Sermon and Worship Resources

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Luke 23:26-43

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... one that remains outside the gates? (With thanks for this insight to church consultant J. David Schmidt.) Is this church facing the church thief? Or is this church facing the world ... bell. Do we turn a deaf ear to the bells being run, because it's not in our backyard, it's not in our graveyard? The bells are going off all the time out there. Is this church hooked up to those calling for help so that it's bells are ringing? The bells are ringing: can you hear them? Can you hear the ringing in our ears? It's ...

2. Feet Of Clay

2 Samuel 11:1-27

Sermon

Roger Prescott

... down and die. - 2 Samuel 11:15 As Sir Walter Scott said, "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." (Marmion, 1808) This kind of activity by David rings a bell with all of us - if we look carefully at ourselves. Adultery and murder: some pretty heinous crimes. Yet we know from later accounts that David would recover, be forgiven and live to serve God in further ways. God’s grace is big enough for anything. That promise brings hope, comfort, and new beginnings to us all. 3. God ...

3. Christmas International

Drama

Dory Younger

... may be used. Large candle on candlestand If It can be used safely. Two pots of red poinsettias. Assorted small bells, or cutout bells from construction paper or foil, with yarn or ribbon loops for hanging. Six-inch strings of popcorn, ten or ... ancestral home for this census. Because Joseph was a member of the royal line, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, King David’s ancient home - journeying there from the village of Nazareth. He took with him Mary, his espoused wife, who was great with child. (MARY ...

4. Friendship? Yes, Please!

2 Samuel 11:1-27

Sermon

Stephen M. Crotts

... , always had their friendships. Elijah had his Elisha, Paul his Silas, David his Jonathan, and Adam his Eve. Robert Peary, the first man at the North Pole, had his Matthew Henson. Mr. Bell, inventor of the telephone, had his Watson. Even singer Smokey Robinson ... two lie together, they are warm: but how can one be warm alone?" Perhaps Solomon is remembering his own father's death. King David evidently suffered from exposure. The Bible says he shivered and no amount of blankets could warm him. So they put ...

5. Broken and Beautiful

Luke 18:9-14, Psalm 51:1-19

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... heal and correct. That kind of brokenness is sad, too. Ah, but there is another kind of brokenness that is absolutely beautiful. King David described it in Psalm 51: "The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will ... to me. I am a sinner." That is beautiful brokenness. Jesus said that Holy Harry's prayer never got above the ceiling. But that broken tax collector's prayer set so many bells to ringing in heaven that the angels had to cover their ears. The tax ...

6. Israel’s Ill-Placed Confidence

Amos 5:18-27

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... eight to ten strings (based on Akkadian and Ugaritic findings and Jewish descriptions) and could be played with a pick or by hand. David’s “harp” was such a lyre. The “harp” mentioned in the NT (1 Cor. 14:7; Rev. 5:8; 14:2; 15:2) ... refers to a horn with a word used to translate both OT terms (salpinx). The ancient world had both flutes and shawms. Shawms have a bell-like flare at the end, while the shaft of a flute is straight to the end. What is likely a double-reed shawm is frequently translated ...

7. Swansong as Themesong

2 Samuel 23:1-7

Sermon

Robert Noblett

... seriously played it since 1965. Since that time, no air had been blown into its mouthpiece, and no music had come forth from its bell. Human lives can often be thought of in those terms. Nothing is being blown into them and nothing is emerging from them. They are ... hope must rest, namely, in the nature and word of God as it has been disclosed to us. (p. 78) Then David”s words are realistic without being disparaging: “But godless men are like thorns that are thrown away; no one can touch them barehanded ...

8. The Appearance of Love

Matthew 22:34-40

Sermon

King Duncan

... replica of the six-course meal that was served in the first-class dining room on the Titanic the night it sank. A ship's bell signaled the end of each course. Then the men cleared the tables and sang love songs between each course. After the meal, one of ... , would they understand that the two great commandments of our faith are to love God and to love our neighbor? 1. David Wendel, United Methodist Church, Esterville, IA. 2. May/June 1996, p. 15. 3. (Ventura, California: Regal Books, 1995). 4. ISRAEL FOR ...

