Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 226 to 250 of 307 results

226. Freedom In Christ

Galatians 5:1-15, Galatians 5:16-26

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... to Paul expresses a similar understanding of the goal of the Christian life: “One must live without city or home; one must have nothing of one’s own—no friends, no possessions, no livelihood, no business, no company; one must renounce human learning and prepare the heart to receive the impressions of divine instructions” (Basil, Letter 2; quoted from Wiles and Santer, Documents in Early Christian Thought, p. 212). In distinction from Greco-Roman philosophical and Jewish approaches to the problem ...

227. Life by the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-26

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

228. Encouragement to Be Faithful

2 Timothy 1:1-2:13

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... beyond present endurance awaits the eschatological prize (see disc. on vv. 4–6). It should not go unnoticed that with these words Paul begins temporarily to look beyond Timothy to include God’s people, the chosen ones, who will, with Timothy and Paul, renounce the false teachings (2:14–21) and “endure unto eternal glory.” 2:11–13 As a way of wrapping up this segment of the argument (appeal), and thereby reinforcing the appeal itself (which now includes God’s people), Paul “cites” a fifth ...

229. Judgment Against Israel

Hosea 5:1-15

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... holy God who cannot be approached in worship by sinful and therefore defiled and unholy human beings (cf. Lev. 15:31; Isa. 6:2–5; Zech. 13:1; 1 Thess. 4:7). The Israelites, however, are unable to repent and to cleanse themselves of their sin by renouncing and turning from their harlotry with the baals, for they are captive to a spirit of harlotry in their midst (contra NIV: in their heart). As in 4:12 and 4:19, the Israelites have become enslaved to their sin and have no possibility of returning by their ...

230. Imitating Christ's Humility

Philippians 2:1-11

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

... is there any question of his trying to retain it by force. The point is rather that he did not treat his equality with God as an excuse for self-assertion or self-aggrandizement; on the contrary, he treated it as an occasion for renouncing every advantage or privilege that might have accrued to him thereby, as an opportunity for self-impoverishment and unreserved self-sacrifice. Several commentators have seen a contrast here with the story of Adam: Christ enjoyed true equality with God but refused to derive ...

231. Timothy and Epaphroditus

Philippians 2:19-30

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

... church. Paul and the Philippian church were alike engaged in their gospel partnership (1:5): by serving them both, Epaphroditus was expending himself in the cause of Christ. Paul did not set out deliberately to present three examples of the same self-renouncing attitude “as that of Christ Jesus” (v. 5). But in fact this is what he has done. His own readiness to have his martyrdom credited to the spiritual account of his Philippian friends, Timothy’s unselfish service to Paul and genuine concern ...

232. Pressing on Toward the Goal

Philippians 3:12-4:1

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

... disregard. J.-F. Collange (ad loc.) suggests that the description is of self-worshipers who contemplate their own navels (not a natural meaning for koilia). In contrast to those who glory … in their shame Paul speaks of himself and his associates as having “renounced secret and shameful ways” (2 Cor. 4:2). (In Jude 13 libertine teachers are compared to “wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame.”) J. A. Bengel (Gnomon, ad loc.) and some later writers have understood the reference here to be to ...

233. Abram Rescues Lot

Genesis 14:1-24

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... blessed Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. The term translated “Creator “ is usually rendered “possessor, owner”; this latter meaning fits this context well. Abram had taken numerous spoils from his raid, but, as will be seen shortly, he renounced any personal claim to these goods, relying solely on God as his source of wealth. Melchizedek applauded Abram’s stance on this by acclaiming God Most High as the owner, not only of all this property but also of all creation. Melchizedek ...

234. Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel

Genesis 29:15-30

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... he had manipulated his older brother to gain for himself the privileges of the firstborn (bekirah). Jacob was trapped, for he had failed to take into account this custom when he had negotiated the terms of his services. Just as Isaac had no means of renouncing the blessing he had pronounced on Jacob, thinking that he was Esau (27:33, 37), Jacob had no legitimate way to free himself from Leah, thinking she was Rachel. Jacob had to endure disappointment similar to what he had inflicted on his brother. Acting ...

