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Showing 251 to 275 of 307 results

251. David Spares Saul’s Life—Again

1 Samuel 26:1-25

Teach the Text

Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... s presence. This confession of loyalty to the Lord is important, for David has already sought asylum in Philistine territory (21:9–15) and is about to do so again (27:1–12). By including this quotation, the narrator makes it clear that David has not renounced his God. 26:21 I have sinned. This statement and the one made in 24:17 (see the comment there) compose the most important evidence of David’s innocence in the entire story. Together they form a foundation for the narrator’s defense of David ...

252. Eliphaz Condemns and Counsels Job

Job 22:1-30

Teach the Text

Daniel J. Estes

... . With these words, Eliphaz hints that the love of wealth is the root of Job’s evil (cf. 1 Tim. 6:10). Eliphaz presumes that Job’s gold has become his god, turning his heart away from the Almighty. According to Eliphaz, Job needs to renounce his desire for wealth and make God first in his heart. That, Eliphaz supposes, will resolve Job’s problem and remove his adversity. 22:26 Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty. Eliphaz completes his final speech on a rhetorical roll, as he paints ...

253. “The Span of My Years Is as Nothing before You”

Psalm 39:1-13

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... :3 my heart grew hot within me . . . then I spoke with my tongue. This expression implies an inner compulsion to act, in this case, to speak. Some interpret this to suggest that the psalmist suffered from a high fever.5As a consequence of his inner compulsion, he renounces his resolve and speaks out. 39:4 Show me, Lord, my life’s end.His concern, interestingly enough, is not about sin but about the brevity of life. He wants to know when he will die, not so much to mark the calendar but to understand ...

254. “Human Help Is Worthless”

Psalm 60:1-12

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... worthless.The KJV translation is etched in the minds of many Bible readers: “for vain is the help of man.” This memorable declaration of verse 11b is what Weiser calls “the bold venture of a genuine faith.”17Here, and quite plausibly, David renounces all human efforts to bring God’s promise about, for with the promise comes the divine assurance of fulfillment.18That human help is “vain” or “worthless” does not mean that all human effort is worthless but rather that it is worthless without ...

255. “Truly My Soul Finds Rest in God”

Psalm 62:1-12

Teach the Text

C. Hassell Bullock

... Lord. Church History: Saint Augustine, the Bishop of Hippo, was a skilled orator and writer who made a great impact on the Christian church in his generation and subsequent generations as well. In AD 391, after a long struggle in which he renounced his early philosophical beliefs and embraced the Christian faith, he was ordained a priest. In Confessions, Augustine writes this amazing statement that captures the heart of Psalm 62: “You stimulate him to take pleasure in praising you, because you have made ...

256. How to Deal with Demons

Matthew 12:38-50

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... of other evil spirits came upon the poor fellow. He had not bargained upon the persistence of evil.” “Not many of us do bargain on the persistence of evil. We get rid of some troublesome evil and tidy up the place; then some other wicked thing comes along… We renounce the lust of the flesh only to become victims of pride or greed. We get rid of hate only to have worry or fear plague our days. We’re too good to steal or murder, but our very self-righteousness catches up with us. We will not tolerate ...

257. Installing the New Leader and Moses’ Swan Song

Deut 31:14–32:47

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... and down the spines of his people who turn away from him. God will abandon Israel during that generation and hide his face from them as he kindles his anger against them and scatters them (32:19–26). However, for all those in any of the nations who renounce their apostasy, they along with Israel will eventually rejoice as God takes vengeance on his enemies and makes atonement for his land and for his people (32:43). So, “See now that I myself am he!” says the Lord (32:39). If God be for them and for ...

258. The Passover

Ezra 6:19-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the unclean practices of their Gentile neighbors, and (2) they must seek the Lord, which implies a sincere attitude of worship and obedience to God. These decisions are similar to those every Christian must make. Following Christ has ethical implications; it implies renouncing what is displeasing to God. It also means seeking God, walking with the Lord in obedience, and following where he leads. This first section of Ezra-Nehemiah concludes on a note of victory and thanksgiving for what God has done (6:22 ...

