Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1 to 25 of 73 results

Luke 23:44-49, Luke 23:26-43

Sermon

King Duncan

... hospital curtain or the curtain of segregation, and yet it speaks to both of them. The curtain in the passion drama is the temple curtain--the curtain used to separate the place called the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple. According to James Stewart, the great Scottish minister, the curtain was there to fulfill a double function: On the one hand, it was there to keep mortals out--a warning to sinful humanity to stay away, to keep a respectful distance from all of the mystery surrounding God. On ...

2. Structure And Clarity

Sermon

Michael Rogness

... Jesus ... make you perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you." He chose as the central theme of the sermon and its title, "A New Year's Benediction," and the text itself gave him a four-point sermon: Perfection, Establishment, Strengthening and Settling.34 James Stewart, one of Scotland's greatest preachers in this century, preached a sermon on Hebrews 12:22-25, "But you have come to Mount Zion ... and to the assembly of the firstborn ..." Rich descriptions of the communion of saints tumble out one ...

3. Behold The Man Who Tried To Be King

Matthew 21:1-10

Sermon

Thomas A. Pilgrim

... him only during the parade, there were many in the crowd that day who had come down from Galilee for the Passover season. They knew who Jesus was, and many of them were loyal to him. They knew and accepted the meaning of his entrance into the city. James Stewart, the Scottish preacher, said that as Jesus went to the capital city "he openly accepted the tribute" of the crowd, and in entering Jerusalem as a king he was acting out a living parable about who he was.2 We think about this today. But let me remind ...

4. A Long Obedience In The Same Direction

Luke 22:39-46

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... full of God." But would six communions in one day supply more of God than one communion? Hardly. But to begin every new enterprise, "brim full of God". Wouldn't that be something? One person who has influenced me most in my thinking is Dr. James Stewart, a remarkable Scottish preacher who taught at Edinborough University and wrote numerous books that have nourished my soul. His landmark book for me was A Man in Christ. You can imagine that he fed my mind and heart as I have cultivated my whole understanding ...

5. The Darkness Where God Was

Exodus 20:1-21

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... God who came to Israel in the thick darkness of exile, the God who was reconciling the world to Himself in the thick darkness of Calvary the God who was there on Mt. Sinai where the darkness was, has not and will not desert the world. As James Stewart has rightly reminded us, the basic fact of history is not the Iron Curtain, but the rent veil; not the devil’s strategy, but the Divine Sovereignty.” In history, the thick darkness –where God was. II THE DARKNESS OF HUMAN EXPERIENCE Let’s scale it down ...

6. The Scope Of The Spirit

Sermon

John A. Stroman

... , impalpable yet full of power. Listen to the wind." What Jesus is saying to Nicodemus is that there is a constant, relentless movement of the Spirit. Never has there been a time, never a moment, when the Spirit of God has not been actively at work. James Stewart, in The Wind of the Spirit, points out that although there was a burst of a mighty rushing wind on Pentecost, it was but the identical power that had been in Jesus and now was forever inseparable from Jesus. From that moment until this, "the wind ...

7. By Humbly Doing Good

1 Peter 5:6-11

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

... to be reminded of that from time to time. A nurse once asked esteemed Scottish preacher James Stewart, “What is the answer to those questions which suffering persons ask when all the family members go home? Questions about pain, immortality, ‘Will I be well,' ‘Does ... God care?' Why me?"' Dr. Stewart looked at the nurse kindly and said, “You are the answer because you are the one who is there." The one who ...

8. Make Way For Poets Of The Heart

Sermon

James Angell

... the year I was born, 1920, have been G. A. Studdert-Kennedy, Harry Emerson Fosdick, Leslie Weatherhead, E. Stanley Jones, Ralph Sockman, George Buttrick, Peter Marshall, Donald Baillie, James Stewart, and Arthur John Gossip. To allow myself the luxury of a second decalogue, I also name Louis Evans, Carlyle Marney, James Pike, Ted Loder, Wallace Hamilton, Gerald Kennedy, Eugene Carson Blake, Liston Pope, Elton Trueblood, and Richard Raines. Plus the following, whose writing informed my mind and added muscle ...

9. Lessons From A Girl In Trouble

Luke 1:26-38

Sermon

Daniel G. Mueller

... want to do instead of what God wants. We like to decide for ourselves what is right and wrong, what is good and bad. In every aspect of life we struggle with obedience. A recent movie titled, "Right of Way" addresses the issue dramatically. In the film, James Stewart and Bette Davis play an elderly couple who decide to commit suicide because they can’t bear the thought of living without each other. What God has to say about the sanctity of human life doesn’t matter. All that counts is what they want. If ...