235. Joseph Reassures His Brothers

Genesis 50:15-21

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... God himself gives to those facing harsh, threatening circumstances (15:1). This word provides the basis on which to build a new relationship. Joseph added three affirmations. He reminded them that he did not take the place of God for them and thereby renounced any right to take vengeance on them. He emphasized the vast difference between God’s way of working and human planning. Whereas his brothers had planned to do him harm, God had used their plans for good (see 45:5–8). Throughout the ordeal ...

236. The Year of Canceling Debts

Deuteronomy 15:1-11

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

... , a concentrated metaphorical use of body-language in the chapter as a whole, but especially in this section of it (cf. P. D. Miller, Deuteronomy, p. 136). Three terms are used: The hand. Cancel (vv. 2f.) is lit. “release the hand,” i.e., renounce one’s claim to, or power over, the pledge and thus the debtor. Similarly, in verses 7, 8 and 11, opening or closing the hand (openhanded, tightfisted) speaks of the power that the creditor wields over the debtor. The text is thus addressed, significantly ...

237. Signs, Sayings, and Oracles of Judgment

Ezekiel 12:1-28, Ezekiel 13:1-23, Ezekiel 14:1-11, Ezekiel 14:12-23

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... all deserted me for their idols” (v. 5). Now, the Lord commands Ezekiel to address “the house of Israel” (v. 6): not the elders alone, but the entire community. His address begins as a call to repentance: “Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!” (v. 6). This is the first mention of repentance in Ezekiel. Up to this point, the book has occupied itself with demonstrating the justice of God’s actions, and with quashing false hopes: Jerusalem cannot be saved. Still ...

238. Jesus Announces His Impending Suffering and Death

Matthew 16:21-28

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... as involving tangible actions (16:27). Self-denial, defined in subsequent chapters, involves (1) setting aside self-interest and self-promotion to care for others in the community of faith (18:1–14); (2) extending unlimited forgiveness (18:21–35); and (3) renouncing status concerns to follow the path of Jesus, the model Servant of the Lord (19:30; 20:16, 25–28). 16:25–26 life . . . life . . . soul . . . soul. All four of these words render the Greek psych?, which can refer to earthly or ...

239. Community Discourse: Care for Others in the Kingdom

Matthew 18:1-9, Matthew 18:10-14, Matthew 18:15-20

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... in the first-century world of those with little status. As the NIV reads, “Whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” We can teach this text well by helping people to understand that they should renounce status preoccupation in favor of taking care of those most vulnerable and marginalized in the community of faith. This is the focus of Jesus’ message using the example of a child. 2. Addressing sin in the believing community and with fellow brothers and ...

240. Jesus Warns of Presuming Reward and Status

Matthew 20:1-16

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... has been highlighting the reality of status categories in this part of his Gospel. Jesus’ teachings have emphasized that his followers, instead of presuming the same status categories that they are familiar with in their current experience, should renounce status concern, since the kingdom is not about status presumption and acquisition. This parable clarifies that the kingdom has a surprising and potentially disturbing equality to it. The central complaint of the full-day workers captures this affront ...

241. The Resurrected Jesus Is Vindicated by God and Given All Authority

Matthew 28:1-10, Matthew 28:11-15, Matthew 28:16-20

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... and predicting his impending suffering, death, and resurrection. While they travel to Jerusalem, Jesus teaches his disciples about a way of living that adequately reflects the reality of the kingdom in his ministry and mission. It is a way of life that renounces status and position in order to serve others in the believing community, especially the little ones and the least of these. Jesus rides into Jerusalem as a peaceable and humble king and demonstrates his messianic authority over the temple and the ...

242. Mission and Rejection in Galilee

Mark 6:14-29, Mark 6:7-13

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... serious suffering for the Lord, and Paul treats this as something almost to be expected. In Hebrews it was the basic problem; these second-generation house churches had become lazy (5:11; 6:12) and in the midst of persecution were tempted to renounce Christ and return to Judaism. The letter of 1 Peter has been labeled “the epistle of suffering” and addresses discouraged Christians who were “surprised” by the hard times (4:12) but needed to realize that such trials are used by God to strengthen ...

