Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 2626 to 2650 of 4997 results

2626. 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

... family in St. Peter’s Square. In the middle of this official event, a young boy came up on stage and interrupted the proceedings. Security guards attempted to intervene, but Pope Francis embraced the child and smiled at him, showing patience and kindness. Addressing sin in the believing community and with fellow brothers and sisters is always for the goal of restoration. Human Metaphor: Restoring a piece of furniture is a painstaking process (if your context allows, display an item that has been restored ...

2627. Parables of the Kingdom

Mark 4:1-20

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Grant R. Osborne

... into the soil (sometimes the ground was also worked before the seed was sown). Some believe that the sower (= Jesus) is the central figure, others the seed (= the kingdom message). But in both the parable and its interpretation the four kinds of soil are central. Jesus is asking, “Which kind of soil are you?” 4:4 some fell along the path. Roads (often a walking path) in the ancient world did not skirt around property but passed right through fields. No farmer would deliberately throw seed on a hard ...

2628. Paul Reinterprets the Story of Israel

Romans 2:17-29

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C. Marvin Pate

... were two types of Gentiles in Paul’s day who embraced Israel’s God: the proselyte and the God-fearer. The first was a Gentile who became Jewish by being circumcised and baptized. By doing so, such a Gentile submitted to the entirety of the Mosaic law.1The second kind of Gentile who embraced the one true God was the God-fearer or God-worshiper (see Acts 10:2, 22; 13:16, 26; 16:14; 18:7), who probably represented a significant part of the church in Rome at the time of Paul’s letter to the Romans. This ...

2629. Freedom from the Law through Christ, Enslavement to the Law through Adam

Romans 7:7-25, Romans 7:1-6

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C. Marvin Pate

... as the serpent pounced on God’s commandment to Adam and Eve not to eat of the forbidden tree, thus creating in them the opposite effect, so sin jumps at the opportunity to use God’s holy law to stir up in humans the opposite of holiness—every kind of evil desire. 7:9a Once I was alive apart from the law. The only persons in history who were alive before God’s law was introduced into the world were Adam and Eve, however short that period might have been. The first couple was created and placed ...

2630. Christian Success and Christlikeness

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

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Preben Vang

... wisdom does not. Paul is hungry and thirsty; they are satiated (4:8). He is dressed like the poorest[11] and treated like a slave;]12] they strive for prominence and honor. Like Christ, he blesses when abused, endures under persecution, and returns kind words (lit., “encourages”) when slandered. In spite of hard work, he remains like an outcast without a place to call home (cf. Matt. 8:20). We work hard with our own hands. Paul’s somewhat awkward reference to his personal participation in manual ...

2631. Personal Rights and Christian Testimony

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

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Preben Vang

... audience. It would seem strange if his major defense of his apostleship was the waiving of his rights as an apostle. It seems more likely that this reminder of his rights was met with full affirmation. The sting of his emphasis, then, was that although he had all kinds of rights, he gladly gave them all up for the sake of the gospel (9:23). His rhetorical question is simply another way of, once again, telling the Corinthians, “Imitate me” (4:16; 11:1). Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? Paul ...

2632. The Focus of Christian Worship

1 Corinthians 14:26-40, 1 Corinthians 14:1-25

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Preben Vang

... Corinthian “dishonor” of a prophet in his home and Jesus’s saying that a prophet is not without honor except “in his own home” (Matt. 13:57 // Mark 6:4; cf. Luke 4:24; John 4:44) is obviously impossible to determine with any kind of certainty. But it does not seem completely unreasonable to suggest. If so, Paul might also have made the connection to the follow-up statement that Jesus “did not do many miracles there” (Matt. 13:58; cf. Mark 6:5). Witherington outlines another plausible scenario ...

2633. The Fellowship Offering

Leviticus 3:1-17

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... Africa that had large, fatty tails and hind parts (see Lev. 3:9). The ancient historian and traveler Herodotus commented on the breeds of fat-tailed sheep that he discovered in Arabia. There are also in Arabia two kinds of sheep worthy of admiration, the like of which is nowhere else to be seen; the one kind has long tails, not less than three cubits in length, which, if they were allowed to trail on the ground, would be bruised and fall into sores. As it is, all the shepherds know enough of carpentering to ...