9. Mark 10:35-45

Mark 10:35-45

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... "Son of Man." The messianic title, coupled with the theological significance of the "Son of Man" entering Jerusalem, sounded the bell in the disciples' minds for all sorts of glorious rings. Refusing to deal with the core content of Jesus' statements ... and assumed his glory. Believing themselves to be disciples of the one who was about to reclaim David's throne, James and John continue their mother's concern that they stand beside Jesus in a specially chosen and designated relationship. Jesus' sharp retort ...

10. Sparkle

Luke 4:31-37

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... 32) Elijah Heals the Son of the Widow at Zarapheth Who Challenges Him (1 Kings 17) An Evil Spirit Torments Saul and He Tries to Kill David (1 Samuel 16:14-23; 18:6-16; 19:1-24) The Prayer of Nabonitus (The Mad King) --(This Aramaic text belongs to the famous Dead ... psalms and other items would be used to ward off evil. Even Jewish priests would wear bells on their robes to keep evil away from mind and soul. However, it’s evident in this scripture that Jesus is telling us that only God can restore and keep ...

11. Jingle Bells at a Funeral

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Sermon

King Duncan

... about it to come up with “Jingle Bells.” “Yes, that’s it,” she said. “He really liked ‘Jingle Bells.’ Maybe you could sing that one.” His friend thought for a moment and said, “‘Jingle Bells’ wouldn’t be appropriate for a funeral, ... the apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 2: 1-11, where he wrote about being shipwrecked, beaten, and imprisoned for his preaching. But he never lost the joy of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. After his return from war, David Read entered the ...

12. Beneath The Cross

Matthew 21:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... he rides on. He does not seek to avoid the task to which he has been called. It reminds me of a routine comedian David Brenner used to do about Superman in the movies. Go back with me in your minds. Picture this scene. Superman is confronting one of ... ’s devotion to Buddha. The king’s advisors had told him that making a huge temple bell would secure the nation from foreign invasion. The specialist who cast the bell had produced several failures until he concluded that the best way to produce a great bell ...

13. Partners In the Gospel

Philippians 1:1-11

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... s grace will not sustain us. I needed Karen Musselman’s prayer that day. And I thought -- if this is what Asbury is like, maybe I can make it. Connections are important. When it came time for my formal inauguration as president of Asbury, Karen inspired a special chapel service in which the students anointed me as their president and Karen prayed the prayer of consecration. Connections are important. In ____1995, David ... . They could not even ring their church bells. Then in November 1989, you remember the ...

14. Leaping Lepers - Thanksgiving

Luke 17:11-19

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... of ingratitude. Jesus says GO, they GO. Sounds like obedient faith to me. "How about a word or two on behalf of the nine lepers who did not return to give thanks?" That is how Martin Bell begins his essay on this text in an intriguing collection entitled The Way of the Wolf.(6) "What about the others? It's simple really," Bell writes. And then he goes on to tell of the one who was so frightened that he could only look for a place to hide. He describes one of the former lepers who was offended that ...

15. “Unto Us A Child Is Born... Next, On Omar”

Luke 2:1-7

Drama

Lois Anne DeLong

... sheep a long time, and I’ve never heard a sound like this. It sounded like ... tinkling bells ... and singing. (Angels enter from stage right, ringing bells and singing “Glory.” Several cluster on the steps next to the stage. Others come up and ... with microphone.) Audience Member 2: Wasn’t this king foretold in the prophecies supposed to be a descendent of David? Mary: Joseph is from David’s family. Audience Member 3: Joseph, what do you do for a living? Joseph: I’m a carpenter. Audience Member ...

16. It's All About the Messiah

Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

... Judea was destroyed in 586 BC the Jews found their hopes centering upon an earthly establishment of the monarchy by a descendant of David. But the prophets began to help their people to understand that the Messiah was so much more than an earthly king. This new ... discordant. Then our Savior threw himself from the heights of heaven. His life-blood entered into a world’s alloy, and ever since, the vast bell has been growing sweeter and more attuned to the heavenly music for those who have found the redeemer ...

17. Belling the Cat

John 6:60-71

Sermon

King Duncan

... , but none seemed to solve the problem. Then a young mouse got up, took the floor, and said boldly, “Let’s hang a bell around the cat’s neck. That way, whenever the cat is near, we’ll hear the ringing and safely hide.” The crowd applauded loudly ... Savior. (6) But here is the critical point: Christ was willing “to bell the cat” for us. The question we are left with is this: what are we willing to do for him? 1. David C. Noonan, Aesop & the CEO (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc., 2005 ...

