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Showing 2476 to 2500 of 5000 results

2476. Forgiveness for the Sinner

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

2:5–11 In this section, Paul explicitly mentions the person who was chiefly responsible for making his second visit to Corinth so painful and who evoked the writing of the tearful letter (v. 5). Like Moses, Paul wanted to give the rebel(s) a chance to repent before executing great judgment among the people. Since the church had now dealt with this offender, he discusses how the church should forgive him and restore him to fellowship (vv. 6–11). 2:5 The offender is introduced in verse 5 for the first time ...

2477. Accusations

2 Corinthians 2:12--3:6

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

For Paul, Satan is a conquered, yet still dangerous, foe. Although “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Rom. 16:20), Satan is still “the god of this age,” who blinds the minds of unbelievers from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ (2 Cor. 4:4), and he is “the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (Eph. 2:2). There can be no fellowship between the realm of Belial and unbelievers, on the one hand, and the realm of ...

2478. Boasting

2 Corinthians 11:16-33, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

In the last section of the letter (2 Cor. 10–13) Paul makes a frontal attack on his opponents to prepare the Corinthians for his third visit to Corinth. In chapter 10 he has already dealt with two of the opponents’ accusations against him. Now, in 11:1–12:13, the apostle condescends to boasting about himself at the provocation of the opponents and in the face of a lack of concrete support from the Corinthians. These opponents, who evidently bill themselves as “apostles,” had made a strong impression on the ...

2479. Be Holy

1 Peter 1:13-2:3

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

The Believers’ Response in Conduct 1:13 Do the readers now appreciate the magnificence of God’s far-reaching salvation plan in which they have been caught up? Then their response has to be a wholehearted commitment to their new life in Christ. They are to prepare their minds for action, that is, they must put away any distractions which would hinder their growth in grace and their being available to carry forward God’s work of salvation in whatever way he may indicate. The Greek is literally “gird up the ...

2480. Jacob Flees to Laban

Genesis 27:41--28:9

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

Esau’s plans of deadly vengeance: Rebekah devises a plan to save Jacob from Esau’s wrath (27:41–28:5); and Esau marries an Ishmaelite woman (28:6–9). There are only two actors in each scene. In the first four scenes the actors rotate in this pattern: Isaac-Esau, Rebekah-Jacob, Isaac-Jacob, and Isaac-Esau. The fifth act, in which the conflict is resolved, has three scenes and the actors are Rebekah-Jacob, Rebekah-Isaac, and Isaac-Jacob. Because of the deep rift in the family Esau never meets with Jacob or ...

2481. The Glory of the Lord

Exodus 40:1-33

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

The Presence of the Lord in the Midst of the Camp: In Exodus 40 (v. 34), “the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” for the first time. As Moses set up the tabernacle, in accordance with the Lord’ instructions, God fulfilled the original intention to deliver and dwell with this chosen people. The outline of the chapter follows a chiastic structure: A vv. 1–8: the Lord said to set up the tabernacle, in sevenfold detail B vv. 9–16: the Lord said to anoint; Moses did everything A′ vv. 17–33: Moses set up ...

2482. Idolatry Forbidden

Deuteronomy 4:15-31

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

Obedience and Loyalty to Israel’s Unique God: The historical recollections now give place to urgent exhortation. 4:15–20 This specific warning against idolatry is prefaced with a reminder of the point just made, you saw no form (v. 15). Any attempt, therefore, to make an image as an object of or aid to worship, was bound to be inadequate. But the reason for the prohibition should be carefully expressed. Sometimes it is claimed that Israel here affirmed an invisible deity, as against visible idols. Or that ...

2483. The Song of Moses

Deuteronomy 31:30--32:47

Understanding Series

Christopher J. H. Wright

A Song for the Future: At the beginning of Chapter 31, we move finally to the “outer frame” of the book, composed of chapters 1–3 and 31–34. The links between the two sections are very clear, and they could be read together continuously. The common theme, especially at the “join” (cf. 3:21–28), is the commissioning of Joshua to lead the Israelites into the land, in view of the fact that Moses would not do so but would die outside it. However, whereas chapters 1–3 focus primarily on the past, chapters 31–34 ...

2484. Israel Exiled because of Sin

2 Kings 17:7-23

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

The End of Israel: The “uprooting” and “scattering” of Israel (1 Kgs. 14:15) has long been delayed because of God’s promises and character (2 Kgs. 10:30; 13; 14:23–29). God has continually saved (Hb. yšʿ) it from its enemies: through Elisha, through Jeroboam (2 Kgs. 14:27), through other unnamed saviors (2 Kgs. 13:5). There have been signs in the preceding chapters, however, that deliverance is now at an end, that the “exile” of 2 Kings 13:5 was a dry run for a now imminent main event. The most recent act ...

2485. Samaria Resettled

2 Kings 17:24-41

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

2486. David Defeats the Philistines

1 Chronicles 14:8-17

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

David's House and Family: 14:1–17 Before the Chronicler comes to the renewed attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem (starting in 1 Chron. 15:1), there is a detour in the narrative. I have already discussed the difficulty involved in fitting 1 Chronicles 14 into the narrative logic of the Chronicler’s broader construction. Although there might be good (compositional-historical) reasons to transpose this chapter to another position, the effect of the present form of the text is twofold. It provides an ...

2487. Jehoiakim King of Judah

2 Chronicles 36:5-8

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah: The accounts of the last four kings of Judah are very brief. Two of them (Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin) ruled for only about three months each, while the other two (Jehoiakim and Zedekiah) each ruled for eleven years. Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim therefore were nothing more than transitional figures bracketing the rule of King Jehoiakim of Judah and leading to the rule of Zedekiah. Although Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim were still successors to the throne of their respective ...

