Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1 to 25 of 210 results

Colossians 1:15-23, Colossians 1:1-14

Sermon

Johnny Dean

... imagination is one of God’s greatest (and most under-used) gifts to us. Why is imagination so important to faith? Because it gives us a way of talking about the reality of things that cannot be measured scientifically. I like what one Christian writer ((Paul Scott Wilson)) says about what he calls the "imagination of the heart." He says: "Imagination of the heart takes our experience of the world and shows us new possibilities. It opens mystery to us. It gives us the ability both to see this world as it ...

2. Christmas Concern

Sermon

James Bjorge

... the plight of people, blind Bartimeus, Zaachaeus up a tree, a thief on a cross. The people could sense it. They knew he cared. Love transformed them. In the December issue of GUIDEPOSTS, 1968, there is an account of a man by the name of Paul Scott who was crippled by leprosy while in adolescense. Partially blinded and physically impaired he felt that there was nothing to live for. Then through a chain of circumstances he got an appointment with Bishop Fulton Sheen. When he saw the bishop he said, "I’ve ...

3. Don't Count Sheep

John 10:11-18

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... and 'beautiful,' which are like quarters that have been spent so often we no longer see the face on the coin." (See Song's Tell Us Our Names: Story Theology From an Asian Perspective [Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orl: is, 1984], 16.) Paul Scott Wilson quotes Edward F. Markquart's Quest for Better Preaching (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1985) which reminds us that "most of the laity do not have 'gut associations' with such words as 'salvation,' 'redemption,' 'incarnation,' 'gospel,' and 'theology of the cross.' Ninety-eight ...

4. How Could We Possibly Forget?

Ephesians 1:15-23

Sermon

King Duncan

... an ambulance to drive her to his house. She had a great time at his dinner and cried when it was time to leave. Scott says that he wants the theme of his life to be “Brighten the Corner Where You Are.” He is a great example of how ... evidence that God is for everyone.” (8) "I am evidence that God is for everyone.” The Apostle Paul could have written those very words. That was the secret to Paul’s overflowing, never-ending thankfulness and his joy. If we choose, we can make every day Thanksgiving Day ...

5. Boasting

2 Corinthians 11:1-15, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... the hands of Jews, see Ernst Baasland, “Persecution: A Neglected Feature in the Letter to the Galatians,” ST 38 (1984), pp. 135–50; Colin G. Kruse, “Afflictions, Trials, Hardships,” DPL, pp. 18–20. On 1 Thess. 2:14–16, see James M. Scott, “Paul’s Use of Deuteronomic Tradition,” pp. 645–65 (esp. pp. 651–57). In the context of the mention of Israel as a “nation” (genos), the term ethnē (translated Gentiles in the NIV) should be rendered “nations.” This prepares the way for the ...

6. Boasting

2 Corinthians 11:16-33, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

7. They'll Know We Are Christians by Our...

Galatians 5:1-15

Sermon

King Duncan

... too many They fought and they spit, and they clawed and they bit Till instead of two cats . . . there weren’t any. Here Paul was striving with all his heart and soul to build up churches while these so-called Judaizers through pride and ignorance were tearing ... even teaches seminars on the topic of approachability. And it all started with a simple name tag: “Hi, my name is Scott.” (4) What if Jesus’ love was “tattooed” on our actions, attitudes and priorities? What if everything we said, did or ...

8. Advent 1

1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Isaiah 63:7--64:12, Mark 13:32-37, Mark 13:1-31

Sermon Aid

E. Carver McGriff

... second aspect which stands out here is the promise that when we set ourselves to become better people, God will help. Paul refers to the "grace that has been given you." This is certainly an important word for anyone wrestling with addictions, or ... watch American children scream and grab toys in discount stores, while their mothers push shopping carts piled high with gadgets." Have you read Scott Peck's splendid book The Road Less Traveled? He told me once that he is convinced that he didn't write that book ...

9. The God of All Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... :23), “the God of love and peace” (2 Cor. 13:11). The NIV uses compassion to translate the plural term oiktirmōn (“mercies”). Paul’s expression, “the Father of mercies,” is paralleled by the similar expression, “God of mercies,” in 1QH 10.14; 11.29. 1:4 On Paul’s use of first person plural pronouns (we, us) to refer to himself in 2 Cor. 1–3, see Scott Hafemann, Suffering and the Spirit: An Exegetical Study of II Cor. 2:14–3:3 within the Context of the Corinthian Correspondence (WUNT ...

