I have written. [Erase the chalkboard so that the chalk is gone, but the impression remains.] As you can see I have erased 2+2=4, C A T spells cat, and my stick man. They are gone because I erased them. But can anyone still see the place where the chalk was a moment ago? You can, can’t you? Even after I erased the ...

2400. God, Help Us to Laugh

Sermon

Harold Warlick

... in which a perfect attendance pin is awarded. Several years ago the First Baptist Church in Cowpens, SC, awarded a perfect attendance pin to an unusual recipient - Laddie, a local collie. For years Laddie had followed children to church and remained outside in the bushes. When church services were over, Laddie would follow the children home. Come rain or shine, Laddie was there, playing with the children and occasionally with another dog. When perfect attendance recognition Sunday came, the deacons and ...

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