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Showing 2576 to 2600 of 4943 results

2576. Matthew 22:15-22

Matthew 22:15-22

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... ability to do this blatantly validates Jesus' reference to them as "hypocrites." The excruciating precision of Pharisaic obedience to Torah law would include forbidding the observant from handling, much less dealing with Roman coinage. As cleverly demonstrated by Jesus in the continuing discussion, Caesar's likeness is clearly stamped on these coins a violation of the law against "graven images" (Exodus 20:4). A typical Roman coin of this era would be stamped with the image of the reigning emperor's head on ...

2577. Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... of Israel's great leaders. They are not greater in kind. Yet despite the graced face-to-face relationship Moses experienced with the Lord, today's text testifies that eventually Moses' time of leadership came to an end. Until Yahweh deemed Moses' time was over, Moses continued to be venerated by the people as one graced by the Divine without ever being deified. The only constant on which to base one's life, this text reminds us, is God's ultimate authority and the presence of God's never-ceasing grace in ...

2578. Matthew 25:1-13

Matthew 25:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... first-century Christians was based on the belief that Christ was due to return at any moment. Thus, the faithful must continually be on the watch for the events that herald Christ's approach. This constant watchfulness stands in contrast to the attitudes ... and rebuild spiritually after the temple's violent destruction. Thus the "synagogue across the street" may have viewed the continued focus on a returning Christ as a politically dangerous and disruptive noise. Matthew's allegory-parable, which preaches ...

2579. Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Isaiah 61:10—62:3

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... and bride images here is that they, like the Anointed One, are known to the world by the special adornments they wear. On the wedding day, the bride and groom demonstrate their intentions and commitment through their appearance. Their dress is their address. Verse 11 continues the sense of overflowing joy that verse 10 had begun. This new image suggests that the task for which the Anointed One has now been clothed will indeed be a fruitful one. Two types of growth are recognized. First, there is the natural ...

2580. Luke 2:41-52

Luke 2:41-52

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... temple appears to the two desperate parents. From Joseph and Mary's perspective, whether all eyes were turned upon the young Jesus or not is irrelevant. To panicky parents, Jesus' presence fills the field of Mary and Joseph's vision. Luke continues to show remarkable restraint in describing Jesus' experience in the temple. The writer simply records that those listening to the exchanges being bantered back and forth were "amazed at his understanding and his answers" (v.47). Jesus' precocity could hardly be ...

2581. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

In this week's epistle lesson, Paul continues to deal with a series of specific questions the Corinthian church has posed to him. He prefaces each of these responses with a characteristic phrase, peri de, "now concerning." ... again asserting that only a single Spirit lies behind all these various gifts. Paul's insistence on this fact is setting up his discussion in verses 12-26, where he continues to elaborate how this single Spirit is yet more than the sum of its parts, of all these manifested gifts.

2582. Luke 5:1-11

Luke 5:1-11

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... -step chronological progression, there is nothing in 5:1 to indicate that the events of verses 1-11 followed immediately after chapter 4. Obviously, Jesus is still in Galilee and is continuing to attract a huge following. But Luke does not try to pin this decisive moment down to a specific day. Both the ongoing general presence of the continual crowds and the recurrence of Simon's specific presence (in 4:38 and again in 5:4) indicate to the reader, however, that these events took place close to one another ...

2583. Luke 6:27-38

Luke 6:27-38

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... to have Jesus remind his followers not to judge others. Not judging is a part of that mercy God showers down upon the just and unjust. Not judging is another imitation of God. Furthermore, the parallelism Luke has been striving for in all his examples continues to be played out in verse 37. Just as Luke has provided three examples of self-centered, graceless behavior in verses 32-34, he now offers three examples of merciful behavior: do not judge; do not condemn; and do forgive. The final image furthers the ...

