Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 2551 to 2575 of 2962 results

Luke 6:12-16

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... among the apostles and … in Christ before I was.” (Note that the name Junias could either be masculine or feminine.) Since it is accepted that there were more than twelve apostles, it would appear best to understand the number “twelve” as a general designation with a symbolic meaning. Because of the historic significance of this number, it is not difficult to imagine why this number was utilized by Jesus and retained as a tradition by the early church. A few of the most important examples should be ...

2552. Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Luke 9:10-17

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... sack”; 2 Kings 4:42; Luke 9:17). Two other interesting parallels can be seen in John’s account of the feeding: (1) the puzzled question of those told to feed many with a few loaves (2 Kings 4:43; John 6:9) and (2) the specific designation of the loaves as “barley loaves” (2 Kings 4:42; John 6:9). Besides the parallels (which may be due only to their presence in the account taken from Mark), the fact that Luke alludes to Elisha passages immediately surrounding the feeding episode (the raising of the ...

2553. Jesus' Teaching on Prayer

Luke 11:1-13

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... ’s Prayer is derived from a source other than one utilized by Matthew (or that Luke adapted and modified Matthew’s version). More plausible, however, is the theory that the Lucan and Matthean versions are derived from a common written source (usually designated as “Q”) with Luke’s version closer to the original wording. (Matthew has in all probability expanded his version of the Lord’s Prayer; see Gundry, pp. 105–9; Marshall, pp. 456–57.) The original setting of the prayer was probably not ...

2554. Warnings and Encouragements

Luke 12:1-12

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... to Jesus, the Son of Man. Those confessing Jesus before men are assured that Jesus will confess them before the angels of God. Likewise, if one disowns Jesus, that one will in turn be disowned. The final judgment is in view (as is probably indicated by the designation Son of Man). All trials and persecution for the sake of allegiance to Jesus are worth it when it is realized that the day will come when Jesus will acknowledge before God in heaven the faith of his follower. The saying in v. 10 may very well ...

2555. The Cost of Being a Disciple

Luke 14:25-35

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... for an enduring commitment. Although the Matthean and Lucan applications are not identical, they are not contradictory either. The disciple who retains his “saltiness” (i.e., righteousness) is the disciple who endures. Additional Notes 14:26 my disciple: “Disciple” is a favorite Lucan designation for the followers of Jesus (first used in 5:30), and in Acts it is virtually the equivalent of “Christian” (Acts 6:1, 2, 7; 9:1, 10, 19, 26, 38, and many more). The word comes from a root meaning “to ...

2556. A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight

Luke 18:35-43

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... made clear to Luke’s readers in the genealogy (3:31), though I doubt if the evangelist thought that the characters in his story knew of it. The blind man’s knowledge of Jesus’ Davidic connection would stem from rumors of Jesus’ messianic status. That the designation “Son of David” is to be understood messianically is also apparent in 1:27, 31–33 (and see 2:4, 11). It is not necessary to conclude that the blind man supposed that Jesus was literally a descendant of David. 18:41 Lord: Mark 10:51 ...

2557. The Authority of Jesus Questioned

Luke 20:1-8

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

Luke 20 is a chapter in which we see Jesus teaching in the temple (19:47–48), having cleansed it so that he may reside in its precincts (19:45–46). The atmosphere is tense. The many questions put to Jesus are hostile and are designed to trap him into making an incriminating response (see esp. vv. 20–26). The chapter may be divided into the following six parts: (1) the question about Jesus’ authority (vv. 1–8); (2) the Parable of the Wicked Vineyard Tenants (vv. 9–19); (3) the question about ...

2558. The Crucifixion

Luke 23:26-43

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... should not the same function be assigned to it as well? Why would Jesus’ prayer of forgiveness make possible the offer of repentance to Jews, while Stephen’s similar prayer would not? The Lucan prayers of forgiveness are not clever devices that are designed, as part of an anti-Semitic agenda, to advance the plot of the Lucan narrative (as J. T. Sanders maintains). These prayers represent a genuine desire for reconciliation. It is hard to believe that if the evangelist were truly anti-Semitic, as Sanders ...

