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 251 to 275 of 1249 results

251. Stephen’s Speech to the Sanhedrin

Acts 7:1-53

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... 6; 1 Kings 12:28). The Scripture speaks of the handiwork of God, in which people should rejoice; these people had a feast in honor of their own (v. 41). 7:42–43 From that first act of idolatry it was but a short step to the wholesale adoption of other religions, a sin that in one sense was of their own doing (cf. Eph. 4:19, “they have given themselves over to sensuality”), but in another sense it was an act of divine retribution: God turned away (or possibly, “God turned them back”) and gave them ...

252. Philip and the Ethiopian

Acts 8:26-40

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... in Caesarea at the time of the events of chapter 10, or whether they preceded his coming, we cannot tell. Additional Notes 8:26 Go south: The Greek word means “middle of the day,” but from the position of the sun at noon, it acquired the sense adopted here. But if the command was to travel at noon, Philip’s ready obedience is even more striking—temperatures in this region can be very high—to say nothing of his running to catch up (v. 30). 8:27 Candace, queen of the Ethiopians: Candace was not a ...

253. Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi

Acts 16:11-15

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... using Italian legal procedures and precedents. In 16:16–40 we have a clear picture of this procedure and one, moreover, that belongs precisely to this time (see Sherwin-White, p. 76). 16:13 We expected: There are a number of textual variants here. The reading adopted by NIV implies that the missionaries did not know for certain where the Jews met or even if they met. The fact that the word “river” lacks the definite article in the Greek may support this—“we went out to a riverside.” On the other ...

254. Paul Before Agrippa

Acts 25:23--26:32

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... As guest of honor, it fell to Agrippa to invite Paul to speak, and it was to him especially that Paul addressed his remarks (cf. vv. 2, 13, 19, 27). Though chained, Paul does not appear to have been hampered in his movements and was able to adopt his customary pose (v. 1; see disc. on 13:16). Luke describes him as “defending” himself, though he was not formally on trial. Indeed, Paul uses this same terminology himself (see disc. on 22:1), declaring that he was glad to make [his] defense before the king ...

255. Identification and a Wish for Grace and Peace

Galatians 1:1-10

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... meaning “different” in 1 Corinthians 15:39–41 is taken as evidence for such an interpretation. It is possible that Paul had this nuance in mind, in which case in verse 6 he would be appealing to the Galatians’ conviction that they thought they were adopting a variation of the gospel, whereas, as he says in verse 7, they are trying to find something that does not exist—another gospel. There is, according to Paul, only one gospel. Paul then turns the spotlight onto those who are trying to pervert ...

256. Paul's Concern for the Galatians

Galatians 4:8-20

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... and contrasts the Galatians’ present and former life. Reiterating that the Galatians know God, Paul further describes their present life as one of being known by God. A similar concept is expressed in 4:6–7, where Paul claims that the Galatians have been adopted by God and made heirs. Stressing his incredulity that his readers might be willing to give up so much, Paul asks how they can think of turning back. His question reminds them that their desire to add law-observance brings them nothing new but ...

257. One in Christ

Ephesians 2:11-22

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... his benediction of peace in John 14:27 (“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you”). However, there is much to be said for the view that takes it as the preaching of the earthly Jesus himself or, at least, as the preaching of his disciples. Jesus does adopt the words of Isaiah 61:1, 2, as his life’s mission (“the Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor,” Luke 4:18, 19), and he does become involved with a segment of society that could be considered ...

258. The Coming of the Lord

1 Thessalonians 4:13--5:11

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... that it is something for which we must strive. This has prompted the suggestion that peripoiēsis should be understood passively rather than actively (as in Eph. 1:14; 1 Pet. 2:9) and the phrase rendered, “for the adoption of salvation” (Lightfoot)—i.e., “for our adoption (by God), which consists of our salvation.” Such a rendering, however, is both strained and unnecessary, for Paul immediately goes on to say that our salvation is “through our Lord Jesus Christ.” There is no question but that ...

259. Warning Against False Teachers of the Law

1 Timothy 1:1-11

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... presupposes that Paul had been on hand personally to excommunicate Hymenaeus and Alexander (v. 20). 1:4 For a discussion of the “myths and endless genealogies” as reflecting Gnostic or Greek ideas, see the commentaries by D-C and Hanson. For the perspective adopted here, see further in F. J. A. Hort, Judaistic Christianity, pp. 132–33; and F. Büchsel, TDNT, vol. 1, pp. 663–65. Cf. the commentaries by Kelly and Bernard. The word translated controversies (ekz?t?seis) occurs here for the first time ...