2634. The Ordination of Aaron and His Sons

Leviticus 8:1-36

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... side, symbolizes that henceforth these priests shall listen, act, and go in accord with God’s instructions. The right side is the side of favor and strength (Gen. 48:13–14; Exod. 15:6; Ps. 110:1). 8:26 bread made without yeast. Only this kind of bread is fit for the altar (v. 28). See comments at Leviticus 2:11–13. 8:27 wave offering. The ordination offering is also a wave offering; better, a “presentation offering” (HCSB). See comments at Leviticus 7:28–35. Wave offerings are fellowship ...

2635. The Lord Chooses a New King

1 Samuel 16:14-23, 1 Samuel 16:1-13

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... 22 below). In either case, it is apparent that David enjoys God’s favor. Indeed, Saul is helpless without David’s soothing music (16:23). 16:22 I am pleased with him. This expression is used elsewhere when one is the recipient or object of another’s kindness. The kindness extended is offered freely and without obligation (Gen. 19:19; 47:25; Ruth 2:2), but it can be prompted by the recipient’s character or actions (Gen. 6:8–9; 39:3–4; Ruth 2:10–12), as is the case here (see vv. 21, 23). The ...

2636. Job Presents Evidence against the Retribution Principle

Job 12:1--14:22

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Daniel J. Estes

... consider me your enemy? Like the psalmists in Psalms 13:1 and 27:9, Job feels as though God has intentionally turned his face away from him. Job cannot understand God’s hiddenness, so he feels abandoned and neglected by God (cf. Deut. 31:17; Ps. 30:7). Because this kind of withdrawal by God is often prompted by divine wrath against sin (Isa. 59:2; Jer. 33:5; Mic. 3:4), Job thinks that God is treating him as a guilty enemy. In addition to hiding from Job, God seems to attack him as well (cf. Job 7:12; 10 ...

2637. Job Feels under Attack by God

Job 16:1-17:16

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Daniel J. Estes

... is that they are mere maggots and worms before the transcendent God (25:6). Here, Job asks about the implication of being closely related to the worm, that is, being a human who will suffer decay in death. If that is all there is for him to anticipate, then what kind of hope is that? 17:15 where then is my hope? Earlier in the book, Job considered death as a welcome escape from his intense pain (3:11–13). By now, however, he has come to realize that death is in reality corruption, and that it is not a ...

2638. Zophar’s Final Words for Job

Job 20:1-29

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Daniel J. Estes

... me. When the first few verses of each speech in the book of Job are examined, it appears that all the speakers have a thin skin. They find it easy enough to dish out insults, but they complain about being dishonored when someone says the same kind of things to them. Their elevated sense of honor and shame does not allow them to accept a rebuke silently or graciously. As a result, as the book progresses the tone of the conversation rapidly degenerates into meanness and ridicule. In this passage, Zophar seems ...

2639. “May the Net They Hid Entangle Them”

Psalm 35:1-28

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C. Hassell Bullock

... do and ought to arouse a spirit of resistance inside us, mainly because Jesus has said that we should pray for our enemies, even love them (Matt. 5:43–48).[1] If cursing our enemies provokes a reaction in our minds, loving our enemies elicits a certain kind of resistance as well, since that is so contrary to our sinful nature. How can we possibly love our enemies! While Jesus interprets the curses of the psalms (Pss. 35:19; 69:4) to have been fulfilled in his own suffering (John 15:25; see also Rom ...

2640. “Zeal for Your House Consumes Me”

Psalm 69:1-36

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C. Hassell Bullock

... for God’s house as fanaticism. David expended much expense to collect materials for the construction of the temple. Yet only those who have invested their whole lot in God ever reach the pinnacle of faith. And moreover, it is only those who attain to this kind of concern for the kingdom who make all other interests secondary, even tertiary. Teaching the Text One of David’s concerns is that he, because of his own behavior and example, might not bring disgrace on those who hope in God (69:6). This mark of ...

2641. God Subjugates Judah under Babylon

Daniel 1:1-21

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Ronald W. Pierce

... modern world, God remains the source of essential wisdom and special giftedness. When teaching this text, distinguish between God’s gifts of knowledge, insight, wisdom, and understanding (in a general sense to live a righteous life) and those needed for specific kinds of ministry (in a special sense, for Daniel, interpreting visions). Draw specific examples from the book of Proverbs that demonstrate the spiritual dimension of a righteous life of wisdom in “the fear of the Lord” (e.g., Prov. 1:1–7 ...