2559. Righteousness Through Faith

Romans 3:21-31

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... changes the metaphor from deliverance to sacrifice. The rarity of the term (and cognates) in the NT (Luke 18:13; Heb. 2:17; 9:5; 1 John 2:2; 4:10) is no indication of its importance. Hilastērion translates the Hebrew ḵapōreṯ, which designated the lid or mercy seat of the ark of the covenant (Exod. 25:17–22). The ark was locus revelationis, the place of revelation symbolizing the very presence of Yahweh, where Israel’s sins were forgiven. Paul transfers the imagery of the ark (which had perished ...

2560. Struggling with Sin

Romans 7:7-25

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

We noted in section 14 that chapters 6–7 are something of a theological entrenchment on Paul’s part designed to defend his gospel against three objections. In 6:1–14 he contended against a misunderstanding of 5:20 (“where sin increased, grace increased all the more”), which would argue that if grace increases with sin, why not sin all the more? In 6:15–7:6 he answered a ...

2561. Ingrafted Branches

Romans 11:11-24

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... . In Isaiah 49:1–6 the servant is told, “it is too small a thing for you to … restore the tribes of Jacob.… I will make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” The early church saw that design supremely fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. Salvation had come from the Jews (John 4:22), but it was not limited to them. “First for the Jew, then for the Gentile,” said Paul (1:16). In Paul’s day the final and oft-forgotten promise to Abraham that “all ...

2562. Divisions In the Church

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... and its context determine the understanding the reader should attribute to Paul’s use of the word. Negatively, regardless of the “background” from which “wisdom” originated in Corinth, Paul denounces an understanding of “wisdom” as either “a manner of preaching, involving the use of logical and rhetorical devices which were designed to convince the hearer” or “the stuff of salvation itself” (Barrett, Epistle, p. 18).

2563. Wisdom from the Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... of Christians, although the discussion is symmetrically similar to 1:18–25. In these verses, however, Paul seems to be describing reality from God’s point of view. To avoid misunderstanding Paul’s thought in these lines one must recall that he designated his message “the word of the cross.” Paul would tell about the cross, and he would explicate its meaning. Clearly, Paul interprets the saving significance of the cross throughout his letters by applying the meaning of the cross to the lives of ...

2564. Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... ” as in the NIV or “spiritual ones” as some commentators argue. One should notice that throughout the remainder of the section Paul continues the discussion by referring to charismata (translated “gifts”), clearly his own preferred manner of designating spiritual gifts. Some commentators argue that the difference in the words pneumatikoi and charismata reflects the language used by the Corinthians on the one hand and Paul on the other. Still other interpreters suggest that Paul used pneumatikoi ...

2565. Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... about to reveal is “incomparable” or “all surpassing” (Gk. kath’ hyperbolēn). His readers might recognize that in this statement Paul is claiming to present the highest form of Christian faith and practice. The word “way” (Gk. hodos) functioned as a euphemistic technical designation for Christianity in the early days of the church. At points in the NT one finds simple references to Christian belief and life as “the Way” (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). Whether Paul intends to play ...

2566. The Resurrection of Christ

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... called apostle” could mean “to be called an apostle,” or they could assume the supplying of the verb “to be,” thus, “to be called to be an apostle.” One cannot discern from the words alone whether Paul meant to refer to apostleship as a designation or as a function. Perhaps he meant both. In commenting on the phrase “last of all” in v. 8, F. F. Bruce (1 and 2 Corinthians [NCB; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1987], p. 142) observes, “last of all among those entitled to be called apostles ...

2567. The Resurrection of the Dead

1 Corinthians 15:12-34

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... he shall abolish” (v. 24), “he shall put” (v. 25), “he shall say” (v. 27), “all things shall be subjected,” and “God may/shall be” (v. 28). 15:25 The temporal qualifier until (Gk. achri hou) that occurs here is the same temporal designation that was used in 11:26 in reference to the period of time “until” the resurrected Christ may come. The importance of these apocalyptic images for Paul’s understanding of God’s will and work should never be underestimated in reading his letters ...