10. Pour the Salt and Turn on the Light

Matthew 5:13-16

Sermon

James Merritt

... on the Mount by memory." He stood before the missionary and perfectly quoted the sermon word-for-word. The missionary said, "That is wonderful. How did you do it?" The Chinese Christian said, "I spent the last year trying to live it." Dr. James Stewart, a great British preacher, once said: The greatest threat to Christianity is not communism, it's not atheism, it's not materialism, it's not humanism. The greatest threat to Christianity is Christians trying to sneak into heaven incognito without ever sharing ...

11. In the Event of Power Failure

Acts 1:1-11

Sermon

Charley Reeb

... with the love of Jesus Christ. I dare you! 1. Adapted from Circuit Rider © copyright The United Methodist Publishing House, Charles D. Reeb — January/February, 2002. 2. Audio recording of a sermon by the late Bishop Noah Moore. 3. Prayer by James Stewart, quoted in Abingdon Preacher’s Annual 1994, ed. by John K. Bergland (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1993), p. 118. 4. www.sermonillustrations.com. 5. Henri J. M. Nouwen, The Only Necessary Thing: Living a Prayerful Life (New York: The Crossroad Publishing ...

12. A Seeking Savior

Luke 10:1-24

Sermon

W. Robert McClelland

... to helplessness. What does it mean to have the Savior seek us and save us? It means our eternal destiny has been decided. Our salvation rests securely in God's care and keeping. We can relax, lift our heads to laugh and sing, and enjoy the scenery. James Stewart, professor of New Testament studies at the University of Edinburgh, was fond of saying, "Gentleman and ladies, do you realize that one day we will stand in the presence of the angels? And they will gaze in wonder at us and say, 'My, how like Jesus ...

13. Living Sacrifices

Matthew 16:21-28

Sermon

William J. Carl

... Actually sacrifice can lead to bitterness, especially when you thought you were trusting God’s plan for your life and suddenly you realize that you have to sacrifice all your greatest hopes and dreams as burnt offerings on the high altar of the providence of God. James Stewart is right (The Gates of New Life, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1940, p. 32). There are probably very few people in any church or neighborhood in this world who can say that life for them has turned out exactly as they had hoped. One of ...

14. Building Barns, Postponing Life

Luke 12:13-21

Sermon

Brett Blair

... said that by his estimate nature provides 95% of the energies necessary to produce a crop, while the farmer provides 5%. Yet, in Jesus story this narcissistic farmer is using the words I and mine as though he is the only one involved. In the movie Shenandoah, James Stewart plays a Virginia farmer during the Civil War years. He begins every meal with the same prayer: “Lord, I planted the seeds, I plowed the ground, I gathered in the harvest. If I hadn’t of put the food on the table it wouldn’t be here ...

15. Advent 2

Matthew 3:1-12

Bulletin Aid

... the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ throughout this world. How are you responding to that promise with your time, resources, personality, money? Charge to the Congregation One pastor used this illustration: A picture shows Faust playing a game of chess with Satan. James Stewart reminds us of how hopeless the situation seems to be. Faust, who gambled with his soul, has only a few pieces left, among them, a king and knight. Blank despair is written on his face, while the devil portrays hellish glee. The ...

16. Death Is Damned!

Acts 10:23b-48

Sermon

Barbara Brokhoff

... led him back to Tolbooth prison. Hosts of people gathered to see him. Many wept as the young minister passed by them. But no one saw any tears in his eyes. There was not the least trace of self-pity. This Sir Galahad of the Cross, as James Stewart calls him, showed only a shining, radiant, face. Catching a glimpse of a friend in the crowd, he shouted, "Good news, good news! I am within four days’ journey of enjoying the sight of Jesus Christ!" God’s best, done for us on Easter, lets us face life ...

17. The Surprise of Absolute Victory

Romans 8:28-39

Sermon

Robert G. Tuttle

... . But me: "I’m too tired. I'm too hooked. I’m too bad. I’m too sick. I'm too scared. I’m too young. I’m too old. I’m too tough. I’m too weak I’ve gone too far. My problems are too great." Listen to James Stewart, the well-known Scotch preacher: "God doesn’t look at me, shake his head and admit, ‘This fellow’s problem is beyond me. His case is too hard for me. This one I cannot save.’ " We deal with a God who will tackle anything: even a person like me. Even ...

