Login / Signup

Romans 4:13-25

Start of Fall Sale -- Save $131
Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Trust Issues -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Hosea 5:15-6:6, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Nazish Naseem, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2026
For June 7, 2026:
Jesus Hits Pause -- Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Elena Delhagen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2023
For June 11, 2023:
Called to the Cross -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
For February 28, 2021:
Much more than a promise -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2018
For February 25, 2018: Much more than a promise
Unprovable Hope -- Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
In this week’s lectionary epistle passage, Paul characterizes Abraham’s attitude toward God’s cov
Faithfulness And Righteousness On The Campaign Trail -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
It was rather startling to find discussions on theology in the headlines last week.
Is There A Doctor In The House? -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Barbara Jurgensen, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2008
Health is a very fashionable topic these days.

Free Access

Trust Issues -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Hosea 5:15-6:6, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Nazish Naseem, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2026
For June 7, 2026:
Called to the Cross -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
For February 28, 2021:

CSSPlus

Listen to God -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2008
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he

Illustration

The Immediate Word

Trust Issues -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Hosea 5:15-6:6, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Nazish Naseem, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2026
For June 7, 2026:
Jesus Hits Pause -- Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Elena Delhagen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2023
For June 11, 2023:
Called to the Cross -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
For February 28, 2021:

Free Access

Trust Issues -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Hosea 5:15-6:6, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Nazish Naseem, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2026
For June 7, 2026:
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 2 (2024) -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
We Live By Faith -- Romans 4:13-25 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants th

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Lent 2 (2024) -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 5 | OT 10 (2023) -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2023
Genesis 12:1-9
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 2 (2021) -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

StoryShare

We Live By Faith -- Romans 4:13-25 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants th

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Faith Stretching Exercises -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- David Coffin -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
It is the second week into the Lenten season.
Take Over, God! -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2023
In these passages, God calls on individuals to give up control of their lives and follow a whole new
Transformation -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Oscar Wilde penned a powerful story about behaviors and definitions and justice called The Pictu
Remembering our spiritual roots -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2018
The Second Sunday in Lent was typically devoted to the theme of “remembering” [Remiscere].
Seeing the world through Abraham's eyes -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Scott Camp told of a university student who was working on a doctorate investigating the social cult
Standing on the promises -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2008
If you want to know how to get me to sing, though of course I am not sure that anyone would want me
On the other side of the wilderness -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 25:1-10 -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
I teach two classes titled "Introduction to Preaching." The syllabus created by the department requi
Not finished with us -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2003
I know this is going to give my age away but I still remember seeing an elderly man in the 1960s wea

Free Access

Faith Stretching Exercises -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- David Coffin -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
It is the second week into the Lenten season.
Transformation -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Oscar Wilde penned a powerful story about behaviors and definitions and justice called The Pictu

Worship

The Immediate Word

Trust Issues -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Hosea 5:15-6:6, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Nazish Naseem, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2026
For June 7, 2026:
Jesus Hits Pause -- Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Elena Delhagen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2023
For June 11, 2023:
Called to the Cross -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
For February 28, 2021:
Much more than a promise -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2018
For February 25, 2018: Much more than a promise
Unprovable Hope -- Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
In this week’s lectionary epistle passage, Paul characterizes Abraham’s attitude toward God’s cov
Faithfulness And Righteousness On The Campaign Trail -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
It was rather startling to find discussions on theology in the headlines last week.
Is There A Doctor In The House? -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Barbara Jurgensen, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2008
Health is a very fashionable topic these days.

Free Access

Trust Issues -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Hosea 5:15-6:6, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Nazish Naseem, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2026
For June 7, 2026:
Called to the Cross -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
For February 28, 2021:

SermonStudio

Proper 5 -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: The sinners, the saints; the broken, the whole:

Sermon

The Immediate Word

Trust Issues -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Hosea 5:15-6:6, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Nazish Naseem, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2026
For June 7, 2026:
Jesus Hits Pause -- Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Elena Delhagen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2023
For June 11, 2023:
Called to the Cross -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
For February 28, 2021:
Much more than a promise -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2018
For February 25, 2018: Much more than a promise
Unprovable Hope -- Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
In this week’s lectionary epistle passage, Paul characterizes Abraham’s attitude toward God’s cov
Faithfulness And Righteousness On The Campaign Trail -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
It was rather startling to find discussions on theology in the headlines last week.
Is There A Doctor In The House? -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Barbara Jurgensen, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2008
Health is a very fashionable topic these days.

