Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 2776 to 2800 of 5000 results

Mark 10:13-16

Sermon

Charley Reeb

... s love can help them live better lives. How much fun is that? God created us to play and to enjoy the life he created! I would go so far as to say that God requires us to have fun. The Bible tells us so. In the tenth chapter of Mark we read that Jesus was teaching and a bunch of playful kids ran to-ward him. The sour disciples were appalled. You can imagine their reaction, “Children ought to be seen and not heard. Where are their parents? Can’t they see these kids are interrupting Jesus? Get these kids ...

2777. The Man With Leprosy

Matthew 8:1-4

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... want to” (Phillips) “be clean again” (NEB). Immediately (eutheōs, v. 3) the leprosy was gone. Then Jesus charged the man not to say a word to anyone. Wilhelm Wrede (in 1901) was the first to suggest that this command to silence was a creation of Mark, who felt it necessary to explain why Jesus was not more widely recognized as the Messiah during his earthly ministry. It is far better to accept it as historical and understand it as Jesus’ precaution against the rapid rise of a movement that did not ...

2778. The Transfiguration

Matthew 17:1-13

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... revealed and concealed the presence of God (Schweizer, p. 349). The voice from the cloud is God’s. The utterance is an exact repetition of what was spoken by the voice from heaven at the baptism of Jesus (3:17). Peter has once again “blurted out” (Taylor, Mark on 9:5) an idea that typifies the human approach. It is critical that those who follow Jesus listen to him. He is the beloved Son on whom God’s favor rests. Pay attention to him. Terrified at the sound of the voice, the disciples fall ...

2779. The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew 18:1-9

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... discipline (vv. 15–20), fellowship (vv. 19–20), and forgiveness (vv. 23–35; cf. Barclay, vol. 2, pp. 173–74). 18:1–5 With the opening phrase, at that time, Matthew ties the teaching of chapter 18 to the preceding material. Mark locates the event in Capernaum (Mark 9:33) and, along with Luke, mentions the argument among the disciples about who was the greatest (Luke 9:46). Matthew does not mention the argument but simply puts the disciples’ questions to Jesus, Who is the greatest in the kingdom ...

2780. What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

Matthew 13:36-43, Matthew 13:24-30

Sermon

Tom Garrison

... to explore opportunities and to show individuality. However, the aspect of graduation to think about and to emphasize in this sermon is not any of these, but is summed up in the adjective "dangerous." Why say that? Because it is easy in our culture to conclude that graduation marks the end of one's education and the need to learn. I am afraid we have a tendency to think of education as something you do in certain kinds of buildings at certain times of the day for a certain period of your life, and when that ...

2781. Jesus Again Predicts His Death

Mark 10:32-34

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... gulf growing between them and him. The references to the disciples as astonished and afraid (v. 32) are also peculiar to the Markan form of the incident. Those who followed: It is likely that Mark means the Twelve, and not some additional group. 10:33 The Gentiles: This is the first indication in Mark’s account that others besides the Jewish leaders will be involved in Jesus’ death. The reference here is of course to Pilate, the Roman governor, who represented the Roman state and its domination of ...

2782. The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

Luke 1:5-25

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... ); and Gen. 15:8 (v. 18). Comparing the Baptist to the anticipated return of Elijah in the eschatological age is not distinctly Christian (cf. Mark 1:2; 9:11–12) but finds expression in rabbinic writings as well: m. ‘Eduyyot 8.7; Pesiqta Rabbati 4.2; 33.8; Seder ... of the Messiah. Remarkably, Mic. 7:6 also appears in the Synoptic tradition in the same context (see Matt. 10:21, 35–36; Mark 13:12; Luke 12:53). See HBD, pp. 256–58. 1:19 Gabriel: Few angels are mentioned by name in biblical and related ...

2783. The Temptation of Jesus

Luke 4:1-13

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... in the same order as in Luke’s narrative (food, false worship, putting the Lord to the test), an order also found in 1 Cor. 10:6–9.” This could suggest that Luke’s order is traditional and that it was Matthew who altered the sequence. 4:1 Mark 1:12 states, “At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert,” while a little less graphically Matt. 4:1 reads, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert.” Luke, though, in keeping with his Spirit-filling theme, puts it this way: Jesus, full ...

