Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1 to 25 of 1913 results

1. The Benefits of Christianity for Nonbelievers

2 Samuel 6:1-23

Sermon

Donald Zelle

... is drawn out by more than humanism. It is drawn out by faith in a transcendent God. Christian faith, then, is crucial for maintaining a wholesome civilization. And even if not all people assent to the tenants of Christianity or to faith in Christ, the benefits of them are many, even for nonbelievers. Within our homes we find that often it is the faith and practice of a devout spouse or parent which brings blessings to others in the family. I remember my mother leading the family in evening devotions. Often ...

2. The Benefits of Wisdom

Proverbs 2:1-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... word denotes “top grade” wisdom, which brings success, 2:7). God also serves as a protective shield for the blameless, perhaps an allusion to his earlier promise to Abraham (Gen. 15:1), of whom he made a similar demand (Gen. 17:1). The second benefit is described in 2:9–11 (“Then . . .”). In seeking wisdom, one develops not only an intimate relationship with God but also an intimate understanding of moral rectitude (2:9; cf. 1:3). Since wisdom now pervades the command center of one’s life and ...

3. For Whose Benefit?

Luke 24:36-49

Illustration

King Duncan

... of the people who run it: most schools tend to be run in such a way as to serve the purposes of the teachers; the Navy tends to be run for the benefit of naval officers; the vested interests of postal employees are the predominant factor in controlling and directing the future of the post office; the policies and practices of most universities are explicable chiefly in terms of the vested interests of the professors." If that is true about schools, military services ...

4. The Benefit of the Doubt

John 20:24-31

Sermon

Johnny Dean

... Isn’t a certain amount of doubt a healthy thing? In our judicial system, we place a great deal of value on doubt. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt – or at least, that’s the way it’s supposed to work. The benefit of the doubt can sway and entire jury’s decision, even in life and death situations. Faith that is grounded and growing also honors the value of doubt. Thomas comes to his expression of faith – "My Lord and my God!" – only after expressing his misgivings ...

5. Benefits of Laughter

Illustration

Staff

... the work of the immune system and may help prevent disease. (More about this later.) That you can stimulate your heart and lungs, elevate your blood pressure, and temporarily improve breathing capacity by laughing? In terms of exercise, you can get the same benefits from laughing 100 times a day as you can from 10 minutes worth of rowing? (Why sweat when you can laugh?) Charles Darwin believed that one's facial expression can actually influence one's moods? (Studies in bio-feedback confirm Darwin's belief ...

6. Further Benefits of Wisdom

Proverbs 3:1-35

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... ; compare 8:18–19 with vv. 14–15). The description of wisdom in verse 16 echoes the standard portrayal of the Egyptian goddess Maʿat, who has the ankh (life) in one hand and a sceptre (ruling power) in the other. Wisdom brings riches, but the great benefit is indicated in verse 17, paths of peace. Tree of life occurs elsewhere only in Genesis 2:9; 3:22, 24 where it has its own meaning, but it is a mythological symbol in the ancient Near East, evoking fertility and immortality. Here and in 11:30 ...

7. The Benefits Of Trusting Christ

Romans 10:1-21

Sermon

King Duncan

"I have good news and bad news," the defense lawyer says to his client. "What's the bad news?"asks his client. The lawyer says, "Your blood matches the DNA found at the murder scene." "No!" cries the client. "What's the good news?" "Well," the lawyer says, "your cholesterol is down to 140." (1) Good news, bad news. The world is filled with bad news. Too much bad news everywhere you look. Bad news in the world. Bad news in the nation. Bad news in individual homes and lives. Pastor Doug Sabin tells about a ...

8. The Benefits Of Trusting Christ

Psalm 143:1-12

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

Object: A blindfold Lesson: Boys and girls: Perhaps you have played a game in which one person wore a blindfold and was "it" and he or she had to tag other people in the room who were not blindfolded. I could put my handkerchief on one of you and we could play that here except there are too many things you might trip over. Besides, it might delay our worship service a little bit. One of my favorite games as a child was "hide-and-seek." I could find some of the best hiding places. That was fun. Let me tell ...

