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 2626 to 2650 of 4962 results

2626. The Resurrection Body

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... 35–49. 15:54–55 Paul looks to the time of the resurrection of the dead, and as he does so he offers a prooftext for his point from Isaiah 25:8. The victory is God’s, through Christ, and this divine victory has implications for Christian hope and life (v. 54). To amplify his position Paul adds the words in victory to Isaiah’s phrase death has been swallowed up. Then, Paul continues in verse 55 with a quotation from Hosea 13:14, which he again adapts, tailoring the language of the biblical material ...

2627. Greetings and Doxology

Revelation 1:4-8

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him, since then they will recognize that those who pierced him did so against the redemptive intentions of God for them. John has conjoined two OT texts (Dan. 7:13; Zech. 12:10) to interpret Christian hope in a manner similar to Matthew 24:30: the dramatic return of the Son of Man vindicates Christian faith before a cosmic courtroom. John does not say whether the lament, which issues forth from those who have rejected Christian faith, then results in repentance ...

2628. To the Church in Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... understand the importance of John’s subsequent vision in ways appropriate to that congregation, whether as a pastoral word of hope (e.g., the congregation at Smyrna) or as a prophetic word of judgment (e.g., the congregation at Laodicea). ... and to bring about their repentance in the light of God’s truth (cf. John 16:12–15). With this result, the congregation can then hope to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. John foreshadows the final vision of the new Jerusalem (22:2), ...

2629. Jesus Is Coming

Revelation 22:7-21

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... the prophecy in this book is required. John is not interested in a quick and easy response to his prediction of Christ’s soon return; his pastoral ambition is that his audience forge a consistent and persistent response of obedience to the gospel in light of the certain hope of Christ’s parousia. 22:12 The Greek word for reward, misthos, is used in the NT for those wages justly due a worker. For the worker of evil, the reward is punishment (cf. 2 Pet. 2:13, 15) and for the worker of good, blessing (cf ...

2630. Vengeance on the Midianites

Numbers 31:1-24

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... is carefully regulated and includes support for the clergy (vv. 27–31, 50). 31:48–54 Not one Israelite soldier was killed in the war. In contrast to the wilderness generation, which has died, the members of the new generation experience life and hope for the future in chapters 26–36. The soldiers follow the instructions and bring the gold articles each of us acquired as an atoning offering to God. Death and war require atonement. The offerings suggest thanksgiving for victory and safety; they are a ...

2631. Inheritance of Zelophehad's Daughters

Numbers 36:1-13

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... and also by the dire experiences of the past generation. Israelites look forward to the promise of land and a future as God’s people learning to live in new circumstances. The last chapter of the book, appendixed by the Priestly tradents, illustrates this hope of negotiating the way forward as God’s people. They are firmly rooted in the past while living in the present in a land that is God’s gift. The story recounted in Numbers encourages modern readers of the Bible to hear and engage creatively ...

2632. Bildad's Second Speech to Job

Job 18:1-21

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... ). The contrasting interplay between light and darkness appeared earlier in Bildad’s speech (v. 6), and now brackets the piece near the end. The complete obliteration of the wicked continues with the lack of offspring or descendants. Where one cannot hope for personal immortality after death, children carry on the name and memory of the dead. So important was the place of the descendant in assuring the continuation of memory that, when one died childless, the rather extreme expectation of the levirate ...

2633. Zophar's Second Speech to Job

Job 20:1-29

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... utter destruction of the wicked leaves little doubt about his intent to consign Job firmly to this category and its consequences. Although much of what Job had possessed or held dear—his treasures, as Zophar calls them—has already been taken from him, Zophar holds out hope only for more loss as even what is left in his tent will be consumed in the wrath of God unleashed upon him. 20:27–29 Job consistently refuses to admit any guilt, but now, Zophar says, the very heavens will expose his guilt while ...