2784. Sin, Faith, Duty

Luke 17:1-10

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... runs throughout the section. Only the first six verses are paralleled in the other Gospels (Matt. 18:6–7, 15, 21–22; 21:21; Mark 9:42; 11:22–23). 17:1–3a Jesus now turns his attention away from the Pharisees and speaks to his disciples. The ... Elsewhere Jesus states that it would be better to lose an eye or a limb in order to gain heaven than to go to hell (see Mark 9:43, 47). Although this language may be hyperbolic, Jesus warns of the danger of judgment upon anyone who would destroy the faith of the ...

2785. The Coming of the Kingdom of God

Luke 17:20-37

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... at least five different locations (13:34–35; 17:20–37; 19:41–45; 21:7–36; 23:28–31). The passage presently under consideration (17:20–37) is paralleled at many points in Matthew (10:39; 16:21; 24:17, 18, 23, 26–28, 37, 39–41) and in Mark (8:31; 13:15–16, 21). 17:20–21 The first part of this section is that part which actually relates directly to the kingdom of God. What follows in vv. 22–37 may more appropriately be regarded as material concerned with the return of the “Son of Man ...

2786. The Widow's Offering

Luke 21:1-4

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... 5) the Coming of the Son of Man (vv. 25–28); (6) the Parable of the Fig Tree (vv. 29–33); and (7) the Admonition to Watch (vv. 34–38). With the exception of the last part, which is found only in Luke, the evangelist has derived his materials from Mark 12:41–13:31. 21:1–4 The episode of the poor widow who gave to the temple treasury only two very small copper coins (see note below) stands in contrast to the nature of the religious piety and practice of the teachers of the law described above in 20 ...

2787. Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

Luke 22:39-46

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... is now at hand. The section under consideration consists of three parts: (1) Jesus’ Prayers on the Mount of Olives (vv. 39–46); (2) Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest (vv. 47–53); and (3) Peter’s Denials of Jesus (vv. 54–62). Luke has derived his material from Mark 14:32–50, 53–54, 66–72. 22:39–46 As has been his practice (see 21:37) Jesus went … to the Mount of Olives (see note below) with his disciples. In keeping with Lucan interest, the emphasis of the passage falls on prayer. In v. 40 ...

2788. Abraham Justified by Faith

Romans 4:1-25

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... ideal, of course, is that the human will might become one with the divine—and someday it will be. But the initial lessons in the classroom of life are not so easily learned. “ ‘Abba, Father.… Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will’ ” (Mark 14:36). Jesus too knew the struggle of faith. Faith does not exist in a vacuum. We may worship God in a sanctuary, but we do not normally find our faith in one. Faith is more often born in a boxing ring of choices—of doubt, disbelief ...

2789. Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

Romans 6:1-14

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... completely the new life in Christ. Paul himself knew this tension. Though the outer person is failing, the inner person is being renewed within us (2 Cor. 4:16). We are handed over to doubts, troubles, and death, but we are not annihilated. In the midst of “birth pangs” (Mark 13:8; 2 Cor. 4:7ff.; Gal. 4:19) we are born to faith, hope, and life eternal in God. 6:8–11 The focus now shifts to Christ as the pioneer of the Christian experience. Paul endeavors to show that what is true of Christ is equally ...

2790. All Israel Will Be Saved

Romans 11:25-32

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... like this one to underscore the importance of his argument (1:13; 10:1; 2 Cor. 1:8; 1 Thess. 4:13). The governing word in this section is mystery (v. 25). In the NT “mystery” generally means the purpose of God for salvation in Jesus Christ (Mark 4:11; Eph. 1:9). It is a mystery not because God desires to keep it hidden, but because if it is to be apprehended it must be made known by God. Contrary to all reasonable expectations, God loves this world and commits himself sacrificially to its redemption ...

2791. Living Sacrifices

Romans 12:1-8

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... are ranked above theology professors! This undoubtedly is due to the remembrance of Jesus himself who exalted service of others over self; “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42–45; also John 13:1–20). From the beginning Jesus’ example of humility challenged the church to “consider others better than yourselves” (Phil. 2:1–11). The gospel thus consists of an indivisible unity of word and deed, faith and life, a unity ...

2792. Love, for the Day Is Near

Romans 13:8-14

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... ways by providing for their needs and desires. Few people need be taught how to promote their own good. Paul (and Jesus, cf. Mark 12:31) simply commands believers to promote the good of others in like manner! That is the meaning of “love your neighbor as ... –14 The present time of verse 11 is not clock-time, but the unique moment of time which began in God’s sending his Son (Mark 1:15; Gal. 4:4–6) and which concludes at the final revelation of Jesus Christ as Lord of all. It is the eschatological moment ...