9. Moral Benefits of Wisdom

Proverbs 2:1-22

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

This chapter is a parade example of a wisdom poem, an instruction in 22 verses (the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet). Moreover, it is tightly structured with six strophes: 4, 4, 3 and 4, 4, 3 verses. Each strophe has opening words that are flags, or signs. ʾAlep (the first Hebrew letter) opens verse 1 (after the customary “my son”) and closes verse 4. This conditional strophe (or structural division) is followed by two other strophes (beginning at vv. 5, 9) indicating what will happen. Both are ...

10. Further Benefits of Wisdom

Proverbs 3:1-35

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Chapter 3 continues the positive recommendation of wisdom. Based on thematic development, the chapter can be subdivided into four subsections: 3:1–4, 5–12, 13–26, 27–35. Verses 1–4 set forth additional advantages of preserving wisdom instruction. The words “teaching” and “commands” (Hebrew torah and mitsvah, 3:1, also in 6:20, 23; 7:2) are commonly paired with reference to Mosaic law (cf. Exod. 24:12; Josh. 22:5). Parental instructions are authoritative, not simply good advice. To “forget” involves not ...

11. Confessing Loyalty to the Lord of the Land and His Benefits

Psalm 16:1-11

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

The overall function of Psalm 16 is hard to determine, in part because the Hebrew text of verses 2–4 is difficult, but it appears to be a psalm of trust or more particularly a confession of faith in and loyalty to Yahweh. 16:1–4 It opens with a general petition for protection in the image of refuge. Verses 2–4 probably act as a report (I said) of the worshiper’s confession declaring, “You are my Lord,” as distinct from other gods. He resolves that Yahweh will be his sole source for good. This loyalty is ...

Free advice is like being kissed on the forehead. It doesn't hurt, but it doesn't do too much for you either.

James S. Hewett

13. The Ten Commandments

Deuteronomy 5:1-33

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... which Egypt was noted. The exodus story also involved a fresh revelation of the divine name (Exod. 3:13ff.; 6:2–8) and demonstrated its power. No Israelite must attempt to use the power of that name, which had operated for the national benefit, for any personal, malevolent, or frivolous purpose (third commandment). In Egypt, the harshest aspect of reality for Israel was the unrelenting labor imposed on them (Exod. 1 and 5). With no freedom they had no rest. The sabbath commandment was a distinctive gift ...

14. Personal Rights and Christian Testimony

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... God gives guidelines for the threshing floor, it brings hope to those plowing, sowing, and threshing that they will share in the crop. Since Paul has plowed, sowed, and brought a harvest to God’s threshing floor in Corinth, he has the divine right to benefit from it. In fact, if other apostles have come through Corinth and have rights in this harvest, Paul has more. 9:12b we did not use this right. In 7:21 Paul encouraged slaves to “take advantage” (chraomai; NIV: “do so”) of an opportunity to ...

15. Unity and Community (Part 1)

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... on a peer. In any case, you shopped with your own preferences in mind, bought something you would have wanted, and then felt distressed to see it go to the originally intended recipient. In the same way, we often ask for spiritual gifts that would be of benefit to us in increasing our sense of worth, solving our problems, or gaining the respect of others. If we do receive such gifts, we often feel tempted to use them for our own agendas and to better our own lives. Rarely do we eagerly desire the greater ...

16. Proverbs of Solomon

Proberbs 10:1--22:16

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... fools multiply is folly (14:24). Life-and-death matters are addressed in 14:25–27. Verse 25 affirms the life-saving power of a truthful witness in a capital case (cf. 14:5 in the context of speech), while a proverbial pair describes three metaphorical benefits of reverence for God (14:26–27). It provides a secure fortress to protect one’s children and a life-giving fountain (cf. Prov. 13:14), while keeping one from deadly snares, since those who fear God will avoid both evil and divine punishment and ...

17. Offerings for Priests and Levites

Deuteronomy 18:1-8

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... ’s people to “eat and be satisfied” (e.g., 8:10ff.) and urges that proper provision be made to enable even the poorest to do so (14:28f.). Here is another law concerned with eating—this time with the equal rights of all Levites to the food benefits of the sanctuary. The NT never calls those who serve the church in its leadership “priests.” Priesthood is applied only to either Christ (Heb. 7, etc.), or the whole community of believers (1 Pet. 2:9, echoing the same collective use in Exod. 19:4–6 ...

