Sermon and Worship Resources

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1. God’s Rescue Comes in a Quiet Way

Mark 4:35-41

Illustration

Kenneth W. Collins

We are not told that Jesus commanded the wind and the waves with masterful gestures or a great, loud voice. For all we know from the text, he just quietly told them to behave themselves. This makes sense, because people who truly have power don't need to flaunt it. God may not answer our request with the same urgency and fireworks, but that does not mean that His answer doesn't come. Don't expect ...

2. Ignoring the Play

Mark 6:1-6

Illustration

Kenneth W. Collins

When I was in elementary school, I remember when all the kids in the neighborhood got together and put on a show. We rigged up a curtain of sorts by hanging an old bedspread in a screened porch, and arranged folding chairs for the audience. Then we practiced a small play, and added in a few musical solos, for which I played the piano. (Because we couldn't move the piano closer to the play, I had t...

3. The Lord’s Prayer: A Walking Prayer

Matthew 6:5-15

Illustration

Kenneth W. Collins

Every evening I walk three miles as part of my losing campaign against high blood pressure and my imperialistic waist line. I generally don’t wear an iPod, because I prefer to take my exercise without anesthesia. (I enjoy the sounds of nature, and I want to be able to hear the cars honk before they run me over.) Sometimes I devote the time to prayer, and I have found that the Lord’s Prayer makes a...

4. The Weight of Titles

Matthew 23:1-12

Illustration

Kenneth W. Collins

A well-known and respected priest has a doctorate degree, yet he dislikes being called ‘Reverend’ or ‘Father‘ or ‘Doctor.‘ He prefers being called just ‘Bill.‘ This man is a noted Hebrew scholar, he is a guest lecturer in German universities, he works on assignment for the Archbishop of Canterbury in matters of ecumenism, he translates the scripture readings in church from the Greek on the fly; ye...

5. Unanswered Prayer

Mark 4:35-41

Illustration

Kenneth W. Collins

I was actually rescued from drowning in the sea. The events and images of that day is very powerful. I can recall being physically tossed about by powerful waves and buffeted by the cold wind; I know what it is like to be sinking in the sea for what seems to be the very last time. I understand with absolute clarity how the disciples must have felt as disaster overtook them while their Master slept...

6. Why Do We Try to Know It All?

John 1:1-18

Illustration

Kenneth W. Collins

It seems to be a relatively late hobby, peculiar to western Christianity, to contrive a sort of ‘unified field theory' of the Bible that can include all facts and explain all things. That, of course, would require us to comprehend God. However, a mind can only comprehend something less complex than itself—so if we could comprehend God, He would not be God. For this reason, the historic Church teac...

Showing 1 to 6 of 6all results

Showing all results

1. God’s Rescue Comes in a Quiet Way

Mark 4:35-41

Illustration

Kenneth W. Collins

2. Ignoring the Play

Mark 6:1-6

Illustration

Kenneth W. Collins

3. The Lord’s Prayer: A Walking Prayer

Matthew 6:5-15

Illustration

Kenneth W. Collins

4. The Weight of Titles

Matthew 23:1-12

Illustration

Kenneth W. Collins

5. Unanswered Prayer

Mark 4:35-41

Illustration

Kenneth W. Collins

6. Why Do We Try to Know It All?

John 1:1-18

Illustration

Kenneth W. Collins

Showing 1 to 6 of 6all results