Sermon and Worship Resources

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1. Exercising Self-control

Illustration

Orien Johnson

... in sports unless you exercise self-control in order to put your ... -be-athlete has to exercise self-control and cannot depend on the ...

2. They Will All Be Taught By God

John 6:35, 41-51

Illustration

Ralph Waldo Emerson

... , dishonesty with honesty, sensuality with self-control, and hatred with love. The ...

3. Like Their Heroic Commander

Romans 8:29; John 17:23

Illustration

Christopher Oldstone-Moore

The revolution that ended the reign of beards occurred on September 30, 331 b.c., As Alexander the Great prepared for a decisive showdown with the Persian emperor for control of Asia, he ordered his men to shave. From time immemorial in Greek culture, a smooth chin on a grown man had been taken as a sign of effeminacy or degeneracy. What can explain this unprecedented command? When the commander Parmenio asked the reason, according to the ancient historian Plutarch, Alexander replied, “Don’t you know that ...

4. Be Watchful of the Future

Illustration

James Enery White

If people would have been asked in 1968 which nation would dominate the world in watch making during the 1990s and into the twenty-first century the answer would have been uniform: Switzerland. Why? Because Switzerland had dominated the world of watch making for the previous sixty years. The Swiss made the best watches in the world and were committed to constant refinement of their expertise. It was the Swiss who came forward with the minute hand and the second hand. They led the world in discovering ...

5. Control Your Temper

Mt 18:15-35

Illustration

King Duncan

... not believe that Patton lacked self-control, only that he was refusing ...

6. Killer Soap

Galatians 5:22-23

Illustration

Richard L. Dunagin

... , kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I promise you. Your fish ...

7. Creeds and Deeds - Sermon Starter

Mark 7:1-23

Illustration

Brett Blair

... quality of a person's self-control. When you discuss a good ...

8. Fighting Mad

Illustration

Joe Franklin

... about Joe Louis that illustrates self-control. He and the late G ...

9. Turning Jesus Down

John 4:5-42

Illustration

John N. Brittain

Many churches have been designed in response to consumer surveys. In several Midwestern suburban areas the surveys have had similar results. People want the church to provide a good community center with an excellent gym and Nautilus-caliber training equipment; they want quality affordable day care and after school care for children; they want a variety of self-help and support groups; and they want sermons dealing with timely issues like money management and enhancing self-esteem. What they do not want ...

10. An Attitude of Sacrifice

Lk 6:17-26; Mt 5:1-12

Illustration

Brett Blair

... was God—controlled and not self—controlled. When I think of making ...

11. Dead Works

Luke 13:1-9; Heb 9:14; Jer 13:23

Illustration

Stephen Craig Jennings

Simply changing outward behavior is not repentance. We at times change our behavior for self-centered reasons. Sometimes we change in an attempt to atone for my sins. Such change will only make my sinfulness more sinful. This is the basis for the reference in Hebrews of repenting from ‘dead works'. A dead work is a work that is not done with the leading and empowerment of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Hence any good work a non-Christian would attempt is a dead work. And many types of good works that ...

12. Kilkenny Cats

Matthew 5:21-26

Illustration

Staff

Jesus warns us against anger, and reminds us to find a better way to resolve our conflicts. It is impossible to avoid confrontations and conflict, but we should never let anger poison our relationships or lead to damage that is impossible to undo. It reminds me of a traditional Irish poem: There once were two cats of Kilkenny, Each thought there was one cat too many; So they fought and they fit, And they scratched and they bit, Till, excepting their nails, And the tips of their tails, Instead of two cats ...

13. Selecting a New President

Illustration

Staff

When the board of directors of a large food company was considering the selection of a new president, one of the directors worked out this questionnaire: Who of the possible candidates is the best known as a personality to the most company people? Who is the most liked and trusted by them? Who is held in the highest regard outside the organization...in public life and "in the trade"? Who is the most warmly human in his dealings with people? Who has demonstrated the best capacity for selecting able people, ...

14. Beauty Tips

Illustration

A New Year resolution adapted from a prayer from the World Healing Organization (Blackpool, England): For attractive lips, I will speak words of kindness. For beautiful eyes, I will look for the good in others. To lose weight, I will let go of stress, hatred, anger, discontentment and the need to control others. For poise, I will walk with knowledge and self-esteem. To strengthen my arms, I will hug at least three people a day. I will reach out to someone and touch them with love. To strengthen my heart, I ...

15. We Go Up to Jerusalem

Matthew 20:18

Illustration

Jon L. Joyce

Here is a living example of fearlessness, of unwavering loyalty, and of determination to finish a task. At Jerusalem an ugly cross was waiting to inflict its cruel anguish upon Christ. Yet without flinching or hesitation he set his jaw and started for the city. Here was discipline of the first order, and an example to every follower of Christ. Discipline is not popular today. The discipline of the armed forces is being eroded. Children are not to be warped by domination and so permissiveness runs full sway ...