2793. Food Sacrificed to Idols

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... Paul is probably quoting the Corinthians’ own position, perhaps from their letter to him, by placing quotation marks around “all of us possess knowledge.” One may speculatively reconstruct the imaginary conversation Paul presents this way ... and that there is no God but one.” Some translations, among them the NRSV, indicate the Corinthians’ thinking and slogans with quotation marks (“no idol in the world really exists” and “there is no God but one”). Either way, in verse 4 Paul is introducing ...

2794. Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... Spirit to declare, “Jesus is Lord”! Other NT authors and writings faced this same dilemma in the life of the early church, and while patterns of language vary in response to each distinctive situation, the solutions offered by the NT authors are remarkably consistent: see Mark 9:38–40; John 15:26; 1 John 4:1–3. Additional Notes 12:1 The language at the outset of the discussion is ambiguous in Gk., but the basic sense of Paul’s remarks comes through however one decides to translate the Gk. word ...

2795. The Seventh Trumpet

Revelation 11:15-19

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... cf. 5:9), and must therefore bear witness to God’s triumph over all who oppose the testimony of Jesus Christ and his people. Significantly, the only other place in Revelation where a “hailstorm” is found is at the onset of the seventh bowl (16:21), which marks the final destruction of the anti-God kingdom. The heavenly temple is linked in this way to Babylon’s fall on earth, since both events are results of God’s triumph in Christ. Additional Notes 11:19 For the argument that 11:19 is the preface ...

2796. The Rider on the White Horse

Revelation 19:11-21

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... used the secrecy motif to legitimize his authority as seer (10:4): having knowledge, especially revealed knowledge, to which others have no access is a form or symbol of one’s “power” over them. In this same sense, perhaps John has included this identifying mark as a symbol not only of Christ’s authority but of his own. Additionally, the interpreter should understand the rider’s publicized names as related to his messianic mission as Word of God (cf. John 1:1–18), in which he is “Faithful and ...

2797. Jesus Is Coming

Revelation 22:7-21

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... (e.g., Father-Son, Sovereign-Lamb), John brings the two together as cosmic equals in his benediction. In his forthcoming monograph, The Past of Jesus in the Gospels, SNTSMS 68 (Cambridge: University Press), E. E. Lemcio argues that God’s resurrection of Jesus marked a substantive change in his status, and that this change is indicated in the gospel narratives by the contrast between pre-Easter and post-Easter portraits of Jesus. Perhaps a similar contrast can be found in Revelation’s description of pre ...

2798. The Burnt Offering

Leviticus 1:1-17

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... the ritual is for God to grant atonement. The concern of the text is to regulate the ritual so that it can be acceptable to God. The themes of Leviticus 1 appear throughout Scripture. The crucifixion as the ultimate atoning sacrifice is central to the NT text (Mark 10:45; Eph. 5:2; 1 Pet. 1:18–19), and subjects such as forgiveness (1 John 1:5–10) and total commitment (Matt. 10:34–39; Heb. 13:15–16) arise frequently. Additional Notes 1:1 Wenham (Leviticus, p. 49) has noted the distinctiveness of the ...

2799. Various Laws

Leviticus 19:1-37

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head is probably a foreign mourning rite, as also may be the intentional cutting of the beard in some way. The cutting or gashing of the body as well as imprinting marks on the body (put tattoo marks on yourselves) are known to have been foreign mourning rites. The prostituting of a daughter (v. 29) is a practice also labeled as foreign and degrading or profaning. Cultic prostitution was characteristic of some ancient Near Eastern religions. Prostitution would bring ...

2800. The Passover

Numbers 9:1-14

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... NT calls upon the rich Passover tradition to describe the new chapter of God’s work in the world with the incarnation. Jesus is described as the Passover lamb (John 1:29, 35; 1 Pet. 1:18–19), and the Last Supper is instituted in the context of Passover (Mark 14:12). John 19:31–33, 36 calls on Num. 9 and the tradition of not breaking the bones of the lamb. 9:2 In Lev. 23, Passover and Unleavened Bread are treated together as coming in the spring (March–April). Both relate to the exodus. The festival ...

Showing results