243. Possessions and Choice in the New Kingdom Community

Mark 10:17-31

Teach the Text

Grant R. Osborne

... must divest himself of what will keep him from God and everlasting life: earthly possessions. Only when he gives his material goods to help those who have nothing, the poor, can he find true life. “Come follow” is possible only when one renounces earthly ties. 10:22 He went away sad. “Great wealth” has priority over eternal life, so he knowingly and willingly gives up his future for present treasure. There are two descriptions of his sorrow for emphasis, the first describing a gloomy countenance ...

244. The New-Covenant Ethic of Love

Romans 12:9-21

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... another resonates throughout this passage. Moreover, the “two ways” tradition (see Deut. 30:15–20)—choose good or choose evil—is echoed in 12:9, 21. Indeed, the entire passage is about manifesting good by loving God and others and avoiding evil by renouncing selfishness and revenge (in 12:19 Paul quotes Deut. 32:35, about vengeance belonging to God). Interpretive Insights 12:9 Love must be sincere. In the New Testament the word agap? can express the highest form of love: God’s commitment to ...

245. Message to Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... over twenty-five feet tall. The Christians of Ephesus faced enormous social and financial pressure to participate in the worship of the emperor. The city was also a center for occult and magical practices, and Acts 19:19 indicates that many new believers renounced their previous life in sorcery by burning their magic scrolls (worth about 50,000 days’ wages). The worship of at least fourteen other deities has been documented in the city. Ephesus was certainly a center of paganism in the first-century world ...

246. The Coming Judgment Calls for the Saints to Leave Babylon

Revelation 18:1-24

Teach the Text

J. Scott Duvall

... for the future, hoping for time to make up lost ground in doing good later on. We should seek to honor trade that is fair. Quote: Involvement: Social and Sexual Relationships in the Modern World, by John Stott. Noting Jesus’s call to renounce materialism and to care for the poor, Stott comments: In light of these . . . biblical truths, and of the contemporary destitution of millions, it is not possible for affluent Christians to “stay rich,” in the sense of accepting no modification of economic life ...

247. Keeping Promises

Numbers 30:1-16

Teach the Text

Joe M. Sprinkle

... ’s rights. Illustrating the Text In many Christian traditions vows are still taken. Cultural Institution: One occasion for vows is that of baptism. A number of Christian traditions have candidates for baptism (or parents in the case of infant baptism) vow to “renounce the devil and all his works,” a baptismal vow that goes back at least to the third century of the Christian church.5That vow typically is followed by the candidate’s affirmation of a trinitarian confession of faith. Another occasion of ...

248. The Lord Decides to Build David a House

2 Samuel 7:18-29, 2 Samuel 7:1-17

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... appears to be conditional (cf. 1 Kings 2:1–4; 6:11–13; 8:23–26; 9:3–9; 1 Chron. 28:9; Ps. 132:11–12; Jer. 17:24–25; 22:1–9). In Psalm 89:39a the psalmist even laments that the Lord has “renounced” the Davidic covenant. The verb appears to be synonymous with “rejected” and “spurned” (v. 38). Perhaps the best way to resolve this tension between texts is to conclude that the promise in its essence is irrevocable and certain of fulfillment, while the conditional statements refer to ...

249. Saul on the Rampage

1 Samuel 22:6-23

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... he also contracted syphilis, which would eventually lead to the dementia of which he died.6 Nietzsche developed great hostility toward Christianity and proceeded to attack it with great vitriol, seeing Jesus as weak. He envisioned a race of supermen who would renounce any kind of compassion and gentleness, an ideology that later appealed to the Nazis and the followers of Mussolini. Some of his most well-known works are The Birth of Tragedy and Thus Spake Zarathustra. He once wrote, “I condemn Christianity ...

250. David Spares Saul’s Life

1 Samuel 24:1-22

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... 8 in modern paraphrase: We can listen to endless sermons about Christian growth, and become perfectly familiar with the language, and yet be as far from its attainment as ever. Our great aim should be to be deaf to self, to listen quietly to God, to renounce every bit of pride and devote ourselves to living. Let’s learn to talk less and do more without caring whether anyone sees us or not.6 Quote: St. Teresa of Avila. This renowned Spanish nun (1515–82) once wrote, “Let nothing disturb thee; let ...

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