Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 1 to 25 of 39 results

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Midlife crisis, aging, introduction to the life of Abraham, faithful living Characters: 1 doctor, 5 callers offstage on a microphone Scene: Radio studio or a TV studio with a chair, end table and a telephone Doctor: Hello, you're on Midlife. How can I help you? Caller 1: Well, I just turned forty and I was thinking of leaving my wife for two twenty-year-olds. What do you think? Doctor: I do...

2. A Handful Of Dandelions

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Mother's Day, motherhood, joy of children Characters: One woman Props: Bouquet of dandelions Scene: A house, no scenery needed Mother: (She is holding a bunch of dandelions in her hands) All through high school, I couldn't wait until prom night when I would get a corsage of beautiful flowers. They smelled so sweet. I still have some of those things pressed away in Webster's Unabridged Dicti...

3. A Nod of Recognition

John 3:14-21

Sermon

Timothy W. Ayers

There was a game show on television. Some of you may remember the 1970’s remake of it, and a few may even remember the original from the early 1950’s. It was one of those shows that keeps cycling back into our lives in different formats. Today, iTunes even has a version of the game. It is called “Name That Tune.” The rules were simple, the host would play a few notes from a popular song and the co...

4. An Encounter with Jesus

John 12:20-33

Sermon

Timothy W. Ayers

“We Would See Jesus” has been the title of books, songs, and most likely hundreds of sermons. It is a great phrase loaded with dozens of directions that a preacher can go with a sermon. It is a temptation for any preacher to take the phrase where he wants it to go but the truth is that staying inside this story, without leaping in countless directions is the very best way to teach and understand w...

5. And That’s All I Need To Know

John 10:11-18

Sermon

Timothy W. Ayers

As many Sunday school teachers do, Miss Johnson pulled together her young students so they could prepare to memorize Psalm 23. She approached the pastor wanting to have the students present their memory work to the whole congregation on Sunday morning a month from that date. Little Bobby was initially excited about the memorization and being able to recite his part before the church. He wanted to...

6. As You Sent Me, Then I Send Them

John 17:6-19

Sermon

Timothy W. Ayers

In our gospel reading today, Jesus is praying for his disciples. We find that he is broadening the meaning and scope of the title disciple. It not only included those who surrounded him at that moment, and the many who believed in him but it appears to refer to all those who are beyond the Jews. The passage seems to refer to all believers of that time and the future. In other words, even us. He p...

7. Because It Is There

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Obstacles, trials, troubles, preparation Characters: 2 males Scene: At the foot of the mountain Sam: I can't believe it. Tomorrow we climb up the mountain and reach the top. This is a momentous occasion. This may go down in the history books. Do you know that no one has ever climbed this peak in recent history and no one has ever done it during the high wind season? Harry: Why? Why do we do...

8. Beginning the Lenten Journey

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Sermon

Timothy W. Ayers

I read of a pastor, who confessedly tells that he is not the neatest person in the world, but discovered his daughter was on the way to becoming an even messier housekeeper than he. His approach was always to come at a problem not only with both self-confession and identification but with a bit of humor. When she came home from school one day, he caught her as she walked in the door and said, “I h...

9. Behind My Back

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Reputation, ethics, lying, truth, testimony, deacons, leadership, services, giving, business practices Characters: 3 males, 2 females Scene: No scenery, only a stool As the characters deliver their lines, they move right behind a seated Bill Johnson. Bill Johnson: Hi, I'm Bill Johnson. I'm an upright guy. Good to my family and fair in all my business practices. I practice by the book. The g...

10. Born Leader

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Unselfishness, head of church, leadership, ministry teams, servanthood, dictator Characters: One male and voice offstage Scene: Man at a desk Man: OK, now how should I start this speech to my ministry team? My peons. No, that won't do. (Crumbles up paper and tosses it on each mind change) How about, you little people better listen up. Nah, won't work. Listen up, I'm the ministry leader and ...

11. Did I Say That Out Loud?

Mark 8:31-38; 9:2-9

Sermon

Timothy W. Ayers

Have you ever been in a situation where you don’t know what to say? Many people have. It is hard to imagine that a pastor would ever be in that position. But all of us have faced it, experienced it, and remember that moment. Maybe it was something unbelievable and there you stood with your mouth wide open then suddenly you say something. Yes, you say something incredibly dumb. Been there—done that...

12. Don't Fall

Luke 22:39-46

Sermon

Timothy W. Ayers

After New Year’s Day an office worker decided to go on a diet. She did fairly well for about a week then she started to think about her one guilty pleasure. It was a cream filled donut from a certain bakery she passed on the way to work. For years she had stopped there regularly to get coffee and a cream filled donut. Not every day but a few times a week. On this one particular morning as she was ...

13. Everybody Plugs Into Something

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Salvation Characters: Narrator, Harry, personal trainer, businessperson, God (God should he dressed in all white). Trainer, businessperson, and God are holding electrical receptacles from a hardware store (Put the plug covers on them) Scene: Twilight Zone-ish Narrator: Harry is a nice guy. He's always done everything the way one is supposed to. Harry never hurt anyone - intentionally. He tr...

