Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 226 to 250 of 266 results

226. The High Priest of a New Covenant

Hebrews 8:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The heavenly sphere of Jesus Christ’s priesthood is the subject of 8:1–6. The intricate comparison of the two priesthoods being completed, the author advances his argument by comparing the two priestly works. The point is that Jesus’s priesthood is exercised in heaven, in the very presence of God, and its effectuality is therefore neither earthly nor temporary but spiritual and eternal (8:1–2; cf. 4:14). He exercises his priesthood not at some distance from God but in God’s immediate presence (see 9:24). ...

227. Warning Not To Turn Away from God

Hebrews 12:14-29

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Each person must study holiness, as the gospel requires, and help others to do the same, taking special care to nip sin in the bud when it arises within the community (12:14–17; cf. Deut. 29:18; 1 Cor. 5:6). Esau exemplifies the person who exchanges the unseen and future inheritance for the sensible and immediate pleasures of this world and, consequently, “falls short of the grace of God,” that is, squanders irrevocably the blessing that was in one’s grasp (Heb. 6:4–6; 10:26–31). Esau’s tears showed ...

228. The Vindication of God and his People

Revelation 20:1-7, Revelation 20:8-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

20:1–22:21 Review · Heaven as a New City and the Earth as a New Eden: In Revelation 20–22, John journeys outside the temple and discovers a glorious city, the New Jerusalem, within a new heaven and new earth (21:1–2). There is no sea, no sun, and no temple in this new created realm (21:22–27), because the presence of God and the Lamb dwells with the community of faith permanently and gloriously. The vision concludes with the assurance of Christ’s return and a benediction of grace (22:6–21). 20:1–10 · The ...

229. The Jews and the Law

Romans 2:17-29

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... evidence for such an understanding. Paul, of course, did not despise the Lord’s Supper any more than he despised circumcision. It was precisely because he valued them that he warned against their misuse (see 1 Cor. 10:20–22). When the sacraments dispense with obedience instead of obligate to obedience, they run into the same danger which Paul saw in circumcision. The apostle had an inveterate mistrust that signs and rituals could become substitutes for the will of God rather than signs of it (see 1 Cor ...

230. God’s Faithfulness

Romans 3:1-8

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

The logical follow-up to the preceding section is the question, “What advantage, then, is there is being a Jew?” (v. 1). Although ultimately Jews have no advantage, if we understand Paul rightly, they operate in the short run with a favorable handicap, for “they have been entrusted with the very words of God” (v. 2). God’s revelation does not happen just anywhere. Humanity cannot conjure up God whenever and wherever it will. God must be known where he makes himself known—within Israel. “Salvation is from ...

231. Peace and Joy

Romans 5:1-11

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

Romans 5:1–11 is a victorious passage. “In the whole Bible there is hardly another chapter which can equal this triumphant text,” said Luther (Epistle to the Romans, p. 72). It is like a mountain pass from which one revels in scenery after having labored through the inclines and switchbacks of argumentation in the earlier chapters. The view cannot be fully appreciated without the effort it took to get there. Commentators are divided whether the passage is the conclusion of Paul’s argument so far or the ...

232. 144,000 Sealed

Revelation 7:1-8

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

In concluding the horrific judgment brought about by the opening of the sixth seal, John interposes an eschatological interlude that responds to the two questions evoked by the experience of human suffering. Whether they concern the suffering of Christian martyrs, lamented at the opening of the scroll’s fifth seal, or of their persecutors, initiated by the sixth, the cries for vindication and of lamentation envision a common recognition that the social order and its ruling elite are opposed to the well- ...

233. The Woman and the Dragon

Revelation 12:1--13:1a

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

With the exaltation of the slain Lamb, the heavenly temple has been opened and the promise of salvation has been fulfilled (11:19); a new age of salvation’s history has begun. According to the eschatology of the earliest church, Christ’s death and exaltation constitute the penultimate moment of salvation’s history and look ahead to the ultimate moment, the parousia of the Lord Jesus Christ, when the salvation of God’s people and the restoration of God’s creation will be completed in full. The church’s ...

234. The New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:1-27

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

John’s final, most detailed and most important vision of Christ’s parousia is of a new heaven and a new earth, the Holy City, and the new Jerusalem where the dwelling of God is with men and the old order of things has passed away. Following the return of the Lamb, after his last battle and millennial reign, after the destruction of Satan, of his evil kingdom, and finally of death itself, the vision of the eschatological city of God “may be viewed as the climax not only of the book of Revelation, but of the ...

