Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1 to 25 of 1838 results

1. When God's Rule is Taken Out of the School

Job 21:22

Sermon

James Merritt

... universities are finding out that a high school diploma can be meaningless in terms of real achievement: A recent University of Pennsylvania survey of more than 3,000 Ivy League students found that 35% could not identify the Prime Minister of Great Britain, John Major. Three of four could not identify Thomas Jefferson as the author of the opening words of The Declaration of Independence. Three of five could not name four Supreme Court Justices. 36% did not know who follows the Vice President in the line of ...

2. Supernatural: Running On Empty

John 2:1-11

Sermon

James Merritt

... of 432 times, he never hit another homerun. You have to admit there is no greater way to make a debut as a hitter in Major League Baseball than to hit a homerun in your first at bat. You could not script that kind of debut any better. To me, the ... t leave out Jesus’ response. “And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.’” (John 2:4, ESV) I always get a kick out of Jesus getting away with saying that to His mom, “Woman why are you bothering Me with ...

3. Easter 6

Jn 14:15-31; Acts 15:22-29, 16:6-15; Rev 21:22--22:5

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... . (v. 22). We can know what is by what is not. Since no one has entered the new Jerusalem and returned to tell us what it is like, John tells us what is not there. There is no temple, no need of the sun, and no night. Put this in a positive way and we learn the ... Sunday, only for an Ascension Thursday, the 40th day after Easter. If a church has a service on Ascension Day to celebrate this major festival, there is no problem in the use of the lectionary for Easter 6 and 7. A number of options face each pastor ...

4. Easter 6

Jn 14:23-29 · Acts 14:8-18; 15:1-2, 22-29 · Rev 21:10, 22-27

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... v. 22). We can know what is by what is not. Since no one has entered the new Jerusalem and returned to tell us what it is like, John tells us what is not there. There is no temple, no need of the sun, and no night. Put this in a positive way and we learn the ... Sunday, only for an Ascension Thursday, the fortieth day after Easter. If a church has a service on Ascension Day to celebrate this major festival, there is no problem in the use of the lectionary for Easter 6 and 7. A number of options face each pastor ...

5. Trials and Temptations

James 1:1-18, James 1:19-27

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... James now turns to his second theme and what appears to be a totally new topic, that of wisdom and prayer. It is indeed a major theme of the letter, but it is not unrelated to what goes before. If person hears a call to be perfect, he or she would ... and (2) James needed an action parallel to desire in 1:15. Regeneration language (which is very close to the Johannine tradition, e.g., John 3–13, 1 John 3:9–10) and new creation language (which is closer to Paul, e.g., 2 Cor. 5:17, Rom. 8:18–25) come ...

6. Listening and Doing

James 1:19-27, James 1:1-18

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

7. Epilogue to the Law of the Temple: River, Land, City

Ezekiel 47:1-12, Ezekiel 47:13-23, Ezekiel 48:1-29, Ezekiel 48:30-35

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... 43:7). The point, then, is the same in each text. God’s presence brings life. However, as we have seen, Ezekiel’s vision (unlike John’s) is not a vision of the future world but rather an assertion about the power of God’s presence among his people in exile. ... relationship between Numbers 34 and Ezekiel 47, the writer of the Ezekiel text was not simply following an ancient tradition. The major difference between the lists of Numbers 34 and Ezekiel 47 may provide a clue as to what the writer was doing ...

8. By the Sea

Matthew 4:18-22, John 1:35-42, John 1:43-51

Sermon

Lori Wagner

... designed by the Divine. Come Home. Come Home. *Good News Bible translation. “On the road by the sea” NRSV. Based on the Story Lectionary Major Text Simon (called Peter) and Andrew, James and John (Matthew’s Witness) Jesus Calls His First Disciples from Those of John the Baptizer: Andrew and Simon Peter; Jesus returns to Galilee (Bethsaida) and calls Philip and Nathanael (John’s Witness) Minor Text Genesis (The Story of Jacob’s Ladder) Isaiah 9 Psalm 66 Psalm 34 Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee ...

