Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1 to 25 of 29 results

1. Epiphany 4

1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Deuteronomy 18:14-22, Mark 1:21-28

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... " and proceeds to roll the dice. This person, however, has little internal control over his gaming. In fact, he soon becomes addicted and plummets into financial ruin. Does not the principle of Christian love dictate that we, persons of knowledge and control, desist from gambling for the sake of our weaker brothers and sisters? Gospel: Mark 1:21-28 Immediately. Right after picking some of his disciples, Jesus wasted no time before engaging in ministry. It was the Sabbath day and "immediately" he entered the ...

2. Body / Ambassador

2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... to God is a direct citation of the message that, as an ambassador “for Christ” (hyper Christou), Paul preaches to the world “on behalf of Christ” (hyper Christou). In that case, Paul’s gospel message is an exhortation (cf. 5:11) to desist from rebellion against God and to appropriate by faith the reconciliation that God has accomplished in Christ. The application of the present section to the Corinthians does not come until 6:1 (so also M. Thrall). 5:21 Since there is no transition between ...

3. Tying Up A Strong Man

Mark 3:20-30, 1 Samuel 8:1-22, 2 Corinthians 4:1-18, Mark 3:31-35, Psalm 138:1-8

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

... he was in league with the ruler of the demons. Jesus turns the argument around and argues instead that he is able to heal exactly because he has defeated the ruler of demons. Jesus also has to resist pressures of friends and family who want him to desist from his public ministry because they think he is on the verge of going crazy. Psalm. (Psalm 138) The Psalm begins with an expression of thanks to the Lord because of strength given. The psalmist looks forward to the time when all the kings will praise the ...

4. What a Difference a Day Makes

Exodus 20:8-11

Sermon

James Merritt

... you what the Sabbath day is really supposed to do for you and your family. "If because of the Sabbath, you turn your foot from doing your own pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, and honor it, desisting from your own ways, from seeking your own pleasure and speaking your own word, then you will take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; and I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of ...

5. God’s Faithfulness

Romans 3:1-8

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... especially in verses 5–8, where Paul broaches questions which he cannot fully discuss until chapters 6 and 9–11. 3:1–2 Two questions are posed in verse 1: What advantage is there in being a Jew, and what value is there in circumcision? Paul desists from further discussion of circumcision in favor of the larger issue of the advantage of being a Jew. There is a “relentless logic” to Paul’s argument (so Achtemeier, Romans, pp. 54ff.). In light of what was said in 2:25–29 the reader might conclude ...

6. The Creation of the World

Genesis 1:1-2:3

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... place a premium on space and holy places; time and history are viewed as cyclical. The absence of the phrase “and there was evening, and there was morning—the ________ day,” after the seventh day indicates that God is not resting because he is exhausted but is desisting from his work of creation. It is not so much a date as it is an atmosphere. The seventh day, like man and woman (1:28), is blessed. If “blessed” in 1:28 is meant to confer the power to beget new life, might “blessed” in 2:3 ...

7. Song of a Poet Laureate

Psalm 2:1-12

Sermon

Gordon Pratt Baker

... , he declares, can lead only to their self-destruction; for glory thus gained is quickly lost in the same manner by which it is attained (Psalm 2:9). This is especially true where those actions are taken against God. Let Israel’s foes, therefore, desist from their scheming and submit to the Lord’s sovereignty if they would escape his wrath. Serve the Lord with fear, with trembling kiss his feet. (Psalm 2:11) These are graphic words. For they declare unequivocally that the mighty will fall, stripped of ...

8. The Cup of the Lord's Wrath

Isaiah 51:17--52:12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... up from their stupor (52:1–2). He has sovereignly and graciously exchanged the shame of their exile and alienation for the glory of his presence. Jerusalem, the “mother city,” will again be a glorious queen. Her reproach will be removed when the ungodly desist from oppressing. Only a holy people will inhabit the holy city. Israel’s bondage in Egypt and her exile in Babylon were not due to God’s inability to deliver them. He freely handed them over, and freely he will deliver them (52:3–6). His ...