235. Jesus Is Coming

Revelation 22:7-21

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

The concluding section of early Christian letters often contains the author’s benediction, typically expressed as a prayer or doxology, but often accompanied by many other pastoral conventions as well. In his letters, for example, Paul sometimes closes his correspondence by greeting various acquaintances in a particular congregation (cf. Rom. 16), perhaps to encourage them in their faith (cf. 1 Cor. 16:19–20) or to give them instructions (cf. Col. 4:15–16). In several of his letters, he includes a list of ...

236. David and Bathsheba

2 Samuel 11:1-27

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

David and Bathsheba: The mopping-up operation to complete the siege of the Syrian capital Rabbah is described in 11:1, but the completion is not recorded until 12:26–31. In between is the story of David’s involvement in adultery, betrayal, and murder. 11:1 The writers make it clear that David’s presence in Jerusalem at this time was unusual. The fighting season has begun, but at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab. That is, he did not go himself, and the verse stresses that while the army ...

237. Job's Third Reply to Bildad

Job 26:1--31:40

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

Sarcastic Introduction Job’s response to Bildad’s third speech is extended (six chapters long)—even for the usually loquacious Job! Many commentators divide up the chapters attributed to Job to supply an extension to Bildad’s brief speech, as well as to wholly reconstruct a missing third speech for Zophar. Such reconstruction, however, can only proceed on a presumptive assumption of what each speaker would have said—and is thus controlled ultimately by the reconstructor’s theory rather than challenged and ...

238. Acquittal for the Falsely Accused (Ps. 7)

Psalm 7:1-17

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

Psalm 7 is a prayer psalm of the individual. It uses a variety of images (God as refuge and judge, enemies as lions and hunters; legal, militaristic, and birth imagery), and it is difficult to discern which features might indicate the speaker’s personal circumstances and which might derive from the general symbolism of the temple and its regular liturgies. There is also a combination of individual (“me” in vv. 1–6, 8, 10, 17), corporate (“peoples” and the “righteous” and “wicked” in vv. 7–10), and ...

239. The Pilgrim’s Longing to “See” the God of Zion

Psalm 84:1-12

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

The Pilgrim’s Longing to “See” the God of Zion Psalm 84 was probably sung on behalf of pilgrims, either at the beginning of their journey or upon their arrival at the temple. It explicitly confesses the blessed state of “those . . . who have set their hearts on pilgrimage” (v. 5, the Hb. text here is somewhat unclear, but the NIV presents a reasonable interpretation). As they pass through various regions “till each appears before God in Zion,” they require strength to make the pilgrim journey (vv. 6–7). ...

240. God of Creation and Restorer of Jerusalem

Psalm 147:1-20

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

Psalm 147 is a hymn that celebrates in particular the restoration of the exiles (v. 2). The reference to “the bars of your gates” implies a date after the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem by Nehemiah. As noted below, many phrases in Psalm 147 are echoed elsewhere, especially in Isaiah 40–66, which addresses exilic and postexilic Judah. Its threefold structure is established by the three calls to praise in verses 1, 7, 12. It also contains three themes: the restoration of Jerusalem in the first and ...

241. To Noah's Sons

1 Chronicles 1:1-4

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

Let’s Start at the Beginning: When the Chronicler started writing his version of the history of God’s people, he started at the very beginning: Adam! It is surprising that this history, unlike the Deuteronomistic version, situates the history of God’s people within the history of humankind. On the one hand, this is already an indication of the Chronicler’s universalist or inclusivist approach (which is also echoed in the closing of the book in 2 Chron. 36:22–23, where Cyrus, the Persian emperor, is ...

242. The Japhethites

1 Chronicles 1:5-7

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

From Adam to Abraham: The Chronicler’s family lists start with Adam (1:1) and swiftly continue from there to Abram (1:27). If there was ever an abridged version of some Pentateuchal genealogical traditions, this is it! These twenty-seven verses quickly run through at least three genealogies contained in Genesis 5, 10, and 11. This first of the Chronicler’s genealogies utilizes both linear and segmented forms in its summary of the Genesis traditions. The intention of the Chronicler’s construction is clear, ...