2584. Philippians 3:17-4:1

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... beat of Paul's own concern and commitment to this community beneath only the thinnest skin of literary and theological concerns. The portion of the epistle read this week clearly demonstrates the intensity of Paul's relationship with these Philippians. In 3:17, he continues to warn them about those whose ideas and behavior are both theologically and ethically in grave error. Just as in 3:2, Paul had no qualms about calling those he knew to be touting wrong-headed notions as "dogs," he also has no problem ...

2585. Philippians 3:4b-14

Philippians 3:4b-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... he inherited as an Israelite to the first act of obedience to the law his circumcision on the eighth day of his life it is obvious he grew up steeped in the law. As a member of the highly esteemed tribe of Benjamin, Paul could boast of his family's continued loyalty to the monarchy (along with the tribe of Judah) and could count it to his benefit that both the holy city of Jerusalem and the holy site of the temple were located in his tribe's lands. And Paul's lineage was unsullied he could claim the purity ...

2586. John 14:23-29

John 14:23-29

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... bit more comfort to the disciples. Jesus is responding to questions put to him by his followers. Here he addresses the query the gospel writer puts on the lips of Judas. Jesus' tone has increased in gentleness and compassion for his disciples as he continues to talk. He gently clarifies how his presence will remain with his disciples. When Jesus declares, "Those who love me will keep my word," we must remember that in Greek "word" ("logos") encompasses a vast area of meaning. In this particular context, it ...

2587. Galatians 2:15-21

Galatians 2:15-21

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... startling to hear him claim he had also died with Christ been "crucified with Christ." Paul's words seem to imply that it was the law which put Christ to death, even as the law had put Paul to death. This thought is more fully explained as verse 20 continues. For Paul, the old "I," the individual who had to decide to carry and obey the law every day of his life, is now gone. Under the law, a right relationship with God was dependent upon how obediently Paul followed the works of the law. Now that Paul has ...

2588. 2 Timothy 1:1-14

2 Timothy 1:1-14

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... . The faith of "Eunice" had been mentioned in Acts 16:1, where she was described as a Jewish-Christian with a Gentile husband. Her gift of faith to Timothy is twofold. It includes her ancestry in the Jewish faith - which is maintained and continued, as it now must be, through faith in Jesus Christ. In verses 6-14, Paul now strengthens his appeal to Timothy's loyalty despite approaching hardship. Paul identifies two potential threats to Timothy's steadfastness - 1) the growth in power and persuasiveness of ...

2589. 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... "righteousness." Paul's focus in verse 17 is on Timothy - the one he sees as teacher, not those Timothy will teach. The teacher must be truly "proficient" in spiritual skills and scripturally equipped for "every good work." Having urged Timothy toward steadfastness - to continued loyalty to the biblical truths and traditions he knows so well - Paul now directs a final charge in 4:1-5. While all Paul's appeals have been emphatic, this final note takes on a difference. The urgings of a teacher and friend ...

2590. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... the "traditions" or "teachings" that they have received. The potentially fragile nature of that upon which this grip is placed is clear - for "traditions" must be passed down from one generation to the next with great care in order to ensure their continued strength. The tradition itself, however, is wholly capable of infusing these new Christians with all the strength their faith will ever need. The tradition Paul speaks of here is nothing less than the life, death, resurrection and ascension into glory of ...

2591. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... a simple statement of fact but suggests that the refusal to work prompts a moral imperative - that person should not eat. In verse 11, Paul confronts his Thessalonian brothers and sisters head-on with the facts as he knows them. Yet, he continues to temper his theological offensive by letting those in error remain relatively anonymous. Obviously, Paul knows of a particular situation among the Thessalonians. The impression given by Paul's Greek here is that he knows the identity of these "idlers," and yet ...

2592. 2 Kings 2:1-12a

2 Kings 2:1-12a

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... charges them to say nothing "until the Son of man shall have risen from the dead." Quickly leaving behind the mystery and awe of the transfiguration, the disciples now begin musing on what these new words may mean. The Psalmist's words for this week continue to echo the themes of God's wonder-working power, glory, and majesty. Neither Elisha nor Peter were capable of finding appropriate words to react to the miraculous events they witnessed. Psalm 50 suggests that it is our place to stand in silent awe ...