2488. Jehoiachin King of Judah

2 Chronicles 36:9-10

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

2489. Zedekiah King of Judah

2 Chronicles 36:11-14

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

2490. Actors

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Sermon

John Jamison

Whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and the streets.... We can almost see the people in the crowd leaning forward as they try to hear these things Jesus was saying that afternoon on the hillside. He had been talking for a while now, and although he started out talking about things that were theological, he was now getting to things that actually made sense to everyone. It was nice to hear him say how the poor are actually blessed, and the weak ...

2491. Where It Ends

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Sermon

John Jamison

All of the plans and preparation had been completed and they were all gathering together in the room. As they entered, they each paused to look at the long, horseshoe-shaped table with the cushions spread out around the outside, and could not help but show a brief smile. Even with everything that had happened and with the risks they faced out in the streets, the sight of that table and cushions took all of that away for a few seconds. Before they were disciples, they had all been part of good Jewish ...

2492. The Shepherd

John 10:11-18

Sermon

John Jamison

He woke up just as the sun was peeking over the top of the mountains to the east, just as he had done every morning for the past couple of months. He took a few minutes to enjoy the beauty of it all, and then quickly got up and took a quick look in every direction to make sure everything was safe. He made one quick trip around the low, stone wall of the sheepfold, making sure the wall was still secure. Then he stopped at the gap in the wall filled with briars, at the gate. The sheep began to stir as he ...

2493. Travel Arrangements

Luke 24:44-53

Sermon

John Jamison

It was an amazing moment. Everything that had happened before now seemed to lead up to this. All of those things — the stories and teachings, the miracles, the cross and the empty tomb, all of those things seemed to come together to create this one moment in time. Jesus spoke with them, explaining once again how all of these things had to happen for him to fulfill the things his father wanted him to fulfill. He reminded them that repentance and forgiveness of sins was the message they were to carry out and ...

2494. All for Some Dumb Sheep

John 10:11-18

Sermon

King Duncan

There was a best-selling book in 1995 by Daniel Goleman called Emotional Intelligence. This book provided us with many examples of the effects that our emotions can have on our rational brain. The book begins with the story of Gary and Mary Jean Chauncey, who were in an Amtrak train that crashed into a river after a barge hit and weakened a railroad bridge in Louisiana. Gary and Mary Jean were trapped in their compartment as they tried desperately to save their eleven year-old wheelchair ridden daughter ...

2495. Jesus' No-Nonsense Guide to Discipleship

Mark 10:46-52

Sermon

April Yamasaki

Where's Waldo? In this series of children's books by Martin Handford, Waldo is a cartoon-like young man wearing a bright red and white striped shirt and a matching cap. On each set of facing pages, Waldo appears in different colorful situations, and each time, children are asked to find him. Sometimes there are other characters wearing caps, or other objects that might be striped red and white designed to fool young readers, but that's all part of the fun of finding Waldo. In this part of Mark's gospel, if ...

2496. When I Am Weak, I Am Strong

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Sermon

King Duncan

I read something interesting recently about one of the world’s most revered religious leaders. He is the Tibetan Buddhist leader known as the Dalai Lama. It seems that, though the Dalai Lama may be what the Buddhists call an “enlightened being,” he has his weaknesses. According to a report in The Week magazine, it’s said he sneaks chocolate chip cookies when he’s supposed to be fasting. And he uses an air gun to scare away irritating birds. Anybody identify with that? Here’s a good one: While the Dalai ...

2497. What's in Your Wheelhouse...That You Can Offer Jesus?

John 6:1-15

Sermon

King Duncan

Father Jerry Fuller once told a story about a young couple in North Carolina who were set to open their own restaurant. All that was needed was the final health inspection and the issuing of their business permit. They were scheduled to receive the permit the next day. This occurred in September, 1989. The couple named their little restaurant “Our Place” and they were excited--as you might imagine--that they were finally ready to open. But that morning the winds and rains of Hurricane Hugo hit the Atlantic ...

2498. Hope for People Who Are Angry

Ephesians 4:30-5:2

Sermon

King Duncan

A man came to work one day with a bad limp. One of his coworkers noticed and asked him what had happened. The man answered, “Oh, nothing. It’s just an old hockey injury that acts up every once in a while.” The coworker was surprised at his answer. “I never knew you played hockey,” he said. The man explained, “Oh, I didn’t play hockey; I hurt it last year during the Stanley Cup play‑offs. When I lost five hundred dollars on the final game, I put my foot through the TV set!” (1) When we’re angry we do some ...

2499. The Way Up Is Down!

Mark 9:30-37

Sermon

Robert Leslie Holmes

There once was a palace servant who longed more than anything else in life to be a knight. He yearned to represent his king and vowed within himself that if he ever had a chance to be a knight he would serve his king as the noblest knight who ever lived. His dream came true. His great day came. At his knighthood ceremony, the former servant, now a knight, made a special oath within himself. He vowed that from that day forward he would bow his knees and lift his arms in homage to no one but his king. As a ...

2500. A Remedy for Rejection

Luke 4:22-30

Sermon

King Duncan

Have you ever been rejected? Have you ever had a door shut in your face? Welcome to the real world. Parents spend years grooming their children for success. Perhaps it would be more profitable to train our children to handle failure and rejection because everyone faces these unhappy experiences sooner or later. Go to Google. Type in the words “famous rejections.” If you do, you will learn that J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series of novels, was rejected by 12 different publishers before her work ...

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