18. Elihu

Job 32:1--37:24

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... attack against Job picks up on Job’s earlier statements about human sin affecting God so little that it should not be harshly punished (7:17–21). Eliphaz expressed similar sentiments in 22:1–3, questioning whether Job’s claimed righteousness could be of any benefit to God or give him any pleasure. 35:1–2 Do you think this is just? Elihu states what he believes Job seeks as a just settlement. Unfortunately the Hebrew of the next phrase (tsideqi meʾel, “my righteousness is from God”) is less ...

19. The Attitude of Gratitude

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Sermon

James Merritt

... air that you breathe is free? Aren't you grateful that you don't have to pay an admission to see a sunset, or to hear a bird sing, or to smell a rose? Oh how grateful we ought to be just for the benefits of life. When is the last time you thanked God just for the benefit of living here in America? You know, so often we gripe about going to work, fighting the traffic, having to pay taxes. Well, let me put this in perspective for you. In Russia, a man has to work one hour to earn a ...

20. Looking Out for Others

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

... be treated with dignity and respect. God expects that of us! Our prayers should be focused upon this very concept. We are to aid in forming others and not run away to some safe corner to sit in a rocking chair. Prayer remains the most powerful force in benefiting others. Of course, we are to keep in mind this may be a prelude to actual and open change. In others we set the table and before you know it, luscious food and drink appear to enhance our friends who are on the same pilgrimage. Being only a novice ...

21. A Lesson from Dr. Seuss

Romans 6:1-14

Sermon

King Duncan

... relationship with God are as clueless as everyone else about what it takes to have a fulfilling life. They make the same bad choices, they have the same emptiness, as the world outside. Only when Christ becomes a real presence in our lives do the benefits of faith show themselves. The words “servants of God” may rub us the wrong way, but they emphasize the completeness of the commitment that is required. The choice is put squarely to us by St. Paul. He writes, “The wages of sin is death, but the ...

22. Body

2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... Jesus. The christological context of the believer’s experience is quite pronounced (cf. 2 Cor. 4:10–11). 4:15 The reason (gar, untranslated NIV) that God will raise up Paul is ultimately doxological. On the one hand, Paul’s deliverance is for the benefit of the Corinthians (2 Cor. 1:3–7). On the other hand, Paul’s final deliverance is expected to result in overflowing thanksgiving to God (cf. 1:11). The culmination of the Pauline mission is that Jews and Gentiles would glorify God together for ...

23. Building a Successful Life

Matthew 7:24-29

Sermon

King Duncan

... Life! Why not give your heart and soul to following him? The sad thing is not that many of us are bad people. We aren’t. The sad thing is that we are half-hearted about our faith. Therefore we only reap a minuscule portion of the benefits God has for us. Some of you may be familiar with the name of Christopher Parkening. Christopher Parkening is regarded as one of, if not the world’s greatest classical guitarists. He’s played guitar with orchestras the world over, even for the president in the White ...

24. When The Baker Becomes the Bread!

John 6:51-58

Sermon

Robert Leslie Holmes

... has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day"(John 6:51, 54). Wouldn't you like to know that you have a life that clocks and calendars cannot measure? Wouldn't you like to know that death cannot win against you? This is the first benefit of eternal life as offered by Jesus Christ. W. B. Hinson spoke from his own understanding of eternal life just before he died. He said, "A year ago my doctor said, ‘You have an illness from which you will not recover.' I walked outside my home in Oregon and ...

25. Ignite: The Fire Burns Brightly

Acts 2:42-47

Sermon

James Merritt

... being saved.” (Acts 2:47, ESV) If that last verse were not there we would have thought this picture was all about the people inside the church. Not so! We learned that the greatest result of a fire burning brightly is not for the benefit of the people on the inside of the church, but for the people on the outside. Just consider the genius of God’s plan. This first generation of Christians was a turnover fruit basket of different cultures, different backgrounds, at least 15 different nationalities where ...

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