2634. When I Am Old and Gray

Psalm 71:1-24

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... the motivational clause, till I declare your power to the next generation (v. 18; on transmitting God’s story to the next generation cf. Deut. 6:20–25). A more literal translation of verse 14 reveals part of the psalm’s logic: “But I will wait/hope, and I will add to all your praise.” In other words, he awaits a new act of salvation that will in turn further Yahweh’s praise. As noted elsewhere in this psalm, Yahweh’s praise is centered on your righteousness (i.e., “your putting things right ...

2635. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

Daniel 2:1-23

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... situation will change means “until the time changes.” A similar idiom is used in v. 21 in Daniel’s hymn to God: “he changes times and seasons.” Although there is a lot of text between vv. 9 and 21, there may be a deliberate contrast. The diviners are hoping that the situation they are in will change, but they and their gods are powerless to bring it about. However, the one true God is able to change times and seasons (cf. also 7:12 and 25), because he is sovereign and all-powerful. 2:12 The wise ...

2636. The Image of Gold and the Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3:1-30

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... . While traditionally, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are portrayed as being certain of their rescue, it is incredible that they would be so naive as to think that just because God is able to deliver them, he necessarily would. They are sure of God’s power, and hopeful regarding deliverance. They do not doubt that God can rescue, and they pray that he will. Such is the spirit of the book of Daniel, which was so helpful to the Jews of the Hellenistic era. They know that God will someday bring his kingdom ...

2637. Daniel’s Dream of Four Beasts

Daniel 7:1-14

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... that they are promoted. This is not so in chapters 7–12, where the faithful are oppressed; there is little or no hope of favor or even peace with the tyrannical “little horn.” Once again, this difference should not be stressed too much, for as ... Daniel portrayed Antiochus IV as the little horn—the evil tyrant who made war against the holy ones—in order to express the hope that God would intervene in history to put an end to this brutal regime. The apocalyptist’s prayer was that God’s everlasting ...

2638. Jesus Predicts His Death

Mark 8:31--9:1

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... 35–37 gives us some indication of the kind of glorious expectations that the disciples must have entertained in light of their hope that Jesus was chosen to be God’s Christ, the king of a new reign of divine righteousness and blessing. Perhaps in ... 8:38 When he comes probably refers to the appearance of Christ in glory that was expected by early Christians and continues to be the hope of all traditional believers. Angels were expected to accompany him. See, e.g., 1 Thess. 4:13–5:11; 2 Thess. 1:6–10. 9 ...

2639. The Rich Ruler

Luke 18:18-30

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... behind the question of v. 26: Who then can be saved? This question must be understood against the popular view that rich people are those people who have been favored and blessed of God. If rich people do not qualify for entry into the kingdom, then what hope is there for the rest of us? Jesus’ answer in v. 27 (his second pronouncement) makes it clear that whereas salvation is impossible for humans to achieve, it is possible with God. All people, whether rich or poor, are saved by God who is merciful, and ...

2640. More Than Conquerors

Romans 8:28-39

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... all things. Similarly, Paul enjoins believers to give thanks “in all circumstances,” not for them (1 Thess. 5:18). 8:29–30 These verses, reminiscent of 5:3–4, rise in a crescendo of inspiration, filling readers with confidence in the promise of hope. Each statement forms a link in a chain—foreknew, predestined, called, justified, glorified—which secures believers to their future glory in Christ. Salvation does not just “happen.” It is the result of God’s eternal will! God’s will is not a ...

2641. The River of Life

Revelation 22:1-6

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... , the exact identity of the speaker is not as important as the sentiment spoken: in a world of competing options, where Christian discipleship is challenged in a variety of ways, the believing community may fully depend upon John’s account of Christian hope as trustworthy and true. Additional Notes 22:1–5 The development of the idea of paradise coincided with the development of the idea of afterlife. The OT contains only vague references to the resurrection of the believing community (cf. Isa. 26; Dan ...