10. The Glory of the New Covenant

2 Corinthians 3:7-17; 4:1-6

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... , see Hekhalot Rabbati (Schäfer, 293). See also 2 Kgs. 21:15; b. Yoma 53b–54a contains an interesting controversy about whether the scriptural expression “until this day” applies only to the time of writing or to anytime thereafter as well. Cf. James M. Scott, “Paul’s Use of Deuteronomic Tradition,” JBL 112 (1993), pp. 645–65. On b. Ber. 32b (“From the time the Temple was destroyed, an iron wall cut Israel off from its Father in heaven” or “the iron wall that was between Israel and its ...

11. Accusations

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... history of the word kan?n, see Bruce M. Metzger, The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development, and Significance (Oxford: Clarendon, 1987), pp. 289–93. On the interpretation of kan?n in the sense of “jurisdiction,” see Scott, Paul and the Nations, pp. 159–62. Cf. Ralph P. Martin, 2 Corinthians (WBC 40; Waco, Tex.: Word, 1986), p. 322. Cf. Gerd Theissen, “Legitimation und Lebensunterhalt. Ein Beitrag zur Soziologie urchristlicher Missionare,” in Studien zur Soziologie des Urchristentums ...

12. Hearts

2 Corinthians 6:14--7:1

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... no necessary connection with Qumran in this section. On the literary-critical problem posed by this section, see M. Thrall, Second Corinthians, vol. 1, pp. 25–36. For the interpretation suggested here, see James M. Scott, “The Use of Scripture in 2 Corinthians 6.16c–18 and Paul’s Restoration Theology,” JSNT 56 (1994), pp. 73–99; idem, Adoption as Sons of God: An Exegetical Investigation into the Background of ΥΙΟΘΕΣΙΑ in the Pauline Corpus (WUNT 2/48; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 1992), pp ...

13. Hope for People Who Are Angry

Ephesians 4:30-5:2

Sermon

King Duncan

... But we’ve all been in situations when things were so aggravating that we haven’t known what we could do with our fury. Paul addressed this very emotion in our lesson for the day from the Epistle of Ephesians when he wrote: “And do not grieve the Holy ... and this is so unlike you.’ In spite of himself, Ken cracked up laughing and they hugged each other. Ken Blanchard writes, his “Scott never left his truck in the driveway again and I got better at reaffirming at the end of a reprimand.” Then Ken adds ...

14. The Christian's Royal Jelly

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... his hand on the young fellows’ head and exclaimed, “Ah, my boy, I am sure you’ll be a great man in Scotland someday.” From that moment onward Walter Scott was a changed person. that brief conversation set him on the road to greatness, and turned him from an invalid to a man on a mission. The “royal jelly,” the word of encouragement Paul offered to the Christians at Corinth, was nothing less than the gift of the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, a royal gift from God that made possible a ...

15. Your Wake-up Call

Philippians 3:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... can start your morning? If the second description sounds more like you, then you will relate to today’s lesson from the Scriptures. It was written by Paul, a man who needed to be shaken awake and kicked out of bed. But he didn’t need to be awakened from a deep sleep. He ... and dramatically changed. Chad was now focused on becoming the best Navy SEAL possible in order to honor his mentor, Scott Helvenston. Most of us would think that’s a lofty and worthwhile goal. Chad trained hard, made it into the ...

16. Created For Freedom

Galatians 5:1-15

Sermon

King Duncan

... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Those are the characteristics, says St. Paul, of persons who belong to Christ Jesus. Those are the characteristics of people who are genuinely free. Scott Brown visited in East Germany when the wall was still there. An East German pastor asked Scott this question, "Are the people in the West really free?" The question puzzled Scott. He asked an East German friend what the pastor meant. His friend said this: "You see ...

17. Jesus, The One And Only

Philippians 2:5-11

Sermon

James Merritt

... things the way He sees them, then we will live the way He lived. Well, just how did Jesus think? Beginning in verse 6 Paul takes us back behind the curtains of eternity and shows us what took place before Jesus was even born. "...who, being in the ... was kicked, beaten, and half starved to death. After several years of abuse, he found his way to a new master named Weeden Scott. In the story of White Fang there is a tremendous section where the wolf-dog undergoes an amazing transformation from an old life to ...