18. Sabbath Year and Year of Jubilee

Leviticus 25:8-55, Leviticus 25:1-7

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... the book of Judges, it took centuries for Israel to control the land fully. Not until the time of King David was the promised land entirely controlled by Israel, but by then records of the original owners would have been ... Bell, hung in 1753, was among scores of bells rung on July 8, 1776, in conjunction with the reading of America’s Declaration of Independence from England. Thus it was almost certainly used at that time to “proclaim liberty” in that sense. The bell was not called the “Liberty Bell ...

19. A Day of Singing

Zephaniah 3:14-20, Luke 3:7-18

Sermon

King Duncan

... there in a lowly stable, reconciling the world unto Himself. I know it’s an outrageous thing to say, but that’s what happened there. And people have been singing about it ever since. David Devine told a revealing story in the Washington Post sometime back. It was ... the violin as a youth. He recognized the quality of Joshua Bell’s performance and stood enjoying it from the distance. And then there was a demographer named Stacy. Stacy had seen Bell in concert 3 weeks before. She recognized him. And here he ...

20. Could the Pharisees Have Been Irish?

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Sermon

King Duncan

... there is a Corpus Christi procession through the streets of the parish. Altar boys go ahead of the procession ringing bells to alert the faithful that the procession is coming near. People come out of their houses, kneel, and cross themselves ... David, under his wing. As they became closer and closer, Winneger’s heart went out to the boy. He offered David the opportunity to come back to New York City with him. David accepted and Winneger went through all the necessary paperwork and officially adopted David ...

21. First the Bad News...

Luke 21:5-19

Sermon

King Duncan

... .” Artist says, “That’s great! What’s the bad news?” Gallery owner says, “The bad news is that woman was your doctor!” (2) At the famous Lloyd’s of London insurance house, there is an historic bell that is sometimes referred to as the Bad News Bell. In 1799, a large ... com/about-lloyds/history/catastrophes-and-claims/hms-lutine. 4. David Guzik, https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/luke-21/. 5. “The World’s Most Counterfeited Brands,” https://www.lovemoney.com/gallerylist/52360/the ...

22. Ready!

Mark 13:24-37

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... where other poets have bared their souls in despair. My copy says, “To David, Through Tears — With Hope. Ann Weems.” Her poetic preface, composed after her ... holy place we learn that the Jesus we come to know in scripture is living and dying proof of God’s love for you and for me. Back to that trip we took to China. Our day in the Beijing park happened ... taken with us. All of us, in our own languages, belting out “Jingle Bells” in the summer sun. What came to mind was that quote frequently (but ...

23. The Jump to Judgment

Matthew 7:1-6

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... thing and had no pity." And do you remember what Nathan said to David? "YOU are the man!" What a perfect illustration of getting the log out of YOUR eye before trying to get the speck out of someone else's. I must remember that when I point the finger of judgment at someone ... made-up Belle Watling, the town prostitute, approaches them on the steps of the hospital. Scarlett tells Melanie not to talk with her. But Melanie receives her with complete kindness, and then graciously takes Belle's contribution for ...

24. Wake Up!

Romans 13:8-14

Sermon

King Duncan

... out later came from a Christian monastery high up in the hills. They looked at each other and threw their arms around each other and wept like children. The bells told them it was Christmas Day. “We knelt and listened to the message of the bells,” said Roger’s friend, “and somehow we found our faith again!” (4) I hope when you hear bells this Advent season they will remind you of your faith and of your salvation. Or when you see the colored lights or lighted candles. Or the music of Christmas ...

25. Children Of The Light

1 Thessalonians 4:13--5:11

Sermon

King Duncan

... BELLE PRIMER, Marilyn Schwartz writes about the traditions, mysteries, and preparation that go into becoming a true Southern belle. One quality that every Southern belle must possess, according to Ms. Schwartz, is SPARKLE--that mixture of poise and vivaciousness that draws everyone's eyes and ears to her. One belle ... as they wandered in the wilderness. Job talks about following God's light to lead him through darkness In Psalm 27: 1, David calls the Lord “my light and my salvation." The term “light" is ...

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