Free Access

Trust Issues -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Hosea 5:15-6:6, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Nazish Naseem, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2026
For June 7, 2026:
Called to the Cross -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
For February 28, 2021:

SermonStudio

Genuine Hope -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Nancy Kraft -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2008
The season is upon us once again.

Preaching

The Immediate Word

Trust Issues -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Hosea 5:15-6:6, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Nazish Naseem, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2026
For June 7, 2026:
Jesus Hits Pause -- Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Elena Delhagen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2023
For June 11, 2023:
Called to the Cross -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
For February 28, 2021:
Much more than a promise -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2018
For February 25, 2018: Much more than a promise
Unprovable Hope -- Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
In this week’s lectionary epistle passage, Paul characterizes Abraham’s attitude toward God’s cov
Faithfulness And Righteousness On The Campaign Trail -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
It was rather startling to find discussions on theology in the headlines last week.

Free Access

Trust Issues -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Hosea 5:15-6:6, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Nazish Naseem, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2026
For June 7, 2026:
Called to the Cross -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
For February 28, 2021:

SermonStudio

Lent 2 -- Genesis 17:1-7, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2011
Theme of the Day Remembering the spiritual roots of grace.
Proper 5 / Pentecost 3 / Ordinary Time 10 -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2010
Theme For The Day

Stories

StoryShare

We Live By Faith -- Romans 4:13-25 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants th
Peter's Painful Memories -- Mark 8:31-38, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25 -- David O. Bales, John Fitzgerald -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2018
Contents “Peter’s Painful Memories” by David O. Bales
How You Play The Game -- Mark 8:31-38, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Contents "How You Play The Game" by Frank Ramirez
The Danger Of Denying The Inevitable -- Mark 8:31-38, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Lamar Massingill, Peter Andrew Smith -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Contents "The Danger of Denying the Inevitable" by Lamar Massingill
Reunion -- Mark 8:31-38, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Psalm 22:23-31 -- David O. Bales, Larry Winebrenner, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2009
Contents What's Up This Week "Reunion" by David O. Bales
Called Not From But To The Tax Office -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12 -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr., Craig Kelly -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week

Free Access

We Live By Faith -- Romans 4:13-25 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants th
Called Not From But To The Tax Office -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12 -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr., Craig Kelly -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week

SermonStudio

God's Not Done With Me Yet! -- Romans 4:13-25 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2007
Abraham. No individual in history is more widely recognized and revered.
High And Lifted Up -- Romans 4:13-25 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2004
Laurie Woodard

Devotional

SermonStudio

Lent 2 -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2008
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations.
Proper 5 / Pentecost 3 / OT 10 -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2007
...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For October 11, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Amanda Squirrel hummed as she put the finishing touches to the icing on the huge cake she had made earlier that day. "Will this do?" she asked her friend Hetty Hedgehog.

"Do?" gasped Hetty. "Why, it's the best and biggest cake I've ever seen!"

Amanda had been planning this party for months. All the invitations had been sent out weeks ago, and Amanda and Hetty had been hard at it for several days, preparing the food and sweeping and cleaning and decorating the animal hall.

StoryShare

Alex A. Gondola, Jr.
Craig Kelly
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
"A Lot of Bull" by Alex Gondola
"Rejoice in the Lord Always" by Alex Gondola
"Second Chances" by Craig Kelly
"American Idol" by John Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
Keith Hewitt
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"American Idols" by Keith Heweitt
"Invitation to Peace" by Frank Ramirez


* * * * * * * *


American Idols
by Keith Hewitt
Exodus 32:1-14

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
Psalm 106 is recitation of the sins of Israel, an enumeration of the ways in which the nation failed to trust their well-being to the Lord. In verse 6, the psalmist confesses that his own generation has been as sinful as their ancestors, but the catalog of sins that follows sticks to those of the forebears.
William E. Keeney
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come.
John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Exodus 32:1-14 (C)
The Israelites worship a golden bull. Thinking Moses had deserted them as well as Yahweh, the people persuaded Aaron to make a golden bull out of their jewelry for worship. It is a return to an Egyptian god, Amon-Re, represented by a bull. Yahweh was so angry at their desertion of him, that he threatened to destroy them. Upon Moses' intercession, their plight was avoided.

