In Sermon Illustrations: "Mark 17:1"

Baby Steps!" Numbers 33: 1-49 Key Verse(S): 2a: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 29, 2004

“Baby Steps!” Numbers 33: 1-49 Key verse(s): 2a: “At the Lord’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey . . .” I opened up the paper the other day and there staring me right in the face was a “huge success.” The newspaper was focusing on people who had made it; you know, those who ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 33:1-49

Tags: Gifts General

Denomination: Lutheran

Up To Our Armpits In Our Own Choosing!" 1 Samuel ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 30, 2004

“Up to Our Armpits in Our Own Choosing!” 1 Samuel 14: 37-46 Key verse(s): 39a: “As surely as the Lord lives, even if it lies with my son Jonathan, he must die . . .” I was fifteen minutes late for my appointment and knew that it would be an embarrassment to admit that I had simply gotten ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:36-45, 1 Samuel 14:37-46

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Lutheran

Our Chains--His Slavery!" Matthew 20: 20-28 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 2, 2004

“Our Chains--His Slavery!” Matthew 20: 20-28 Key verse(s): 28: “. . . just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” “Just sign here on the dotted line here Mr. Brunner and we will be done.” As I lifted my hand, grip on pen, ready to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Tags: Sin Bondage To

Denomination: Lutheran

Mercy Resting Upon Wrath!" John 8: 12-20 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 4, 2004

“Mercy Resting Upon Wrath!” John 8: 12-20 Key verse(s): 16: “‘But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.’” The young man sat before the bench, head held low, hands hanging loosely at his side. His crime had been serious and parents, ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-20

Tags: Divinity Of Christ, Judgement

Denomination: Lutheran

His Dearness Is Our Value!" Isaiah 40: 21-26 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 6, 2004

“His Dearness is Our Value!” Isaiah 40: 21-26 Key verse(s): 25: “‘To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?’” “What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly.” A thing of great value is precious. It is something that we guard and use wisely. I feel that way about the time God has given ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:21-26

Tags: Divinity Of Christ, Lordship Of Christ

Denomination: Lutheran

Outhouse And Penthouse!" Isaiah 42: 1-4 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 7, 2004

“Outhouse and Penthouse!” Isaiah 42: 1-4 Key verse(s): 1a: “‘Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight . . .’” Have you ever wanted to lead something? Have you ever wanted to be the one that everyone else follows? Leadership isn’t something that everyone ought to aspire ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-4

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Lutheran

I Had Some Friends With A Three-Year-Old Son. ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Adams on Dec 11, 2004

I had some friends with a three-year-old son. For family fun, they liked to play the game Memory. It consisted of a bunch of cards arranged on the floor face down. Those playing took turns, trying to turn over matching pairs of cards. If you got a match, you kept them and went again. The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:5

Tags: Christian Values

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sorry--No Spare Grace Today?" Leviticus 19: 9-10 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 12, 2004

“Sorry--No Spare Grace Today?” Leviticus 19: 9-10 Key verse(s): 9: “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.’” “Is your generosity based on facts or faith?” I would imagine that most of us would answer that ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:9-10

Tags: Giving General

Denomination: Lutheran

Where God's Finger Points!" Psalm 9: 17-18 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 13, 2004

“Where God’s Finger Points!” Psalm 9: 17-18 Key verse(s): 18: “But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.” With all the poverty in the world it is sometimes difficult to understand why God allows such suffering. It has been estimated that over 35% of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 9:17-18

Tags: Hopelessness, Hope, Poverty

Denomination: Lutheran

No Parts Left Over!" Psalm 37: 25-26 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 14, 2004

“No Parts Left Over!” Psalm 37: 25-26 Key verse(s): 25: “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” When I was a boy I received one of those expensive model cars for Christmas. It was not your typical model with only about a hundred ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:25-26, Psalm 37:25-40, Psalm 37:1-2

Tags: Giving General

Denomination: Lutheran

911 Or You!" Obadiah 1: 1-14 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 15, 2004

“911 or You!” Obadiah 1: 1-14 Key verse(s): 10-11: “Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever. On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates you were like one of them.” We ...read more

Scripture: Obadiah 1:1-14

Tags: Poverty

Denomination: Lutheran

A Gentleman From My Church Told A Story About ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Adams on Dec 19, 2004

A gentleman from my church told a story about his family. Each day as he came home from work, he stopped on his way into his house to pet his dog, and give it some affection. One day as he came in the house, his wife said with a little frustration, "Why is it that every day you always pet the dog ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25

Tags: Children, Parenting

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unca Frank's Christmas!" Isaiah 9: 6-7 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 20, 2004

“Unca Frank’s Christmas!” Isaiah 9: 6-7 Key verse(s): 6a: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” Franklin Chaney was by all accounts what you would call a crank. For years he had lived alone in his upper flat, Vera having gone to be with the Lord many years past. He was pretty set in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Tags: Christmas Advent

Denomination: Lutheran

Afraid Of Christmas?" Luke 2: 8-14 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 21, 2004

“Afraid of Christmas?” Luke 2: 8-14 Key verse(s): 10: “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” “If I hear one more person wish me a “Happy Holiday!” I think I will just burst!” How often have you heard that over the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Lutheran

O God, Don't Let That Be All There Is?" John 1: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 22, 2004

“O God, Don’t Let That Be All There Is?” John 1: 14-18 Key verse(s): 14-18: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The recent news story of the pregnant Missouri woman who was ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 16:1-14, John 1:14-18

Tags: Christmas Eve

Denomination: Lutheran

Unmanufactured Tissue Of The Universe!" Joshua ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 23, 2004

“Unmanufactured Tissue of the Universe!” Joshua 10: 12-15 Key verse(s): 13b: “The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.” “What ‘cha doing?” The old man said to the young man as he sat lazily next to an old haystack at the side of the road. “Just killing a ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 10:12-15

Tags: Gift Of Time, God's Provision

Denomination: Lutheran

Gettin' Up A Load Right Now!" Psalm 39: 5-13 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 26, 2004

“Gettin’ Up a Load Right Now!” Psalm 39: 5-13 Key verse(s): 5: “You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath.” It was the end of the church year and Pastor Smith was really into his preaching. He loved “end times” because ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 39:5-13

Tags: Heaven

Denomination: Lutheran

Is It Time Yet!" Psalm 75: 1-10 Key Verse(S): 2: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 28, 2004

“Is It Time Yet!” Psalm 75: 1-10 Key verse(s): 2: “You say, ‘I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly.’” “Is it time yet?” I can’t tell you how often I have heard those words over the years after having raised four children who were always interested in knowing when the “time” was ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 75:1-10

Tags: Descriptions Of God

Denomination: Lutheran

I Heard Mike Reynolds, Then The Director Of Utah ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Dec 28, 2004

I heard Mike Reynolds, then the Director of Utah Missions, at a meeting in South Carolina telling about leading a Mormon to Christ the first time he witnessed to him. It was such an unusual experience for Mike that he began asking questions about others who had witnessed to the man. He then said, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-14

Tags: World Religions

Denomination: Baptist

Charles Smith Was A Jehovah's Witness, Working ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Dec 28, 2004

Charles Smith was a Jehovah’s Witness, working his way up in the organization for 37 years. Outside one of their meetings, he noticed someone with a sign that simply said, “1 John 5:13.” He decided he would read it later. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of ...read more

Tags: World Religions

Denomination: Baptist