18. The Birdies

Luke 18:15-17

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... joy they bring, for the lessons they teach. Help us to appreciate them. In the name of Jesus. Amen! 1. William Barclay, Daily Study Bible, CD-ROM, (Liguori, MO: Liguori Productions, 1996) 2. Doug Behm, via Ecunet, "Illustrations for this Week," #447, 9/28/97 3. ibid. 4. Posted by James Stewart on Ecunet, "Bottomless Drawer," #197, 8/11/98 which is a Forwarded Copy of #98.7740463 From NOSLRAC517@aol.com( )

19. I Am Forsaken

Psalm 29:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... It might not have worked out like that. Some mighty fine Christian people through the ages have had heavy loads to carry. Still, Susan and Jason Williamson, if they hung in there, would have discovered that through it all, they were not alone. Scottish preacher James Stewart once described our lives like this: "It is when you have sunk right down to rock bottom that you suddenly find you have struck the Rock of Ages." "You shall no more be termed Forsaken," writes the prophet Isaiah, "and your land shall no ...

20. The Real Thirst Quencher

Revelation 22:1-6

Sermon

King Duncan

... free gift of the water of life.” That’s you. Whoever. 1. http://www.cowboylyrics.com/tabs/sons-of-the-pioneers/cool-water-1908.html. 2. NBC Dateline: Nov. 1998. http://www.lectionarysermons.com/mar993-07.html. 3. Parables, etc. 4. James Stewart, The Rending of the Veil. Cited by Dr. Gary Dennis, http://www.lacanadapc.org/transcripts/031608st.htm. 5. Edward W. Bauman, Beyond Belief (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1964). 6. Rumours of Another World (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003), pp. 223-224.

21. Let God Be God - As if It Could Be Otherwise

Exodus 7:14-24

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... Thyself Divine; But the bright glories of thy grace Beyond thine other wonders shine. Who is a pardoning God like thee Or who has grace so rich and free? (Samuel Davies) (Note: This line of thought — “Who is a God like unto thee?” suggested by James Stewart in “A Faith To Proclaim,” p. 49) In the New Testament, that grace so rich and free is pictured by Jesus Himself, describing himself really, as a good and faithful shepherd, risking his life to save the one lost sheep. Could we close by getting ...

22. Led by the Spirit, Tempted by the Devil

Mark 1:9-13

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... , her hand was in his; and even when they had reached the place of execution, there was no fear at all in her eyes. She looked at the quiet, composed face of the man beside her, and said, “I think you were sent to me by heaven.” (Quoted by James Stewart, “The Strong Name”, Charles Scribners Sons, 1941, New York, p. 164) So he was – and so it will be. For each of us – as for Jesus - “And the angels ministered to him.” You can count on it…you can count on if you accept the affirmation of God ...

23. I Planted the Seeds

Luke 12:13-21

Illustration

In the movie Shenandoah, James Stewart plays a Virginia farmer during the Civil War years. He begins every meal with the same prayer: "Lord, I planted the seeds, I plowed the ground, I gathered in the harvest. If I hadn't of put the food on the table it wouldn't be here. But we thank you anyway." We had all better understand the role of grace and mystery in life or we too might fall pray to the sin of thinking too highly of ourselves.

24. In the Wilderness of Temptation

Mark 1:9-15

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... it seems like we're alone, Christ is there. In John 14:18, Jesus says, "I will not leave you orphaned." The King James Version translates it, "I will not leave you comfortless." I like both versions. Abba God, our heavenly Father will not leave us alone, ... and tells us to run from temptation. And God in Christ strengthens each of us for whatever comes our way. Even Marcus Stewart. 1. Hagar the Horrible by Chris Browne 2. Methodist-Pak, January, 1994, page 2. 3. Jack Canfield & Mark V. Hansen, CHICKEN SOUP ...

25. Don't Fade Out On the Amen and the Hallelujah

Revelation 19:1-10

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... ease in Zion.” The devilish evil of emperor Domitian had been loosed on the world. “Withering blasts of militant atheism were scorching the earth and the empire was running red with martyred blood…no Christian’s life was worth a moments purchase.” (James S. Stewart, The Wind and the Spirit, Abingdon Press, 1968, pgs. 46-47) In that setting John was given the privilege of hearing echoes of worship from the redeemed in heaven. The very first word that he heard coming from that heavenly worship was ...

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