Lesson 1: Isaiah 25:6-10 (RC); Isaiah 25:1-9 (E)
 On Mount Zion, God will make a feast for all peoples on the last day.
Argile Smith
When we get nervous about the unknown, we can make mountains out of mole hills. But we aren't by ourselves. Loads of people down through history have made the same mistake.
Joseph M. Freeman
Jesus' use of parables is his way of communicating a striking truth with significant love. In my own journey as a Christian person, the most amazing quality of God which has been so instructive to me is that He approaches us with equal doses of love and truth. How different He is than us. When I see someone in error and that error has personally hurt me, I go for that person's jugular, to deliver the truth, but little or no love accompanies it. Hence, the person becomes defensive and flatly refuses the truth which could correct the error.
George S. Johnson
This morning I want to talk to you about becoming a Christian - the invitation of Jesus to come and follow him. It is not my intention to judge who is or is not a Christian, or criticize anyone's experience of salvation, or to suggest that you are not already a member of God's family. My intention is rather to allow this text to speak clearly to us about Jesus' invitation. My purpose is to give voice to Jesus' call to discipleship.

I approach this text from Matthew with a few assumptions, a few underlying givens. Let me share with you what they are.
Richard C. Brand
"I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord." We have no idea what in the world these two women were quarreling about. Perhaps if we had had Entertainment Weekly or the National Enquirer or MSNBC or the investigative potential of the Internet we would have more information about the nature of the split. But we have no idea what had set these two women against each other.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Prayer Of Confession And Absolution
P: We hold back your goodness from one another.
We hold back, pretending it is our own.
C: Break open the tombs of pride and fear that we build,
so that in giving what is yours,
we might find what we truly need.

Silence for reflection and self-examination

P: The Lord is your shepherd: you shall never be in want.
Such goodness and mercy will seek you,
and they will find you;
so that in the banquet of love, you will forever be filled.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Rejoice, Ye Pure In Heart (UM160, 16l, NCH55, 71, PH145, 146, LBW553)
Where Cross The Crowded Ways Of Life (UM427, CBH405, NCH543, PH408)
Sweet Hour Of Prayer (CBH11, UM496, NCH505)
Rejoice, The Lord Is King! (CBH288, UM716, NCH303, PH155)
What A Friend We Have In Jesus (NCH506, CBH573, UM526, PH403)
I Would Be True (NCH492)
Lead On, O King Eternal (LBW495, NCH573, PH447, 448, UM580)
We Come As Guests Invited (PH517)

Anthems

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
As I was driving home from the office the other day, I was waiting at a traffic light downtown, when I saw one of my parishioners cross the street in front of me. It's still my first year in my present appointment, and it occurred to me that I had never seen him outside of church. He is in church quite faithfully, but I had never seen him outside of that context. The sight of him in more casual clothes ... chewing gum ... and coming out of a store reminded me of a ridiculously simple fact: He has a life outside of that pew where I am accustomed to seeing him each Sunday morning.
Wayne Brouwer
His shrunken frame and age-diminished voice were almost lost at the front of our large church auditorium. He had been a medical intern at a small hospital in Arnhem when Hitler's war machine rolled through the Netherlands and set up a puppet Nazi government. Radios were destroyed to prevent BBC "propaganda" from demoralizing folks who needed nothing other than German "truth."

CSSPlus

Have you ever seen a movie or a television show that was scary? (Let them answer.) I have! Sometimes a show will get so scary that my heart starts pounding and it seems so real. When an action scene gets too real, what are some things people can do to remind themselves that this is only a show and not real? (Let them answer.)
Cynthia E. Cowen
The Point: Jesus asks us to join God's family and how we respond is important.

The Lesson: Welcome, boys and girls. Thank you for coming forward to share this teaching moment with me.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 23 (OT 28, Pent 20)
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
20 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 (OT 29, Pent 21)
28 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
21 – Worship Resources
23 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 (OT 30, Pent 23)
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL