Sermon and Worship Resources

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1. Can We Bear the Light?

Matthew 25:31-46

Illustration

B. Wiley Stephens

The story is told of a young monk asking an older monk, "Father, if God is infinitely merciful, how can he deprive anyone of his heavenly kingdom?" The older monk answered, "Why do you keep turning your head from side to side?" The younger monk replied, "Because the sun keeps hitting me right in the eye and just won't leave me in peace." "Then you've answered your own question," the older monk lau...

2. Children’s Stories and Transformations

Matthew 17:1-13

Illustration

B. Wiley Stephens

Children's stories are full of characters who move back and forth between different realms of reality. Take Cinderella, for example. You know the story of four mice pulling a pumpkin, whisking Cinderella away from poverty into an exalted moment of acceptance and glory. In one transforming moment, the servant is transformed into the queen of the ball. Suddenly, everyone can see Cinderella's beauty ...

3. That’s All I Want

John 10:1-21

Illustration

B. Wiley Stephens

A little girl reciting the 23rd Psalm began, "The Lord is my shepherd; that's all I want." Maybe she missed the wording, but she sure got the theology right. To have Jesus as our shepherd is indeed a blessing. As he moves towards the cross, Jesus holds up this model of the good shepherd, reminding his listeners that a good shepherd would lay down his life for the sheep. He would give his life to p...

4. The Sound of Money for the Smell of Food

Matthew 25:31-46

Illustration

B. Wiley Stephens

A hungry man was walking down the street in a village of medieval Turkey. He had only a piece of bread in his hand. He came to a restaurant where some meatballs were being grilled. The cooking meat was so near and the smell so delicious the man held his piece of bread over the meat to capture some of the smell. As he started to eat the bread, the angry restaurant owner seized him and took him away...

Showing 1 to 4 of 4all results

Showing all results

1. Can We Bear the Light?

Matthew 25:31-46

Illustration

B. Wiley Stephens

2. Children’s Stories and Transformations

Matthew 17:1-13

Illustration

B. Wiley Stephens

3. That’s All I Want

John 10:1-21

Illustration

B. Wiley Stephens

4. The Sound of Money for the Smell of Food

Matthew 25:31-46

Illustration

B. Wiley Stephens

Showing 1 to 4 of 4all results