9. Keeping the Sabbath Holy

Jeremiah 17:19-27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The people are exhorted to observe the Sabbath (17:19–27; Sabbath laws are given in Exodus 20:8–11; 23:12; 34:21; Num. 15:32–36). “Be careful” is a frequent admonition in Deuteronomy. The instruction is to desist from public trading and from work generally. Reform and renewal start with specifics. Some have suggested that of the Ten Commandments Jeremiah singled out the fourth because it was the easiest to observe; besides, it was a tangible sign of the covenant (Exod. 31:16–17). As with God’ ...

10. True Communication

Acts 2:1-41

Illustration

Will Willimon

... using the acid on the pipes. Another letter from the manufacturer: "We fear that there may have been some miscommunication in our correspondence. Acid, of that density, applied to cast iron pipe, is certain to have dubious results. Therefore, please desist from your current practices." The homeowner read the letter, then wrote back, thanking the company for its response, telling them once again that he was delighted that he was doing nothing which might harm the pipes. Finally, an exasperated manufacturer ...

I have been trying all my life to like Scotchmen, and am obliged to desist from the experiment in despair.

Charles Lamb

12. Creation Lawsuit

Humor Illustration

Paraphrasing an article by Rep. Hinshaw of California in the congressional Record: In the beginning, God created heaven and earth. Quickly He was faced with a class action suit for failure to file an environmental impact statement. He was granted a temporary permit for the heavenly part of the project, but was stymied with a cease and desist order for the earthly part. Appearing at the hearing, God was asked why He began the earthly project in the first place. He replied that He just liked to be creative. ...

13. Elihu

Job 32:1--37:24

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

The Friends Conclude and Elihu Begins Excurses: Had the third cycle of dialogue between Job and his three friends been complete, we would expect to find Zophar’s concluding speech in response to Job at this point. However, at least in the canonical form of the book, Bildad’s truncated final speech (25:1–6), Job’s expanded concluding speech (chs. 26–31), the complete absence of any final speech by Zophar, and the opening comments in the following Elihu section, press the reader to understand this collapse ...

14. Job’s Reply to Zophar

Job 12:1--14:22

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

Job’s Equal Wisdom 12:1 Undeterred by Zophar’s stringent warnings, Job answers Zophar’s harshness with equal venom. 12:2 Doubtless. Job begins his reply to Zophar with the same word with which he began his response to Bildad (ʾomnam, “surely, certainly, without a doubt,” 9:2), but here the word drips with intentional sarcasm. Job clearly has his doubts about the wisdom of the three friends—especially after the rather unfeeling rebuke that Zophar has just pronounced. He directs his reply at all three ...

15. The Shy Member of the Trinity

John 14:15-31

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

The disciples were distressed. They had good reason to be. Jesus had just told them that He was about to leave them. The One whom they had loved most in all the world was going to go away. Soon they would be on their own. How would they carry on without Him? How could they face the world without the encouragement and support of His presence beside them? It seemed to be the end of everything. Then it was that Jesus said some very strange things to them. He told them that it would actually be to their ...

16. Impurity, Repentance, and Jealousy

Num 5:1-31

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: God’s people must deal with ritual and moral impurities. Understanding the Text Following the census of priests and Levites in Numbers 3–4, Numbers 5 introduces laws that involve priests: 1. Cases of ceremonial impurity (vv. 1–4) (cf. Ezek. 44:33) 2. Restitution given to priests for false oaths (vv. 5–10) 3. A priestly ritual regarding a jealous husband (vv. 11–31) In each of these cases the issue involves the need for Israel to be pure. Historical and Cultural Background Requiring those accused ...

17. Sayings of the Wise

Proverbs 22:17--24:22

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

The title for these chapters is taken from the Greek, since the MT buries the phrase in verse 17. See the introduction for the international character of wisdom and the influence of Israel’s neighbors, especially Egypt. There can be no doubt that this section has been influenced by the Egyptian text known as Teaching of Amenemope (about 1100 B.C.E.), but there is considerable difference of opinion on the extent and manner of the influence. There is a certain concensus on the following points. The Hebrew is ...

