Sermon and Worship Resources

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Matthew 21:33-46

Sermon

King Duncan

... movie stars tell of being rejected. Veteran talent agent Robert Littman tells how he once rejected a young would-be actor named Jack Nicholson. Nicholson wanted to try out for parts on the popular television shows The Virginian and Bonanza (anyone remember those two vintage shows?). Nicholson asked for Littman’s help. Littman turned him down. He tried to discourage Nicholson by telling him that he thought directing was a sensible job, and that writing was an accomplishment, but acting [in his estimation ...

2. A Small Man Who Was Given a Big Heart

Luke 19:1-10

Sermon

King Duncan

... respond to his love freely, and abundantly . . . Zacchaeus was saved by grace and invited to faith and so are we all.” (5) “God accepts and transforms the unacceptable, loves the un-loveable, forgives the un-forgivable.” That’s grace. In a scene from the movie Ironweed, the characters played by Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep stumble across an old Eskimo woman lying in the snow, probably drunk. Inebriated themselves, the two debate what they should do about her. “Is she drunk?” asks ...

3. Does Easter Really Matter?

Mark 16:1-8, John 20:1-9

Sermon

King Duncan

... side of the grave. Maybe they have birthday parties in heaven. Actor Jack Nicholson was once interviewed by Parade magazine in anticipation of the release of his popular film, “The Bucket List.” In keeping with the theme of that movie ... goes to that wall, yet nobody knows what’s on the other side. That’s why we fear death.” (6) I will have to differ with Mr. Nicholson on one point. Followers of Christ know what’s on the other side of that wall. We don’t so much fear death as much as we resist ...

4. What Fragrance Are You Leaving?

Mark 14:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... lifted clear out of arithmetic into Love." That was not true for Judas. Judas was more calculating--more distant in his devotion. For Judas, faith was cerebral. It was a careful balancing of benefits and costs. In the film, "The Two Jakes," starring Jack Nicholson, Nicholson plays the role of a detective called upon to solve a mystery. He solves the mystery by using this insight: "If you follow the action - you get good pictures. "If you follow your instincts - you get into trouble. "But if you follow the ...

5. The Superhero Miracle of Humor

Matthew 14:13-21

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... cusp of comedy, no fringe of funny. Instead Ledger’s Joker is mean, menacing, and evil to the uttermost. Jack Nicholson, the 1989 Joker, warned Heath Ledger not to get swallowed up by the dark side of this fictitious figure. “Be careful, Heath: don’t let ... the role get to you,” Nicholson is alleged to have warned his younger colleague about playing the Clown Prince of Crime. As everyone knows, the young Heath Ledger ...

6. When All You've Ever Wanted Isn't Enough

Ecc 2:1-26

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... Ecclesiastes a moment ago in combination with a motion picture that is currently making the rounds called "About Schmidt."(1) When we were in Florida a couple of weeks ago, one of our friends recommended it to us, so we went. Interesting movie. It stars Jack Nicholson in a unique role, one which reviewers are raving about and saying he is a mortal lock to get an Academy Award nomination from it. He is Warren Schmidt, an actuary for the Woodmen of the World Insurance company, who is now retiring. We meet ...

7. Checking Out the Scene

John 1:35-42

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... ? What do you want? What do you need from God today? Maybe more than a fix and more than friendship, we need faith. We need to meet Him and know Him and know that He knows us. If you are Phillip Fulmer, it’s all about football. If you are Jack Nicholson, it’s all about movies. If you are Donald Trump, it’s all about money, power, and prestige. If you are James and John, Peter and Andrew, it was all about fishing. They got up every morning and went out to the Sea of Galilee while the mist was still ...

8. When You Are Up And Out

Luke 19:1-10

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... Hey, Zach, I know what it’s like to be out on a limb. Let’s go over to your house and get a bite to eat and talk about it.” Zacchaeus came down at once and welcomed him gladly. In the movie As Good As It Gets, Jack Nicholson plays a crude, obsessive-compulsive author by the name of Melvin Udall. He falls in love, however, with a waitress by the name of Carol Connelly played by Helen Hunt. Melvin finally invites Carol to dinner and then immediately insults her awfully about her dress. That’s when ...

9. You Can't Handle It!

John 16:12-15

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... s 1992 film based on Aaron Sorkin’s 1989 play, entitled “A Few Good Men.” In the movie, a military court scene plays out in which Navy lawyer Tom Cruise (Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee) pushes Colonel Nathan Jessup on the stand (played by Jack Nicholson) to admit that he ordered a “code red,” a hazing, violent disciplinary measure that allowed two marines, Dawson and Downey, ultimately to kill fellow peer, Private First Class William Santiago. While the play enacted a real-life incident, which has never ...

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