2593. Ephesians 2:4-25

Ephesians 2:4-25

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... for disregarding God and ridiculing God's love is great. Second Chronicles 36:14-23 tells the terrible story of the Israelites' exile to Babylon - an exile they earned through repeatedly mocking God, God's messengers, and God's mandates. This week's Psalm (137:1-6) continues the saga of the exiled people of God. It is a mournful cry of sorrow - a lament for a lost homeland. God's love had meted out harsh disciplinary measures on the people. Yet even as they pined after their home, God was plotting a way to ...

2594. 2 Samuel 23:1-7

2 Samuel 23:1-7

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... in the middle of Jesus' remarkable words about eating and drinking his body and blood. While the Jews had guffawed at the suggestion that they must eat and drink Jesus' flesh and blood (see verse 52), Jesus ignores their rhetorical question and continues to boldly assert one of the most baffling and blessed mysteries of his nature - that whoever eats and drinks "abides" (Greek menei) in him (verse 55). Translated in verse 22 as "endures," this "abiding" relationship emphasizes the ability of Christ to dwell ...

2595. James 3:13-18

James 3:13-18

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the great secret of God's manifest for his life: the crucifixion and resurrection (v.31). Yet the disciples do not comprehend the significance of this declaration, and, like most of us, are afraid to admit their confusion. Instead, as the group continues on its way, the disciples begin to bicker among themselves over the egotistical notion of which one of them would become the greatest. It is in verse 35 that Jesus' upside-down thinking turns conventional wisdom and earthly evaluations inside-out: The ...

2596. Luke 21:25-36

Luke 21:25-36

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... without being fully arrived, kingdom come and kingdom coming. The Son of Man is therefore the perfect title for Jesus, since he is the one who participates in the Kingdom as it is present now and who ushers it in fully on the day of judgment. Verse 31 continues to emphasize Jesus' dual concept of the Kingdom. The Kingdom is near even as the Son of Man is present in one form, if not yet in his full role as judge and heir. Verse 32 begins with Luke's characteristic form for a direct exhortation from Jesus ...

2597. 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50

1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... the time of resurrection. There is no carry-over, no abiding aspect of the physical nature that links it together with the heavenly body. The new creation is exactly that - a completely new, now spiritual creation. The verses not read this week (39-41) merely continue Paul's attempt to clearly delineate the new body from the old body. By verse 42, however, Paul is ready to expound his main point with a series of four antitheses. Within this series, the reader would do well to keep in mind Paul's conversion ...

2598. Psalm 23

Psalm 23

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... more than at any other time, the Hebrews could envision themselves as a wandering flock, totally reliant upon their "good shepherd" for guidance. Through their many mistakes and missteps, the wandering Hebrews learned all too well what happened when they tried to continue on independent of God's guidance. Disaster always struck. Looking back at this history, it is easy for the Psalmist to declare that it is God the Shepherd who leads all members of this headstrong, cantankerous flock into the "right paths ...

2599. Revelation 21:10, 22-27

Revelation 21:10, 22-27

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... John envisions. God's glory, the Lamb's lamp, the High Light of Heaven bathe the city's residents in the steadfast gleam of divine love. The changeable, unknowable ways of the sun and the moon are replaced by the fulfilled experience of God's continual presence. Verse 24 makes it clear that this light will be recognized by all people and nations. In fact the candlepower of the divine will increase as each nation comes to participate in its illumination. The flickers of personal glory that human rulers enjoy ...

2600. Luke 10:25-37

Luke 10:25-37

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... between Jesus and this lawyer. It is evident that a kind of verbal jousting match is going on here - with the lawyer anxious to show off what he knows, perhaps even tripping up Jesus in the process. Luke tells us in verse 29 that the lawyer continues to question Jesus in order "to justify himself." But in asking "Who is my neighbor?" the lawyer reveals that his previous recitation of the great commandment was merely that - a recitation. That is why Jesus does not directly answer the lawyer's question. It is ...

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