259. Accepting Responsibility

Ezekiel 33:1-20, Ezekiel 33:21-33

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... not condemn a person. Where a person is today in his or her relationship with God is what counts. Jesus seems to say the same thing about the Father when he tells of the two brothers, one who took pride in his past, and one who wished to renounce his past and throw himself on his father’s mercy (Luke 15). The second part of the chapter (33:21–33) is dated to the twelfth year, tenth month, fifth day (January 585 BC). About six months after the destruction of Jerusalem, a refugee informs Ezekiel of what ...

260. Jonah’s Second Commission and Nineveh’s Response

Jonah 3:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the possibility that God could “turn” or “relent” (shub) and refrain from judgment (3:9). 3:10 · The Lord relents from judgment: Significantly, the Lord recognizes not the outward expression of Nineveh’s contrition but the city’s willingness to renounce wickedness and evil (3:10). In his great compassion, the Lord “relents” (NASB; a different Hebrew verb from 3:9) and spares Nineveh from destruction. While some scholars believe this verse affirms that God can be swayed from a course ...

261. Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Matthew 10:1-42

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of the Twelve. These instructions include relying on the hospitality of those within the towns they visit (so not bringing funds or extra supplies; 10:9–10), finding worthy hosts who will welcome them and their message (10:11–15), and symbolically renouncing those who reject their kingdom preaching: “Let your peace return to you” and, “Shake the dust off your feet” (10:13–14; paralleling how Jews might shake dust of foreign soil from their feet when returning to Judea [Keener, 320]). Jesus ...

262. Jesus’s Fourth Discourse—The Community Discourse

Matthew 18:1-9

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The messages of the Community Discourse—embedded in 16:21–20:28, with its focus on defining Messiah and discipleship—center on the need for the messianic community to renounce status concerns, care for their most vulnerable, and pursue restoration and forgiveness of those who stray. The community of disciples must deny self and live a cross-shaped existence (16:24) empowered by Jesus’s presence within the community. Though possessing a certain seamlessness, Matthew 18 may be divided into ...

263. The Cost of Being a Disciple

Luke 14:25-35

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... but requires ruthless self-denial. The call to hate one’s family members is startling (14:26). Obviously, Jesus is not speaking of “psychological hatred” (cf. 6:27–28). The use of hyperbolic language indicates that no one can take precedence over Jesus. One must renounce “even their own life” and be willing to follow Jesus in the way of death (14:26–27). Those who are not willing to follow Jesus in such a radical way cannot be his disciples. Two illustrations are given to show the need for ...

264. The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

Luke 16:1-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Testament the taking of interest was forbidden, but in this case the manager exacts interest so that he can line his own pockets. On this interpretation the master does not praise the manager for his dishonesty; instead, he commends the manager for renouncing the illegal practice of charging interest. This interpretation is attractive because it removes the problem of the master commending his steward for dishonesty, but it is not the most obvious meaning of the text. There is no indication in the text at ...

265. Living Sacrifices

Romans 12:1-8

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 13:8–10). They are motivated to be obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ by the imminent arrival of God’s new world (13:11–14). Paul exhorts the believers in Rome not to quarrel about matters related to food (14:1–12). Everyone should be willing to renounce their freedom out of love for fellow believers (14:13–23), following the example of Jesus Christ (15:1–6), motivated by the fulfillment in the present of God’s promises to the patriarchs (15:7–13). 12:1–2 · Total commitment to God:Paul has ...

266. The Weak and the Strong

Romans 14:1--15:13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... united with Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection seek to please God in all things, having been liberated from the fundamental human sin of setting their own priorities and constructing their own values (14:8–9). 14:13–23 · Second, Paul discusses renouncing one’s freedom out of love. He argues that Christians who are strong in their faith have the responsibility not to damage the believers who continue to adhere to Jewish legal practices in the area of dietary law and Sabbath observance. Paul ...

267. The Rights of an Apostle

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... :23; see also Col. 2:5). A last illustration allows Paul to compare his restraint with that of a runner who gives up much in “strict training” to attempt to gain the winner’s “crown” in “the games” (9:24–25). Paul does not renounce his rights to no purpose, like a halfhearted runner running aimlessly, or a casual boxer who is always punching the air. Rather, like the serious athlete, he beats back his physical needs until they conform with the priorities of his Christian ministry, lest after ...