9. In the Lions' Den (Dealing with Stress)

Psalm 16:1-11

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... without it limiting the accomplishment of the task too much; and I cancelled my involvement in two major events. Some of you can imagine the load that was lifted. It was if though a dark ... John had asserted his will and taken control of his life. Remember what we said about the image in the lion’s den. We are in the lion’s den when we feel we’re dealing with something beyond our control, when we deny feelings or have our own wants denied. Being in control is often a matter of our own will. A major ...

10. Jesus Inaugurates the Disciple Band and Conquers the Unclean Spirits

Mark 1:14-20, Mark 1:21-28

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... Text Jesus’s Galilean ministry (1:16–10:52) begins here. Mark will start with two cycles of Jesus’s ministry to the three major Jewish groups of Galilee: his disciples (1:16–20; 3:13–19), the crowds (1:21–45; 3:7–12), and the leaders ( ... Holy God, like Aaron (Ps. 106:16) and Elisha (2 Kings 4:9); Jesus is the special Holy One as the Son of God (Luke 4:34; John 6:69). Thus begins the binding of Satan (Mark 3:27). 1:25 Be quiet! . . . Come out of him! Exorcisms in the ancient world were long, ...

11. Lent 1

1 Peter 3:8-22, Genesis 9:1-17, Mark 1:9-13

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... 9-15 Mark sets the stage for Jesus' public ministry. John the Baptist has been preaching a baptism of repentance. Jesus comes to John for baptism, a type of ordination. Note there is no protest from John. The heavens open and the Spirit descends on Jesus ... a struggle for clarity and strength. We need to remember that God is the conductor of the symphony of life, which includes both major and minor keys. The wilderness experience. The wilderness of Israel is not the same as what we think of as wilderness. The ...

12. The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus

Luke 3:21-38

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... to set it aside. It is probable that as part of his preparation for ministry, Jesus himself had been an actual follower of John. Prior to his anointing he was still in training (as he was as a young boy listening to and asking questions of the ... longer than Matthew’s (56 names to 42). This difference is in large part explained by Matthew’s scheme of “fourteen generations” between major persons and events, a scheme which requires only a select list (see Matt. 1:17). (3) Even where overlap occurs (i.e., ...

13. Divine Liturgy, Divine Play, Divine Comedy

John 13:31-38

Sermon

Carl Jech

... "Dear children." You may remember that he also calls them children in our text from two weeks ago. (John 21:5) And, of course, we all remember Luke's account of Jesus blessing the children and saying "Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child shall not enter it." (Luke 18:17) One of our loveliest hymns is the Swedish favorite, "Children of the heavenly Father." A major characteristic of children is their playfulness. We need to preserve a childlike, playful attitude toward the divine ...

14. Science and the Bible

John 17:17, 1 Timothy 3:16

Sermon

James Merritt

... disbelief in God; and another 20% expressed doubt or agnosticism.5 Well, thank God that truth is not democratic. It has determined my majority vote. All truth is God's truth; truth is what God says it is and God is never wrong. You know every once ... aim of the Bible is. "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39) This book's primary purpose is to lead you to eternal life. No, it is not a book of biology, but it will lead ...

15. Good for the Soul

Proverbs 28:13

Sermon

James Merritt

... our neighborhood." John nervously said," Why do you say that?" He said, "Well, my rabbit died three days ago and I buried it. Some idiot just dug it up, cleaned it up really nice and neat and stuck it back in the hutch. We are talking about a real sicko here!" We have all struggled at one time or another with what to do with dead rabbits. That brings to my mind the other renowned sports figure - Pete Rose, otherwise known as "Charlie Hussle". Even though Pete Rose is the all time hit leader in major league ...

16. Tough Talk for Tentative Disciples

John 6:56-69

Sermon

Robert Leslie Holmes

... a miracle with a boy's meal, it is not long before suspicion, doubt, and open hostility set in against him. The majority of the people are not ready to commit to his unique claims and uncompromising truths about the way of salvation (v. 29), ... you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:22). "In this world you will have trouble" (John 16:33). It has always been the case that discipleship is hard and it is never tentative. Just take a look at the martyrs from throughout ...

17. Mary's Song

Luke 1:46-56

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... s salvation” (Fitzmyer, p. 315). Although other characters play a role in God’s plan of redemption, John and Jesus are unquestionably the major figures. Second, in every respect of his life, as well as his later ministry, John is Jesus’ forerunner, even in his conception and birth. Third, in every respect Jesus is superior to John. John’s birth is certainly unusual, but Jesus’ birth is without equal. John will be great before the Lord (1:15), but Jesus will himself be called Lord (2:11). Whereas ...