2642. Balaam's Second Oracle

Numbers 23:13-26

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... although he has refused to curse Israel. Furthermore, the latter part of the oracle does allude to the divine favor Israel enjoys. Balaam responds that he must speak God’s word. 23:13–17 The anxious King Balak then moves the scene to another location, still hoping to exact from the seer a curse on his enemy. The prophet will again see only part of the people from this second location, the field of Zophim on the top of Pisgah. Again Balak builds seven altars and sacrifices seven bulls and rams. Once more ...

2643. Dividing the Spoils

Numbers 31:25-54

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

2644. The King Who Exalts Himself

Daniel 11:36-45

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... and connected to the downfall of Antiochus IV. Finally, with regard to applying verses 40–45 to the Antichrist, there is no way to verify or falsify this hypothesis since the events are still to come. 3. The verses are not intended as prophecy but as a hope for what would happen to this wicked king who persecuted God’s people. They are words of judgment on an evil oppressor, a denunciation of Antiochus and a call for heaven to answer by bringing justice. They are an expression of faith in a God who ...

2645. Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

John 14:15-31, John 14:1-4, John 14:5-14

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... :33, which occasioned the whole series of questions, is still in mind. The scandal of Jesus’ absence is alleviated by an emphasis on hope. Jesus’ assurance to the disciples is that their separation from him will be only for a limited time. The purpose of his departure ... therefore preferable; Jesus is not speaking of belief in God (or himself) in a generalized sense but in relation to a specific hope for the future: “Trust God and trust me; this is what will happen, and there is no cause for fear.” 14: ...

2646. Listening and Doing

James 1:19-27, James 1:1-18

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... –21). The wealthy will fade away as they go about [their] business. Theirs will not be an eternal remembrance with glory as they hoped, but they will go down to the dust like any mortal, and slowly their monuments and very memory will crumble and disappear into ... life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin” (Prov. 13:3). “Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (Prov. 29:20). “Do not get upset quickly, for anger resides in the lap of fools” (Eccles. 7: ...

2647. Be Holy

1 Peter 1:13-2:3

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... . 1 Pet. 1:11). 1:21 God … raised him from the dead and glorified him finds an echo in rabbinic thought: “He quickens the dead, and he gave a share of his glory to Elijah so that he also revived the dead” (Numbers Rabbah 15.13). Faith and hope are closely associated because true faith includes a confident waiting on God and on what he has in store for the future. The New Imperative of Love 1:22 The readers, by obeying the truth as revealed in Jesus, have accepted the Redeemer’s work of salvation as ...

2648. Wives and Husbands

1 Peter 3:1-7

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... for the promotion of sanctity and purity of life.” I. Epstein, Judaism (London: Epworth Press, 1945), p. 54. Of the past: The unspoken assumption is that the Christian church is a continuation of and heir to the divine revelation in the OT. Who put their hope in God, that is, by trusting that his promises would be fulfilled. They were submissive to their own husbands. “A certain wise woman said to her daughter: ‘My child, stand before your husband and minister to him. If you will act as his maiden, he ...

2649. Suffering for Doing Good

1 Peter 3:8-22

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... the great spiritual teacher Rabbi Johanan ben Zakkai (late 1st cent. A.D.), he left the company of his fellow students and went to live in Emmaus because it was a pleasant resort. In a short time he realized he was forgetting much of his learning. A sure and certain hope (1:3) is what distinguishes Christians, for unbelievers have none (Eph. 2:12). Gentleness is a fundamental Christian virtue, frequently mentioned in the NT (1 Cor. 4:21; 2 Cor. 10:1; Gal. 5:23; 6:1; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; 2 Tim. 2:25; Titus 3 ...

2650. David Makes Solomon King

1 Kings 1:28-53

Understanding Series

Iain W. Provan

... authors that we see the strategy of the speeches in these verses as involving selective exaggeration. There is really nothing in 1:9–10 to suggest that Adonijah’s meal is the coronation banquet it appears to have become in vv. 13, 18–19, 24–25. Is the hope that David will feel compelled to act if he thinks matters have progressed further than they have? Such a strategy would also help to explain why Joab the commander of the army (v. 19) has by v. 25 become the commanders of the army in the plural ...

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