×
Please log in to view this content.
If you are having problems logging in or think this is an error, please contact us online or call 1-800-537-1030.
Warning message
You are not logged in.Please log in to view this content.
If you are having problems logging in or think this is an error, please contact us online or call 1-800-537-1030.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 2
30 – Sermons
130+ – Illustrations / Stories
36 – Children's Sermons / Resources
33 – Worship Resources
32 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
130+ – Illustrations / Stories
36 – Children's Sermons / Resources
33 – Worship Resources
32 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 3
29 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
36 – Children's Sermons / Resources
35 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
36 – Children's Sermons / Resources
35 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
32 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
37 – Children's Sermons / Resources
30 – Worship Resources
32 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
37 – Children's Sermons / Resources
30 – Worship Resources
32 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
New & Featured This Week
The Immediate Word
Quantisha Mason-Doll
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For December 4, 2022:
- There is More to Salvation Than Confessing by Quantisha Mason-Doll. Based on Matthew 3:1-12.
- Second Thoughts: God Promises a Sapling by Katy Stenta. Based on Isaiah 11:1-10.
- Sermon illustrations by Tom Willadsen, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer.
- Worship resources by George Reed.
Emphasis Preaching Journal
Wayne Brouwer
There is a powerful scene in Herman Melville’s great epic, Moby Dick, where Captain Ahab stands peg-legged on the deck of the Pequod during a violent storm (chapter 119). His obsession with the White Whale has carried the craft and crew to exotic and frightening locales, and now it seems as if divine providence might be unleashing furious anger against this ill-fated quest.
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Isaiah 11:1-10
There is something about the past that, I think, attracts us. It seems that deep in human heart is a desire to recreate some pleasant time gone by long ago. Though it rarely works out quite like we envision it, there is a hope that the thrill can be recaptured, and the excitement felt all over again.
There is something about the past that, I think, attracts us. It seems that deep in human heart is a desire to recreate some pleasant time gone by long ago. Though it rarely works out quite like we envision it, there is a hope that the thrill can be recaptured, and the excitement felt all over again.
StoryShare
Frank Ramirez
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? (v. 7)
CSSPlus
John Jamison
Object: You need just a few pieces of clothing to dress six children. A fancy scarf and fancy hat for a “star”, a suit jacket and phone for a successful businessperson, a crown or tiara for a king or queen, a huge book for a super intelligent person, a sword and shield for a fighting person, and an old piece of burlap and rope belt for a powerless, “nobody special” person.
If you can dress each child as you introduce them, or if time is short, you could select and dress them before the message, and have each child stand as you introduce them.
If you can dress each child as you introduce them, or if time is short, you could select and dress them before the message, and have each child stand as you introduce them.
The Village Shepherd
Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
John the Baptist called people to repent, for he told them that the kingdom of heaven had come near. In our worship today let us explore what it means to be close to the kingdom of heaven.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, remind me to turn towards you.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, make me aware of your kingdom.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, nudge me into the kingdom of heaven.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Matthew 3:1-12 (NRSV)
John the Baptist called people to repent, for he told them that the kingdom of heaven had come near. In our worship today let us explore what it means to be close to the kingdom of heaven.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, remind me to turn towards you.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, make me aware of your kingdom.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, nudge me into the kingdom of heaven.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Matthew 3:1-12 (NRSV)
SermonStudio
Schuyler Rhodes
A wise teacher once pointed out that much of scripture is said in dialogue. It is a confusing point, at first. Certainly narrative and conversations between biblical figures are communicated throughout our Bible, but scripture itself as dialogue? How so? Well, think of it this way.
Michael D. Wuchter
"On that day," promised wild Isaiah, "on that day when things are finally set right, the wolf shall live with the lamb, the calf and the lion together, the cow and the bear will graze together, the time of violence will be over, God's harmony will prevail. On that day there will be peace -- when the true 'anointed one' rules -- when the genuine Messiah comes; it will be 'God with us' -- Immanuel -- peace, at last."
-- Isaiah 11:1-10 cf
-- Isaiah 11:1-10 cf
Linda Schiphorst Mccoy
Have you ever been on a plane and heard the captain tell the cabin crew to "prepare for arrival"? That announcement lets everyone know that the plane is approaching the gate, and the doors are about to open. When the passengers hear it, they immediately start to gather their belongings, put on coats, and prepare to de-plane.
Dallas A. Brauninger
E-mail
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: Embracing Hope
Message: I would not mind a little encouragement, God. Lauds, KDM
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: Embracing Hope
Message: I would not mind a little encouragement, God. Lauds, KDM
