Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: loss, disadvantage, debt, lack, need, payment, resource, want

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2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 2 Samuel 1:17-27, Mark 5:21-43

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... with your means (v. 12). The relationship that Paul commended to the Corinthians might be called Christian symbiosis. Symbiosis can be defined as two creatures living together for a prolonged period of time in a relationship that may or may not be beneficial to both parties. Parasitism is a relationship where one creature lives off its host. The relationship is beneficial to the guest but destructive to the host. Tapeworms are an example of such a relationship. Commensalism is a relationship where one party ...

2. Proper 25

Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Matthew 22:34-40, Matthew 22:41-46, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16, Psalm 90:1-17

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... the ongoing salvific work of deliverance into the land. The ancient Latin word for priest, pontifex, means "bridgebuilder." The ordained ministers are those who stand as a sign of God's presence, making possible the passage from death to life. In retreat it might be beneficial to ask if we see ourselves as those who faithfully hold the Ark or are we trying to pump the river dry. Paul, in the epistle lesson, brings home to us what it means to be involved in pastoral ministry with its multifarious demands. He ...

3. Temptation of the Palms

Philippians 2:5-11

Sermon

Richard W. Ferris

... We have even been taught that we should control our own destinies. Hidden behind the Palm Sunday crowd’s exuberance, were a controlling people. They were a people willing to manipulate the events at hand in order to determine a future that would be beneficial to them. Is that any different than what we do today? Individuals use other individuals just to get what they want. Governments use other governments and even their own citizens to bring about the ends they desire. And we have adopted the philosophy ...

4. The Gift of Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon

King Duncan & Angela Akers

... of times didn’t matter. He taught unlimited forgiveness; he practiced unlimited forgiveness. Now let’s get real for a moment. Jesus is not saying that we are to stand passively by while somebody abuses us 490 times. That would be absurd. That would not be beneficial to the abuser or the one being abused. But there are solid reasons why forgiveness is called for in most of our day-to-day encounters. We forgive, in the first place, because it is in our own best interest to do so. Joe acted irrationally ...

5. Let's Live

Isaiah 1:1-31

Sermon

Richard L. Sheffield

... in this? If not don't do it! 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Even if it is true and everybody's treated "equally," will it build goodwill? Will it make us friends? Will we still be friends? No? Then it isn't worth it! 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Even if it is true, and we're all agreed it's fair, and we'll still be friends, will it benefit everybody concerned? Does anybody get the short end of the stick on this? If so, you need to take another look at what you're doing ...

6. Epiphany 2

Psalm 40:1-17, John 1:29-34, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Isaiah 49:1-7

Sermon Aid

CSS

... puts that emotion in our hearts and the words in our mouths. He reminds us, as he cries out a "Kyrie, Eleison," that we are the ones who are "sick" and need Christ's deliverance.) 4. The Christ we need has come to us in the only way that will be beneficial to humanity - he comes as a servant, the servant of God - to save us - and, we know, he suffered for taking up the servant's role. Isaiah 49:1-6 - "The Song of the Savior." 1. Put into the mouth of Christ, this is the antiphonal response of Jesus to Mary ...

7. Isaac and Abimelech

Genesis 26:1-35

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... of Yahweh. Trusting in God’s promises, he pitched his tent there. Then his servants dug a well. 26:26–29 Since Isaac had settled in Beersheba and since his stature was increasing, Abimelech came to realize that it would be beneficial to make a pact with Isaac. Taking along two high-ranking officials, Ahuzzath his personal adviser and Phicol the commander of his forces, Abimelech visited Isaac. Isaac, however, disgusted at Abimelech’s earlier treatment, confronted him about the reason for his visit ...

8. “You Laugh at Them, Lord; You Scoff at All Those Nations”

Psalm 59:1-17

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... from the military conflicts of David’s world. The reality is that we tend, and rightly so, to experience God in terms of our world. The shield was a protector in battle, while a fortress was a place where one was safe and secure. It might be beneficial to think of offices or situations in our own lives that might be used as epithets for God. For example, to the sick God is “healer,” to the conflicted he is “reconciler,” to those torn apart by strife he is “tailor,” and so forth. Watching for ...

9. A Change of Mind

Exodus 32:1-14

Sermon

Timothy J. Smith

... seen this people, how stiff-necked they are," God told Moses, "Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them." "Stiff-necked" referred to animals refusing to be steered in a direction they did not want to go, even when it would be beneficial to them. The people in their willfulness were like a stubborn ox that refused to move forward. Courageously, Moses implored and pleaded with God on behalf of the people. Moses did not leave God alone but reminded God that the people were God's own people ...

10. "At Beneficial You’re Good for More"

Isaiah 63:7--64:12

Sermon

Peter Rudowski

The day of Thanksgiving has come and gone. The football games have been played. The turkey has been devoured. We have had leftovers for several days now, and, at least for the moment, life has returned to some sense of normalcy. Yet in the back of our minds, we know what is yet to come. For many of us Thanksgiving is the beginning of the Christmas season. Thanksgiving is the time when we begin to anticipate another holiday, a time to look forward to the presents that we expect under the Christmas tree. As ...

11. Rise Above It

Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Sermon

King Duncan

Nothing perplexes the sensitive heart more than the problem of human suffering. Studdert-Kennedy used to say that anyone who was undisturbed by the problem of pain was suffering from one of two things: either from a hardening of the heart, or a softening of the brain. He's absolutely right. Is there any purpose to pain? Any advantage to adversity? Any solace in suffering? "Don't be discouraged, Charlie Brown," Schroeder tells him. "These early defeats help to build character for later on in life." "For ...

12. Faith vs. Good Works

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Sermon

Scott Suskovic

In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul touches on a topic that has captivated Christians and fragmented churches for centuries. What is the relationship between our faith and good works? If I am saved by faith alone, then what are my limits? Paul puts it this way [note the quotes]: "Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything." And then he injects an extreme example: "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ ...

13. Is He Really Coming?

Sermon

Rolf E. Aaseng

In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:2-3). In the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!" (2 Peter ...

14. Isn't It Time To Get It Right?

Romans 5:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

Did you ever notice that some people always get it wrong? Paul Harvey, in his book FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, tells about a county jail in south Florida where jail officials found a plastic trash bag hanging to the bars of a cell. Inside was Jimmy Jones, a prisoner who hoped he'd get taken out with the trash. And he might have -- except during roll call his reflexes took over. And when the name Jimmy Jones was called... From inside the bag came a muffled response: "Here." Some people just can't get it right. But ...

15. Trees

Jeremiah 16:1--17:18

Sermon

King Duncan

"I think that I shall never see," wrote Joyce Kilmer, "a poem as lovely as a tree." Trees are lovely and, like people, they come in so many varieties. Some, like the giant sequoias in California, are large enough to drive a car through. Others, like the slender, ungainly dogwood, remind us of the cross of Christ. Easterners see a palm tree and they think of Florida or the coastal areas of the Carolinas or Georgia. In the springtime tourists flock to Washington, D. C. to enjoy trees filled with cherry ...

16. Don't Fence Me In!

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Sermon

Fredrick R. Harm

Goodspeed translates our text: "I may do anything I please but not everything I do is good for me. I may do anything I please but I am not going to let anything master me." So Saint Paul is saying, "I am free and yet I am not free; I rejoice in my freedom, and yet I recognize that there are limits to my freedom." With these inspired insights we come face to face with one of the most critical issues in our world -- and in your life and mine. How do we interpret and how do we exercise our freedom? This is an ...

17. Making Disciples

2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

The fruit or lack of it in our ministries is ever before us. The truth is seen among both clergy and laity. Over a period of time it is there for others to observe and most likely evaluate. Actually, generations and centuries speak to what we have done or not done for Christ and his body, the church — visible and invisible. Paul is inspirationally confident in the product he has labored to bring about. His work evidences a writing on their hearts, not written in ink but with the Spirit of the Living God. ...

18. Getting It Right

Romans 5:1-8

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

Have you ever noticed that, no matter what, that some people just always get it wrong? Paul Harvey, in his book FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, tells about a county jail in south Florida where jail officials found a plastic trash bag hanging to the bars of a cell. Inside was Jimmy Jones, a prisoner who hoped he'd get taken out with the trash. And he might have, except for one thing, during roll call his reflexes took over. When the name Jimmy Jones was called... From inside the bag came a muffled response: "Here." It ...

19. Luke 12:13-21

Luke 12:13-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

One of the worst things you can say about anyone is this: Greatness passed by, and they did not recognize it. Ever been somewhere, in a classroom, a meeting, a concert, a church, a family gathering, when some life-changing, reality-shifting, soul-lifting insight has been revealed? Even if most of those listening with you realized they were hearing something amazing, there is always some dimwitted dipstick who has no idea they are in the presence of greatness. Things weren’t any different in the first ...

20. It's Not Fair!

1 Peter 2:13-25

Sermon

King Duncan

Strange things happen in this world. Surely you’ve noticed that. There was a news report about two motorists who had a head-on collision and I do mean a head-on collision. It happened in heavy fog near the small town of Guetersloh, Germany. The two motorists were guiding their cars at a snail’s pace near the center of the road in the dense fog. Each of them had his head out of the car window trying to see. And yes, before they realized it, they smacked their heads together. Both men were hospitalized with ...

21. Doing Your Own Thing

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Sermon

King Duncan

Have you ever had the urge to simply do your own thing without any regard to how the world may view your actions? If you have ever had that urge, you would not be the first to feel that longing . . . or to act on it. In the late 1960s, a group of hippies remember them? living in the Haight Ashbury District of San Francisco decided that personal hygiene taking baths and showers and washing your hair, etc. was a middle class hang up they could do without. So, they quit indulging in these bourgeois activities ...

22. The Law of Unintended Consequences

Mark 1:40-45

Sermon

King Duncan

Anyone who has ever worked with complex systems is familiar with the law of unintended consequences. You attempt something beneficial but it leads to something else unforeseen that is terrible. For example, a couple of decades ago, the fashionable mantra among environmentalists was, “Save the trees! Use plastic instead of paper!” Today New York City alone goes through more than 5 billion plastic bags each year, which pollute the seas and highways, and endanger fish and wildlife. The law of unintended ...

23. When the New Comes, the Old Passes

Sermon

R. Robert Cueni

On the church's calendar, this is the last week of the year. It is called Christ the King. The day points to the culmination of history. On that last day, every knee shall bow. Death will be defeated. God will raise up God's people and the whole world will rejoice in the coming of God's reign. The gospel reading for the day, Luke 23:33-43, tells of a conversation Jesus had with two convicted criminals as all three were hanging on crosses. The conversation is rich in nuance and meaning. The Lord asks that ...

24. Christian Liberty

Illustration

Michael P. Green

Fire, depending on how it is used, can be either beneficial or destructive. When used correctly, it can warm a house, cook food, and create a romantic evening with your spouse. However, when fire is used incorrectly, it can lay waste to woodlands, destroy houses, or even devastate an entire city. Christian liberty is the same. When used correctly, it can be extremely beneficial, but when used incorrectly, it has great potential for destruction.

25. Exhortations

Philippians 4:2-9

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

Fresh Plea for Unity Two members of the church are begged by name to reach a common mind as fellow Christians, and another of Paul’s co-workers is urged to help them in this regard. 4:2 Euodia and Syntyche were evidently two very active members of the Philippian church, probably foundation members. From the fact that (in a letter meant to be read to the church) Paul begs each of them by name to agree with each other in the Lord, it may be inferred that the disagreement between them, whatever its nature, ...

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