243. The Hamites

1 Chronicles 1:8-16

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

244. The Semites

1 Chronicles 1:17-27

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

245. The Sons of David

1 Chronicles 3:1-9

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

David’s and Solomon’s Descendants: 3:1–9 We finally come to the long-awaited focus of this particular Judahite genealogy, David’s and Solomon’s descendants. With the mention of Hebron and Jerusalem, the presentation of the descendants of David simultaneously becomes a short overview of the phases in his reign. He first established his kingship from Hebron and later moved his capital to Jerusalem, which he captured from the Jebusites (see 11:4). For seven years and six months he reigned in Hebron, and in ...

246. The Royal Line after the Exile

1 Chronicles 3:17-24

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

The Royal Line after the Exile: 3:17–24 The Chronicler signals the beginning of the exilic period in this genealogy when he calls Jehoiachin the captive (1 Chron. 3:17). The lineage from him runs through Pedaiah, Zerubbabel, Hananiah, Shecaniah, Shemaiah, Neariah, and Elioenai, extending across the exilic period into the time of the postexilic restoration. Information about when exactly and in which sectors of society all the people mentioned in this part of the genealogy were active is not accessible to ...

247. A Loving Parent

Revelation 7:9-17

Sermon

King Duncan

I want to begin today by saying, “Happy Mother’s Day” to all the Moms here today as well as to those who serve as Mom substitutes. You deserve to be celebrated on this special day because of the incredible impact you have on so many lives. A good mother is such a powerful example of God’s love. Many mothers are willing to do almost anything to communicate their love to their children. Some even try desperately to keep up with the changing styles popular with young people nowadays. Good luck with that. ...

248. The Balm of Gilead

Mark 8:1-13, Mark 8:14-21

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“I am the Lord, your healer.” (Exodus 15:26) “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32) We are now going into “flu” season. Already people are starting to fear the dreaded disease, wondering if the vaccine this year is going to cover the variations that pop up. Or will we find ourselves flat on our backs for over a week once more, unable to eat, work, or function. It’s a frightening experience, especially when ...

We can always find something to be thankful for, and there may be reasons why we ought to be thankful for even those dispensations which appear dark and frowning.

Albert Barnes

Each man is his own absolute lawgiver and dispenser of glory or gloom to himself, the maker of his life, his reward, his punishment.

Anonymous

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Showing 226 to 250 of 266 results

226. The High Priest of a New Covenant

Hebrews 8:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

227. Warning Not To Turn Away from God

Hebrews 12:14-29

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

228. The Vindication of God and his People

Revelation 20:1-7, Revelation 20:8-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

229. The Jews and the Law

Romans 2:17-29

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

230. God’s Faithfulness

Romans 3:1-8

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

231. Peace and Joy

Romans 5:1-11

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

232. 144,000 Sealed

Revelation 7:1-8

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

233. The Woman and the Dragon

Revelation 12:1--13:1a

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

234. The New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:1-27

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

235. Jesus Is Coming

Revelation 22:7-21

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

236. David and Bathsheba

2 Samuel 11:1-27

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

237. Job's Third Reply to Bildad

Job 26:1--31:40

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

238. Acquittal for the Falsely Accused (Ps. 7)

Psalm 7:1-17

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

239. The Pilgrim’s Longing to “See” the God of Zion

Psalm 84:1-12

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

240. God of Creation and Restorer of Jerusalem

Psalm 147:1-20

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

241. To Noah's Sons

1 Chronicles 1:1-4

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

242. The Japhethites

1 Chronicles 1:5-7

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

243. The Hamites

1 Chronicles 1:8-16

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

244. The Semites

1 Chronicles 1:17-27

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

245. The Sons of David

1 Chronicles 3:1-9

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

246. The Royal Line after the Exile

1 Chronicles 3:17-24

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

247. A Loving Parent

Revelation 7:9-17

Sermon

King Duncan

248. The Balm of Gilead

Mark 8:1-13, Mark 8:14-21

Sermon

Lori Wagner

We can always find something to be thankful for, and there may be reasons why we ought to be thankful for even those dispensations which appear dark and frowning.

Albert Barnes

Each man is his own absolute lawgiver and dispenser of glory or gloom to himself, the maker of his life, his reward, his punishment.

Anonymous

Showing results