2642. The Image of Gold and the Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3:1-30

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Ronald W. Pierce

... of music. The list of instruments includes three Semitic terms, “horn,” “flute,” and “harp” (highlighted in the Aramaic text with definite articles), and three Greek loanwords. The latter reflect Greek interaction with the ancient Near East at Daniel’s time.7 “All kinds of music” implies a large orchestra assembled for the occasion. The language of “worship” (Aramaic s e gid) in the mouth of the king and the Judeans (3:5, 7, 10–12, 14–15, 18, 28) connotes the idea of deity. The use ...

2643. Daniel Interprets the Dream and Confronts Nebuchadnezzar

Daniel 4:19-27

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Ronald W. Pierce

... which includes calling sinners to repentance. Sin and wickedness need to be acknowledged and renounced. Exhort your listeners to be honest, acknowledging the sin in their own lives, as well as exposing it in the world around them. Doing what is right includes (in part) kindness to the poor and miserable. God’s people today need to develop sensitive hearts to those hurting both inside and outside the church, and to reach out to them in God’s name. We need to be messengers of grace, extending the hope of ...

2644. The Get-Ready Man

Mark 1:1-8

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

... rung the bell and said, "Get ready, Get ready. Jesus is coming." I don't know where Christmas bells came from, but wouldn't it be great if during this Christmas season, every time we heard bells, we thought to ourselves, Get ready, Jesus is coming. That's kind of a neat idea. Let's try that this week. One more thing. In the country of Romania peasants believe that during the Christmas Season God comes down to earth and walks among the people to bless them. Wouldn't it be great if during this time leading ...

2645. Good for Nothing

Luke 13:1-9

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... .” Remember that old poem in the vernacular: There are a number of us who creep into the world to eat and sleep and know no reason why we are born Save only to consume the corn, Devour the cattle, flesh and fish and leave behind an empty dish. That kind of unfruitfulness is not allowed in God’s vineyard. Flannery O’Connor puts it in a graphic way. She asks the question, “Have you ever looked inside yourself and see what you are not.” Think about that. What we are not that we should be is what will ...

2646. What Can I Get By With?

Luke 17:5-10

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... doing?” We would be saved a lot of emotional energy if we could keep a right perspective on the fact that we have duties as citizens; as members of our congregation, we have duties. Performing those duties doesn’t mean that we are going to receive any kind of special consideration. Therefore, what right have we to say, “I’ve done everything right; why should this happen to me?”—or, “I’ve done my duty, what have I done to deserve this?” We get to the point of extreme pity when we begin to ...

2647. Designer Religion

Matthew 23:1-12

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

... cannot hear who do a great job of communicating with each other with gestures or sign language. O.K., now suppose I could not hear you speak. All I could tell about you is what you did. Could I tell what kind of person you are? I could, couldn't I? I could tell if you are kind, and gentle and did good things. What about people who say one thing, but do something entirely different? We call those people hypocrites. Some people tell you they are your friend, but may do something to hurt you behind your back ...

2648. Thank You, Siri...Oops!

Luke 17:11-19

Sermon

King Duncan

... and every part of our worship. It is our humble way of saying, “Thank you.” That is why worship is not optional for the Christian. It is what being a Christian is all about. Native American Chief Dan George in his book, My Heart Soars, describes that kind of gratitude when he tells about his love for his father. He writes, “I remember as a little boy, fishing with him up Indian River and I can still see him as the sun rose above the mountain top in the early morning . . . I can see him standing ...

2649. The God of Hope

Isaiah 11:1-10, Matthew 3:1-12, Romans 15:4-13

Sermon

King Duncan

... to live for all persons. Doesn’t the Good News of Advent and Christmas change your attitude about life? Doesn’t it make you anticipate that sometime--somewhere--somehow--something good, not evil, is out there waiting to happen in your life? That is the kind of change that takes place when the Christ Child is born anew in our hearts. 1. Joseph L. Felix, It’s Easier for a Rich Man to Enter Heaven (Nashville: Thomas Nelson). 2. Leo Buscaglia, Bus 9 to Paradise (Thorofare, NJ: Slack Incorporated). 3. Eric ...

2650. Voluntary Sacrifices

Leviticus 1:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of case law: “When anyone among you brings an offering to the Lord . . .” The first subcase, prescribing the burnt offering of herd animals (1:3–9), sets up a pattern of activities that must be performed if the offerer chooses to offer that kind of sacrifice. At strategic points the text indicates meanings or interpretations attached to the activities. The offerer performs the first action of the burnt offering ritual proper by laying one hand on the head of the animal (1:4a). This gesture has no ...

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