Sermon and Worship Resources

Isaiah 35:1-10

Sermon

King Duncan

... Lessons for the day are all about hope. THE FIRST THING THAT CHRIST'S COMING INTO THE WORLD MEANS IS HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS. The George Baileys and the Robert McFarlanes of our world have a reason to go on. Christ has come into our world. John the Baptist was in ... : Broadman, 1970), 140-141. 3. The 12 Dazes of Christmas (& One Holy Night) by Charlene Anne Baumbich (Downers Grove, Ill.: Intervarsity Press, 1996), 3638. 4. "Miracles Still Happen" by Mary Schmich Chicago Tribune. Cited in Marriage Partnership ...

2. Temptation Island

Genesis 3:1-24

Sermon

King Duncan

... blood. Finally, the family knew Ben had hit rock bottom when he stole his mother's jewelry and sold it to buy drugs. For months, George searched the crack houses and homeless shelters for some sign of his son Ben. And then the call came. The voice didn't even ... COMES CLEAN, Three Rivers Press, New York, 1996. 4. THE TASTE OF JOY: RECOVERING THE LOST GLOW OF DISCIPLESHIP (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1983), p. 54. 5. "What Ruins Our Fellowship With God?" by Ronald Dunn, DECISION, magazine, Jul./ ...

3. Love Your Enemies

Luke 6:27-36

Sermon

King Duncan

... THEM. Sometimes, for our own sake, that is the only way we can deal with our enemies. When Kenneth Godfrey of Locust Grove, Georgia was eighteen years old his father died. All of his adult life his father had owned and operated a service ... your enemy. Why not begin with a clean slate from this day forward? Why not clear the decks and make a new start, today? 1. George Burns, WISDOM OF THE 90S, (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1991), pp. 186-187. 2. Source unknown. 3. "The Time Machine," AMERICAN HERITAGE ...

4. Trees

Jeremiah 16:1--17:18

Sermon

King Duncan

... surface of the ground. And their roots are small in comparison to other huge, towering trees. But sequoias grow only in groves and their roots grow together and intertwine with one another under the surface of the earth giving them extraordinary strength. So ... tree planted by a stream. According to Tim Storey in his book, IT'S TIME FOR YOUR COMEBACK heavyweight boxer, George Foreman, used to be a very disturbed, angry, mean, individual. One day after losing a fight, he was lying in the back room on ...

5. Playing Church Or Playing Jesus

Leviticus 19:1-37

Sermon

King Duncan

... playing church." We are, all of us, painfully aware that there is a difference and we also know that the difference is deadly. Playing church or playing Jesus? George Bernard Shaw saw the difference. Shaw was that brilliant but caustic British writer who when asked about his religion replied, "I'm an atheist, thank God." Shaw in ... . 1. Walter D. Waggoner, SAY A GOOD WORD FOR JESUS (Philadelphia: United Church Press, 1973). 2. George Mallone, FURNACE OF RENEWAL (Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press, 1981).

6. Prepare The Way Of The Lord

Isaiah 40:1-31

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... has spoken." (verses 3-5) We prepare the Way of the Lord by being hopeful. I've been rereading an old novel, a great one by George Bernanos, entitled _The Diary of a _Country_ _Priest_. Let me read for you a passage from that novel. "The weather is in keeping with my ... , Peter answered, 'Never put a period where God puts a comma!'"(David McKenna, _The Coming Great _Awakening_, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois , pp. 115-116). What a picture! We need to learn that. We wait, and we wait, and we wait, ...

7. The Light that Shines Within

John 1:1-18

Sermon

Leonard Mann

... was not until the morning sun drove away the darkness that I could see where I was - on an inspiring hilltop, with an orange grove for a front yard, overlooking the city of Camarillo and a wide expanse of the Pacific ocean. Yes, light makes a fantastic different. In ... is an enslaving chain of futility; and every new experience is another link added to the chain." Once I heard the inimitable Dr. George Buttrick say: "The man who runs from woman to woman and gets pie-eyed in the tavern is trying to reduce life ...

8. Building An Understanding Of God

2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Sermon

King Duncan

... for the Texas Rangers baseball team once said about his warm relationship with Yankee owner George Steinbrenner and manager Billy Martin. Rivers is quoted as saying, "Me and George and Billy are two of a kind." (1) Well, that's quite an accomplishment. ... worship three gods? Does it mean that we are polytheists? After all, ancient humanity worshiped many gods. There were "gods in every grove and fountain, and on every mountain summit; gods breathing in the winds and flashing in the lightning, or the ray of sun ...