18. Made New By 180 Degrees

Luke 3:1-20

Sermon

Richard A. Wing

For those of you who have come here a mite tense today, I have good news for you. Without tension you cannot know the ultimate joy of Christmas. Without facing tension, Christmas is almost certainly missed. We have a tension between our texts today. We find tension between what John says and what Paul proclaims in Philippians. Two things emerge from the texts. First, the essential problem with John the Baptist. William Willimon, Chaplain at Duke University, says that John the Baptist reminds us of ...

19. Hemlock and Hyssop

Romans 6:1-14

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Of all the things Christians do, baptism might be the weirdest –– at least from an outsider perspective. For those born into the Christian tradition, baptism is a wonderful, beautiful moment, a joyful celebration. For those outside the Christian faith, it can seem completely strange, even macabre. Baptism is a “ritual drowning,” a symbolic death that ushers the baptized into a spiritually reborn, renewed life. However we dress this ritual up — whether with lacy baptismal gowns for infants or with lemonade ...

20. Proper 18

Exodus 12:1-30, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20, Ezekiel 33:1-20

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Exodus 12:1-14 The Passover feast is inaugurated. In preparation for leaving Egypt, Yahweh instituted the Passover. Each family was to roast a sheep or goat and eat unleavened bread. The blood of the animal was to be placed on the doorposts to keep the angel of death from entering their homes. This is to be an annual feast to remind the people of God's deliverance. Old Testament: Ezekiel 33:(1-6) 7-11 He who warns the wicked shall live. Epistle: Romans 13:8-14 Christians are to ...

21. Little Jimmy

Mark 3:13-19

Sermon

Donald B. Strobe

I have a very close, long-time friend by the name of Jim. The problem is that his son is also named Jim. When his son and our son were growing up together, it was simple to identify Jim the son from Jim the father by calling him “Little Jimmy.” But now, “Little Jimmy” is bigger than “Big Jim,” and has a son of his own named Little Jimmy, and so the whole thing gets rather confusing. I have no idea what they do at family reunions. Their family is sort of like that group of Twelve apostles. I. THERE ARE AT ...

22. Will You Dance the Metanoia with Me?

Acts 2:14-41

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

Every generation has a signature dance. You might even say that every generation must live with its own “dorky dance” stigma. Anyone remember the “Twist?” The “Conga?” The “Hokey Pokey?” The “Funky Chicken?” About fifteen years ago you could not go anywhere — a party, a wedding reception, a baseball game — without being bullied to “Do the Macarena with Me.” The Macarena might have been a good ice-breaker at youth camps, or a way to get your blood moving again during the Seventh Inning Stretch. But is was ...

23. Proper 18

Lk 14:25-33 · Eze 33:1-11 · Phm 1-20 · Prov 9:8-12

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Ezekiel 33:1-11 The watchman saves his life by giving God's warning to the wicked in the hope that the wicked will repent and live. The setting for this pericope is the defense alarm system of Ezekiel's day. A watchman was posted on a hill to warn the city by blowing a trumpet when an enemy approached. This gave the people in the fields an opportunity to come into the walled city for protection. If the watchman failed to warn, he was responsible for the death of those killed by the invaders. On ...

24. The Sabbath - Delightfully Different

Exodus 20:1-21, Mark 2:23-3:6

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

I grew up in a Methodist preacher's home. Papa was strict about the Sabbath Day. No work was allowed on Sundays. When Mama pointed out to him that cooking and cleaning were work, Papa knew he was cornered. So, he took us out to lunch on Sundays, but he felt bad about making the restaurant personnel work on the Sabbath. Papa did not like the idea of watching television on Sundays, but I noticed that he often peeped at the TV late on Sunday afternoons when his beloved Washington Redskins were playing ...

25. A Message About the Philistines

Jeremiah 47:1-7

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

Oracle against Philistia: The second oracle against a foreign nation is directed toward Philistia. The order is likely determined by geographical considerations in that Philistia was next up the coast from Egypt. The Philistines have a long history in the Bible. We first hear about Philistines in the book of Genesis (Gen. 10:14; 21:32, 34, etc.). Many take these early references as anachronistic, which may be the case, or else they are indications of an early incursion of the Philistines into Canaan. In ...

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