16. How to Really Love Your Child

Illustration

Dr. Ross Campbell

... from moving on to better self-control and more mature behavior. Therefore ...

17. Fruit of the Spirit

Illustration

Donald Grey Barnhouse

Love is the key. Joy is love singing. Peace is love resting. Long-suffering is love enduring. Kindness is love's touch. Goodness is love's character. Faithfulness is love's habit. Gentleness is love's self-forgetfulness. Self-control is love holding the reins.

18. The First Fruits of the Spirit

2 Peter 1:1-11

Illustration

Jane Shepherd

... can forgive seven times seventy? Self-Control: This is one of the ...

19. Cancel Your Plans

Illustration

James Packer

... part of the discipline of self-control; it's a way of ...

20. What Can You Bear?

Illustration

Charles Ryrie

... to both lists: love and self-control. The others are joy, peace ...

21. Cabinet Masterpiece

Illustration

... dog. The surgeon, with masterful self-control, said not a word but ...

22. THE BEAUTY OF SELF-LOVE

Illustration

John H. Krahn

When we are emotionally healthy, all of us have a rather high regard of ourselves. It is natural and normal to enjoy the beauty of self-love. Although the Bible does not stroke self-love, it does not deny its validity either. What it speaks out against is selfish love, a love of ourselves that is exclusive of God and of others ... a love that has its priorities wrong. Whereas self-love is beautiful, selfish love is not. In order to have the beauty of self-love, the Bible states that we must get our love ...

23. Bigger Is Not Always Better

Mark 8:31-38

Illustration

Mickey Anders

The American businessman was at the pier of a small, coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied only a little while. The American then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish. The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The American then asked, "But ...

24. A Father's Influence

Illustration

Dr. George Rekers

A positive and continuous relationship to one's father has been found to be associated with a good self-concept, higher self- esteem, higher self-confidence in personal and social interaction, higher moral maturity, reduced rates of unwed teen pregnancy, greater internal control and higher career aspirations. Fathers who are affectionate, nurturing and actively involved in child-rearing are more likely to have well- adjusted children.

25. A Bent Over Woman

Luke 13:10-17

Illustration

Richard A. Jensen

The woman with the battered face. Several years back that battered face was splashed all over the media. The woman's name was Hedda Nussbaum. She came to public attention as a dramatic witness for the prosecution in the death of her adopted daughter, Lisa. Hedda Nussbaum was a vulnerable person already in her early years. She says that when she was a child, "I just went where I was taken." She just obeyed orders. Not surprisingly, she fell in love with a man who loved to give orders. His name was Joel ...

26. A Hostage Repents

Luke 3:1-20

Illustration

Richard A. Jensen

Terry Anderson is probably the best known of the American hostages kept in Lebanon. Anderson, an Associated Press journalist, was held hostage for 2,454 days! His ordeal began innocently enough on March 16, 1985. As he dropped off his tennis partner after a morning match he noticed a green Mercedes pulled up just ahead of where he was stopped. Suddenly three young men came charging out of the car. Each had a 9-mm pistol hanging loosely on their hip. In a flash they were at Anderson's car window. "Get out ...

27. Cheap Talk about an All Powerful God

John 1:29-42

Illustration

Shirley Guthrie

One Christian writer has said, "All cheap and easy talk about a God of sovereign power who is in control of a world in which there is so much poverty, suffering, and injustice is obscene. All self-confident talk about a powerful church that has the mandate and the ability to change society with this or that conservative or liberal social/political agenda or with this or that evangelistic program is increasingly absurd in a disintegrating church that cannot solve its own problems, much less the problems of ...

28. Persisting In Integrity

Job 1:1-5

Illustration

... deeply in another effort at self-control. "How dare Ray ask me ...

29. ATHLETE

1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 2:5

Illustration

Stephen Stewart

... 9:25 - "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do ...

30. Our Misguided Goals

John 1:19-34

Illustration

William J. Kemp

There's an emptiness in pursuing anything less than God's call. Darrell Bock is one of those baby boomers who has entered mid-life. A teacher at Dallas Theological Seminary, he writes in Christianity Today how as a young, idealistic man, headed for seminary, he thought being a successful Christian meant "being a winner for God, taking control, and doing all I could for his kingdom...The essence of our spirituality was to do all we could for God in the 40 or so years we had." Now, at mid-life, he has ...

31. STEWARD

Gen. 43:19; 1 Peter 4:10

Illustration

Stephen Stewart

Genesis 43:19 - "So they went up to the steward of Joseph’s house, and spoke with him at the door of the house," 1 Peter 4:10 - "As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:" The steward in ancient Israel was the man who controlled the affairs of the household of the wealthy and royal families, especially in overseeing the service of the table, directing the servants, and controlling the household expenses. This was a position of trust, as is evident, ...