268. Set Your Heart and Mind On Things Above

Colossians 3:1-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... probably referring to their baptism (see Col. 2:12). 3:10–17 · Paul promises that the believer’s new self is being renewed “in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (3:10). A similar sentiment is expressed in Romans 12:2, where the believers are to renounce this world and be transformed by renewing their minds (see also 2 Cor. 4:16). Genesis 1:26–27 speaks of humankind being made in God’s image, but later sin destroys that perfection (Gen. 3:6–19). Colossians 1:15 insists that Christ is the ...

269. Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Matthew 10:1-42

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... living. In the context of cross-bearing it would appear that “gaining one’s life” may refer to escaping martyrdom by denying the faith. It has been historically true that in times of persecution some professing Christians have come to terms with the world by renouncing their faith. Such action forfeits the true life of the soul. On the other hand, willingly to accept martyrdom for Christ’s sake is to gain the higher life (life in v. 39 is used in a double sense—physical, and true or spiritual ...

270. Divorce

Matthew 19:1-12

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... themselves to a mother goddess by self-emasculation (Beare, p. 391). Origen, one of the most influential thinkers of the early church, castrated himself, although in time he came to realize his error. A third type of eunuch is the man who has renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. This is voluntary celibacy, and, if one follows Gundry’s argument, these are those who “live as eunuchs after they have had to divorce their wives for immorality” (p. 382). So Jesus concludes, The one who ...

271. Clean and Unclean

Mark 7:1-23

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... one’s goods were Corban, that is, withheld from their benefit. (Cf. Lane, pp. 249–52; Nineham, pp. 195–96.) 7:12 You no longer let him do anything for his father or mother: There is evidence of ancient scribal rules that did not permit a son to renounce a vow once made, even if the effect of the vow was to cause a hardship for his parents. (See Lane, p. 251, for discussion and references to ancient literature.) 7:15 Unclean: The Greek word is a verb meaning “to render ritually unclean.” The ritual ...

272. God's Righteous Judgment

Romans 2:1-16

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... ” (Romans, p. 75). Of repentance Karl Barth says, What is pleasing to God comes into being when all human righteousness is gone, irretrievably gone, when men are uncertain and lost, when they have abandoned all ethical and religious illusions, and when they have renounced every hope in this world and in this heaven.[Repentance] is not the last and noblest and most refined achievement of the righteousness of men in the service of God, but the first elemental act of the righteousness of God in the service ...

273. Slaves to Righteousness

Romans 6:15-23

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... become his judgment” (TDNT, vol. 5, p. 592). Because of sin humanity gets what it has coming to it; death is our due or “right.” But God does not pay the wages of “rights” nor compensate according to deserts. He freely forgives those who renounce the “rights” of sin. God, who is rich in mercy, remits our debts and freely grants what we do not deserve—eternal life in Christ Jesus. That is the meaning of grace. Additional Notes An informative discussion of ancient slavery is presented in A ...

274. Future Glory

Romans 8:18-27

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... is unseen and its goal is as yet unpossessed, and hence hope is inseparable from patience (v. 25; Heb. 6:15). The Greek word for patience, hypomonē, suggests perseverance and endurance, especially in the face of toil and suffering (cf. 5:3–5). Patience renounces the ego and its claims and submits to God’s will, way, and timing. Like patience, hope is purified through submission. Only where one has forsaken personal aspirations and agendas can one stake one’s hopes on the promises of God. Hope belongs ...

275. The Weak and the Strong

Romans 14:1--15:13

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... , expose themselves to the reproach and derision of the world, and this too is God’s will for them. If the Son of God willingly forsook claims of privilege and prestige, giving himself up for the weak and needy, how much more should his followers renounce self-gratification and “bear with the failings of the weak” (v. 1). 15:4 For the early Christians the holy Scriptures (everything that was written in the past) were what we today call the Old Testament. In the modern world the Hebrew Scriptures are ...

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