14. Fruit Or Twinkies?

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Fulfillment through the fruit of the spirit Characters: Husband and wife Scene: The kitchen of the home of Bill and Sarah. As the scene opens Bill is carrying several different items of food to a table at center stage. He begins to munch on something when Sarah calls from offstage Sarah: Bill, what are you doing now? Bill: I finished patching that hole in the bedroom so I'm going to have a ...

15. Get the Picture?

John 18:1; 19:42

Sermon

Timothy W. Ayers

Each one of us is either a mother, a brother, a sister, a father, or a friend to someone. We have all felt the loss when a relationship or a relation passes from this life to the next. We know the pain, the depression and grief of that loss. (You may wish to insert a personal loss here.) I know and you know it. Try to imagine the pain of Mary, Jesus’ mother; Peter, his disciple; John, a faithful ...

16. Get With The Program

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Ambitions, organization, potential, career, budgeting Characters: Husband, wife and computer voice offstage Scene: Home office, computer on a desk Paul: Honey, Penny, Honey. Come in here. I've got to show you the new program I got for the computer and the new sound chip. This thing is so great. Man, this thing will do everything for us. Penny: (Enters from door) What was all that yelling ab...

17. Hard Sale

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Biblical truth, cults Characters: Salesman, man, woman Scene: A kitchen table Salesman: OK, so what do you say? Which one will it be? He: We can't just make up our minds like that. We need more time ... She: More information ... He: More research ... She: More reasons ... Salesperson: Exactly what is it that you think that you need? I have explained everything that I can. She: We can't just...

18. Here I Am, Lord; Send Somebody Else!

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Missions, inner-city, summer missions Characters: 4 Scene: Twilight Zone-ish Character 1: Me, go overseas! You've got to be kidding me. First of all, I can't even speak a foreign language. Even worse, I have no language aptitude at all. I guarantee I have absolutely nothing in that department. I failed pass/fail French class. I don't even know the difference between French bread and French ...

19. How Do You Spell Stress?

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Tranquillity, serenity, marriage, work, children, bills, troubles Characters: 2 males, 2 females, 1 either Scene: Freeze frames. Each character performs lines then freezes in place Male 1: How do I spell stress? Just like everybody else: I spell it J-O-B. I go into work and my boss is on my case right away. He wants this report and that meeting has to be attended. It's insane in that office...

20. How Does Your Garden Grow?

John 15:1-8

Sermon

Timothy W. Ayers

Our scripture reading from the gospel of John tells of Jesus teaching his disciples about remaining connected to him in order to grow strong in their Christian lives. He used an illustration that people of his day would have understood easily. Grapevines were readily handy and they were most likely grown by most homes as a source of food and drink. The disciples, who were once boys, would have ten...

21. I Doubt It!

John 20:19-31

Sermon

Timothy W. Ayers

(This sermon requires previous set-up for the opening. The writer suggests a male member of the congregation is prepared ahead of time to call the pastor on his cell phone. They should follow the script below.) This morning will be a little different. I am expecting a call from a well-known person. I am taking the call during the service and will put it on speaker phone so everyone can hear. You’...

22. Is It Really Worth It?

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Easter services, inviting neighbors to church, cost of salvation, Christ's payment on the cross Characters: Husband and wife Scene: Living room or family room Wife: I was reading in the paper that two of those churches that are near our house are having special Easter Services. Husband: (Reading the mail) Yeah, so what? Wife: So, I'd like to go. Husband: Come on. Why? Why give up a quiet, p...

23. It's A Dog's Life

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Friendship, relationship, appreciation, responsibility, Characters: 2 dogs (in costumes) Scene: The backyard Prince: Hey, Dutch, I'm glad you could come over. Dutch: No problem. You know as long as there's that hole under the fence, I can get out any time I want. Prince: Doesn't your master ever fill it up? Dutch: I don't think it bothers him that I get out. He's pretty liberal in how he tr...

24. It’s Sunday…But Friday’s Comin’

Mark 11:1-11 · John 12:12-16

Sermon

Timothy W. Ayers

As a pastor and a preacher I’ve developed my own top ten of messages I’ve heard preached by other men and women. One of my favorites is Tony Campolo’s “Its Friday…But Sunday’s Comin.’” Dr. Campolo told the story of a little preaching competition that he had with his pastor during services at the church where he attended. Dr. Campolo told how he preached the perfect sermon, perfect in every way. He...

25. Just A Mistake

Drama

Timothy W. Ayers

Topic: Self-esteem, encouragement, fortitude, vision Characters: Dad, Mom, teenage daughter Scene: Dinner table Mom: OK, everybody, it's time for dinner! (Father and daughter enter) Dad: Great, I'm so hungry I could eat a horse. Mom: Good, because that's what we're having. Daughter: Mom, that's gross. Dad: C'mon now, honey, I thought that was pretty funny. I mean, for your mother. Mom: Well, it's ...

Showing results