9. Keep the Stars in Your Eyes

Ephesians 1:3-14

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Religion's Public Presence in the United States in the Mid-1990s," Sociology of Religion, 57, 1996, 149-162, 153). People want to grow spiritually above all else.(See George Barna, The Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators [Word, 1996]; Alan J. Toxburgh, Reaching a New Generation: Strategies for Tomorrow's Church [Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993].) Experiences of "good sex" are now taking a back seat to "good soul" experiences. "Great Soul" is the Holy Grail of postmodern culture. Postmodern culture ...

10. Holy Hocus-Pocus!

Mark 13:1-31

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Religion's Public Presence in the United States in the Mid-1990s," Sociology of Religion, 57, 1996, 149-162, 153). People want to grow spiritually above all else.(See George Barna, The Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators [Word, 1996]; Alan J. Toxburgh, Reaching a New Generation: Strategies for Tomorrow's Church [Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993].) Experiences of "good sex" are now taking a back seat to "good soul" experiences. "Great Soul" is the Holy Grail of postmodern culture. Postmodern culture ...

11. Hear the Vision?

1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Religion's Public Presence in the United States in the Mid-1990s," Sociology of Religion, 57, 1996, 149-162, 153). People want to grow spiritually above all else.(See George Barna, The Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators [Word, 1996]; Alan J. Toxburgh, Reaching a New Generation: Strategies for Tomorrow's Church [Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993].) Experiences of "good sex" are now taking a back seat to "good soul" experiences. "Great Soul" is the Holy Grail of postmodern culture. Postmodern culture ...

12. The One and Only Original Sin

1 Peter 3:18-22

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Religion's Public Presence in the United States in the Mid-1990s," Sociology of Religion, 57, 1996, 149-162, 153). People want to grow spiritually above all else.(See George Barna, The Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators [Word, 1996]; Alan J. Toxburgh, Reaching a New Generation: Strategies for Tomorrow's Church [Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993].) Experiences of "good sex" are now taking a back seat to "good soul" experiences. "Great Soul" is the Holy Grail of postmodern culture. Postmodern culture ...

13. The Trace of Grace

Ephesians 2:1-10

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Religion's Public Presence in the United States in the Mid-1990s," Sociology of Religion, 57, 1996, 149-162, 153). People want to grow spiritually above all else.(See George Barna, The Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators [Word, 1996]; Alan J. Toxburgh, Reaching a New Generation: Strategies for Tomorrow's Church [Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993].) Experiences of "good sex" are now taking a back seat to "good soul" experiences. "Great Soul" is the Holy Grail of postmodern culture. Postmodern culture ...

14. Count Your Wows!

Luke 21:5-38

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Religion's Public Presence in the United States in the Mid-1990s," Sociology of Religion, 57, 1996, 149-162, 153). People want to grow spiritually above all else.(See George Barna, The Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators [Word, 1996]; Alan J. Toxburgh, Reaching a New Generation: Strategies for Tomorrow's Church [Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993].) Experiences of "good sex" are now taking a back seat to "good soul" experiences. "Great Soul" is the Holy Grail of postmodern culture. Postmodern culture ...

15. Waging Wisdom

James 3:13—4:8

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Religion's Public Presence in the United States in the Mid-1990s," Sociology of Religion, 57, 1996, 149-162, 153). People want to grow spiritually above all else.(See George Barna, The Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators [Word, 1996]; Alan J. Toxburgh, Reaching a New Generation: Strategies for Tomorrow's Church [Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993].) Experiences of "good sex" are now taking a back seat to "good soul" experiences. "Great Soul" is the Holy Grail of postmodern culture. Postmodern culture ...

16. The Great Postmodern Soul Train

Mark 13:1-8

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Religion's Public Presence in the United States in the Mid-1990s," Sociology of Religion, 57, 1996, 149-162, 153). People want to grow spiritually above all else.(See George Barna, The Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators [Word, 1996]; Alan J. Toxburgh, Reaching a New Generation: Strategies for Tomorrow's Church [Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993].) Experiences of "good sex" are now taking a back seat to "good soul" experiences. "Great Soul" is the Holy Grail of postmodern culture. Postmodern culture ...

17. An Advent Attitude

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Religion's Public Presence in the United States in the Mid-1990s," Sociology of Religion, 57, 1996, 149-162, 153). People want to grow spiritually above all else.(See George Barna, The Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators [Word, 1996]; Alan J. Toxburgh, Reaching a New Generation: Strategies for Tomorrow's Church [Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993].) Experiences of "good sex" are now taking a back seat to "good soul" experiences. "Great Soul" is the Holy Grail of postmodern culture. Postmodern culture ...

