Sermon and Worship Resources

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1. A Whole New Era

John 2:1-11

Illustration

Phillip Yancy

What about the underlying meaning? What did this strange first miracle signify? In a departure from custom, John fails to interpret for us the miraculous" sign," which for him almost always means a symbol, a kind of acted parable. Some commentators see in it a preview of the last Supper, when Jesus transforms not water into wind but wine into blood, his blood shed for all humanity. Maybe. But, ...

2. All Night Vigil

Illustration

Phillip Yancy

A few years ago, a congregation in inner-city Chicago planned an all-night prayer vigil. Because of the high crime rate in their neighborhood, many church members suggested hiring security guards to protect them during the vigil. Yet the ones who were least afraid and most excited about the vigil were the senior citizens of the church. To everyone’s surprise, they offered to stay all night for the...

3. Christ Return - Watchfulness

Mark 13:1-31

Illustration

Phillip Yancy

There is a woman who is buried under a 150-year-old live oak trees in the cemetery of an Episcopal church in rural Louisiana. In accordance with this woman's instructions, only one word is carved on the tombstone: "Waiting."

4. Jesus Takes Command

John 6:1-21

Illustration

Phillip Yancy

Only one miracle made it into all four gospels. It transpired on the grassy hills by the shores of the Sea of Galilee at a time when Jesus' popularity and also his vulnerability was cresting. Wherever he went, a throng that included many deranged and afflicted trailed behind. The day before the big miracle, Jesus crossed the lake to elude the masses. Herod had just executed John the Baptist, Jesu...

5. The Unthinkable Shame

Matthew 16:21-28, Mark 8:31-38

Illustration

Phillip Yancy

In a memoir of the years before World War II, Pierre Van Paassen tells of an act of humiliation by Nazi storm troopers who had seized an elderly Jewish rabbi and dragged him to headquarters. In the far end of the same room, two colleagues were beating another Jew to death, but the captors of the rabbi decided to have some fun with him. They stripped him naked and commanded that he preach the serm...

Showing 1 to 5 of 5all results

Showing all results

1. A Whole New Era

John 2:1-11

Illustration

Phillip Yancy

2. All Night Vigil

Illustration

Phillip Yancy

3. Christ Return - Watchfulness

Mark 13:1-31

Illustration

Phillip Yancy

4. Jesus Takes Command

John 6:1-21

Illustration

Phillip Yancy

5. The Unthinkable Shame

Matthew 16:21-28, Mark 8:31-38

Illustration

Phillip Yancy

Showing 1 to 5 of 5all results