32. Personal Prayer Time

Mark 1:29-34

Illustration

Keith Wagner

We live in a hi-tech, fast pace, workaholic world where no one rests. We are constantly on the road, running errands, going places. We stuff ourselves with "fast food," overbook our lives with a myriad of things to do, and at the end of the day we are totally exhausted. We live (and die) by the clock. We are controlled by the need to produce. Time is money, time is how we keep in control of our lives. We resist quiet time by keeping the radios, televisions and computers on. The very thought of being alone ...

33. Quite a Shock

Illustration

Tom Carter

In Ralph Emery's autobiography, Memories, the country-music D.J. and host of TV's "Nashville Now" relates one of his early experiences in radio: An exuberant man of the cloth came into the studio one day with his wife, another woman and a guitar with an electrical short in its amplifier. I could tell it was defective by the loud hum in his speaker. I walked from the control room into the studio to exchange pleasantries, and then assumed my position on my side of the glass separating the rooms. I raised the ...

Showing 1 to 33 of 33all results

Showing all results

1. Exercising Self-control

Illustration

Orien Johnson

... in sports unless you exercise self-control in order to put your ... -be-athlete has to exercise self-control and cannot depend on the ...

2. They Will All Be Taught By God

John 6:35, 41-51

Illustration

Ralph Waldo Emerson

... , dishonesty with honesty, sensuality with self-control, and hatred with love. The ...

3. Like Their Heroic Commander

Romans 8:29; John 17:23

Illustration

Christopher Oldstone-Moore

4. Be Watchful of the Future

Illustration

James Enery White

5. Control Your Temper

Mt 18:15-35

Illustration

King Duncan

... not believe that Patton lacked self-control, only that he was refusing ...

6. Killer Soap

Galatians 5:22-23

Illustration

Richard L. Dunagin

... , kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I promise you. Your fish ...

7. Creeds and Deeds - Sermon Starter

Mark 7:1-23

Illustration

Brett Blair

... quality of a person's self-control. When you discuss a good ...

8. Fighting Mad

Illustration

Joe Franklin

... about Joe Louis that illustrates self-control. He and the late G ...

9. Turning Jesus Down

John 4:5-42

Illustration

John N. Brittain

10. An Attitude of Sacrifice

Lk 6:17-26; Mt 5:1-12

Illustration

Brett Blair

... was God—controlled and not self—controlled. When I think of making ...

11. Dead Works

Luke 13:1-9; Heb 9:14; Jer 13:23

Illustration

Stephen Craig Jennings

12. Kilkenny Cats

Matthew 5:21-26

Illustration

Staff

13. Selecting a New President

Illustration

Staff

14. Beauty Tips

Illustration

15. We Go Up to Jerusalem

Matthew 20:18

Illustration

Jon L. Joyce

16. How to Really Love Your Child

Illustration

Dr. Ross Campbell

... from moving on to better self-control and more mature behavior. Therefore ...

17. Fruit of the Spirit

Illustration

Donald Grey Barnhouse

18. The First Fruits of the Spirit

2 Peter 1:1-11

Illustration

Jane Shepherd

... can forgive seven times seventy? Self-Control: This is one of the ...

19. Cancel Your Plans

Illustration

James Packer

... part of the discipline of self-control; it's a way of ...

20. What Can You Bear?

Illustration

Charles Ryrie

... to both lists: love and self-control. The others are joy, peace ...

21. Cabinet Masterpiece

Illustration

... dog. The surgeon, with masterful self-control, said not a word but ...

22. THE BEAUTY OF SELF-LOVE

Illustration

John H. Krahn

23. Bigger Is Not Always Better

Mark 8:31-38

Illustration

Mickey Anders

24. A Father's Influence

Illustration

Dr. George Rekers

25. A Bent Over Woman

Luke 13:10-17

Illustration

Richard A. Jensen

26. A Hostage Repents

Luke 3:1-20

Illustration

Richard A. Jensen

27. Cheap Talk about an All Powerful God

John 1:29-42

Illustration

Shirley Guthrie

28. Persisting In Integrity

Job 1:1-5

Illustration

... deeply in another effort at self-control. "How dare Ray ask me ...

29. ATHLETE

1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 2:5

Illustration

Stephen Stewart

... 9:25 - "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do ...

30. Our Misguided Goals

John 1:19-34

Illustration

William J. Kemp

31. STEWARD

Gen. 43:19; 1 Peter 4:10

Illustration

Stephen Stewart

32. Personal Prayer Time

Mark 1:29-34

Illustration

Keith Wagner

33. Quite a Shock

Illustration

Tom Carter

Showing 1 to 33 of 33all results