18. Stable-Time

Luke 21:5-38

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Religion's Public Presence in the United States in the Mid-1990s," Sociology of Religion, 57, 1996, 149-162, 153). People want to grow spiritually above all else.(See George Barna, The Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators [Word, 1996]; Alan J. Toxburgh, Reaching a New Generation: Strategies for Tomorrow's Church [Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993].) Experiences of "good sex" are now taking a back seat to "good soul" experiences. "Great Soul" is the Holy Grail of postmodern culture. Postmodern culture ...

19. The Perfect Time to Lose Your Luggage

Colossians 3:12-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Religion's Public Presence in the United States in the Mid-1990s," Sociology of Religion, 57, 1996, 149-162, 153). People want to grow spiritually above all else.(See George Barna, The Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators [Word, 1996]; Alan J. Toxburgh, Reaching a New Generation: Strategies for Tomorrow's Church [Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993].) Experiences of "good sex" are now taking a back seat to "good soul" experiences. "Great Soul" is the Holy Grail of postmodern culture. Postmodern culture ...

20. When God Says "Go"

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Sermon

Several years ago Alvar Persson was elected mayor of Grove City, Minnesota. It was an unusual election, partly because of the size of the victory - Persson garnered ... . But although God doesn't ask us to be someone other than ourselves, he does make us more than ourselves. As servants of God, we're no longer just Phyllis or George or Sally. Now we're his messengers, empowered by his spirit, working for his kingdom. The priesthood of all believers is how Luther put it. When God sends us as his representatives ...

21. With Your Head In The Clouds

Exodus 24:1-18

Sermon

King Duncan

... a great teacher who had a strange experience while walking through an orchard on a windy day. Coming to a fence which divided the grove from an adjoining forest, he imagined hearing the different types of trees talking to each other. Boastfully a maple tree said to a ... The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1993), pp. 14-15. 2. "Pants with Power," AMERICAN DEMOGRAPHICS (Feb., 1989), p. 16. 3. Cornell, George W. "New Age Movement Is Having an Impact," The Knoxville NEWS-SENTINEL, Feb. 4, 1989, Section B, p.2. ...

22. The Servant-king

John 13:1-17

Sermon

Angela Akers

... P. Moser, Pennsylvania "Small talk," TODAY'S CHRISTIAN WOMAN, Sept./Oct. 1996, p. 41. 2. Max Lucado, JUST LIKE JESUS (Nashville: Word Publishing, 1998), p. 18. 3. George C. Pidgeon 4. Richards, Lawrence O., THE 365-DAY DEVOTIONAL COMMENTARY (Colorado Springs, Colo.: ChariotVictor Publishing, 1990), p.793. 5. Bill Hybels, MAKING LIFE WORK (Downers Grove, ILL.: InterVarsity Press, 1998), pp.170-171. 6. Ron Mehl. MEETING GOD AT A DEAD END (Sisters, OR.: Multnomah Books, 1996), pp.186-187. 7. "The Answered ...

23. About Marriage

Luke 20:27-40

Sermon

King Duncan

... God." Not everybody has a great marriage. It's like the young bride who called her pastor three weeks after her wedding day. "Pastor," she wailed, "George and I had a dreadful fight!" "Calm down, my child," said the pastor, "it's not half as bad as you think it is. Every marriage has ... . Neil Clark Warren in Finding The Love of Your Life. Cited in Bill Hybels, Making Life Work (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1998), p. 115. 6. "How Honest Are Couples Really?" Louis Lague, Reader's Digest, Aug. 2001 ...

24. The Heart of an Intimate Matter

Matthew 5:27-30

Sermon

Phil Thrailkill

... when it comes to romance. “Honey, I’m home,” is just not adequate! I love the story from the late 1970's when Phyllis George interviewed Roger Staubach. It was a dull interview until Phyllis asked, "Roger, how do you feel when you compare yourself with Joe Namath, who is ... ! 3. For a convenient summary of consensual teaching, see Roger Olson, The Mosaic of Christian Belief (Downer’s Grove, ILL: IVP, 2002), Chapter 7, “Creation: Good and Fallen,” 155-176. The official U.M. statement is found ...

25. Getting Your Politics Right

Matthew 6:5-15

Sermon

Phil Thrailkill

... over the edge on this issue are Gregory Boyd, The Myth of a Christian Nation (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005) and George Hunter III, Christian, Evangelical & Democrat (Nashville, TN: Abington, 2006). 4. The four classic marks of the church from the Nicene Creed ... a development of this idea, see Stephen Seamands, Ministry In The Image Of God: The Trinitarian Shape Of Christian Service (Downer’s Grove, ILL: IVP, 2005). 8. Matthew 6:33 9. PreachingToday.com search under Mt. 6:5-15. 10. For a fresh treatment ...