18. Seeing God

Matthew 4:12-23

Sermon

King Duncan

... the Bible, God uses the people who get up and go where He leads. Abraham, Moses, Esther, Rahab, Jonah, the disciples, Paul—all of them had to head out into unknown territory, confronting unknown challenges in order to do God’s work. ... to be? Is there something you could be doing for God in this church or in this community? It doesn’t have to be as spectacular as Scott Harrison’s ministries. God uses small gifts just as surely as He does large ones. The best way to see God clearly in 2020 is to ask ...

19. Gift

2 Corinthians 8:16--9:5, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... Wilmington, Del.: Glazier, 1983]). Cf. Stanley K. Stowers, “Peri men gar and the Integrity of 2 Corinthians 8 and 9,” NovT 32 (1990), pp. 340–48. On Isa. 66:18–21 as foundational to Paul’s missionary strategy, see James M. Scott, Paul and the Nations: The Old Testament and Jewish Background of Paul’s Mission to the Nations with Special Reference to the Destination of Galatians (WUNT 84; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 1995). On the eschatological pilgrimage of the nations to Zion, see further Isa. 2:2 ...

20. Be Joyful

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Sermon

King Duncan

... I can tell you absolutely, without hesitation or trepidation, what God's will is for your life. It is right here in Thessalonians. Paul writes: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, FOR THIS IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU IN CHRIST JESUS." There it ... wanted to hear the Christmas story with new ears. He wanted to sing with new fervor, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." (9) Scott Walker discovered what many of us have discovered. The joy of Christmas is so precious. We can't afford to let it ...

21. Doing What is Good

Titus 3:1-11

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim. 2:11). This is the second instance (cf. 1 Tim. 4:9) where the formula follows the saying (although Scott curiously suggests that it is to be found in v. 8). Because the other “faithful sayings” are more pithy and formulaic, there has been ... but esp. of 4–7), which will bring the whole argument back to the concern that they do good works for the sake of outsiders. Thus Paul wants (not as strong a verb as “urge”; used also at 1 Tim. 2:8 and 5:14) Titus to stress (a verb used of the ...

22. Paul's Hardships

2 Corinthians 6:3-13

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... warns his readers to take note of those who create dissensions and skandala in opposition to the teaching they had learned. Paul’s strong language is strikingly similar to Jesus’ stern warning against “scandalizing” one of the little ones (Mark 9:42 par.), and to other dominical sayings about skandala (Matt. 18:7 par. Luke 17:1; Matt. 13:41–42; 16:23). Cf. Scott Hafemann, “ ‘Self-Commendation’ and Apostolic Legitimacy in 2 Corinthians: A Pauline Dialectic?” NTS 36 (1990), pp. 66–88. 6:4 ...

23. No-fault Religion

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13), 14-17

Sermon

Maurice A. Fetty

... and beauty and truth, then in the end it is all chaos and futility. But it is precisely not that kind of religion which Paul suggests in his no-fault religion, rather, it is the religion that encourages us to face up to our faults and wrongs precisely because ... vital, ambassador of grace and renewal throughout the Greco-Roman world. But it is the power of God that does it, says Paul. And M. Scott Peck, the psychiatrist says the same thing. In his book, The Road Less Traveled, which has been on the best-seller ...

24. One Life To Live

Isaiah 42:1-9

Sermon

King Duncan

... caddies were allowed inside. Everyone knew the players by sight; caddies were recognizable because they all wore white coveralls. Then, pro golfer Scott Simpson, a good friend of Max Lucado's, invited him to caddie for him in an exhibition round. For one glorious day ... . Off the Air (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), pp.4-23. 5. "The Broken Heart" by Richard Wilke. 6. Dr. Paul Brand, God's Forever Feast (Grand Rapids, MI.: Discovery House Publishers, 1993), pp.261-262. *We strongly suggest that you ...

25. A Man Named Useful

Philemon 1:8-25

Sermon

King Duncan

... record, we would all go out to the parking lot and rev up our engines. But something more than that was needed. Scott Walker, writing in the publication Daily Guideposts, tells about a friend of his named Eddie Dwyer. For nearly four decades Eddie served ... s a seed that’s been planted in your heart. You either hate and be angry or you forgive. I said I have to forgive.” (7) Paul sent a letter by way of a runaway slave. He was asking Philemon to give this man named Useful another chance. Did he? I hope so ...

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