18. By Faith

Hebrews 11:1-40

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... , we do not have this Christology reflected in the reference to creation by the word. Rather than logos for “word” (as in John’s logos Christology, John 1:1–3), here the Greek word is rhēma. Our author gives no sign of a knowledge of a logos Christology. ... same root is found in v. 6 where God is described as a “rewarder.” See note on 10:35. 11:27–28 The major reason this passage is probably not a reference to Moses’ initial flight from Egypt is that according to Exod. 2:14, and contrary to ...

19. Visit

2 Corinthians 13:1-10, 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... third time (lit., this third [triton touto]) goes back to a Hebrew expression (cf. Num. 22:28, 32, 33; 24:10; Judg. 16:15; John 21:14). For examples of the use of children (tekna) without regard to age, see Exod. 20:5; 34:7; Num. 14:18; 16 ... be coincidental that this unity is supported by a repeated statement that expresses the cornerstone of Paul’s apostolic claim and hence a major concern of the whole letter, that is, his encounter(s) with the merkabah. 12:20 For other vice catalogues, cf., e.g., Rom. ...

20. All Saints

Psalm 34:1-22, Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 2:28--3:10, Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... 3:3) and blessed for it (Matthew 5:8). 1 John 3:1-3 - "Children of God" Setting. The verses of the epistle for All Saints Day are three of five verses, 2:28-3:3, that form a meditation on the theme "children of God." This unit of thought is located in the first major section of this epistle (1:5-3:10), which works with the metaphor of "walking in God's light" to reflect upon the meaning and the manner of living according to God's will. Structure. The lesson is a series of statements which (1) recognizes ...

21. “I Am from Him and He Sent Me”

John 7:25-44

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... the Feast (v. 37). It is perhaps the most remembered and certainly the most widely discussed saying in Jesus’ temple discourse if not in the entire Gospel. Of the nineteen articles on John 7 listed in the bibliography of Raymond Brown’s major commentary, seventeen deal with verses 37–39! (The Gospel According to John, AB 29A [New York: Doubleday, 1966], p. 331). This is attributable both to the intrinsic appeal of Jesus’ words and to the unique combination of difficulties in knowing how they should ...

22. Singing Along The Way

Zephaniah 3:1-20

Sermon

Ron Lavin

... God instead of the glory of humankind. The song of the remnant is "Rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem." Many people, the majority, live in this world as if there is no other. What a surprise there will be when the day of the Lord comes. Bach gives ... through the light, Lead me on to the light ..." John the Baptist along with Zephaniah and all the prophets were voices crying in the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." John and Zephaniah are vivid reminders of the remnant seeking the ...

23. One-Way Street

John 14:5-14

Sermon

James Merritt

... Him or by anyone else. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6, ESV) I don’t have to tell you that one statement raises more blood pressures, angers more people, and causes more controversy than anything else Jesus ever said. It flies in the face of what the vast majority of people, both in this country and around the world believe. In a Goggle search for religious beliefs, at last count there were 37,177 different ...

24. The Resurrection of Jesus and the Promise of Victory

Mark 16:1-20

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... . It is important to note that although Mark does not narrate resurrection appearances, he points forward to (and assumes) one of the most important: the Galilee appearance. The major problem is that the appearance in Galilee is not the first appearance. That will take place this very night in Jerusalem (Luke 24:36–43; John 20:19–23). The Galilee appearances are in John 21:1–23 (the first one there) and Matthew 28:16–20 (the Great Commission). In Mark, Jesus (14:28) and the angel (16:7) stress the ...

25. Under New Leadership

John 1:29-34

Sermon

King Duncan

... uptight, successful businessman in Fulghum’s story seems a world away from the figure of John the Baptist, preaching out in the wilderness. It’s easy to make fun of John the Baptist. He didn’t carry a briefcase or drive an SUV. He wears clothing of ... the lead character in the movie, commented to Doc Graham that Graham’s baseball career and lifelong dream of playing in the major leagues had lasted only five minutes and would be considered a tragedy by many people. Doc Graham replied, “Son, if I’d ...

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