260. What Must Be Taught to Various Groups

Titus 2:1-15

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... of Hellenistic moral-religious language, including terms from the cult of the emperor. S. C. Mott (“Greek Ethics and Christian Conversion: The Philonic Background of Titus 2:10–14 and 3:3–7”) sees an adoption of Philonic ideas. However, in both cases what seems to be missed is the thoroughly “Paulinized” way the language is now used (as with “wisdom” in 1 Cor. 1–3; “knowledge,” etc., in Colossians; and “the heavenlies” in Ephesians). Paul has regularly shown himself a master ...

261. Preparations for the Temple

1 Chronicles 22:2-19

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... not directly quoted from the Nathan oracle (see 1 Chron. 17), the Chronicler certainly intended them as a report of Yahweh’s response. The reference to he will be my son, and I will be his father, in which Yahweh (also in first-person direct speech) adopts the king, confirms this impression. In Yahweh’s direct speech reported in 22:8–10 we come to one of the central themes in the Chronicler’s theology, namely, peace and rest. We have already seen how this theme functioned in the account of David’s ...

262. Opposition to the Rebuilding

Nehemiah 4:1-23

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... the massed people could be easily seen. It was a brazen show of force that spies could easily observe and report. Any surprise attack, a surprise no longer, would find an armed militia waiting. By engaging in this performance, the people adopted the comforting role of soldiers rather than defenseless citizens. Nehemiah gave a battle speech, preparing them mentally for an actual encounter. Having grouped them in families, he was able to appeal to their family loyalties. He continued to boost popular morale ...

263. Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 14:1-35

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... e ʾaḥ a rît haśśimḥâ, “and the end of joy.” 14:14 In v. 14b, the NIV glosses over a difficulty. The text reads lit. “and from him(self is sated) a good man.” The NIV implies a correction of the MT that is widely adopted: “his deeds” (Hb. mmʿllw) parallel to ways. 14:17 Quick-tempered is lit. “short of face” (contrast “long of face” for “patient,” v. 29). The contrast in the parallelism is better preserved in the LXX, which seems to be based on an original Hb. verb, yiśśa ...

264. More Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 27:1-27

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... face—so the heart of a person to a person.” This leaves open the possibility of one person (v. 19b) seeing himself more truly, or of two persons (more probable?), one of whom sees him- or herself more truly in the reflection of another. 27:20 Adopt the marginal reading of the NIV. Sheol/ Death is personified in the OT as a dynamic power that pursues human beings insatiably (cf. 30:15–16). There is an implicit comparison with human eyes that here represent the manifold human desires (cf. Eccl. 4:8). 27 ...

265. Repentance to Bring Blessing

Hosea 14:1-9

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... the oracles that have gone before. The plagues of death and the destruction of Sheol must come upon his people in the judgment decreed by God upon their sin (see the comment at 13:14). But Hosea has also announced that God cannot give up his people—his adopted son—forever (11:1–11); that on the other side of the judgment God will take Israel—his beloved wife—once more into the desert and there woo her again until she is betrothed to him in faithfulness to her covenant bond (see the comment at 2:14 ...

266. Witnesses Summoned Against Israel

Amos 3:1-15

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... all the families or nations on the face of the earth, God singled out Israel to be his s e gullâ, or “peculiar treasure” (Exod. 19:5 KJV), as was evidenced by its deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The exodus was the election of Israel, the event by which God adopted Israel as a son (cf. Hos. 11: 1; Exod. 4:22–23; Jer. 3:19; 31:20). Such is the meaning of the verb “known” in verse 2 (RSV) which the NIV translates chosen (cf. Hos. 13:5; Deut. 32:10). That is the same thought that is implied in ...

267. A Widow at the End of Her Rope

1 Kings 17:7-24

Sermon

King Duncan

... . They often draw attention, since her son’s a blond Russian and her daughter has shiny black Haitian skin. The boy continued staring as he carried the groceries to the car. Finally, he asked, “Those your kids?” She replied proudly, “Yes, they are.” “They adopted?” he asked. “Yes, they are,” she replied. “I thought so,” he concluded. “I figured you’re too old to have kids that small.” That’s both beautiful and hilarious. File it in the back of your mind as we look at today’s ...

268. Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

John 13:1-17, John 13:18-30

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... of the passage (v. 8 in particular), while b is rendered (at least) difficult by the assertion in 15:3 that the disciples are clean by virtue of Jesus’ teaching. It is better to follow the lead of the best manuscripts (as NIV has done) and adopt the longer reading, with its implication that the footwashing represents not the initial bath but a second cleansing (i.e., the practice of love and forgiveness by the community of faith.) It is possible, though by no means certain, that the narrator has in mind ...

269. Riddles and Metaphors

Ezekiel 15:1-8, Ezekiel 16:1-63, Ezekiel 17:1-24

Understanding Series

Steven Tuell

... exposure or killing of abnormal, deformed, or otherwise unwanted children”—particularly girls—”was both tolerated and practiced” (S. Ricks, “Abortion in Antiquity,” in ABD 1, p. 31). 16:6 “Live!” It would be incorrect to describe what happens here as an adoption (suggested, e.g., by J. Galambush, Jerusalem in the Book of Ezekiel: City as Yahweh’s Wife [SBLDS 130; Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1992], p. 94 n. 16); after all, there is no mention of the child being reared, or taught, or cared ...

270. Jesus the Messiah from Joseph’s Family Line

Matthew 1:1-17

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... Matthew 1, the genealogy poses a conundrum that Matthew will solve in 1:18–25: how Jesus can legitimately appropriate Joseph’s lineage even though his biological connection is to Mary (and not Joseph [1:16]). Matthew highlights Joseph’s adoption of Jesus through his naming of Jesus (1:21, 25). Interpretive Insights 1:1 the genealogy of Jesus. Ancient genealogies have some recurring features. First, they routinely followed lineage through the male, firstborn family members. Thus, the inclusion of some ...

271. The Birth of God’s Son Announced

Luke 1:26-38

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... centrality in Matthew 1–2, but neither evangelist mentions him in the period of Jesus’s adulthood, hence the common supposition that he had died by then. The Davidic descent mentioned by Luke is the dominant theme of Matthew 1:16–25: it is because he is adopted and named by “Joseph, son of David” that Jesus becomes officially a member of the royal line. Luke will underline this Davidic theme in 1:32–33, 69 and in the location of Jesus’s birth in “the town of David” (2:4). 1:31 you are ...

272. The Story of Israel and the Story of Gentiles

Romans 1:18-32

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... the first coming of Christ, such that how people respond to God’s revelation now (1:18) is how judgment will go for them on the last day (2:5, 8; 3:5; 5:9; cf. 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9). The truth that Gentiles suppress is natural law adopted in Judaism as the Noahic law/covenant. One can hear in this the story of Israel as reflected in the story of the Gentiles—sin and judgment. The nations sinned against God, and so he handed them over to the disastrous consequences of their idolatry. In the same way, God ...

273. Israel and the Present Curses and the Past Blessings of the Covenant

Romans 9:1-29

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... . the temple worship and the promises. Verses 4–5 rehearse the various blessings associated with Israel and the Old Testament covenant. Paul introduces the list with “Israelites,” which, as we saw above, evokes the idea that Israel was God’s elect covenant people. The “adoption to sonship” (huiothesia) refers to Israel’s sense of being God’s son(s) (Deut. 14:1; Isa. 43:6; Jer. 31:9; Hos. 1:10; cf. Wis. 9:7; Jub. 1.24–25). The “divine glory” (doxa) recalls the glorious presence of God ...

274. Paul the Apostle of the New Covenant to the Gentiles

Romans 15:14-22

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... placed in foster care at the age of seven. Having attended eleven different schools during his first nine years as a student, alternating between foster homes and homelessness, he had no fixed address until he was sixteen. The Tuohys, a Christian family, took Michael in and cared for him, eventually adopting him. After hiring a tutor for him, later they sent him to Briarcrest Christian School. At the entrance of the campus is inscribed this statement: “With God, all things are possible.” Michael’s ...

275. Christian Success and Christlikeness

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Teach the Text

Preben Vang

... he would utterly fail at bouncing other sumos out of the ring. He would have won praise in a foreign culture but been exposed to utter ruin and ridicule in the arena in which he was pledged to compete. (The reverse would be true for a gymnast who adopted a sumo training regimen and ate over twenty thousand calories a day!) In the same way, believers who seek the approval of this world and its cultural systems may end up being praised in a foreign culture but being exposed to utter ruin and ridicule in the ...

Showing results