Sermon and Worship Resources

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Matthew 25:1-13

Sermon

Phyllis Faaborg Wolk

I was visiting with a friend who told me that there was a time in her life when she felt that the end of the world was coming soon. During a period of her teenage years, she lived with a great sense of urgency. She expected that the world would see Jesus in a week, or maybe in a day or an hour. She thought every day about the second coming of Christ. She dreamed about what it would be like, and tr...

2. Called To Serve

Matthew 23:1-39

Sermon

Phyllis Faaborg Wolk

A recent poll asked participants to describe themselves. Individuals were requested to list five ways in which they identify themselves. From Jesus' description of the scribes and Pharisees in our gospel lesson today, we can just about guess how those religious leaders would have answered such a poll. They probably would have described themselves by saying, "I'm a rabbi, a teacher, a father of the...

3. Give To God The Things That Are God's

Matthew 22:15-22

Illustration

Phyllis Faaborg Wolk

"Tell us what you think, Teacher. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" When the Pharisees asked Jesus that question, he responded with a request, "Show me the coin used for the tax," and someone handed Jesus a coin embossed with the head of the current Roman emperor, Tiberius. Engraved around his head was the inscription, "Tiberius Caesar, majestic son of the majestic God, and High P...

4. Giving Thanks Empowers

Luke 17:11-19

Sermon

Phyllis Faaborg Wolk

The lepers Jesus heals in our gospel lesson weren't always lepers. One of them might have been a carpenter, building homes and workplaces in his community. One of them may have been a fisherman, working hard day after day to provide food for his neighbors. In a better time, one of them could have been a teacher, another a farmer, another a priest. At one time, the leper from Samaria might have be...

5. Invitations To The Light

Matthew 22:1-14

Sermon

Phyllis Faaborg Wolk

The outer darkness seemed to cling to Miriam like the tattered blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She shivered in the cold evening air as she sat in a doorway outside the temple, begging for money so that she could buy some bread to get her through the night. Jerusalem was a hostile place for a young widow in Jesus' day, and as she heard some strangers approaching with laughter and singing, she...

6. Signs Of Christ's Return

Matthew 24:1-35

Sermon

Phyllis Faaborg Wolk

After a long hike from Jerusalem, Jesus and the disciples found a resting place on the Mount of Olives. As they relaxed and enjoyed the peacefulness away from the crowds of the city, the disciples asked Jesus a question about the end of time. "Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Those questions have been repeated over and over since the...

7. The Lamb's Book Of Life

Sermon

Phyllis Faaborg Wolk

Did you know that November first was a holiday? It was All Saints' Day. Did you get an All Saints' card or give an All Saints' gift? Did you greet anyone by saying, "Happy All Saints' Day"? Did you decorate your house for the occasion and invite your family to a festive meal? What is included in an All Saints' Day feast, anyway? Roast pork? Potatoes? Apple pie? No one knows. It seems we don't real...

8. The Truth Will Make You Free

Sermon

Phyllis Faaborg Wolk

The alarm went off early that particular Sunday morning. As Chris showered and got dressed, thoughts of the upcoming worship service and memories of the past few years swirled through his mind. Confirmation Sunday had finally arrived. After today, there would be no more requirements to be met. Sermon notes were a thing of the past. Wednesday afternoons could now be filled with sports or television...

9. The Truth Will Make You Free

Sermon

Phyllis Faaborg Wolk

10. To All Those Who Have, More Will Be Given

Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon

Phyllis Faaborg Wolk

The parable told in our gospel lesson this morning is one that Jesus uses to illustrate the kingdom of heaven. It is a story about a shrewd businessman who rewards the slaves that double his money and punishes the worker who faithfully returns what the master had entrusted to him. This image of the kingdom of God may be quite different from what we would expect to read in the scriptures. When Jesu...

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