2568. The Resurrection Body

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... -eschatological terminology and images, Paul scores the point that the transformation of earthly existence into spiritual reality is purely God’s work. In turn, as Paul writes in traditional terms and language of divine transformation, he uses mysterious images designed to inspire awe and confidence. One may compare his similar teachings at 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; 5:11. He continues by extending his reasoning in a didactic fashion, never afraid to repeat himself, “We shall be changed!” 15 ...

2569. The Angel and the Little Scroll

Revelation 10:1-11

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... contents known to his readers. In this sense, “little” may also qualify the scroll’s overall importance in the cosmic plan of God’s salvation. Whereas God’s scroll could be opened only by the worthy Lamb and contains God’s “macroscopic” design for salvation’s history, the shorter scroll lies open in the hand of the angel (10:8) and contains a more “microscopic” vision that intends in part to encourage his beleaguered audience. The interpreter should also be sensitive to John’s clear ...

2570. The Rider on the White Horse

Revelation 19:11-21

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... caused an offensive stench. This seems an appropriate image for the fate of the rebellious, idolatrous anti-Christian kingdom. Additional Notes 19:11–22:6a Schüssler Fiorenza speaks of these final visions of Christ’s parousia as a “mosaic” of themes, designed as the “final eschatological event” (Revelation, p. 47). 19:12 Ladd prefers to see the unknown name as a symbol of mystery: the profound depth of Christ’s majesty can not be fully comprehended by the human mind (Revelation, p. 254). 19 ...

2571. The Grain Offering

Leviticus 2:1-16

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... the Manual is addressed specifically to the priests. Milgrom suggests that contemporary practice in other ancient Near Eastern religions included burning the whole cereal offering on the altar (Leviticus 1–16, p. 188). Leviticus emphasizes burning only the designated portion. The practice thus implies the distinctiveness of this community of God’s people. 2:11–12 The final section of the chapter, beginning at verse 11, presents some instruction to the congregation on various dimensions of the offering ...

2572. The Fellowship Offering

Leviticus 3:1-17

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... the altar and thus returned to God. The pressing of the hand on the head of the animal here clearly does not relate to transference; the fellowship offering is not an atoning sacrifice. In this act the worshiper identifies with the animal. 3:3–5 These verses designate the part of the animal to be burned on the altar: From the fellowship offering he is to bring a sacrifice made to the LORD by fire. The fat covering and clinging to the entrails or intestines, the kidneys with attached fat, and the lobe of ...

2573. The Sin Offering

Leviticus 4:1--5:13

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... and filled out with greater specificity to complete the text at hand. Yet it would be difficult to reconstruct the stages which finally brought about Leviticus 4. 4:1–2 The chapter’s introduction begins as chapter 1 did, by designating the section as divine speech delivered to Moses. Moses, in turn, delivers this message to the Israelites, the covenant community. The instruction on this offering has to do with inadvertent sins: When anyone (nepesh ki) sins unintentionally. The language includes ...

2574. The Day of Atonement

Leviticus 16:1-34

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... . We have previously interpreted laying on of hands as a way of identifying the offerer, here the community, with the offering. The ritual puts the sins to be removed from the community on the head of the goat. The goat is sent into the wilderness by a designated person. The person is not a priest; the threat of defilement would be too great and the consequences destructive. It is as if the sin becomes material to be taken away. The goat carries the sins to a solitary place, far from the community and far ...

2575. Eating Blood Forbidden

Leviticus 17:1-16

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... probably less textual unity here than in the preceding sections of Leviticus. Budd lists four main characteristics that unite the chapters (Leviticus, p. 239): Historical allusions to the Egypt experience Common terms for the laws Yahweh’s self-designation Yahweh’s holiness Scholars debate whether these chapters ever constituted an independent manual. For an excellent examination of the history of research, see Hartley, Leviticus, pp. 251–60. No doubt the material has a complex editorial history, but ...

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